Syndicates AARise! MILF plays Hearts of Iron 2.

[Madame Adequate]

Hello friends, and welcome to my first ever After Action Report. What is that, you ask? It is essentially the same as a Let's Play, but the term applies specifically to strategy games. It's also easier to use AAR somewhere in a title which is the main reason I went with it here. I'm not sure where I'll fall on the gameplay-narrative spectrum yet, but I expect there will be plenty of both. The game I am using is Hearts of Iron 2, with the Doomsday and Armageddon expansions. Hearts of Iron 2, or just HoI2, is a grand strategy game where you choose almost any country on earth and steer them through the time period of the Second World War, and into the first years of the Cold War beyond it (Or the Third World War, if that's how things play out).

I am also using the Kaiserreich mod. Kaiserreich, or KR, is an alternate history where America never entered WW1, leading to German victory. It's now 1936, and the Second Reich stands as the foremost power in the world. Britain and Metropolitan France have fallen to Syndicalist revolutions (Communists, but in principle less centrally-controlled than Bolshevism was); Britain's royal government has fled to Canada, whilst the French are in French West Africa and Algeria. In Russia, German helped ensured the victory of the Whites, but the situation is extremely fragile, and it could go in any of a number of directions.

I will be beginning as the United States of America. In vanilla HoI2 this is pretty much easy mode, because their technology, security, industrial capacity, manpower, and material wealth makes them able to outdo anyone other individual power. Less so in KR, because the depression of the 1930s has been more prolonged and severe, and large sections of the American populace have turned towards radical answers.

[CONTENTS]
United States of America Jan 1936 - ???
January 1936 - General Meeting.
Events in January, President Hoover's Tour, and Month-End Briefing.
February through May, 1936. Third International, Fascist Ozzies, and the Great British Cockup.
June through October, 1936 - Japanese militarism and British elections.
A Day in September - MacArthur's Proposition.
October 1936 and the '36 US Presidential Election.
Election '36 to the Inauguration - the Oregon uprising and humiliation of the US Army.
Reed's Inaugural Address and the nationalization of the resource industries.
Reed's month-long tenure as President, MacArthur's coup, and the beginning of the Second Civil War.


Special/Bonus
Special Briefing on the Far East for President Hoover

(PS: I'll be double-posting some in this thread, mainly to avoid cluttering up AAR posts with chatting to people posts. Hope you don't mind, mods and modettes, but having read plenty of these things, trust me when I tell you it's better this way. )

[Madame Adequate]

January 1st, 7am. White House, Washington D.C., United States of America.

"Gentlemen, please do come in." The President spoke as amiably as he could, given the disruption he was in the middle of causing. The other men, eight in all, stopped their conversations and filed into the meeting room in the White House. Vice President Curtis was already there along with President Hoover; more notable were the absence faces.

The US Cabinet, December 31st 1935


The US Cabinet, January 1st 1936

"Fellas, by now you've all got your new dossiers and such, and you've accepted the jobs I've asked of you. For that I thank you. I understand the papers are already kicking up a storm about this reshuffle, but I intend for Curtis to win in November and I intend him to do so in a country that is at peace with itself. The boys in these offices before you, they were talented in their fields, but they weren't the talents America needs today. I hope you will all prove yourselves to be." Vocal assent accompanied nodding heads. "Well, it's a new year, and I want it to be a new dawn for America. It's time to get down to business, and I'm beginning to grow convinced that we need a fresh look, so we're going to tackle this as though we've never seen this country before today. Robert?"

Robert Chapin stood up and brought the meeting's attention to the large map which had been hung in the room.

The USA, 1936, minus Alaska, Pacific holdings, and Colon.

"Mister President, Gentlemen, I hope I don't need to explain what you're all looking at here. Our great republic stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but the trials of the last years has been a difficult time for us." He used a thin stick to point to various regions of the map in turn, moving it animatedly whenever he mentioned a location. “In the Northeast, the Depression has caused serious and long-term decline. Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York – they have all seen serious unemployment issues, as have most other centers of industry. The Germanic Empire's influence combined with the fall of Britain and France to radical leftism has closed off most significant foreign markets. New England has also fared poorly, though they seem to have a less-entrenched feeling of resentment, whereas the Northwest is filled with various leftist groups and activism.” He adjusted his pointed and continued

“In the south, the situation is much the same. The region's growth has been curtailed in recent years and the economic situation is poor from Boston down to Miami. Moving inland, the situation is much the same everywhere, though the midwest is not faring quite as poorly as the east, for the most part. Nevertheless unemployment remains a severe problem throughout the country east of the Rockies. The West Coast is the beacon of hope and success for our country at the moment, and it's little wonder that so many are either heading west or aspiring to do so. Trade across the Pacific, especially with Japan and the Australasian Confederation, has sustained and buoyed the West Coast's economy. Of course, folks out there are rather reluctant to share what they've created.”

“Overall prospects? No-holds-barred, Bob.”

“Currently not good Mister President. Without opening new markets, our industry will struggle to revive. The German Reich is bloated and cracks are starting to show, but whether that will do us any good any time soon, if ever, is impossible to say. The British in Canada could do us a world of good if they retook the Isles or France, those would be huge markets for rebuilding, but they're not liable to tackle that soon unless we helped directly. I hardly need to point out the foolishness there.”

“Indeed not. Alright, thanks for that, we'll cover it in more depth later. Let's turn to our current production.”

US Production before President Hoover's revisions

“The USS Ranger, sir. It would be a fine ship, if I didn't already know what you were planning.” Chief of the Navy Robert Ghormley spoke glumly, but resignedly, when he saw the production chart.

“I've no doubt, Admiral, and she'd be manned with fine men. But right now we have worries much closer to home, and the navy we have right now will have to suffice. I'm ordering the expansion of the army by sixty thousand men as soon as you can train and arm them. They'll have to be militia units but they should go a long way to securing ourselves against enemies, both external and internal.” He spoke with an ominous tone. Ghormley offered no further resistance; he had argued with the President for days over this and had grown tired of the fight. At least there would be no cuts, a very real danger. “The men will be deployed throughout the 48 states, and we will be careful to ensure that nobody can claim they are being unfairly burdened with these troops.”

Hoover orders units raised to defend the continental United States

Next was J. Edgar Hoover, newly installed chief of national security. An efficient crime-fighter, President Hoover had sought him out to lead the newly reformed Federal Security Bureau, or FSB, which had emerged from the United States Bureau of Investigation. The FSB was charged with a wideranging array of jobs relating to federal offenses and inter-state crime, and Hoover was eager to get to work.

“Mister President, gentlemen, we've got two major threats in the country right now. In the Northeast we've got the reds, and every city is riddled with them and their Trade Unions and other apparatus. Unfortunately we don't have the resources or legal authority to do everything we'd like to, but that's something we'll be working on in the coming year. I would rate the reds as the gravest threat our nation currently faces. If they were to become significantly violent or engage in a general uprising, we could expect them to receive arms and equipment, and most likely volunteers, from other communist powers such as Britain and France. Hopefully they would not directly intervene, though that can't be ruled out.”

“A grim assessment, John. Do you think we can keep a lid on it?”

“I can't make promises Sir, but I would say that if the year between now and November is free of major disaster we should be safe. We can certainly expect the red representation in Congress to grow, regardless.”

“Hopefully that will be the extent of it. Carry on.

“Yes sir. Down south we have another movement of note. Huey Long has created some bizarre new ideology which is based on technocracy and populism. He's making an awful racket about how you're not doing enough here in Washington and he's skated over the line more than once down in Louisiana as governor. The south's economy is ripe for unhappiness and he's stirring up all kinds of hell. But what he wants is still more in line with what we have right now; the problem is how to accommodate him without sending the reds berserk, even if we wanted to do so.”

“Mmmmmm.” The President said nothing but his disapproval was plain. The Kingfish had backed his opponent at the nomination in '32, one Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and it had been a harder fight than a sitting President ought to have in his own ranks.

“Nevertheless sir, this is an election year. Both of these factions, the radicals on left and right, are gearing up already for the campaign. It does not seem likely that they will do anything to jeopardize the legitimacy which a democratic win would give them. The fearmongering of open revolt is just that; not likely to happen at all, and if it does, not this year.”

General Douglas MacArthur looked visibly displeased by this assessment, but he was well known for his advocacy of stronger solutions.

“Alright gentlemen. The one other issue to talk about right here is the new development plan. I've advocated a hands-off approach for the last seven years, but I've become convinced that something stronger is needed. To this end the government is contracting with a number of groups to drive research in particular directions, both to increase current employment and to yield practical benefits for our country.”

President Hoover's various contracts which went into effect on Jan 1st 1936.

"That will do for now. There's a lot more to deal with but we'll have to tackle things as they come; I have too much to do today to go through every list of details we might conceivable come up with. Thank you all for your time, and let's make sure we get Curtis into office." "And", he added silently, "That we can keep our country together doing it."

[Psychotic]

Kill Canada, then Mexico.

Or vice versa.

It matters not.

[Madame Adequate]

Kill Canada, then Mexico.

Or vice versa.

It matters not.

How did you know?

[Madame Adequate]

The year did not get off to an auspicious beginning. In Russia, the fragile status quo was broken when a gunman fired on Alexander Kerensky, the President of Russia as he stepped out of his car on his way to a meeting of the Duma. Within a very short period of time, Petr Wrangel, Minister of the Interior and a veteran of the Civil War, siezes power.

Dark times for the Russian Republic

Wrangel had been a fearsome anti-Bolshevik and it was largely this which ensured his position, despite being deeply critical of Kerensky and democracy in Russia. The speed with which his officers moved implied preparation, but the obvious question – if he had Kerensky killed – could not be answered. More than one group in Russia wanted a change. In any event, the Russian state apparatus quickly began to be consolidated in the hands of Wrangel and his loyal officers. Vice-President Curtis was particularly unhappy with this, as he had been planning to propose greater ties with the Russians as a means to a new market. Whether this would be possible now was hard to say.

Wrangel makes his autocratic intentions clear later in the month.

Another foreign matter crops up immediately the year begins. The Socialist Republic of Italy cuts off what trade it has with the USA, on the premise that anti-socialist mafia men in Sicily are being supported by American mafia, with the sanction and active aid of the US Government. J. Edgar Hoover and his new FSB have made clear their determination to step on the mafia problem in the US, but this does not convince the Italians.

Fortunately, trade was negligible.

Back at home, the President has determined after much discussion with the Joint Chiefs that a reorganization of the American military is required. The US Army Air Force and the US Navy were both considerable entities, and it was felt by many that they would be the defenders of liberty if a foreign power ever attacked, more than the small US Army's ground units.

Hoover undertook a cross-country trip of some length as part of this reorganization, and to review the troops under his command as they were organized into their new dispositions and groupings. Pittsburgh was the first major stop on his tour, where he carefully avoided Syndicalist calls for meetings and protests in the city, and instead oversaw the reorganization of the USAAF's entire combat fleet at various bases throughout western Pennsylvania.

A total of 32 Interceptors, 56 Tactical Bombers, and 12 Strategic Bombers.

The President met with the three men he was putting in overall command of these units; Foulois, Andrew, and Arnold H. He impressed upon them the importance of their role and how vital a part of America's defense the USAAF was sure to play in the event – God forbid – of hostilities breaking out.

The Bombers would rebase to Downstate New York whilst the Interceptions would go to Boston.

On the way out of Pittsburgh, troubling news is brought to Hoover.

A new strand of radical leftism.

Comrade Mosley in the Union of Britain was arranging a small summit with like-minded radicals throughout the world. He was attempting to make a coherent new far-left ideology, which he dubbed Totalism, indicating the state's total control over all production that he espoused. Before he reached the West Coast, the 'Totalist Charter' would be announced.


Ominous.

Many, even on the left, scorned or denounced the ideology, but it certainly had its supporters. Whether it would prove popular, and if so, whether it would prove as vile as Bolshevism had, remained to be seen.

The French Government-in-Exile, based in Algiers in French Africa, sent a diplomatic gift to the United States. Hardly enough to change the country's policies, but not an unreasonable basis for a new partnership either.

They couldn't afford another Statue of Liberty.


National France is big, but poor and mostly desert. The natives are getting restless, too.

As the President continues his tour, the Vice-President has been having to deal with an unprecedented amount of business back in Washington. This is quite intentional, as both Hoover and Curtis want to set the latter man up as a serious and capable candidate, but it attracts criticism from some that the Vice-Presidency is overstepping its bounds. Nevertheless, Curtis is quick to act when the news from Ottawa comes in that King George V has died.

The King is dead. Long live the King!

Condolences are offered to the beleaguered British exiles; King Edward VIII is soon installed as King of the various realms he claims. How he will act towards his British subjects and their Canadian hosts could dictate the course of Canadian politics for years, if not decades. The northern country awaits his first moves.

The news does not stop coming in over January. Almost in San Diego now, Hoover is told of potential trouble in the Far East. With Russia looking inward due to Wrangel's power grab, Baron Roman Ungern von Sternberg, the vicious and quite possibly mad ruler of Mongolia, began making clear his plans for expansion.

Will the Mongol Hordes ride again, to stretch from Poland to Beijing a second time?

The President, more out of boredom on the long journey than any real imperative, requests a comprehensive briefing on the Far Eastern situation. (See attached dossier). After arriving in on the West Coast he immediately sees to the assembled naval forces; the United States Navy is a vast power indeed, the match for any other on Earth despite all the troubles of the 20s and 30s. Hoover meets and greets a vast number of officers, sailors, bureaucrats, tacticians, researchers, and so on during the course of his days in California, and personally oversees a major naval reorganization.

The assembled USN in all its glory and might.

The Navy is split into four parts; the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets will be of roughly equal power and size, based in Pearl Harbor and Norfork respectively. They will be the shields of the country in any confrontation. The small but nonetheless dangerous submarine fleet is to be based in Miami, well-placed to use the shorter range of the submarine vessels if any trouble breaks out in the Caribbean of Gulf region. The other unit is non-combat, the transport fleet of the USN, to be safely kept in San Diego on the West Coast. There is no anticipated need for a transport capacity in the Atlantic, but the Pacific could need reinforcement at short notice. Nevertheless this fleet would be broken up into whatever sized units were needed without compunction, and could be moved through the Panama Canal at a fair rate if they were needed on the other side of the continent.

Hoover makes the trip back to Washington in under a day, taken by specially charted flights. He inevitably attracts some censure for this by those who feel the money could be better spent, but overall he felt the success was a moderate success. The military reorganizations had gone without any significant hitches, the men had seemed in fairly good spirits despite the troubles of the country, and he was able to give more than one speech without being forced to stop by hecklers or actual physical danger.

The level of dissent and unhappiness in the country remained very high, but was slowly decreasing.

By the end of January, back in Washington D.C., the President and Vice-President were feeling very cautiously optimistic. The month had gone well despite the great criticism the administration had incurred for the cabinet reshuffle, and it was felt within the White House that though things were far from ideal, they were gradually improving.

In the month-end meeting, a few outstanding issues were covered.

“So, I hear we've got a mix of news this month?” The President asked of his Foreign Secretary, Henry L. Stimson.

“We do indeed Mister President. I'll provide the three major briefings in turn.” He gestured to the manila folders each man had in front of him. “As you can see on the first page, the new King, Edward VIII, has chosen to follow the democratic course in Canada. He has declared that he will listen to his elected privy councilors in making statements and decisions. Frankly, this came as a surprise to most, because Edward's made little secret of the fact that he believes the Monarchy should have a strong role in guiding the Commonwealth. Nevertheless, it's quite welcome, and hopefully Canada will continue to return to her roots. Given the new King's popularity in Canada he could prove powerful in unifying the country behind a common goal.”

“Well, I'm glad to hear that. We've spent years worrying about our northern neighbors, it's good to see that they remember what democracy is.”

“Indeed so, Mister President. Unfortunately the next briefing is a rather more unnerving claim at democracy. As you'll recall, earlier in the month the French Chairman of the Comité de Salut Public – sorry, that's the Committee of Public Safety - Marceau Pivert, was forced to step down. The Commune have since been having a major party election which could set the course of their country for years to come. So far, no faction has gained an upper hand, but someone could still emerge on top in the days to come.”

The Commune of France debates and decides.

“Finally, gentlemen, of less immediate importance but something which could have major long-term ramifications, Emperor Pu-Yi of China has announced that his country, or rather that region of his country which he controls, will be undergoing a “Reformation”. What exactly he means by this is open to speculation, but it's well-known that he wishes to reunite the lands which his Qing Dynasty ruled for centuries, and the Chinese people are not happy with their German or Japanese masters. It's not impossible that he could make China a major power if he guides the country wisely in this time, and if so, that's going to have major ramifications for American interests throughout the Pacific.”

Will the Dragon awaken, or is it staggering, wounded, into a final death?

“Thank you Henry, most illuminating. The only things left are the progress of our contracts and the readiness of the new military units. It seems we are on course to have new men ready to go by the middle of the month, yes?” MacArthur and Craig both agreed with this. “Excellent, excellent. And the contracts?” Chapin passed around a stack of papers containing briefings on the current progress of various research projects, but pointed to the cover his own as the summation of these briefings.

Things are going well.

“Alright, looks like things are going well here. Thank you all gentlemen for this briefing, I'll let you get back to your real jobs now.” Once the men had left, he and Vice-President Curtis felt confident enough to enjoy a cool drink for a few minutes before one of the thousand tasks which engage men of such positions arose.

[Psychotic]

Wait no, I take that back. I did read Britain and France were communist but it never sunk in until I saw "The Commune of France". That is literally the most disgusting thing I have ever heard. Demand retribution. Demand francocaust.

[Rye]

Commune of France. XD Wiggity wiggity WHAT.

[Sir Lancealot]

I didn't realize the situation in the US was so bad.

[Madame Adequate]

Wait no, I take that back. I did read Britain and France were communist but it never sunk in until I saw "The Commune of France". That is literally the most disgusting thing I have ever heard. Demand retribution. Demand francocaust.

I'll see what I can do, but you might be able to gather from the title that I'm heading leftwards myself

Commune of France. XD Wiggity wiggity WHAT.

That's what Petain said.

I didn't realize the situation in the US was so bad.

If you think it's bad now, wait until you see what it looks like in 1937. Things are grim in the Kaiserreich world.

[Madame Adequate]

Mister President, please find enclosed the briefing reports you requested yesterday. We have collated all pertinent data for your consumption.

Special Briefing on the Far East Situation, per request of President Herbert Hoover 16/01/1936.

Secret

1. Russia. The Russian Republic, under President Kerensky, has interests in the Far East which it does not currently have the strength of internal will to pursue. The borders remain lightly fortified and any deployment would take months to effect, giving local powers considerable time to react. Russia is believed to have special interest in Mongolia and in Transamur.

2. Mongolia. Mongolia remains much as it has done for over a decade now, under the cruel and tyrannical fist of Roman Ungern von Sternberg, a veteran of the Russian Civil War on the White side. Since taking control he has managed to bring some measure of industrialization and modernization to Mongolia, but at considerable cost in lives. He is nakedly ambitious and all surrounding powers are wary of him.

3. Xibei San Ma. The 'Three Mas' is a nominally Muslim Chinese state which spreads over much of the western Chinese hinterlands. Much of this is inhospitable terrain, and the Ma Clique does not enjoy much in the way of wealth or power. They are extremely wary of Mongolia, to the north, and Shangqing Tianguo, to the east.

4. Tibet. Tibet is a fairly insular country who are mainly concerned with avoiding outside conquest. They fear either an attack from a powerful, leftist Indian state, or from a Chinese power attempting to reclaim Tibet as part of a reunification effort.

5. Burma. Burma is a state in chaos. The central government barely controls the capital, and the military is loyal to local elites and those who can bribe them the most. Despite German attempts at enforcing stability, nothing has come of it, and the increasing leftist movement among the peasants is a cause for concern for all neighbors except Bengal to the east.

6. Siam. Siam is a fairly unremarkable place. The King maintains a reasonable degree of control over his country and it is not rated as a high risk for revolution at this time. The country is more likely to be swayed by who is powerful in their region than by ideology.

7. Yunnan. One of China's 'warlord states', Yunnan is the domain of Long Yun. It is of considerable size, but the harsh terrain outside of the Chongqing region prevents much development. The Chongqing region is, conversely, one of the wealthiest in China, densely populated and with some considerable industrial might – with this, Long Yun is able to be a notable, if not major, player. As with most powers, Yunnan is fearful of annexation by a unification movement such as the Qing Dynasty or Shangqing Tianguo.

8. German Indochina. German concessions throughout the Pacific are considerable, but this is the largest contiguous area of German power. Our best intelligence suggests that the German Reich is somewhat neglectful of these territories and they are not heavily guarded at this time. Nevertheless they give Germany a strategically powerful base from which to strike at any Pacific power.

9. Shangquing Tianguo. In English this translates as “The Pure Kingdom Upon the Heavens” or “The Heavenly Kingdom of Pure Peace”. This religious cult has managed to achieve control over a small region of central China and, though the area is fairly poor and underdeveloped, they have built a considerable network of fortifications which are manned by their fanatical troops. More insidiously, their revolutionary theocratic ideology does not need arms to gain converts, and more join the cult's ranks every day. They are most concerned with the Qing's territories to the west.

10. Allgemeine Ostasiatiche Gesellschaft or Algostasien GmbH. The German East Asian Company has what amounts to sovereign control over a large region of southeastern China. Not officially under the control of the Kaiser in Berlin, but rather a zone of exclusively German economic expansion, the realities of the situation in Southern China and the need for the Germans to pacify unhappy locals has created what amounts to a quasi-independent state. Fearing a repeat of Goring's Mittelafrika, the Kaiser has kept von Falkenhausen on a shorter leash and has not allowed for expansion of the GmbH's territory, but the region nonetheless forms a large zone of exploitation for the Reich and its clients and friends.

11. Qing Empire. This is the 'real' China, if that term can be applied to a region so fragmented. Emperor Pu-Yi is the rightful heir of the Qing Dynasty which has ruled China for centuries. Deposed in 1911, he was restored to the throne with German aid in 1926-27. The last decade has not seen a great deal of activity on the part of the Emperor, possibly because he is unable to ensure that major actions will not provoke his own overthrow. Nevertheless he is the most legitimate power in China and the most likely candidate for reunifying the country.

12. Fengtien Republic. The Japanese puppet state in Manchuria pales in comparison to the power of Japan itself, but it can match any of the other powers in China fairly well. The warlord Zhang Zuelin was supported by Japan against further German domination of the Asian continent. A large number of Japanese troops are currently stationed in the Fengtien Republic, and it is Japan rather than Zhang Zuelin who will dictate the policies of the territory in the foreseeable future.

13. Transamur. Wanted by the Russian government as a traitor, Alexander Kolchak's small country of Transamur is under Japanese control and protection, though Kolchak is believed to have ambitions over the entire Siberian region and, possibly, the whole of Russia itself. Whether Japan would back him if he made a move like that is questionable, and Russia is continuing to apply pressure in Tokyo to bring Vladivostok back under Moscow's control and to bring Kolchak to justice.

14. Japan. The Empire of Japan is far and away the premiere power in the region. Their home islands are industrialized and developed, they have an army of considerable size and power, and they have a strong base in Korea, Fengtien, and Transamur from which to make moves on the Chinese mainland. Meanwhile their fleet is considerable and their Pacific holdings give them the ability to deploy it across a large area. Japan is, however, facing internal discord, and is deeply wary of the German influence in the region. Their goals are likely to remain expansionist but this is unlikely to become a threat to the United States proper, though the Philippines may become a point of contention. Japan is known to require resources in abundance from abroad, and they may soon grow tired of buying it.

15. The Phillippines. The island chain remains under American advisement and is the base of our power in the western Pacific region. However, they are poorly developed and underarmed, relying on American strength to protect them from foreign aggression. For now nobody is willing to test our resolve but the country will require ongoing attention if it is to remain secure and become self-sufficient.

16. Legation Cities. The Legation Cities are a strong of economic concessions along the southeastern Chinese coast. Intended to build on the basis of trade, they have rapidly become deeply corrupt and there are criminal gangs in the state with as much power as large corporations, operating smuggling rings through Qing and Algostasien. Nevertheless, strategically speaking the Cities are barely armed and have no known ambitions, they rely on their status as trading posts to protect them.

[Dignified Pauper]

Invade German Indochina, then give the land to china. That'll make them our allies!

[Madame Adequate]

Invade German Indochina, then give the land to china. That'll make them our allies!

Haha, I might do that, if I had the troops for it. As it stands I can't even secure the US mainland!

[Madame Adequate]

February – May, 1936

The French elections continued, though what ramifications these policies have is hard to decipher, because it all seems to be communist gibberish without substance.

Whatever this means, it's unlikely to be good.

Unfortunately, credence is given to their ideology on what immediately became known as Black Monday, when the Berlin stock market crashed. This had effects within hours in the neighboring Netherlands, who relied almost completely on German markets to sustain their economy.

Hopefully this won't create too much discord globally.

Perhaps buoyed by the troubles in Germany, the Commune of France declares its ambitions in foreign policy in a rather stark manner. Their intention was to take revenge against Germany for the defeats of 1871 and 1919. Despite their commitments to international syndicalism, their primary focus was evidently going to be across the Rhine. How Germany will react to this is not yet known.

Ruh-roh!

Closer to home, things are somewhat better. King Edward VIII makes a radio address to the Canadian population, and many Americans tune in as well. He reaffirms his commitment to democracy in Canada, and states that “Despite my obligation to liberate the mother country, I am and shall remain King of Canada, and I shall look to the interests of Canadians as much as British.” In Canada this was met with generally positive reactions, though the British expat community had hoped for a more strident line against the Union of Britain. Americans also felt comforted by this, having a sense of common heritage despite their differences, and finding the King a likable man.

It's a long road to London.

In the US, the training of the militia units is proceeding without incident. Volunteer numbers are low, but easily sufficient for this expansion. The first two militia units were immediately deployed to Chicago and Atlanta – President Hoover was sending a clear message that he would brook no anarchistic or rebellious uprisings in the USA. The deployments were met with protests but little more than that and the sporadic vandalizing of US Army equipment or structures. The other four units would, by mid-April, have been deployed to Detroit, Pittsburgh, Miami, and New Orleans, all strongholds of either the Syndicalists or the Kingfish's populists. Once they were completed President Hoover ordered the raising of three proper infantry divisions, better equipped and trained than the militias were.

Intimidation from D.C., or attempting to keep the peace?


Proper training takes much longer than throwing some farmers into uniforms and giving them rifles.

In Europe, the effects of Black Monday would soon spread across the Continent, from Spain to Russia. The despair was palpable; the economy had hardly been superlative to begin with, and whilst America rejoiced the weakening of Germany and her unreasonable domination of trade, they also feared that what few markets they did have would be eradicated.

The effects are quick and dramatic.


Poland just says “Smurf it, it can sort itself out”

American fears are compounded by the launch of the Reichswagen in Germany. Motor firms in the Northeast were one of the few industries which remained somewhat profitable, as America was incontestably the car manufacturing capital of the world and their products were in demand worldwide. If this new car, specifically designed to be affordable for the everyday German middle classes, took off that could spell disaster for Ford and his ilk.

Ford Motor Company quickly denounces the car as slow and uninspiring.

More bad news for democracy comes in early march, as political chaos in the Australasian Confederation is quickly crushed by Billy Hughes, who ensures that no more clamor for democracy will emerge anytime soon. Hoover and King Edward both condemn this, but are both acutely aware of the need to keep the Confederation onside.

Authoritarian Aussies and Kiwis, who'da thunk it?

Trouble also emerges in German-controlled China, where a rebellious uprising put the Algostasien GmbH's headquarters to the torch. Rebuilding is quick to begin, with considerable security at the site.

A taste of things to come?

Drama erupts in the British Isles in March, as an attempt by the Union of Britain to intimidate the Irish Republic into staying neutral backfired completely. Not confident of Entente power, Ireland swallows her pride and seeks the protection of the Kaiser against UoB aggression. Kaiser Wilhelm II agrees immediately, and it isn't hard to see why – it gives the Reich the ability to encircle Britain and France and to project naval power into the Atlantic with considerably greater ease. President Hoover is infuriated by the news, which he sees as the senseless provocation of a neutral country into a rival camp. Faces are red in London for some time over this.

One of the debacles of our times.

Back at home, there is some surprise when the Vatican fails to send an anticipated communique to D.C. In the south, Charles Coughlin had aligned with Huey Long and had been broadcasting some rather firebrand shows which had stirred up a lot of resentment and giving the Catholic church something of a bad name. He was the prototypical demagogue and at times his broadcasts reached half the country. Despite the desire to see him silenced, Pius XI had apparently decided not to pressure the American government over this, which Hoover and Curtis were deeply thankful for. Had the issue been forced, they could see no way out which didn't upset someone.

God praise the Pope!

Vice-President Curtis guessed that the Pope had probably more pressing concerns, such as the imminent elections in the Socialist Republic of Italy, which controlled the southern half of the peninsula, as well as Sicily.

Papacy or Communists, make your choice.

In Spain, things are almost as bad as they are in the United States. The Carlist claimant of the Spanish throne dies in late March, then in April the legitimate monarch and his state apparatus ban the CNT-FAI – the Federation Anarquista Iberica. It does not take long for the CNT to grow rather unhappy about this, and the police were sent in as a response.

How will his heir guide the movement?



Remember kids, repression always works and never backfires.

South of the border, Mexico's president dies and a military junta takes power. Their current ambitions remain unknown but Washington D.C. heard the word “Intervention” more than once as this crisis erupted. Hoover knew the country was in no shape for a fight like that, and the issue quickly faded into the background. Autocracy continues to march in Russia as well.

Instability in Mexico? Never!


Petr Wrangel continues to impose his will, making a new and loyal bureaucracy to govern Russia.

May was a month of crisis after international incident. First, Panama acceded to the suggestion of the United Provinces that they join the latter country. This puts a country hostile to the US a stone's throw from the Panama Canal Zone. Hoover decides that one of the new infantry units will be deployed to defend the Canal and supplement the existing troops.

Don't even think about it, buster.

In the Far East, Sternberg makes his first move, provoking the Ma Clique into a war. He had secretly sent an envoy to Tibet, who convinced the mountain domain to join in Mongolia's expansionist path, through what means we do not yet know. In any event this places Xibei San Ma in a difficult position, located between Mongolia to the north and Tibet to the south. No help seems forthcoming for the Mas and their hinterland state.

Green is Ma, Red is Mongolia and Tibet.

The French continue to provoke the world, by loudly declaring that it will indeed go ahead with the planned Third International, a meeting of all the major players in the global syndicalist movement. The expected array of guests declare their intention to attend, including the Union of Britain, Bengal, and an American delegation led by John “Jack” Reed.

Problem, Kaiser?


This'll end well.

As the International gets underway, a piece of news is passed to President Hoover's desk which makes him break out the good drink for the first time in months, celebrating with Henry Kaiser and Charles Curtis. One of the projects he contracted at the beginning of the year has yielded fruit, as Union Carbide reports considerable progress on their agrichemistry research. The results will not be fully felt for some time, but the increased efficiency will help the country produce more food and to hopefully do so on somewhat more marginal land. Other projects would also finish in May, one presenting a new standard firearm for infantry use and the other an improved tank model, which the country was in no state to build at the time, but definitely wanted to have in reserve.

The press, of course, barely mentioned the President's achievements except to call him a dirty syndicalist and imply he is Catholic.


Projects as they stood at the end of May.

The major syndicalist powers, France and Britain, waste no time in antagonizing the various powers of the world. Over the course of the International they pledge support for revolutionaries in Spain, America, South America, and Bengal, whilst condemning any country who has ever arrested or even investigated a leftist for any reason. The French also pledge their support for the Socialists in Italy when the time came for their attempted reunification of the peninsula.

Ah, the radical left. Bastion of international cooperation and friendship among men.

The American delegation was of particular note to the President, unsurprisingly. Jack Reed gave a long but admittedly powerful speech about the failures of capitalism in the United States, having a great many statistics committed to memory to support his case, and not shying away from grim stories of the harshness of poverty. Of course, he could have had all the charisma of a damp, eggy fart and France and Britain would have supported him; they knew well that America could prove to be the key element in the future of the world. Still, Reed pledged himself to the democratic process for the time being, and claimed the American experiment in democracy could transition without bloodshed to the syndicalist cause. This was met with incredulity.

In Germany, the government decides to ban the FAUD, the foremost anarcho-syndicalist trade union in the reich. Clearly a response to Syndicalist provocations over the month of May, the French are quickly whipped into an uproar over this. Cooler heads prevail and the Commune leadership is well aware that the time to confront the German Reich has not yet come, as hungry for it as they may be.

We'll have less of that, sonny jim.


French courage on display.

Attention turns to Japan as civil disobedience erupts in Niigata. The government wastes little time in deploying troops to break this up, but it symbolizes a deeper unhappiness in Japan that may not be so easily curbed.

Have you tried... not being repressive?

The months until June were mixed for the USA. Internally, things went relatively well, with the St. Patrick's Day flood only providing the government a chance to appear like it really does care about the citizens, and the Indian Citizenship Act gaining a little sympathy for the administration as well. The minor heart attack suffered by Charles Curtis was big news for a short while, but his rapid recovery seemed to dispel that. Jobs are very slowly increasing and unhappiness decreasing. The situation remains very fragile; nevertheless President Hoover is convinced that a steady and calm hand can keep the ship of state from sinking.

Slow and steady wins the race.

Sidenote: I only discovered when I came to writing this up that the in-game screenshot button does not take screenshots if you have event dialogue onscreen. The three major things missed by this were the St. Patrick's Day Flood, the Indian Citizenship Act, and Vice President Curtis' heart attack, but none of these have significant effects on the situation.

Also, I cannot keep my friggin' tenses straight, I have no clue why. I do apologize.

[Sir Lancealot]

In the US, the training of the militia units is proceeding without incident. Volunteer numbers are low, but easily sufficient for this expansion. The first two militia units were immediately deployed to Chicago and Atlanta – President Hoover was sending a clear message that he would brook no anarchistic or rebellious uprisings in the USA. The deployments were met with protests but little more than that and the sporadic vandalizing of US Army equipment or structures. The other four units would, by mid-April, have been deployed to Detroit, Pittsburgh, Miami, and New Orleans, all strongholds of either the Syndicalists or the Kingfish's populists. Once they were completed President Hoover ordered the raising of three proper infantry divisions, better equipped and trained than the militias were.

Thought you would do that.

[Madame Adequate]

The United States, June – October 1936

June began with a dramatic and rather unorthodox proposal by the claimant of the Bourbon throne in Spain, Prince Xavier of Bourbon-Parma. He approached Ireland, Austria, Portugal, and the Vatican-led Italian Federation, inviting them to form a Catholic 'economic alliance' when he takes control of the Spanish crown. All agree to this, perhaps reasoning that he, rather than the legitimate King of Spain, can guard the Iberian peninsula against Syndicalism and that combined they can restore the prestige and power of the Pope and Catholicism in general. Exactly what sort of aid they might grant him is not yet known.

The Kaiser has not yet commented on Ireland's move away from Berlin.

A somewhat heartening development in China, as Emperor Pu-Yi's reformation takes a decidedly sensible tone. It is announced that “China can never be restored without a solid foundation on which to build” and that the empire's policies will work to ensure the end of famines in China and an increasing industrialization. Whilst this does not preclude aggressive moves on his part, it does suggest that he has more than just a tokenistic concern for the wellbeing of his population; the Qing armies are believed to already be sufficient to mount a war of conquest against Shangqing Tianguo and, if Germany did not get involved, against the Algostasien GmbH.

Operating in the better traditions of autocratic rule.

Back in North America, the US and to a lesser extent Canada were in for a hellish summer. Record temperatures were recorded across the continent and tempers flared in the uncomfortable conditions.

Sadly not enough to keep people indoors.

Events in June would conspire to arouse the Communists whilst slightly mollifying the Populists in the South. Alexander Berkman, the heart of American Syndicalism, finally lost his battle with cancer and died in the late hours of June 27th. Though no foul play was suspected or claimed, his death nevertheless served to galvanize the Syndicalists in America and to spur them to ever-louder and more strident protests and demands.

In the South, meanwhile, the situation would be slightly cooled by the release of the book Gone with the Wind, which Southerners interpreted as supporting their cause. Perhaps feeling that the novel would help their cause on a national level due to its evident qualities, there was a slight but nonetheless notable decline in anger in the South, with marches becoming just a little less destructive and violent.

This leaves Jack Reed as the presumptive heir of the American reds.


Hollywood is already trying to make a movie.

To the north, the Canadian parliament passes their new defense bill, known as Bill C-7. Among the first of its prescriptions to come into force is the decision to scrap obsolete RN and RCN ships to recycle whatever could be salvaged. There had been some considerable wrangling over whether to sell them to the Caribbean Federation or Dehli rather than scrap them, but it was clearly felt that the resources were needed by Canada.

Weirdly, Canada decides they cannot afford significant industrial investment this year. Given their military ambitions and the clearly degrading world situation, it was expected almost universally that they would find a way to make it feasible.

The bill also provided for better pay and conditions to encourage more military volunteers.


Britain outproduces Canada by almost 40%; was this wise?

Despite the heat and tension, for at least one day in the year an air of fraternity and brotherhood descends across the country. The Fourth of July is celebrated in good faith by almost all, and the few who attempt to capitalize on the holiday and accuse rival factions of not being true to the ideals of the Founding Fathers are soon denounced in Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington.

Not that it would last, of course.

Democracy is no longer so revered in Australasia, where Hughes and his cadres waste little time in stamping on any disobedience. Rumors abound that King Edward is trying to quietly nudge the confederation back towards a more liberal, democratic bent, but Hughes does not seem to be heeding him.

I'm going to report this to me member of parliament. Hey, Gus! I got something to report to ya!

More good news follows for the US, as Canada is soundly thrashed in the Stanley Cup 4-2. Tempers cool just a little more as an accomplishment all Americans can be proud of is reported countrywide.

Even if hockey is a silly sport.

By late July, the first of the new infantry divisions is trained and ready to go. Given the recent coup d'etat in Mexico the unit is deployed to Corpus Christie in an effort to protect Texas' industrial heartland, in the event of hostilities with Mexico. Another division would be ready in late September, and would be deployed to El Paso.

We may need to build a wall here.

In Japan the situation continues to deteriorate around Niigata, and beginning to spread through the country. Martial law is declared in an effort to bring the situation under control.

The Showa Emperor is willing to take all steps to preserve his country.

In Germany, a sad day as former Reichskanzler Georg Michaelis passes away. President Hoover sends the usual diplomatic courtesies to the country.

'Cause I gotta have faith

Poland, ever chafing under German hegemony, presses once again for the right to have a Polish monarch. Perhaps mollified by years of dominance, or perhaps concerned by the worsening situation in the world, Kaiser Wilhelm II agrees to this. To the great surprise of all, Poland immediately fails to decide on a King and instead appoints a regent until such time as the debate had been settled.

Foolishly, we assumed that they wanted a King so bad because they actually had one in mind.

Russia continues along an autocratic path, with Petr Wrangel declaring quite unequivocally that Orthodoxy is the Russian state religion.

Third Rome stands yet.

A confrontation between Germany and Japan looks almost inevitable at this point, as Korean exiles in the Legation Cities secure German backing for a planned uprising. Korea has been part of the Japanese Empire for years now, but they are not happy with the situation and it is well known that a strong independence movement exists.

A provocative gesture, no doubt. It is unlikely to intimidate Japan.

Nonetheless, repercussions will not be instant. Japan, beset with internal dissent, is further forced to tend to internal affairs as Prime Minister Inukai dies. The militarist faction, with the apparent support of the Showa Emperor, dissolves the Diet and siezes power for themselves, turning the Empire of Japan into a strictly controlled state. As they mercilessly crush the dissenters, they quickly make clear their intentions to establish Japan as the foremost power in the Far East.

American media condemns the events, but the government remains silent.

In the Union of Britain, the Congress of the Trade Unions meets to decide the leadership and course of the country. Whilst Canada and other powers decry it as an illegitimate government, it has to be said that Britain has remained closest to the democratic and libertarian ideals out of all the socialist powers. Nevertheless the internal contradictions of leftism are highlighted over the weeks of debate and wrangling, as entirely incompatible decisions are made by the CTU. As the meeting draws to a close, Philip Snowden announces his resignation as Chairman of the Congress of the Trade Unions, leaving his succession an open question. It seems that the Totalists led by Comrade Mosley might be able to secure power, but this can't yet be known for sure.

British Socialist democracy in action.


So far so good...


More freedom, but more control by the center. Okay.


Our army will be used for self-defence...


... except when it isn't, of course!


Will Oswald Mosley emerge on top?

Meanwhile, Wrangel's Russia decides that they would like to be a major naval power. When news of this new doctrine reaches D.C. there is much laughter, until it is realized that with the world as it is, nobody's likely to stop Russia for a long time, and if they have long enough they could put a formidable fleet to sea.

Then again, the British, Canadian, Japanese, and American Navies are all mighty already.

In September, however, the real drama would be invisible and it would take place a lot closer to home...