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The United States, also known as the U.S.A., U.S., United States of America, and America, was a pre-War country. The location serves as the setting for the Fallout game series, depicted both before and after the Great War.

Background

Revolutionary War

The nation was founded by thirteen colonies of Great Britain located along the Atlantic coast of North America.[1][2] Disagreements between colonists and King George the Third's policies on issues such as taxation led to the armed occupation of the colonies.[3][4][5] The colonists pushed back, culminating in events such as the Boston Tea Party and Boston Massacre, where in 1770, five colonists died inciting rage against the British occupation.[4][6][7]

In 1775, British soldiers marched on the cities of Lexington and Concord to disarm the colonists and arrest members of their leadership.[5][8][9] Departing from Boston Common, the two forces opened fire near the Old North Bridge.[10][11] This started the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the subsequent Revolutionary War.[12][13] The first major military confrontation of the war took place on Breed's Hill, known as the Battle of Bunker Hill.[14] The battle took place on June 17, 1775, ending in a British victory.[14]

The colonists ultimately defeated British forces, resulting in the first successful colonial war of independence.[2][15] The leadership of the newly independent nation proclaimed their regional entities as states.[2] A group of 56 delegates from these states joined together as the Second Continental Congress, authoring the Declaration of Independence, issuing it on July 4, 1776.[3][16] A federal convention adopted a legislative document known as the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787 and its ratification the following year made the states part of a single republic.[2] Other conflicts include the French and Indian War and the Whiskey Rebellion.[17] The United States national anthem is The Star-Spangled Banner, the lyrics of which was written by Francis Scott Key.[18]

Civil War

Disputes between the agrarian southern states and industrial northern states regarding the expansion of slavery provoked the war.[19] The southern states attempted to secede, becoming the Confederacy led by General Lee, faced the Union Army.[20] During the war, a draft was implemented, a poster of which can be found in the ruins of Washington D.C.[21] Led by President Abraham Lincoln and General Grant, the north's victory prevented a permanent split of the country and led to the end of slavery in the United States.[19][22]

This Battle of Philippi was the first land conflict of the war, taking place near Philippi, Virginia. On June 3, 1861, the Union planned a pre-dawn assault on the Confederates, which resulted in their retreat.[23] The leader who drove out the Confederates was Colonel Kelly, leader of the 1st West Virginia. A monument commemorating them is located near the site alongside a battlefield cemetery.[24][25]

At the end of the war, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the slaves, and subsequently presented the Gettysburg Address. In Washington D.C., Hannibal Hamlin shares information about Lincoln and his role in the emancipation, when inquiring about the Lincoln Memorial.[26][27] In Appalachia, recreations of battles were held at Prickett's Fort. On the south wall of the Lincoln Memorial, there is an inscription mentioning the Civil War.[28]

Space exploration

The United States Space Administration was credited with successfully sending human beings into space onboard the space capsule Defiance 7, making a full revolution around the Earth in twelve minutes and seven seconds.[29] Captain Carl Bell died on May 5, 1961 when the capsule crashed on its return.[29]

On July 16, 1969, the Virgo II lunar lander "Valiant 11," piloted by Captains Richard Wade, Mark Garris, and Michael Hagen, became the first manned space vehicle to touch down on the moon.[12] On November 14, 1969, the Virgo III "Valiant 12" also landed on the moon, leaving behind its flag.[4] Constructed with special materials to withstand the harsh environment, the flag survived on the surface until it was found in 2052 by the crew of the last manned flight to the moon's surface.[4]

In 2020, the USSA commissioned Delta IX rocket, one of the most successful rockets in the nation's history with over 77 successful launches.[30] The longest recorded spaceflight in a Delta IX rocket was the 17-day Zeus 12 mission to the moon.[30] The spacecraft was the last of the manned rockets to the moon, converted afterward for military use, removing the crew and instrument sections in order to hold a nuclear warhead.[4][30]

Resource Wars

The United States was involved in the Resource Wars, a series of conflicts beginning in 2052, brought on by an unsustainable global economy that heavily relied on finite resources such as petroleum and uranium.[31][32] On March 5, 2052, the United States officially closed its borders.[33] Disagreement on the world's last remaining resources caused the dissolution of the United Nations in July 2052.[34][35] Wartime censorship enabled the government to confiscate and destroy any material deemed seditious.[36][37] Defense contractors and industrial complexes were put under military command.[38][39]

Under Executive Order 99066, Chinese-American citizens were taken from their homes, placed in concentration camps without trial, transported by private security contractors.[40] The Turtledove Detention Camp in Maryland was one such camp.[41] Many ended up disappearing in the various research facilities across the United States.[42][43]

Organized labor and unions pushed back against the government and corporations, struggling for wages, benefits, and safe working conditions.[44][45][46] In Appalachia, Hornwright Industrial, Atomic Mining Services, and RobCo Industries, supported by Governor Evans, pushed for replacing human labor with robotics and leaving workers unemployed. The unrest culminated in Automation Riots.

Great War

The event ended decade-long conflict between the United States and China.[47] By 2077, a combination of attrition, loss of supply routes, and offensives conducted by the United States across the front left Chinese units in Alaska stranded and cut off from reinforcements.[Pub 1] The liberation of Anchorage aided by winterized T-51 Power Armor units under the command of General Constantine Chase marked the end of the Anchorage Reclamation.[48][49][Pub 1] After United States victory in Anchorage, the conflict transitioned into a stalemate.[50] Media outlets reported billions of dollars wasted with no clear end or victor in sight.[51] Preparing for a nuclear or biological attack, the president of the United States retreated to an oil rig off the west coast in March 2077.[52]

The war both began and ended on October 23, 2077.[53][Pub 2] Submarines were identified by COMPACFLT at 00:03 EST off the West Coast. At 03:37 EST, a squadron of high-altitude bombers were sighted off the Bering Strait.[54] Six hours later, at 09:13 EST, IONDS detected the first four missile launches and the United States moved to DEFCON 2.

Four minutes later, NORAD reported confirmed strikes. Citizens of Washington received warnings after the West Coast was already destroyed.[55] Unclear where the bombs came from or who initiated launch first, air raid sirens sounded, and at 09:26 EST, the president ordered a retaliatory strike according to scenario MX-CN91.[54] Nuclear bombs hit Pennsylvania and New York at 09:42 EST.[53] By 09:47 EST, facilities had gone offline.[54][56][57][58]

Regions

Both states and commonwealths were used to distinguish regions within the United States.[59] In Appalachia, documents used the distinction "Territory of Appalachia" and "Appalachian Territory."[60][61] The country utilized several varieties of national flag. The country shared borders with Mexico to the south, Canada to the north, and Russia across the Bering Strait from Alaska.[62]

Government

In the years prior to the war, the government was led by the president, who worked with their respective cabinet. The House of Representatives and the Senate were legislative bodies capable of the impeachment of a president.[63] The Senate was comprised of department committees that engaged in various initiatives, while Congress was briefed on plans concerning national security.[64][65] The government included multiple departments and agencies.

Military

The United States Armed Forces served as the unified military of the United States, and was composed of the United States Army, United States Navy, US Marines, United States Air Force, and the US Coast Guard.

Notes


Behind the scenes

Federal courts are mentioned in a design document for Van Buren.[Doc 1]

Gallery

References

  1. National Archives terminal entries; Question Two
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Museum Kiosk: "The nation was founded by thirteen colonies of Great Britain located along the Atlantic seaboard. Proclaiming themselves "states," they issued the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The rebellious states defeated Britain in the American Revolutionary War, the first successful colonial war of independence. A federal convention adopted the current United States Constitution on September 17, 1787; its ratification the following year made the states part of a single republic. The Bill of Rights, comprising ten constitutional amendments, was ratified in 1791."
  3. 3.0 3.1 Lone Wanderer: "Why would you do all that over a scrap of paper?"
    Button Gwinnett (robot): "This is no mere scrap of paper, sir|madam. This is the doctrine laid down by my fellow members of the Second Continental Congress. It absolves us of the tyranny of King George the Third of Great Britain. It is perhaps the greatest symbol of this free nation."
    (Button Gwinnett (robot)'s dialogue)
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Boston landmark inscriptions: "Faneuil Hall: Donated to the city of Boston in 1742 by French merchant Peter Faneuil, Faneuil Hall was a commercial hub in colonial Massachusetts. It played a notable role in the American Revolution. Protests against the British Sugar and Stamp Acts that began here led to the doctrine of "no taxation without representation." Later meetings were held here which culminated in the Boston Tea Party. Many of the Founding Fathers met here or gave speeches here (notably Samuel Adams) leading to the building's nickname, "The Cradle of Liberty.""
  5. 5.0 5.1 Voice via Tour Bot: "Let us go back hundreds of years. It is the year 1775. For seven years, thousands of British soldiers have camped on this very soil in their orderly rows of tents. Led by General Thomas Gage, they seek to quell the growing tide of Revolution."
    (Tour Bot dialogue)
  6. Boston landmark inscriptions: "Old State House: Built in 1713, the Old State House is the oldest public building in Boston. During the years before the Revolutionary War, this building was a hotbed for the ideas and ideals that would result in revolution. It was here that John Adams said, "the child Independence was born." In 1770, right outside its doors, the Boston Massacre took place where five American colonists died inciting rage against the British occupation. The Old State House was the seat of Massachusetts government until the New State House was constructed in 1798.""
  7. Boston landmark inscriptions: "Granary Burying Grounds: The Granary Burying Grounds were established in 1660 - making it the oldest surviving burial ground in Boston. Many famous Revolutionary War heroes were buried here including: John Hancock, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and the victims of the Boston Massacre. In 2031, after the tragic death of Emilia Butler, the city council voted unanimously to have her remains interred here.""
  8. Voice via Tour Bot: "The officers are assembled, General Gage."
    Gage's voice via Tour Bot: "Take care that the soldiers do not plunder the inhabitants, or hurt private property. But we can and must defang them."
    (Tour Bot dialogue)
  9. Boston landmark inscriptions: "Paul Revere House: Built in 1680, this wooden building is the oldest structure in all of Boston. In 1770 this home was bought by famed patriot Paul Revere. Paul Revere dwelled here with his family (including his 16 children) until 1800. Paul Revere was living here when he made his famous midnight ride to Lexington and Concord to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that Redcoats were en route to arrest them and seize the militia weaponry.""
  10. Boston landmark inscriptions: "Old North Church: Built in 1723, the Old North Church is the oldest standing church in Boston. Its 191 foot tall steeple also makes it the tallest church in Boston. On the night of April 18th 1775, Lieutenant Colonel Smith marched with 700 British soldiers to Concord on a mission to disarm the rebels. Using a plan devised by Paul Revere, Robert Newman climbed to the top of this church and lit two lanterns to alert patriots that the Redcoats were coming up the Charles River. Thus inspiring Longfellow's famous verse, "One if by land, two if by sea." The battles of Lexington and Concord that followed would start the American Revolution.""
  11. Preston Garvey: "Well I'll be damned. It's the monument to the original Minutemen. I knew that was somewhere around Concord. That means this right here must be the Old North Bridge. Where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. I'd call that the best omen I've seen since we left Quincy."
    Sturges: "I don't know what you're talking about, boss, but I'm glad you're happy about it."
    (Preston Garvey and Sturges' dialogue)
  12. 12.0 12.1 Boston landmark inscriptions: "Boston Common: Established in 1634, Boston Common started as a communal grazing ground for cattle until it was made a public park (the oldest in the country). In the year before the Revolutionary War, a thousand Redcoats camped on the Common. The Redcoat brigades that marched on Lexington and Concord departed this very ground.""
  13. Voice via Tour Bot: "So near midnight, Colonel Smith marched with 700 Redcoats to face brave American patriots in the Battle of Lexington and Concord. And thus the Revolutionary War began. Continue on the trail to walk through more of our great city's history."
    (Tour Bot dialogue)
  14. 14.0 14.1 Bunker Hill Plaque
  15. Fallout 4 loading screens: "The Concord Museum of Freedom was a popular tourist destination before the war, and featured historical exhibits ranging from the American Revolution, all the way up to the Battle of Anchorage."
  16. National Archives terminal entries; Question Four and Six
  17. The City of Steel
  18. Pioneer Scout Camp Terminal Entries; Musician
  19. 19.0 19.1 Museum Kiosk
  20. Confederate guide: "The fort remains in Union hands. General Lee would be embarrassed to call you soldiers. Now go shake hands with the enemy."
    (Confederate guide/Dialogue)
  21. Civil War draft poster
  22. Union guide: "Today you will be playing the part of Union Soldiers in their desperate last stand against the Confederate attackers. Stand upon the battlements like Union soldiers might have in a real battle. Mow down Confederate soldiers as they charge the hill. Defend Prickett's Fort to keep it in Union hands."
    (Union guide/Dialogue)
  23. Appalachia audio tour stations; Philippi Battlefield Cemetery
  24. Appalachia audio tour stations; Colonel Kelly monument
  25. Appalachia landmarks - Philippi's Cemetery Battlefield
  26. Lone Wanderer: "What is that stone head?"
    Hannibal Hamlin: "That's Abraham Lincoln, the Great Emancipator. We don't know how it came to be here, but it's fitting, don't you think?"
    (Hannibal Hamlin's dialogue)
  27. Lone Wanderer: "Sounds dangerous. Where is this place?"
    Hannibal Hamlin: "I want to move all my people to the Memorial site for the great Abraham Lincoln, but I need to know if it's safe. I've heard rumors of Super Mutants infesting that area though. We need to send someone to check that out first."
    (Hannibal Hamlin's dialogue)
  28. Lincoln Memorial
  29. 29.0 29.1 Fallout 3 message box transcriptions: "This is the actual skeleton of Captain Carl Bell who died on May 5, 1961 after his Space Capsule crash landed. Captain Bell is credited as being the first human in space on board the Space Capsule Defiance 7, but this has been constantly refuted by both the Soviet Union and China. Defiance 7's flight lasted for a total of 12 minutes and 7 seconds as it achieved one full revolution around the Earth. Donated by Edwina Bell."
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 Museum of Technology terminal entries; Delta IX Rocket
  31. Fallout intro: "In the 21st century, war was still waged over the resources that could be acquired. Only this time, the spoils of war were also its weapons: Petroleum and Uranium. For these resources, China would invade Alaska, the US would annex Canada, and the European Commonwealth would dissolve into quarreling, bickering nation-states, bent on controlling the last remaining resources on Earth."
  32. Museum of History exhibit signage "2052 to Present: The Resource Wars"
  33. Fallout Tactics intro: "...March 5th, 2052, the United States has officially closed its borders..."
  34. Capitol Post terminal entries; Capital Post Top Stories -- July 27, 2052, United Nations Disbanded!
  35. Capitol Post newspaper Saturday, July 27, 2052
  36. South Boston military checkpoint terminal entries; South Boston Checkpoint Terminal, Subject: Dearing and Kennedy
  37. Fallout 4 loading screens: "America in the year 2077 was a land of advanced technological achievements... and terrible civil strife. As in any age, most ordinary people wanted only one thing - a happy, peaceful life. What they got was complete nuclear annihilation."
  38. The Vault Dweller: "{112}{}{Tell me about this installation.}"
    ZAX: "{117}{}{This installation was established in 2055 as a biological research facility for experimental cures of the New Plague. However, in 2071, this facility was placed under the United States military command.}"
    (ZAX.MSG)
  39. Converted Munitions Factory terminal entries; supervisor's terminal, Supervisor's Notes 02-12-76
  40. Internment orders
  41. Interrogation rooms within Turtledove Detention Camp
  42. Little Yangtze terminal entries; Little Yangtze log terminal, Log Entry 01
  43. Third Street Municipal building terminal entries; Office of the Treasurer terminal, Inter-Office Email
  44. Robot Repair Center terminal entries; Desk Terminal, Note from Frank
  45. Vault-Tec headquarters terminal entries; Vault-Tec Employee Terminal, Message 0101C Bathroom Breaks
  46. Vault-Tec headquarters; Vault-Tec Employee Terminal, Message 0099D Vending Machines
  47. Fallout 4 loading screens: "On the morning of Saturday, October 23, 2077 America was consumed by the flames of nuclear war. The war with China had finally reached its cataclysmic conclusion."
  48. Capitol Post terminal entries; Capital Post Top Stories -- January 11, 2077, Commies Crushed - Alaska Liberated!
  49. Capitol Post newspaper Monday, January 11, 2077.
  50. Newscaster: "And now, our exclusive coverage of the continuing volatile situation with Communist China. Chinese forces may have finally been driven from Anchorage, but the conflict has transitioned into a frighteningly tense stalemate. With diplomacy all but suspended, and conventional warfare taking a historic toll on both sides, many have wondered if the good old U-S-of-A hasn't finally entered into a fight it just can't win."
    (Newscaster's dialogue)
  51. Boston Bugle Building terminal entries; Boston Bugle article terminal, Article 2
  52. Boston Bugle Building terminal entries; Boston Bugle artical terminal, Article 4
  53. 53.0 53.1 Newscaster: "Followed by... yes, followed by flashes. Blinding flashes. Sounds of explosions... We're... we're trying to get confirmation... But we seem to have lost contact with our affiliate stations... We do have... coming in... confirmed reports. I repeat, confirmed reports of nuclear detonations in New York and Pennsylvania... My God."
    (Newscaster's dialogue)
  54. 54.0 54.1 54.2 The Switchboard terminal entries; central terminal, DEFCON status - 2077
  55. Carol: "I do... I was in a shelter with my father when the bombs hit. In DC, we had the luxury of getting a warning after the west coast was... gone..."
    (Carol's dialogue)
  56. Black Mountain terminal entries; terminal, log 672
  57. Black Mountain terminal entries; terminal, log 674
  58. Black Mountain terminal entries; terminal, log 675
  59. Boston landmark inscriptions; New State House
  60. Senate orientation letter
  61. Valid ballot
  62. Museum Kiosk
  63. Sierra Depot GNN transcript
  64. Department of Ag projects
  65. Vault 79 (slideshow)
  66. Desmond Lockheart: "Members of the Calvert family were influential all over the world. They practically owned a deed to the US government. In their best days, there were no less than three Calvert family senators, seven members of the house, and two governors. They even had a top candidate for president, until that scandal with the dog forced him to drop out of the race. I was particularly proud of that one."
    (Desmond Lockheart's dialogue)
  67. Alien captive recorded log 15
Publications
  1. 1.0 1.1 Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p. 43: "A combination of inclement weather, constant American bombardment and trench warfare, and U.S. powered armor unit attacks sweeping through mainline China, the Chinese supply lines weakened and finally broke down completely. By the beginning of 2077, the city of Anchorage was finally liberated, the Chinese invaders eradicated, and the operation had been deemed a success. A commemorative memorial was erected in Washington, D.C., in honor of the soldiers who fought and perished for the greater American good. Violence between America and pockets of Canadian freedom fighters continued throughout 2077, until the Great War obliterated almost all infrastructure, commerce, and human life."
    (Fallout 3 Official Game Guide/Faction profiles)
  2. Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide p. 454: "2077 October 23. The Great War."
Design Documents