Depression Era America

[afleitch]

Too many ideas, but what the hell I'll bring back this one.

The idea would be similar to Atlasia, only the setting is perhaps the late 20's and follows real events, maybe moving on two months every week (6 weeks to a year?) First off it would need a moderator. Secondly we would need a government apparatus, perhaps lifted and modified from Atlasia.

It would be interesting to have parties and politicians, but also union bosses and perhaps mafioso to stir thing up a bit. Obviously political platforms would be based on the big issues of the time; prohibition, depression, racism etc. As the game progresses, we respond to international and domestic events eventually including the threat of fascism and, much later, war.

Having just said all this it would need dozens of active participants so perhaps one for the backburner?

[afleitch]

This really sounds interesting. Would a fascist party be allowed? I've always thought that would be rather cool to portray.

I don't see why not. Of course it would be likely to be heavily (and probably illegally) supressed. Then again Italian Fascism was relatively successful around this time and any distance between a US Fascist Party and what developed in Germany would probably be beneficial.

I think it would be good to start things at the crash and keep going. We would probably need a govt in place when it starts, similar to the US. Would a Roosevelt arise?

One attribute that would have to be carefully monitored are peoples 'positions' which would have to be adjusted to the time it was set. So for example I would probably be a North East Republican who maybe has a harder time of things getting elected as a Catholic.

Al would be excellent as a union boss in my opinion

[afleitch]

I'm interested

After all, being a John L Lewis type might be fun

I would be very much in favour of retaining a 'realist' aspect. It may be best, after a 'launch' to jump straight into the 1928 election of course that could result in a Democrat winning, or 'impose' a Republican president, not necessarily Hoover like to run things. As for the speed of the game, I think we would have to get through a year in at least a month, to allow for elections every 2 months and Presidentials every four. As for 'positions', I would support multiple positions, such as say union  bigwig and Senator at least for now.

Of course it would be 'Atlasia 2', as applying similar offices helps with familiarity (and no point reinventing the wheel) Hopefully it could run alongside Atlasia, with people involved in both as very similar or indeed very different characters.

First off, if anyone has ideas I'd like to hear them, and try and establish a fexible structure for the game.

Secondly a moderator(s) is important, but as they are simply reporting past events much of the time within a shortened timescale it should be a non partisan job, so I would expec to see them in public office should they wish.

Thirdly, if a skeleton can be created I will try and get it advertised in the main Atlasia forum.

[afleitch]

Interesting idea!

I would like to be Herbert Hoover of course.

We may just have to install you as President then

[afleitch]

I'm with you Al on the 'realist' aspect of things; hence the need for a moderator. It would be very important for real life issues to take precedence over what path we had decided to take. Certain reactions to events , that are too 'modern' should not be encouraged. As for a time limit, I don't see why things can continue if the game proves popular, into WW2 - what we could see is an escalation of the game 'speed' until the post-war era which to me is just as interesting as the depression. But thats perhaps thinking too far ahead!

[afleitch]

As for a time limit, I don't see why things can continue if the game proves popular, into WW2 - what we could see is an escalation of the game 'speed' until the post-war era which to me is just as interesting as the depression. But thats perhaps thinking too far ahead!

If the game is a success, it might be better to finish it at the beginning of the War, and then start a new game based on the Post-War situation (but with the same general rules and so on).

More on this later.

I see what you mean, otherwise it becomes essentially a 'military sim' for a number of years. If we had a restart, it should take us through to the civil rights era and beyond. As for 'characters' some could overlap or simply be reborn as 'Jr' or 'II'

I'm going to gut the Atlasian Constitution of 'modern' input and ideals and tweak the structure. People should already be familiar with it, so after a period of character creation, party structures etc alongside a moderator we should be ready to start late June early July.

If anyone can draw up an 'issues' guide, like farming, prohibition, etc ( a bit like the Matrix )that people can score themselves it would be helpful.

[afleitch]

Okay here goes. I've went through and edited some parts of the Atlasian Constitution. I've not focused on government structure as such, but on powers and principles. All parts deleted have been strucken out, for easy clarification. I've started with the Preamble and Article VI.

Preamble

We the People of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, support equality for all forum members and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Republic of Atlasia.

Article VI

Should be replaced, where not already replicated, by the constitutional amendments of the US from the 1st to the 19th (including the 18th)

The Child Labor Amendment (approved by Congress in 1924), would for the purposes of the game, be on the table (even though some states had ratified it) for each region to vote on early in the game. It's best for amendments to be voted on promptly rather than have votes held at will.

[afleitch]

Unless we're going to have regional offices I think we could do with more than 6 regions.  Also Oklahoma in that time period is more like an upper South than a Great Plains state politically, so if we have just 6, it belongs in Dixie.

I'm hoping that we do have regional offices; though they may be impractical if the uptake is small (hence the advertising ) You make a valid point about Oklahoma - it's important to make sure cultural and economic ties are consistent, though the emphasis is on economics as thats really the main issue at this time.

Should this birdie not fly I'll propose a Post-War to Vietnam version.

[afleitch]

I would recommend we break down the districts as such:

Northern Colonial Belt:  A better name could be used, but this would basically consist of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Mass, RI, CT and Most of Upstate New York and Long Island, Southern New Jersey, Southeastern PA, East Shore of Maryland and Deleware. Also, I think Southern FL should be in this area.

Industrial Belt:  Rochester, Buffalo, the rest of PA, Ohio (except Cincinatti area), Northern West Virginia, Michigan, Northern Indiana, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Eastern Iowa.

NYC:  Consisting of New York City and Northern New Jersey

Upper South:  Western Maryland, Virginia, Southern West Virginia, Cincinatti, Kentucky, Southern Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Northern Texas.

Lower South:  Obvious.  The rest of the Southeast and Southern Texas.

Farming Belt:  Again, obvious... Plains States

Mountain States:  Obvious.

Pacific West:  Obvious.

Would a governor/senator system be popular in that case? I guess as the game is probably best with many or multiple office holders then some solid regions would be important. As for the number thats debatable; but I see what you mean as population distribution was somewhat different. Al's map is good though I can see a case for a further subdivision of 'Industrial'.

[afleitch]

Say:

President
Vice President
5, 6 or 7 Governors
10 Senators
3 Justices

The positions are exclusive; if you hold one you cannot hold another

The following positions are not exclusive and at the start would be held by those above OR another, non elected/appointed player;

Cabinet posts
Appointed Comissioners. To oversee federal works (should we have an FDR type administration at any point)
Union leaders (would be autonomous - can call strikes etc)
People with 'money' and people dedicated to 'smashing' unions (they can't get a free ride

[afleitch]

As will I, can I ask when it all gets started?

It will take a number of weeks to set up I think. I had wanted it to be quite extensive, though not difficult. Similar to Atlasia really. But it's not getting the support needed to sustain it at that level.

[afleitch]

Welcome newbies If they like it, then perhaps this could be ressurected, not that we have a great track record on these things as a froum

[afleitch]

I've been thinking that we should start something that is an essense a historical RPG.  This would actually be a great idea to base it around.  Start it in say 1928.  I would be the HappyWarrior Al Smith of course  Basically anybody can be somebody of a certain position as long as there is no overlap(Can't have like 2 Presidents or anything.)  Let me know if you're interested in that idea Afleitch.

I would be happy - more about fun than procedure.