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Personally, I would remove TBC, he has shown that he can't be trusted and already made a threat on the president. Either lock him up and throw away the key or arrange for an accident or assassination, blamed of course on Eternien's or Hoover's followers.
I would say that at this point the guy has too much PTSD and guilt to be an effective military commander. What he probably needs to do, and what the government probably should get him to do, is leave the US for a time and work on an international level in Europe and Asia to rebuild, promote democracy etc. His dream goal there would be an international organisation, but the reality is probably more like a treaty of some kind and probably not even a very good one to start with.
But yeah, the guy oversaw the development and deployment of the first WMDs then gave them to a quasi-dictator, saw a lot of men die horribly in Peru (TTL Vietnam war) and was imprisoned by and watched his country fall to bits.
Yeah, he's got issues. So I would suggest he does leave voluntarily and use his prestige and popularity for good whilst also not butting heads with polticians in the US.
That being said, he is probably not the only one sick and mistrustful of Dover and their own national government. Even when Forster establishes himself and the good generals return from the war, even after the investigations end and the bad guys are locked up, they then have to rebuild trust in the United States at home and abroad whilst also embarking on a massively complex and expensive long term project in rebuilding the world.
Edit: Saying all that, I think Zen and co will probably still make it work eventually...and TBC probably will come back at some point to be reintegrated politically. Unless he is assasinated yeah...but I hope not. It'd be bloody depressing if the AAR ends with nuclear war, all the good guys dead and no Phoienex administration
I don't think there will be a nuclear war. The only nations that had them besides the US have been defeated. It doesn't seem likely the allies would turn on themselves, especially since the US is now the only superpower.
I don't think there will be a nuclear war. The only nations that had them besides the US have been defeated. It doesn't seem likely the allies would turn on themselves, especially since the US is now the only superpower.
I suppose that depends on what ends up happening in India and the middle east. How decolonisation happens etc. I don't think there'll be more nuclear war on a large scale but those aren't the only nasties in modern warfare. Really, who knows though? In this situation we can only speculate.
Very interesting so far! Also, What do you plan on doing after this? Any more AARs? Just curious, sorry if I'm being rude at all, I'm a fan of how you do AARs
I would too, but as you said they are a lot of work so I'd be good with SilentSam just doing an AAR of just one game. A Megacampaign would be great too see though, if it's something He wants to do.
I would too, but as you said they are a lot of work so I'd be good with SilentSam just doing an AAR of just one game. A Megacampaign would be great too see though, if it's something He wants to do.
I've had a lot of fun with shattered worlds in ckii at the moment and I think that has a lot of potential for a mega camapign but...well, it would be even more work than a normal one and it is fairly solidly hard. At the end of a century on a fully random setup, there is one kingdom (mine) and a couple of large duchies. Everything else is one county stated and small gatherings of counties. I do have several hundreds years to go though so we'll see.
Of course, this camapign could go on to solaris but tbf, it would have almost no bearing on the game at all aside from inuniverse lore. Unless you start as a tomb world or something like that?
The world is covered by a cloud of dust, slowly settling on the rubble of Europe and Asia. There is silence, other than the moans of the 80 million wounded in the war and the countless scarred forever by what they have seen. 85 million have died in the 2 years the war raged, that is over 100 thousand deaths a day straight for over 700 days.
59 million of those deaths were soldiers, airmen, or sailors:
Russia: 20 million
China: 8 million
UBP: 8 million
US: 4 million
Hungary: 4 million
Prussia: 3 million
Britain: 3 million
Eretna: 2.5 million
Sweden: 2 million
Teutonic Order: 1 million
Castille: 1 million
Others: 2 million total
Over 26 million were civilian deaths. Of the civilian casualties, many were killed by UBP soldiers due to their lack of regulations and discipline, and their anger at being attacked first. Many more were due to bombing cities (nuclear and conventional) and collateral damage. The majority was due to famine:
Russia: 12 million
China: 7 million
Hungary: 4 million
Eretna: 1.5 million
Castille: 600 thousand
Sweden: 550 thousand
UBP: 500 thousand
Prussia: 300 thousand
US: 145 thousand
Britain: 100 thousand
Others: 150 thousand total
Nuclear bombs together caused the deaths of around 900 thousand, counting those killed by radiation.
The demographics of the world are forever changed in those two years, but the World War was not the only conflict that inflicted heavy damage. Looking at the past 5 years, 18.6 million were killed in the Anglo-Covenant war, bringing the total deaths from war to over 100 million since the beginning of the 1940s. Now, no country is left that can contest the US's might and power. The US is truly the King of the Ashes.
It was shoddy diplomacy and politics that caused such horrific events to unfold, says President Forster. He is convinced that there is a way to prevent this, and he and others are ready to present their ideas to the world at Rome. The Chinese president is among the leaders of the world now converging on Rome. October 30th is the date set for the Rome Peace Conference. Here, the Anglo Alliance hopes to set a plan in motion that will secure world peace for the future. While each country might have its own agenda, President Forster hopes they can all agree at least to do what is necessary to prevent a very dark future.
Forster's first proposal is called the Right of Destiny. He proclaims the people of the world should have the right to set their own destiny, and those whose culture differs greatly from that of their country can be given independence under a new flag. The largest empires, Hungary, Prussia, Russia, China, and Eretna, will have some states lost in order to form new countries for those persecuted under the Stali governments. He also says that colonial powers should prepare for independence of those people they still rule overseas; the world is changing, and soon colonialism will be a thing of the past.
The majority of the nations' leaders present agree to the proposal, and the Right of Destiny Act is passed.
His second proposal is for the formation of the United Nations Organization, or UNO. This will be an international organization that will solve many disputes and issues throughout the world, headed by the US and Britain, but inclusive of every nation on earth that wishes to enter it. With this, the US hopes to avoid future wars of any kind through diplomacy and compromise.
This, too, is mostly agreed upon by the represented nations. The UNO is formed, and at its Secretary General is named: former general TBC of the United States.
His final proposal is for the Sancronis Plan, put forth by Governor Sancronis before the end of the war. This will be a massive reconstruction project of Europe, Asia, and any other part of the world affected by the war. He hopes to avoid bitter feelings between nations, like that which was seen after the end of the Great War. With this will also come civilian technology sharing.
This takes a little more persuasion. Several unhappy nations point out that it was the US who dropped the most bombs of the war, killed the most people, and caused the most damage. But those who are tired of war and are hit the hardest outweigh them. The proposal passes.
The rest of the conference, which will be known as the first meeting of the UNO, determines what will be done with the defeated of the war. Russia will be governed under a new democracy set up by the US, headed by President Victor Grigori. China's president agrees to stepping down without resistance and allowing the US to facilitate a free election in the country. Eretna, whose entire government was in shambles before their fall, is under US control while a new democratic one is formed. The Castillian president remains in hiding, so his country will have an election, facilitated once again by the US, to determine who will lead them. The same happen more or less to the other fallen nations, except for Korea, whose president surrendered with a guarantee of remaining in power, as long as he and his government transition to democracy in the next 12 months.
The only countries to take any large amount of land are Genoa, which now governs over a large part of North Italy; the UBP, who have taken several culturally Baltic states from Russia; the Teutonic Order, which took some disputed provinces from Castille, Britain, which took much of Castille's and Prussia's old colonial territory; Haiti, taking a lot of Castille's and Prussia's colonial territories; and the US, which took control of a small part of Castillian Africa.
Dozens of countries declare independence or are granted control in the chaos that follows the end of the war and the declaration of Right of Destiny.
Europe:
Light Beige: Silesia
Orange: Styria und Tyrol
Green:Slavic Union
Earthy Green: Macedonia
Sage: Yedison
Pink: Volhynia
Brownish-pink: Bulgaria
Dark Beige: Siciliy
Hungary
Hungary's Italian possessions, part of the country for hundreds of years, breaks away and forms Sicily, with a unique mix of Hungary and Italian culture.
The Slavic peoples of the Adriatic Coast come together and form the Slavic Union.
Macedonia is formed in Southern Hungary.
The Bulgar people reform Bulgaria, with support from the Anglo Alliance.
Yedisan is liberated, as is Volhynia, taking a few provinces from Russia as well. It has been a long time since either nation was independent.
Silesia is formed from Poland's southern state and parts of northern Hungary.
Prussia
Styria und Tyrol breaks free from Prussia and forms a republic, and Prussia's north Italy states are annexed by Genoa. Talks of Italian unification begin between the nation states of Italy.
Iberia
Several contested borders are corrected between the Teutonic Order and Castille, and Andalusia is formed for the Muslim minorities in northern Iberia.
Eretna
The Greeks people are united in the new formed country of Epirus, while the much persecuted Armenians are given independence in the Caucasus.
Africa:
Prussia's and Castille's colonial holdings are split between British, Haitian, and the US to control.
Russia:
White: Sami-Finland
Light Blue: Georgia
Dark Purple: Caspia
Dark Brown: Siberian-Central Asian Federation
Light Pink: Burgustan Egg-shell White: Manchuria
Sami-Finland is given independence in the west, while several different nations break free in Central Asia.
Burgustan encompasses the southern part of Russian Central Asia, while Caspia resides on the Caspian sea, and the Siberian-Central Asian Federation takes up the rest.
Georgia is liberated, although they are now confined only to the Caucasus.
Manchuria is made independent, taking mostly provinces from Russia and a few from China.
Castille's Middle Eastern colonial possessions have all been given some independence. Palestine-Jerusalem, Shammar, Jazira, and Arabastan are made autonomous regions under US control.
In an attempt to not cause another civil war in China, Southeast Asia is the only area with border changes, except for the slight changes with Manchuria in the north. Khmer, Cambodia, Phuang, Sukhothai, and Burma are given autonomy under US control. A few of the local countries are given land lost long ago in exchange for friendlier relations and trade agreements.
Oceania:
Castille's possessions in Australian are split between Britain and Haiti, while New Zealand is completely owned by Britain now. Castille's territories in Indonesia are also split between the two.
The New World Order
America leads the world into a new era. Democracy has prevailed, and Fascism and Communism now exist only in remote or insignificant parts of the world. While the US will be keeping an eye on these nations, they pose little to no threat to the New World Order. All that is left to do is prove that the US is more than just a military strength; it is also the world's best hope for world peace.
80 million wounded in the war and the countless scarred forever by what they have seen. 85 million have died in the 2 years the war raged, that is over 100 thousand deaths a day straight for over 700 days.
The economic and social damage changed the world then. That's an awful lot of people to lose in a decade. Mind you, the population boom is going to be pretty vast as well...
Here, the Anglo Alliance hopes to set a plan in motion that will secure world peace for the future. While each country might have its own agenda, President Forster hopes they can all agree at least to do what is necessary to prevent a very dark future.
The US contingent comprises the president, the victorious commanding generals headed by General Phoienex, and diplomatic envoys headed by former General TBC. It causes some stir in the national press that the new administration has drawn a dividing line between the two most popular figures of the war, and only hightens rumours of Zen's upcoming political career.
Behind the scenes however, the split was political but of a different nature. In a quiet meeting before the conference, both the president and commanding general had to explain why a popular and still very anti-government/anti-nuclear TBC could no longer serve under the United States military for the forseeable future:
"You must understand Titus," Zen said, "We need to get the country back on an even keel and...well..."
"I do understand," TBC said, quietly. "Am I to leave the country as well?"
The two men looked at each other uncomfortably. "If at all possible," the president admitted. "The United States has every respect for you and honours your achievements...but for the good of the Union you need to step aside for a time."
'And you support this, sir?"
Zen looked increasingly agitated. He nodded but said nothing. TBC sighed.
"Very well. But you both must understand that this merely buys you time. The issues of the new world still exist."
The two men looked at each other. "Well," Forster said, "that was the other thing we wanted to talk to you about..."
Forster's first proposal is called the Right of Destiny. He proclaims the people of the world should have the right to set their own destiny, and those whose culture differs greatly from that of their country can be given independence under a new flag.
He also says that colonial powers should prepare for independence of those people they still rule overseas; the world is changing, and soon colonialism will be a thing of the past.
This is seen by many as an 'honourable way out' for many empires in the alliance, whom could not continue to maintain their empires and now had the excuse of idealism to get rid of them. But many more were worried about the huge changes to the map and the balance of power in the world. For one, the anglo alliance would become even more dominated by the Amercians. It is arguable that the president's next point was pushed through in part because of this.
His second proposal is for the formation of the United Nations Organization, or UNO. This will be an international organization that will solve many disputes and issues throughout the world, headed by the US and Britain, but inclusive of every nation on earth that wishes to enter it. With this, the US hopes to avoid future wars of any kind through diplomacy and compromise.
This on the face of it seemed like new amercian imperialism, bare facely robbing countries of soverign justice and legal righta. However, the amercians tried to make it as clear as possible that they would have no oversight over the UNO, other than that of a major nation within its ranks.
Plus, their suggestion for first secretary general assuaged much of the tension.
This, too, is mostly agreed upon by the represented nations. The UNO is formed, and at its Secretary General is named: former general TBC of the United States.
Pretty much no one thought that the noted internationalist with a chequered past with the Amercian government would kowtow to them at every opportunity. Promises of international justice courts, human rights and organisations of health, wealth and culture from TBC also caught the public imagination, esepcially in war torn countries. The man himself seemed happy to be of use in a more benevolent role, and finally in a postion to help people rather than fight them.
His final proposal is for the Sancronis Plan, put forth by Governor Sancronis before the end of the war. This will be a massive reconstruction project of Europe, Asia, and any other part of the world affected by the war. He hopes to avoid bitter feelings between nations, like that which was seen after the end of the Great War. With this will also come civilian technology sharing.
There was some debate over who would have oversight and whether this was not a project for the new UNO, but TBC himself agreed that for the organisation to survive its first year, taking billions of dollars and resources from the US for the rest of the world would be a poor move. If the plan were to go ahead, it should be an American action, supported by others. Privately, he also wanted to make sure the US did not once again turn isolationist, which would speel ruin for everyone.
This takes a little more persuasion. Several unhappy nations point out that it was the US who dropped the most bombs of the war, killed the most people, and caused the most damage. But those who are tired of war and are hit the hardest outweigh them. The proposal passes.
Other nations who would rather not accept US aid however would over the next few months go to the UNO and make their own fund for rebuilding nations, in a much smaller but more long term plan that for the most part concentrated on South America and Africa. Over the following decades after the end of the Sancronis plan, this became the main international rebuilding fund.
The same happen more or less to the other fallen nations, except for Korea, whose president surrendered with a guarantee of remaining in power, as long as he and his government transition to democracy in the next 12 months.
The UNO didn't technically have a pro-democracy policy but it certainly had a bias. The alliance on the other hand had it as one of their main aims across the world and thus many, many people woke up eligible to vote when they had never before. This of course led to many problems but that at least, the UN could help with.
The only countries to take any large amount of land are Genoa, which now governs over a large part of North Italy; the UBP, who have taken several culturally Baltic states from Russia; the Teutonic Order, which took some disputed provinces from Castille, Britain, which took much of Castille's and Prussia's old colonial territory; Haiti, taking a lot of Castille's and Prussia's colonial territories; and the US, which took control of a small part of Castillian Africa.
No one had much idea why the US took more African territoy but at the time, there was significant debate over what to do with the posessions they had. Were they to become new states eventually? Given independance as a pro-US african country? Given to the UNO? That last one may seem odd but if anything, the debate over whether the UNO would be purely an extra-national organisation hosted in various member states or whether it should be its own sovereign entity burned strong and bright. Many favoured the idea of the UNO taking over and making city states of the cities that had been destroted through nuclear bombong. Others favoured the UNO being placed on neutral ground in the middle of Europe or Africa to be as close to everyone as possible. Others still favpured the oposite approach, giving it a far away pacfic island chain to remain aloof from national interest. And there was of course the organisation route where they would simply have a home city, popular choices were San Francisco, New York or London, and remain stateless.
This debate would go on for some time and in truth, has still not ended.
The new trend of independance made international poltics, trade and arbitration more important than ever. Interest and membership in the UNO soared and TBC encouraged smaller treaties and organisations for various regions such as the Free Africa Federation and the European Trade Community.
Styria und Tyrol breaks free from Prussia and forms a republic, and Prussia's north Italy states are annexed by Genoa. Talks of Italian unification begin between the nation states of Italy.
The UNO dutifully began talks in an official forum though national agreements tended to take precedence. However, Rome and the Vatican were under the protection of the UNO and Anglo Alliance specifically and thus Italian unification could contue to be monitored by the international community. Freedom of religion was explicitly added to the Charter of the UN after several meetings with major religious leaders hosted by the Pope. TBC said afterwards that the peaceful discussion between religions was one of the most uplifting sights he had ever seen.
This state and a few others determined to be at serious risk of neoghbouring state aggression were placed under UNO protection upon advice from President Forster. This did not of course halt or help rising tensions between the middle east and Delhi however.
America leads the world into a new era. Democracy has prevailed, and Fascism and Communism now exist only in remote or insignificant parts of the world. While the US will be keeping an eye on these nations, they pose little to no threat to the New World Order. All that is left to do is prove that the US is more than just a military strength; it is also the world's best hope for world peace.
Non US land should become territories and be developed, with the hope that they will seek to become a state or a free country in the future. It would also be nice if the rest of North America were to consider becoming part of the US.
Non US land should become territories and be developed, with the hope that they will seek to become a state or a free country in the future. It would also be nice if the rest of North America were to consider becoming part of the US.
Well considering this US has done some very shady things to other independant amercian nations to get them into the union, I would be careful of that. California and the western states are already suspicipus of the east. Adding more supporters through war or peace to their court might not end well.
But yeah, maybe the US aims to keep expanding democratically through culture and economy in this tineline. I had a thought of that when I wondered whether the UN of this universe would be more a state or an organisation i.e. would actual world union be genuinely sought after as an end goal eventually etc.
Given empires collaborating together would probably keep them all around longer, we may yet see some 'superstates' develop in the world. It's interesting to consider anyway.
It was shoddy diplomacy and politics that caused such horrific events to unfold, says President Forster. He is convinced that there is a way to prevent this, and he and others are ready to present their ideas to the world at Rome. The Chinese president is among the leaders of the world now converging on Rome. October 30th is the date set for the Rome Peace Conference. Here, the Anglo Alliance hopes to set a plan in motion that will secure world peace for the future. While each country might have its own agenda, President Forster hopes they can all agree at least to do what is necessary to prevent a very dark future.
The US contingent comprises the president, the victorious commanding generals headed by General Phoienex, and diplomatic envoys headed by former General TBC. It causes some stir in the national press that the new administration has drawn a dividing line between the two most popular figures of the war, and only hightens rumours of Zen's upcoming political career.
Behind the scenes however, the split was political but of a different nature. In a quiet meeting before the conference, both the president and commanding general had to explain why a popular and still very anti-government/anti-nuclear TBC could no longer serve under the United States military for the forseeable future:
"You must understand Titus," Zen said, "We need to get the country back on an even keel and...well..."
"I do understand," TBC said, quietly. "Am I to leave the country as well?"
The two men looked at each other uncomfortably. "If at all possible," the president admitted. "The United States has every respect for you and honours your achievements...but for the good of the Union you need to step aside for a time."
'And you support this, sir?"
Zen looked increasingly agitated. He nodded but said nothing. TBC sighed.
"Very well. But you both must understand that this merely buys you time. The issues of the new world still exist."
The two men looked at each other. "Well," Forster said, "that was the other thing we wanted to talk to you about..."
Phoenix wished he came up with the idea for the conference, but it was all Forster's idea in the end. He was busy in China, where Zhen had now secured the demobilization of the entire Chinese military. There were rumors he was being considered to succeed the president when he inevitably resigned, following the conference. Meanwhile, Ellie was busy returning to the family home in Philadelphia and reuniting with their relatives, on top of coordinating with all of the grassroots organizations she had founded, led, and supported through the last few tumultuous years. But once everything was in order, they joined Forster and his delegation in Rome. Phoenix accompanied the military contingent, while TBC led the diplomats. Ellie was amused to learn of the rumors in the papers about Phoenix's ambitions, though when asked she had no comment.
Behind the scenes, Forster and Phoenix tried to explain to TBC why they made their decision. They initially said it was so the nation could heal and move on from the war, but Phoenix knew it pained TBC to know he had to leave the military he had known his whole career. He wanted to say something to reassure him, but he also knew TBC couldn't stay in the military forever, lest he end up like Phoenix. He shouldn't waste his entire life and his talents there.
"The issues of the new world do exist," Phoenix said, "I don't deny that. But we may have a role where you are better suited to dealing with them."
Forster's first proposal is called the Right of Destiny. He proclaims the people of the world should have the right to set their own destiny, and those whose culture differs greatly from that of their country can be given independence under a new flag. The largest empires, Hungary, Prussia, Russia, China, and Eretna, will have some states lost in order to form new countries for those persecuted under the Stali governments. He also says that colonial powers should prepare for independence of those people they still rule overseas; the world is changing, and soon colonialism will be a thing of the past.
This is seen by many as an 'honourable way out' for many empires in the alliance, whom could not continue to maintain their empires and now had the excuse of idealism to get rid of them. But many more were worried about the huge changes to the map and the balance of power in the world. For one, the anglo alliance would become even more dominated by the Amercians. It is arguable that the president's next point was pushed through in part because of this.
With the stroke of a pen, the destinies of millions changed. Empires fell, and new nations arose. Over the next few years, people would find themselves living under new governments as the old ones either ceased to exist or lost jurisdiction to new ones, and many would have to pack up and leave the homes they had lived in for centuries. There would be chaos, disorder. But the old system would've collapsed sooner or later. America just had to get ahead of it. A controlled demolition was always better than a total collapse. And once this new order was firmly established, it was up to America, as the only country whose industry and military remained intact, to safeguard the peace. There would be those who would see this as a plot by America to rule the world, but what alternative was there? Total chaos?
His second proposal is for the formation of the United Nations Organization, or UNO. This will be an international organization that will solve many disputes and issues throughout the world, headed by the US and Britain, but inclusive of every nation on earth that wishes to enter it. With this, the US hopes to avoid future wars of any kind through diplomacy and compromise.
This, too, is mostly agreed upon by the represented nations. The UNO is formed, and at its Secretary General is named: former general TBC of the United States.
This on the face of it seemed like new amercian imperialism, bare facely robbing countries of soverign justice and legal righta. However, the amercians tried to make it as clear as possible that they would have no oversight over the UNO, other than that of a major nation within its ranks.
Plus, their suggestion for first secretary general assuaged much of the tension.
Pretty much no one thought that the noted internationalist with a chequered past with the Amercian government would kowtow to them at every opportunity. Promises of international justice courts, human rights and organisations of health, wealth and culture from TBC also caught the public imagination, esepcially in war torn countries. The man himself seemed happy to be of use in a more benevolent role, and finally in a postion to help people rather than fight them.
Phoenix congratulated TBC on his new promotion and spoke at his swearing in, declaring him a fearless leader who would herald a "brave new world" of liberty, justice, and freedom for all peoples. In a less flashy ceremony, Ellie was sworn in as the United States' first Permanent Representative, or UNO Ambassador. With her extensive experience working with large and frequently unruly groups, she was the natural choice for the job. She wasted little time too, helping write a "Charter for Human Rights" which she hoped would for the bedrock for the UNO's global mission for years to come.
His final proposal is for the Sancronis Plan, put forth by Governor Sancronis before the end of the war. This will be a massive reconstruction project of Europe, Asia, and any other part of the world affected by the war. He hopes to avoid bitter feelings between nations, like that which was seen after the end of the Great War. With this will also come civilian technology sharing.
There was some debate over who would have oversight and whether this was not a project for the new UNO, but TBC himself agreed that for the organisation to survive its first year, taking billions of dollars and resources from the US for the rest of the world would be a poor move. If the plan were to go ahead, it should be an American action, supported by others. Privately, he also wanted to make sure the US did not once again turn isolationist, which would speel ruin for everyone.
Other nations who would rather not accept US aid however would over the next few months go to the UNO and make their own fund for rebuilding nations, in a much smaller but more long term plan that for the most part concentrated on South America and Africa. Over the following decades after the end of the Sancronis plan, this became the main international rebuilding fund.
The Sancronis Plan would be a mix of both public and private investment, with the United States government and major corporations both pitching in to rebuild the world from scratch. While the government had resources and clout, it was the corporations who frequently had the influence and the incentive to go overseas. Phoenix contributed a little to the Plan, donating some of his personal wealth to help humanitarian organizations around the world, but specifically in Indochina, where he wanted to make up for the destruction he and his soldiers caused.
The rest of the conference, which will be known as the first meeting of the UNO, determines what will be done with the defeated of the war. Russia will be governed under a new democracy set up by the US, headed by President Victor Grigori. China's president agrees to stepping down without resistance and allowing the US to facilitate a free election in the country. Eretna, whose entire government was in shambles before their fall, is under US control while a new democratic one is formed. The Castillian president remains in hiding, so his country will have an election, facilitated once again by the US, to determine who will lead them. The same happen more or less to the other fallen nations, except for Korea, whose president surrendered with a guarantee of remaining in power, as long as he and his government transition to democracy in the next 12 months.
As expected, the Chinese president resigned from his post and called for an election, which would be overseen by both UNO and American monitors. Voting booths were set up across the vast nation to ensure every Chinese citizen had a say in who would represent them. All kinds of candidates ran, from a couple communists to some ultranationalists, but these gained little support. Pollsters gave Zhen Fenghuang a vast lead ahead of his few viable opponents, predicting he would win come Election Day. Zhen campaigned on a policy of "fair democracy" and representation for the always-forgotten rural poor, including generous welfare programs and comprehensive education and healthcare reform, so China could one day return to its rightful place as a global leader, alongside America. As the Constitution of China would have to be rewritten in a constitutional convention (date yet to be determined), he pledged to bring all Chinese together, along with constitutional scholars from the Western world, to work on a document which would fairly represent all of China's many peoples.
But once everything was in order, they joined Forster and his delegation in Rome. Phoenix accompanied the military contingent, while TBC led the diplomats. Ellie was amused to learn of the rumors in the papers about Phoenix's ambitions,
She was pushed to the background of the delegation but remained in the diplomatic mission due to TBC's insistence. They were both aware that the government wanted them to dissapear but in Ellie's case, she really did provide a service for the Amercian people.
Behind the scenes, Forster and Phoenix tried to explain to TBC why they made their decision. They initially said it was so the nation could heal and move on from the war, but Phoenix knew it pained TBC to know he had to leave the military he had known his whole career. He wanted to say something to reassure him, but he also knew TBC couldn't stay in the military forever, lest he end up like Phoenix. He shouldn't waste his entire life and his talents there.
TBC did raise an eyebrow at that. "You became a millionaire, raised a large family and fought well in two world wars. You've done pretty well."
"True but you're not me. I waited 50 years for my moment in the miltiary. What would you do having already achieved that? I haven't seen you enjoying your work in years."
TBC sighed. It was true, he was tired of war. Moreover, he was tired of the army, and the politics and the horrors. It probably was time to move on before he became a jaded commander or a sellout like the half-dozen men on the way to the gallows.
There would be chaos, disorder. But the old system would've collapsed sooner or later. America just had to get ahead of it. A controlled demolition was always better than a total collapse. And once this new order was firmly established, it was up to America, as the only country whose industry and military remained intact, to safeguard the peace. There would be those who would see this as a plot by America to rule the world, but what alternative was there? Total chaos?
TBC understood his mentor's view, since it was one he had shared before the war. However, whilst he still dearly loved his country and wished for it to be the shining light in a dark world, he no longer saw it as such. At least, America was not that force for good it could be. Not yet. All nations had to come together within the UNO to build a better world, which by necessity meant all people had to have a say and agree to cooperate at least on some things. It would be baby steps, TBC knew, but when the end goal was a united world and world peace, he'd happily walk them for a hundred years if that's how long it took.
Phoenix congratulated TBC on his new promotion and spoke at his swearing in, declaring him a fearless leader who would herald a "brave new world" of liberty, justice, and freedom for all peoples. In a less flashy ceremony, Ellie was sworn in as the United States' first Permanent Representative, or UNO Ambassador. With her extensive experience working with large and frequently unruly groups, she was the natural choice for the job. She wasted little time too, helping write a "Charter for Human Rights" which she hoped would for the bedrock for the UNO's global mission for years to come.
That really did blow the wind up the government's trousers, but on this TBC, Zen and, eventually, Forster agreed. It would not do to hire a government stooge for UN ambassador. Ellie was a well respected figure in the nation and the wider anglo alliance exactly because she was a journalist that stood up to tyranny at home and abroad. It was revealed several decades later that TBC accepted the presidency on the condition she would be the US representative.
Phoenix contributed a little to the Plan, donating some of his personal wealth to help humanitarian organizations around the world, but specifically in Indochina, where he wanted to make up for the destruction he and his soldiers caused.
He in fact inspired an unoffical project amongst current and wartime commanders on the allied and axis sides to contribute to rebuilding proejcts in the areas they fought in. This did not erase past tension and hatred but muted much of it amongst the higher ups on both sides, and aided a great many people in getting their lives back on track.
Pollsters gave Zhen Fenghuang a vast lead ahead of his few viable opponents, predicting he would win come Election Day. Zhen campaigned on a policy of "fair democracy" and representation for the always-forgotten rural poor, including generous welfare programs and comprehensive education and healthcare reform, so China could one day return to its rightful place as a global leader, alongside America. As the Constitution of China would have to be rewritten in a constitutional convention (date yet to be determined), he pledged to bring all Chinese together, along with constitutional scholars from the Western world, to work on a document which would fairly represent all of China's many peoples.
It would be one of the first tests of the UNO, followong their first sucess of the election in the first place. Could they foster democracy in new countries? China was also vital to the sucess of world peace at large, if it rebuilt and boomed, asia as a whole would largely follow. UNO would also seem more legitimate with more than one major power bloc within its ranks, and overall China's 'rebirth' would lead to all sorts of developments like the UN World Bank and Trade Organisation, first presided over by TBC before the chair passed between member states every five years. China would also be instrumental in the decolonisation process for many asian and pacific colonies, and their position in the UNO made the organisation progressively more pro-decolonisation as the decades wore on.
TBC's memoirs later revealed what he considered the two greatest achievements of the UNO in his lifetime: the formation of an international space agency, and the World Health Organisation successfully eradicating Smallpox and Polio in nature, something that would have been impossible without extensive cooperation between the world's superpowers.
In the heady days and months after the war however, hope and uncertainty was equally high in people's minds. A great many steps had been seemingly taken forwards, but they had only revealed the long path humanity had yet to tred. Still, the idea that they would take the journey together was heartening even moreso.
The economic and social damage changed the world then. That's an awful lot of people to lose in a decade. Mind you, the population boom is going to be pretty vast as well...
The US contingent comprises the president, the victorious commanding generals headed by General Phoienex, and diplomatic envoys headed by former General TBC. It causes some stir in the national press that the new administration has drawn a dividing line between the two most popular figures of the war, and only hightens rumours of Zen's upcoming political career.
Behind the scenes however, the split was political but of a different nature. In a quiet meeting before the conference, both the president and commanding general had to explain why a popular and still very anti-government/anti-nuclear TBC could no longer serve under the United States military for the forseeable future:
"You must understand Titus," Zen said, "We need to get the country back on an even keel and...well..."
"I do understand," TBC said, quietly. "Am I to leave the country as well?"
The two men looked at each other uncomfortably. "If at all possible," the president admitted. "The United States has every respect for you and honours your achievements...but for the good of the Union you need to step aside for a time."
'And you support this, sir?"
Zen looked increasingly agitated. He nodded but said nothing. TBC sighed.
"Very well. But you both must understand that this merely buys you time. The issues of the new world still exist."
The two men looked at each other. "Well," Forster said, "that was the other thing we wanted to talk to you about..."
This is seen by many as an 'honourable way out' for many empires in the alliance, whom could not continue to maintain their empires and now had the excuse of idealism to get rid of them. But many more were worried about the huge changes to the map and the balance of power in the world. For one, the anglo alliance would become even more dominated by the Amercians. It is arguable that the president's next point was pushed through in part because of this.
This on the face of it seemed like new amercian imperialism, bare facely robbing countries of soverign justice and legal righta. However, the amercians tried to make it as clear as possible that they would have no oversight over the UNO, other than that of a major nation within its ranks.
Plus, their suggestion for first secretary general assuaged much of the tension.
Pretty much no one thought that the noted internationalist with a chequered past with the Amercian government would kowtow to them at every opportunity. Promises of international justice courts, human rights and organisations of health, wealth and culture from TBC also caught the public imagination, esepcially in war torn countries. The man himself seemed happy to be of use in a more benevolent role, and finally in a postion to help people rather than fight them.
There was some debate over who would have oversight and whether this was not a project for the new UNO, but TBC himself agreed that for the organisation to survive its first year, taking billions of dollars and resources from the US for the rest of the world would be a poor move. If the plan were to go ahead, it should be an American action, supported by others. Privately, he also wanted to make sure the US did not once again turn isolationist, which would speel ruin for everyone.
Other nations who would rather not accept US aid however would over the next few months go to the UNO and make their own fund for rebuilding nations, in a much smaller but more long term plan that for the most part concentrated on South America and Africa. Over the following decades after the end of the Sancronis plan, this became the main international rebuilding fund.
This was especially contentious, as you might expect.
The UNO didn't technically have a pro-democracy policy but it certainly had a bias. The alliance on the other hand had it as one of their main aims across the world and thus many, many people woke up eligible to vote when they had never before. This of course led to many problems but that at least, the UN could help with.
No one had much idea why the US took more African territoy but at the time, there was significant debate over what to do with the posessions they had. Were they to become new states eventually? Given independance as a pro-US african country? Given to the UNO? That last one may seem odd but if anything, the debate over whether the UNO would be purely an extra-national organisation hosted in various member states or whether it should be its own sovereign entity burned strong and bright. Many favoured the idea of the UNO taking over and making city states of the cities that had been destroted through nuclear bombong. Others favoured the UNO being placed on neutral ground in the middle of Europe or Africa to be as close to everyone as possible. Others still favpured the oposite approach, giving it a far away pacfic island chain to remain aloof from national interest. And there was of course the organisation route where they would simply have a home city, popular choices were San Francisco, New York or London, and remain stateless.
This debate would go on for some time and in truth, has still not ended.
The new trend of independance made international poltics, trade and arbitration more important than ever. Interest and membership in the UNO soared and TBC encouraged smaller treaties and organisations for various regions such as the Free Africa Federation and the European Trade Community.
The UNO dutifully began talks in an official forum though national agreements tended to take precedence. However, Rome and the Vatican were under the protection of the UNO and Anglo Alliance specifically and thus Italian unification could contue to be monitored by the international community. Freedom of religion was explicitly added to the Charter of the UN after several meetings with major religious leaders hosted by the Pope. TBC said afterwards that the peaceful discussion between religions was one of the most uplifting sights he had ever seen.
This state and a few others determined to be at serious risk of neoghbouring state aggression were placed under UNO protection upon advice from President Forster. This did not of course halt or help rising tensions between the middle east and Delhi however.
I want you to know I've loved every one of your comments. When I eventually start another AAR-- either continuing this universe in Stellaris or starting a whole new campaign --I really hope to see more of these! I'm going to try and have my next one be much more interactive.
Non US land should become territories and be developed, with the hope that they will seek to become a state or a free country in the future. It would also be nice if the rest of North America were to consider becoming part of the US.
Well considering this US has done some very shady things to other independant amercian nations to get them into the union, I would be careful of that. California and the western states are already suspicipus of the east. Adding more supporters through war or peace to their court might not end well.
But yeah, maybe the US aims to keep expanding democratically through culture and economy in this tineline. I had a thought of that when I wondered whether the UN of this universe would be more a state or an organisation i.e. would actual world union be genuinely sought after as an end goal eventually etc.
Given empires collaborating together would probably keep them all around longer, we may yet see some 'superstates' develop in the world. It's interesting to consider anyway.
Phoenix wished he came up with the idea for the conference, but it was all Forster's idea in the end. He was busy in China, where Zhen had now secured the demobilization of the entire Chinese military. There were rumors he was being considered to succeed the president when he inevitably resigned, following the conference. Meanwhile, Ellie was busy returning to the family home in Philadelphia and reuniting with their relatives, on top of coordinating with all of the grassroots organizations she had founded, led, and supported through the last few tumultuous years. But once everything was in order, they joined Forster and his delegation in Rome. Phoenix accompanied the military contingent, while TBC led the diplomats. Ellie was amused to learn of the rumors in the papers about Phoenix's ambitions, though when asked she had no comment.
Behind the scenes, Forster and Phoenix tried to explain to TBC why they made their decision. They initially said it was so the nation could heal and move on from the war, but Phoenix knew it pained TBC to know he had to leave the military he had known his whole career. He wanted to say something to reassure him, but he also knew TBC couldn't stay in the military forever, lest he end up like Phoenix. He shouldn't waste his entire life and his talents there.
"The issues of the new world do exist," Phoenix said, "I don't deny that. But we may have a role where you are better suited to dealing with them."
With the stroke of a pen, the destinies of millions changed. Empires fell, and new nations arose. Over the next few years, people would find themselves living under new governments as the old ones either ceased to exist or lost jurisdiction to new ones, and many would have to pack up and leave the homes they had lived in for centuries. There would be chaos, disorder. But the old system would've collapsed sooner or later. America just had to get ahead of it. A controlled demolition was always better than a total collapse. And once this new order was firmly established, it was up to America, as the only country whose industry and military remained intact, to safeguard the peace. There would be those who would see this as a plot by America to rule the world, but what alternative was there? Total chaos?
Phoenix congratulated TBC on his new promotion and spoke at his swearing in, declaring him a fearless leader who would herald a "brave new world" of liberty, justice, and freedom for all peoples. In a less flashy ceremony, Ellie was sworn in as the United States' first Permanent Representative, or UNO Ambassador. With her extensive experience working with large and frequently unruly groups, she was the natural choice for the job. She wasted little time too, helping write a "Charter for Human Rights" which she hoped would for the bedrock for the UNO's global mission for years to come.
The Sancronis Plan would be a mix of both public and private investment, with the United States government and major corporations both pitching in to rebuild the world from scratch. While the government had resources and clout, it was the corporations who frequently had the influence and the incentive to go overseas. Phoenix contributed a little to the Plan, donating some of his personal wealth to help humanitarian organizations around the world, but specifically in Indochina, where he wanted to make up for the destruction he and his soldiers caused.
As expected, the Chinese president resigned from his post and called for an election, which would be overseen by both UNO and American monitors. Voting booths were set up across the vast nation to ensure every Chinese citizen had a say in who would represent them. All kinds of candidates ran, from a couple communists to some ultranationalists, but these gained little support. Pollsters gave Zhen Fenghuang a vast lead ahead of his few viable opponents, predicting he would win come Election Day. Zhen campaigned on a policy of "fair democracy" and representation for the always-forgotten rural poor, including generous welfare programs and comprehensive education and healthcare reform, so China could one day return to its rightful place as a global leader, alongside America. As the Constitution of China would have to be rewritten in a constitutional convention (date yet to be determined), he pledged to bring all Chinese together, along with constitutional scholars from the Western world, to work on a document which would fairly represent all of China's many peoples.
She was pushed to the background of the delegation but remained in the diplomatic mission due to TBC's insistence. They were both aware that the government wanted them to dissapear but in Ellie's case, she really did provide a service for the Amercian people.
TBC did raise an eyebrow at that. "You became a millionaire, raised a large family and fought well in two world wars. You've done pretty well."
"True but you're not me. I waited 50 years for my moment in the miltiary. What would you do having already achieved that? I haven't seen you enjoying your work in years."
TBC sighed. It was true, he was tired of war. Moreover, he was tired of the army, and the politics and the horrors. It probably was time to move on before he became a jaded commander or a sellout like the half-dozen men on the way to the gallows.
TBC understood his mentor's view, since it was one he had shared before the war. However, whilst he still dearly loved his country and wished for it to be the shining light in a dark world, he no longer saw it as such. At least, America was not that force for good it could be. Not yet. All nations had to come together within the UNO to build a better world, which by necessity meant all people had to have a say and agree to cooperate at least on some things. It would be baby steps, TBC knew, but when the end goal was a united world and world peace, he'd happily walk them for a hundred years if that's how long it took.
That really did blow the wind up the government's trousers, but on this TBC, Zen and, eventually, Forster agreed. It would not do to hire a government stooge for UN ambassador. Ellie was a well respected figure in the nation and the wider anglo alliance exactly because she was a journalist that stood up to tyranny at home and abroad. It was revealed several decades later that TBC accepted the presidency on the condition she would be the US representative.
He in fact inspired an unoffical project amongst current and wartime commanders on the allied and axis sides to contribute to rebuilding proejcts in the areas they fought in. This did not erase past tension and hatred but muted much of it amongst the higher ups on both sides, and aided a great many people in getting their lives back on track.
It would be one of the first tests of the UNO, followong their first sucess of the election in the first place. Could they foster democracy in new countries? China was also vital to the sucess of world peace at large, if it rebuilt and boomed, asia as a whole would largely follow. UNO would also seem more legitimate with more than one major power bloc within its ranks, and overall China's 'rebirth' would lead to all sorts of developments like the UN World Bank and Trade Organisation, first presided over by TBC before the chair passed between member states every five years. China would also be instrumental in the decolonisation process for many asian and pacific colonies, and their position in the UNO made the organisation progressively more pro-decolonisation as the decades wore on.
TBC's memoirs later revealed what he considered the two greatest achievements of the UNO in his lifetime: the formation of an international space agency, and the World Health Organisation successfully eradicating Smallpox and Polio in nature, something that would have been impossible without extensive cooperation between the world's superpowers.
In the heady days and months after the war however, hope and uncertainty was equally high in people's minds. A great many steps had been seemingly taken forwards, but they had only revealed the long path humanity had yet to tred. Still, the idea that they would take the journey together was heartening even moreso.
Like I said to TBC, really appreciate and love the roleplay comments. I hope to see you for the next AAR!
The next chapter will, hopefully, sum up what the next 70 or so years brings to the world. It's gonna be long, and possible boring to some, but it'll be chocked full of information. I can't promise that what I write for the next chapter will be realistic, but I'll try!
The next chapter will, hopefully, sum up what the next 70 or so years brings to the world. It's gonna be long, and possible boring to some, but it'll be chocked full of information. I can't promise that what I write for the next chapter will be realistic, but I'll try!
Although heavily damaged and scarred by the wars of the 20th century, the world repaired exceptionally quickly. Soon, advances in science and technology led to longer life expectancy and the 'baby boom' of the 50's and 60's. Population soared, reaching 7 billion by 2013. Also on the science and technology side, communication and global trade increased to the point of a globally interconnected society and market. The internet became a thing around the world in the 90's, and by the early 2000's, every country had infrastructure in place to support it.
General world peace allowed for a population boom bigger even than the industrial revolution (the effects of which are still seen). Populations soared, and the world reached 7 billion people by the year 2007. By 2017, it was nearly 8 billion, but scientists predict that now, it will plateau and stabilize in the next 20 to 30 years. Along with this, the resources will begin to run dry in the next 50 to 100 years. Luckily, renewable sources such as Solar and Wind are also improving and increasing. As of 2017 the world runs on 45% renewable energy, and this too is projected to rise, perhaps up to even 80% by 2050.
American culture heavily influenced the world, and soon men and women from Russia and China, to South Africa and Brazil, were wearing blue jeans and singing American pop music.
The United States of America
President Forster signed into being the Anti-Nuclear Treaty of 1947 with nearly all the countries of the world. Part of the agreement was that the US would support the independence of colonial regions so long as they agree to sign the treaty. In the election of 1950, he won by a healthy margin and continued his policy of upholding world peace. The relations between the US and Eurasia improved quite a bit with the Sancronis plan and the UNO. The US's lack of militarism and imperialism gained the trust of many of the countries formerly its enemies, and he proposed dissolving the Anglo Alliance and relying on the UNO for strength. Others did not like the idea, and it took until 1953 for the proposal to pass. The Anglo Alliance was brought to an end.
Sancronis became president in 1954, with support from former president Forster. He sought to continue the policies set forth by Forster, and he did so well. The next presidents to come, while differing in political parties and views on social policies, shared Sancronis' and Forster's wishes. The time from 1946 onward became known as the Era of Pax Mundi.
However... In 1970, forces in eastern Europe, who still long for the good old days of the Empire of Russia, formed an anti western alliance. Volhynia, Yedisan, Russia, and most of Central Asia form the Ladoba Block and began to look to expand the alliance westward and eastward. In response, the Mutual Defense and Support Treaty (MDST) was created. This alliance included most of western Europe, as well as Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, most of the Caribbean, Canada, Terres du Nord, and China.
War never broke out between the two, but several proxy wars were fought, mainly in Africa. Relations eased a bit in the 2000's after both sides signed a non-aggression pact to avoid war. They both agreed that a second World War would mean the end of civilization as we know it.
The US fought in several wars with other nations, though. The official ones were the Cambodian War of 1955 and the Persian-American War. In 1954, a Fascist tyrant Phong Gipta took control of Cambodia and carried out mass executions of supposed enemies of the state. In response, the UNO authorized an invasion of Cambodia to bring Gipta to the International Court for crimes against humanity. Although expected to be a long and drawn out affair, the US generals, many of whom fought the Chinese in the same jungles, knew what they were doing; the war was over by 1956 and Gipta stood trial for his crimes soon after.
In the Persian Wars, MDST troops landed on the Persian coast in 2006 to dethrone the tyrant Sultan Azar Hamid. One of the missing nuclear weapons never recovered after the World War was actually in Persia, where the government had been attempting to duplicate the design for use against Najd and Delhi. The Sultan also carried out attacks against his own people in order to keep power. He was dethrone in 2007 after several months of an American operation. However, the nuclear bomb was never recovered, and it is believe that terrorists funded by Persia are currently in control of it and plan to use it against Delhi.
Europe
Serbia was eventually annexed by the Slavic Union in 1978, after their people voted in favor of membership. Hungary's collapse began in '91 after years of internal turmoil. The country collapsed into several states and the Hungarian Wars began. Kosovo, Romania, Volvodinia, Moldova, and Transylvania broke off of Hungary. Religious and cultural wars began, wherein hundreds of thousands were killed. UNO intervention saw the main aggressor, Romania, severely bombed in an attempt to stop their campaign of terror in the region. In the end, a peace treaty was signed in '99 and peace returned to the Balkans.
Britain lost a lot of their land in Europe. Denmark partitioned for freedom in 2001, but they remained loyal friends to the Brits, with whom they share a lot of their culture. In France, the people of the small pocket of British control also partitioned, but they wanted, instead of independence, to rejoin Picardy. While most of northern France remained in British control, the two provinces cut off from the rest joined Picardy in 1995.
As of 2017, the UBP is going through rough times. Many, many politicians speak of independence for their countries, while Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia bicker over policies and diplomacy. If compromises cannot be found, the UBP is bound to break apart like so many great empires before it.
Africa
Tunisia is granted independence from the USA in 1947, setting into effect a chain reaction of similar independence movements throughout Africa. The next to get its independence are Segu (formerly Mali), Asante, Futa Jalon, and Benin, all in West Africa. The last US territory in Africa is made independent in 1950, as the country of Algeria. Each of the new countries joined the UNO upon independence.
Picardian Africa gained its independence in 1958, and several attempts to stop the move by Picardy was blocked by the UNO and the USA. After that, it was obvious to the rest of the colonial peoples of Africa that the UNO and the USA would assist in their independence, and Haitian Africa began seeing movements. South Africa was made a country in 1965 and left the commonwealth of Britain for good.
The rest of the African states gained their independence in the years leading up to 1992. On that year, Ndongo is given its independence from Haiti.
A few wars break out between states, notably between Benin and neighboring the Dahomey republic. That war, in 1974, saw the worst genocide since the Middle Eastern Civil War. It ended up as a stalemate after UNO intervention.
India
Delhi wanted nothing more than to unite all of India under one banner, but Great Britain still held onto 2 large chunks of the subcontinent. What they were afraid of was the creation of one or two independent nations protected by Britain, that they would never get their hands upon. Just like the rest of the world, independence movements began in British India, and many spoke about creating a new Indian state. In 1952, Britain actually began discussions with the local governments about independence, and Delhi, angry at not being included, protested. Eventually, the UNO met and agreed on a vote to determine what will happen in India. If the British Indian chose to create a new state, the UNO will help facilitate it. If they decided to join with Delhi, the UNO will not interfere.
The vote took place in 1953, and British India voted to join Delhi. The only state to not join Delhi was Sri-Lanka, which fought a Guerrilla warfare campaign against the Delhi forces that lasted over 10 years.
Much of the credit for independence from Britain was given to a man name Mahatma Gandhi, who was considered the leader of the anti-British movement. Using peaceful means and hunger strikes, he and his followers convinced the British to consider the issue for the first time.
The Middle East
Arabia broke apart in 1949, and Yemen and Hizwa broke free on the Arabian peninsula, leaving Arabia with just the Sinai and Lower Egypt.
Persia and Delhi fought two war. In 1955, the First Persian-Delhi war broke out. Persia claimed that the Muslims in Baluchistan were persecuted by their Hindi rulers and invaded to liberate them. The war lasted several years and, surprisingly, the disadvantaged Persians came out on top. To save face, Delhi began a propaganda campaign claiming that Persia used dark magic to defeat the Indian forces. Surprisingly, many people believed it.
Persia's victory, however, was overshadowed by the Najd revolution in 1957, where the Kingdom of Najd broke free of the Persian Empire and established itself in Arabia. Several attempts to retake the kingdom have failed since then; the UNO was not able to do much about it except sanctions, since Persia is one of the few countries which refused to join.
In the Second Persian-Delhi war, Delhi sought to reclaim the stolen territories in 1962. The war lasted for just 5 weeks before the UNO could broker a peace deal. The deal saved countless lives, as both sides were estimated at having over a million soldiers each.
Central Asia
The Siberian-Central Asian Federation did not last long. The 50's saw 3 civil wars and violent changes of power, and eventually the country succumbed to internal friction. Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Orenistan, the Siberian Republic, Kazakhstan, and Duogistan split into independent countries in the early 60's.
Oceania
Australia gained independence from Britain on the east and some of the north coast in 1959, but the Haitian Nedenunda did not gain its independence until 1977. Due to its very low population, it still relied on Haiti for many years to come. To the west, New Zealand became free in 1951, although it suffered from apartheid segregation problems between its Castillian and British cultures, with the British being dominant until the mid 90's.
In the islands north of Australia, Ny Guinea becomes independent in 1951 after rising in revolt against Haitian rule. Haiti was hopeless to do anything about it, and no other nation was prepared to help. Eventually, Ternate would invade in 1962 and annex the nation entirely, much to the displeasure of the UNO. Years of sanctions and hostile relations from the UNO countries followed, until 1980 when I coup replaced the Kingdom of Ternate with the Republic of Ternate.
The British island of Salawesi became independent in 1981 and remained friendly with the Brits and the UNO.
Asia
China became the US's most important trade partner and ally in the 50's, and the former enemies even signed numerous cooperatives space treaties and trade agreements. In other news, the only war other than the US invasion of Cambodia was the Khmer-Phuang war of 1973, where relations deteriorated to the point of war. The war saw no changes in territory, but the Phuang were made to made reparations for causing it.
Japan, meanwhile, stayed isolated for decades, until the Bloody Revolution of 1980 saw the entire government murdered by the radical left-wing. The new government promised democracy and, although the US knew that thousands died in the Revolution, relations between Japan and the west were established. Eventually, the Japanese culture mellowed out and the country became a hub of technology and innovation.
The Philippines eventually became independent in the 70's. The Aquitainian part detached itself from the ancient, now seafaring, nation in '75 and joined the Philippines. However, rebels opposed to the American-friendly Filipino government revolted in the region in '99, and a guerrilla war has been raging ever since.
North America
Atlantica was made autonomous in the 50's and fully independent in the 70's, but the northwestern British territories remain under British control. The Teutons released control of their Canadian holdings in the 90's during an economic crisis, giving them to the Canadians. In Central America, the Panama Canal was official given back to the USCA in '83.
South America
The Silver Union continued to oppose the MDST for many years to come, but no war ever came of it. Brazil grew to be one of the largest economies in the world, easily competing in the world market against the US and China.
British Patagonia is given autonomy in the 80's as Radekzia, but full independence does not come until the early 2000's, since the region is so sparsely populated and couldn't support an economy of its very own. In '88, a plot to overthrow the government by Chile is foiled, and relations between the Silver Union and the MDST worsen, nearly leading to war in the Andes Standoff of 1990. A last minute deal between the President and the Prime Minister of Chile dissolved the conflict.
Russia
Russia became democratic after the War, but their foreign policy quickly shifted in the 1970 election, with the formation of their alliance block. Increased censorship and totalitarianism took hold. This lasted for over 30 years before tensions eased and the Russian society became more free and open once more. Their aspirations for Empire dwindled in the 2010's, replaced instead by a desire to become more integrated into the global community and market.
Space...
The US began its Space Program in 1949 as the USSA (United States Space Agency). It began as high altitude rocket planes, but led quickly to ground-based rockets. The US achieved the first satellite in 1954, after several attempts failed spectacularly. In 1955, the UNOSA (United Nations Organization Space Agency) was born, funded by over a dozen countries. The first man was put into space-- an American named John Glenn --in 1956, after a chimp named Ozzie successfully left the atmosphere.
The next stage, putting a man into orbit and bringing him back again, was achieved in 1958. This was quickly outdone by the first EVA (extravehicular activity) in '59. Progress continued, and several more countries founded their own independent space agencies, including Russia, China, Japan, and India.
The healthy competition led to more breakthroughs, including landing the first man on the moon. American Neil Idhrendur became the first man to set foot on the moon in 1965, uttering the immortal words: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". More landings would follow, including several by China.
The Earth Space Station (ESS) was created in 1971 by the UNO, and it was jointly operated by a dozen members of the UNO. As science improved, it became obvious that the earth is not infinite; the resources will not last forever, and the planet will eventually die. For the future of mankind to be secured, humans must reach beyond the solar system and colonize planets in other parts of the galaxy.
The Moon Station was created in 2008 by the UNO, and it is used as a staging ground for the Mars Missions. The first Mars Mission (called Orion) was in 2012, where 3 men and 2 women landed on the surface and conducted several experiments. Orion II brought 6 people to Mars, this time at the north pole. The third sought to understand the core mechanics of the planet. Now, in 2017, the 4th mission is set to launch. This one will be a long-term mission aimed at experimenting with a human's ability to survive on an alien planet for years at a time. Also, a new Telescope station called the Bubble Space Telescope, which uses new mapping technology 100 times better than anything else in use, is on the prowl for potentially life-supporting planets in the nearby solar systems. Thus far, no confirmed life has been found.
No artificial probe has yet left the galaxy to explore other parts of the universe, but the invention of the new Promethion engine, capable to running off of nearly only electricity, will change this. Although nowhere near powerful enough to help humans get to the stars, the Promethion engine is a predecessor in a long line of engines that will eventually lead to the Ion Drive. For now, humans must be content with cheap, but weak, thrust.
They must make do with the galaxy they have before they can take the next great step in human evolution.
President Forster signed into being the Anti-Nuclear Treaty of 1947 with nearly all the countries of the world. Part of the agreement was that the US would support the independence of colonial regions so long as they agree to sign the treaty. In the election of 1950, he won by a healthy margin and continued his policy of upholding world peace. The relations between the US and Eurasia improved quite a bit with the Sancronis plan and the UNO. The US's lack of militarism and imperialism gained the trust of many of the countries formerly its enemies, and he proposed dissolving the Anglo Alliance and relying on the UNO for strength. Others did not like the idea, and it took until 1953 for the proposal to pass. The Anglo Alliance was brought to an end.
Sancronis became president in 1954, with support from former president Forster. He sought to continue the policies set forth by Forster, and he did so well. The next presidents to come, while differing in political parties and views on social policies, shared Sancronis' and Forster's wishes. The time from 1946 onward became known as the Era of Pax Mundi.
After the conference, Phoenix returned to his home in Philadelphia. Ellie was always busy with her UNO work, so he had the house to himself most of the time. Not that he stayed in his house that often. He went on tours throughout the country, working with charities dedicated to helping the poor and homeless. He also published his memoirs, Life of a Soldier, detailing his long (and not really glamorous) military career, from his days in the Great War to the surrender of China. Life of a Soldier would become a bestseller, boosting his postwar image.
Of course, rumors swirled that he was going to run, and many of his friends in both civilian and military circles urged him to run in 1950. He refused, out of respect for Forster, who was now seeking reelection. Instead, Phoenix endorsed Forster. When the next election rolled around, he was again asked to run, but he declined and endorsed Governor Sancronis instead, alongside Forster. Sancronis would be reelected to a second term in 1958.
However... In 1970, forces in eastern Europe, who still long for the good old days of the Empire of Russia, formed an anti western alliance. Volhynia, Yedisan, Russia, and most of Central Asia form the Ladoba Block and began to look to expand the alliance westward and eastward. In response, the Mutual Defense and Support Treaty (MDST) was created. This alliance included most of western Europe, as well as Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, most of the Caribbean, Canada, Terres du Nord, and China.
War never broke out between the two, but several proxy wars were fought, mainly in Africa. Relations eased a bit in the 2000's after both sides signed a non-aggression pact to avoid war. They both agreed that a second World War would mean the end of civilization as we know it.
The US fought in several wars with other nations, though. The official ones were the Cambodian War of 1955 and the Persian-American War. In 1954, a Fascist tyrant Phong Gipta took control of Cambodia and carried out mass executions of supposed enemies of the state. In response, the UNO authorized an invasion of Cambodia to bring Gipta to the International Court for crimes against humanity. Although expected to be a long and drawn out affair, the US generals, many of whom fought the Chinese in the same jungles, knew what they were doing; the war was over by 1956 and Gipta stood trial for his crimes soon after.
In the Persian Wars, MDST troops landed on the Persian coast in 2006 to dethrone the tyrant Sultan Azar Hamid. One of the missing nuclear weapons never recovered after the World War was actually in Persia, where the government had been attempting to duplicate the design for use against Najd and Delhi. The Sultan also carried out attacks against his own people in order to keep power. He was dethrone in 2007 after several months of an American operation. However, the nuclear bomb was never recovered, and it is believe that terrorists funded by Persia are currently in control of it and plan to use it against Delhi.
The new American alliance got off to a rocky start. While the New World nations and western Europe joined up relatively easily, China was a different matter. There were strong voices within the new Chinese government calling for the nation to remain neutral while it recovered its strength. Still others wanted to revive old militaristic traditions and assert China's dominance against American hegemony. But President Zhen knew China's future lay with America and democracy. Phoenix and Ellie managed to get Zhen and the other factions to come to the table, where Zhen convinced the others to support an alliance with America. It took a while, but Zhen got the alliance formalized, and this alliance would ultimately become part of the MDST.
The Cambodian crisis would be the first major test of the Sancronis administration, although it had begun at the end of Forster's term. Ellie gave an address to the UNO General Assembly warning about the atrocities being committed in Cambodian and the necessity of intervening "for the sake of human rights." Remembering Phoenix's experiences in Indochina, Sancronis tasked him with deposing Gipta. Although he was getting old now, Phoenix did his job, and Cambodia had surrendered within two years. Ellie oversaw the establishment of a truth and reconciliation committee in Cambodia so that the Cambodian people would learn of the crimes of Gipta's regime and heal from them.
(I have a feeling that missing nuke might come in handy in Stellaris.)
Delhi wanted nothing more than to unite all of India under one banner, but Great Britain still held onto 2 large chunks of the subcontinent. What they were afraid of was the creation of one or two independent nations protected by Britain, that they would never get their hands upon. Just like the rest of the world, independence movements began in British India, and many spoke about creating a new Indian state. In 1952, Britain actually began discussions with the local governments about independence, and Delhi, angry at not being included, protested. Eventually, the UNO met and agreed on a vote to determine what will happen in India. If the British Indian chose to create a new state, the UNO will help facilitate it. If they decided to join with Delhi, the UNO will not interfere.
The vote took place in 1953, and British India voted to join Delhi. The only state to not join Delhi was Sri-Lanka, which fought a Guerrilla warfare campaign against the Delhi forces that lasted over 10 years.
Much of the credit for independence from Britain was given to a man name Mahatma Gandhi, who was considered the leader of the anti-British movement. Using peaceful means and hunger strikes, he and his followers convinced the British to consider the issue for the first time.
Both Phoenix and Ellie had high opinions about Gandhi. Like Phoenix, Gandhi was a poor man who made his way in the world. But he went much further than that. Gandhi had successfully won freedom for his people, almost entirely using peaceful methods. What wasn't to like about that man? Oh, right. Gandhi was obsessed with nuclear weapons. Other than that he was a great guy.
Arabia broke apart in 1949, and Yemen and Hizwa broke free on the Arabian peninsula, leaving Arabia with just the Sinai and Lower Egypt.
Persia and Delhi fought two war. In 1955, the First Persian-Delhi war broke out. Persia claimed that the Muslims in Baluchistan were persecuted by their Hindi rulers and invaded to liberate them. The war lasted several years and, surprisingly, the disadvantaged Persians came out on top. To save face, Delhi began a propaganda campaign claiming that Persia used dark magic to defeat the Indian forces. Surprisingly, many people believed it.
Persia's victory, however, was overshadowed by the Najd revolution in 1957, where the Kingdom of Najd broke free of the Persian Empire and established itself in Arabia. Several attempts to retake the kingdom have failed since then; the UNO was not able to do much about it except sanctions, since Persia is one of the few countries which refused to join.
In the Second Persian-Delhi war, Delhi sought to reclaim the stolen territories in 1962. The war lasted for just 5 weeks before the UNO could broker a peace deal. The deal saved countless lives, as both sides were estimated at having over a million soldiers each.
Ellie won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in brokering the peace deal, though she always gave credit to the other Persian and Indian diplomats working with her to end their countries' pointless slaughter.
China became the US's most important trade partner and ally in the 50's, and the former enemies even signed numerous cooperatives space treaties and trade agreements. In other news, the only war other than the US invasion of Cambodia was the Khmer-Phuang war of 1973, where relations deteriorated to the point of war. The war saw no changes in territory, but the Phuang were made to made reparations for causing it.
Japan, meanwhile, stayed isolated for decades, until the Bloody Revolution of 1980 saw the entire government murdered by the radical left-wing. The new government promised democracy and, although the US knew that thousands died in the Revolution, relations between Japan and the west were established. Eventually, the Japanese culture mellowed out and the country became a hub of technology and innovation.
The Philippines eventually became independent in the 70's. The Aquitainian part detached itself from the ancient, now seafaring, nation in '75 and joined the Philippines. However, rebels opposed to the American-friendly Filipino government revolted in the region in '99, and a guerrilla war has been raging ever since.
The friendship between Phoenix, Ellie, and Zhen Fenghuang continued long after the war. Phoenix made sure Zhen and his successors remained close with the White House, while Ellie ensured both America and China worked together in the UNO. Together, the two global powers were a force to be reckoned with, forming the military and economic backbone of the MDST. The highly popular Zhen would step down from the presidence in 1970, after over twenty years in power and winning reelection multiple times. His successors, representing different political parties, would serve at most eight years each and all continue what would become known as the Zhen Doctrine: strong support for and participation in the international order, alongside America.
Zhen retired to his hometown, a village in the countryside, where he published his memoirs and lived out the rest of his life in peace on the small farm he had grown up on.
Russia became democratic after the War, but their foreign policy quickly shifted in the 1970 election, with the formation of their alliance block. Increased censorship and totalitarianism took hold. This lasted for over 30 years before tensions eased and the Russian society became more free and open once more. Their aspirations for Empire dwindled in the 2010's, replaced instead by a desire to become more integrated into the global community and market.
The US began its Space Program in 1949 as the USSA (United States Space Agency). It began as high altitude rocket planes, but led quickly to ground-based rockets. The US achieved the first satellite in 1954, after several attempts failed spectacularly. In 1955, the UNOSA (United Nations Organization Space Agency) was born, funded by over a dozen countries. The first man was put into space-- an American named John Glenn --in 1956, after a chimp named Ozzie successfully left the atmosphere.
The next stage, putting a man into orbit and bringing him back again, was achieved in 1958. This was quickly outdone by the first EVA (extravehicular activity) in '59. Progress continued, and several more countries founded their own independent space agencies, including Russia, China, Japan, and India.
The healthy competition led to more breakthroughs, including landing the first man on the moon. American Neil Idhrendur became the first man to set foot on the moon in 1965, uttering the immortal words: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". More landings would follow, including several by China.
The Earth Space Station (ESS) was created in 1971 by the UNO, and it was jointly operated by a dozen members of the UNO. As science improved, it became obvious that the earth is not infinite; the resources will not last forever, and the planet will eventually die. For the future of mankind to be secured, humans must reach beyond the solar system and colonize planets in other parts of the galaxy.
The Moon Station was created in 2008 by the UNO, and it is used as a staging ground for the Mars Missions. The first Mars Mission (called Orion) was in 2012, where 3 men and 2 women landed on the surface and conducted several experiments. Orion II brought 6 people to Mars, this time at the north pole. The third sought to understand the core mechanics of the planet. Now, in 2017, the 4th mission is set to launch. This one will be a long-term mission aimed at experimenting with a human's ability to survive on an alien planet for years at a time. Also, a new Telescope station called the Bubble Space Telescope, which uses new mapping technology 100 times better than anything else in use, is on the prowl for potentially life-supporting planets in the nearby solar systems. Thus far, no confirmed life has been found.
No artificial probe has yet left the galaxy to explore other parts of the universe, but the invention of the new Promethion engine, capable to running off of nearly only electricity, will change this. Although nowhere near powerful enough to help humans get to the stars, the Promethion engine is a predecessor in a long line of engines that will eventually lead to the Ion Drive. For now, humans must be content with cheap, but weak, thrust.
They must make do with the galaxy they have before they can take the next great step in human evolution.
(That is an unfortunate nickname for totally not NASA.)
Sancronis left office in 1962. His administration was among the most successful in modern history, having firmly established America's role on the world stage, revitalizing the domestic economy, overseeing sweeping social reforms, and continuing the space program begun under President Forster. As he left office, he made known his desire to see a man set foot on the moon by the end of the decade, specifically an American astronaut. TBC set up UNOSA, and Ellie negotiated a lasting partnership between USSA and UNOSA. This led to an era of innovation, as countries worked together and competed to leave their mark in space, with America and China leading the pack (but mostly America).
As election season revved up, the usual rumors came around again. But this time, they were true. Phoenix officially announced his campaign for the presidency in February. He handily won the party primaries and clinched the nomination. His general election opponent, though, was a challenging one. He had a distinguished service record, like Phoenix's, but he was younger. Although his platform was very similar to Phoenix's, he managed to keep himself afloat by always pointing out Phoenix's age and Ellie's job at the UNO, claiming Phoenix was too old for the job and Ellie would create a conflict of interest.
However, Phoenix easily won the election with a landslide. The Zen administration would see a continuation of Forster's and Sancronis' foreign policy abroad, with strong support for democratic traditions and the maintaining of global peace. At home, Phoenix passed comprehensive social reforms. The cornerstones of such reforms were his "War on Poverty" program, which would establish a modern welfare system, expand healthcare, and overhaul education, and the Civil Rights Act, which would give all Americans, regardless of their background and origins, an equal opportunity to work, contribute to society, and participate in the democratic process. Elements of these programs remain a cornerstone of American politics and society today.
Phoenix handily won reelection in 1966, with Neil Idhrendur's (the son of his wartime friend in the China campaign, General Idhrendur) 1965 moonwalk helping out. In his second term, he continued the trajectory he took in his first term, using his next four years to continue his goal of making a "Great Society," a new America which was free of prejudice and inequality. He would not live to see that new America. In 1969, while he was visiting his father's hometown in Britain after touring the Great War memorials in France, he was assassinated by a Picardian nationalist. His funeral would be attended by dozens of American politicians and generals, among them Forster, Sancronis, TBC, and the many fellow officers he befriended and helped out over the years, and foreign dignitaries, like retired President Zhen. Ellie gave the eulogy at his memorial service, hailing Phoenix as one of the best of the "Greatest Generation," the generation of American heroes who won the war. After receiving a 21-gun salute, Phoenix was buried at the National Cemetery, where all of America's war heroes were buried. He would be the first modern president to be buried there.
Ellie outlived Phoenix by several years. By then, her duties at the UNO had been winding down for some time, as she prepared to retire and to train her successor. Her last acts as UNO ambassador were to broker the treaty leading to the establishment of the ESS and to help negotiate the peace deal ending the Cambodian war of 1973, with her last appearance before the General Assembly later that year to warn about the increasing dangers of climate change. She passed away in 1974, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
With America at peace for the time being, the next few generations of Zens went into politics, beginning an influential political dynasty. Phillip Zen, Phoenix's eldest son, became a long-serving senator in Congress, gaining a reputation for always seeking the best compromise for all sides and his constituents. Phoenix's other children, who had settled throughout the country, served variously as House representatives, senators, cabinet members, department heads, national security advisers, chiefs of staff (both in the White House and the Joint Chiefs), federal judges, chief justices, and state governors. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren would follow in the same tradition, though many more of their generations went into academia, finance, or aerospace instead of traditional politics. Some served in America's wars in Persia, with great distinction. Others became astronauts. Others published award-winning papers and made ground-breaking scientific discoveries. Others wrote critically acclaimed books. Still others shaped America's economic and financial policy for decades to come.
As 2018 rolled around, the usual rumors began to swirl. Aided by social media, cable news, and a stagnant print media eager for the glory days of Phoenix and Ellie's columns, they were more intense this time around. It didn't help that the Democratic Party had suffered crippling losses in both presidential and midterm elections since 2000 following a scandal by a Democratic administration in the 1990s, sweeping them from decades in power. Many Zen politicians lost their reelection bids, and many more were forced to resign after they were targeted by corruption investigations (some of them fairly, some not). The new administrations and congressional supermajoritie, their public image boosted by the successfully negotiated detente with Russia, passed sweeping legislations inteneded to bring "change and revival" for America, though what happened only fulfilled the former. After almost twenty years, the people decided they'd had enough.
A Zen hadn't been president since Phoenix in the 1960s, but that didn't stop speculation from wondering if one of America's most prominent political families was going to step in and fix this mess. Rumors swirled a younger Zen was now going to follow in their ancestor's footsteps and bring the change the American people wanted. But who?
All eyes settled on a young woman. Her name was Heidi Zen. A young thirty-something graduate of TBC University with a dual degree in economics and international relations, she had little experience in politics, despite her family ties. But this was an advantage. Distant from the rest of the family, she wasn't tied down by the scandals plaguing her relatives, and she wasn't even wealthy like the rest of them. Without decades of experience cutting deals in political backrooms, she wasn't afraid to speak her mind and bluntly point out what was wrong in America society.
It didn't take long for people to notice her. Attack dogs from her enemies began calling her naive, inexperienced, and even worse names. She didn't care about their words. At first, she didn't want to run. But gradually, operatives from the Democratic Party approached her, telling her they could connect her with wealthy donors to support her campaign. She shocked them by rejecting the offer and then rejecting an offer from her family to do the same thing. If she was going to run, she would do it on her own terms. As soon as her words were published in the newspapers and online, the donations began pouring in. The internet, doing what it always did, organized into two sides, for and against her. Eventually, the for side began overwhelming the against side, expanding her online presence from her personal blog and social media handles to places she never thought she'd reach. It was clear what the people wanted.
Although she didn't expect or want it, America was now behind her. It was time to fulfill Phoenix Zen's dream of the Great Society.
(A great conclusion to a great megacampaign. Here's hoping to the future!)
The perfect bow to cap off this megacampaign. And hey, Britain still exists so you kept the spirit of the entire narrative alive while keeping America in the lead. Looking forward to whatever comes next.
The perfect bow to cap off this megacampaign. And hey, Britain still exists so you kept the spirit of the entire narrative alive while keeping America in the lead. Looking forward to whatever comes next.
