# What would be the best five states to control in a divided US? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 22, 2023, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385 "2023-05-22T04:45:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/21 "2023-05-22T14:23:42Z")
Assuming supervillain control, I’d take California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and probably Oregon. Supervillain specified because that way I could deal with the people in those states that didn’t want to go along my my benign control. Grabbing Louisiana instead of Oregon would just raise issues with the up-river territories, and that’s conflict I don’t need. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/22 "2023-05-22T15:39:20Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > No one cares about whatever you posted. Mississippi Delta and Mississippi River Delta mean the same thing to most people. But they’re _not_ the same thing, as evidenced by the two different names. Mississippi River Delta vice Mississippi Delta. FTR blues fans care about thiis distinction. The Mississippi Delta is where blues music was born, and the original style is called [Delta blues.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_blues) It’s definitely not from New Orleans. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/23 "2023-05-22T15:55:31Z")
The food is completely different as well. Delta tamales are amazing, especially with a Kool-Aid pickle. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/24 "2023-05-22T17:06:29Z")
A combination that gets you both Texas and California is going to be hard to beat. They’re the two biggest states of the lower 48, whether you measure by area, population, or size of the economy. You also need Arizona and New Mexico to connect them. After that, I think the best fifth state that’s contiguous to those four is certainly not Oregon, because Colorado beats it in all three categories. Louisiana is a more reasonable choice than Oregon, since it beats Colorado and Oregon in population (but not area or economy), and it has the benefit of controlling all river traffic between the Mississippi-Ohio-Missouri system and the Gulf. One of the reasons Jefferson wanted Louisiana was that France, and before that Spain, were collecting taxes and tolls on American river cargo that passed through New Orleans. He who controls the lower Mississippi controls hundreds of billions of dollars a year in cargo shipments. However, Louisiana would have to charge taxes of around 150% on all freight passing through it (assuming no reduction in traffic due to such outrageous tax rates) to bring its GDP up to Colorado’s level. Colorado wins the coveted fifth spot in my book. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/25 "2023-05-22T17:23:46Z")
Doesn’t Philadelphia also have a pretty good-sized port? ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/26 "2023-05-22T17:24:28Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Assuming supervillain control, I’d take California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and probably Oregon. The only problem with this would be dealing with Canada. Washington and Idaho would be a formidable wall. A simple blockade by Washington blocking the Strait of Juan de Fuca and forget about getting there by sea. Between the Navy base in Bremerton, the sub base at Bangor and the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island, along with Army and Air Force bases in the Puget Sound area, Western Washington will be well protected. There is also a Strategic Air Command in Spokane protecting the eastern side of the state. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/27 "2023-05-22T17:47:06Z")
Why would I want to deal with Canada? They aren’t a military threat. _Harold Green: Well then, contact the Canadian Air Force._ _Red Green: It’s after six, Harold. He’s gone home._ I’d easily swap Oregon for either Colorado, since **bibliophage** made some valid points, or Nevada and have access to all the goodies at Groom Lake and other black sites. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/28 "2023-05-22T17:59:28Z")
As already mentioned, it’s gotta be California and Texas, and thus Arizona and New Mexico. And controlling the mouth of the Mississippi appears to be damn crucial, so add Louisiana as the fifth state. Once you control these five, annexing Mexico is an easy next step. ---
**Author:** ![Cmyers1980](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyers1980/32/11814_2.png) [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/29 "2023-05-22T18:30:50Z")
I forgot to ask. Whichever five states you pick choose a city to serve as a capital for the territory. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/30 "2023-05-22T19:19:01Z")
By the time any of this reaches the planning stage I think it’s highly likely that CA, OR and WA (at least the wetsides of OR and WA) will have confederated anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/31 "2023-05-22T19:23:21Z")
I, for one, stand ready to defend Berlin. You were warned. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/32 "2023-05-22T20:33:58Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > No one cares about whatever you posted. Mississippi Delta and Mississippi River Delta mean the same thing to most people. 1. I care, because when I worked in agriculture we had to be very specific about whether we were referring to the Mississippi River Delta or the Delta area of northwest Mississippi. 2. This is the Dope, where we can argue about whether New Mexico and Utah share a common border because they touch at a point, which has no length. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/33 "2023-05-22T21:01:26Z")
Is California going to be as valuable without all of the Colorado River drainage basin as well? ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/34 "2023-05-22T21:21:27Z")
Absolutely Five Great Lakes states. Diverse economically and agriculturally, largest combined areas of fresh water in the world , shared border with friendly nation. > **[Great Lakes Economy: Examining the Cross-Border Supply Chain](https://www.visualcapitalist.com/great-lakes-economy-cross-border-supply-chain/)** > > Despite having an international border, the Great Lakes area is tightly integrated - a necessity to compete in the competitive and borderless global economy. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/35 "2023-05-22T21:21:28Z")
Alberta, Ontario, Eastern Canada, Western United States and Eastern United States. Of course, you still need Alaska, Northwest Territories and Central America to claim five additional armies. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/36 "2023-05-22T21:21:29Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Is California going to be as valuable without all of the Colorado River drainage basin as well? We have a solution for that… [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ-e-XOgxy-TjTVWo8Cc8T23fhlSaQhxLJzK6DaZmyVpfmtg6r9UCJTnKymFlWNDE_HAzM&usqp=CAU) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ-e-XOgxy-TjTVWo8Cc8T23fhlSaQhxLJzK6DaZmyVpfmtg6r9UCJTnKymFlWNDE_HAzM&usqp=CAU) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/37 "2023-05-22T21:54:52Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I’d want to control several states linked together and also take an entire coast. For me, the best would be the 3 west coast states (Washington, Oregon, California.) My thought exactly. What about adding on Nevada for its resources and a place to house dissenters? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/38 "2023-05-22T21:56:08Z")
What’s in Nevada? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/39 "2023-05-22T22:25:12Z")
Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-five-states-to-control-in-a-divided-us/984385/40 "2023-05-22T22:38:40Z")
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