Of Their Own Accord - USNA AAR

[TemplarComander]

“Be Afraid of the Future …”

- General George S. Patton on the Rise of James Arkham in the USNA

With the country under their banner, the Unity Party quickly began eliminating rivals and dissidents within it’s own ranks. Leading up to June, the USNA experienced an ever growing number of Political Arrests, Murders and ‘Traitors’ against the government. On June 17, the ‘Night of the Long Knives’, James Arkham ordered the Silver Shirts to arrest and execute over 70 members and former members of the Unity Party.

Following the Night of the Long Knives, celebrations occurred in Washington. Dignitaries from over the world, save the Confederates and the PRRS were invited. While the Confederates turned down the invitation and the majority of the Commintern withheld from response, Roma sent a dignitary and Haile Selassie attended the commemoration. From Europe, the Bourbon sent a low level diplomat, a snub that would not be forgotten, while the Swedish sent their Foreign Minister. Prussia sent an entire envoy to the celebration, and to work on building economic ties and ease reparations which were driving the world to depression. The Prussian envoy contained the Foreign Minister, the Chancellor, the Ambassador to the USNA and other guests such as Marlene Dietrich, who would be performing at the celebration.

Following the celebration, James Arkham and the Prussian Chancellor were able to work out a deal which effectively voided articles in the Versailles Treaty pertaining to the United States of North America. The USNA would halt payments of reparations to the Pact of Steel and would be able to increase the size of its military by 70 000 men to maintain its independence - historians credit this as a ripple effect in Confederate war mongering in the years of peace. The USNA would also have several exclusive deals with Prussia as a cause of the meeting. On top of these success, rumours ran rampant of a romance between James Arkham and Marlene Dietrich. Whether this was because it occurred, or because of James’ reputation as a womanizer are uncertain - but neither of the two ever denied the allegations. Indeed, when James Arkham and Greta Garbo would marry 7 years later in 1942, the matter was overshadowed and forgotten.

Despite the victory following the Unity Election Celebration, James Arkham and the Unity Party were readily preparing for war. Using the additional 70 000 men as an excuse to build a mass of Military Industrial complexes in the Rocky Mountains, the Unity Party would ensure that essential war Industry remained safe far behind enemy lines and easy to defend in the mountains of North America. In fact, these factories would soon be used to produce the Airforce which the Treaty of Versailles had banned the USNA from acquiring. It would also be used to a great extent in producing the weapons and vehicles needed by troops, allowing propaganda to show a limited number of factories producing material for the war effort while the majority of industry on the eastern seaboard accommodated civilians - in theory proving USNA industrial superiority.

Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo were two of the women James Arkham was rumored to have had a romance with. The validity of the Marlene Dietrich rumour is uncertain, however he did marry Greta Garbo in 1942.

In Europe and Africa, the long prepared armies of Roma and the African Peoples Republic were unleashed upon the Ottoman Empire. Facing an enemy they had glared at for over a decade, the Roman and African advances were swift and brutal. By November they were nearing the coast in Africa and the Romans were driving hard in Europe. Fearing a major military defeat and humiliation, coupled with the break up of the Empire, the Ottoman Empire requested Aid from Germany. In December, Germany threatened to intervene. A ceasefire was called and the cries of blood in Roma and Africa were put aside as the APR, Roma and the Ottomans negotiated a settlement. In return for large tracts of land, there would be peace.

Turkish Troops returning home in 1936. Despite the Peace settlement aimed at saving the Ottomans humiliation, many troops felt betrayed by the government and those under the Ottoman banner began to question if it was not time they regained their independence.

But at the start of 1936, the future remained uncertain.

[serutan]

You said in your first post that there were "territory changes". Would you mind posting screenies to show just what they were?

[Viden]

First time I see the Arma scenario interesting. Keep it going!

[Zardnaar]

Sweet I'm keen. Whats with the Arm AAR's. My next one will be Cossacks methinks.

[TemplarComander]

“The Future belongs to those who believe in their dreams” - Eleanor Roosevelt

The records of the Unity Party tell that in early 1936, perhaps as early as January 1st, the Unity ‘Coalition Cabinet’ held a meeting in the White House with the sole aim of deciding the future of the USNA, their diplomatic and military goals and the grand design of a new world. On the top of their agenda was the Americas.

The Immediate threat which the USNA faced was obvious. The ever aggressive Confederates to the south had only increased their warmongering following the build-up of Military forces by the USNA and the heavy construction of factories occurring in the Rocky Mountains.

While the majority of the Cabinet was in agreement that a war with the Confederacy was going to come, members of the Cabinet differed on the course of action. George C. Marshall suggested a rush across the American front with Infantry and Armour, racing to the Mexican Gulf to cut the Confederacy in two and landings in the Caribbean. However R.B. Bennett suggested an agreement with the Libertadores that they would invade the Confederacy in sync with the USNA, thus dividing Confederate forces and leading to a swift and brutal victory over their enemy.

Despite this, James Arkham and Christopher Marlowe were in agreement over their course of action. Only if the situation became dire would the Libertadores be brought into the war. If they did invade before the USNA was prepared, then the USNA would have no choice but to go to war against the Confederates. Regardless, of the actual war plan for the America’s the post war plan was certain. Any Islands captured in the Caribbean were to be liberated and land beyond the Panama Canal was also to be liberated to new independent states which would largely serve as buffer states against the Libertadores.

Europe was also a major point of concern for the ‘Coalition Cabinet’. The hatred between the French, English and Prussians was left simmering since the last war and had only heated up after the Prussian intervention in the Treaty of Istanbul, ending the war between the Ottoman Empire, Roma and the APR. While none of these three nations would currently attack Prussia, Sweden was ready for vengeance following the Versailles Treaty and the Cossack nation was anxious to expand it’s own borders into Russia and Prussia.

Roma however looked once again to be the powder keg for a dangerous conflict. With armies fresh from the recent war with the Ottoman Empire, it’s citizens still screaming for blood, Roma sets its eyes hungrily on the territorial losses it suffered in the Versailles Treaty.

Still the USNA was very cautious about aligning with any European Power. The Unity Party did not see the members of the Commintern as potential or necessary allies and relations with the French were delicate at best. Some in the party suggested a rapprochement with the Prussian Empire however tensions and animosity from the Great War killed any hopes of an alliance.

In eastern Europe, potential allies were not regarded as powers against the Russian Bear. The defeat of Sweden in the Great lead to large territorial losses and a loss of power while the Cossack nation had never been designed to have much power or influence in the region. Careful Russian planning had assured their dominance - however the USNA was still bound by old treaties with Sweden in the North and France in the West.

With great interest but little available involvement in Europe, the USNA confined itself to other theaters within which it could operate. However, Europe would become a more pressing concern in the Second Unity Conference.

Africa was a similar situation. The APR was the dominant power and nothing but continued supply of several guerrilla and separatist movements could be enacted against the Peoples Republic. Further north, the Ottomans had displayed their weakness in their recent war and suffered large territorial losses and humiliation. Roma suffered the same distinction of all Communist nations, despite not being a member of the Commintern and the French were heavily involved in wars against Separatists in Algeria.

Asia was perhaps the second most important area to Unity members. Hatred aimed at Australasia and the PRRS were rarely contained and many speeches by party members did little but aggravate the two nations. At the Conference it was decided that the creation of a powerful Pacific fleet was needed and that the general presence of a number of combat ready marine divisions would be necessary for the coming conflicts between the nations. In fact, it is rumoured that the famous attack on Hawaii which marked the beginning of the American - Japanese War was originally conceived at this meeting.

China was the heart of American efforts in the Pacific. Despite failed attempts to reinforce the nation in the Great War, the Chinese had not forgotten American efforts and the USNA and the Republic of China maintained good relations. In fact, China had been the only nation to receive regular praise from the Unity Party. Many of it's early members had called for an alliance with China to regain both their honour and that of the USNA against the PRRS and other nations in the Pacific. As if only enforcing the idea, James Arkham became good friends with the Chinese Ambassador, who was later invited to his wedding with Greta Garbo alongside the Chinese President, Chiang-Kai Shek.

[Ciryandor]

Is war coming?

[serutan]

Thanks for the maps. IIRC the USNA is screwed on Energy now; a lot of it was in Kentucky. Be interesting to see how this progresses.

[TemplarComander]

“I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory” - John Adams, a Letter to Abigail Adams.

At the end of the First Unity Conference, James Arkham and his cabinet had defined their mission, their enemies, their allies and their goals. However, James Arkham had already given orders to his Cabinet to begin immediate preparations for war as early as 1939. Specifically, he had given orders to Henry Crerar to oversee the construction of a new Navy, the National Guard and the massive expansion of the National Army. George C. Marshal was tasked with planning the major operations for the war with the Confederacy, the Libertadores and more importantly, the post war plan for the Americas.

Aided by Foreign Minister R.B. Bennett, the two men saught to create a strong and dominate USNA while dividing South America. Their opinions on Central America and the Caribbean sparked various debates. R.B. Bennett argued in favour of the creation of numerous Central American and Caribbean nations, while George C. Marshal argued in favour of the integration of Central America and the Caribbean into the United States of North America. By February of 1936, the issue had come to the forefront of inner party politics and the issue was brought directly to James Arkham. Alongside the two proposals, both George C. Marshal and R.B. Bennett each warned that the refusal of their proposal would cause their resignation.

After a mere 3 days of consideration, James Arkham accepted R.B. Bennett’s resignation and sided with George C. Marshal. The Marshal Plan was archived and set to be kept until both the Libertadores and the Confederacy were integrated into the United States of North America. However, R.B. Bennett’s resignation initiated a spiral effect. Henry Crerar submitted his resignation the following day and two days after that, Hoyt Vandenberg submitted his resignation. While Vandenberg’s resignation is thought to be because of collapsing relations with Prussia and a suspected affair between himself and a Boston prostitute, the true reason of his resignation remains debatable - however it is logical to assume that his friendship with R.B. Bennett also influenced him.

The Marshal Plan. The Dominant USNA is a clear deviation from R.B. Bennett's plan who advocated various Caribbean and Central American States.

With the Marshal Plan accepted and the replacement of Henry Crerar with Charles Foulkes, and Hoyt Vandenberg with Joseph Romeo Vachon, the decision was made to replace R.B. Bennett with Gerald Nye. With the Cabinet Shuffle came a new request for reports and a request for operational readiness. Specifically, Charles Edison initiated Operation Hayfield at the request of Charles Foulkes. Operation Hayfield was to test the patrol ability and combat readiness of the USN.

Operation Hayfield saw the Main Fleet and the Transport Squadron put to Sea. A protest from the Confederate States of America received little attention.

The results of Operation Hayfield showed the Unity Cabinet the frailty of the United States Navy. Composing a total of 24 ships with a range of 500 km, the United States of North America would be totally unprepared for any sort of Naval Action by any nation. A massive funding plan for the Navy was given the green light. The plan, named the Edison Formula, aimed to bring more researchers, scientists and engineers to the employment of the USNA government to help design new ships. Chief among these new designs were to be improved Battleships and Aircraft Carriers. At the time, Battleships were given priority as the Carriers were seen as operating only in a support role. Despite the publicized research and design going into the project, actual production of the first new vessel would begin in 1937 after the Army had received their minimal troop requests for 'Border Defence'.

The First of these new Troops, totaling 60 000 Men were called up and told to garrison the Confederate border near Columbus and Evansville. The two new Corps were placed under the command of Lt. General Lauer and Lt. General Bruce respectively. Despite the impressive numbers the offered, their equipment was outdated and inadequate. George C. Marshal would wait until 1937 for a Modernization program to begin following the completion of the training of the requested 600 000 man expansion plan.

Above, Lt General Lauer and Lt General Bruce have just arrived at their stations. Across the border, 20 000 Confederate soldiers faced the 60 000 United States addition.

With the Army Plan having received its first 60 000 soldiers, and the creation of both the Edison Formula and the Marshal Plan, 1936 was already looking to see vast developments and advancements for the United States of North America.

The above image was taken January 1st 1936 of USNA Production and Research Files.

[TemplarComander]

“I freed thousands of slaves. I could have freed thousands more, if they had known they were slaves” - Harriet Tubman

While 1936 saw major increases in North American troop levels and scientific advancements, nothing gained as much attention as the ongoing Underground Railroad which had run in secret since the start of the American Civil War. Ferrying Confederate slaves to the freedom of the North, the Underground railroad had been a Federally funded program after the end of the war. The Unity Party had increased the funding and had even sent several armed groups into the Confederacy to assassinate certain slaves owners who paid a large role in Confederate politics.

When an armed party was caught attempting to bring a dozen freed men across the border at a recently discovered crossing point, a fire fight broke out. The freed men managed to escape but 3 of the guards were killed alongside a pair of Confederate troops. The incident left the Confederate government with a mystery. One which they would soon seek to expose to the public.

Immediately, contacts within the Confederacy went to the area and began destroying evidence. Riots amongst slaves were ignited to draw attention away from the site and when it was done, fires destroyed as much evidence as remained. Though some of these men were caught, many committed suicide before they could be questioned.

Several months later, a freed man who had been smuggled to the North attempted to return South on his own. He was caught and under torture, confessed to having been freed by the North. He gave them details about the entrance he used, times they move slaves across the border and the times that volunteer groups travel into the Confederacy to free slaves. With this information, Confederate agents captured more parties traveling the border and soon, openly accused the United States of North America with invading the Confederacy with the aim of freeing slaves. The Unity Party then openly stated that they had indeed crossed the border with the aim of rescuing free men.

All anti-Unity Party arguments from Minorities were soon forgotten as they rallied behind James Arkham and his efforts to ‘rescue free men’. While in the Confederacy, pacifist and anti-war groups protested to avoid another war, arguing that now it would be America versus America without outside support, pro-war sentiment in the USNA only grew with many believing that the now 600 000 man force would be more than able to defeat the smaller Confederate army. Despite these beliefs, James Arkham was aware that the USNA was not ready for the war to liberate the Americas and there was only one way to keep the peace for the time being.

A Conference in Tehran, a city in the neutral Republic of Persia, was to host an international event which met annually in a different city. Called the League of Nations, the organization had been dominated by the victors of the First World War until 1931 when membership was opened to the world. While the United States of North America was only allowed to enter the League in 1934, it had not attended under the Unity Party. Now, it entered to preserve peace until they were confident that they would win a war.

At the conference, talks were tense with the league divided the Axis powers which consisted of the German Empire, the Russian Empire and the Indian Republic. Even though these were the official members of the Axis, Indochina and the Ottomans closely followed their views - if only to gain support from the victors of the last great war. It was here however where the Confederates and the Axis were split. The Confederates advocated a total policy of invading North America and then dividing it between Canada, Quebec and an occupied United States while other axis powers sought solely to avoid another major war in the Americas and across the world through an appeasement policy, believing that a certain number of concessions could be made to make a state happy and content. This was only exemplified at the conference when Prussia agreed to allow the USNA to form a National Guard and a Marine Corps - even if it was only intended to restore some lost pride.

The Commintern consisted of the European Soviets, the Peoples Republic of the Rising Sun and the Libertadores. While other communist states existed, they did not align with these three. Indeed, Africa and Roma had refused to join the official Commintern alliance while being bound by mutual assistance agreements to each other and maintaining close ties with the Republic of Persia. As such, the dual power base of the Communist nations regularly came at odds with each other and this was no different at the Tehran Conference. The Commintern Alliance agreed that the USNA could not be allowed to strengthen itself or the Confederates would be threatened. If the Confederacy fell, then the Libertadores would come under attack next. Despite this belief, the Roma-Africa Bloc refused to follow suit and pursued a similar policy of appeasement alongside the Axis states.

While the United States of North America were the inheritors of the Allied States, no nation had as of yet joined them in signing an official agreement. Relations had improved steadily with China and the recently renamed Cossack state, the Republic of Sarmatia, lead by Chiang Kai-Shek and Nikita Khrushchev respectively. Both of these states advocated for a renewed America as they saw it as the force which would hold and protect democracy in their countries as the USNA was relatively isolated from major powers and could easily prepare for and provide aid in a great war.

The Tehran Conference lasted from February of 1937 until March 18th when the United States of North America was granted the ability to form a National Guard alongside its Army and a Marine Force. No size specifications were included - something which the Unity Party would use to raise the Marine Force to an Army of 90 000 men. The Conference also resolved the issue of the Underground Railroad. An invasion by the Confederates would be condemned and trade would be halted - however USNA continuation of the Railroad would make the League turn a blind eye to a Confederate invasion. The Unity Party exploited these gains and immediately began a propaganda campaign to show that the world would abandon the Confederates if war were to break out - and that old allies still stood by America. The formation of the Coastal Wall - a term coined to embody the immensity of fortifications running along the entirety of the North American coast to defend from invasion. The National Guard would compose of not only an interior land force - but also a force of 10 000 men and fortifications stationed at every major landing area in North America.

There was little doubt, that the American machine was turning once more.


Game Effect :
- Every Province now has 30 000 men on the USNA-Confederate border
- A lot of new techs have been researched including Super-Heavy Battleship though nothing too advanced is currently in production
- Upgrading is not currently according for the 58 divisions and 30 brigades which are out of date
-Begin production of the Coastal Wall and a 90 000 man Marine Corps alongside numerous Garrison divisions equipped with the Engineer Brigade

Diplomatic Effect :
- Influenced China and the Cossacks into liking the USNA more
- Got some lucrative Energy deals with the European Soviets to keep my energy growing. They just recently canceled and my reserves are dropping.

News for the AAR :
- I realize I have not been responding to any posts and I have just completely forget. Further posts and comments shall receive replies.
- Further posts will likely have this style of update added to the bottom just to make things more clear

Questions :
- How do I make a cookie ? (I owe 2 people one)
- Do you like this addition to the textbook style or do you prefer it without ?
- What do you think of the graphics in this update for the Alliances ?

[Zeldar155]

An update?

Also you to much gap between the updates atleast i think so..

[TemplarComander]

An update?

Also you to much gap between the updates at least i think so..

mmm. Lately I've been busy with RL commitments and my other AAR, along with finishing up one that I encountered writers block with. I'll see if I can get an update up today.

My apologies to those who follow this.

[TemplarComander]

“The sick are the greatest danger for the healthy; it is not from the strongest that harm comes to the strong, but from the weakest.” - Friedrich Nietzsche, German Philosopher.

The next few years were a quiet period within the United States of North America save for the energy crisis of the Summer of 1937. While modernization of the army had begun, production and drafting had ceased for many Americans. Indeed, only the halted production of the Marines was on the armies agenda. However, the air force required new planes and needed to better understand modern tactics. The focus of the USNA’s production had turned to its naval arm. Coastal fortifications alongside numerous ports were under construction, straining the American economy to breaking point.

A Factory in North America. While factories were common, many were forced to shut down for extended periods during the Summer of 1937.

In the Summer of 37 and in August particularly, American energy reserves were running dry and crippling American industry. Civilians were banned from the use of electricity after the sun set to conserve what could be saved before it was diverted to industrial plants. This crippled American morale and industry at once. Indeed, an early invasion of the CSA was contemplated in the crisis. Owensboro, just across the CSA-USNA border could easily be seized and would supply the USNA with a plentiful source of energy production. However, the army had yet to modernize itself and plans for war had been postponed until 1940 at the earliest. When the crusade of the Americas would be launched, war with the CSA and the Libertadores was guaranteed and would be declared at the same time. While this would drag the Commintern into the conflict, it was hoped that America would rally allies in Europe and Asia to her banner to distract the distant powers while the CSA and Libertadores were isolated and destroyed.

However thoughts of war were far from the minds of the government. Production of the Coastal fortifications were ceased and all port construction was cancelled in order to save energy for the public, and for the production which truly mattered. As this was occurring, the government invested heavily into research in converting oil to energy and in a couple of years, they would be more advanced than the rest of the world in oil refinement. By the fall, the situation had stabilized enough for production of the new Pacific Fleet and the Marine Force to begin formation. Orders were laid down for a new Super Heavy Battleship and three Lexington-class Carriers. 1937 ended without further event save for some technological advancements.

1938 would however, begin with arguments within the Unity party for an advancement in the air force and armies tactics which were by all accounts out of date. Immediately, James Arkham called upon an old friend and aviation genius. Henry Arnold was appointed the Chief Tactician for the American Air Forces and immediately began testing some of his innovative ideas in Canada, far from the peering eyes of the Confederates and the outside world. Meanwhile, the army was suffering from a lack of ingenuity and it was decided that without any true military experts in the field, the brains of a company would be given the task of developing new ideas. A government think tank, headed by Curtiss Wright was formed and given the task of modernizing the armies tactics.

By mid 1938, scientific advancements were continuous in the fields of Armoured vehicles and Artillery. Such was the extent that many began advocating a fully mobile army. A decision on the matter was held off for the time being as the Confederate border was secure, and the American industry could not afford to overstretch itself again. However, an important issue was brought to the attention of James Arkham in June. When the government ceased production of coastal fortifications and ports across North America, it was overlooked that not all of America had received at least the slightest amount of Coastal protection. Along the Eastern Seaboard, defences had been abandoned while they were in production. A cabinet crisis briefly developed as Arkham grappled with his Minister of Armaments over his neglect in informing the President.

In recently discovered documents, it is hinted that the President had considered assassinating Ian A. Mackenzie for his incompetence - however such a move was deemed ‘likely to insight unrest in Canada’ and so the matter was brought to a halt. Still, it is interesting to note that President Arkham was considering the death of a cabinet minister after his first failure. We can see from this, that if only kept in check by his intelligence, Arkham’s rumored short temper may indeed have been true.

In August, production and training of the Marine Army began and more importantly, the South experienced an oil crisis. The reasons for this remains unclear, however documents suggest this might have been the result of sabotage, by partisans or USNA agents is still unknown. Regardless, what happened next would spell the beginning of a new game in American diplomacy abroad. Agents of the USNA would infiltrate a nation, cause a problem or sabotage a supply depot and then America would be the first to offer assistance through resource aid. That is what occurred with the CSA. When they encountered their oil difficulties, oil production within Canada was increased to match the CSA demand in exchange for energy. The deals, in its entirety known as the Washington Agreement, spelled a short period of relative friendship and ease between the North and the South.

An unintended side effect, would set the spark to the Second World War in mere months.


Game Effect :
- 90 000 man Marine force was delayed.
- Coastal fortifications didn't cover all of NA. I had thought they did before I shut them down. Somewhat annoyed.
- I feel as though I'm falling behind. If I can't step up production of my army and navy before the World War, I'll have a lot of trouble fighting the Commintern ( Pacific and Atlantic Battles ) as well as the CSA ( land engagements ) at once.

Diplomatic Effect :
- Better relations with the CSA and all Democracies - including my arch-nemesis of the democracies, Australia.

News for the AAR :
- Posts will likely be in between posts for Land of the Samurai ... which I should really go and update :P

Questions :
Don't suppose there is much use in asking about how I would make a cookie.

[Ciryandor]

Ask Lord Strange for how to bake COOKIES.

[Zeldar155]

Please dont kill this AAR! its awesome!

[TemplarComander]

Ask Lord Strange for how to bake COOKIES.

Thanks. I actually found in my other AAR that KaiserMuffin had responded and let me know after Timmie0307 pointed me to him moments after your response.

Please dont kill this AAR! its awesome!

I don't plan on letting it die, but I do find that I am pressed into focusing on a single AAR for some time and Land of the Samurai was created before this and has received more followers (that I know of) so I have prioritised it.

That said, I should definately get updates put out for this AAR and I apologize for the neglect. I will try to get a few updates out for this AAR and take a small break from Land of the Samurai in a short while.

In fact, I'll see about putting one out tonight !

[TemplarComander]

“My last wish is that Germany realize its entity and that an understanding be reached between East and West. I wish peace to the world.”
- Last words of Joachim von Ribbentrop.

The year of 1939 began just as any year before it had began. A general review of the state of the United States of North America. Unlike any previous review, the entire Unity Cabinet was in a rage. Military Production had all but ceased until the energy crisis had solved and now, as 1940 and the planned invasion of the Confederacy approached, the USNA seemed to face disaster. The Confederates had been arming themselves greatly. Indeed, their arms build up had fuelled their oil crisis which had allowed North American oil to be traded for an influx of electricity. Ironically, this created a paradox by which the Confederate Army was run on American fuel and the American economy was run by Confederate electricity. Neither state could attack the other without facing a collapse and, to make matters worse, the North Americans looked at a Confederate Army that outnumbered them by at least 30 000 men along the entire length of the border. For every 3 divisions the Americans had, the Confederates had six. Indeed, the Navy and Airforce of the USNA was also outnumbered - however the naval modernization project sought to have a smaller though better equipped American force.

The Unity Party found itself staring at a paradox of its own making and realized that it could not solve the situation. It could not fight a Confederate Army that outnumbered them and with an economy falling through the floor while their opponents could not fight without the oil supply from America. Both sides looked across the border with rage and despair at the predicament. Had James Arkham not devised the Baltimore Conference, the Second World War may have been entirely averted.

Delegates from the Commintern and from the Axis Powers were invited to the Conference with the aim of easing international tension and to acquire one of two goals.

1. To garner support to reclaim areas lost to the Confederacy after the First World War by peaceful means. This includes energy rich areas which can be used to makeup for the Confederate imports and eventually to end a reliance on Confederate supply.

2. To garner unofficial allies who may be manipulated into furthering North American goals. The main target of this objective was the Communists. Despised more by the Axis than democracies and already ostracized from the world community, Communist nations, it was believed, would form an easy target to manipulate as they actively sought allies and would cause a large distraction, allowing the United States to manoeuvre diplomatically as it saw fit.

Envoys arrived from Japan and from Britain, both of whom had already convened with the Libertadores who declined the invitation. From Europe, German and Ottoman delegates also attended with the Russian Foreign Minister personally coming.

Initially, things were civil. Gerald Nye, North American Foreign Minister ran things smoothly and many of the guests and diplomats commended him for his work in organizing such a spectacular event to host such a variety of countries and ensure all of their safety. The first discussion of the topic was related to trade, as many nations had not been able to put old hatreds past the state of the world and embargoed many of the nations on the opposing political spectrum, or indeed any nation they had fought against in the Great War. Only Siam, which was not invited, and the United States of North America had truly embraced trading across all boundaries. Most other nations were crippled by their lack of trade and refused to do so outside of their own alliance. Few agreements actually emerged from the discussions but promises from various parties and scheduled events showed the public and the world that, at least on paper, the Baltimore Conference was an astounding success.

As the days dragged on however, it became clear that a discussion over American land was too much for a single conference. The remainder of the Conference was spent discussing and debating over a series of Arms Treaties which would limit the size of various naval and air force components and help to diffuse tension in the world. These last moments of the Baltimore Conference only offered incentive to North American plans of securing an, at least temporary, alliance with the Commintern. The Commintern nations refused to even consider any Arms Treatise upon their forces and caused a large diplomatic ‘shit storm’ as we would refer to it today. The Communists, skeptical and mistrusting of the outside world believed, in very simple terms, that the world was out to get them and that any Arms Treatise would be violated by the Fascists anyway.

Indeed, Gerald Nye’s connections within the Roma government who shared a friendly relationship with Washington allowed him to persuade the Roman government to push The Commintern towards an agreement. Had the Communists accepted the Arms Treatise, the Unity government would have been unable to use Fascist plots as a pretext for an agreement to a Commintern invasion of the Confederacy. In exchange for the whole of South America to the Libertadores along with an Island change leading up Puerto Rico from the former-Venezuela, total recognition of Japanese sovereignty over all former US Islands in the Pacific and exclusive oil deals to both The Commintern nations and to Roma as the facilitator of the agreement, The Commintern would declare a state of war between themselves and the Confederate States of America to seize South America and draw Confederate attention away from the North where the United States would then launch its own invasion either in late 1939 or early 1940.

In summation, the Baltimore Conference was one of the most successful covers for founding a military alliance in history and ultimately, was a major cause of the Second World War, allowing the United States and The Commintern to sign the Nye-Dutt Pact.


Game Effect :
- Around August I will assume control of one of The Commintern nations and declare war on the Confederates, then hop back into the seat of the USNA to avoid the AI screwing with my stuff
- Yes, I am indeed heavily out manned across the border. Possibly out gunned too. Spies are looking into Confederate Tech.

Diplomatic Effect :
- +50 relations with Roma surprised me. Must have been through trades or influencing them awhile back because I don't remember doing that. That is also my second highest relation with any nation.
- The European Soviets, Siam and the USNA are the only nations utilizing an above 100 IC thanks to trading. Ironically, my IC only just peaked because of this actual predicament with the Confederates. No that was not just awesome writing. That is actually a problem I've run into.

News for the AAR :
- Hopefully this is going to get plenty more updates. Soon.

Questions :
- How many people are actually following this AAR?
- Anything to improve on?
- General thoughts on the AAR?
- Anyone have a plan to solve my paradox with the Confederates?

[Zeldar155]

Nice update, and 50+ with a communist nation in abyss scenario stunned me.

And atleast im following this AAR, the paradox can be solved temporarly by trade with another state: The libertadores, Bourbon or China? I dunno if they have the resources but its worth a try?

[TemplarComander]

“Who are our enemies? Who are our friends? This is a question of the first importance for the revolution”
- Mao Zedong, March 1926.

Following the Baltimore Conference and the Nye-Dutt Pact, the agreements between the parties soon became public. No Arms Treatise had been ratified and the only success had been economic arrangements. Among those arrangements was the general agreement between the Americans and the British to increase trade.

An unintended side effect of the Conference was that the economic agreements that had been perceived as false promises turned out to be legitimate inquiries and arrangements. The Baltimore Conference had pushed the world towards its maximum industrial output, to the surprise of the worlds economists, and the relations of the Americans with those nations who had attended the Conference flourished.

The Confederate States of America, obviously slighted by the exclusion of themselves from the event and embarrassed by their allies newfound friendship with their nemesis, found themselves in the perfect position to punish the United States. Recognizing that the USNA required Confederate energy to run it’s economy, and realizing that the lack of Arms Treatise at the Conference would bring about a massive increase in American military force - President Allred of the Confederacy pushed for a show of force and eventually, the Confederate Academy (the reflection of the American Congress) caved to his demands. Indeed, the public had originally been prepared to hold wide scale protests in favour of isolationism and peace but the deployment of the 90 000 man Marine Corps of the United States of North America held frightening possibilities for the various poorly defended outposts of the Confederacy in the Caribbean.

The fear of the Confederates of an incredibly well armed Northern opponent was fast becoming reality. However, as much as American industry worked to arm a newly selected group of draftees to outfit 120 divisions, it would only be as early as 1942 when such work would be complete. Still, the prospect of a further 120 divisions along the northern border was not even contemplated by the Presidents staff. At most they expected 80, but the USNA planned that within 3 years, an excess of a million men would join the 600 000 already stretched across the border.

Reports from Confederate spies and sympathizers within the North were also able to garner few details about plans for an enlargement, only that it would be massive.

On July 4 1939, the same day as Independence Day for the USNA, the Confederacy cut energy deals to the North and American reserves plummeted. While President Arkham had indeed expected some sort of response, he had not expected a massive cut of energy from the Confederates. Indeed, this event was only worsened when the Russians also halted trade with North America in tandem with the Confederates.

This time however, the United States was in a much better position to handle the crisis. Not to say that the developments did not cause a major issue, indeed, factory production in the Rocky Mountains had only completed a third of its originally scheduled sites when the order came to shut down and conserve the energy. Still, nothing could hold back the production of 3 Modern Carriers and a new Super Heavy Battleship or the 120 Divisions that were beginning training, one by one.

So, in accordance with the Nye-Dutt Pact and to further relations, America turned once more to the Soviets of Europe, South America and Asia. The oil trade soared with the nations who had once found themselves reliant on the Ottomans or of the Persians who controlled major sources of oil in the Middle East and Caucasus respectively. Now, they would be able to maintain increased trade with an ally who could supply them with the oil they needed, in return for the energy that America was desperate for.

It was then that America found itself bound to it’s allies for the immediate future, closer than had been intended and sharing the fate of a Communist nation. Though this fact was brushed under the table, it is ironic that two groups who had opposed each other for so long were now allied.

On August 29 1939, per the terms of the Nye-Dutt Pact, The Commintern declared a state of war existed between themselves and the Confederacy. History was from then on, to be written in the blood that the United States left in it's wake.

Libertadores Soldiers manning a Trench moments before the Declaration of War was issued. The Commintern launched attacks across the front and in the air mere minutes after the Declaration of War.

Game Effect :
- Confederacy vs Commintern
- Slight energy upheaval. I was quite concerned when the Confederates AND the Russians cut their energy deals with me in a matter of days. Luckily, the Soviets felt like helping me out. Also, the Swedish helped a ton.

Diplomatic Effect :
- Influenced a lot of nations following the last post and also found that I have + 100 relations with Roma. Still the second highest relations I have with any state, just 18 points behind my relations with Australasia.
- The Commintern has declared war on the Confederacy. Confederate forces are comparatively weak in the south but the Libertadores failed to man the entire border with their soldiers which should make this war interesting. Overall however, the Confederacy is outnumbered 3:1 in total in all areas by the Commintern. Once they shift forces south, I will attack. Hopefully with more than just 30 000 men per province.

News for the AAR :
- Shortest span between two updates for this AAR to date, I believe.

Questions :
- Anyone think my diabolical scheme that will let me crush the Confederates will backfire ?
- Anyone besides me believe that the Euro Soviets will land in the Caribbean and deprive me of the chance ? And then advance into Central America and forcing me to fight them ?

Nice update, and 50+ with a communist nation in abyss scenario stunned me.

And atleast im following this AAR, the paradox can be solved temporarily by trade with another state: The libertadores, Bourbon or China? I dunno if they have the resources but its worth a try?

I'm glad that you're enjoying it. I was more surprised when I found that my relations with Roma hit 100. As for Energy, I didn't get a chance to make deals before the Confederates cut my supply so I've jumped to the Swedish and Soviets for help. At least for now, my energy supply is increasing.

[Zeldar155]

War has come! crush those dixies! And Mexicans!

- Anyone besides me believe that the Euro Soviets will land in the Caribbean and deprive me of the chance ? And then advance into Central America and forcing me to fight them ?

Yes i belive somthing like that will happen.... One time when i was playing the abyss scenario the libertadores didnt advance and the Euro Soviets annexed the confederates

[Fgorginator]

Looking good, hoping the war goes well.