(Apologies, i tried to make the flags slightly smaller by resizing it, but photobucket apparently sucks now as it is extremely slow and doesn't do what I tell it to.)
I'm usually just a lurker around AH but I had some extra free time last night and decided to do a little project. The story I made behind the flags is completely ASB, so I hope theres no complaining. Also, i'm not too good in vexilology, or however it's spelt. Anyway, these flags represent the different governments that have ruled the Nebraska Territory. Since independence was in 1858, the nation is not only the state of Nebraska but the territory at the time too, which consisted of parts of the Dakotas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. I name no names because I don't know any political characters of the region at this time frame.
Flag of the Nebraskan National Revolution (1858 - 1864)
Hastily made by the leaders of the Nebraskan National Revolution (called the Nebraskan Rebellion by the United States of America), it consists of a red star on a white background symbolizing freedom in the safety of the nation, the words "Freedom or Death" below the star, and a blue stripe painted on the right side of the flag, symbolizing the Missouri river as the eastern border. While this wasn't the first nor only flag representing the Nebraskan rebels during the revolution, it was the one that was the most popular out of the dozens out there.
Flag of the Free State of Nebraska (1864 - 1936)
Once independence was assured, the government of Nebraska decided to create a proper flag. Though an unusual design for the time, the flag of the Free State of Nebraska had a meaning. The blue stripe on the right side represents, like the revolutionary flag, represents the Missouri river. The red area symbolizes the settled land, with blood spilt in the name of freedom. The blue left half represents the mostly unsettled land just waiting to be filled. the star represents Chimney Rock, the natural rock formation that many pioneers used a sign that the west was just starting.
While Nebraska started off as a democratic nation, due to no term limits there were a total of three 'Presidents for life', spanning more than 4/5ths of the history of the Free State. The last president for life was assassinated in 1936, despite his attempts to stay in power by allying with the military.
Flags of the Socialist Republic of Nebraska (1936 - 1972, 1972 - 1991)
During the Great Depression (OOC: If it's not butterflied away) which hit Nebraska especially hard due to severe drought at the time as well, a left-leaning political party gained control by gaining popular support and assassinating the President. The Nebraskan military, which tried to keep power, eventually lost to the socialist rebels. A few months after the overthrow of the old democratic government the Socialist Republic of Nebraska was established
The flag consists of a red background, which stands for the revolution, a blue stripe running horizontally through the center represents the Missouri river, as well as blue being the national color of Nebraska, and a hammer and sickle in the center. In 1972 the communist symbol would be replaced with a simpler yellow star, due to an agreement between the United States and Nebraska after the 3rd conflict fought between them.
Flag of the Democratic Republic of Nebraska (1992 - 1998)
The flag made by the Communist revolutionaries was extremely simplistic. While it was once only a red banner during the Nebraskan Civil War, once the Marxists took control over the capital city of Omaha and most of the nation, a yellow silhouette of Chimney Rock was added to the center.
As the Socialist Republic of Nebraska was getting softer on economic policies and introducing capitalism to the nation, a large anti-government movement began. While mostly beginning in the rural areas of northern and western Nebraska, most of its leaders came from the city. The nation was split when the 'Marxists' began an uprising. However in only a year the Socialist Republic was dismantled and went into exile. Many of the growing upper and middle class citizens were executed, leaving few 'intellectuals' left in the nation. The Democratic Republic was an oppressive regime that enforced an extreme version of communism, forcing many city dwellers to work in factories and people living in rural areas to work on communal farms. Many were worked to death. The border was sealed shut by the Red Brigades, the military of the Democratic Republic, and Nebraska became an isolated nation.
Due to requests by the Socialist Republic of Nebraska in Exile as well as most of the international community, The United States of America launched an invasion, with the intention of getting the old government back in power. Five years later and with no end to the war in sight, the United Nations steps in.
Flag of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Nebraska (2003 - )
The American invasion of Nebraska started out as an extremely popular act, but as time moved on many Americans just wanted to stop the deaths of their own people. On one hand the 'Marxist' leaders had been overthrown but the remaining factions still fought and battles even spilled onto American soil, mainly in the state of Kansas and Iowa. It was time that the United Nations do something. Although the Transitional Authority was established in 2003, communist rebels still control many regions and conduct attacks regularly. The American border is now even more heavily guarded today than it was ten years ago.
The flag of the UNTAN is a simple blank white map of the nation on a UN-blue background, with the initials "UNTA", standing for United Nations Transitional Authority, and the word "Nebraska" below it.
This little thing in my head started out as a Texas analogue, but in my later on my imagination somehow turned into a North American Cambodia
But honestly, I want feedback on the flags themselves, not on the short story, thanks!