Alternative History
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The History of North Ohio begins shortly after the Great Nuclear War.

Great Nuclear War[]

There were several Ohioan cities targeted. Toledo, Dayton, Cincinnati, Akron, Youngstown, and Wheeling. Columbus was also hit, and was hit the hardest with multiple bombs. Northern Ohio was completely isolated, and EMP's from the blast disabled communications along with any unprotected devices.

Immediate Response[]

In the first weeks, known as The Blackout, chaos reigned, and crime skyrocketed. Soon mayors from Ottawa and Erie counties (who maintained contact by horseback messengers on the Sandusky bridge) decided to meet in Erie County Hall to discuss the fate of their crumbling cities. They hoped some kind of order could be established. They outlined a plan to re-organize the counties, starting with a declaration of martial law and a state of emergency.

Erie County Ohio Courthouse 1878

Erie County Hall

The effect was almost immediate. Port Clinton, Sandusky, Oak Harbor, and Huron were very nearly annihilated, but in an instant, were brought back to order. Messengers were sent outward to communicate with local farms, as a few had veritably disappeared. Those whom were able to be communicated with were (somewhat obviously) willing to sell their crops to the people living within the towns. Farms which had been abandoned were assigned to inexperienced volunteer workers, supplied only with tools, seed, and a small pamphlet on how to remove fallout from soil.

Winter of 1962[]

In the following month, a harsh winter fell upon the world (Not the nuclear winter of endless night everyone had expected, but brutal nonetheless, reaching record low temperatures of -40 degrees Celcius). Many within the provisional state died of starvation, hypothermia, fallout, and disease. Black snow fell to the ground. Supermarkets were hollowed of every bit of food available. Makeshift greenhouses were built by families. Thousands perished despite best efforts. The winter lasted until April of 1963. The "spring" that followed would not prove any easier for the people of Northern Ohio.

Crops had to be delayed that year, and shipments of food were erratic at best. Fishing helped to supplement the weaning supplies, though this mainly applies only in Port Clinton. But news from the outside proved to be the most valuable commodity. Rumors from refugees spread. Cleveland is a war zone... Toledo is a black splotch... South? No better...

Contact[]

On March 31st, in Port Clinton's harbor, hundreds gathered as what appeared to be a ferry sped into the mouth of the Portage. As the ship docked, Port Clinton Militiamen gathered, hunting rifles and zip guns at the ready. A small group of men stepped off, claiming to be from the "Island Republic", on a mission of peace. Tensions immediately dropped off, as the ship's crew was swarmed by the curious citizens. Relations between the two nascent governments was established, and knowledge flowed between the two. Quickly, a joint scouting mission was chartered, to explore the remains of Ohio further inland.

Scouts[]

Three groups of scouts were erected, each comprised of men from both the Islands, and North Ohio. The scouts were to ride on horseback, armed with weapons from county stockpiles. They were to record as much about the countryside as they could, making sketches, taking notes, and contacting anyone living.

The very first patrol simply found more farms and an abandoned Tiffin. The Second Patrol

The third patrol made contact with the City Council of Bowling Green. The patrol was initially arrested, for "Attempted Raiding", as the people had misunderstood the scout's intent. After a short trial (namely for the purposes of fair play), the Scouts were released, and the City's Assistant Mayor was sent to make contact with the Sandusky Government.

Results[]

Bowling Green and the Island Republic were quick to ally with the Provisional Sandusky Government, and talks began of Unification. While distance was a problem, the need and desire was present.

Birth of a New Republic[]

On May 19th 1965, it came time to vote on the three nation's futures. Many within the Island Republic and Sandusky claimed that it was time to put aside the idea that the United States or Ohio State government still existed. Though in Bowling Green there was some opposition to this idea, which was considered secession, many agreed that a government of their own would be best until communications with the outside world could be re-established.

Each of the three governments sent delegations to the constitutional convention in Bowling Green, held on the 3rd of August of the same year. Multiple delegates were sent from Sandusky, to make up for the differing opinions between Cities (which now included Fremont and Norwalk). There, they deliberated. A copy of the United States constitution was used as a draft, though details were argued. Many within Bowling Green sought to revise the 2nd Amendment (to explicitly limit firearms to militias; a moition strongly opposed by Norwalkites), and people within Sandusky sought reform for the legislative branch, and give the congress more power to stop vetoes. The Island Republic wished to remain a somewhat autonomous state, although Bowling Green opposed this, having an all or nothing attitude..

After nearly 6 months of deliberation and revision, decisions were reached, a new constitution had been drafted, and the new government was to be elected.

Reaching Stability[]

The governments were organized into Four States; Ottawa, Erie, Islands, and Bowling Green. A general election was held, and on November 8th of 1965, a man named Charles W. Baumhart (the then mayor of Sandusky) was elected as the first president of The Republic of North Ohio.

There were two major problems immediately facing the Republic upon the formation of the government. One was that there were more refugees than the citizens could handle effectively. The other was handling the starvation within the more urban Bowling Green. Under the direction of President Baumhart, Congress quickly passed the Hunger Act. The Act pressed farmers to produce more, as well as legalized eminent domain of farms abandoned by farmers, in order to establish a reliable food source for the nation's population.

Congress also established a National Army to regulate the immigration of refugees into North Ohio. Refugees, who continued to flood into the area, were allocated to low-population towns south of Fremont and Norwalk (such as the abandoned Tiffin). Those who had formerly been in the army or in law-enforcement were immediately put into the military. Each of these "probationary citizens" received supplies on loan from the government that they would have to repay via taxes and "service hours".

Expansion[]

Erie Stretch Annexation[]

One of the first uses of the new national army was to bring order to the coast east of the nations new border. In Anschluss fashion, they rolled in upon horseback and in droves, and people accepted them as saviors and heralds of hope. Eventually they made it to the Black River, where they set up a fortification known as the historical Fort Black. At Fort Black, raiders were turned back by the dozens, and the facility remained in use until Cleveland joined the Union, and was returned to use after its secession.

Findlay Area Council[]

Centered around the city of Findlay a small governance had formed, the Findlay Area Council. It was weak and had many issues levying taxes, militias and maintaining order. The FAC had to deal with insurrections against their authority, and food riots as well as blockades by its own citizens to prevent the confiscation of food supplies. The sight of a professional army rolling into town was welcomed by officials, though many citizens were skeptical. Despite cries of illegitimacy the signing of the "Highway 75 Treaty" in 1971, occurred, and the two chains of command unified. There were some who vocalized doubts about the technically illegitimate Ohio government up until the 21st century, though these were mostly ignored in favor of order and stability.

The Wooster War[]

"Reform"[]

On March 20th, 1972, a North Ohioan patrol exchanged fire with a group of uniformed ruffians armed with slug shotguns and crossbows. Ohioan Hussars tracked the fleeing party to a prison facility north of Mansfield Ohio. It appeared to the scouts that the facility's prisoners had either taken over or been ousted by locals, as a small city of several thousand had sprung up within it's walls. Many houses, cabins, and tents had been erected within the shadow of the wall, and from each flag pole flew a black and blue flag. This settlement was called Reform, and despite it's shanty appearance, was a stronghold, and the Hussarshad warning shots fired at them.

Battle of Ashland[]

Very soon, a large brigade of Ohioan Soldiers was passing through Ashland County, in order to make contact with the Mansfield Colony. Very quickly they were attacked by a mounted group of soldiers flying the same flag flown over Mansfield. Their attacks were quick and fast, and the soldiers were quickly pinned down. A messenger was sent to a nearby camp in order to acquire backup for the soldiers. Lives were taken on either side, and it the battle lasted for a week until Ohioan shock troopers cut the enemy down. A captured scout informed the soldiers that they were believed to be raiders, and that their main base was in Wooster. This scout was sent off with a message of peace talks occuring.

White Tree Concordat[]

Near the Oldetown Run creek, an envoy of soldiers and politicians from both small nations met beneath a Birch tree, where official apologies were given, misunderstandings cleared. Eventually, a treaty was daafted This treaty was both a treaty of peace, and unifying document which abolished the Wooster government. Ohioan Politicians quickly took up office int eh three cities of Wooster, Reform, and Ashland.

Establishing the Buffer Zone[]

With raiders, refugees, and other threats, it became obvious that a more effective border needed to be established. Legislature was called upon, and a bill called the "Protection Bill" was passed in 1976. This law called for borders to be redrawn, and for a militarized zone to be established. This zone was ten miles past the entire border and is constantly patrolled. Fortifications were built, Cavalry and Footsoldiers patrolled daily and nightly. The most obvious effect was the moving of the border to the Maumee, Auglaize, and Cuyahoga Rivers.

Allen Campaign[]

Allen County wasn't easily incorporated into North Ohio, even with the new Protection bill bolstering Ohio's defenses. Soldier quickly found that the citizens of Lima, what were left of them, had turned to raiding, and Sandusky ordered for them to be taken care of. The Coyotes were called in, and one of their most famous battles took place. Outside of the city proper, in an abandoned factory, the Coyotes launched their assault against the Allenites. Little did the Ohioans know, Lima had two distinct advantages over their neighbors. They had tanks, and an oil refinery. It was in this manner they had been able to conquer the countryside and establish their feudal state, and why the Allen Campaign was so bloody. Many lives were taken in the Battle of Ford (1982), and the Coyotes were left crippled in the field.

Schoonover Skirmish[]

In Schoonover Park, the two armies clashed for the last time, with the Liman Honor Guard being caught en route by the Coyotes, where the two units clashed with bullets, eventually coming to a stalemate.

Result & Aftermath[]

Eventually the Limans "surrendered", though with several conditions:

  1. They would remain semi-autonomous, but have non-aggression and open borders
    1. Their Vassals would remain under their control.
  2. They would grant use of their tanks and tank manufacturing facilities in exchange for Oil, Salt, and a laundry list of important minerals and construction materials.

As a result, Lima was brought somewhat into the fold, and the Ohioans gained access to tanks and a refinery for it's large supply of untapped oil, in addition to the Support of Lima.

Flooding of Port Clinton[]

In 1992, due to reasons unknown, the major port city of Port Clinton began to massively flood, damaging businesses, homes, and overtaxing the normal drainage infrastructure. In response, many people fled the City, taking what little they had left to the outskirts of nearby Oak Harbor and the unincorporated community of Lacarne. Tent Cities sprung up as the central government struggled to handle the situation. This new joining of Oak Harbor and Port Clinton led to an unofficial renaming of the are to "Clintony".

FishbellyNeighborhood

Fishbelly is a river neighborhood; and the site of a battle in the Civil War.

Clintony was officially recognized in 2000; though the city remains incredibly poor, with most attempts at relief remaining impotent, half-hearted, or both. The majority of Clintony is made up of various slums, clustered around the river system, where the majority of Clintoners attain their sustenance via crawdading, poke pole fishing, and other methods. Common dishes include Catfish, Pickerel, Walleye, Crawdads, and "Kermits", served with Figs, Crickets, Tomatoes, Apples, Onions, or Peppers.

Central Clintony (Known as the Okarbor District) is where the larger businesses, and wealthier citizens of Clintony live. It is far cleaner, less ramshackle, and more connected to the rest of the Republic.

North Ohioan Civil War[]

Prelude[]

In 2004, Lucas and Ottawa are merged considering the shift in population density. This leads to a shift in Politics with Lucas/Ottawa becoming a major Democratic State, and removing the previous Swing Status of Ottawa. With this, Lima and Lucas/Ottawa become major rivals considering their majority support of opposite parties. Aggression builds between the two, and protests break out in Sandusky, citing Lima's previous status as an enemy of the state, stressing relations to the breaking point.

Findlay Riot[]

Democratic Protesters in Findlay quickly became violent when Republican campaigners came to speak at the local city hall, with fires being set, windows being broken, and many alleged assaults. Local Law Enforcement struggled to keep the rioters contained in the Downtown Area, and one officer was beaten unconscious with a shovel. The violence escalated to such a degree that the National Guard had to be called in.

New Faith[]

In the Clintony neighborhood of Lincoln, a new church was built. This Church, unlike many other did not belong to any previously existing denomination, but instead preached a mixture of Baptist and Lutheran ideals, with some Jovist influences by some accounts. The Preacher there was a man by the name of John Kodak, son of an immigrant and brother to six. John preached about society based on Moral Absolutism by the Word of God, or in his own words, "A good people who live by the good word,". More and more people came to here his sermons, far outstripping the ability of the little church to hold, and John moved his Sermons to a Public Commons, which only caused his followers to swell. John was noted for his outrage at the establishment of the Faith's Militant by Pope Castus I; and for the intrusions on religious freedom by the local Democrat Government.

First Shots[]

On October 21, 2006, a riot between Liman Republicans and Democratic Protesters broke out in Sandusky. Unsurprisingly, the violence escalated quickly, but the Republicans had came armed with firearms. It is unknown who began the fight, but it quickly grew into a full blown skirmish on the streets of the Capital. National Guardsmen were called in, including the 5th Infantry, famously known as The Coyotes.The subsequent battle is called "Bloody Saturday", and cited as when the conflict truly became a civil war. Beyond this point, both sides began to gather militias and marched upon one another. Factory workers in Lima took control of the Tank Factory and Oil Refinery, while Democrats blockaded Lima with patrols of Militia on horseback, commonly believed to be armed with arms from the Lucas/Ottawa Stockpile. John Kodak urges his followers to stay out of the conflict, while the Faith's Militant order the "Poor Knights of Elkhart" withdrew into Great Penance.

Invasion[]

Nearly a Half Year into the Conflict, Tribes from Michigan begin raiding border settlements along the Maumee River, armed with fairly primitive weapons (with the exclusion of some stolen firearms), but greatly outnumbering settlers, eventually striking at the outer neighborhoods of Bowling Green. Many perish in the attacks and the fires set thereafter.

The Faithful Migration[]

With the barbarian invaders reaching further inland, the followers oh John Kodak grow ever more skeptical of the fate of the republic. At this point, nearly 7,000 people subscribed to the new Denomination, and there were nearly 70 different Preachers, all personally trained and baptized by John. With tensions growing ever higher, many began to question whether remaining in Ohio would be safe or not. As the question nagged at the back of John's head, the Republicans marched on Sandusky, from Tiffin. It was at this point that the Followers gathered at Fremont and began their personal Exodus, heading towards Pennsylvania.

Battle for Sandusky[]

As the Followers leave for a new Jerusalem, the Republicans roll Literal Tanks into Sandusky, while the Democrats have bunkered down in the streets. The Republicans gives teh Democrats an ultimatum, demanding surrender and an allowance of succession, or Sandusky would be eliminated. Realizing the situation they were in, the Federal Government wrote Lima out of the Documents, and the two states were separate once again.

Results[]

As a result, Lima reasserted its independence, 24 years after joining the fledgling republic. This sent shock-waves through the Great Lakes Region Union, catastrophically dropping the value of the Bank note, and nearly causing collapse of the economic union. Lima as part of its independence did not join the GLRU, due to both ideological positions, and understanding that the GLRU would not be in a great economic state. As a result, the UPR and Khuzby withdrew from the Union, severely limiting shipping to Mackinac/Bois Blanc from Green Bay, overall damaging the Iron Trade, taking the Columbus Trade Route out of GLRU bureaucracy, and revaluing the Khuzby Copper. 

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