The Taft Report of 1934

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1926752146/1933-a-nation-divided/posts/621026

In January 1934, Senator Robert Taft was tasked by the United States Congress to create a study of the 48 states and determine which states were most likely to support the General Secretary in the instance of a "large scale civil disruption." His report was published a month later.

Taft's report collated intelligence, polling data, and information released by the various state governments to separate the states into three (3) groups.

"Loyal" states were states where the state government was likely to support the General Secretary, and/or states in which, at the least, the majority of the population would provide this support.

"Compromised" states were states where either the state government or the majority of the population were believed to have pro "Red" or "Opposition" viewpoints, states that might take up arms against Washington if provoked.

"Neutral" states were states which had professed outward neutrality in the political crisis or whose true loyalties at the time remained undetermined.

The following summarizes the data gathered; at the time, Senator Taft recommended that a military "show of force" might easily dissuade "Compromised" states from taking their resistance to a military level; this, in turn, formulated the basis for the planned Ohio River Valley Campaign.

Interestingly, the Territories were not considered with any significant degree of study by Taft and his staff. The assumption was that, being ostensibly governed by military authorities, they would quickly fall in line. This was, of course, not to be the case. Washington D.C., was also discounted, being the seat of Federal power.

"LOYAL" STATES

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Iowa

Kansas

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Mississippi

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

North Carolina

Ohio

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Texas

Vermont

Virginia

West Virginia

"COMPROMISED" STATES

Connecticut

Illinois

Indiana

Minnesota

Missouri

Oregon

Rhode Island

Washington

"NEUTRAL" STATES

California

Colorado

Kentucky

Montana

Nevada

North

Dakota

Oklahoma

South Dakota

Tennessee

Utah

Wyoming

"In conclusion, we believe that the majority of the opposition beyond that compromised by direct involvement with the Communist Party of the United States of America can be persuaded, either through diplomacy or a show of force to lay down their arms peacefully and to support the national effort against the Communist insurgency."

- Senator Robert Taft (R) Ohio