
The Confederacy continues to decline as the New England Alliance attacks them in The Cumberlands, previously known as parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, taking it quickly. The New Mexico Territory stays Texan – for now. In this manner I was able to destroy three of the Commonwealth’s Apache units and break their attack for good. The most important defensive piece this early in the game are the veritable antiaircraft platforms, such as the Vulcan or Chaparral – keep them out of harm’s way. With judicious use of forward defenses, I break their attack and destroy more than half of their invading troops. The California Republic tries to take advantage of my attention out east and attacks me in the New Mexico territory. The Mississippi Delta States are incorporated into my Republic. Also their redneck machinegun-toting compact cars aren’t much use in the face of Texan Abrams tanks (they shore do blow up real purty, though – yeehaw!). The Confederacy soldiers don’t put up much of a fight, probably the result of getting whacked by the Europeans. My troops sweep in from the north and quickly capture Baton Rouge, Biloxi, Mobile, and eventually New Orleans (Nawlins).

I go after the Mississippi Delta States of The Confederacy, immediately to my east, in order to occupy the important Bourbon Street and the tons of beads that go with it (not to mention the uses for the beads, heh-heh). Instead of counterattacking the New Englanders, the European Union instead decides to expand its pacifistic role and invade The Confederacy’s Carolinas territory to its south, incorporating it into their protective sphere. They fail, though, and the Europeans remain in place. and the nominal amount of prestige that may bring. The New England Alliance immediately attacks the European Union enclave, making a quick opening bid to occupy the ruins of D.C. I can’t imagine the Lone Star flying over a newly united 48 states, but anything’s possible.

With the lines drawn, the Republic of Texas begins its (hopefully) mercurial climb to glory and greatness, and gun racks in pickups across the land are loaded and ready for action.

The European Union gets involved as well, sending a “peace-keeping force” into what’s left of D.C., northern Virginia, Maryland, southeastern Pennsylvania, and Delaware, known collectively as Eastern Shenandoah. Soon, secession runs rampant across the country and six factions are vying to control the continental United States. Shortly thereafter (and probably kicking themselves for not thinking of it first), Texas secedes from the Union along with parts of New Mexico and Oklahoma. With no clear line of succession in place, California’s governor (not Ah-nold) declares they are seceding from the Union and take several surrounding states with them (Arizona and Nevada) to form the California Commonwealth. In 2012, the incumbent President regains the White House through a sham election, further putting the populace close to revolt.Īt the 57 th Inauguration celebration in January of 2013, a nuclear device goes off in Washington, D.C., killing the President, Vice-President, most of Congress, and the majority of the government. This leads to several unpopular Supreme Court decisions and martial law in some parts of the country. The premise of Shattered Union is based on a number of factors, involving an unpopular Presidential candidate gaining the White House and increased domestic terrorist attacks. Michael Eckenfels, 14 October 2021 On #TBT, we bring you the occasional classic article – an older review or analysis piece we wanted to rescue
