Eastern USA versus Western USA?

Question

I am writing a short story about the future of America. A work of fiction. In my story (which take place the year 2080) the Eastern half of America splits with the Western half.

The Mississippi river is the dividing point and the river itself, along with it's cities and New Orleans are the DMZ.

My question is: If there were a split between the 2, and each became a nation, which would be stronger, have the most resources to self sustain, and which would have a better future?

Western USA vs Eastern USA.

PS What would you name each country?

Alaska and Hawaii have become their own nation in the story.

Answer 1

Easter America and Western America

we would all still be Americans...but i think the Eastern people would win..more populated..plus Californians are to busy surfing

Answer 2

Hard to say but I suspect the Eastern U.S.A. will still have a larger population overall. Water resources and climate change will also be a big factor; in that respect the West (more arid) will have a harder time of it. The Northeast alone is easily a match for California in economic terms. And the economy in places like Montana is also supported by  massive subsidies from Washington; if the East were to secede, the gravy train would end. California and the Northwest will be dragged down by having to support all those less-prosperous states. So I'd say the East stands a better chance of being the stronger power.

As for their names... I suspect they would just end up being called "East America" and "West America" - just like "North Korea" and "South Korea." Boring, but I doubt either side would be willing to give up the America brand!

Answer 3

If California were suddenly split off from the rest of the US, it would be the fifth largest economy in the world, so unless something (else!) dramatic happens at the outset of your story, the Western half would be by far the stronger new country.

Answer 4

The Eastern States of America and The Western SoA.

Whic side has the most industry? The East would probably be more powerful

Answer 5

Well, first of all, if USA splits, it will split in more than 2 pieces. South will have its own hillbilly independence. West will not be west of Miss. river, go more west, more like California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington union.  This will be the strongest nation of all. Alaska will join Canada and Hawaii will join Japan.

Names:

West - COWAN (acronym of state names, president - Gary Coleman)

South - USHA (Unites States of Hillbilly America - president - George W. Bush till he dies)

Midwest - USMPA (United States of Meat and Potatoes America, president - Lou Piniella)

North East - New England (Boston will not be a part of the same country with New York, president Tom Brady)

East - USYA (United States of Yankee America, president - A-Rod)

Answer 6

North and South Dakota, Montana, have a lot of Nukes, the West would probably be the 3rd or 4th most powerful nuclear  power in the world. East Coast might disappear in a mushroom cloud if we have someone like W running the show.

Answer 7

The east coast survived and prospered for over 150 years before the west coast even came into the picture, and we could do it again.

Eastern half would survive better,  from my observations over the last 2 years comparing coasts, we east coasters are more community and family oriented and have a higher education level, along with better schools and many more colleges and universities.  We also have access to lots of freshwater and Canada via the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence seaway.  But you have to remember this, Us northern east coasters HATE the south for the most part, as they hate us, so I doubt  a "union" so to speak would ever come out of that.  The Northeast and "rust belt" would probably form its own country, as the south would probably try to succeed and become their own country as well because our ideologies and cultures are still very different.

Also, north easterners are also much more accepting of immigrants, unlike California and other border states.

California also doesn't have the amount of freshwater to survive on its own.

Answer 8

They would be  totally different than they are now...

you could name E. Skidrow and the other W. Skidrow

like the German country did after World War II...they both will be worse off than today's third world countries!