TR wins in 1912

[Hash]

France? Greece? Italy? Spain? Bulgaria? Romania?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

This is the map as of 1943; remember, only the UK, Austria-Germany, and Yugoslavia have actually entered the war:


Allies, Axis, Neutral in gray

[Хahar 🤔]

Thanks for the spoiler.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Thanks for the spoiler.

This is as of January, 1943.  Some things may actually change.

[Хahar 🤔]

Thanks for the spoiler.

This is as of January, 1943.  Some things may actually change.

Well, East Prussia should be red.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Thanks for the spoiler.

This is as of January, 1943.  Some things may actually change.

Well, East Prussia should be red.

East Prussia has noted your suggestion.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

An interesting update Ben, as I would expect.

There is an error on your map. Whilst it shows that Italy is apart of the Allies in the Second World War, Sardinia an island of Italy is a member of the Axis. Is Sardinia it's own nation now or did the Axis annex it?

BTW: I assume that John Curtin of the Australian Labor Party, is Prime Minister of Australia?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

An interesting update Ben, as I would expect.

There is an error on your map. Whilst it shows that Italy is apart of the Allies in the Second World War, Sardinia an island of Italy is a member of the Axis. Is Sardinia it's own nation now or did the Axis annex it?

BTW: I assume that John Curtin of the Australian Labor Party, is Prime Minister of Australia?

Thank you for the compliment.

It is an error; Sardinia is a part of Italy, and follows what Italy does.

Austrlia remains unchanged from OTL.

[Хahar 🤔]

Thanks for the spoiler.

This is as of January, 1943.  Some things may actually change.

Well, East Prussia should be red.

East Prussia has noted your suggestion.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Thanks for the spoiler.

This is as of January, 1943.  Some things may actually change.

Well, East Prussia should be red.

East Prussia has noted your suggestion.

It's a joke.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Just wondering, why isn't Ireland neutral in the Second World War like in RL?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Just wondering, why isn't Ireland neutral in the Second World War like in RL?

Their policy is neutral, but they are ready to help the UK if it becomes absolutely necessary.

[Hash]

What's the situation in Canada?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

What's the situation in Canada?

Canada remains unchanged from OTL.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

When Congress reconvenes in 1943, the War in Europe is going well.  In early February, 1943, there is a coup in Yugoslavia, with the formerly pro-German government executed for war crimes, and a government called the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, with Josip Broz Tito as the Prime Minister.  Tito’s first act as Prime Minister is to withdraw all Yugoslavian troops from the fighting, vowing to remain neutral for the remainder of the war.

In the days following Yugoslavia’s withdrawal from the War, two countries enter the War on the Axis’ side: Hungary and Bulgaria.  Hungary had long been aching to enter the War, and avenge the US for its 20 year occupation.  Bulgaria, meanwhile, had also wanted to enter the War, hoping that, if they won, they could occupy Yugoslavia and Romania.  Within days, however, the Allies countered, as France, Italy, and Albania officially enter the War on the Allied side, sending in large numbers of troops.

In early May, Hitler, having suffered several consecutive defeats along the border with France, travels privately to Yalta, in the Crimean Peninsula, to meet with Soviet Premier Josef Stalin.  Hitler attempts to convince Stalin to join on his side, by promising him that, if the Axis wins, Stalin can have complete control over Eastern Europe, except for Hungary, which will remain free, and Romania and Yugoslavia, which have been promised to Bulgaria.  Stalin promises to consider the offer, although nothing is set in stone.

By mid July, Hitler’s need had become desperate, as on June 6, 1943, following nearly 18 months of fighting, the Palestinian government was overthrown by forces led jointly by George Marshal and Yigael Yadin.  Every member of the Palestinian government flees the country, seeking political asylum in Lebanon, with the Lebanese government refusing to send them back to the newly established State of Israel for trial as war criminals.  The State of Israel bordered Lebanon in the north, Syria in the northeast, Jordan in the east, and Egypt on the southwest.  However, it did not claim control over the West Bank and Gaza Strip, officially leaving that territory for Arabs who wished to leave Israel to settle.

On June 10, 1943, the Israeli government, with David Ben-Gurion as Prime Minister, announces that it will not send any troops into the War in Europe, despite the continued presence and help of American troops in Israel, notably on the country’s borders.  Israel will continue to defend itself over the next several months, as the Palestinian leaders in Lebanon continue to claim true authority over the region.

On July 9, 1943, Stalin meets with Hitler again, to discuss the USSR’s possible entry into the War.  Hitler reiterates his previous promises, and on July 10, 1943, the USSR officially enters the War, on the Axis side.  However, on July 20, in the first major battle since the USSR’s entry, Hitler suffers a major defeat, as an American bombing campaign leaves most of western Germany, from the border with the Netherlands down to the border with Italy, totally devastated.  Included in the damage is the city of Munich, which the bombers had gone out of their way to damage.

On August 4, a ground invasion, using troops from the US, UK, France, Italy, and Belgium, begins in Germany.  On August 13, they reach Berlin, and Hitler is forced to flee to Vienna, where he takes up temporary residence.  On August 20, in a statement broadcast throughout the United States, President Roosevelt announces that the country of Germany has officially fallen to US troops, that Hitler is in Austria, and that troops, led by General Eisenhower, are in pursuit.  He predicts that the War will be over by January, 1944.

Following this prediction, however, things go downhill for the Allies.  On September 7, 1943, Soviet troops break through, and begin official occupation of Poland.  On October 2, Soviet and Bulgarian troops take Romania.  By November 1, all of Eastern Europe, from Estonia to Romania, are under Soviet control.  In Austria, Eisenhower’s efforts to apprehend Hitler continue to fail, and Eisenhower begins to consider removing his troops, to concentrate on holding Germany.

In Israel, though, prospects are improving.  In early August, Lebanon, with the Palestinian leaders at its head, attempt to invade Israel, and, following almost a month of nonstop fighting, the Lebanese troops are repelled, a major victory for Israel.  In September, they are able to repel an attempted invasion by Egypt, and for a while, at least, their security seems safe.

In his State of the Union speech on January 27, 1944, President Roosevelt announces that he will seek a third term as President.  He also notes that the War in Europe can still be won, if the American people do not lose faith.  In Congress, however, people are starting to lose their faith.  Senator Burton Wheeler (P-MT), already a critic, decries the War as the “greatest foreign policy blunder in American history.”  Senator Robert Taft (R-OH), declares, “We have allowed the Soviets to enslave all of Eastern Europe, for nothing!”  President Roosevelt, however, in unconcerned with the criticism.

In February, 1944, Senator Wheeler of Montana announces that he will seek the Progressive nomination for President.  He blasts Roosevelt, stating that “In a Wheeler Presidency, no American boys will be sent to die in foreign wars!”

The 1944 Presidential Election

As the Progressive Primaries being on March 7, Senator Wheeler is the only candidate running, and has the nomination locked up.  President Roosevelt is likewise unopposed; only the Republicans have a multi candidate field.

The 1944 Progressive National Convention

With Senator Wheeler as the only candidate, he unanimously nominated.  He selects Senator Robert LaFollette Jr. of Wisconsin as his running mate.

The 1944 Democratic National Convention

There is no opposition to Roosevelt, although Vice President Bankhead declines to seek another term.  In his place, Roosevelt selects Claude Pepper of Florida to be his new running mate.

The 1944 Republican National Convention

Despite repeated efforts to draft Senator Taft of Ohio, two candidates declare for the race: 1940 VP nominee Warren Austin of Vermont, and Dwight H. Green of Illinois.  After ten ballots, Green is nominated.  He selects Governor Raymond E. Baldwin of Connecticut as his running mate.

The 1944 Presidential Election

Despite President Roosevelt’s popularity, the election is expected to be close.  A poll by Time Magazine in July shows the 57% of voters are tired of the War in Europe, despite a poll showing 91% of Americans want an Allied victory.  On election day, however, Roosevelt wins, although by a narrower margin than in 1936 and 1940.

Franklin Roosevelt/Claude Pepper: 38% PV, 284 EV
Burton Wheeler/Robert LaFollette Jr.: 34% PV, 126 EV
Dwight Green/Raymond Baldwin: 28% PV, 121 EV

The 1944 Congressional Elections

With the first close election in years, Congressional turnout is way up.  This plays to the advantage of the Democrats, who are able to stop the bleeding in Congressional races, holding their majority firm.

House Results:
Democrats: 232 (+1)
Progressives: 112 (+12)
Republicans: 70 (+10)
Farmer-Labor: 21 (-23)

Senate Results:
Democrats: 55 (-)
Progressives: 30 (+1)
Republicans: 5 (-)
Populist: 4 (-1)
Farmer-Labor: 2 (+1)

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The Fourth Term on Franklin Roosevelt

In his Inaugural Address, Roosevelt spends the entire speech justifying continued US involvement in Europe.  “This world, as I have said again, and again, and again, must be made safe for democracy, not just for our generation, but for generations to come!”  Despite his forceful words, onlookers  are shocked at the President’s appearance.  The President, despite being just 63 years old, looks like a man on the verge of death.  His once vigorous step falters, and he is supported by his son James, now a Democratic Congressman from California.  It is whispered that the President will not survive his term.

On April 1, 1945, Justice Julian Mack dies of a stroke.  President Roosevelt appoints Henry White Edgerton to replace him.

On April 30, 1945, the nation of China, led by Chiang Kai-shek, officially enters the war on the Allied side.  In return, Roosevelt sends General Douglas McArthur to help defeat the Chinese Communists.  The entry of China is welcomed by all the Allies, who had recently suffered a series of setbacks, including the entry of Turkey on the Axis side.  In a letter to Roosevelt dated May 3, 1945, General Eisenhower comments, “You will need to find some final solution, one fell swoop, in order to end this war.  The Soviets are resolved, and the Fuehrer continues to elude capture.”

On June 19, 1945, Justice John Warren Davis retires from the Supreme Court.  Roosevelt appoints Peter Woodbury to replace him.

By late July, things begin to turn around in Europe.  On July 19, 1945, General Eisenhower, along with a significant number of troops from Kai-shek, break through in Austria, and on August 3, President Roosevelt announces that the country of Austria has fallen to the Allies, although Hitler appears to have escaped again, most likely ending up in Czechoslovakia, although it is possible that he has reached the USSR, and has been taken in by Stalin.

On August 18, in Hyde Park, New York, President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, and Generalissimo Kai-shek meet to discuss the post war rebuilding of Europe.  Both Churchill and Kai-shek push for aggressive warfare against the USSR, although Roosevelt has other ideas.  He thinks it would be foolish to fight the USSR separately, after fighting Germany.  Instead, the Troika decide to fight to fronts at once: a front in Western Europe, as far east as Turkey, commanded by General Eisenhower, and another front in Eastern Europe, starting in Poland, and continuing as far north as Estonia and into the USSR, commanded by Kai-shek.  The plan is agreed to, and General Eisenhower, when informed, agrees that this is the best possible plan for a quick victory.

On December 25, while celebrating Christmas with his family, President Roosevelt suffers a fairly severe stroke.  By the time he gets to the hospital, he is in a coma, although alive.  Vice President Pepper is informed, and is told that he will be acting as President until the President can recover.  On January 7, after 13 days, President Roosevelt wakes up from the coma, and asks for the Vice President.  In an address broadcast live on national radio, Roosevelt says that “My good friend Claude will be temporarily taking over, while I recover from this minor roadblock.  I can assure you, though, that I will be back and messing things up in no time.”

The next day, Pepper calls Congress into special session, and submits a Constitutional Amendment to them, clarifying exactly what his role is.  The Amendment is passed quickly, and on May 9, it is ratified by the necessary states to become law.

On January 30, 1946, President Roosevelt makes his first appearance since his stroke.  He is in a wheelchair, and gives his State of the Union sitting down.  However, he is in good spirits, and announces that he will return to work on February 1, 1946.  He thanks Pepper for his good work, and says that Pepper will make a great President someday.

On March 3, 1946, the Troika meet again in Hyde Park.  Eisenhower has informed them that the Western Front is almost won; his forces have taken everywhere except for Turkey, where he is making significant progress, and expects to have taken Turkey by June.

Kai-shek, meanwhile, is enjoying similar progress.  He has taken Poland, and has decided to invade the heart of the USSR.  He hopes to have taken Stalingrad by mid July, although he is also asking for a potential bombing campaign.  The Troika decide against bombing, at least for the moment.

On June 2, 1946, Chief Justice McReynolds dies of a stroke.  President Roosevelt elevates Justice Black to the Chief Justice position, and appoints Sherman Minton to replace Black’s seat.

On July 1, 1946, the Kai-shek asks again for a bombing campaign on Russia, declaring that it is necessary in order to win.  However, Roosevelt and Churchill refuse, and Kai-shek drops the idea.  On July 10, Eisenhower invades Ankara, and is shocked to discover Adolf Hitler hiding in the Hacı Bayram Mosque, where he had apparently been hiding for months.  Eisenhower phones President Roosevelt, who is delighted to hear the news, despite it being 3 AM in Washington.

The next day, the nation of Austria-Germany officially surrenders.  Hitler is then extradited to London, where he will be tried for war crimes.

However, the war on the Eastern Front is still going on, with no signs of stopping.

The 1946 Congressional Elections

As always happens in the last 2 years of an Administration, the Democrats were expected to lose seats.  However, Hitler’s capture and the end of the War in the West seem to stop the bleeding, and the Democrats lose only 2 seats in the House, and 1 in the Senate.  In the Senate, however, things even out, as James Roosevelt, son of the President, is elected to the Senate.

House Results:
Democrats: 230 (-2)
Progressives: 114 (+2)
Republicans: 73 (+3)
Farmer-Labor: 18 (-3)

Senate Results:
Democrats: 55 (-)
Progressives: 30 (-)
Republicans: 5 (-)
Populist: 4 (-)
Farmer-Labor: 2 (+)

[Stranger in a strange land]

Minor nitpick: Asian names are normally written with the surname first, so Chiang Kai-shek's surname is Chiang, not Kai-shek, Mao Zedong's surname is Mao, not Zedong, etc. The exception is for westernized Asians and some of those who have risen to prominence in the West, such as Yo-yo Ma, Yunjin Kim, and others. Zhang Ziyi is confusingly referred to as both Zhang Ziyi and Ziyi Zhang.

[Хahar 🤔]

Minor nitpick: Asian names are normally written with the surname first, so Chiang Kai-shek's surname is Chiang, not Kai-shek, Mao Zedong's surname is Mao, not Zedong, etc. The exception is for westernized Asians and some of those who have risen to prominence in the West, such as Yo-yo Ma, Yunjin Kim, and others. Zhang Ziyi is confusingly referred to as both Zhang Ziyi and Ziyi Zhang.

Don't forget that Ben Constine referred to Kim Jong-il as "Il".

I really do hope for his sake that he never mentions Bengalis by surname in this TL.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

On January 8, 1947, in a nationally broadcast speech on the radio, President Roosevelt announces that, on January 13, Adolf Hitler will be put on trial in London, for war crimes.  Roosevelt announces that each of the major Allies, the US, UK, France, and China, will send 1 prosecutor, 1 Alternate, and 1 Judge.

On January 14, 61 year old Francis Biddle begins the prosecution for the Allied Powers.  He charges that Hitler conspired with Chancellor Göring to wage a war of aggression against the free world, and when Göring refused, Hitler had him assassinated.  Biddle also charges that Hitler violated numerous treaties with his conduct of the war, and that he tortured POW’s captured during the war, killing them if they refused to answer him, or after their knowledge had been taken.  After making his initial case, Biddle and his fellow prosecutors take questions from the Judges.

On February 7, 1947, Hitler’s defence begins.  Hitler chooses to defend himself, which turns out to be a poor decision.  Hitler is not a lawyer, and that becomes painfully obvious, as he whines about being persecuted because he is German.  On February 12, he gets into a shouting match with Biddle, and has to be restrained from punching him.

On March 1, the Judges remove themselves to a secluded home for deliberations.  Less than 12 hours later, they return a guilty verdict on charges of war crimes, participation in a common plan or conspiracy for the accomplishment of crime against peace, and crimes against humanity.  He is sentenced to death by hanging.

When a guard goes to accompany Hitler to his execution the next morning, Hitler is found dead in his room, having apparently taken a cyanide capsule during the night.  He is buried in an unmarked grave in London, which to this day remains hidden.

Despite the trial, on the Eastern Front, things are going poorly.  In China, there is a continued revolution, and, despite the US troops, the Communists are gaining ground.  On July 17, 1947, Kai-shek decides to withdraw almost 80% of his troops to focus on defeating the Communists.

With the Chinese no longer in significant numbers, the Allies are unable to continue the Eastern War, and withdraw.  The USSR is then able to set up puppet governments, despite calls from anti-Communists to keep fighting.  However, President Roosevelt ends all resistance in his State of the Union on January 17, 1948, when he declares that it would take an invasion of the USSR to continue the war.

On February 20, 1948, President Roosevelt announces that he will not seek a fourth term as President.  This throws the Presidential race wide open.

On March 8, the troika of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Charles de Gaulle of France meet in Paris to discuss post-war Europe.  It is decided that they will not occupy any countries, as that led to disaster.  Instead, they will allow the countries to rebuild themselves, although they will give economic aid.  The plan is agreed to, and the war torn European nations begin the process of rebuilding.

The 1948 Presidential Election

Without President Roosevelt, there are multiple candidates in every race.

The 1948 Progressive National Convention

On February 5, 1948, Senator Robert LaFollette Jr. of Wisconsin announces for the Presidency.  The next day, Governor Henry Wallace of Iowa also declares for the race.

1948 Progressive Primaries:

March 12th (Wisconsin)
Wisconsin: LaFollette 86%, Wallace 14%

March 19th (Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Oklahoma)
Alabama: LaFollette 53%, Wallace 47%
Arkansas: Wallace 52%, LaFollette 48%
Iowa: Wallace 95%, LaFollette 5%
Maine: Wallace 56%, LaFollette 44%
New Hampshire: LaFollette 58%, Wallace 42%
New Jersey: Wallace 51%, LaFollette 49%
Oklahoma: Wallace 50%, LaFollette 50%

March 26th  (Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas)
Arizona: Wallace 54%, LaFollette 46%
California: Wallace 68%, LaFollette 32%
Colorado: Wallace 55%, LaFollette 45%
Delaware: Wallace 57%, LaFollette 43%
Florida: Wallace 53%, LaFollette 47%
Georgia: Wallace 71%, LaFollette 29%
Massachusetts: Wallace 51%, LaFollette 49%
Virginia: Wallace 66%, LaFollette 34%
Texas: LaFollette 51%, Wallace 49%

With party elders asking him to drop out, LaFollette drops out on March 27th and endorses Wallace.  Wallace selects Senator Glen Taylor of Idaho as his running mate.

The 1948 Democratic National Convention

Entering the Convention, it is clear that Roosevelt wants Vice President Pepper to be the nominee, and he is given the nomination, selecting Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney of Wyoming to be his running mate.

The 1948 Republican National Convention

After refusing to be drafted in 1944, Senator Taft, son of the President, decides to run for President.  He selects Senator Chan Gurney of South Dakota as his running mate.

The 1948 Presidential Election

From day 1, the election is set to be close.  A poll on September 8th, shows Pepper at 31%, Wallace at 28%, Taft at 27%, and 14% undecided.  However, with a week to go, Roosevelt does intensive campaigning in key states, and narrowly swings the election to Pepper.  For the first time since 1908, the GOP finishes 2nd in a 3 way race.

Claude Pepper/ Joseph C. O'Mahoney : 35% PV, 298 EV
Robert Taft/Chan Gurney: 33% PV, 153 EV
Henry Wallace/Glen Taylor: 32% PV, 80 EV

The 1948 Congressional Elections

Despite the close election, the Democrats make big gains in Congress.

House Results:
Democrats: 258 (+28)
Progressives: 80 (-34)
Republicans: 80 (+7)
Farmer-Labor: 17 (-1)

Senate Results:
Democrats: 61 (+6)
Progressives: 20 (-10)
Republicans: 10 (+5)
Populist: 3 (-1)
Farmer-Labor: 2 (-)

[Hash]

1. Is France under the Third Republic, GPRF, or Fourth Republic at this point?
2. What did de Gaulle do in the war?
3. What is the current government of France (as in, parties, leaders etc.)?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

1. Is France under the Third Republic, GPRF, or Fourth Republic at this point?

France is under the Fourth Republic, which in OTL is called the Fifth Republic.

2. What did de Gaulle do in the war?

de Gaulle served as Commander-in-Chief of the French military, working closely with General Eisenhower on the Western Front.

3. What is the current government of France (as in, parties, leaders etc.)?

de Gaulle is President, Michel Debré is Prime Minister, and the major Parties are: UNR, and Socialist.

[Hash]

So they skipped the Fourth Republic altogether and de Gaulle came to power? Very, Very unlikely.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

So they skipped the Fourth Republic altogether and de Gaulle came to power? Very, Very unlikely.

de Gaulle came to power through the military; it was decided that they wanted a military man to be in the Presidency, and so they picked de Gaulle.

[Hash]

So they skipped the Fourth Republic altogether and de Gaulle came to power? Very, Very unlikely.

de Gaulle came to power through the military; it was decided that they wanted a military man to be in the Presidency, and so they picked de Gaulle.

Which is very unlikely, too. [and who is "they"? the military?. Doubtful they would have done that after a war. The PCF, MRP, SFIO and so forth wouldn't live peacefully with a coup.]

[Хahar 🤔]

And Hitler would have defended himself quite well. His trial in the 1920s propelled him to stardom.