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Tommy4ever

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April, 1914. As Europe continues its unstoppable drive towards the most terrible war the Old Continent had ever experienced. A war that was to tear down the gilded edifice of nineteenth century civilisation and throw the world into an era of instability, collapse, revolution and apparently ceaseless conflict. A war that would bring fear where there had been optimism, but also hope to those who had had none. The people of France went to the polls to elect their new government. Quite conscious that war was likely, and quite oblivious to the consequences of that war.
 
Hello and welcome, to Vive la Republique! Darkest Hour's very own Interactive AAR. I have always been very enthusiastic about this genre of AAR and with time on my hands and fire in my heart I have flung myself into my second one having previously written Let the Ruling Classes Tremble (some of you may remember it, it remains at the time of writing the most viewed AAR on the V2 forum :)). Anyway, let me explain what this AAR is specifically about and how its going to work.

The AAR begins in the Spring of 1914 in France, with an election. You, dear readers, are the people of France. It is you who will elect the National Assembly just before our dear Republic is hurtled into the bloodbath of the First World War. Unlike in some other interactive AARs, taking part in elections will be the limit of your direct influence - although discussions and opinion within this thread will obviously have an influence on me. Elections will be held a maximum of four years after the previous one, barring national emergeancies like a massive German army 50 miles from Paris. But this being France, it will be likely that governments will collapse and elections could occur more frequently.

No matter what the interactive element of the AAR (through elections) will remain. Although the specific form of these elections may change. As an example, we could experience a shift from the parliamentary based system of the 3rd and 4th Republics to the Presidential based system of the 5th Republic as France did IRL.

There will be a bolded section at the end of each election update giving specific instructions on how to place your vote and also details of when the polls close. I will post in the thread, RL allowing, when the polls are closed and after that no further votes will be counted.

When you do vote I ask that you either place it in an entirely seperate post or bold it to make it easier for me to tally them.

Now on with the rules.

The Rules

- I as host reserve the right to veto any action any player wishes to undertake: To consolidate the stability of the AAR, to stop interference with the normal functioning of the thread or simply because I feel like it.

- You may not create your own political parties, militias, rebel groups or anything else. The only such groups that exist within the AAR are the ones I present.

- I ask that roleplaying is limited and that people use their own forum nicknames in the thread so as to avoid confusion.

- Campaigning outside the thread is forbidden.

- Refrain for spamming, inciting hate or otherwise harassing people within the thread.

- If you want to contact me I would prefer if you used my profile visitor message board rather than PM me, I usually have quite a full PM box.

- By taking part in this thread I assume you have read these rules. If I feel that these rules are being broken I will first post a warning in this thread, if the offending behaviour continues I shall not hesitate to inform a moderator.

- This AAR has been approved by Qorten.

Contents

The Election of 1914

Election of 1914 (Conclusion) and Road to War

La Grande Guerre - Part 1

La Grande Guerre - Part 2

Election of 1918

Election of 1918 (Conclusion) and the Treaty of Versailles

1918-1921

Election of 1921


Election of 1921 (Conclusion)

1921-1925

Election of 1925

Election of 1925 (Conclusion)


The Communist Government - Part 1, 1925


The Communist Government - Part 2, 1925-1926


The Junta - 1926-1931

Election of 1931


Election of 1931 (Conclusion) and Proclamation of Third Empire


The Reign of Napoleon V - 1931-1935


The Reign of The Napoleon VI - 1935-1937

Election of 1937

Election of 1937 (Conclusion) and Second Round of Presidential Election


1937 Presidential Election, Second Round (Conclusion)


The Road to War - 1937-1939

The Second World War, Part One, June 8th 1939 - October 23rd 1939, (Fall of France)


The Second World War, Part Two, October 23rd 1939 - September 23rd 1941, (Darkest Hour)

The Second World War, Part Three, September 23rd 1941 - January 5th 1944, (Our Finest Hour)


Election of 1944

Election of 1944 (Conclusion)


Of Wars, Revolutions and the Nuclear Age - 1944-1947

Election of 1947


Elections of 1947 (Conclusion)


The Old World is Dying, the New is Struggling to be Born - 1947-1952


Election of 1952
 
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Are you playing the AAR mod or are you just doing WWI?
 
The Election of 1914​

The election of 1914 was, understandably, dominated by the looming threat of war. However, Europe's greatest Republic was still politically fractured and polarised with revolutionary socialists and anarchists on the left calling for the downfall of bourgeois society and radical right wing Monarchists on the right opposing the very existence of the Republic itself.

Republican, Radical and Radical Socialist Party (Parti Républicain, Radical et Radical-Socialiste)
- The Radicals


parti-radical_12019.jpg

Political Position: Centre-Left

Description:

The Radical Party (officially the Radical, Republican and Radical Socialist Party) was the largest political party in France. The Radicals had been in government for just over a decade, but with the rise of the Socialist movement they had gradually drifted to the right. The Party claimed to embody the principles of the French Revolution – Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood. It fanatically promoted secularisation, culminating in the controversial separation of Church and State in 1905, backed limited social programmes and steadfastly supported the liberal tenants of political freedoms and the sanctity of private property.

Foreign Policy:

The Radicals shall not seek war, but neither shall we shirk the responsibility to protect the peoples of Europe from the tyranny of Prussian domination. We will support our Russian allies should the Kaiser attack, just as we would expect the Russians to come to our aid.

Domestic Policy:

We must ensure that the great victory of 1905 that ensured the secularisation of the Republic continues to stand – this is the greatest testament of Radical led governments over the past 12 years. Never again will the Church dictate the policies of government. We shall also aim to further progress the Republic's social programmes. The income tax, introduced by the Radical government, should adjusted to ensure a greater flow of wealth to the whole of the population whilst there remains a need for some furterh social programmes. However the Republic remains on the right course – a vote for the Radicals is a vote for another 4 years of social progress under Republican values.

Democratic Republican Party (Parti Républicain Démocratique )
- PRD


alp.png

Political Position: Centre-Right

Description

Originally formed as a Centre-Left grouping in the wake of the Dreyfus Affair, in opposition to the Radicals on the left and Monarchists on the right the part has since moved to the position of the primary moderate right wing party. The decline of Monarchism and the rise of Socialism had in large part facilitated this change. The party backed classical liberal values – supporting the secularisation laws of 1905 (having been in government alongside the Radicals at the time), and standing against the Anti-Semites during the Dreyfus Affair. As such it was also opposed to social change. Essentially the PRD liked things just the way they were.

Foreign Policy:

The Kaiser is driving us Europe toward war with his haughty belligerence. He thinks us Frenchmen afraid of his Prussian army, he mocks us for the defeat of 1871. We will not allow him an inch. Any aggression from the Germans and against our allies and France shall march to war – to reclaim Alsace-Lorraine!

Domestic Policy:

As ever the PRD must stand for stability, ''neither revolution, nor reaction'' as the party motto goes. The secular and free state created under the Left Block governments of of the past decade, which the party has often been an integral part of, must be protected from the Socialists and Monarchists who would destroy it.

French Section of the Workers' International (Section Française de l'Internationale Ouvrière)
- SFIO


200px-SFIOsvg.png

Political Position: Far Left

Description:

The SFIO is not actually the most left wing force in the French political sphere. That prize belongs to the Anarchists and Revolutionary Syndicalist who dominate the French trade union movement, controlling much of the leadership of the CGT (the nationwide trade union organisation). However, the open and decentralised nature of the SFIO, and its roots in the working class means that there is significant influence from these ultra-radical forces within the party itself. Its leadership, however, is slightly less radical – backing a revolution through the ballot box. Alongside the SPD in Germany the party is one of the largest members of the Second International. It supports the socialist transformation of French society, internationalism and pacifism. Its most prominent leader, Jean Juares, is the most strident anti militarist in the National Assembly.

Foreign Policy:

The bourgeoisie wants to wage war with the blood of the working class. What does the coal miner, the dock worker or the even the solider gain from war? Nothing but injury, tragedy and even death. It is the workers who do all the bleeding and the bosses who make all the gain. We cannot allow this. If the ruling classes of the continent do push us towards war then we must unite alongside the workers of Germany, of Russia, of Austria, Italy and Britain in a universal general strike. By going to war the bourgeoisie digs its own grave.

Domestic Policy:

we must the socialist transformation of French society. Industry shall be brought under the direct control of the workers who run it, property shall belong to all, and working class democracy shall reign. No child must ever again grow up uneducated or go hungry and no man must ever be left without a job to sustain himself and his family. The theft of the wealth of the nation by the elites shall come to an end and a new age for France shall begin. This is the maximum programme of the SFIO. If the party is unable to gain total control of the Assembly, it shall still vigorously pursue better conditions for workers across France.

Popular Liberal Action (Action Libérale Populaire)
- ALP


f7highres.png

Political Position: Right

Description:

The ALP was formed out of former Monarchists who accepted the Pope's call for them to accept the Republic. Supporting political Catholicism the party aims to repeal the secularisation laws, it supported political liberties but above everything aimed to promote social cohesion.

Foreign Policy:

The party will rally to the defence of the fatherland without a moment's hesitation. But it will not seek a general European war. Sadly, it seems war is inevitable and we must prepare to defend ourself from the Prussian onslaught.

Domestic Policy:

The Socialists are the gravest threat to the Republic and to French society. We must show the people that it is liberty, not socialism that shall solve address their grievances. We must ensure ''liberty for all, equality before the law, and we must address the workers' grievances'' – such is our slogan.

The secularisation of 1905 is a crime against the Church and against France. It must be repealed! France's Christianity is an integral part of its national spirit – these Radicals would rip that religion from the heart of the Republic.

Action Française

actionfrancais.png

Political Position: Far Right

Description:

Action Francaise was the champion force of the radical French right. It was opposed to the legacy of the French Revolution and everything it represented. It was anti-democratic, Monarchist, militantly Catholic, strongly nationalistic and opposed any social change. As such it was a political pariah – however, with the death of the traditional forces of Monarchism Action Francais was awakening a more modern far right within France.

Foreign Policy:

Alsace-Lorraine is French! For four humiliating decades France has been occupied by Republican cowards, incapable of restoring French soil to its people. Every day that goes by with the Germans in Strasbourg, Metz and Mulhouse is an insult to our entire nation. War is coming to Europe and it is our duty to strike first and strike hard to crush the Prussians before they can organise and march onwards to the border. The German Empire is an abomination and must be wiped off the face of the earth by French arms. Let the call go out to Berlin – Alsace-Lorraine or War!

Domestic Policy:

France is a bitter parody of the proud nation it once was. Socialists, Radicals and other assorted Republicans stalk our streets and infect the minds of the young with their values that have slowly undermined the very nation of France. They promote conflict between social groups and are the reason for the decline of French power. A century ago France was the most powerful country on earth, today the outside world rates us a second rate power. This course must be reversed and France's honour and glory restored to her. Down with the Republic!


All reader must either vote for:

Radicals

PRD

SFIO

ALP

Action Francaise

! You may write the full name or the French name of any party, so long as it is clear to me who you are voting for !

Please place your vote in a separate post or bold it within your post so it is easier for me to keep a tally.

Once again, spamming is not tolerated, you may not campaign outside this thread and I ask that you remain civil with each other.

Voting will close on Saturday at 10:30, I will post in this thread to officially close the polls and return with the results shortly later.

With that out of the way, get voting!!! :D

 
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Are you playing the AAR mod or are you just doing WWI?

I initially planned on playing the interwar and trying to sort things out myself, but this post reminded me of that mod. So I downloaded it and gave it a play and have decided to play this AAR on the AAR mod. So, very influencial first reply. :p



For the party logos I've used a mixture of historical stuff and my own invention. The SFIO have their RL logo, the Radicals have their modern logo, I took the ALP thing from a pic of their manifesto front cover (the best I could find :/), I made the Action Francais thing I took the symbol they use for everything and put the name in. I couldn't find anything for the PRD so just made the thing up myself.


For those interested in the parties are ordered according to their RL performance in these elections. The Radicals and PRD took over half the vote between them, the SFIO got 17% and the ALP 11%. I decided to remove the Republican Federation (right wing Republicans) and Republican-Socialist Party (between the Radicals and SFIO) because they aren't particularily interesting and would clutter the lection a bit too much. In RL they got 9% of the vote. I've raised Action Francais from an insignificant force to one of the electable parties here - simply to make politics more interesting and because I reckon they could be a popular choice that popele would want in.

ANyway, start voting! :D
 
I initially planned on playing the interwar and trying to sort things out myself, but this post reminded me of that mod. So I downloaded it and gave it a play and have decided to play this AAR on the AAR mod. So, very influencial first reply. :p



For the party logos I've used a mixture of historical stuff and my own invention. The SFIO have their RL logo, the Radicals have their modern logo, I took the ALP thing from a pic of their manifesto front cover (the best I could find :/), I made the Action Francais thing I took the symbol they use for everything and put the name in. I couldn't find anything for the PRD so just made the thing up myself.


For those interested in the parties are ordered according to their RL performance in these elections. The Radicals and PRD took over half the vote between them, the SFIO got 17% and the ALP 11%. I decided to remove the Republican Federation (right wing Republicans) and Republican-Socialist Party (between the Radicals and SFIO) because they aren't particularily interesting and would clutter the lection a bit too much. In RL they got 9% of the vote. I've raised Action Francais from an insignificant force to one of the electable parties here - simply to make politics more interesting and because I reckon they could be a popular choice that popele would want in.

ANyway, start voting! :D

Influential poster right here
<--

But seriously, I vote for the "Action Français" party. Long live the monarchy!
 
I'm in !
Action française !

(there's a "e" ;) )

Fixed. Thanks for the reminder.

Gonna make for an akward title if AF continue like this. :p

Poll:

AF: 3
Everyone else: 0
 
Action Francaise
Vive le Roi! Vive le Rhineland Francaise! Vive le Reaction!
((Kind of tempted to vote PRD so that they can take the flak if the Germans push as far as they did historically, but I doubt the AI will manage that here.))
 
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SFIO

Debout, les damnés de la terre
Debout, les forçats de la faim
La raison tonne en son cratère
C'est l'éruption de la fin
Du passé faisons table rase
Foule esclave, debout, debout
Le monde va changer de base
Nous ne sommes rien, soyons tout
C'est la lutte finale
Groupons-nous, et demain
L'Internationale
Sera le genre humain!
 
Vive la Roi! - Action française.
 
Section Française de l'Internationale Ouvrière - SFIO Worker's way is the only way!