"Conscription is the vitality of a nation, the purification of its morality, and the real foundations of all its habits."
--- Napoleon Bonaparte
Discussion between Josef Stalin and Mikhail Tukhachevsky
April 27th, 1936
Kremlin, Moscow, Soviet Union
Josef Stalin:
For the last four months we have filled our people with bread, sated them with vodka, filled their homes with fine things, and placed in their hearts great satisfaction. This was not a petty exercise in indulgence. It was a preparation. A poor man strives to be wealthy, but he will not die to make it so. A wealthy man made poor, however, shall fight to the death to restore his position. So it is with the people. Having been given their fill of life, the Soviet people will fight vigorously to defend their nation.
We shall now reveal to the world a powerful secret. It was discovered in late December of last year, only now will it be shared. We have uncovered ancient Byzantine artifacts detailing the decisions of Constantine the Great. His personal bible, diary, and other writings are in our hands. A grand museum in Moscow will be unveiled on May 1st and a declaration shall be made to the world that Soviet archeologists have uncovered ancient texts which prove, definitively and without doubt, that the whole of modern Christianity is a sham of collosal proportions.
This revelation will not be taken lightly in the West. I anticipate it will lay the seeds of deep divisions amongst their people. Perhaps enough friction will be created to throw the world into war. We must be prepared for this.
I have brought you here today to seek your counsel. We have in our possession a mighty army deployed defensively along our Western border. I have made special arrangements for peace in the East. We now have the industrial strength and energized workers to expand our mighty army in a direction of our choosing. How shall we proceed?
Mikhail Tukhachevsky:
Comrade Stalin, I have spoken extensively with our own generals and with several officers in the German army. I believe that the future of war will be decided by the tank. The Germans are developing a new strategic doctrine called the Blitzkreig, or Lightning War. Under this strategy, armored divisions are used in concentrated attacks to break through the enemy lines, encircle his slow moving infantry forces, and then strangle them. I believe this strategy will shape the future of warfare. We have but four armored divisions at our command. These must be expanded greatly.
However, we must first modernize the army that we have. Our infantry are burdened by obsolete equipment and tactics. They must be enhanced before we begin production on new armored divisions.
Josef Stalin:
I agree, Mikhail. I shall take the necessary steps to modernize. How long do you think this process will take?
Mikhail Tukhachevsky:
At least six months, Comrade Stalin. Perhaps more.
Josef Stalin:
Then we shall begin immediately. Inform the armaments board of your needs as soon as they can be drawn up.....
(Italy annexed Ethiopia)
(Dissent reached zero...FINALLY!)
(Army completely redeployed across Eastern frontier; heavily against Finland)
(5 spies operating domestically. KGB still growing)