British Columbia, Arizona Among States To Join Cascadian Territories
Taken from The Cascadian Chronicle, Issue 1
As of the 7th of May, 2043, four new previously independent states are new to the United Territories of Cascadia. These include Arizona, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. It has been rumored that these were to be the newest territories as far back as February, but it has now been officially announced. These territories are the newest to be added to the list of territories under Cascadian control, and add nearly one million square miles to Cascadia. Previously, the newest were Nevada and Utah, added in December of 2039.
The United Territories of Cascadia began in 2019 as the states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Known then as the Northwest Union, they were one of the biggest unions following the collapse of the United States of America. In 2023, they combined with the Rocky Mountain Federation, comprised of Colorado and Wyoming. Searching for a new title, they eventually settled on the United Territories of Cascadia.
While these new states entered peacefully, adding territories into the fold hasn't always been an easy or peaceful task. The Idahoan-Montanan war of 2027 shows this, as an uprising of militant Montanans who refused to peacefully join the territories led to the loss of over 10,000 Cascadian soldiers. After several months of on and off fighting, however, the states capitulated and joined the union peacefully.
The addition of these new states into the union adds a slew of new exports to the growing Cascadian economy. Down south in Arizona, rich deposits of copper have been dug up, and have been minted into the newest iteration of the Cascadian dollar. Additionally, abandoned aircraft factories have been refurbished and now contribute to the addition of an air force to Cascadia's standing army. Farther north, the lumber industry has expanded, and a branch has been set up in British Columbia with their headquarters housed in scenic Victoria. Nationally, produce prices have gone down due to the massive agriculture industry possessed by Saskatchewan. Most importantly, however, is the oil industry in Alberta. Producing over 2.5 million barrels a day of oil, close to 400 million liters, Cascadia has become one of the world's leading exporters of oil.
Many jobs have been created along with the new industries brought to Cascadia. Stephen McAllister, the son of a oil sands worker, moved north to Alberta when he was unable to find a job in his native Utah. "It's great up here once you get used to the weather," McAllister joked in an interview with the Chronicle. "It's nice working in the oil sands. I mean, I've grown up my whole life around them, so it's like home to me."