United States

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	United States
Alias(es)	America; U.S.
Affiliation	Entente Powers during the World War; later excluded from the League of Nations 540 557 581
Status	Under a League of Nations “Special Military Operation,” while facing domestic political and social collapse 654 658
First Appearance	102

Background / History

The United States is a North American great power whose rapid industrialization, large population, extensive territory, and natural resources give it enormous long-term potential. European governments nevertheless initially regard it as an isolated, militarily weak “nouveau riche” dependent on European capital, technology, and talent. 165 387 500

Its domestic cohesion is repeatedly portrayed as fragile. Racial conflict, divisions among immigrant communities, regional tensions between the North and South, and the strong autonomy of state governments limit the federal government's ability to mobilize the country during crises. 102 544 648 657

The United States remains focused on the Americas under a policy of isolationism for much of the story. It is excluded from the Panama Canal Convention, leaving Britain, France, and Spain in control of canal sovereignty and operations despite the canal's strategic importance to American east–west trade and naval movement. 310 414

National Strength

Category	Documented position
Population	Nearly 97 million during the World War period; described as the second most populous great power after Russia. 539
Industry and economy	Possesses the world’s largest industrial and economic scale, though European capital significantly contributed to its rise. 539 651
Military before the World War	Standing army remains only in the tens of thousands; army and navy are regarded as among the weakest of the great powers. 351 387 460
1895 comprehensive ranking	Generally ranked seventh globally, behind Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Spain, and Austria-Hungary; favorable newspapers place it sixth. 387
Post-war comprehensive ranking	Ranked third globally, behind Britain and Spain, primarily constrained by military weakness despite leading in industry and economy. 652

Government and Domestic Conditions

Federal Structure

The United States is a loose federation in which state governments retain substantial sovereignty, including isolated military forces and divergent laws. This decentralization becomes a major obstacle to national defense when the International Allied Forces attack. 544 657

• East Coast states remain relatively responsive to Washington due to their proximity and origins in the original Thirteen Colonies. 648
• West Coast states are less obedient to federal authority and are described as particularly unstable due to their settler, Asian gold-prospector, and Latino populations. 648
• State police offer more resistance to the invasion than the regular U.S. military. 658

Social Divisions

• The population includes large communities of White, Black, and Asian people, while the White majority itself originates from diverse immigrant groups. 539 652
• Tensions between Black and White citizens, conflict among White ethnic groups, and competing immigrant interests undermine national unity. 102 410 544
• During the later economic crisis, unemployment, homelessness, and housing unaffordability intensify unrest, especially among people of color and Asian laborers. 648
• Immigrant groups begin competing to claim territory as the federal government weakens during the League operation. 656

Foreign Relations

Spain

Spain views the United States as its principal long-term competitor because of America’s industrial potential and capacity to benefit from European wars. Carlo consistently seeks to slow American development, restrict its access to the Panama Canal, and exploit its domestic divisions. 102 414 500

• Spain exposes American support for Colombia’s Liberal Party, damaging U.S. influence in South America. 410
• Spain joins Britain and France in excluding the United States from control of the Panama Canal. 414
• Spain permits U.S. participation in the Entente against Britain but requires America to seize Cuba and British canal shares without Entente military assistance. 540
• Spain leads efforts to revive the flu investigation and build support for military action against the United States. 652 654

Britain

Relations with Britain are shaped by the American War of Independence, a failed attempt to annex Canada, and continued competition for influence in the Americas. The United States resents British control of Canada, Cuba, and a share of the Panama Canal. 414 539

• The United States embargoes Britain and supports Ireland with supplies and weapons before formally entering the World War. 543
• It declares war on Britain after British forces sink American transport ships during the Irish conflict. 556
• American forces capture Havana and most of British Cuba, while Britain prioritizes reinforcing Canada. 559
• Britain later defeats the U.S. Navy decisively, compelling President Wilson to seek Spanish and French mediation. 576
• The eventual peace agreement imposes heavy reparations on the United States but avoids territorial losses. 590

France

France supports American entry into the Entente because it expects U.S. involvement to strengthen the coalition against Britain and Germany. However, France later joins Spain in limiting American gains and influence. 540 563

League of Nations

The United States is unable to join the League of Nations because the Senate vetoes membership. Its exclusion leaves it unable to influence League investigations or decisions concerning the flu pandemic. 581 626

• The League investigates claims that a U.S. military camp in Kansas and a chemical-plant leak contributed to the global flu pandemic. 626 627
• Though the League eventually clears the United States, American interest-free loans to League members cause the decision to be widely viewed as compromised. 652
• The League reopens the investigation amid the “America Threat Theory,” demanding an apology and renewed cooperation. 652 654
• Britain, France, and Spain secure authorization for a Special Military Operation after the United States refuses the League’s demands. 654

Story Role / Major Arcs

Panama Canal Exclusion

American interference in Colombia fails to secure control of Panama. Britain, France, and Spain establish joint sovereignty over the canal, forcing the United States to seek permission and pay substantial fees for transit. 410 414

Entry into the World War

President Woodrow Wilson seeks to use the World War to annex Cuba, obtain British Panama Canal shares, and elevate the United States to superpower status. The government prepares public opinion, suppresses German-American opposition, and aligns with the Entente. 539 540

After escalating embargoes and support for Ireland, the United States declares war on Britain. It rapidly occupies Cuba, but its late entry leaves it isolated in post-war negotiations and unable to secure meaningful compensation from the Entente. 543 556 559 563

Anglo-American War and Concession

Following Britain’s withdrawal from the broader World War, the United States continues fighting Britain alone. Britain’s superior navy defeats the U.S. fleet, and Wilson seeks mediation to prevent a wider invasion or partition of the country. 570 576

The resulting peace imposes heavy reparations and damages Wilson’s prestige, strengthening isolationist sentiment at home. 590

Flu Crisis and International Isolation

The global flu pandemic devastates the United States, causing widespread infection, high mortality, and a collapse in public trust. The League’s investigation and international suspicion further weaken the government’s reputation. 626 627

Wilson accepts temporary concessions to preserve the country’s long-term position, declaring that America must eventually make its voice heard across the world. 627

America Threat Theory and League Intervention

A European newspaper ranking reveals the United States’ leading industrial and economic power, placing it third overall. Fear of American growth fuels the “America Threat Theory” and encourages European powers to support dismantling the country. 651 652

As unemployment, political instability, and regional disorder intensify, the League issues an ultimatum and launches a multinational operation. The United States enters the conflict divided: Wilson faces impeachment, the federal government is paralyzed, regular troops lack morale, and citizens flee major transport hubs. 654 657 658

Military

Strengths

• A population approaching or exceeding one hundred million gives the United States the potential to mobilize millions of soldiers. 557 576
• Its vast industrial capacity can rapidly produce weapons and warships once mobilization begins. 410 557
• The U.S. Navy is described as fourth in the world by total tonnage during the Anglo-American War. 576

Weaknesses

• The standing army remains small for a great power, largely because the country faces no major neighboring threats and is protected by two oceans. 351 387
• Military technology and research lag behind Spain, especially in tanks and aircraft. 573
• Veterans and active-duty troops become unwilling to fight after unpaid salaries and broken government promises. 658
• State-level military fragmentation prevents an effective coordinated defense. 657
• During the League invasion, the Anglo-Canadian and International Allied Forces encounter minimal resistance from the regular army. 658

Notable Quotes

“A temporary bow will not break us. What we seek is to stand atop the world in the future, to make America's voice heard across the globe.” — Woodrow Wilson 627

Trivia

• In this timeline, the White House’s name is attributed to the U.S. government painting over scorch marks left after Anglo-Canadian forces burned the Presidential Palace. 414 539
• The United States is described as the only great power outside Europe during the World War before it enters the conflict. 534
• Its inability to control the nearby Panama Canal is treated domestically as both a strategic weakness and a national humiliation. 539 581