The Bonaparte Legacy (1936) - an alternate history mod

[Zokan]

"Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide." - Napoleon III, Emperor of the French (1852-1874)

The Bonaparte Legacy - an alternate history mod (v0.42)



Hello everyone, and welcome to what I hope will become an interesting mod for Darkest Hour

The Bonaparte Legacy is an alternate history modification for Darkest Hour which I have been developing since April 2011.

What kind of alternate history are we talking about?

The point of divergence from our history is the year 1861, during the War Between the States, or the American Civil War, as it is called in OTL. In this timeline the Trent Affair happens differently: instead on a British mail packet, the Confederate delegates are transported on board the French ship Hermione. The French vessel is stopped by Union ships, the nervous American crew opens fire and a short battle follows in which the Hermione is severely damaged. Napoleon III is furious and France intervenes in the war on behalf of the Confederation. This affects history massively, leading to a different world in 1936.

What happens in this timeline from 1861 to 1936?

The complete alternate history 1861-1936 can be found in the post below. I am by no means a history expert, so I'm open to proposals and criticism. The timeline is flexible and can be changed as the mod is still in an early stage of development.

The mod will feature, amongst other things, a Nazi France, democratic German Empire, surviving (barely) Ottoman Empire, Trotskytes (actually Smirnovists, as they're called in this timeline) in power in the Soviet Union, surviving Confederate States and the rump USA falling to a Socialist revolution.

The world of 1936 is divided into three power blocks: the Anglo-German alliance, the Comintern and the fascist block.

Why is it named The Bonaparte Legacy?

In this timeline the 2nd French Empire rises to become the most powerful nation in Europe by the early 20th century, taking the position German Empire had in OTL. Since it was led by the Bonaparte dynasty, The Bonaparte Legacy came as a fitting name.

Where are the screenshots?

Some initial screenshots can be found in the third post below.

What is the status of the mod?

Current version is 0.42. I would like to invite everyone interested to join the team and help me with this. Everyone can join regardless of their modding experience.

So quit waiting and enlist now!


###########################
### v 0.42 download link ###
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The Bonaparte Legacy for DH v1.03 can be downloaded from here:

DepositFiles: http://depositfiles.com/files/0q4spk5in
Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8ko92gv7i3bql9p/TBL_v0.41.rar

0.42 hotfix:

Depositfiles: http://depositfiles.com/files/ncf9m9l72

Installation instructions:
1) unpack the "TBL_v0.41" archive into your game/Mods directory.
2) unpack the "TBL_v0.42" archive into your game/Mods directory. When asked to overwrite all files, select yes.

You can then select the mod through the game launcher and play it.

###############
### CREDITS ###
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P.S. Special thanks go to the Kaiserreich team, for not only has their mod inspired me to develop my own, but they have also allowed me to use some of their material. Thumbs up guys!

P.S.2. Big thanks to omega20 who provided the Neat Color Scales: http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/...t-Color-Scales

P.S.3. Big thanks to Gukpa who made this trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV95x...ature=youtu.be

[Zokan]

The Bonaparte Legacy - complete timeline

1861
-War of Secession: Southern US States secede from the Union, organising into the Confederate States of America. The American Civil War begins.
-[POD]in November, the French frigate Hermione, carrying two Confederate diplomats to London and Paris, is halted in the Bahamas Channel by two US warships. The French vessel refuses to be searched and after a brief moment of tension the panicking American crew opens fire. A short but ferocious naval battle ensues. Hermione is badly damaged and forced to flee to the Bahamas.
-The Hermione incident causes outrage in France, prompting Napoleon III to issue a sharp note of protest to the American government, demanding compensation. The US government refuses the demands, and in return France recognizes the Confederacy and begins to send military supplies across the Atlantic. On December 3, USA declares war on France.
1862
-Battle of Sharpsburg: General Lee’s Army wins a decisive victory over Union forces. After their victory in the subsequent smaller battle of Annapolis, the Union Army of Potomac is shattered. French reinforcements, which had began to arrive at the beginning of the year, will enable Lee to press forward with his advance into Union territory. At this point Spain also begins sending aid to the Confederacy, hoping to gain prestige through an alliance with the rising power of France.
1863
After another severe Union defeat at Chanchelorsville, Abraham Lincoln finally agrees to a cease-fire. Treaty of Paris is signed and the Confederacy receives worldwide international recognition. The status of Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri will be determined within one year in referendums, overseed by representatives from the USA, CSA, France, and Great Britain as a neutral power.
1864
-Abraham Lincoln loses this year’s Presidential election resoundingly. Democrat Thomas H. Seymour is elected as the new US President, winning over 60% of the popular vote. Meanwhile, Kentucky votes to join the Confederacy. Missouri, Maryland and West Virginia vote to remain in the Union.
-in Europe, Denmark narrowly loses the 2nd Slesvig War despite receiving help from Sweden. Swedish intervention will spur a revival of Scandinavism, leading to the formation of the United Kingdom of Scandinavia the next year.
1865
-Mexican Civil War ends with a Monarchist victory, and the rule of Maximilian I is secured. In the following decades Mexico will undergo a period of rebuilding and modernization, fueled by French and Confederate investments. Spanish intervention in the Dominican republic is successful and the country is brought back under Spanish rule.
1866
Austro-Prussian War: Prussia defeats Austria and the Prussian-dominated North German Confederation is established. Austria cedes Veneto to Italy. Following this, French Emperor Napoleon III managed to convince his Austrian counterpart Franz Josef I that an alliance between the two nations is necessary, owing a great deal to the brother of the Austrian Emperor, Maximilian I, the Emperor of Mexico. The expansion and rapid improvement of the French Army, stemming from American Civil War experiences, helped motivate Napoleon to forfeit friendship with Italy, and to join forces with Austria to confront the rising power of Prussia.
1867
-Robert Lee, a hero of the War of Secession, is elected as the CS President.
1870
-After years of tension, the conflict between France and Prussia nearly comes to a head over the issue of a Hohenzollern candidate for the vacant Spanish throne, following the deposition of Isabella II in 1868. Facing the possibility of a two-front war with Austria as well as France, Bismarck decides to reject the prospect of a Hohenzollern king ruling Spain, to the satisfaction of Napoleon III, who mobilized the French army in preparation of war.
1871
-after a minor squabble between several minor German duchies evolves into a diplomatic standoff between Prussia and Austria, Napoleon III uses the distraction to intervene in Spain and restore monarchy there. Instead of the unpopular Queen Isabella II, who was forces to flee abroad in 1868 following a revolution, her 14-year old son Alfonso XII is proclaimed the new King, with a regent acting until he reaches adulthood.
-Confederate President Lee dies from a stroke. His Vice President Judah Benjamin steps into office as the new President of the CSA.
1874
-Napoleon III dies. He is succeeded by his young son, who is crowned as Emperor Louis I.
1876
-In the Ottoman Empire, the Bulgarian and Serb revolts are crushed with force, bringing the Balkan issues to world attention. The Russian government, still remembering the disaster that was the Crimean War, decides not to intervene because of the possibility of French support to the Ottomans.
1879
-War of the Pacific: Chile attacks Bolivia and Peru, starting a war over the mineral-rich territory in the Atacama desert.
1880
-Hawaii becomes a British protectorate.
1881
-A failed assassination attempt on the Russian Emperor Alexander II takes place. The Russian government begins a violent crackdown against anarchist terrorist groups.
-Bolivia and Peru defeat Chile, largely owing to Spanish military support. Argentine intervenes during the last months of the war and succeeds in conquering Patagonia.
1882
-Ottoman Empire intervenes in Egypt, bringing Egypt and Sudan back to its control. France provided military and diplomatic support to the Ottomans during the invasion. In the upcoming years the Ottoman Empire will align itself with France, seeing the French as a potential protector against the encroaching Russian and British expansion in Asia.
1883
-Prussia and Russia sign an alliance, aiming to curtail French and Austrian imperialist ambitions. Soon afterwards Italy will join the alliance, which will be called the Triple Alliance.
1884
-Scramble for Africa: the African continent is divided between the imperial powers of France, Great Britain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Spain and the Ottoman Empire. Abyssinia and Liberia are the only independent nations left on the continent.
-Sino French War: French Empire defeats China, forcing it to recognize the French protectorate over Annam and Cochin, and cede the island of Hainan.
-after years of pressure from foreign powers, the emancipation bill proposed by President John H. Reagan finally passes through the Confederate Congress by a narrow margin. Slavery in the CSA is abolished.
1885
-Spain establishes a protectorate over the northeastern part of Borneo.
1887
-Bolivia and Peru unify, forming the Peru-Bolivian Confederation. Unlike its predecessor that collapsed in 1839, this union will last well into the 20th century.
1888
-John Sherman is elected as the new US President, the first Republican to hold office in 24 years.
1889
-Great Britain cedes Southern Rhodesia and parts of Northern Rhodesia to Portugal. These territories will constitute a land strip connecting Portuguese Angola and Mozambique. In return, Portugal cedes Delagoa bay to Britain.
1890
-Russia introduces reforms to its political system: a constitution is adopted and a basic social welfare system is established. Basic education is made compulsory, with the new education system being largely financed by Prussian loans.
1893
-Spain invades and occupies Morocco.
1894
-Sino-Japanese war begins: China and Japan fight over the control of Korea.
1895
-First Italo-Ethiopian War: Italy defeats Ethiopia, forcing it to cede the Ogaden region to its Italian Somaliland colony.
-Russian Emperor Alexander II dies at the age of 76. He is succeeded by his grandson, Tzar Nicholas II.
-After more than six months of continuous successes by the Japanese forces, the Qing leadership sues for peace and the Treaty of Shimonoseki is signed, ending the war. China recognizes the total independence of Korea and cedes the Liaodong Peninsula, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan. Additionally, China is to pay war reparations to Japan.
1896
-Franco-Siamese War: Siam is defeated, seceding the province of Laos to France.
-In America, the Republic of Central America is formed.
1897
-a conglomerate of companies from France and CSA begin the construction of the Panama canal, which will connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
1902
-the Panama canal is finished.
1903
-the Anglo-Prussian alliance is signed.
1904
-Japan attacks Russia in the Far East, thus beginning the first great war of the 20th century. The war grew out of the rival imperial ambitions of the Russian Empire and Japanese Empire over Manchuria and Korea.
1905
-After a year of bitter fighting in Manchuria and Korea, Japanese forces are utterly exhausted and the Emperor sues for peace. A US-mediated peace treaty is signed at the Mare Island naval base in California. Japan is forced to secede Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands to Russia and pay war reparations. Russia establishes a protectorate in Korea.
1909
-the Anglo-Russian agreements is signed. Motivated by the rising power of French imperial ambitions and set in motion with help of the Prussian King Wilhelm II, the agreement will solidify both powers' boundaries and spheres of influence in Asia.
1911
-Xinhai Revolution: the corrupt Qing dynasty is toppled from power in China and a republican government is established. Mongolia and Tibet proclaim independence. Russian Empire uses the opportunity to invade Manchuria and put the northeastern Chinese province firmly under its control, establishing a protectorate.

1914
The Great War

-March 17: While on a visit to Dresden, the Prussian King Wilhelm II is assassinated by a lone Czech gunman. Prussian intelligence traces the assassination to a terrorist group based in Prague. Immediately following the assassination the government of Prussia issued an ultimatum to Austria-Hungary regarding the investigation of the assassination - a series of demands which were unacceptable to the government in Vienna.
-Following the partial Prussian mobilization, the French emperor Louis I requested from the French Senate a declaration of war on Prussia. The request is overwhelmingly granted, and on April 9 the French Empire declares war on Prussia and the North German Confederation. Austria-Hungary and the south German states followed with their declarations of war on the next day. This move set in motion the complexity of the alliances of the day; within days Russia declared war on France and Austria-Hungary, followed by Italy. The last great power to join the conflict was the Ottoman Empire, which declared war on Russia and Italy on April 30. Within 20 days Europe thus found itself embroiled in the largest war it had ever seen, dubbed “the war to end all wars”.
-for the moment, the other great powers decided to remain neutral.
-the first move of the war is made in April by France, which launches a major offensive into Prussian-controlled Germany. Stiff Prussian resistance weakens the French assault after several days, but nevertheless this enabled France to send reinforcements to its ally Austria-Hungary, which had found itself surrounded on three sides. The position of Austria-Hungary became endangered after Russia launched an attack into Galicia.
-in May, a renewed Bulgarian uprising against the Ottoman empire occurs and a Bulgarian nation-state is proclaimed. This is viewed as a sign in Serbia, Montenegro, Greece and Romania that the Ottoman Empire is weak and that the national aspirations of Orthodox Christians on the Balkans are not to be curtailed anymore. All four countries declared war on Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary on May 22.
-after 2 months the French offensive into Germany grinds to a halt as fatigued French divisions are unable to keep momentum. By the end of June French and Prussian troops dig in along the Moselle river, and trench warfare sets in. A swift conclusion of the war, which all sides had been hoping for, is now seemingly out of hand.
-Ottomans begin a major offensive into the Caucasus. Their advance is stopped in July by the Russians in the Battle of Tbilisi.
-aiming to outflank the Prussian positions in the Saarland, the French begin a new offensive through Belgium and Luxembourg, violating the neutrality of both countries. This move prompts the United Kingdom to declare war on France on August 15, thus joining the Central Powers.
-the Russian offensive into Galicia is stopped in October. In the Balkans, Serbia and Montenegro invade and occupy the Sanjak. A Greek offensive aimed at capturing Salonika met little success; in Iraq, the British begin fostering an Arab revolt against Ottoman rule.
-the First battle of Piave ends inconclusively; Austro-Hungarian troops dig in, making Italian advances through mountainous terrain very difficult.
-the French advance through Belgium is largely successful and by the end of the year all of the Rhineland is captured by French troops. The French offensive caught the Prussian General Staff by surprise, as no one expected the French to amass such a large invasion force so soon after their defeat at Saarbrücken in July.
-an Austro-Hungarian offensive into Saxony is repelled by Prussia. The frontline stabilizes along the entire Austro-Hungarian border, except in Galicia where the Russians have made significant gains.

1915

-the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) begins landing in northern Germany. In Africa, the British occupy Madagascar and Djibouti.
-A new Italian offensive in the Alps is initiated, adding more pressure on the exhausted Austro-Hungarian army.
-after several small-scale French spring offensives in Baden are brought down to a halt, the Prussian General Staff decides to concentrate their war effort on defeating Austria-Hungary.
-The French attempt an offensive in the Alps against Italy and succeed in breaking their lines at several points. The French advance is stopped with the help of British reinforcements.
-Montenegro is occupied by the Ottoman Empire. Elsewhere in the Caucasus and the Balkans the frontlines remain static, except in Serbia where the pressured Serb armies are fighting a mobile defense across the Morava valley.

1916

-Thailand declares war on France on March 10. Thai forces begin an invasion of French Indochina.
-Bulgarian armies attempt an offensive into Thrace, but their advance soon grinds to a halt. On other Ottoman fronts the situation will remain mostly unchanged during the year.
-Meanwhile, Bavaria switching sides has caused a vacuum in Entente positions in southern Germany, which presented a chance the Prussians would quickly seize. The Prussian 7th Army under the command of Ludendorff, reinforced by several Bavarian divisions, moves into Bavaria with the ultimate aim of linking with the Italian forces in Tyrol.
-A large French offensive is stopped at Eupen.
-Following continued French submarine attacks against neutral ships, the United States of America declare war on France, Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary on April 25. This motivated the Empire of Japan to join the war on the side of the Central Powers, and on May 17 Japan declared war on France, aiming to capture her Pacific possessions.
-A French September offensive into Rhineland is met with heavy Anglo-Prussian resistance. The French gain only insignificant amounts of land and their attack slowly lose momentum. High losses of the French cause several mutinies in their army, which are quickly crushed.
-in October, a Japanese naval invasion of minor French Pacific holdings is successful, capturing the Marshall Islands and Hainan.
-In November, Portugal joins the war on the side of the Central Powers.

1917

-In war-exhausted Bavaria a revolution occurs, with republican forces toppling the regime of King Ludwig III. The new government quickly declares war on France and Austria-Hungary and announces its intent of joining the ‘cause of German unity’.
-A new Prussian offensive succeeds and by the end of the month Bohemia is captured in its entirety. Simultaneously, Russian and Romanian divisions crush the Austrian defensive lines in Transylvania. An offensive into Hungary proper is prepared and scheduled for summer. The tottering Austro-Hungarian empire seems to be living its last days.
-in the West and on the Ottoman Front, the lines remain static most of the year. The eastern half of Transylvania is occupied by Russian and Romanian troops.
-On June 2, Austro-Hungarian emperor Franz Josef suffers a heart attack and dies in Vienna at the age of 86. He is succeeded by his nephew Franz Ferdinand, who quickly realizes that the war effort is lost and instructs the government to begin negotiations with the Central Powers, hoping to save as much as he can from the dying Monarchy. Austrian diplomatic initiatives are met with stern refusal from their enemies. Meanwhile, Italian armies begin a new attack into Tyrol.
-A decisive Prussian attack on the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army south of Krems results in a fatal blow for the Austrians, shattering their defenses and making the route to Vienna clear for German troops. Tyrol is cleared of Austrian troops as German and Italian divisions meet near Bolzano (Bosen). In the east, Russian 3rd Army captures Budapest on July 27.
-an Ottoman counterattack manages to halt the Russian advance into Armenia.
-Vienna falls on August 12. Emperor Franz Ferdinand abdicates and the Provisional Government submits an unconditional surrender offer which is accepted by the Central Powers. Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia declare independence while the northern Adriatic coastline is quickly occupied by Italy.
-in October, a massive Allied attack across the Rhine catches the French off guard; newly-developed Prussian stormtrooper tactics prove useful in encircling and bypassing enemy strongpoints. These will be refined and used extensively in March the following year.
-Russian forces sweep through the Balkans, saving Serbia from collapse. By the end of the year Bulgaria and Macedonia will be liberated entirely from the Ottomans.

1918

-as the new year begins, the Prussian General Staff decides that a major spring offensive on the Western Front is to take place in March. The attack will comprise of 2 separate offensives: one in northern France(Operation Frühlingserwachen), with the goal of encircling Paris, and a smaller one on the French-Italian border, which is to serve as a distraction. Russia will also participate in the attack, sending three armies to the Western Front.
-A renewed Russian attack against the Ottoman positions in Anatolia is successful. Trabzon falls on February 2. This, combined with a British invasion of the Dardanelles beginning the next day, proved to be enough to force the Ottoman government to surrender on February 26.
-On March 2, Italy launches several small offensives into southern France. French resistance is fierce as expected, preventing the Italians from making any gains. Following the arrival of US divisions in Italy, the French General Staff decides to redeploy several divisions to the Italian front, thus weakening their defenses in the north.
-On March 23, Prussians and British finally launch their great offensive south of Homburg. The newly-developed infiltration tactics prove to be successful. Strasbourg falls on April 7, splitting the Allied armies in two. The French army is forced to retreat and the US 1st Army besieges Nancy.
-The French 1st and 2nd Armies are shattered in the Allied attack and Nancy falls on May 18, making the route to Paris virtually open. A second mutiny paralyzes the French army, and the French government, seeing no other alternative, surrenders to the Central Powers on May 29. Emperor Louis I abdicates and flees to CSA, and a provisional government is formed.
-in Berlin, the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership is set into motion and the German Empire is proclaimed on July 29. King Wilhelm III of the House of Hohenzollern is crowned as the new German Kaiser.

1919

-France is rocked by internal unrest when the Communist Party of France starts a series of attacks on government institutions across the country, in an attempt to trigger a civil war that would enable a communist takeover. The provisional government uses demobilized soldiers to quell the unrest, but order is restored only after Russia and Germany send troops to help. The French Third Republic is established, with Georges Clemenceau becoming its first Prime Minister.
-March 6: Treaty of Potsdam is signed between France and the Central Powers. Separate peace treaties are also signed with Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. The result of these peace accords is as follows:
-France secedes French Congo, Madagascar and Chad to Germany. The departments of Briey and Longwy are demilitarized and occupied by the Reichsheer. Other French colonial posessions are divided amongst the victorious powers. France is also forced to pay extensive war reparations.
-Bosnia and Sanjak are seceeded to Serbia, which also annexed Montenegro. Albania is established as an independent state under Italian protection. Southern Macedonia, Thessaly, Crete and Southern Epirus are ceded to Greece. Ottoman Empire recognizes Bulgarian independence.
-Ottoman Empire releases Kurdistan and Iraq as independent states under Russian and British protection, respectively.
-Austria-Hungary is dismembered, dissapearing from the map of Europe after 400 years of existence. Croatia and Bohemia declare independence. Italy annexes Trieste, Istria and south Tyrol.
-Hungary is reduced by nearly 2/3rds in size: Romania annexes Transylvania and Bukowina, Burgenland is ceded to Austria and Slovakia becomes an independent state under Russian protection. Galicia is also seceded to Russia.
-Iosif Stalin, editor of Bolshevik-affiliated Pravda newspaper, is assassinated on the streets of St. Petersburg by a lone gunman. Political instability grows in Russia, with Bolsheviks threatening to leave the government.
-October Revolution in Russia: The Bolsheviks force a collapse of the Russian coalition government, establishing control over St. Petersburg and northern parts of Russia. The Russian Civil War begins, pitting the Bolshevik Red Army against a broad coalition of anti-Communist forces.
-Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Ukraine proclaim independence. Ukraine will be particularly ravaged by the ensuing struggle between Anarchist, Bolshevik and pro-White movements.
-Romania occupies and annexes the Bessarabia region. In Hungary, Bela Kun’s Communist party topples the government and comes to power.
-the Mexican Civil War ends, bringing the Socialist Party of Mexico to power.

1920
-Germany and Great Britain, worried over the increasing power of the Bolsheviks, begin deploying troops to Russia. Foreign intervention in the Russian Civil War begins.
-Japan occupies Sakhalin and the Kurils, successfully returning the areas they lost to Russia in 1905. Korea proclaims independence from Russia.
1921
-Yuan Shikai, the Chinese dictator, orders an invasion of Manchuria, where a provisional Bolshevik government has been established. By the end of the year Chinese forces will bring the region back under control, enabling the Chinese forces to swiftly take over Mongolia as well.
-British-sanctioned Ottoman invasion of Kurdistan takes place, preventing the country from falling into Bolshevik hands.
1922
-Battle of Tula: the last organized attempt by White forces to capture Moscow ends in a defeat.
-Irish independence is recognized by the British government.
-After years of chaos and civil unrest, peace finally comes to China as the last of the remaining warlords ruling the outlying provinces are crushed. The country is now unified under the rule of the central government.
1923
-Last organized groups of White resistance are eliminated by the Red Army. Russian Civil War is over; the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is proclaimed.
-Japan and Korea sign a mutual alliance and trade agreement. Japanese companies begin investing heavily in largely agrarian Korea, helping it to modernize.
-A Fascist attempt to seize power in Italy is thwarted by the King, who orders the military to intervene. Benito Mussolini is arrested and sentenced to jail.
1924
-1924 US Presidential election: incumbent President Lowden is reelected with a comfortable margin.
1928
-Herbert Hoover is elected as the US President. By now, the Socialist Party of America had replaced the Democratic Party as the second major party in the country, largely owing to Soviet funding and support.
1929
-London Stock market crashes, becoming the opening act of what would be known the world over as "The Great Depression", a period during which the world will go through an economic recession.
1930
-A wave of major bank failures occurs across the US, causing heavy faltering of credit and finance and sending the country even deeper into recession.
-Supported by the military, the business class and the right-wing, Italo Balbo’s National Fascist Party wins the election in Italy and takes power.
-Vladimir Lenin dies. He is succeeded by Ivan Smirnov, with Leon Trotsky and Christian Rakovsky as his close associates. Trotsky’s theory of ‘permament revolution’ will begin to have an increasing role in shaping Soviet foreign policy of the time.
1931
-A military government led by Jose Sanjurjo is formed in Spain.
-In France, the Front National-Socialiste wins a relative majority of the August election votes. President Petain appoints the 41-year old Eugene Deloncle as the new Prime Minister.
1932
-US Presidential Election: Socialist Party candidate Norman Thomas wins the election, but the fear of revolution prompts President Hoover to declare martial law on January 10 next year. Leaders of the Socialist Party are to be arrested for “encouraging armed insurrection against the United States”.
-the Labour Party sweeps this year’s UK general election. Its leader Oswald Mosley becomes the new British Prime Minister, at 36 years one of the youngest in British history.
1933
-US Socialist Party calls for a general strike on January 13. Armed clashes erupt after government sends the military to suppress the revolts; this is regarded as the beginning of the American Revolution. Socialist Party organizations in the north organize themselves in several major communes encompassing major cities; the American Red Army is created.
-Great Britain, Canada and Germany begin sending aid to the US government. CSA annexes Missouri. Soviet Union sends several volunteer groups to fight alongside the American Red Army.
-during April the battles in the US North grow in intensity, but as more and more units desert to the Reds the US military finds it increasingly difficult to crush the rebellion. On April 29th the tide of the war turns as the 1st and 4th Infantry division surrender near Detroit.
-Seeing the growing Socialist threat in the US, Japan occupies several minor Pacific islands. In Africa, Germany annexes Liberia unopposed.
-On May 3, the Provisional Government of the United Socialist States of America is proclaimed in Detroit, claiming sovereignty over the entire US territory. By the end of June practically the entire US will secede from the Union and proclaim allegiance to the new government. Chicago falls on May 25, and the US Federal Government emigrates to Europe. The United States of America cease to exist.
-Canada reluctantly agrees to recognize the new American socialist state in exchange for maintenance of current trade relations and reparations for nationalized property of Canadians in America. A similar deal is reached with the UK as well.
-Josiah Bailey is elected as the CSA President. The 59-year old was building his campaign on the Red Scare, as fears of revolution spreading to the South became prevalent among the population.
1934
-India is granted independence as a Dominion within the British Commonwealth.
-French President Petain suffers a heart-attack after which he retires from office at the age of 78. Facing a vacant presidential office, the Nazi government decides to restore the French Monarchy, ending the Third Republic. The head of the House of Orléans, Prince Jean, is crowned as Jean III, King of the French.
1935
-Fascist Italy invades Ethiopia, starting the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. By the end of the year the war is largely over, and Ethiopia is incorporated into the Italian East Africa. Emperor Haile Selassie flees to London.

[Zokan]

And now for some screenshots:

Poor Austria annexed again, Hitler didn't have luck this time:


This timeline's version of the Munich agreement:


Presidential election of '39 in CSA:


Ottomans and the Balkan League at war:


Some excellent USSA domestic events by Wilksjohnson:




Mexican Civil War:


It's not a proper mod without New England:


USSA can now build the Nicaragua Canal!




...aaand the Spanish dominions in the Caribbean:

[Ithron]

Any in-scenario explanation of why fate of the Baltic states is worse then in OTL, yet fate of Ukraine is better then in OTL? From Moscows' point of view, Ukraine is far more "organic part" of Russia, then Baltics ever were.

[Zokan]

Pure gameplay reasons
I'm still having doubts as to whether to have Ukraine in the mod or not. At first I included it because I thought it would add gameplay depth to Eastern Europe (a potential Polish-Ukrainian War came to my mind), but now I'm thinking of removing it altogether and making Poland a bit larger.

[Lubber]

Nice idea! But i don' t think that the country which fought to keep slavery would abolish it just one decade later... the possibility of an unification of CSA and the USA after that is too high, I think.

[Bogdan.ua]

Looks like a great idea. Just one comment. If you do decide to keep an independent Ukraine in your mod please do not do what Kaiserreich did and limit their generals/leadership only to individuals which were historically nazi collaborators. What I am trying to say in do not forget to include the hundreds of Soviet Ukrainian generals/leaders. Thank you and good luck.

[bestmajor]

you know that Stresemann died in 29?

[Nietzsche]

"[I]
The mod will feature, amongst other things, a Nazi France, democratic German Empire, surviving (barely) Ottoman Empire, Trotskytes in power in the Soviet Union, surviving Confederate States and the rump USA falling to a Communist revolution.

Contrary to popular belief, the Ottoman Empire was doing quite well for itself, all things considered. The arab nationalism(which was constructed mostly by the British) would never rise in this world, so, there's no reason for the Ottomans to be the 'Sick Man' of Europe.

That's my only squibble, as everything else looks quite interesting.

[Timmie0307]

Did I miss the unification of Germany somewhere?

But for the rest it looks amazing with a lot of potential wars...I would not create too many events in the first place but see how the different power blocs (all three) will be balanced somehow (a 3-way war would be amazing) and then create the events to even out things...so every power bloc would have equal chance of winning (as AI of course )

Tim

EDIT: removed embarassing first question :P

[bestmajor]

Uhm just a minor thing, you state in 1913 that the Prussian King Wilhelm II is assassinated, but I see him coming back in the screenshot of Germany. Two questions come to mind, one why is he still there

its his son, willy3.

EDIT:
but thanks for the hint:

1913
-March 17: While on a state visit to Hannover , the Prussian King Wilhelm II is assassinated by a rogue Bavarian terrorist group.

thats quite funny indeed.

[Timmie0307]

its his son, willy3.

Oh c***, I just scrolled down too fast then

Never mind my second question still stands, why germany (which is also good )

[eleinvisible]

Will their be a path for Germany to form "Grossdeutschland" (integrate Austria and Sudetenland), or will it have to do so through war?

[KaiserMuffin]

Zokan is a mindreader... we've had a project at the KR forums running since... 05-06-2011 @06:21 PM - which was when the concept was first posted... I'll wish you luck (ya psychic sneakthief!)

[Zokan]

Thanks for the feedback!

@Lubber: The was I see it, the Confederate cause during the American Civil War was more about the right to secede and self-determination, slavery was a secondary issue. In any case, a surviving CSA would have many problems after the war, slavery being one of them. It just wasn't viable to keep it anymore, that's why I have it gone by 1872.

@Bogdan.ua: Thanks for the suggestion. Actually my Ukraine was going to be democratic.

@bestmajor: Yes, in our timeline he died in 1929 from a stroke. In this timeline he didn't ascend to a higher political position so quickly, so with less stress the stroke didn't get him. Yeah, the incident

@Nietzsche: I know, that's why I had the Ottoman Empire survive in this mod despite being on the losing side of the Great War. They still retain Syria, Palestine, Kurdistan and a strip of land on the Balkans.

@Timmie0307: Germany was unified only after the Great War ended in 1917. There are lots of possibilities for a potential war, just to name a few: Empire of Brazil vs. Argentina, ASU and Mexico vs. CSA and Canada, a Franco-Italian-Polish axis against Germany, Kun's Hungary vs. its neighbors, another Balkan War etc.

@eleinvisible: Since Germany and Austria-Hungary were bitter rivals in the 19th century and then enemies during the Great War, Germans (especially north Germans) are viewed with suspicion and distrust in Austria, so popular support for such an unification would be low. There will be an Anschluss event however, but in this mod it will be slightly different

@KaiserMuffin: Thanks! I'm sorry it turned out this way, I started to develop the concept for TBL sometime in April...anyhow you're free to use whatever you want from my mod once I release a beta version

[Zokan]

And here is the timeline of the Great War (1913-1917):

EDIT: This part of the timeline was moved above, so that the entire timeline is in one post.

[heavens2kadonka]

Zokan,

First off, I LOVE your idea, and am excited to see this mod in the process of being developed!

You made the mistake to mention that your timeline was flexible, so I had to jump in and offer some ideas! Feel free to use and/or discard any or all of this: I had to get it off of my chest!


In OTL, from 1861-1867 the French were at war with the Mexicans. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_...tion_in_Mexico

In my mind, the Hermione disaster in your timeline would fit perfectly with this situation. France would step up and openly declare it's intentions to counter the growing U.S. presence (via a Catholic hegemony in Mexico), which would lead to the British/Spanish backing off. America would guarantee the independence of Mexico, leading to French intervention, and a more open front in the west.

I think French reinforcements would come as a trickle the first few years, mainly sent to the west to assist against the Republican and Union forces there. Also, Europe wasn't the most stable climate at this time, and for France to leave it's home borders lightly defended would invite disaster.

The major help for the CSA would come from military supplies and a French navy that could give the gulf coast states some breathing room. It is also conceivable that the Union's Mexican "allies" would not be as dependable as initially thought: Mexico had ceded territory to the U.S. only 20 years ago. I project Republican units would cease taking part in engagements on American soil as early as winter 1862.

I wouldn't see Antietam's outcome changing much from OTL, but it would be around this point that the French presence in the west would begin to drastically turn the situation around for the Confederates. The loss of land in Tennessee and Arkansas would be slowly reclaimed, and the Mississippi River would be the site of numerous and bloody Union losses through the fall and winter of 1862.

By the Spring of 1863, Spain would begin to openly-supply the French efforts in America, as the war began to turn against the US. This would be due to Spain's economic ties with France (bonds and French investment in Spanish infrastructure), as well as hopes to regain prestige through alliance with a rising power.

Confederate-French forces would begin probing Union positions in Missouri and Kentucky, while the disastrous Union defeat at the Battle of Chancellorsville would mark the last US incursion on Confederate soil.

At this point, I couldn't see the battle of Gettysburg occurring: with the Union pushed out of the western CS states, and French/Spanish forces keeping the Confederacy supplied and the US navy at bay, there would be no reason for Lee to pursue a second Antietam. The disastrous progress of the war would finally catch up to the US through the next few months. Secessionists in southern California, Kentucky, and Missouri would keep Union forces occupied at the front, while draft riots would sweep across the major cities. If you want to foreshadow events in the mod, at this point you could write a "Chicago Commune," similar to the Paris Commune of OTL 1871.

Britain would then step in to help broker a peace between the belligerents. Following your timeline, a plebiscite would be held in one year to determine the status of Kentucky, Missouri and California: West Virginia would be returned to the state of Virginia, and the Indian, New Mexico territories would be ceded to the victorious CS.

Southern California in OTL was fairly pro-Confederate, so it would be reasonable to see the Los Angeles area being part of the CSA. Kentucky would be CS, and I think southern Missouri would vote to join, perhaps renaming the new state "Neosho?"

[softsponge]

Very, very interesting. looking forward to playing this.

[Timmie0307]

Possible revival of monarchy in Austria etc.?

What about the pacific, does the USA have any friction with Japan over these islands? Maybe if CSA would have the southern parts of California, they could fight a war over these islands as well...

Tim

[VI Imre]

Very interesting concept! It was fun to read.

My idea is that the Pacific states should secede from the US when socialist revolution happens.

Italy should regain Nice and Chambery as well from the french after the Great War.

France should lose all of its colonial posessions to Germany as Germany did in OTL.

Chust should be Slovak or Hungarian but the Polish has nothing to do with it.