2044 Pulse

Pulse Impact
On June 1, 2074, a group of terrorists detonate an electromagnetic pulse weapon 80-miles in the atmosphere over the United States of America, Mexico and Canada, which destroys the vast majority of electronics, such as computer and communication systems.

The first sign of the Pulse began as telephones and computers began to fizzle and die across the affected regions, then as the full brunt of the Pulse impacted, power went out in houses and vehicles across North America. Aircraft were soon seen falling from the sky.

When the Pulse hit, every computer and communications system in America was damaged and all digital information was instantly erased, effectively throwing the country into utter chaos. Nuclear power plants failed and melted down (devastating large portions of the east coast of the United States), dams overflowed without emergency spillways activating, thousands died when air traveling planes were knocked out of the sky, starting widespread fires as emergency services were rendered almost inert.

Hours after the electricity went down, panick erupted when it was realized that there was no immediate solution to the problem, and many were reduced to almost barbaric methods to ensure their survival.

In total nearly eight-million people were directly killed due to affects of the Pulse, such as when a passenger jet crashed into downtown Chicago, and another five-million were killed during its aftermath, mostly in riots and the resulting police and military marshal law declared.

Immediate Recovery
It took the United States almost four-months to restore order and almost six-months after the Pulse to restore power to the country. Military support and supplies from the Greater European Union were required to achieve this.

The most immediate effect of the Pulse was bankruptcy. Since most American-based banks used computers to monitor transactions, the database was wiped clean and nearly 70% of the country suddenly suffered from poverty.

Long-Term Reprecussions
The mishandling of this unprecedented financial crisis resulted in further fighting, when the western states of California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arizonia, New Mexico, Texas and Utah seceded from the union, prompting the Second American Civil War in the 2080s and formation the Western States of America.

The Pulse was also a direct contributor to the election of a conservative and theological driven Patriot Party, which was proceeded to enact legislation that suspended many Amendments of the Consitution, including the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 10th, 14th Amendments.