Chapter 621: The World's Situation

Chapter 614: The World Situation

January 25, 1861, Sacramento, the capital of California.

Christmas has passed for a whole month, and the festive atmosphere in California is still strong. People in the West are busy preparing for the Spring Festival of 1861.

In the western region where the Chinese population is absolutely dominant, the Spring Festival is the most grand festival.

Compared to the tense and angry atmosphere in the eastern region, the western region is much more peaceful.

In the living room of Weixiuju, there is a huge map of the United States hanging on the wall. The territories of the states on the map have been painted in different colors according to the recent situation.

The different colors on the map represent the areas currently controlled by different spheres of influence.

The three states on the west coast: California, Oregon, and Liangzhou are dyed dark red. These three states are the core areas of the west and can be regarded as the basic base and base camp of the western power.

The Western Mexico Territory, Nevada Territory, Utah Territory, Colorado Territory, Arizona Territory, New Mexico Territory, and the Platte River Valley area are painted light red. The light red territories in these areas are also under the control of the West.

The six states in the South that have officially declared independence: South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana are painted dark blue.

As for the remaining ten southern slave states, they are still in a wait-and-see state.

Among these ten wait-and-see states, eight are border states located between the north and south borders. These eight states are painted light blue on the map. From east to west, these eight states are: Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri.

The remaining two southern wait-and-see states (territories) have not been colored due to special circumstances. These two states are Texas and the East Mexico Territory that was incorporated into the South after the Second Mexican-American War.

Since the East Mexico Territory is actually controlled by Texas, the attitude of Texas can also be said to represent the attitude of the East Mexico Territory.

The last remaining force is the federal government, which is the 15 free states controlled by the North. The territories of these free states are painted bright white. These states are Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Iowa.

"According to the latest intelligence, the top leaders of the six deep blue states have gathered in Montgomery, Alabama, to announce the establishment of the Confederation government and nominate Jefferson Davis, a Kentucky native, as the interim president. In addition, the newly established Confederation government has actually controlled all the troops, ports, and customs in the six deep blue states.

Except for a few dangerous military fortresses that are still controlled by the federal army, the deep blue states have taken over most of the military facilities in the state."

Liang Yao informed the western top leaders attending the meeting of the latest developments in the eastern situation.

"The South is really quick. It's been less than a month, and they have already established a new government?" Robinson asked in surprise.

The six deep blue states announced their separation from the federal government, controlled the army and customs within their borders, and then established a new Confederation government at the speed of light.

This set of combined punches can be said to be very smooth and not dragging at all. Robinson even suspected that the top leaders of these six deep blue states had begun to plot to establish a new Confederation government long before the election.

The decisive attitude and rapid action of the six deep blue states in the South surprised the Western elites present.

Of course, the most deeply touched were not the Western elites, but the Northern elites.

The current Constitution of the United States was approved by the state legislatures of the thirteen founding states after the War of Independence.

It has always been the consensus of the states that there are states first and then the federation. Although the power of the federal government has been continuously strengthened and the power of the states has been continuously weakened since the founding of the United States, this is a very slow process. The people of each state generally identify with the state much more than with the distant federal government.

Previously, the northern elites stood on the moral high ground and accused the southern slavery of being inhumane and uncivilized, and they were so proud of themselves.

When some southern states played the trump card of independence and completely parted ways with the north, the northern elites immediately became at a loss and very embarrassed.

Most northern politicians had no plans for the independence of the deep blue states in the south, let alone any countermeasures. They have long been accustomed to sucking blood from the bodies of the southern states, and stubbornly and stupidly believed that the south could not leave the federal government and live alone.

"From the perspective of the constitution and procedures, there is absolutely no problem with the actions of the six deep blue states." Fremont said after thinking for a moment, "I don't know how the federal government will deal with such a crisis."

Since the constitution of the United States was approved by the state legislatures at the beginning of its founding, the legislatures of the states naturally have the power to veto the constitution and withdraw from the federation through proposals of the state legislatures.

In the south, at least six deep blue states have completely torn their faces with the federal government and have formed de facto independence. There was no possibility of a peaceful ending for the situation that followed. It all depended on how the Republicans and Lincoln cleaned up the mess.

Lincoln had only two choices: one was to abide by the Constitution and recognize the fait accompli of the independence of the deep blue states and recognize the Confederate government.

The second is to directly send troops to suppress the Confederacy in violation of the Constitution and safeguard the unity of the United States.

Based on Fremont's understanding of Lincoln, there is a high probability that Lincoln would choose the second path. As for how to explain the unconstitutionality to the northern people, that is what Lincoln should worry about, not what he should worry about.

Of course, the remaining variable in the current situation in the east is the eight light-blue states in the border areas between the north and the south. These eight states are currently the targets of both the north and the south.

Especially Maryland and Virginia.

If these two states were completely under the control of the Southern states, Washington, the capital of the federal government, would be completely surrounded by Southern forces. The Lincoln administration will also face the embarrassing situation of having to move the capital as soon as it takes office. The negative public opinion impact this will have on the new government will be immeasurable, and the people in the north will also lack confidence in the new government.

"Virginia hasn't expressed its position yet?" Gwen stared at the light blue Virginia on the map and frowned.

Virginia is the most powerful state in the South and the undisputed leader in the South. Without the participation of Virginia, the newly formed Confederate government would undoubtedly be a fool's errand to confront the North.

"Virginia is still waiting and watching? This big brother is taking the lead, but he doesn't look like a big brother taking the lead at all." Wu Yuanhua was confused by Virginia's behavior. The six younger brothers have already stepped forward. Virginia It’s really hard to explain whether Big Brother has expressed his stance yet.

"Not necessarily." Pan Zhengwei analyzed, "I guess the top leaders of Virginia have not yet reached an agreement. Virginians in the east wear the same pants as other southern states, and Virginia small farmers and homesteaders in the west We would rather wear the same pants as the North."

"Buchanan did not act, the Electoral College has not yet announced the final results, and Lincoln cannot be sworn in immediately. This window of time is a great opportunity for Virginia to rectify its military affairs and expel the northern forces. If the interruption continues, it will suffer from chaos, and the maintenance If Virginia's wise men are so timid, Virginia will be in big trouble sooner or later." Wu Yuanhua also elaborated on his views on the current performance of Virginia's top leaders.