Simulation Scenario: Post-Cataclysm Union

Background
In the year 2015, after more than a decade of war against terrorism accompanied by continued economic downturn, the U.S. economy almost entirely collapsed. To the surprise of all, the usual order maintained throughout the nation was replaced by a great amount of chaos and violence—riots were reported in almost every U.S. city. With the consent of Congress, the President declared martial law, suspended elections and turned to United Nations Peacekeeping forces to maintain internal order in the cities and in many rural areas. This actually escalated the violence and only a few isolated pockets of peace and order still existed. Trade was at a standstill and communication was severely hampered.

The economic consequences had similar drastic results in all the leading industrial nations. The UN was left vacant; world manufacturing and business became basically defunct; nearly the entire world was engaged in some sort of war. In 2024 the many wars escalated to an exchange of nuclear detonations which wiped out most major cities in Europe, Asia and the Eastern/Western American seaboards. With little left to fight for, and in the aftermath of the nuclear blasts, the wars ended.

For the first few years after the war, people around the world banded into small communities and focused on survival and sustenance. On the local level, some areas prospered, but many did not. Some places faced widespread famine, petty bickering and disagreement, and even occasional violence. Peacekeeping was left to local militia groups, and because factions were left vying for power, local freedom and survival were left to the fittest.

Scenario
The Simulation is set in the year 2036. By this time, various relatively advanced nations have developed. In addition to the boundary reformations in South America, Europe, Africa and Asia, Mexico has taken back large portions of Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico and expanded its borders southward to include what were formally Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. Canada has, somewhat by default and circumstance, become 6 independent nations—the western provinces staking disputed claims on what was formally the Northern Provinces and Yukon and Quebec taking Newfoundland.

Florida was heavily damaged and Cuba took possession of the southern tip. Back in 2027, some rich families of the east coast created a Democratic Aristocracy (of some 12 territories east of the Rockies and one “Western Territory”) with a Senate of 200 taking the legislative role and an Arch-Consulate of 12 overseeing the Executive and Judicial roles. Because of the “unconstitutional” formation of the new government, Texas wholly seceded and created the Republic of Texas.

Most of what was left of the western states also fought the new government, and after 3 years of nonviolent resistance, the U.S. government (now known simply as “America”) declared everything west of the Rockies “…a desolation that can deal with Mexico and the R.O.T. on its own if it wants to…and of no use to American Prosperity.” The smaller territories that made up the former Western Territory (combined population about 5.5 million) quickly called a “General Convention of Territories to Establish a Western Federation.”

Although the convention is unarguably necessary, forming a union will not be an easy task. Each delegation is coming with its own baggage, and with its own worries about the stability of a new government. Once delegations are assigned (preferably with some advance notice) you are encouraged to get to know each other (via phone, letters, email, etc…) and prepare extensively in negotiation, diplomacy and the science of government to create a successful proposal which will later be ratified by the people.

Delegations are invited from the territories of:

  • New Washington (population 250,000)
  • Oregon (population 310,000)
  • North Idaho (population 472,000)
  • South Idaho (population 410,000)
  • Wyoming (population 175,000)
  • Utah (population 610,000)
  • Moab (population 780,000)
  • Colorado (population 521,000)
  • Pacifico (population 375,000)
  • Carson (population 165,000)
  • NLA (population 285,000)
  • Arizona (population 780,000)
  • Albuquerque (population 310,000)

Delegates should take into consideration such things as state sovereignty, human nature, the history of government failures and successes, balance of power, liberty, unity, foreign aggression, internal faction, and how to balance freedom with order. They must also differentiate between federal, state and local responsibilities. Their agreements as to how each state will work together in a stable, yet free, government must be outlined in a written document, a Constitution.

Unless revisions are voted on, delegates will follow Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised. Only delegates may speak or sit at the team tables. Coaches, chaperones and observers may briefly approach a table and talk quietly with delegates, if further discussion is needed, the advisor and delegate(s) should remove to another room. Students may use the U.S. Constitution, The 5,000 Year Leap, The Federalist Papers, The Making of America, Democracy in America and any other study guides, books and documents in preparation.

TO DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THIS SIMULATION, CLICK HERE.