With the outbreak of global nuclear war, practically all the ancient nations of the world ceased to exist in the Fall out Serie. But among the factions that have risen to fight for the wastelands, the New California Republic might have the best chance of reuniting what’s left of America.
The NCR can trace its roots back to Vault 15 until it opened in 2097, just 20 years after the bombs fell. Like nearly every other Vault, 15 residents were part of a Vault-Tec experiment, with its population comprised of people of radically different ethnic and religious backgrounds. When it opened, a large portion of the residents left to form raider gangs, while the rest founded Shady Sands in 2122. No one could have predicted that their small town would one day become the capital of the largest nation in the West. .
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Shady Sands saw prosperity for decades trading with other communities. However, the city was not without its problems, as they were constantly attacked by gangs of raiders such as the Great Khans, the Jackals and the Vipers. Ironically, these gangs all have their roots in Vault 15. All of this changed with the arrival of a mysterious Vault Dweller in 2161, who defeated the raiders and saved the city leader’s daughter, Tandi. Since the raiders were no longer attacking them, the communities allied with Shady Sands embraced the idea of uniting into one nation with a constitution and a government. And in 2189, this republic was voted into existence as a federation of five states, including Shady, Los Angeles, Dayglow, Maxson, and Hub. At this point, Tandi was voted President of the new NCR, serving 10 terms in office until her death.
The NCR became a federal parliamentary republic that emphasizes and strives to uphold old world values such as democracy, personal freedom, and the rule of law. Unlike the rest of the páramo, its citizens enjoy luxuries such as health care, education, a stable economy, and a large military and police force to protect them. The Republic itself has a combined population of 700,000 citizens, making it possibly the largest faction in the known world of Fallout. The Republic also prohibits persecution and discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or religious beliefs. They are even known to tolerate ghouls and mutants, allowing some to join the military. Of course, by becoming a citizen of the Republic, people will have to pay various taxes.
The NCR Army is the largest organized armed force in the wasteland and the backbone of the Republic. Soldiers, whether volunteers or conscripts, are supported by the industrial might of the Republic and unique technologies recovered from the wasteland, primarily from its wars with the Enclave and the Brotherhood. Army divisions consist of different levels of equipment and training, and the doctrine of the Republic has generally been to overwhelm the enemy through large numbers, regardless of casualties. Within the military is an elite team known as the NCR Rangers, volunteer special forces renowned for their expert reconnaissance abilities and bravery and combat ability in battle. These soldiers are often equipped with the best the NCR has to offer, including advanced armor and weapons before and after the war.
At this time, the NCR saw a period of great prosperity, but with that came ambition. Many future administrations of the Republic sought to expand their territory and incorporate more communities. This expansion became a huge success thanks to the efforts of a tribe called the Chosen One, a descendant of the Vault Dweller and a player character from Fallout 2. Soon, many more cities would be absorbed by the NCR. This expansion would also lead them into conflict with powerful factions, who viewed the Republic as a threat to their plans.
Despite their former alliance when threatened by the rise of the Enclave, the Brotherhood of Steel viewed the NCR as a threat to their power and declared war to end their expansion. The Brotherhood was seen as the greatest power in the wasteland for over a century, with advanced technology and energy weapons. But the NCR had a much larger army and eventually defeated the Brotherhood by attrition. They have also been assisted by the Followers of the Apocalypse, an organization dedicated to humanitarian relief efforts throughout the wasteland, providing education, medical services, and researching new technologies. However, this alliance was short-lived as the Followers disagreed with the Republic’s changing policy towards imperialism.
While the NCR’s huge population is a great asset, it has its drawbacks. Rapid population growth in New California has outpaced the Republic’s agricultural capacity and, without the acquisition of new territories and food sources, the NCR could face food shortages. The expansion also exceeded what the Republic was actually capable of sustaining, with even its large military forces reduced and unable to protect all of its borders, trade routes, and cities. The search for new resources has led to serious problems of corruption and lobbying in the private sector. Organizations like the Crimson Caravan Company or Gun Runners have earned a special favor within the NCR because their services are vital to maintaining trade and supply to the many branches of the Republic. Smaller competitors who cannot compete with both the larger competition and the high taxes inevitably are forced.
The answer to many of these problems came with the discovery of the Mojave Wasteland and its crown jewels, the Hoover Dam and New Vegas. Thanks to the efforts of the pre-war billionaire genius Robert House, the city and its surroundings were saved from being destroyed by nuclear weapons. By occupying the dam, it provided a constant supply of potable water and electricity, so it is vital that the NCR is maintained. They would soon face their biggest challenge yet, with the arrival of the Caesars Legion, who also wanted to take over the dam and New Vegas. Despite the NCR’s initial victory against the Legion, the war came to a standstill until 2281, when the long-awaited second battle for the Dam would begin.
News of the NCR has grown far beyond its borders, with mentions of its existence as far away as the East Coast. Many people in the badlands have mixed feelings about the NCR. Some strongly support the Republic’s goals of spreading democracy and the rule of law, and others vehemently oppose its methods of “controlling” everything they come into contact with.
For Fallout 4, it is unknown what state the Republic is in and if they managed to conquer and tame Mojave. Despite its many problems, the NCR has accomplished much and largely been a positive factor, providing settlers with a real opportunity for a life free from the dangers and hardships of the wasteland. Many see it as just a matter of time before uniting North America under their banner. Still, others have been wary of praising the Republic, pointing to too many similarities to the former United States government that played a major role in causing the apocalypse from the start. Time will tell whether they will suffer the same self-destructive fate or rise to become a better nation that learned from the mistakes of its predecessor.
Reference-www.cbr.com
