Armand Villeneuve:
I'm like Tracy, I've never actually played any of the games so all I know is the general idea.
That's a fine place to be in.
For the way the world is "pre-fall" imagine a 1950's Americano mindset with 1970's Cold War politics. Mix in an Atomic Deiselpunk aesthetic, and you're about there.
So while there is a "war on", most USA Americans are doing okay. We invaded both Canada and Mexico after those dirty traitors invade us (propaganda for the win!), and put them in their place right quick. There is worry though that the ChiCom Red Menace is gearing up to try to take teh Alaskan Oil fields (which Russia tried to do but our Brave Boys put Ivan in his place!), but with the new T-50s rolling out (atomic power armor), the public has no fears about the dirty ChiComs getting our oil.
So life is pretty good for most citizens in the US, small home, white picket fence, atomic auto in the drive. The family is the backyard playing ball (or the living room watching the gigantic 30 inch Radiation King television) while the brand new Mr Handy is making dinner.