Superior
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Republic of Northern Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Motto: Our right, our land! | |
 | |
| Capital | Iron Mountain |
| Largest city | Superior |
| Official languages | English |
| Demonym(s) | Wisconsinite |
| Government | Presidential Republic |
• President | James Barton |
• Deputy-President | Robert Lanius |
| Legislature | State Council |
| Independence from Greater Ohio Republic | |
• War of Independence Starts | 8 October 1998 |
• War of Independence Ends | 5 June 1999 |
| 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, with variant names of Republic of Superior or Republic Ontonagon is a self-proclaimed breakaway state in the midwest region of North America. It lies between the Great Plains Federation and the Greater Ohio Republic 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 Greater Ohio Republic two years after the events of the Shattered Union and has since gained no diplomatic recognition as a sovereign state other than from the Great Plains Federation. It consists of the counties of Polk, Barron, Rusk, Price, Lincoln, Langlade, Forest, Florence, Oneida, Vilas, Iron, Ashland, Sawyer, Washburn, Burnett, Douglas and Bayfield in Wisconsin, and the counties of Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft counties in the Upper Peninsula. 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.
The region was originally a part of the Greater Ohio Republic. Simmering nationalist/localist tensions between the northern Wisconsin region and the Greater Ohio Republic government in Ohio resulted in the loss of control over most of northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. Despite a 1999 ceasefire agreement, the dispute remains unresolved as no formal peace treaty was signed, and the Greater Ohio Republic has refused to recognize the Republic of Northern Wisconsin.
History
Shattered Union
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, to secure international interests NATO deploys peacekeepers to the greater D.C. area, creating a rump United States under military occupation. 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 the semi-socialist state ofCascadia, the Great Plains Federation, the Greater Ohio Republic, the Southern States Confederation, the Republic of Florida, the New England Commonwealth.
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 Greater Ohio Republic (GOR), Kinnard and a small group of locals were upset about the policies and government of the GOR. 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 GOR did not align with that of the people in northern Wisconsin. Ohio reaped most of the benefits from the actions of the Greater Ohio Republic. 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 fringe regions in the GOR, especially in northern Wisconsin, western New York and parts of West Virginia being having the most separatist support. As time went on, GOR 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 central government. To make matters worse, the GOR 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 Greater Ohio Republic had been experiencing trouble maintaining control and implimenting its policies. Locals became increasingly rebellious and refused to abide by GOR laws and mandates. During this time, Kennard had become incrasingly critical and vocal about the state of the Greater Ohio Republic 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 Greater Ohio Republic 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 GOR 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 (alternatively the Republic of Superior), a collection of counties in the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. Kennard believed that the Greater Ohio Republic 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 GOR 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 Greater Ohio Republic dispatched Internal Troops to perform policing and peacekeeping duties in problematic areas. In addition, the GOR 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 8 August 1998, militants carried out the bombing of a GOR 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 if not met. The perpetrators of the bombing were never found nor identified. In response, the Greater Ohio Republic suspended civil liberties in select counties and enacted anti-terrorism laws.
On 20 August, a GOR 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 GOR listed the NWIF as a terrorist organization.
On 2 September, two gunmen attempted to assassinate politician James Gale, who was returning from Columbus. James Gale was considered by locals to be a puppet of the GOR regieme, 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 Greater Ohio Republic enacted harsher martial law in separatist and rebel counties and was actively suppressing civilians in fringe regions.
Open Rebellion
On 8 October 1998, armed separatist activists seized and occupied the GOR 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, GOR authorities had regained control over the building with the assistance of local police forces.
The GOR attempted to deploy regular government troops to subdue the militants and separatists in the area. 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 Greater Ohio Republic that if it did not meet their stated demands by 14:00 on 29 October, they would launch an armed insurgency in the name of the Republic of Northern Wisconsin. As the GOR 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 by 10 November. Municipal administration buildings were overrun and the Republic of Northern Wisconsin flag was raised over them. The leadership of the Greater Ohio Republic 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) through an emergency decree. 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 Greater Ohio Republic suspended all civilian flights to the northern part of the state while GOR Internal Army and National Guard units set up a military blockade of the republic. On 1 December, the president of the Greater Ohio Republic, Henry Siddall, issued an ultimatum to all warring factions in GOR territory, ordering them to disarm and surrender. When William Kennard and his government situated in Iron Mountain refused, the GOR government ordered the army to "restore constitutional order" by force.
War
GOR 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 enemy units. On 11 December, GOR 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 GOR commander, who then resigned in protest, stating that it is "a crime" to "send the army against its own people." Many in the GOR 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 GOR 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 GOR forces suffered their first serious losses. Deeper in northern Wisconsin, secluded groups of GOR Internal Army and National Guard units started to surrender to the local militias.
The Greater Ohio Republic 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 GOR forces, even among those who initially supported the GOR's attempts to restore control. Other problems occurred as the GOR 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 GOR troops. Although the Greater Ohio Republic military command ordered to only attack designated targets, due to the lack of training and experience, 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 GOR outright victory, airborne forces seized the city of Iron Mountain and repelled a separatist counter-attack in the Battle of Upson. With the GOR closing in on the Dickinson County Courthouse, the separatist government relocated and set up new headquarters in Bayfield.
Following the relocation of the republic government, the GOR slowly but systematically expanded its control over the surrounding counties. In what was dubbed the worst massacre in the war, GOR forces killed at least 103 civilians while seizing the Ashland (several hundred more were detained and beaten or otherwise tortured). In the south, the GOR launched an offensive along the entire front on 12 March 1999, advancing in large columns of vehicles. According to an estimate cited in a Great Plains Federation Army analysis report, between 11 December and 12 March, when the GOR 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 GOR 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 GOR military operations, giving the republic time to regroup during their greatest crisis and to prepare for the national militant campaign. The full-scale GOR 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 GOR 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 1999, Greater Ohio Republic 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 GOR military, as the attack destroyed hopes for a permanent ceasefire. On 27 April, GOR 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 Great Plains Federation
On 3 May 1999, 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 and regained control of Rhrinelander. A week later, on 9 May, NWSDF forces destroyed a GOR armored column in an ambush near Park Falls, killing at least 76 soldiers; in another one, near Sheldon, at least 28 GOR 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 Greater Ohio Republic that the NWSDF was being supplied and financed by the Great Plains Federation, the rival state to the GOR.
As military defeats and growing casualties made the war more and more unpopular in the Greater Ohio Republic and as the presidential elections neared, the GOR leadership sought a way out of the conflict. Although carrying on a slow and taxing war, the separatists persisted. The GOR even officially declared "victory" in on May 20 1999, 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 May 30, GOR units 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 GOR troops but had failed to mount any significant resistance.
The planned final offensive against the separatists came to a halt when the Great Plains Federation came to a temporary agreement with the government of Northern Wisconsin, pledging military support to the movement should the Greater Ohio Republic continue it's offensive. The GOR, fearful of entering a war with the Great Plains Federation, stopped the planned offensive just days before it was set to commence. Delgates from Northern Wisconsin, the Great Plains Federation and the Greater Ohio Republic met for negotiations in Prentice, WI. During eight hours of subsequent talks, the individuals present drafted and signed the Prentice Accord on 5 June, 1999. 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 GOR forces from Northern Wisconsin by July 16, and a stipulation that any agreement on the relations between the Republic of Northern Wisconsin and the GOR government need not be signed. The Greater Ohio Republic, under external pressure from the Great Plains Federation and internal pressure to end the war, agreed to the terms. However, the GOR did not formally recognize the Republic of Northern Wisconsin, and signed no formal peace treaty other than the withdrawl of military in respective territories. After the signing of the Prentice Accord, William Kennard and the republic government returned to Iron Mountain, and announced 5 June 1999 as the celebration of victory of the war of independence. As provisional President, Kennard then ordered general demobilization of the State Defence Force and all militia groups in the new republic.
Geography
The region that the Republic of Northern Wisconsin encompasses is known as the Northern Highland and was once a mountain range similar to the Alps or Rocky Mountains of today. Over hundreds of millions of years, these mountains were worn and flattened out by erosion and glaciation. The region is mostly a smooth plain, but it remains higher than the rest of the state and some hilly regions continue to exist. Located near the center of the region, Timms Hill in Price County is the highest point in Wisconsin, at an elevation of 1,951 feet (595 m) feet above sea level, where the highest point in the whole republic is Mount Arvon, elevation 1,979 feet (603 m) located in the Upper Peninsula. Other hills such as Rib Mountain also approach this elevation.
Whether hilly or flat, most of the republic is covered in woodlands. The most common trees of Northern Wisconsin are the Sugar Maple, Aspen, Basswood, Hemlock, and Yellow Birch, as well as Red and White Pine. A large amount of the forestland in the region is included within the 1,519,800-acre (6,150 km2) Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. State and county forests also cover a significant part of the region, and only a small portion of the land is devoted to agriculture. Despite the absence of large cities, tourism is an important part of the local economy. The region’s numerous lakes and forests make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts during the summer season. The Upper Peninsula contains 16,377 square miles (42,420 km2). The maximum east–west distance in the Upper Peninsula is about 320 miles (510 km), and the maximum north–south distance is about 125 miles (201 km). It is bounded on the north by Lake Superior, on the east by St. Marys River, on the south by Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, and on the west by Wisconsin. It has about 1,700 miles (2,700 km) of continuous shoreline with the Great Lakes. There are about 4,300 inland lakes, the largest of which is Lake Gogebic, and 12,000 miles (19,000 km) of streams.
Wildlife
The wildlife of Northern Wisconsin includes whitetail deer, timber wolves, elk, moose, and bear. The Upper Peninsula contains a larger variety of wildlife. Some of the mammals found in the UP include shrews, moles, mice, white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, cougar, gray and red foxes, wolves, river otters, martens, fishers, muskrats, bobcats, coyotes, snowshoe hares, cotton-tail rabbits, porcupines, chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, opossum and bats. There is a large variety of birds, including hawks, osprey, owls, gulls, hummingbirds, chickadees, robins, cardinals (the national bird), woodpeckers, warblers, and bald eagles. In terms of reptiles and amphibians, the UP has common garter snakes, red bellied snakes, pine snakes, northern water snakes, brown snakes, eastern garter snakes, eastern fox snakes, eastern ribbon back snakes, green snakes, northern ringneck snakes, eastern milk snakes (Mackinac and Marquette counties) and eastern hognose snakes (Menominee County only), plus snapping turtles, wood turtles, and painted turtles, green frogs, bullfrogs, northern leopard frogs, and salamanders. Lakes and rivers contain many fish such as walleye, muskie, northern pike, trout, salmon, bullhead catfish, and bass. Invasive species like the alewife and sea lamprey can be found in the Great Lakes. The UP also contains many shellfish, such as clams, aquatic snails, and crayfish. The American Bird Conservancy and the National Audubon Society have designated several locations as internationally Important Bird Areas.
Politics
Northern Wisconsin is a presidential republic. The president is directly elected for a maximum of two consecutive 4-year terms. The current President is James Barton, and Deputy-President is Robert Lanius. The government of Northern Wisconsin passed through a non-representative phase from 1999 to 2001; a semi-legislative second phase, which included the election of the legislature (the State Council (2001-2010); and a final period, when the government was transitioned to a representative system, where the legislature and president are elected by the people (2010-present).
Under the non-representative phase, the president with congressional approval, appointed members to the State Council. Local inhabitants did not elect these officials. During the second, or semi-legislative phase of government, the adults at least 18 years of age elected representatives to the legislature. In the semi-legislative phase of government, State Council could legislate for the republic, but the president retained absolute veto power.
Judicial Court
In the beginning of the republic, no provision was made for a popularly-elected government in the non-representative phase (1999-2001). Instead of separate legislative and judicial branches of the government, had the authority to appoint a General Court, consisting of three judges. The judges were initially appointed by the president, who later delegated this authority to the State Council. Acting as the combined judicial and legislative government, the president and the three judges adopted the laws to govern the republic. In addition to working with the president on legislative issues, the judges presided over the General Court. When the republic entered the second or semi-legislative phase of government in 2001, the legislature gradually became the dominant branch and the judges focused on judicial matters. In 2009, as the republic progressed toward the final phase of government, three circuit courts were established.
Legislature
When the republic entered its second or semi-legislative phase of government in 2001, inhabitants were allowed to elect representatives to the unicameral legislature, the State Council.
After the formation of the new legislative body, each county in the republic was granted the right to elect representatives to the State Council. The president retained his veto powers, as well as his general executive and appointive authority, while the legislative assembly had the authority to pass laws, subject to the president's approval before they could be enacted. The change in governance also removed the judges' legislative powers, leaving the courts with only its judicial authority. The State Council originally had 32 members but was raised to 64 in 2009.
List of Presidents
- 1999-2007: William Kennard (Independent)
- 2007-2011: Edwin Mills (Whig Party)
- 2011-2015: Robert Pickart (Labor–Farm Party)
- 2015-present: James Barton (Whig Party)
Military
The military of Northern Wisconsin is a collection of militia units from each county (32 units) which are organized into the Northern Wisconsin State Defence Force (NWSDF). Officially, NWSDF consists only of volunteer units. In practice, the President can issue a decree allowing the NWSDF to conscript able bodied individuals in times of national emergency. President William Kinnard had created a legal framework for these local militia companies to organize, drill, and serve as a home guard units capable of handling state emergencies. Each district has one District Commander, who is in charge of recruiting, organizing, training and leading the District Militias. All district militia commanders are subordinate to the NWSDF Command. In times of war, all 32 district militia units and their respective commanders are assembled and placed under direct control of the NWSDF. Reports estimate that around 6,000 to 7,000 individuals are active servicemen, with a reserve force of 13,000 to 15,000. Most servicemen 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 and primarily conducts patrols of the various waterways and coastal areas of the republic. They are responsible for the security of maritime borders and prevention of piracy. The Northern Wisconsin Air Patrol handles the management and security of airfields in the republic, and consists of mostly civilian aircraft with limited combat abilities.
Economy
Northern Wisconsin is rich in mineral deposits, including iron, copper, nickel, and silver. Northern Wisconsin's economy is primarily focused on mining, forestry and agricultural activities. Cattle industries are also maintained. A number of industrial facilities exist, particularly around the higher population areas such as Superior and Marquette. Following the war in the 1998-99, Northern Wisconsin has struggled economically. Even the most developed parts of the country are largely rural, and the little industry the country has was largely damaged or destroyed. During the outbreak of the war, many large multi-national companies abandonded the area, leading to a shortage of internet providers, healthcare, electricity and common consumer goods. Electric distribution became controlled by the government subsidiary called the Northern Wisconsin Public Energy Service, which regulated electric and gas utility and managed the operations of power plants. Consumer goods had to be imported from the Great Plains Federation or produced domestically, which were then distributed to local grocery and hardware stores. Large multi-national corporations such as Wal-Mart, Menards or BP no longer exist in the state, and their buildings have been demolished or repurposed into local variants. Large food processing plants owned by foreign companies were nationalized in order to ensure a steady supply of domestically produced food.
Although allowed to cross the border into the Great Plains Federation, citizens in Northern Wisconsin are not able to work abroad, and have since had to find jobs locally in mines, farms or small factories. White collar jobs made up a small portion of the work force and many workers are skilled tradesmen or unskilled laborers. Common jobs include farm-hands, miners, construction workers, factory laborers and stevedores. The Northern Wisconsin authorities created state-run farms run by the CCC alongside private farms to employ workers and boost local production of food items and thus reducing the need for such imports from the Great Plains Federation. For this purpose, the area planted with wheat, corn, beans and potatoes. The Northern Wisconsin Department of Agriculture also imported some tractors from the Great Plains Federation as no tractors are made domestically, though one factory (the Phillips Tractor Factory) is currently under construction to produce tractors, bulldozers, and other agricultural equipment.
To aid with the rebuilding of the republic after the war, the Northern Wisconsin Department of Labor created its own Civilian Conservation Corps as a work relief program. It provided manual labor jobs related to the exploitation and development of natural resources in rural lands owned by national and local governments, the rebuilding of residential and industrial areas affected by the war, and the reconstruction of road and rail infrastructure. The CCC is designed to supply jobs for young men and to relieve families who had difficulty finding jobs during recovery from the war. TThe CCC provides workers with shelter, clothing, and food, together with a monthly wage. The CCC holds the authority to relocate workers wherever needed around the republic, giving valuable manpower to places like mines and factories. The Department of Labor, working with the still young Northern Wisconsin Department of Corrections implimented prison labor, and set able-bodied eligible prisoners to work on hard labor jobs.
Mining
Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula are home to a number of derelict mines that had become unprofitable in the early to mid 1900s. The Department of Mining Industry was quick to survey and re-open mines in order to create revenue from exports to the Great Plains Federation. The Flambeau Mine, a major producer of copper, gold and silver was expanded and more workers were relocated to the area. The Quincy Mine near Hancock, UP was reopened for full scale operation for the first time since 1945. This also included the repair and re-opening of the Quincy Mining Company Stamp Mills, the Quincy Dredge Number Two, and the Quincy Smeltery. A workforce was also relocated to the area to staff the operation. The Cliffs Shaft Mine, formerly a museum, was refitted and re-opened for the first time since 1967, continuing undergrounds iron mining in the area. The CCC has moved thousands of workers to these mines to avoid staffing issues. While lagging well behind modern standards for saftey and productivity, the mining industry creates valuable exports of raw minerals and provides jobs to many. Silica sand mining business has more than doubled since the war ended because of the need for this particular type of sand, which is used in a process known as hydraulic fracturing. Northern Wisconsin produces 3/5ths of the silica in the former United States. Facing an industrial mining boom, being dubbed the "sand rush" because of the new demand from large oil companies for silica sand, many of which are located in the Great Plains Federation.
Forestry
The forest products industry is the number one employer in Florence, Iron, Lincoln, Price, Rusk, and Sawyer counties. In Langlade county alone, lumber generates 422 jobs, 495 indirect jobs and an economic impact of close to $65 million annually. Forestry equipment had proved to be expensive and difficult to acquire, so the industry is also behind on modern standards.
Agriculture
The climate and topography of Northern Wisconsin is favorable to both arable crops and livestock grazing. The nation has a short growing season, but lacks much of the natural disasters that threaten crops. In the Upper Peninsula, agriculture is limited, though potatoes, strawberries and a few other small fruits are grown. In the southern part of the nation, production of corn for silage and snap beans for processing make up a large portion of farming operations. Oats, potatoes, carrots, and sweet corn for processing are also common. Northern Wisconsin is a major exporter of Maple syrup, due to the abundance of maple trees. State-run farms managed by the CCC provide thousands of jobs all over Northern Wisconsin, and are crucial for the production of foodstuffs. Private farms are still common, but the state encourages farmers to hire local workers.
Electricity
As the war ended, the government took control of many critical industries, one of such is energy. The newly created Department of Electric Power Industry re-opened several old or outdated power stations and connected them to the national power grid, including two coal-fired plants. This process took time, as many old power stations rely on old technology or equipment so it's not uncommon to see old power plants in modern operation. Northern Wisconsin generates a total of 621 MW of electricity domestically, with hydroelectric dams providing 38% of all electricity generated at 241 MW. Old or smaller hydroelectric stations are in the process of being modernized or expanded to produce as much power as possible as often as possible. While only having two generating stations, natural gas makes up for 29% at 183 MW. Since natural gas must be constantly imported, the state has planned no new natural gas power plants. The republic hosts three coal-fired power plants, two of which (Shiras Station and Escanaba Generating Station) were previously decomissioned but re-opened shortly after the end of the war due to rising energy shortages. Coal must also be imported, so the Department of Electric Power Industry only maintains the plants until alternatives can be found. Coal makes up for 22% at 141 MW. Biomass, refuse and solar come in last, with an estimated 55 MW being generated. The largest hydroelectric dam is the Edison Sault Power Plant in Sault Ste. Marie on the St. Marys River, generating 27 MW. The second largest is St Croix Falls Hydro in Polk County on the Saint Croix River, generating 23.2 MW. The Department of Electric Power Industry has started construction of a 67 megawatt boiling water nuclear reactor (BWR) in Bayfield similar to that of the Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant with the assistance of engineers from the Great Plains Federation. If successful, the department will issue the construction of several more along coastlines in an attempt to replace natural gas and coal power stations.
Since the war Northern Wisconsin and its economy has been critically dependent on the Great Plains Federation economic assistance. The estimated per capita income is $31,995 USD.
Transportation
Large scale projects to revive the rail industry have been in progress since the end of the war. The Wisconsin Northern Railroad, Wisconsin Central Ltd. and Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad were all nationalized after the war and released as government subsidiaries. The rail service sector has a majority of its activities come from mining (iron, copper and frac sand), forestry (wood, pulp and paper) and agricultural products. The rail service sector has become more profitable since the formation of the republic, as the trucking industry was struggling to import trucks, spare parts and fuel to continue mass road transport. The government has been funding and encouraging the use and construction of railways for passenger and cargo transportation. The rail service employs the use of EMD GP15-1, EMD SD38-2, EMD SD40M-2 and EMD SD40M-2 locomotives, and is in the process of opening a manufacturing center for the construction and development of new locomotives and parts.
The trucking industry declined sharpy after the war. The importation of motor vehicles, especially heavy duty vehicles and tractor-trailers became near impossible. Fuel prices for gasoline and diesel spiked and road transport became very unprofitable and unreliable. Spare parts for vehicles became difficult to acquire. More companies turned to the rail service sector to transport and export their goods, of which almost all were exported to the Great Plains Federation.
Maritime Transport remained strong even after the end of the war. Transportation by water plays a vital role in the transport of bulk commodities such as agricultural products, taconite, and forestry products, as well as foreign imports and heavy machinery. Northern Wisconsin ports provide an important transportation alternative that other nations in the former United States simply cannot offer to their manufacturers, shippers, and suppliers. Northern Wisconsin's harbors and ports serve as important hubs of economic activity for manufacturing, shipbuilding, cargo handling, passenger ferry services, transportation logistics, commercial fishing, and as recreational centers. Each year, Northern Wisconsin's ports handle some 29 million tons of cargo worth an estimated value of over $5 billion. Many companies located in the Great Plains Federation, will ship goods by rail to Northern Wisconsin and export goods via ports there due to cheaper rates. Northern Wisconsin was forced to lower the price for maritime transport in order to attract business. This has come with some disdain from the Great Plains Federation government, but due to fragile relations it has been mostly overlooked.