The Northwest War was a major conflict that took place in the United States prior to Deus Ex.
Overview[]
In 2030, a major earthquake sank most of Southern California into the ocean. With the United States government focusing on the disaster on the ex-West Coast, the needs of the other parts of the country went unmet, leading Utah to secede from the United States, declaring its independence and annexing what was left of Arizona and Nevada. Inspired by Utah's example, fringe groups in Texas declared independence as well. The Northwest Secessionist Forces formed in short order, made up of various paramilitary groups in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, who band together with Utah and Texas. The US government replied with violence, deploying the military to crush the resistance.[1]
What became known as the Northwest War was a textbook case of asymmetrical warfare between a militia composed of ununiformed combatants armed with whatever weapons they could muster, [2] and a professional, well-armed and supplied army. While the NSF were eventually crushed, it managed to maul the federal troops severely. In one notable instance, during the siege of Squalnomie, a NSF unit equipped with thermoptic camo infiltrated Army lines and inflicted a devastating defeat on the Army. Survivors were left with PTSD and most were drummed out in short order.[3]
Aftermath[]
The defeat of the NSF was a nominal victory for the United States. A heavy toll was exacted on the Army and survivors of the War. Survivors of the NSF suffered even more, becoming destitute drifters. Even officers suffered this fate.[4] However, the Northwest Secessionist Forces paved the way for the National Secessionist Forces, providing many lessons on how not to run an insurgency, eventually birthing one of the most persistent nemeses of the state.[5]
The other corrosive legacy of the War was a national network of juvenile reeducation camps was set up under FBI oversight. Mockingly termed "good behavior camps", these would become a staple of the national education system for the next 20 years. Thousands of children were routinely sent to spend their semesters there, with 15 234 sentenced to reeducation in 2051 alone.[6]
References[]
- ↑ Deus Ex Bible
- ↑ Veteran: "I seen a lot of battles, blessed be our Lord, back in the Northwest War. Didn't have uniforms back then, just a shotgun and all the shells you could carry. The NSF sure has grown up, praise Heaven. They got organization now. Listen to me, young sir. I can tell you: that's what lost it for us last time, what the government's always been good at and we haven't. But it looks like the boys got some discipline this time around, and your men better take note. That's right. Stand up, wipe your noses, and take note. You got yourselves a -- hail Jesus! -- you got yourselves a rebellion!"
- ↑ ClinicMaleBum1: "Reminds me of Washington. I was there when the NSF overran Squalnomie, back when they were called the Northwest Secessionist Forces."
ClinicMaleBum2: "Were you at Squalnomie?"
ClinicMaleBum1: "Yeah. It was night, they came in with thermoptic camo and we never picked 'em up on any of the sensors. What a goddamned mess. Had a hard time sleeping after that. Didn't do real good on the psych evals either. Got drummed out in short order."
ClinicMaleBum2: "The Army probably didn't want to have any reminders hanging around."
ClinicMaleBum1: "Yeah, and now look what they got: NSF in downtown Manhattan. Same guys that nearly whupped us in the Northwest. Bet the brass remembers Squalnomie now." - ↑ Veteran: "Had myself a division, mind you, back when we were the Northwest Secessionist Forces. Years ago. They thought they had us licked, like they think they have us licked tonight, but -- lookit me, young sir! -- we're God's army, and what infernal devil can stop God's army?"
- ↑ Veteran: "You fellas might scare Jim and Jane Stay-at-Home, but that's an army out there, a praise-the-Lord yes an honest-to-God people's militia."
- ↑ Bootcamp for Betty