NationStates Jolt Archive

The Republic of California
“The Bear Republic”

With its colony of Northern California, (A.k.a British Columbia) The Republic of California stretches from the Frigid and barren North Pacific to the arid regions of the Connector (Latin America). The nation occupies the western coast of the Northern Continent and has a population reaching thirteen million, due to the more heavily populated cities of the peninsula (Baja) and the land of the Snake (Northern Half of Mexico)
The land of the Bear (California, Oregon, Washington) are recently inhabited though growing quickly in population and infrastructure generally most of the population resides in San Francisco and San Diego.

Drawing on the rich natural resources of the Bear and the population of the Snake the Republic of California represents one of the premier militaries on the Continent. Though not as large as some of those on the east coast or in the southern lands they are of the highest quality. With the long coastline of the Republic the bulk of its military spending goes into producing and training what many consider to be the finest navy in the Pacific, the army though is well funded and trained though much smaller than that of the eastern powers or of the nations of Europe. Of course to land they must cross the western mountain passes which are heavily fortified or defeat the Republican Navy.

They are also supported by an industrialized economy that has begun to produce the most modern variants of weapons and smokeless gunpowder around. Soon experts predict that the arms and munitions of the country will exceed their own needs allowing exports to allied countries. As the turn of the century approaches the future looks good for the Republic.

For all its prowess in the military and the technology of war the republic wishes never to have to fight another war and seeks for peaceful co-existence with its neighbors.

The Reublican Navy

The Republican Navy has become a powerful regional force. It is not as massive as some of the European or Pacific world powers but it is every bit as capable. Since the Republic of California maintains only one colony that is a neighboring region to their homeland they have no need to have such a massive navy to protect distant scattered colonial possessions. Instead the Republic Navy is a smaller but very well maintained force capable of defeating any potential threat that would come into her territorial waters. It remains to be seen if the navy will enter the new century baptized by fire or instead training and upgrading in peacetime.

The Republican Navy is very much a force in transition from the technology of the previous century to the technology of the 20th century. It has a strong core of modern dreadnoughts and armored cruisers that are supported by an aging generation of ocean monitors and protected cruisers.

The training received by the officers and crews of the Republican Navy is comparable to the large and more experienced navies of the world, and the technology being installed on the new battleships and cruisers is the cutting edge.

There is even talk of the Bureau of Ships looking into something called Range finding and the use of guns of the same caliber as the Warships primary armament. Already the new battleships are making use of smokeless powder, and the squadron in San Francisco Bay have been observing a small submersible undergoing trails.

18 Pre-Dreadnought Battleships
16 Ocean Monitors
25 Armored Cruisers
53 Capital Ships

20 River Monitors
35 Protected Cruisers
41 Torpedo Boats
45 Costal Cutters
1 Submersible
122 screening ships

Dispositions to follow

Army of the Republic

The Republic Army is mostly concentrated along the Rio Grande river or in fortified mountain passes of the Western Mountains. It is a smaller force then those of the nations of Europe but it is equipped with modern small arms and artillery and well trained.

The First defense of the nation though is its navy, if an enemy penetrates that defense it is the Army that will defeat it.


Active Duty Army (Division located near the frontier):

Army total Size, 65,000 men
6 divisions of 10,000 men

Ready Reserve (Formed into City defense forces)
45,000
4 divisions of 10,000 men


Enrolled Militia Approximately 6,000,000 on the books*

*All men of fighting age are compelled to join the compulsory militia and to attend a week of training each summer. They are to maintain a rifle and rucksack with fighting kit. Of course there are numerous exceptions to this law, and the system is generally flawed and there are many seeking to reform the system. The Militia is largely untrained and undisciplined, and in most areas the summer musters are more a cause for a town celebration than anything else. There are some companies that are in good order and areas dependent on a capable militia for defense.


Specific units and locations to follow