So, hello again...as promised here's Part One of the Epilogue of this AAR after doing my best to remember what happened...it will just be a basic chronology of important events which, yeah I'm still not happy about having to do it this way but its still better than not ending it at all so here we go...
Epilogue Part 1 (1934-1936)
1934
- In France, a series of demonstrations in February lead to an attempted Far-Right Coup that is defeated by Police in Paris.
1935
- After a Plebiscite the Saarland is transferred from French control to that of the German Republic. There are protests in Berlin for denying Saarlanders the option to rejoin the Kaiserreich instead of the French-puppet Republic which is seen as no different.
- The work programs and reforms by Chancellor von Lettow-Vorbeck have successfully brought unemployment down below 5%...much lower than their Allied counterparts.
- The Anglo-German Naval Agreement is signed between the British & German Empires, allowing the Kaiserliche Marine to possess a Navy 1/3 of the tonnage of their British couterparts. British concerns regarding the rising political extremism in France as well as the increasing power of the Soviet Union are believed to be their main reasons for negotiating this agreement with the Germans.
- Italian leader Benito Mussolini decides to try to regain some of his lost prestige by Invading Abyssinia from his East African colonies. Mussolini is condemned by the League of Nations but ultimately no action is taken against him...once again showing how weak the League is. By December the War would be over with Abyssinia annexed into Italian East Africa.
1936
- Britain & France both have to deal with increasing troubles in their Middle Eastern Mandates as there are demonstrations and violence in Palestine & Syria.
- France and the Soviet Union sign a Pact of Mutual Assistance, creating fears in the German Government of being forced into another two-front war, believing that France is going to join the Comintern and launch a joint Invasion of Central Europe along with the Soviet Union.
- These fears lead to Kaiser Wilhelm III proposing to the British a joint Anglo-German Invasion of France to prevent their fall to Communism...the British however see this as Germany seeking to conquer Western Europe for themselves and this sees them reaffirm their alliances with both France & Belgium in the face of "German aggression". Clearly Britain is willing to ally themselves with the hated Communists if it means keeping Germany weak.
- The next French General Elections are held with the Left-Wing coalition gaining more seats and forming a Popular Front Government with Leon Blum as Prime Minister.
- A Civil War breaks out in Spain between the Left-Wing Republican Government and a Coalition of Right-Wing Nationalists supported by the Italians. Germany takes no interest in this conflict as despite having some sympathies for the Nationalists they are unwilling to support Fascists.
- France and the Soviet Union both support the Republicans, causing fresh concerns in Berlin about this increased cooperation.
- Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck steps down as Chancellor and opts to retire and begin writing his memoirs. The Lion of Africa leaves office with unemployment at record lows and national pride at an all time high...it seems to be the end of an extremely illustrious career.
- In the resulting General Election, the Zentrum Party retains power and the Kaiser appoints Konrad Adenauer as the new Chancellor...