BIG UPDATE!
New and updated shields:
Russian SSR / Communist China / Nationalist China / Republican China
Azerbaijan-Armenia SSR / Socialist Spain / Nationalist Spain / Nationalist France
Communist Germany / Indian Republic / Macedonia / Mongolia
RSSR flag changed to look more like the original design. RSSR claims Georgia and other regions as rightful Russian territory although there may be some semi-autonomous areas. However, Azerbaijan and Armenia were lucky enough to be partnered up together as a semi-independent but Stalin loyal Soviet Socialist Republic. Nothing has interfered with the state thus far that could have caused it to fail, it is a reasonable success like Yugoslavia of real TL was in 1936.
Commie China flag is a variation of the 31-34 war flag included in HOI2.
When the Central Plains War broke out, Japan seized the moment and expanded their invasion of China past Manchuria, capturing Beijing. Manchurian leaders and generals, Chinese warlord factions, and KMT defectors seized the opportunity to form a Republic with Japanese support and oversight. Despite the fact that Japan has considered itself a Republic and a national congress exists, the constitution still reserves overall power for the Emperor. Imperial Japan is trying to create a political and military ally to dominate China. Of course at least when the game starts in 1936, this 'Republic' is corrupt and led mostly by military figures loyal to Japanese dominance. Nationalist China is as authoritarian but independent from foreign meddling.
Communist China is better off in this mod for two reasons. While the KMT was fighting Manchu-Japan forces they could not devote many troops to holding off the communists. Still, the nationalist KMT armies launched campaigns against the communist republic established in Jianxi. They were successful enough to knock the red army out of Jianxi province. However, in this time line with fewer losses and more resources, the long march ended in more western China in Sichuan province and a new People's Republic of China was declared.
Since the plains war armistice in 1933, KMT controlled China had a new flag designed similar to the old to stand out from Republican China.
For the record, in the theoretical political situation Nationalist China--the KMT party controlled state in southern and much of central China--now refers to itself simply as 'China'. This is symbolic of their claim as the only legitimate national Chinese state. Of course the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China also claim to be the legitimate masters of China.
The Republic of China had a flag design based on the flag of Manchukuo with instead a red field representing Han Chinese and bravery in the Central Plains War. Theoretically the yellow Manchukuo flag is still in use by the regional government in northern China. There will be the possibility of the Manchukuo state and flag coming about ingame as well as other 'district' states setup by Japan should they conquer more of China and choose that route.
--SPAIN--
The situation in Spain has been altered dramatically. In the Arms & Armistice time line, although the military dictatorship and monarchy of the 20's came to an end, the Second Republic didn't last a few days. Most of the military and a coalition of right-wing, nationalist, and religious parties seized control of government organs. Opposing groups involved in the turmoil of the coup threatened Civil War. These groups did not have the resources to launch any significant campaign nor were they well coordinated enough to make it work at the time. The Republican supporters and outside factions went underground and radical sentiment grew at a rapid pace. Although the nationalist government had the protection of the military, they did not want to look like a copy of the past military dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera. Some democratic elements were created within the one-party system where army leaders and religious figures dominate government positions.
In the spring of 1935, revolutionary left-wing parties and militia groups triggered a chain reaction when several guerrilla attacks against the nationalist government took place. The president declared martial law and many Spaniards, inspired by communist related events worldwide and weary from the depression, took up arms against the state.
As the civil war progressed, the largest communist/socialist parties merged into a single party and all others either dissolved to join the union or were too weak to affect the war. Socialist Spain has a new flag with a bright yellow field represents the Spanish people and their socialist unity with a red hammer sickle (dictatorship of the proletariat) positioned to the center-left symbolizing the policies of the revolution. As 1936 starts the nationalist government still controls most of Spanish territory--but the rebellion is well manned, well armed, and led by veteran resistance fighters.
In real history the civil war was serious global news with many taking interest worldwide. However in A&A with the events in Germany and Russia as well as the high tension between the powers--less attention is drawn to the conflict and other nations hardly intervene except for Communist Germany.
Note: Communist Germany had it's shield improved with a better hammer sickle and fixed color.
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France's white star on the modified 'nationalist' flag has been changed to gold. I thought about putting it in the white strip, feedback on that?
Similar to the meddling of France in Germany postwar in real TL, in A&A the nationalist government in France has established 'Nationalist Germany' or "Free Germany" in the theoretical political arena. This is not quite a puppet perse but an ally of France. France expects war with Germany again as they are opposed to communism and thus are at odds with each other like in WW2. France hopes to one liberate Germany and restore an ally rather than enemy. If anyone wants to know, the flag of this 'Nationalist' German faction is the black-white-red tricolor of the German Empire. Even though this is the flag of the entity that fought France in WW1, events postwar have made any sentiments irrelevant and it's use is purely nationalistic with the goal of this future German state to be a republic and mostly democratic.
There were many changes politically when the United Kingdom reformed as the United Commonwealth. London decided it was the right time to act in 1932 and the Republic of India was established. A flag was chosen that took elements from previous design submissions, although the commonwealth jack remained in the canton symbolizing this semi-autonomous republic's continuing membership in the United Commonwealth like Canada and Australia.
After WWI the allies, with a reluctant Italy, bitter Greece, and furious Bulgaria, a state of Macedon was established by the allies. Despite tensions relations remain positive between Italy, Greece, and Macedonia. There is high potential for Macedonia eventually joining the Italy-Greece-Albania alliance. The flag of Macedonia in A&A is purely fantasy with historical influence. I think it works well but any suggestions are welcome.
Events in Russia prevented Mongolia and the Soviets from getting close. Power struggles ended differently and at the moment Mongolia is Paternal Autocrat with a new flag.
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That is all for the moment, I don't want anyone to think progress isn't being made. A lot has changed in the mod already, but there is still loads more to be done. Comments, questions, criticisms are welcome! While most input doesn't translate into change for the mod, feedback does help shape things by inspiring new ideas or helping me consider other factors.