Chapter One - The World At War, Probably
Ireland in 1936 was little more then the laughing stock of Europe. Having split from Britain in 1922, its army was still weak and it had barely made a name for itself. However, after 1936, it went through a great period in its history, Ireland's army had grown to a large size; it's industry, increased; their reputation, great.
The world in the 30s was quite unstable, the politics in eastern Europe weren't exactly friendly to the west. Ireland's great spies performed a large number of coups, in Latvia, Yugoslavia and most importantly in Austria. It was quite apparent that Germany had had its eye on Austria since the end of World War One, and a friendly political party who definitely result in a union.
Another famous coup, though not successful was the Spanish Civil War, which started in 1938. It was a German spy who attempted to overthrow the government which was a spark on an oil rig for two big factions to fight it out: the Republicans and the Nationalists.
In mid 1939, Ireland, with the Allied help of the UK (and a bit of France), managed to defeat first the Nationalists then the Republicans and Ireland profited greatly from this pointless war. Ireland got the majority of Spain whilst the UK managed to get a few pieces of land in the center.
Later on in late '39 and early 1940, the Irish once again expanded their empire into Saudi Arabia to control the valuable oil reserves.
Meanwhile, in the East, Japan attacked China in 1937 and has quickly expanded from Manchuria southwards towards the broken Kingdoms. Now however, having annexed Shanxi, Xibei and the Communists, Japan is facing trouble against the much more powerful Nationalists.
The state of the Japanese Empire in 1940
Back in the west, Germany felt like invading a small country and whilst the Allies were busy in Spain, they entered Switzerland which fell in just a couple weeks. Then on 1st September 1939, they demanded the region of Danzig from Poland. The Poles refused and they got attacked.
In 1940, with Poland annexed, Hitler's Third Reich turned their eyes towards Czechoslovakia. In May and June, 1940, Czechoslovakia was invaded.
But the fire was still not out, the United Kingdom on behalf of the allies demanded Germany released Czechoslovakia as a free nation or face war. They chose war.
Europe had changed in less then 5 years in more ways then one can imagine.
Less then a day after Stalin of the Soviet Russia heard this, they declared war.
Well this is pleasant.
Europe was now about to face the biggest war mankind had ever seen.
Europe, June 14 1940