American Civ Trait Speculation

[xkingofheartsx]

This has probably been said before, but anyway, the more I study the time up to the Civil War era and the more I reflect on things, the more I'm convinced that the American North is Scientific and Industrious, and that the South is Agricultural and Expansionist.

Reasoning:
Federalists (north) argued for industrialization and tariffs.
Democratic Republicans (south) argued for the 'cause of the yeoman farmer'.

North depended a free-labor (as in wage-earning) economy. South depended on slave-driven agriculture. They eventually fought a war over this. Up until then, the South was very careful to ensure that there were as many slave states as free states in the North and even wanted to expand into Mexico (with partial success.)

Our current policy is driven by a Southerner. And look at what he's done (expansionist).

 

[Crimso]

ok .

 

[MikeH]

Most of the trait combinations don't bear close scrutiny, I think they were chosen for play balance reasons rather than historical accuracy.

 

[thetrooper]

Most of the trait combinations don't bear close scrutiny, I think they were chosen for play balance reasons rather than historical accuracy.

Yes and most civilizations develop through time. The PTW release was disappointing tho, with all the exp/mil combos.

 

[llebsirhc]

I hope in Civ4 they will consider a wider set of traits for each civilization. Maybe the traits can even change in different eras of the game. I mean, starting with seafaring abilities early on is fine, but what good does it do you in the year 1850?

 

[thetrooper]

I mean, starting with seafaring abilities early on is fine, but what good does it do you in the year 1850?

Still the commerce bonus, cheaper offshore platforms and commercial docks?

 

[Cataphract887]

america is religious\scientific\industruous up to 1900's where it becomes commercial\expansionistic\godless

the godless trait increases corruption a little bit for every turn you use it,concluding in the destruction of the civ that has it

 

[Alone]

Maybe Americans should be Expan./ Commer. in this game (at least look more realistic to me) but this traits are good enough as well.

An Idea for diferent traits in diferent eras sound interesting...

 

[viper275]

I agree, very good idea. As others said, though, should Commercial be included somewhere (maybe the South as Agricultural and Commercial?) Not to offend, but it doesn't seem like too strong a basis for the South's Expansionist trait.

Edit: Welcome to CFC!

 

[Tubby Rower]

They eventually fought a war over this.

Not to nit-pick, but the Civil war was mainly over state's rights. There were actually slave states in the North that remained slave states even after 1865.

Our current policy is driven by a Southerner. And look at what he's done (expansionist).

Expansionist, no. I don't remember any calls for settlers to move outside of the US's cultural borders.....

 

[Alone]

Expansionist, no. I don't remember any calls for settlers to move outside of the US's cultural borders.....

Expansionist off course! They ment after first 13 states constitution Americans expanded to west like no nation before that. When somebody said settler, I always recall American Pioners in there wagons mooving to Oregon & California. Expanded to south (Tejas?), as well.

This trait had nothing to do with todays political situation...

 

[Tubby Rower]

Expansionist off course! They ment after first 13 states constitution Americans expanded to west like no nation before that. When somebody said settler, I always recall American Pioners in there wagons mooving to Oregon & California. Expanded to south (Tejas?), as well.

This trait had nothing to do with todays political situation...

I'll agree with you fully on the early history of the US, but the original post was refering to Bush as an expansionist leader which is not correct at all.

 

[Tomoyo]

Bush is a Mil + Rel leader.

 

[dgfred]

Bush is a Mil + Rel leader.

Civ traits, not leader traits .

 

[Gunner]

About the godless trait, who would that be being compared to, Europe?

Just makes me laugh.

 

[Alone]

I'll agree with you fully on the early history of the US, but the original post was refering to Bush as an expansionist leader which is not correct at all.

...and I agree with you on last statment
(but that is for off topic, as dgfred nicely pointed)

 

[Chieftess]

Moderator Action: Pre-emptive warning - Leave the political discussion for OT, not Civ3Gen.
Please read the forum rules: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=422889

 

[Spatula]

America is Expansionist - look how quickly the continent was colonized. Now the expansion is in influence, not territory. And its industry base is MASSIVE.

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

I think industrious and expansionist are an accurate combo for the US. They were able to expand their country in such a short period of time. Also our country is insurmountable in industrial capacity.

What I would like to see is an improvement to the expansionist trait. Give the expansionist the corruption reduction bonus that commercial has to promote larger empires for the expansionist civs, then give commercial 1/2 price economic improvements instead.

 

[punkbass2000]

1/2 price economic buildings would be far too powerful for a trait. Maybe if you excluded Marketplaces.