“When the winds of change blow, some build walls and others build windmills”
Starting Date: January 1st, 1990
After the end of the Great War, the world order created by its victors has shied away from such massive, global conflicts between nations. Instead, the various powers of Earth consolidated their own power blocs to pursue common interests. Communism and Integralism, a far-right, worker’s based ideology, sprung up and challenged what might have been a peaceful, democratic world in the aftermath of the World War. The USSR asserted its ability to exert its influence in the Pacific War, which saw Japan’s empire crippled. Brazil, a major Integralist power, has been slowly overtaking the stagnating as the leader of integralism, and Integralism has reared its face as Catholic movements in Europe struggle against modern liberalism. Most importantly of all, however, smaller nations that were once pinned down are resisting their masters to escape their oppressive spheres of influence. As ideologies and power blocs, only one thing is certain. The winds of change are blowing, and the empires of old will adapt or die.
Welcome to 1990: The Winds of Change, an alternate history RP made by myself with the help of many people on Cobalt Network. Not only does it work to tell a story of “what-ifs”but to tell the story of a unique world, similar to our own but different in many ways. In this RP, you’ll be playing the role of a nation and be tasked with managing internal and foreign affairs in the face of drastic global change. Much of the lore is pre-determined, but so long as it doesn’t contradict anything in the OP, has a POD in the 1860s, and is realistic, you’ll be fine. Keep in mind, however, that you are running a “real” nation, this isn’t Hoi4. The government’s actions must be realistic for the type of government, and keep in mind the state of the populace. They can, and will, revolt depending on how you run things. So long as you keep in mind the ideology of your government and your people, however, you should be fine.
There is no United Nations, League of Nations, etc., so there is no “organized”, legal way of sanctioning a nation. Don’t act like this gives you a free hand. You won’t be sanctioned for your government type, but if you act cruelly and do something and heinous as genociding your own people, you’re at major risk for sanction or invasion. If it isn’t in the name of human rights, it’ll be in the name of natural resources. Morality and imperial interests will always exist, so you shouldn’t be surprised when your oil-rich, genocidal dictatorship ends up with an Abrams parked in the backyard.
Current Conflicts
Destabilization is creeping in Mexico and parts of Central America, with the stagnation of the USA resulting in newfound freedoms for its sphere of influence. This is the first time in decades the region has been anything short of de facto protectorates, and because of it, people are demanding full independence for their nations. Everyone from drug cartels to rebel groups wants to take advantage of this, though so far, the worse is yet to come.
The solidification of France's influence in the Sahara had some benefits for the local population, who have more access to jobs, housing, and medicine than they would have had likewise. Most of the population has been content with this, and along with the French intelligence agencies, has prevented any massive revolutions. However, this doesn't mean that the French are loved by the populace. Islamic terror groups hide among the civilian populace in the Sahara, always waiting for their chance to strike.
Artificial borders have caused more than a few problems for Africa, with many nations there having at least some sort of insurrection. This is a problem most of all within the Republic of Zaire, if it can even be called a nation. For decades the nation has been ravaged by civil war, and is controlled by warlords backing a puppet president who has no power. Worst of all is the involvement of foreign corporations in this, who gladly buy resources cheaply and commit atrocious acts against the natives while funding whichever warlord gives them the best option. In the southern half of the continent, Rhodesia and South Africa's attempts at reform have done little to placate the natives, and there is a rebellion brewing in their nations. Brazil has prevented rebels from using Angola or Mozambique as bases, but regardless, this wont prevent them from descending into civil war if it comes to it.
The issue of artificial borders is not limited to Africa either. Europe has seen far less separatist violence, but there are many factions within Central and Eastern Europe that would much rather see their nations become independent. This has been further increased by cultural assimilation, with nationalists becoming frightened of their language and culture dying off. This could easily escalate into wars of independence if left uncheck, though whether they would succeed, depends. The middle east's diversity has depended from nation to nation, with some nations having their ethnicities live in peace and harmony while others are on the verge of ethnic cleansing.
Japan's attempts at solidifying its empire and rebuilding its armed forces are seen as potential flashpoints by the international community. Korean and Filipino nationalists are growing more radical by the second due to Japanese plots of assimilation, and the recent installment of a half-Japanese "Korean" in Korea has heightened this anger. If left unchecked, Japan could either remerge as a new power with non-Japanese under its heels, or be forced to retreat to its home islands as its satellites declare independence.
