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'''Northern Wisconsin''' officially the '''Republic of Northern Wisconsin''' is a self-proclaimed [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secession breakaway state] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwestern_United_States midwest region] of North America. It lies between the [[Republic | '''Northern Wisconsin''', officially the '''Republic of Northern Wisconsin''', is a self-proclaimed [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secession breakaway state] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwestern_United_States midwest region] of North America. It lies between the [[Heartland Republic]] and the [[Great Lakes Federation]] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Superior Lake Superior], occupying an area of 92,830 km2 (35,841 sq mi), with a population of about 661,000. Northern Wisconsin declared its independence from the Great Lakes Federation two years after [[the shattering]] and has since gained diplomatic recognition as a sovereign state from [[The Republic of the Heartlands]]. Most of Northern Wisconsin is covered in a mixture of plains and fields and dense forests. Its capital is Iron Mountain and largest city is Superior. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===The Shattering=== | ===The Shattering=== | ||
Following a disputed election, and a tie vote, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress U.S. Congress] installs the most unpopular President in U.S. history, as [[David Jefferson Adams]] becomes the 44th President of the United States. Shortly after the election, increased unrest, rioting, and a growing number of militias have given rise to ever-increasing domestic terrorism. In response, the President invokes the Homeland Security Act, and declares martial law on the West Coast, and other areas of the country. Though highly contested, a Supreme Court ruling sidesteps the electoral process, disqualifying popular Presidential candidates from several states. Public outrage explodes when a sham election leads to incumbent David Adams accepting a second term in office. During the 57th Inauguration Day ceremonies, Washington, D.C. is struck by a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactical_nuclear_weapon low-yield nuclear weapon], killing David Adams and most of the U.S. Congress. The destruction of Washington, D.C. effectively breaks the chain of succession, sending the nation into chaos. In an emergency vote, NATO deploys peacekeepers to the greater D.C. area, to secure international interests. With separatist sentiment rising, [https://shatteredunion.fandom.com/wiki/California_Commonwealth California]'s governor declares home rule, and secedes from the Union. Texas follows quickly, and declares sovereignty, taking neighboring states with them and forming the [https://shatteredunion.fandom.com/wiki/Republic_of_Texas Republic of Texas]. Following suit, other separatist movements gave rise to [[Cascadia]], the [[Republic | Following a disputed election, and a tie vote, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress U.S. Congress] installs the most unpopular President in U.S. history, as [[David Jefferson Adams]] becomes the 44th President of the United States. Shortly after the election, increased unrest, rioting, and a growing number of militias have given rise to ever-increasing domestic terrorism. In response, the President invokes the Homeland Security Act, and declares martial law on the West Coast, and other areas of the country. Though highly contested, a Supreme Court ruling sidesteps the electoral process, disqualifying popular Presidential candidates from several states. Public outrage explodes when a sham election leads to incumbent David Adams accepting a second term in office. During the 57th Inauguration Day ceremonies, Washington, D.C. is struck by a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactical_nuclear_weapon low-yield nuclear weapon], killing David Adams and most of the U.S. Congress. The destruction of Washington, D.C. effectively breaks the chain of succession, sending the nation into chaos. In an emergency vote, NATO deploys peacekeepers to the greater D.C. area, to secure international interests. With separatist sentiment rising, [https://shatteredunion.fandom.com/wiki/California_Commonwealth California]'s governor declares home rule, and secedes from the Union. Texas follows quickly, and declares sovereignty, taking neighboring states with them and forming the [https://shatteredunion.fandom.com/wiki/Republic_of_Texas Republic of Texas]. Following suit, other separatist movements gave rise to [[Cascadia]], the [[Heartland Republic]], [[Great Lakes Federation]], [[Georgia Federation]] and [[New England]]. | ||
[[File:Kennard.PNG|thumb|left|William Kennard seen in early 1999.]] | |||
===Early Movements=== | ===Early Movements=== | ||
The idea of the republic originated from a little known man named William Arthur | The idea of the republic originated from a little known man named William Arthur Kennard. During the early months of the existence of the Great Lakes Federation (GLF), Kinnard and a small group of locals were upset about the policies and government of the GLF. Kinnard believed the government to be corrupt, the people of northern wisconsin and the upper peninsula under-represented, and that the policies and motives of the GLF did not align with that of the people in northern Wisconsin. Ohio reaped most of the benefits from the actions of the Great Lakes Federation. Most of the wealth was situated in Ohio and the government exploited many fringe states economically and politically. This led to ill-sentiments from many regions in the Great Lakes Federation, with northern Wisconsin, western New York and southern Illinois being having the most separatist support. As time went on, GLF policies became increasingly authoritarian. The government in Columbus had taken steps to politically and economically become more centralized. Local decision making became near impossible without the stamp of approval from the Federation government. To make matters worse, the federation government started to appoint its own officials to local government roles to insure the control and cooperation of member states. Amidst growing tensions between the successor states, the Great Lakes Federation had been experiencing trouble maintaining control and implimenting its policies. Locals became increasingly rebellious and refused to abide by Federation laws and mandates. During this time, Kennard had become incrasingly critical and vocal about the state of the Great Lakes Federation and it's policies, and had gained a following in a number of counties in northern Wisconsin and the upper peninsula Michigan. Kennard and his group worked to encourage the locals to defy government policies, and became activists for defiance. | ||
=== | ===NWIF Formation=== | ||
As the Great Lakes Federation continued on its trend, matters continued to deteriorate in fringe regions. Kennard and his group had started to shift from simple defiance, to the preparation and planning of armed resistance and violence against the Federation and it's mechanisms. With hundreds of supporters spread across several counties, Kennard and his group met in the courthouse in Iron Mountain, Michigan to discuss the path of the group. After hours of talks, the group had formed itself into what was called the [[Northern Wisconsin Independence Front]] (NWIF). The newly formed NWIF had the end goal of creating the Republic of Northern Wisconsin, a collection of counties in upper peninsula Michgan and northern Wisconsin. Kennard believed that the Great Lakes Federation could not be changed from within and that violence was a necessity, and that the NWIF would launch a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clandestine_cell_system#Models_of_insurgency_and_associated_cell_characteristics mass-oriented insurgency]. The NWIF began acquiring weapons (mostly [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalashnikov_rifle AK] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_FAL FAL] rifles) and other equipment such as explosives from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_market black market] sources within the Federation and Canada. Rumours had spread regarding the organization and Kennard eventually became a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Person_of_interest person of interest] to law enforcement agencies. The NWIF had spread to a number of counties, with cells being organized and activelly recruiting. The areas heavily influenced by separatist groups grew larger and became increasingly lawless. In a response to this, the Great Lakes Federation government dispatched [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gendarmerie Internal Troops] to perform policing and peacekeeping duties in problematic areas. In addition, the Federation suspended civil liberties in select counties, and declared that separatist, defiant or rebellious group and/or organizations to be unlawful and illegal. Law enforcement in northern Wisconsin had issued a warrant for the arrest of William Kennard on the basis of being a leading member of a "rebellious group". These actions did not have the desired effect, as it only attacted more individuals to become supportive or collaborative to rebel groups. | |||
=== | ===Preliminary Attacks=== | ||
On August 8th, | On August 8th 1998, militants carried out the bombing of a Federation regional administration center in Eau Claire. The attack led to 31 deaths and 139 injuries. That same day, several newspapers received telephone calls from an anonymous individual, giving a list of demands and warning that attacks will continue. The perpetrators of the bombing were never found nor identified. In response, the Great Lakes Federation suspended civil liberties in select counties and the Federation government enacted anti-terrorism laws. | ||
On August 20th, a Federation Internal Army patrol was ambushed, leading to the deaths of 12 soldiers, and a number more unjured. This time, the attack was claimed by the NWIF. They announced the same demands as the anonymous individual earlier in the month. With the influx of attacks, the NWIF had also stated that their primary targets were military and political, not civilians. That same day, the Federation government listed the NWIF as a terrorist organization. | |||
September 2nd, two gunmen attempted to assassinate politician James Gale, who was returning from Ohio. James Gale was considered a "Federation puppet" who actively worked to eliminate separatist and rebel organizations, and was quite successful at doing so. At a municipal airport in Appleton, the gunmen disguised themselves as airport personnel and attacked the politician and his security detail upon exiting the plane. Two security officers were killed, and James Gale was wounded. One gunman was killed at the scene, the other managed to escape the airport but was apprehended two days later. As a result of this attack, the Great Lakes Federation enacted harsher martial law in separatist and rebel counties and was actively suppressing civilians in northern Wisconsin. | |||
===Open Rebellion=== | ===Open Rebellion=== | ||
On October 8th armed separatist activists seized and occupied the federation State Security building in the city of Superior. The activists demanded that separatist leaders who had been arrested previously be released. In anticipation of attempts by the government to retake the building, barricades were erected to reinforce the positions of the activists. By 12 October, the government had regained control over the state security building with the assistance of local police forces. | |||
[[File:Evstafiev-chechnya-tank-helmet.jpg|thumb|upright|NWIF irregular fighter with a ''[[Borz]]'' submachine gun]] | [[File:Evstafiev-chechnya-tank-helmet.jpg|thumb|upright|NWIF irregular fighter with a ''[[Borz]]'' submachine gun]] | ||
The GLF attempted to deploy [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regular_army regular government troops] to subdue the militants and separatists. | The GLF attempted to deploy [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regular_army regular government troops] to subdue the militants and separatists. | ||
Several thousand protesters and NWIF members gathered for a 'people's assembly' outside the regional state administration building in Superior on 21 October. They then warned the Great Lakes Federation government that if it did not meet these demands by 14:00 on 29 October, they would launch an armed insurgency in the name of the Republic of Northern Wisconsin. As the Federation government did not respond to these demands, a series of coordinated attacks were launched where NWIF militias and other militant groups seized government buildings, National Guard armories, police stations, power plants and other critical infrastructure. The coordinated attacks were well planned and likely long in the works by William Kennard. The police officers and Internal Army units that had been guarding the building offered little resistance to the takeover, and some of them defected and supported the militants. | |||
NWIF movements began to spread across northern Wisconsin towards the end of October. Municipal administration buildings were overrun and the Republic of Northern Wisconsin flag was raised over them. The leadership of the Great Lakes Federation admitted the next day that government forces were unable to stabilise the situation in northern Wisconsin and western New York. On the same day, NWIF members announced the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickinson_County_Courthouse_and_Jail Dickinson County Courthouse and Jail] as the seat of power for the republic, and that William Kennard had been appointed as provisional President. The various militant and NWIF militia groups were consolidated into the Northern Wisconsin State Defence Force (NWSDF). In a number of counties in northern Wisconsin and the upper peninsula conceded to demands by activists declared their support for the new republic. The Great Lakes Federation suspended all civilian flights to the northern part of the state while Federation Internal Army and National Guard units set up a military blockade of the republic. On 1 December, the Great Lakes Federation leadership issued an ultimatum to all warring factions in northern Wisconsin ordering them to disarm and surrender. When the government in Iron Mountain refused, the Federation government ordered the army to "restore constitutional order" by force. | |||
===War=== | ===War=== | ||
Federation troops had to fight town by town as | Federation troops had to fight town by town as NWSDF fighters and groups of armed militia had constructed simple fortifications in an attempt to slow the advance of Federation units. On 11 December, Federation forces launched a four-pronged ground attack north, in an attempt to reach Iron Mountain and other strategic locations. The main attack was temporarily halted by a federation commander, who then resigned in protest, stating that it is "a crime" to "send the army against its own people." Many in the federation military and government opposed the war as well and held a sort of "let them go" mentality. More than 500 professional soldiers and officers refused to take part in the operation; of these, 35 were convicted by military courts and the rest were discharged. The morale of the federation troops, poorly prepared and lacking in experience and training, was low from the beginning. Some units resisted the order to advance. In Rib Lake, civilian protesters stopped the center column and set 30 military vehicles on fire, while about 100 conscripts deserted their units. Advance of the western column was halted by the unexpected NWSDF resistance around Ridgeland and the federation forces suffered their first serious losses. Deeper in northern Wisconsin, secluded groups of federation Internal Army and National Guard units started to surrender to the local militias. | ||
The federation government ordered the army to show restraint, but it was neither prepared nor trained for this. Civilian losses quickly mounted, alienating the population and raising the hostility that they showed towards the federation forces, even among those who initially supported the federations' attempts to restore control. Other problems occurred as the federation sent in freshly trained conscripts from neighboring regions rather than regular soldiers mostly concentrated in Ohio. Highly mobile units of NWSDF fighters inflicted severe losses on the ill-prepared and demoralized federation troops. Although the federation military command ordered to only attack designated targets, due to the lack of training and experience of federation forces, they attacked random positions instead, turning into carpet bombing and indiscriminate barrages of rocket artillery, causing enormous casualties among the civilian population. On 29 December, in a rare instance of a federation outright victory, airborne forces seized the city of Iron Mountain and repelled a separatist counter-attack in the Battle of Upson. With the federation closing in on the Dickinson County Courthouse, the separatist government relocated and set up new headquarters in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Pine,_Michigan White Pine, Michigan]. | |||
Following the relocation of the republic government, the federation slowly but systematically expanded its control over the surrounding counties. In what was dubbed the worst massacre in the war, federation forces killed at least 103 civilians while seizing the Ashland (several hundred more were detained and beaten or otherwise tortured). In the south, the federation launched an offensive along the entire front on 12 March 1999, advancing in large columns of vehicles. According to an estimate cited in a Heartland Republic Army analysis report, between 11 December and 12 March, when the federation forces conquered most of the republic in the conventional campaign, their losses in northern Wisconsin were approximately 4,100 killed, 15,000 wounded and more than 700 missing or captured. | |||
[[File:Defense.gov News Photo 000109-A-4385T-009.jpg|thumb|left|Great Lakes Federation soldiers occupying Prentice]] | |||
As the war continued, separatists resorted to mass-hostage takings, attempting to influence the federation public and leadership. On 29 March, a group of militants took more than 1,500 people hostage in southern Wisconsin in a hospital hostage crisis; about 120 civilians died before a ceasefire was signed. The raid enforced a temporary stop in federation military operations, giving the republic time to regroup during their greatest crisis and to prepare for the national militant campaign. The full-scale federation attack led many civilians in northern Wisconsin to side with separatist forces and thousands of volunteers to swell the ranks of mobile militant units. Many others formed local self-defence militia units to defend their towns in the case of federation offensive action, officially numbering 5,000–6,000 armed men. Altogether, the NWSDF forces fielded some 10,000–12,000 full fighters and 15,000 reserve fighters at a time, according to the NWSDF command. As the territory controlled by them shrank, the separatists increasingly resorted to using classic guerrilla warfare tactics, such as setting booby traps and mining roads in enemy-held territory. The successful use of improvised explosive devices was particularly noteworthy; they also effectively exploited a combination of mines and ambushes. | |||
By 10 April, Great Lakes Federation commander Simon McCalmont, who was in northern Wisconsin at the time, was critically injured and paralyzed in a bomb blast. Suspicion of responsibility for the attack fell on rogue elements of the federation military, as the attack destroyed hopes for a permanent ceasefire. On 27 April, the federation forces in Rhrinelander opened fire on a massive pro-independence peace march which had involved hundreds of people, killing a number of demonstrators. | |||
===Aid from the Heartland Republic=== | |||
On 3 May, NWSDF fighters infiltrated Ashland, Superior and Eagle River and launched a three-day surprise raid on the cities, overrunning much of it and capturing caches of weapons and ammunition. Also in May, NWSDF fighters attacked Rhrinelander. A month later, on 5 June NWSDF forces destroyed a federation armored column in an ambush near Park Falls, killing at least 76 soldiers; in another one, near Sheldon, at least 28 federation troops were killed. Intelligence reported that the NWSDF had improved weapons and more supplies than in previous offensives, and there was speculation from within the Great Lakes Federation that the NWSDF was being supplied and financed by the rival state the Heartland Republic. | |||
As military defeats and growing casualties made the war more and more unpopular in the Great Lakes Federation and as the presidential elections neared, the federation government sought a way out of the conflict. Although carrying on a slow and taxing war, the separatists persisted. The federation even officially declared "victory" in July 1998, after a new temporary ceasefire was reached. While the political leaders were discussing the ceasefire and peace negotiations, military forces continued to conduct combat operations. On 16 July, federation army troops were moved south due to what was planned as their final offensive against remaining separatist strongholds, the NWSDF launched counter-offensives in an attempt to stop federationt troops but had failed to mount any significant resistance. | |||
The planned final offensive against the separatists came to a halt when the Heartland Republic came to an agreement with the government of Northern Wisconsin, pledging military support to the movement should the Great Lakes Federation continue it's offensive. The Great Lakes Federation, fearful of entering a war with the Heartland, stopped the planned offensive just days before it was set to commence. Delgates from Northern Wisconsin, the Heartland Republic and the Great Lakes Federation met for negotiations in Prentice, WI. During eight hours of subsequent talks, the individuals present drafted and signed the Prentice Accord on 4 August. It included: technical aspects of demilitarization, the withdrawal of both sides' forces from respective territories, the creation of a demilitarization zone, the withdrawal of all federal forces from Northern Wisconsin by October 31, and a stipulation that any agreement on the relations between the Republic of Northern Wisconsin and the federation government need not be signed. The Great Lakes Federation, under external pressure from the Heartland Republic and internal pressure to end the war, agreed to the terms. However, the Great Lakes Federation did not recognize the Republic of Northern Wisconsin, and signed no formal peace treaty other than the withdrawl of military in respective territories. After the signing og the Prentice Accord, William Kennard and the republic government returned to Iron Mountain. As provisional President, Kennard ordered general demobilization of the State Defence Force. | |||
==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
Revision as of 01:48, 15 April 2022
 | This article is incomplete because it is pending further input from participants, or it is a work-in-progress by one author. Please comment on this article's talk page to share your input, comments and questions. Note: To contribute to this article, you may need to seek help from the author(s) of this page. |
Republic of Northern Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Motto: Our right, our land! | |
 | |
| Capital | Iron Mountain |
| Largest city | Superior |
| Official languages | English |
| Demonym(s) | Wisconsinite |
| Government | Provisional Presidential Republic |
• Provisional President | William Kinnard |
• Provisional Deputy-President | Edwin Mills |
| Legislature | Provisional State Council |
| Independence from Great Lakes Federation | |
| Area | |
• Total | 35,841 sq mi (92,830 km2) |
| Population | |
• 2020 estimate estimate | 661,807 |
• Density | 18.4/sq mi (7.1/km2) |
| Currency | Northern Wisconsin Dollar |
| Time zone | CST |
| Date format | dd-mm-yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Internet TLD | .nw |
Northern Wisconsin, officially the Republic of Northern Wisconsin, is a self-proclaimed breakaway state in the midwest region of North America. It lies between the Heartland Republic and the Great Lakes Federation and Lake Superior, occupying an area of 92,830 km2 (35,841 sq mi), with a population of about 661,000. Northern Wisconsin declared its independence from the Great Lakes Federation two years after the shattering and has since gained diplomatic recognition as a sovereign state from The Republic of the Heartlands. Most of Northern Wisconsin is covered in a mixture of plains and fields and dense forests. Its capital is Iron Mountain and largest city is Superior.
History
The Shattering
Following a disputed election, and a tie vote, the U.S. Congress installs the most unpopular President in U.S. history, as David Jefferson Adams becomes the 44th President of the United States. Shortly after the election, increased unrest, rioting, and a growing number of militias have given rise to ever-increasing domestic terrorism. In response, the President invokes the Homeland Security Act, and declares martial law on the West Coast, and other areas of the country. Though highly contested, a Supreme Court ruling sidesteps the electoral process, disqualifying popular Presidential candidates from several states. Public outrage explodes when a sham election leads to incumbent David Adams accepting a second term in office. During the 57th Inauguration Day ceremonies, Washington, D.C. is struck by a low-yield nuclear weapon, killing David Adams and most of the U.S. Congress. The destruction of Washington, D.C. effectively breaks the chain of succession, sending the nation into chaos. In an emergency vote, NATO deploys peacekeepers to the greater D.C. area, to secure international interests. With separatist sentiment rising, California's governor declares home rule, and secedes from the Union. Texas follows quickly, and declares sovereignty, taking neighboring states with them and forming the Republic of Texas. Following suit, other separatist movements gave rise to Cascadia, the Heartland Republic, Great Lakes Federation, Georgia Federation and New England.
Early Movements
The idea of the republic originated from a little known man named William Arthur Kennard. During the early months of the existence of the Great Lakes Federation (GLF), Kinnard and a small group of locals were upset about the policies and government of the GLF. Kinnard believed the government to be corrupt, the people of northern wisconsin and the upper peninsula under-represented, and that the policies and motives of the GLF did not align with that of the people in northern Wisconsin. Ohio reaped most of the benefits from the actions of the Great Lakes Federation. Most of the wealth was situated in Ohio and the government exploited many fringe states economically and politically. This led to ill-sentiments from many regions in the Great Lakes Federation, with northern Wisconsin, western New York and southern Illinois being having the most separatist support. As time went on, GLF policies became increasingly authoritarian. The government in Columbus had taken steps to politically and economically become more centralized. Local decision making became near impossible without the stamp of approval from the Federation government. To make matters worse, the federation government started to appoint its own officials to local government roles to insure the control and cooperation of member states. Amidst growing tensions between the successor states, the Great Lakes Federation had been experiencing trouble maintaining control and implimenting its policies. Locals became increasingly rebellious and refused to abide by Federation laws and mandates. During this time, Kennard had become incrasingly critical and vocal about the state of the Great Lakes Federation and it's policies, and had gained a following in a number of counties in northern Wisconsin and the upper peninsula Michigan. Kennard and his group worked to encourage the locals to defy government policies, and became activists for defiance.
NWIF Formation
As the Great Lakes Federation continued on its trend, matters continued to deteriorate in fringe regions. Kennard and his group had started to shift from simple defiance, to the preparation and planning of armed resistance and violence against the Federation and it's mechanisms. With hundreds of supporters spread across several counties, Kennard and his group met in the courthouse in Iron Mountain, Michigan to discuss the path of the group. After hours of talks, the group had formed itself into what was called the Northern Wisconsin Independence Front (NWIF). The newly formed NWIF had the end goal of creating the Republic of Northern Wisconsin, a collection of counties in upper peninsula Michgan and northern Wisconsin. Kennard believed that the Great Lakes Federation could not be changed from within and that violence was a necessity, and that the NWIF would launch a mass-oriented insurgency. The NWIF began acquiring weapons (mostly AK and FAL rifles) and other equipment such as explosives from black market sources within the Federation and Canada. Rumours had spread regarding the organization and Kennard eventually became a person of interest to law enforcement agencies. The NWIF had spread to a number of counties, with cells being organized and activelly recruiting. The areas heavily influenced by separatist groups grew larger and became increasingly lawless. In a response to this, the Great Lakes Federation government dispatched Internal Troops to perform policing and peacekeeping duties in problematic areas. In addition, the Federation suspended civil liberties in select counties, and declared that separatist, defiant or rebellious group and/or organizations to be unlawful and illegal. Law enforcement in northern Wisconsin had issued a warrant for the arrest of William Kennard on the basis of being a leading member of a "rebellious group". These actions did not have the desired effect, as it only attacted more individuals to become supportive or collaborative to rebel groups.
Preliminary Attacks
On August 8th 1998, militants carried out the bombing of a Federation regional administration center in Eau Claire. The attack led to 31 deaths and 139 injuries. That same day, several newspapers received telephone calls from an anonymous individual, giving a list of demands and warning that attacks will continue. The perpetrators of the bombing were never found nor identified. In response, the Great Lakes Federation suspended civil liberties in select counties and the Federation government enacted anti-terrorism laws.
On August 20th, a Federation Internal Army patrol was ambushed, leading to the deaths of 12 soldiers, and a number more unjured. This time, the attack was claimed by the NWIF. They announced the same demands as the anonymous individual earlier in the month. With the influx of attacks, the NWIF had also stated that their primary targets were military and political, not civilians. That same day, the Federation government listed the NWIF as a terrorist organization.
September 2nd, two gunmen attempted to assassinate politician James Gale, who was returning from Ohio. James Gale was considered a "Federation puppet" who actively worked to eliminate separatist and rebel organizations, and was quite successful at doing so. At a municipal airport in Appleton, the gunmen disguised themselves as airport personnel and attacked the politician and his security detail upon exiting the plane. Two security officers were killed, and James Gale was wounded. One gunman was killed at the scene, the other managed to escape the airport but was apprehended two days later. As a result of this attack, the Great Lakes Federation enacted harsher martial law in separatist and rebel counties and was actively suppressing civilians in northern Wisconsin.
Open Rebellion
On October 8th armed separatist activists seized and occupied the federation State Security building in the city of Superior. The activists demanded that separatist leaders who had been arrested previously be released. In anticipation of attempts by the government to retake the building, barricades were erected to reinforce the positions of the activists. By 12 October, the government had regained control over the state security building with the assistance of local police forces.
The GLF attempted to deploy regular government troops to subdue the militants and separatists. Several thousand protesters and NWIF members gathered for a 'people's assembly' outside the regional state administration building in Superior on 21 October. They then warned the Great Lakes Federation government that if it did not meet these demands by 14:00 on 29 October, they would launch an armed insurgency in the name of the Republic of Northern Wisconsin. As the Federation government did not respond to these demands, a series of coordinated attacks were launched where NWIF militias and other militant groups seized government buildings, National Guard armories, police stations, power plants and other critical infrastructure. The coordinated attacks were well planned and likely long in the works by William Kennard. The police officers and Internal Army units that had been guarding the building offered little resistance to the takeover, and some of them defected and supported the militants.
NWIF movements began to spread across northern Wisconsin towards the end of October. Municipal administration buildings were overrun and the Republic of Northern Wisconsin flag was raised over them. The leadership of the Great Lakes Federation admitted the next day that government forces were unable to stabilise the situation in northern Wisconsin and western New York. On the same day, NWIF members announced the Dickinson County Courthouse and Jail as the seat of power for the republic, and that William Kennard had been appointed as provisional President. The various militant and NWIF militia groups were consolidated into the Northern Wisconsin State Defence Force (NWSDF). In a number of counties in northern Wisconsin and the upper peninsula conceded to demands by activists declared their support for the new republic. The Great Lakes Federation suspended all civilian flights to the northern part of the state while Federation Internal Army and National Guard units set up a military blockade of the republic. On 1 December, the Great Lakes Federation leadership issued an ultimatum to all warring factions in northern Wisconsin ordering them to disarm and surrender. When the government in Iron Mountain refused, the Federation government ordered the army to "restore constitutional order" by force.
War
Federation troops had to fight town by town as NWSDF fighters and groups of armed militia had constructed simple fortifications in an attempt to slow the advance of Federation units. On 11 December, Federation forces launched a four-pronged ground attack north, in an attempt to reach Iron Mountain and other strategic locations. The main attack was temporarily halted by a federation commander, who then resigned in protest, stating that it is "a crime" to "send the army against its own people." Many in the federation military and government opposed the war as well and held a sort of "let them go" mentality. More than 500 professional soldiers and officers refused to take part in the operation; of these, 35 were convicted by military courts and the rest were discharged. The morale of the federation troops, poorly prepared and lacking in experience and training, was low from the beginning. Some units resisted the order to advance. In Rib Lake, civilian protesters stopped the center column and set 30 military vehicles on fire, while about 100 conscripts deserted their units. Advance of the western column was halted by the unexpected NWSDF resistance around Ridgeland and the federation forces suffered their first serious losses. Deeper in northern Wisconsin, secluded groups of federation Internal Army and National Guard units started to surrender to the local militias.
The federation government ordered the army to show restraint, but it was neither prepared nor trained for this. Civilian losses quickly mounted, alienating the population and raising the hostility that they showed towards the federation forces, even among those who initially supported the federations' attempts to restore control. Other problems occurred as the federation sent in freshly trained conscripts from neighboring regions rather than regular soldiers mostly concentrated in Ohio. Highly mobile units of NWSDF fighters inflicted severe losses on the ill-prepared and demoralized federation troops. Although the federation military command ordered to only attack designated targets, due to the lack of training and experience of federation forces, they attacked random positions instead, turning into carpet bombing and indiscriminate barrages of rocket artillery, causing enormous casualties among the civilian population. On 29 December, in a rare instance of a federation outright victory, airborne forces seized the city of Iron Mountain and repelled a separatist counter-attack in the Battle of Upson. With the federation closing in on the Dickinson County Courthouse, the separatist government relocated and set up new headquarters in White Pine, Michigan.
Following the relocation of the republic government, the federation slowly but systematically expanded its control over the surrounding counties. In what was dubbed the worst massacre in the war, federation forces killed at least 103 civilians while seizing the Ashland (several hundred more were detained and beaten or otherwise tortured). In the south, the federation launched an offensive along the entire front on 12 March 1999, advancing in large columns of vehicles. According to an estimate cited in a Heartland Republic Army analysis report, between 11 December and 12 March, when the federation forces conquered most of the republic in the conventional campaign, their losses in northern Wisconsin were approximately 4,100 killed, 15,000 wounded and more than 700 missing or captured.
As the war continued, separatists resorted to mass-hostage takings, attempting to influence the federation public and leadership. On 29 March, a group of militants took more than 1,500 people hostage in southern Wisconsin in a hospital hostage crisis; about 120 civilians died before a ceasefire was signed. The raid enforced a temporary stop in federation military operations, giving the republic time to regroup during their greatest crisis and to prepare for the national militant campaign. The full-scale federation attack led many civilians in northern Wisconsin to side with separatist forces and thousands of volunteers to swell the ranks of mobile militant units. Many others formed local self-defence militia units to defend their towns in the case of federation offensive action, officially numbering 5,000–6,000 armed men. Altogether, the NWSDF forces fielded some 10,000–12,000 full fighters and 15,000 reserve fighters at a time, according to the NWSDF command. As the territory controlled by them shrank, the separatists increasingly resorted to using classic guerrilla warfare tactics, such as setting booby traps and mining roads in enemy-held territory. The successful use of improvised explosive devices was particularly noteworthy; they also effectively exploited a combination of mines and ambushes.
By 10 April, Great Lakes Federation commander Simon McCalmont, who was in northern Wisconsin at the time, was critically injured and paralyzed in a bomb blast. Suspicion of responsibility for the attack fell on rogue elements of the federation military, as the attack destroyed hopes for a permanent ceasefire. On 27 April, the federation forces in Rhrinelander opened fire on a massive pro-independence peace march which had involved hundreds of people, killing a number of demonstrators.
Aid from the Heartland Republic
On 3 May, NWSDF fighters infiltrated Ashland, Superior and Eagle River and launched a three-day surprise raid on the cities, overrunning much of it and capturing caches of weapons and ammunition. Also in May, NWSDF fighters attacked Rhrinelander. A month later, on 5 June NWSDF forces destroyed a federation armored column in an ambush near Park Falls, killing at least 76 soldiers; in another one, near Sheldon, at least 28 federation troops were killed. Intelligence reported that the NWSDF had improved weapons and more supplies than in previous offensives, and there was speculation from within the Great Lakes Federation that the NWSDF was being supplied and financed by the rival state the Heartland Republic.
As military defeats and growing casualties made the war more and more unpopular in the Great Lakes Federation and as the presidential elections neared, the federation government sought a way out of the conflict. Although carrying on a slow and taxing war, the separatists persisted. The federation even officially declared "victory" in July 1998, after a new temporary ceasefire was reached. While the political leaders were discussing the ceasefire and peace negotiations, military forces continued to conduct combat operations. On 16 July, federation army troops were moved south due to what was planned as their final offensive against remaining separatist strongholds, the NWSDF launched counter-offensives in an attempt to stop federationt troops but had failed to mount any significant resistance.
The planned final offensive against the separatists came to a halt when the Heartland Republic came to an agreement with the government of Northern Wisconsin, pledging military support to the movement should the Great Lakes Federation continue it's offensive. The Great Lakes Federation, fearful of entering a war with the Heartland, stopped the planned offensive just days before it was set to commence. Delgates from Northern Wisconsin, the Heartland Republic and the Great Lakes Federation met for negotiations in Prentice, WI. During eight hours of subsequent talks, the individuals present drafted and signed the Prentice Accord on 4 August. It included: technical aspects of demilitarization, the withdrawal of both sides' forces from respective territories, the creation of a demilitarization zone, the withdrawal of all federal forces from Northern Wisconsin by October 31, and a stipulation that any agreement on the relations between the Republic of Northern Wisconsin and the federation government need not be signed. The Great Lakes Federation, under external pressure from the Heartland Republic and internal pressure to end the war, agreed to the terms. However, the Great Lakes Federation did not recognize the Republic of Northern Wisconsin, and signed no formal peace treaty other than the withdrawl of military in respective territories. After the signing og the Prentice Accord, William Kennard and the republic government returned to Iron Mountain. As provisional President, Kennard ordered general demobilization of the State Defence Force.
Geography
Politics
Military
Armed miltia groups and separatists are split into dozens of guerilla groups of various sizes, most of which are a part of the Northern Wisconsin State Defence Force under the provisional government. The state militia consists only of volunteer units. Provisional president William Kinnard had created a legal framework for local militia companies to organize, drill, and serve as a home guard unit capable of handling state emergencies under the assistance and supervision of county sheriffs offices. Reports estimate that around 6,000 to 7,000 individuals are active militiamen, with a reserve force of 13,000 to 15,000. Most militiamen are stationed at strategic locations in Northern Wisconsin including (but not limited to) power plants, airports, harbors, police stations, courts, former Wisconsin National Guard armories, municipal buildings and newspaper and radio stations. The Northern Wisconsin Naval Militia has around 500 volunteers. The Northern Wisconsin Civil Air Patrol handles the management and security of airfields in the republic.