United Provinces of New England

The Regular Flag of the UPNE

## Lore Overview

The **United Provinces of New England**, or **UPNE**, is a small country in New England, North America. It consists of the former states of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. The UPNE was founded in the year 2112 as a breakaway state of the United States of America, by northern sects of the Civilian Defense Front. Since its independence, Canada maintains a trade partnership with the UPNE to provide them with the necessary goods.

## Relations

#### United States of America

Despite seceding from the US in 2112, the UPNE holds no formal hostilities with them and wishes to be left alone. The US, on the other hand, wishes to reintegrate them back into the country as soon as possible.

#### People's Republic of Tidewater

As of 2116, the PRT and the UPNE do not share any formal relations with one another. However, it has been said that the PRT does back their independence from the US.

#### **Royal Commerce Organisation**

To say the least, the people of the UPNE do not look kindly towards the RCO, as they see them as a force of foreign imperialism to their newly free country. RCO imperialism is also seen by the UPNE as a secondary force, or extension; of the United States, whom they attempt to dissociate with. Harsh treatment of New Englander workers by the RCO also fuels the various militias' ever-growing hatred for the Organisation.

## History

The early history of the UPNE can be traced back to the neglect of the northeastern areas of the former United States by the USCPF. Raging winters, harsh conditions, and lack of support from the country they were once a part of fueled a steadily growing regional identity all culminated in the secession of the country nearly a century later. Through the unrelentingly brutal winters, which could be comparable in severity to the harsh nuclear winters decades before their founding, the people of New England persevered.

Solace was found by the people of the region in foreign aid from their neighbors up north, the State of Quebec (État Québécois). Canadian aid further fueled the fire that was independence from the US, as the people had found a source of reliability through their hardship. Small sects of Civilian Defense Front began to align themselves with the identity of independent New England, and following the Atlanta Crisis in 2096, sentiment for independence continued to grow.

In the year 2112, the United Provinces of New England seceded from the United States of America, as the final plan of a wholly independent New England had finally come to fruition. The people saw themselves as totally independent, nearly entirely dissociating themselves with the American identity, following their years of negligent treatment by them. Independent industry was established, as the new country's main export was primarily timber. Blue collar jobs and arduous labor had become very commonplace, as a result of the years of forced hardship taking their toll on the livelihoods of people in the region. Freeport, Maine, a former settlement of the CDF which had been founded in the year 2049, had been designated as the capital of the UPNE in the early months of 2113, as the PRT set up an embassy shortly thereafter due to their sympathies.

The newly founded country still faces foreign involvement issues as of the year 2116, as they attempt to dislodge the influence of the Royal Commerce Organisation from their new nation. Ports owned by the RCO are seen as attempts of foreign imperialism by the people of the UPNE, as various militias attempt to shut them down in order to force them out. Tensions continue to grow between the merchant organization and the militias.