The Iron Curtain: A Cold War RP (IC, Open)

[Asardia]

The Iron Curtain: Cold War RP Reboot

"If we let Korea down, the Soviets will keep right on going and swallow up one after another.”
— US President Harry Truman

---

Current Date: April, 1950

---

OOC

World Map

Alliance Map

Indian Civil War Map and Key

---

Once again, conflict arises. The War to end All Wars brought about an era of what was once perceived as perpetual peace, but then we saw the worst war in human history, trumping even the first. The effects of the brutal Second World War can still be felt around the world, five years later. While we were once divided by the struggle between the "Allied" and Axis Powers, we now enter an era of division between communism and capitalism. While major cities still lay in ruins, humanity is on the verge of yet another war; this time, it has the potential to wipe us all out. The Cold War has begun, and with both the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and United States of America possessing nuclear weapons, the third and final war could begin any moment. The year long Berlin Blockade barely prevented a major conflict between the world's super powers, but now that China has fallen to communism, the West fears a domino effect elsewhere. North Korea sets its eyes on uniting the peninsula, setting the stage for the first major confrontation between communism and capitalism.

Rules:
I:No godmodding, meta-gaming or any variant
II:Be realistic
III: Development of nukes will take time. The UK, for example, didn't get one until 1953
IV: Any military movements must be clearly stated here in the OOC, and then explained in the IC (this is to avoid any confusion on invasions, operations etc). In addition, any covert intelligence operations must also be explained in the OOC. If a player is the target of the operations, then consent must be given. If an NPC country is the target, either me, or either of the Co Ops (Dentali or Felan) can respond and grant permission, depending on what's being done.
V: Non Active nations will be assumed to drop out, especially if you're a major one. If you're going to be absent, please let us know so we won't give away your spot. Major nations or nations involved in any discourse will be under the control of me, or either of the Co Ops.
VI: Debates in the OOC need to be kept to a minimum
VII: No inflammatory rhetoric. You will be asked to stop, and then removed from the RP if it continues.
VIII: Being a reboot of a former RP, some nations have already been reserved, thus the "semi-open" tag in the title. New apps are more than welcome, but keep this in mind
IX: This will be historical for the most part. The point of divergence is 1945 for major powers
X: Nations will periodically receive an Event, which is just an incident which needs a response. This will be used when something like a revolution happens, and some things aren't addressed. It's also a way to create content for posts

[Dentali]

.

[The Hoosier Alliance]

Presidente of Guatemala Carlos Castillo Armas walked down the hallway of El Presidencial Palacio, dressed in formal military wear, flanked by two of his generales, and trailed by half a dozen members of El Presidencial Guardia, the elite soldiers tasked with protecting the Presidente, the Palacio, and the capital. They were headed to the briefing room to deal with the situation in northern Guatemala. As the three men entered the room and left their guard detail outside, the ten other men stood and saluted as the Presidente entered and sat when he waved them off. He took his seat at the head of the table and waited as the others settled back into their seats.

"What is the situation with the communists?" Presidente Armas asked, slowly dragging his gaze across each and every man sitting in the room with him.

His question was answered within a moment, "Señor, the communist dogs have seized large portions of the north, digging in before our forces could react in time. As we speak, we are massing our soldiers on the border of their territory. We do not have specifics on the size of their insurrection, but we do know they are limited in their number of arms and lack all forms of aircraft and armor." The man stood and walked off to his left to a board with a map of Guatemala. The map showed rebel controlled territory in red, as well as troop concentrations of government forces and suspected major rebel positions. He picked up a pointer and resumed speaking.

"We believe they have concentrated their forces in the cities of Corban and Huehuetenango. We have stationed eleven thousand men near Huehuetenango and fourteen thousand near Corban. The majority of our armor has been moved to the area around Corban to help with the assault, with the remaining portion going near Huehuetenango." The man was referring, of course, to the one hundred fifty Sherman tanks provided to the Guatemalan regime by the Americans, who also were the ones who had outfitted portions of the Guatemalan Army with M1 Garands and M1 carbines, but provided large numbers of M1903 Springfield bolt action rifles.

"Twenty thousand additional men," he continued, "Will be spread out along the rest of the front and will begin advancing within the week. While the communists have secured large portions of territory early, we are confident we can crush the revolt within a few weeks or months." He looked back at the Presidente nervously, hoping he was taking kindly to the plan developed by his generals.

Presidente Armas nodded and said, "I'm glad you have come up with such a...workable plan. I want the offensive on Corban and Huehuetenango to commence as soon as possible. We cannot allow those dogs to control entire cities. Let it be known that not a single communist prisoner will be taken, all will die in battle or will swing. Dismissed."


Five days later...
Light skirmishing had been constant throughout the days following the communist rebellion that took ahold of the north. No major battles had commenced at this point as both sides geared up their troops for the inevitable offensive. Within a few days, the federal Guatemalan Army was ready to march on their communist adversaries.

Forty-five thousand soldiers began their advance in the early morning. Man men were advancing into forests and jungle and were beset by communist guerrillas the entire way to their objectives. The men marching were harassed, and while many of the federal soldiers fell, they inflicted many casualties on the insurgents as well. By the time they reached villages, towns, and rebel camps, the soldiers were drained of their compassion and enacted brutal repression. Anyone suspected of being a communist, guerrilla, or sympathizer was executed by firing squad or hanging. Due to the guerillas retreating and hiding once the army got too close, there wasn't much of a chance to inflict that punishment on the fighters themselves, so many soldiers took to executed civilians instead, with the hope they were guerillas.

Several skirmishes happened in and around villages and towns occupied by the communist regular forces. The fighting was bloody yet brief, with moderate civilian casualties. The army began to repress the local population and punish the communists, executing them in the streets to demonstrate the "power" of the army and showcasing the punishment for dissent.

Outside the cities of Corban and Huehuetenango, the fighting was more brutal. Army intelligence had been right about most of the rebel forces in the area being concentrated in the two cities. The Guatemalan soldiers got bogged down almost immediately, coming into contact with entrenched positions and determined fighters. The armor proved useful for breaking through enemy lines, but it the Sherman tanks were few and far between, meaning they could only help small sections of the assault advance at a time, greatly inhibiting the attack all together. Government forces were able to secure the countryside surrounding Corban after several days of hard fighting, but suffered many casualties and had to wait for reinforcements to press the attack further.

Outside Huehuetenango, though, the fortunes of the communists was starting to turn. The soldiers tasked with taking the city failed to seize the surrounding area and took heavy casualties in the process. They were forced to retreat from the city outskirts and await reinforcements and aerial bombardment from the small Guatemalan air force. Not wanting to give the government soldiers a chance to recover, the rebels advanced on the army's position. A several day long series of skirmishes and battles followed and ended with thousands dead and forced the army in the area to retreat from rebel territory all together, but also forced the communists to return to Huehuetenango. Their death toll was also great and prevented them from advancing once more, but their attack bought them time and delayed the army's requested bombardment of the city.

Overall, the communist forces were proving difficult to root out. The insurgents in the countryside harassed and skirmished with the army, and the cities remained in control of the communist regulars. Seeing the war was not going to be won as easily as they thought, the government instated conscription and began to increase the size of the army from 78,651 personnel to 110,112. A formal request was made to the American government, asking for additional support in the forms of arms, vehicles, artillery, and munitions.

[Dentali]

Harry Truman
United States
January 1st, 2019



The dawn of a new decade, one still bearing the scars of the Second World War. The great depression had become a memory, families were moving to the suburbs and buying 12 inch TV sets as part of a consumer revolution.

But President Truman’s mind was on the other side of the world. Krea, US troops had withdrawn in 1949 but it was increasingly clear in the wake of the Chinese Civil War that Korea would soon become its own powderkeg and one of the first battlegrounds of this new Cold War. Only a few hundred American officers had remained to train the ROK Army, which had remained stubbornly focused on counterinsurgency despite the border clashes with the North Koreans.

Truman had ordered the defense department to prepare for contingencies regarding a communist invasion of South Korea since before the withdraw. While Truman could not send more troops directly to Korea he could send extra troops, ships and planes to Japan, he also sent anti-tank weapons to South Korea which were at a severe armor disadvantage. The Generals believed it was most likely the Koreans would be led by ethnic Korean veterans of the Chinese Civil War and would involve close to 200k troops in a general assault across the 38th parallel.

Truman had worked with Congress and gotten private commitments from Senate leadership, should war in Korea break out $15 billion would be appropriated for military action. The 7th Fleet would protect the Taiwan strait and air power would only be used to protect the withdrawal of US nationals until international action was sanctioned. Elements from the 24th infantry would be deployed from Japan via air, unfortunately piecemeal, to take positions around Seol. They would slow the KPA advance, taking rearguard actions as the 8th Army deployed. Truman ensured they received more anti-tank weapons and artillery than most other army units but they would still likely be at a severe disadvantage. Eventually the fighting retreat would have a “land stand” fallback line in the Southeast of Korea, the idea being by the time they fell back to that area, the United States and international forces would have been able to deploy its full forces and resources at which point a breakout operation could be conducted.

[Dentali]

TO: Presidente of Guatemala Carlos Castillo Armas
FROM: President Harry Truman
ENCRYPTION: HIGHEST

Presidente I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. The United States is increasingly disturbed by the accounts of Communist insurgents coming out of your country and while we are certain you have the situation well in hand, our nation would like to commitment to an additional $100 million in military aid and another $120 million in economic development aid. This does come with conditions.

1. A commitment to limited free elections in 1952, at minimum for local offices. The office of the Presidency is not expected to hold such but a timetable for an open Presidential election should be established being open to non-communist parties by 1958.

2. A bill of rights for the people of Guatemala regarding legal protections.

3. A commitment to agrarian reform, you must pledge to not give land to large landowners but must commit to land reform policies that favor smaller farms.

4. A free trade agreement with the United States.

[Puertollano]

After the failure of the Berlin Blockade, the Soviet Union seceded authority to the German Democratic Republic, their satellite state in East Germany. The new ruling party of East Germany, the Socialist Unity Party, met in the party headquarters based in East Berlin, the allotted territory given to the USSR after the Potsdam Conference. Unity was strongly emphasized in the name, as it was the quiet long-term goal to re-incorporate Germany into the GDR and create a united Marxist-Leninist homeland. The apparatchiks that represented the numerous facets of the Communist Party conglomerated in the Socialist Party's halls. The official representation was 30% trade unionists, 27% military representatives, 23% were "Heroes of the War", 6% were from the Young Pioneers and the remaining 14% were a supposedly random sampling of Communist Party members from across the German Democratic Republic. The delegates from across East German society were responsible for selecting the new leadership of East Germany. No strong enough candidate appeared to gauge the support of the majority of the delegates, thus, the 1st Plenary Committee of the German Socialist Unity Party decided to elect two joint Chairmen of the Party, to serve as interim leaders of the GDR. Wilhelm Pieck and Otto Grotewohl were selected, with an overwhelming vote of 782 to 18. The Committee agreed upon a further date to hold a second ballot on the 25th of July, 1950, in hopes that Committee could agree on a leader.

The first roles of the Joint Chairmen were to approve symbolic, yet meaningful acts in establishing an independent state. They approved the new flag of the German Democratic Republic, the official coat of arms (following the tradition of socialist heraldry), the approval of Marxist-Leninist principles in the new constitution and the upkeep of Sovietisation that had occurred under USSR military control. Although largely ineffectual, the Joint Chairman briefly made public appearances to the East German public, but they were burdened with the upcoming issues of the new East German state. By projections estimated by the Ministry of Information, nearly 200,000 East Berliners would defect to West Berlin in 1950 alone. To prevent a crisis to further unfold, the Chairmen agreed on a non-aggressive approach to prevent the emigrations. The National Post Service was ordered to drop leaflets in all the letterboxes of East Berliners. Leaflets designed to discourage East Berliners from emigrating to the West and to keep to the socialist project.

Important Notice from the Ministry of Information:
EAST BERLIN NEEDS YOU!

The hard-working people of East Germany have been successful in establishing a socialist state in the image of our own Karl Marx and Fredrich Engels. Both laid their hard-working lives to the betterment of the international working class cause, one of liberation from the chains of capitalism and the dreads of imperialism. Under the new guidance of the Joint Chairmen of the Socialist Unity Party, the German Democratic Republic is paving new ground on the road to communism, the final and most refined form of socialism. However, this ideal world cannot be achieved without YOU.

A peasants and worker's state relies on the workers and peasants. It relies on the powerful minds of the intelligentsia and the prowess of a strong people's military. To achieve such, the German Democratic Republic requires all ears, all minds and all hearts devoutly united together to build a strong and prosperous East Germany. This is why individuals who leave East Berlin for West Berlin are betraying the revolution - in a selfish and inconsiderate manner. While the rest of us work to better future, those who abandon the socialist project have no interest in spurring economic growth for his or her country men, neither are they concerned about improving the communal standard of living. Under the socialist project that is our goal, however this is impeded by traitors who seek materialist wishes, not grounded in reality.

Our men and women fought to remove the Nazi regime from power, yet those blinded by their own self-worth stab them in the back for a more decrepit and salacious West Berlin. Many who have attempted to emigrate to West Berlin have returned to East Berlin out of shear fright. Many who enter West Berlin are left in economic ruin and many are forced down a deviant path of life. Some of our young girls her left East Berlin for West Berlin have resorted to selling their bodies as prostitutes in the capitalist West. Our women deserve better - under our socialist model, all women can work, receive free child care for their children and be able to raise children in the comfort of provided housing. In the capitalist West, nothing is provided by the State to the people. Thus, many are left to live on the streets, perform deviant acts and crime is prevalent.

DO NOT leave East Berlin for West Berlin and we, as the GDR, can build a new socialist future. Built on the back of the working class that provides for everyone in the country.

The Joint Chairmen summoned the Soviet ambassador to meet them at the Socialist Party HQ.

[Totally Not OEP]

God, Country, and King

As the new decade emerges, España finds itself facing many difficulties but also a hopeful background. The emerging Cold War combined with the death of General Franco has allowed Madrid to escape, at least partially, the taint of collaboration with-and overall ties to-Hitlerite Germany. This has allowed for Spain to now be gradually added into the new Western Anti-Communist system, most prominently by being a founding member of NATO in 1949 as well as receiving a limited investment from the United States as part of the Marshall Aid Plan. Combined with the end of Franco's autarky policies, Spain has began to experience an economic rebirth, with growth rates not seen in decades and with a degree of prosperity, limited though it might be, beginning to emerge the wider population. This is all very welcome by the ruling regime, as it has helped to expand the popularity and, by extension, helped to have secured the rule of it as well.

Still, however, problems persist. While Spain has been welcomed into the Western system to oppose Communism, it has been undertaken at arms length; Washington and other Western capitals are still hesitant to fully embrace a Spain that remains ruled by a Quasi-Fascist regime. In a world run by Liberal Democracies on one hand and atheistic Bolshevism on the other, a Spain ruled by a Rightist Monarchy that intends to follow the principles of Por Dios Por Patria e el Rey to the fullest extent finds itself in an awkward, possibly dangerous position. To this end, the Supreme Council of Ministers, headed by the King by informally where much of the power in Spain actually is, seeks to take the course of the 1950s to place Spain in a position to overcome these difficulties but also emerge stronger, and more united, than in any time in recent memory.

To this end, the regime sets three strategic goals for the nation:

1. To continue the development of Spain into a world class economy, equal to those of its immediate neighbors. Not only must this strength be reflected within statistics such as industrial output and overall GDP, it must also extend into deep, real prosperity and well being for Spain's citizens. It is the intention of the regime to develop for Spain what is currently being seen in the United States, in that the population is well fed, able to sustain leisure, and achieve a high degree of social well-being off their means of labor. However, the regime also seeks to, inline with its deeply Rightist attachments to faith and country, avoid the pitfalls of materialism that have consumed the Liberal West and the Bolshevik East. To this, the State must involve itself deeply into this process, bringing along with it the Church, keeping God and King firmly in the minds of her citizens while ensuring the health of the country.

2. To defend the Spanish Fatherland from the threat of Communism, from wherever it may emerge. To this end, Spain will seek to deepen it's ties to its new NATO allies, contributing troops where possible so that the Spanish Armed Forces gain not only valuable combat experience, but also to directly take the fight to Spain's mortal enemies. The Regime firmly takes the belief that compromises cannot be had in this fight, and that only the complete eradication of Bolshevism is to be had in the modern world.

3. To maintain the sovereignty of the Spanish state at all costs, keeping the population safe and the Regime at large secure, free to exercise its own foreign policy and beliefs free of outside interference. While Spain is eager to find itself more comfortably accepted in the wider Western World due to the advantages it can bring, Madrid is aware of the dangers that this course can bring to the State, given that, while certainly better than the Communists, the modern West is dominated by vulgar democracies in Carlist and Fascist eyes, more concerned with materialistic goals to the detriment of faith, the family and the good of the nation. While Spain endeavors to be allied with the rest of the Western World, she must maintain the safety and stability of her own, unique system and maintain the safety of her citizens under the same.

[Agarntrop]

.

[Totally Not OEP]

Official Communique from the Kingdom of Spain

Dear President Truman,

The entrance of España into the Western Alliance system in the past year has heralded a new era in relations between our two countries. We have went, in the space of the last decade, from near enemies during the reign of el Caudillo during the recent World War to now being brothers in arms, aligned together in the fight against international Bolshevism. It is in this spirit of this new cooperation that I personally seek to discuss with you the matter of increasing our military ties and cooperation, on a personal level free of the bureaucracies that both of our nations have. Understandably, the United States remains wary of the new order in Spain, and it's place in the wider world. As said, the reign of Franco did not do wonders for our national relations and that is truly regrettable for my Fatherland.

Given the challenges of this new era, I urge you to look beyond the past so that we may together enter a new era of friendship together. None can say I did not take a firm, moral stance against Nazism during the last war, and I can also firmly state that, having lived through the utter depravity of the worst the Hitlerite regime had to offer, I hold no compunctions about that element of the recent past. On the basis of this, and knowing my personal story, I ask you to take the leap of faith needed to firmly trust in me and my country to do right by you, our partners, in moving forward.

To this end, and building upon our past success in receiving Marshall Plan aid and entrance to the North Atlantic alliance, I ask you to go further and allow my nation to begin direct purchasing of military equipment in order to help develop the Spanish Armed Forces into a force capable of meeting our new commitments in defending Western Europe-and elsewhere-from Communist aggression. To this end, I have had my advisers in the Supreme Council of Ministers draft what you might call a "wish list" of items we wish to acquire from you. I extend this request to you in the most sincere way possible, and urge you to give it due consideration.

- Six (6) Fletcher-class Destroyers
- Six (6) Gearing-class Destroyers
- Two (2) Baltimore-class Cruisers
- Four (4) Tench-class Submarines*

* - We request, if at all possible, for these to be modernized along the lines of your new GUPPY program, through which you've been seeking to modernize the submarines that you built during the recent World War.

Signed,



King of Spain

[Dentali]

(Image)

Official Communique from the Kingdom of Spain

Dear President Truman,

The entrance of España into the Western Alliance system in the past year has heralded a new era in relations between our two countries. We have went, in the space of the last decade, from near enemies during the reign of el Caudillo during the recent World War to now being brothers in arms, aligned together in the fight against international Bolshevism. It is in this spirit of this new cooperation that I personally seek to discuss with you the matter of increasing our military ties and cooperation, on a personal level free of the bureaucracies that both of our nations have. Understandably, the United States remains wary of the new order in Spain, and it's place in the wider world. As said, the reign of Franco did not do wonders for our national relations and that is truly regrettable for my Fatherland.

Given the challenges of this new era, I urge you to look beyond the past so that we may together enter a new era of friendship together. None can say I did not take a firm, moral stance against Nazism during the last war, and I can also firmly state that, having lived through the utter depravity of the worst the Hitlerite regime had to offer, I hold no compunctions about that element of the recent past. On the basis of this, and knowing my personal story, I ask you to take the leap of faith needed to firmly trust in me and my country to do right by you, our partners, in moving forward.

To this end, and building upon our past success in receiving Marshall Plan aid and entrance to the North Atlantic alliance, I ask you to go further and allow my nation to begin direct purchasing of military equipment in order to help develop the Spanish Armed Forces into a force capable of meeting our new commitments in defending Western Europe-and elsewhere-from Communist aggression. To this end, I have had my advisers in the Supreme Council of Ministers draft what you might call a "wish list" of items we wish to acquire from you. I extend this request to you in the most sincere way possible, and urge you to give it due consideration.

- Six (6) Fletcher-class Destroyers
- Six (6) Gearing-class Destroyers
- Two (2) Baltimore-class Cruisers
- Four (4) Tench-class Submarines*

* - We request, if at all possible, for these to be modernized along the lines of your new GUPPY program, through which you've been seeking to modernize the submarines that you built during the recent World War.

Signed,

(Image)

King of Spain

To: King of Spain
From: President Truman
Encryption: High

Your majesty I am glad you reached out to contact me, I was moved by the personal nature of your correspondence and would indeed which to continue a close collaboration in the coming years.

Regarding your request for naval vessels, at this time we are willing to offer the following.


- Six (6) Fletcher-class Destroyers
- Six (6) Gearing-class Destroyers
- One (1) Baltimore-class Cruiser
- Two (2) Tench-class Submarines

We are currently focusing on modernizing our navy and expanding the submarine force specifically until such a time that new submarines are available to replace the Tench class we would not be willing to sell more. However the Tench class we are willing to sell are indeed the updated variety.

[Nazeroth]

DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

조선 민주주의 인민 공화국

Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)

Good morning, for those tuning in on radio and television it is yet another beautiful day in the land of our dear leader Kim il sung! The new era of our young and prosperous nation had showered us with good fortune and our comrades in the Soviet Union have shown that a new world is upon us and it will be our supreme leader that will guide us by hand into this new era! As we humbly begin our process of erasing the scars of the Japanese Imperialists, we must now deal with the Japanese dogs new master, the United States of America!!! The decadent capitalist power that has always been an enemy of the people's revolution and even as we rise anew, they seek to destroy Korea under their bloodied boots. It is clear that they would rather all Koreans be wiped out than be lead by the glorious rise of our supreme leader Kim Il Sung. This matters not, for our great leader has risen our armies of the people and will not tolerate the evil that plagues our brothers to the south. We only hope the best for our comrades stilling resisting capitalist oppression in places like Seoul, Hwaseong and Busan to name only a few outposts of capitalist aggression. Stay strong comrades, your day of liberation will one day arrive, as sure as the sun rises to greet our glorious leader!!!

Pyongyang, Central Military Commission of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea

The new nation's greatest military leaders chattered over charts and maps, classified documents shuffled in, some translated from Russian and Chinese, crossed the desks of the KPA leadership as they debated the future possible battle space that could erupt at a moments notice. The Dear Leader's vision was a great one, that was very much possible to fulfill but would also require a great amount of work. The splitting of Korea by the East and West caused major complications in the area. The largest issue was that of the puppet government that the United States had propped up, in direct opposition to their rightful government of the workers and peasants of Korea. Soviet generals had already made their way to Pyongyang, their uniforms contrasted with those of the KPA, but both bore the marks of the proletariat, a common cause. The smell of ciggerates and brewed tea wofted in the command room as men of strength did their jobs.

With Soviet equipment supplied to the KPA, the military was inexperienced(barring those who had fought with the Chinese whom had returned, or the anti-japanese resistance fighters), those that were experienced were moved to rear units to be trainers and advisors. The material was surprisingly well suited for the task as even though the DPRK was a young nation, it had the means to launch a full scale attack on the South which was a shadow and hollow threat, they had even begun drafting plans for a massive artillery strike to initiate the invasion but such things needed to be precise. There had been small skirmishes, which were rapidly being sent to the propaganda networks for distribution as violent capitalist probes into the people's territory. It was a tense time, but Pyongyang's knife was still sheethed,waiting for the perfect moment to finally end the campaign of oppression by the imperialist west whom had always had eyes upon the motherland of Korea.

[New Finnish Republic]

Bonn, Germany
Bundeshaus, Chancellor's Quarters
January 1, 1950

---

Chancellor Adenauer glanced over from his desk, a large mountain of reports, legislative bills, and other miscellaneous pieces of paperwork nearly blocking the view of the two other men sitting across the desk from him. A persistent cloud of smoke rolled through the air, its source originating from the current Minister of Economic Affairs, Ludwig Erhard, who had already smoked through several of the cigars he held stashed in his jacket's pocket. While this did not bother Adenauer that much, it was clear that the remaining member of the group of governmental leaders, Vice-Chancellor Franz Blücher, was far from pleased.

"For Christ's sake, Ludwig, can't you at least open a window?" Blücher asked, the annoyance audible in his tone as he plugged his nose with one hand and fanned the air in front of him with the other in an attempt to dispel the cloud of smoke that had accumulated around him. The man looked over to Adenauer, hoping for some sort of support in the manner. In the meantime, a small smile curled around the cigar placed in Erhard's lips as he stared at the Vice-Chancellor.

"The Chancellor doesn't seem that displeased. Besides, a little bit of smoke and ash isn't anything to be concerned about. I faced worst out in the fields of France and you never heard me once complain about it," Ernhard replied mockingly in reference to his service in the German army during the Great War. His voice held a large amount of disdain for the Vice-Chancellor, which caused Blücher to narrow his gaze with a equally distasteful expression towards the minister.

Seeing all of this only caused Adenauer to let loose a sigh as he shook his head. These men's constant bickering caused him stress more than anything, and that was saying something considering his current position. "Ludwig, wait until we're done here and then you can start as many fights as you wish. In the meantime, put out that cigar and open a window," he said with a tinge of exhaustion in his voice while pointing towards one of the windows situated next to where they were sitting. A small triumphant grunt could be heard coming from Blücher as Ernhard reluctantly took the cigar out of his mouth and smashed the lit end against the ash tray sitting on the table in front of him. The man gave his counterpart a small annoyed glance before complying with Adenauer's request, opening up the window and allowing the cloud of smoke that had accumulated inside the room escape into the air outside.

"Now that the room is clear enough to actually see the papers in front of us, let's get to work, shall we?" Adenauer spoke as Ernhard sat down, reaching for a thick binder sitting directly in front of him. Opening the binder up so that the contents inside were visible, a small frown began to appear on Adenauer's face as he quickly scanned his eyes across the summary statements listed in the beginning pages. Once he was done, his gaze shifted upwards towards the two men. "So the bastards are still insisting on restrictions, it seems," Adenauer said with disdain as he closed the binder shut angrily.

As part of the peace negotiations that ended the war five years ago, the industry of West Germany had been effectively neutered as their amount of production was restricted to a mere quarter of what it had been prior to the war. In addition to this, the French government had insisted on the acquisition of resource rich areas in the Saar region as well as the removal of much of the Black Forest, further crippling what little remained of the industrial power of West Germany. While far from the debilitating measures taken against the German nation after the Great War, Adenauer couldn't help but feel as if that his country was once more being set up for failure as it had been in the past.

"At least the Americans have still agreed to support us with their Marshall Plan," Blücher pitched in, his tone slightly morbid as everyone in the room knew that this so called aid from the American government was little more than a means of further cementing their influence into the economy of West Germany and thus the nation as a whole. The whole situation disgusted every man in the room, as it was a trap in which there was no means of escape. West Germany did not have the means to stand on their own two feet as was set forth by the economic restrictions, which forced them to become practical slaves to the interests of Washington.

"I would much rather have our own steel and lumber being used in our factories than simple handouts," Ernhard said bitterly, a scowl now resting on his face as he nearly squeezed the cigar in his fingers in half in frustration. Adenauer could only nod in agreement, but unfortunately that was the most he could do in their current situation.

"We'll appeal to the French once more, I suppose. Maybe with the current situation in French Indochina they will be more willing to listen to us if we make the deal more in their favor," Blücher replied somewhat optimistically, although his tone of voice made it clear that not even he believed that. The French government, desperate in an attempt to regain the massive amount of power they once held, was in a losing race to secure their former territories that had fallen into disarray. While they were intent on causing as much harm to the German people once more, they had much more pressing issues to deal with on the inside than on the outside.

Adenauer nodded in acknowledgment over Blücher's opinion, but he was likewise pessimistic about the idea of the French giving up the Saar region in the near future. Still, if there would be any means in which West Germany could return to even a fraction of the industrial might it once possessed, this goal as well as many others would need to be achieved. It would take diplomatic maneuvering that would outshine even Bismarck's Realpolitik policies of the previous century.

"On to the next set of issues, then", the Chancellor finally spoke, glancing over to a rather large pile of paperwork that dominated the right corner of his desk. It was a set of reports going over the current state of the latter half of the nation, Eastern Germany. Detailed accounts of mass movements of civilian populations over the border were laid out within the pages as well as within the city of Berlin, which was also divided between the Allied and Soviet occupation forces. A copy of a propaganda pamphlet was attached, which only caused the Chancellor to scoff in a mixture of disgust and amusement as the Communist government of Eastern Germany was clearly desperate to convince the populations into staying within the country. Based on the numbers reported, however, it was clear that their attempts were failing. Adenauer knew that what measures would come next would be even more drastic, potentially setting up a situation in which could threaten the peace in the region.

The men within the room were not the only ones who understood this. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, conversely known as NATO, had been created on a mere month before Western Germany had regained semi-independence. The treaty set forth a series of contingences that would protect the members within in case of an attack by the Soviet Union. Considering the aggressive spread of communism across the globe, it was unsurprising that such a measure had been enacted as the new two major powers of the world stared at each warily. Should either side engage in hostilities, it was obvious that Germany would once again turn into a battlefield, something that Adenauer sought to avoid at all costs.

However as tensions began to rise further and further both in Europe and in Asia, Adenauer recognized that such an unwanted attempt was on the horizon. The Soviet Union had proudly displayed the fact that it too had entered the nuclear arena with the testing of their first nuclear bomb in August, meaning that the Americans no longer held their ace in the sleeve to keep the Soviet Bear at bay. Thus, measures would need to be taken to ensure that the remainder of Germany did not fall under the weight of the Soviet military, which held a much larger presence just across the rivers than even the combined forced of NATO could hope to achieve.

"Gentlemen," Adenauer continued, "I think that we all understand that it is not only our industrial might that must return if we wish to ensure the continued freedom of our nation against the Soviets. Even with the continuing insistence of the Allied occupation of our lands, I fear that the desperate nature that the East Germans are displaying is a bad omen for things to come. It is not a matter of if, but rather when, the American forces on our borders will be overwhelmed should the Soviets decide to move. The tiniest of sparks will ignite a blazing fire once more across our lands, and if I may speak freely, I do not wish to become a slave to an even more oppressive occupier."

Solemn expressions could be seen on the two men's faces as they nodded in agreement. They understood the weight of what the Chancellor was saying, even as they likewise understood the trouble that it brought. "That is why I will be personally scheduling a meeting with the American President in order to discuss a potential deal in which we might at least have our own men defending our borders. While I have no doubts that the French and British will object, if we hold the weight of Washington behind us, I believe that we will have little trouble in dealing with their objections."

Blücher eyes the Chancellor warily, seemingly both curious and concerned at what he had planned. "So you wish to enter us into NATO in exchange for a rearmament?" Blücher asked, his doubts evident in his voice.

Adenauer nodded. "Precisely," he replied.

"And you think they would accept?" Ernhard interjected, a deep frown on his face as he too doubted the likelihood of such an event.

Adenauer crossed his arms across his chest, turning his eyes over to the minister with a piercing gaze. "If it weren't for the admittance of Spain, I wouldn't have even considered it. However," he turned his gaze back to the stack of reports that had detailed the position of several Soviet armored divisions waiting on standby across the borders. "it is clear that NATO is willing to set aside past...differences in the attempt to contain the Soviets. While I have no hopes in imagining a return of our armed forces even close to what they have been in the past decade, I doubt that the Americans and their allies have forgotten what the German people are capable of in times of war. Even if at most it is symbolic, it will give hope to the West German people that we are more than a puppet being danced about on a string." He turned his attention back to Blücher, who was the most comfortable with dealing with the Americans due to the ongoing Marshall Plan. "You can't argue that the Americans are intent on maintaining our sovereignty against the Soviets, can you? So why would the oppose something that would tie us even closer to them as comrades in arms?"

Blücher, who had been intently listening, was slow to respond. However after a few moments, the man finally nodded. "It is possible, that much is for certain. If we were to secure such a deal, we could both end the state of war that still persists as well as further cement our relations as being opposed to the threat of communism."

Next to him a small grin appeared on Ernhard's face as he too pondered over the potential outcomes. "And if we offer to purchase arms and other supplies from the Americans, it could be possible to maneuver a deal in which we could relieve the economic pressures of the Americans at the same time. Hell, we might even be able to convince them to produce our own domestic arms in order to alleviate the supply issue that they face travelling across the Atlantic. God knows the Americans are too eager to 'borrow' the technology the former military possessed. I'm certain they wouldn't be opposed to even further development on our end."

Adenauer nodded, a small glimmer of hope swelling within his chest as he had convinced the two men in front of him of his plans. "In that case, I will begin negotiations as soon as possible. Blücher, I hope you can manage for some time in my eventual absence. God knows how long this will take, but if things fall into our favor, the time spent will pay in dividends in the future."

Glancing at his watch, Adenauer slowly began to get up from his chair. "Well, I have other matters to attend to, as I imagine the both of you do as well. I will send a dispatch as soon as I am available and hope that we receive a speedy response. Until then gentlemen, I bid you goodbye." The two remaining men likewise got out of their seats, Ernhard quickly reaching into his jacket's pocket to retrieve another cigar, much to the disgust of Blücher. The men shook the hand of the Chancellor before excusing themselves, soon followed by Adenauer as he left to attend to the other appointments he had for the day.

---

Official Communication From the Federal Republic of Germany
Issued to the President of the United States of America, President Harry Truman
Authored by the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Chancellor Konrad Adenauer

Greetings, President Truman,

The Federal Republic of Germany would once again like to extend our gratitude for the peaceful transition of our nation into sovereignty. It is thanks to your compassion for ensuring the rights of all men and women across the world that the German people have been able to return to a state of peace and prosperity once more.

However, I am ashamed to admit that there is a growing fear amongst the people of Western Germany, a fear that I know both our nations and the rest of the free world share. That fear is that of the encroaching Soviet menace that to this day places their armies mere inches away from our borders. We understand and appreciate that you have put forth measures to ensure that such a nightmarish situation does not occur, but many within our population still feel a sense of panic over what could occur should the warmongering communists seek to extend their reach even further into Europe.

Neither of our nations wish to live in a state of constant fear, which is why I have several proposals I wish to discuss with you in private. I understand that you have many pressing issues to attend to, but I encourage you to allow me to visit you in Washington D.C so that I can further elaborate on what measures I believe can elevate our shared concerns.

Signed,
Chancellor Konrad Adenauer

[Totally Not OEP]

Official Communique from the Kingdom of Spain

Dear President Truman,

In light of your recent reply, I firstly think you sincerely for your generosity in agreeing to provide military assistance to my nation. With your help, the Spanish Fatherland can emerge as a powerful play in the wider politics and strategies of the North Atlantic alliance, allowing us to fully assist to keeping at bay the Soviet menace in both the Mediterranean and Atlantic. As has been shared through our intelligence bodies within NATO, there is sufficient cause for concern within the Western World about the possibility of 300 Soviet attack submarines by 1960. In the event of another world war, such a force stands at great risk of threatening the sea-based communications, trade, and reinforcement lines from Europe to North America.

In such a strategic context, the need for all of NATO to not only stand united, but doing so likewise at their full potential, is critical. This is what Spain wishes to do, and we intend to be an integral part of forming. To this end, and keeping in mind your stated concerns for the future of the U.S. Navy, we propose a compromise. The value of the Tench-class submarines is clear to yourself, based on your reply, so therefore we suggest to refrain from any transfer of ownership of the same in favor of adding an additional Baltimore-class Cruiser to the Armada Española. At a late date, we can perhaps then revisit the matter of building up the attack submarine component of our Navy.

Signed,



King of Spain

[Totally Not OEP]

God, Country, and King

Since the Civil War, the banking system of Spain had operated on an ad hoc, precarious nature which had often threatened to collapse in on itself. This was caused by a lack of foreign currency reserves and, unfortunately, the rather poor nature of the country itself combined with past policies that had been detrimental to the financial sector. This lack of ability to extend credit, to allow the working class to create savings, and the hindrance it presented on foreign investment have long plagued the Spanish State. With these facts in mind, the Supreme Council of Ministers with the support of the King have thus decided it is now time to finally, fully address the issue. The recent influx of foreign currency holdings and injection of Marshall Plan aid has allowed a degree of stability to currently arise in the sector, thus opening the way for these wide ranging reforms to take place.

Firstly, the Regime declares the nationalization of all banking institutions within the nation, guaranteeing all existing deposits therein with the full faith and credit of the State, in order to prevent any banking runs at the current juncture. This accomplished, the nationalized finance sector is reformed into a State-owned Credit Union model, to reflect the Syndicalist-principals of the Falangist elements of the State, matched equally by the Anti-Capitalist nature of the Carlist movement itself. The new Cooperativa Nacional de Crédito (CNC), as it is known, is placed under the Spanish Post Office. Besides the base level reform in organization, what is termed as the Chicago Plan is adopted for the new banking system to be operated upon.

Created by eight economists from the University of Chicago during the Great Depression , which is the source of its name, the policy system is essentially that of Full Reserve Banking. This prevents future bank runs by requiring all of the new Credit Unions to hold all demand deposits by having them be held at the Banco de España in Madrid in the form of treasury bonds. Loans, for example, would have to be backed by holdings with the Spanish central banking, increasing not only the State's seinorage revenue, but also adding a high degree of stability within the Spanish banking system. This, however, is not the end of the reforms.

Giro, a system long popular in Western Europe, is adopted by the CNC in order to allow for orderly, fast transactions. With Giro, transfers are credited once they arrive at the receiving center as opposed to Checks, which require they first be mailed to a central location, sorted, and then sent to the bank of the receiver. This system, which allows for the processing of payments within 24 hours generally, affords Spanish consumers to quickly conduct business, both on the personal level and business side of things. Combined with the security of all deposits being backed by the State as well as the elimination of charging fees, brings a revolutionary banking system to all of Spain.

This is expected by the regime to rapidly increase growth rates by spurring, as previously stated, the savings and investment rates, encourage the fostering of new businesses and, finally, raise for the State large amounts of currency holdings from which further projects can be undertaken.

[Asardia]

Moscow, Russian SFSR

In the Moscow Kremlin, the General Secretary of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, sat at his desk pondering the future. The last year resulted in massive events, such as the consolidation of the Eastern Bloc, the Berlin Blockade, and the Chinese Civil War. The last two worried Stalin the most. The blockade of the former German capital was an attempt to completely remove western influence from the Soviet occupation zone, but the resilience that the Americans and British showed during the crisis forced Stalin to reconsider the action. The creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization had pretty much shown that the fragile alliance formed during the Second World War had already collapsed. Now, the world was embroiled in a conflict between capitalism and communism, and the first major battlefield of that battle was China.

The country had always known war, and the last century resulted in the humiliation of the Qing Dynasty and its collapse in 1912. For decades, China fought a civil war, and the communists had emerged with a rather sizable hold on the northern portions of the land. It was clear that the situation in China had worried the west, and China wouldn't be the only nation to fall. Soviet hegemony over the Eastern Bloc had been cemented with the percentages agreement during the end of WW2, and the successful testing of an atomic bomb in August of 1949 had ended the American monopoly on nuclear weapons. With such destructive weapons now in the hands of the world's two superpowers, a direct conflict would be out of the question. Stalin had seen civil wars in Greece and China, and deliberated to himself that the next few decades would feature proxy conflicts between the US and USSR.

The creation of the German Democratic Republic and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea had many consequences, some of which would remain unseen for now. What Stalin did see, however, was both nations attempting to prevent a flood of refugees from fleeing their respective nations in favor of their capitalist controlled neighbors. With the failure of the Berlin Blockade, Stalin decided to step back from military interventions for the time being. But in the case of East Germany, the loss of hundreds of thousands of Germans from the country would prove fatal to their economy. It was so bad that they had actually requested a Soviet diplomat to appear in the former soviet occupation zone, presumably to discuss the matter.

The General Secretary summoned his foreign minister, Andrey Vyshinsky, to the Kremlin.

"General Secretary?" Vyshinsky asked as he entered the room. It wasn't often that Stalin personally wanted to see him.

"The East Germans request that you go to their sector of Berlin. I believe it has to do with the emigration to the capitalist west."

Vyshinsky nodded quickly, careful to say anything out of turn. The General Secretary had proven that he would kill anyone he disliked for whatever reason. Vyshinsky intended on remaining alive long enough to see the end of the tyrant's rule.

"The West have also created a mutual defense pact following our failure in blockading Berlin. I want you to start looking into forming our own treaty to counter NATO, and I need this done as soon as possible. These are your orders, Foreign Minister. Leave for Berlin in the next available flight and prepare the implementation of COMECON."

"Yes," Vyshinsky said as the left the room. Stalin lit a cigar and turned his focus on Latin America. News of a civil war in Guatemala had reached the Kremlin, and although the Americans had restrained from intervening in the Chinese Civil War, they would probably be active in the affairs of a nation on their doorstep. The US was the same nation that effectively created Panama in order to build and secure access to the Panama Canal. The Monroe Doctrine would still be in effect here, no doubt. Stalin sighed and laid his head on his desk

[The Hoosier Alliance]

"We'll pay them lip service," Presidente Carlos Castillo Armas said as he and his cabinet discussed the offer sent by the American president, "We'll hold local elections, mayors and perhaps a few governors. It will please the Americans and hopefully quell the more...unsatisfied elements of the civilian population. That bill of rights is also...workable. We'll begin drafting it as soon as possible. The agrarian reform however...comes with some problems. The UFC holds a lot of, uh, "valid opinions" when it comes to how we should govern. Still, we need American support. We'll have to cease returning land to the UFC, but we'll drag our feet for a month or two. We have to please both sides."

"We will also have to discuss how we will use the funds our American allies have promised us. The military aid should be use to modernize our weaponry. M1 Garands should be our goal for standard issue rifle and a total of three hundred armored vehicles for our army, and increase the size of our air force. Our top priority is the army and getting better standard rifles. The economic aid needs to be put towards building industry in our country, as well as supporting those smaller farmers the Americans are forcing us to assist. If we have to turn our backs on the United Fruit Company, then we also need to break their influence over the regime."

"Now we need to discuss the failure of putting down this revolt against me." He furrowed his eyebrows as he changed the subject to matter of the communist insurrection in the north of the country. One general cleared his throat as he stood and began to speak, "The communist dogs control a handful of cities with a small core of regular fighters, but the majority of their forces consist of guerillas. We have been able to advance into the forest and jungles that they control, but they receive a lot of support from the local communist sympathizers, supporters of the last president, Árbenz, and the ethnic Mayans who claim oppression by our hand. The army has responded brutally, as per your request, and has seen limited success. The cities of Corban and Huehuetenango remain out of our hands, but once we concentrate our armor on Corban and our small air force on Huehuetenango, we believe we can take the cities and destroy their regular fighters, forcing them to retreat to the jungles and keep the war an insurgency with limited support and minimal danger to our regime."

Presidente Armas nodded and said, "Good. Make the necessary preparations and end this revolution." The men gave crisp salutes and left to enact their orders.

[Hypron]

London, England, January 1, 1950

Attlee was walking into his office with his Chief of the General Staff, Bernard Montgomery, pondering the state of the world. As Churchill said in Parliament, an iron curtain had descended across the continent. As such, Britain must be prepared for a massive war against communism. Attlee sits down, with Montgomery next to him. "What do you got for me, Montgomery?"

"The British Army, for what our economy can afford, is still at nice peacetime strength, with 500,000 men and 250,000 reserves. Most of them have modern weapons, and our armored divisions have had most of their Crusaders and Cromwells replaced with Comets and Centurions. But, most of our forces are spread across the Empire. As such, we can't concentrate a majority of our troops in our German Occupation Zone, in which the British Army of the Rhine only has 50,000 troops. In Asia, we have the 4th Army, under Field Marshal Archibald Wavell, with 30,000 men in Malaysia, while the ANZAC troops and the 7th Army Group, totaling 175,000 troops under the command of Field Marshal Claude Auchinleck, C-I-C Far East Command. In Africa, we have a total of 150,000 troops, under the command of Field Marshal Harold Alexander, C-I-C Africa Command. We have the Canadian Army and the 5th Army group in Canada, totaling 100,000 Canadian and 100,000 British troops, under the command of Field Marshal Henry Wilson, C-I-C North American Command. 50,000 troops are kept in South America, 25,000 in British Honduras and 25,000 in British Guyana, under Field Marshal John Dill, to keep Belize protected from Guatemala. 25,000 are at Gibraltar, with the command there being shuffled around at this time. the last 25,000 are the home Defense Force.

'Excellent, Montgomery. This tells me what I wanted to know, that we are protecting our empire from threats. Can you please send Admiral Cunningham in, please? "Yes, sir. I will send him in. I need to leave, as I will be departing for Oldenberg shortly." Montgomery leaves and sends in Admiral Andrew Browne Cunningham, the Commander-In-Chief-Fleet. "Hows the navy looking, Cunningham?"

"As Churchill sped up the construction of our 2 most modern aircraft carriers, the Ark Royal and Eagle, we have the second most powerful navy in the world, spread across the world. Adding a third Audacious class aircraft carrier that you ordered in 1947, which will be completed this month, to the roster, the total number of ships in the Royal Navy is 145 ships, with 11 aircraft carriers, 8 battleships, 44 cruisers, and 82 destroyers. With this, we can guard the dominions and the colonial dependencies."

"Good, that will be all, Cunningham." After he leaves, the Minister of Production, Oliver Lyttelton, walks in; "You asked for me, sir?' "Yes, I want you to make an export variant of the Centurion Mk.3, available for NATO and its allies. That way, NATO can have modern main battle tanks to keep our technological advantage against the Soviet Union."Yes, sir, it will be done immediately."

[Dentali]

(Image)

Official Communique from the Kingdom of Spain

Dear President Truman,

In light of your recent reply, I firstly think you sincerely for your generosity in agreeing to provide military assistance to my nation. With your help, the Spanish Fatherland can emerge as a powerful play in the wider politics and strategies of the North Atlantic alliance, allowing us to fully assist to keeping at bay the Soviet menace in both the Mediterranean and Atlantic. As has been shared through our intelligence bodies within NATO, there is sufficient cause for concern within the Western World about the possibility of 300 Soviet attack submarines by 1960. In the event of another world war, such a force stands at great risk of threatening the sea-based communications, trade, and reinforcement lines from Europe to North America.

In such a strategic context, the need for all of NATO to not only stand united, but doing so likewise at their full potential, is critical. This is what Spain wishes to do, and we intend to be an integral part of forming. To this end, and keeping in mind your stated concerns for the future of the U.S. Navy, we propose a compromise. The value of the Tench-class submarines is clear to yourself, based on your reply, so therefore we suggest to refrain from any transfer of ownership of the same in favor of adding an additional Baltimore-class Cruiser to the Armada Española. At a late date, we can perhaps then revisit the matter of building up the attack submarine component of our Navy.

Signed,

(Image)

King of Spain

To: King of Spain
From: President Truman
Encryption: High

Your majesty I apologize but at this time we are not willing to part with any further naval vessels, we may revist this at a later date. The current offer of ships is the only offer of ships we are willing to make, but we are willing to enter in a research agreement with you to develop a submarine.

[Dentali]

---

(Image)

Official Communication From the Federal Republic of Germany
Issued to the President of the United States of America, President Harry Truman
Authored by the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Chancellor Konrad Adenauer

Greetings, President Truman,

The Federal Republic of Germany would once again like to extend our gratitude for the peaceful transition of our nation into sovereignty. It is thanks to your compassion for ensuring the rights of all men and women across the world that the German people have been able to return to a state of peace and prosperity once more.

However, I am ashamed to admit that there is a growing fear amongst the people of Western Germany, a fear that I know both our nations and the rest of the free world share. That fear is that of the encroaching Soviet menace that to this day places their armies mere inches away from our borders. We understand and appreciate that you have put forth measures to ensure that such a nightmarish situation does not occur, but many within our population still feel a sense of panic over what could occur should the warmongering communists seek to extend their reach even further into Europe.

Neither of our nations wish to live in a state of constant fear, which is why I have several proposals I wish to discuss with you in private. I understand that you have many pressing issues to attend to, but I encourage you to allow me to visit you in Washington D.C so that I can further elaborate on what measures I believe can elevate our shared concerns.

Signed,
Chancellor Konrad Adenauer

Chancellor Conrad

You are more than welcome to visit the White House and we may speak in private at your leisure. Rest assured we strongly and resolutely with you against the threat of Communism and the Soviet Union.

Signed,

President Truman

[Puertollano]

East Berlin, GDR

The officials of the German Democratic Republic were awaiting the foreign affairs minister from the Soviet Union to arrive. The Foreign Affairs Minister would be escorted by members of the newly established East German Ministry of State Security, commonly referred to as the 'Stasi'. While the Palace of the Republic was under construction, the Foreign Affairs Minister would be taken to the SED Party building. The streets of East Berlin were relatively busy, among the workers riding to their employment, there were also clear signs of a military presence. Every now and then, a Soviet-built tank would drive through the roads of East Berlin, a relic from the World War Two era, but a reminder to any Western visitors as to what sector they were in.

The meeting was secret, and that was why the convoy parked at the back of the SED HQ, in order to refrain from too much attention from the local populace. Otto Grotewohl was waiting in the lobby for the Soviet Foreign Affairs Minister, Andrey Vshinsky. As he approached, Otto (one of the joint chairmen of the party) extended his hand. He followed it by a socialist fraternal kiss. "Welcome to Berlin," Otto said. "We have a great deal to discuss," he said as he beckoned the Foreign Affairs Minister to follow him into a conference room. Already waiting in the conference room were party bureaucrats with their notepads open. On one end of the room was the new flag of the German Democratic Republic, the other was the flag of the USSR. Taking a seat at one side of the table, Otto began.

"We invited you here today to speak about the loophole .. West Berlin. Unfortunately the blockade did not force the Western powers to abandon their enclave in the middle of the Eastern Bloc. Rather, we believe it has strengthened their resolve. Something needs to be done, and I've been lucky enough to have been selected a Chairman of the SED, I don't want to go down in the history books having not had done anything about the emigration crisis." He writhed his hands, Otto was a very anxious person. "Something needs to be done," he insisted.

[Agarntrop]

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Prime Minister Mekonnen Endelkachew was to deliver his statement to the Ethiopian Senate (the upper house) around the implementation of the 1947 Act of Privatisation of the Energy Sector. It had been an attempt by the Government to modernise Ethiopia's economy along with its political system after the passing of the 1947 Constitution. However, the initial date which the bill was set to fully take effect, September 31st 1949, was forcibly delayed by the Ethiopian Parliament after the Government had failed to pass the 1949 Franchise Act, which attempted to give regional franchises to different energy companies. The companies would have to apply to the government every 8 years to renew a franchise or else the franchise would be temporarily placed back under state control until the government found an acceptable suitor. It was a convoluted system that was certainly not popular and got voted down in both houses. Endelkachew had attempted to present the Act several times to the Parliament, although every time he failed to pass it.

After the Act failed, left-wing opposition Delegates (members of the lower house) presented a bill that forcibly delayed date of the privatisation of Ethiopia's Energy Sector to 1st April 1950, which passed both houses. This was because the 1947 Act provided that if the government did not pass an Act that implemented an arrangement surrounding the privatisation by the date of the privatisation, Ethiopia's energy sector would be practically completely deregulated. The leftists in Ethiopia certainly did not want this, especially as they feared it would lead to the sector being sold off to British and American corporations.

Endelkachew said in his statement on January 3rd 1950 that he was 'commited' to securing an arrangement surrounding the privatisation and that he would negotiate a deal with left-leaning Senators and Delegates in order to secure an act that could safely carry out the privatisation that they wouldn't vote against. He said that he aimed to complete the talks and to have passed the new Act by March 1st.

[Confederate American SU]

Confederacy of South African Republics/Verbond van Suid-Afrikaanse Republieke

---

A boerewor sizzles on a grill, while the sizzling hot Sun brings a hot South African summer to Pretoria. It was New Year's Day, and the various delegates of the Volksraads and the South African Confederation of Labor were taking their holiday. The same was true even of the Confederate Council. Hendrik Verwoerd, William H. Andrews, and B.J. Vorster were having a braai together with their families. The former were Confederate Council members, elected by delegates Confederacy-wide. The latter was one of those delegates, from the Transvaal Volksraad. Though, Confederate Council members were more like a collective Prime Minstership, being dependent on the legislative branch. Boerewors, sosaties, and other meats were all being grilled, while their kids played together. All of them made sure to stay in the shade, away from the hot Transvaal sun. Vorster was the one responsible for grilling most of the meats, along with Hendrik. Meanwhile, the wives were responsible for most of the preparations.

"Honestly, I think I prefer grilling over international politics," Vorster joked to the serious Hendrik, who seemed to be more focused on the issues happening in South Africa, and the old William, who made to stay away from the hot sun for his own health. The old labor-unionist coughed, while the stern Afrikaner nationalist simply chuckled at his protege's joke.

---

The Ou Raadsaal had been a political wilderness since the South African Revolution of 1946. The coalition of white labor unions and Afrikaner nationalists, forged at the Rand Revolt of 1922, had finally overthrown the British colonial regime. The revolution baffled the world outside South Africa. A syndicalist state ruled by a white minority? A herrenvolk democracy in the 20th century? It was like something out of the 19th century. A time before international ideologies took root. A time before every nation had a communist party and a x-colored shirt movement. It was oddly primordial in a sense. South African socialism took over not from lofty ideals of equality between all men nor from the calculations of a political vanguard. It was born from the raw practical interests of the white working class, with the aid of old Boer Republicans and Afrikaner nationalists.

This left South Africa in an awkward state both internally and externally. Party politics was practically nonexistent within the Ou Raadsaal and the various Volksraads and labor unions it represented. It was a political free for all, with everyone voting for laws according to the interests of their demographic groups over party loyalties. There was some semblance of factionalism, but the factions often vote with or against each other by a law by law basis.

The only agreement between everyone was an opposition to British imperialism and capitalism as well as the preservation of white supremacy. The Race Registration Act, Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, the Group Areas Act, Elimination of Illegal Squatting Act, Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, and Immortality Act were quickly passed post-Revolution. Coloreds lost their voting rights and were demonized as ardent supporters of the British cause. Many in the leadership of the revolution remembered the use of Cape Mounted Riflemen to crush the Rand Revolt. This system ultimately came to be known as 'Apartheid'.

The Immigration Act of 1949, which allowed from unlimited white immigration from non-British nations, was opposed by Malan's faction of conservative Afrikaners, who saw unlimited white immigration, even from non-British nations, as a threat to the traditional Calvinist values of Afrikanerdom. Still, the combination of more 'progressive' Afrikaner nationalists like Hendrik and near unanimous support from the labour movement led to its passage.

Mary Fitzgerald, meanwhile, had the honor of being South Africa's first female head of state, even if she was only one member of the Confederate Council. She also happens to be one of the world's first female elected heads of state.

Meanwhile, both the Homeland Act and Emigration Act were being discussed both in and out of the Ou Raadsaal. The latter only affected post-1902 black migrants to South Africa. More radical white supremacists wanted to extend the act to Asian immigrants and even 'Native Blacks' as well. More conservative Afrikaners, including Malan, and even more well-off workers wanted to keep the black population in, preferring instead a baasskap system or a labour aristocracy of white workers over the nonwhite population. The former, which would put 'Native Blacks' into bantustans, was far more extensive in scope.

Aside from racial matters, a Housing Act was also being discussed. America's housing act was the inspiration, as the dream of every family having their own house complete with modern appliances and a car appealed to the South African just as much. Already, the Revolution ended up with South African whites having the highest incomes worldwide among workers. This was due to white workers owning all industry, and Afrikaners owning the vast majority of arable land. Already, white workers are replacing their older homes with new housing to fit their 'elevated status'.

Constitutionally, blacks are forbidden from forming unions. The current law is that Coloreds and Asians are allowed to form their own unions, under strict regulations. However, only white unions were allowed, under the 1946 Constitution, to join the South African Confederation of Labor and thus have representation in government. Labor union membership was mandatory for all white workers, and the South African Confederation of Labor had the same confederal, democratic structure as the republics, except done by vocational/industrial basis.

[Hypron]

January 2, 1950, Admiralty Office, Downtown London, England

Admiral Cunningham and Oliver Lyttelton were called by the First Lord of the Admiralty, 1st Viscount George Hall, to the Admiralty Office. He wanted to show them a project that he was working on. They both arrive at the same time and meet Hall in the main office. Cunningham speaks up "You called us here, Hall? I have a conference in a little while."

"Ah, Cunningham, Lyttelton. Yes, come in. I just finished the blueprints of a new British aircraft carrier." Cunningham speaks up; "We already have 11 aircraft carriers, 3 of them being the new generation of British supercarriers. Why would we need another carrier?" "Because this one is the most advanced carrier in British history. It is the CVA-01, as we don't have an official name for it."

"It will have a carrying capacity of 50 aircraft, most of them Hawker Sea Hawk fighter aircraft. But, we will have to design a new strike aircraft for this aircraft carrier. It will have a few anti-aircraft guns for defense, and its top speed will be 32 knots maximum. At 14 knots, the maximum range will be 14,000 kilometers. The flight deck will be angled, with 4 new advanced steam catapults to launch aircraft." He shows the designs of the carrier to them. Hall asks Lyttelton "Can it be done within 7 years?" "Yes, this new British aircraft carrier can be done by late 1957, at the earliest time. I will order it immediately."

7 hours later

The contract was awarded at an auction that was hastily put together. The contract was awarded to Vickers-Armstrong Limited Shipbuilding Company, and they promised that they could get it finished by late 1957.

[Chinese Kaohsiung]

The British agreed to grant Malaysia it's independence. They had to grant some concessions to the British, one of which being British Forces would remain in Malaysia, and they would have to pay for most of the cost. But it was a small price to pay; the deal had its own merits, about five per cent of the population, or 1/5 of the people of Singapore city was employed directly or indirectly thanks to the British bases. It also helped to defend the country better while it's armed forces were being built up.

The agreement came at the right moment as regional elections started just as the deal was signed, the Center-right People's Action Party won by a landslide with 68% of the vote, forming a supermajority in parliament. They ran on a platform of encouraging economic growth and promises of lower taxes. In a slowing economy and rising unemployment promises, PAP's main opposition, the left-wing worker's party promises of more political freedoms did not seem as impactful.

The government was currently running a budget surplus, income from petroleum in Brunei, making the bulk of the excess, giving them about 8 million Malaysian dollars (1 MD to 0.5 USD) which would be used to improve the economy.

Industrialisation would be the critical agenda for the government. It's small, but growing industrial sector would be expanded upon, with the hopes of it expanding beyond supplying the domestic market, but become a global exporter instead.

Two decisions were made in the hopes of encouraging economic growth.

The first was to shift away from import-substitution in favour of export-led industrialisation.
The second was to attract global multinational corporations as vehicles to achieve industrial growth.

All efforts to make the place as attractive to foreign investments were undertaken.
Industrial land was developed, critical infrastructure facilities built or expanded. Corporate Taxes were cut from 35% to just a flat rate of 17%. Tariffs lowered, tax breaks given to foreign companies looking to set up shop in the region. Primary education with an emphasis on technical skills relevant to industrialisation was set up.
Joint ventures between local companies and multi-national ones were highly encouraged.


While deregulation on businesses was going on, the staunch anti-communist Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, went on an anti-corruption and anti-communist purge.
Dubbed, Operation Coldstore.
Hundreds were arrested, most under corruption charges but many as 130 from the political sphere were detained without trial under the Internal Security Act.
Most of them were trade union leaders the rest belonging to student union leaders, prominent editors for leftist newspapers and influence members of the MCP (Malayan Communist Party) and Worker's party.

A representative from the People's Action Party, S. Rajaratnam, justified the operation by stating that "action was taken not because they are Communists but because of the danger of subversion and violence by the communist in aid of these alien interventions."

The Internal Security Council report stated that those arrested were "hardcore organizers and their collaborators of the Communist conspiracy that believed that the armed struggle remains a weapon to be employed whenever the opportunity arises." referencing to the violent clashes between members of the now-outlawed Communist Party of Malaya and British forces that lasted from 1946-1948 dubbed the 'Malayan Emergency'.

There was also another reason for the arrests, sweeping labour movements to make the place even attractive to businesses were being planned, to consolidate all independent trade unions under the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC), which the People Action party directly controlled. The rural regions were already under PAP's control with what remained of the independent trade unions concentrated in the larger cities like Singapore and Kuala lumpur

(Will deal with actual emergency later)

[Kamchakta]

République Française

---

France in 1950 was in a sorry state.

Severe unemployment, devastation and colonial unrest were hitting the Nation like a storm. The effects of World War 2 on Continental Europe could still be felt and riveted across the entirety of Metropolitan France. Which is partly why Radical Prime Minister Henri Queuille was appointed and Workers' International President Vincent Auriol was elected. Even in 1949, the French population was sick and very, very hungry with two-thirds of children were suffering from rickets. One child in 10 did not survive childbirth. Rationing was in effect and agriculture was 56% pre-war levels. The homefront was of paramount concern and to Jules Moch, Minister of Defence and Paul Coste-Floret, Minister for the Colonies, their positions looked dire.

The Left-Leaning Party under the Workers' International coalition is starting a Massive Nationalisation Programme of Factories and Some Farms. Putting a total of 510,000 unemployed workers to work in construction railroads and roads. The first of which will connect Paris to Marseille. Women were put to work and the government has begun to invest 3 billion francs into heavy industry, finance and agricultural sectors. The French economy is at 16.6 billion USD and growing at an average rate of 8.4% but many say that the recovery is occurring at too slow a rate.

The Military was in a dismal state to with regards to the Navy. 2 French Carriers, (R96) La Fayette and (R97) Bois Belleau were still under construction and would not be commissioned until a predicted 1955. Especially since the Left-Leaning party's keep cutting naval funding, delaying construction. The 2 prides of the fleet, Richelieu Class Battleships, the Richelieu and Jean Bart were still considered state of the art and would be useful in operations. Which, the left-leaning government was unwilling to participate in. However, under pressure from conservatives, some fuel would be granted for operations in the Asia Pacific. In 1950, the Richelieu was already in the Naval Base at Saigon following Operation Tinderace and the end of the war in collaboration with the British. With the French slowly withdrawing, she would need to find a new home base. Many stated she should move to Kwangchouwan in China, which was the most likely new homeport of the East Asia Detachment. The brutal fighting in Indochina since 1947 was taking a toll on France.

Richelieu making her way to Saigon in 1948

Office of the President of the Républicque

---

Jules Moch and Paul Coste-Floret continued to pressure President Vincent Auriol to take action in Indochina. However, they would be disappointed to hear his unwillingness to engage in prolonged conflict.

"Many citizens at home were angry sons continued dying despite the end of World War 2. Since 1945, over 30,000 French soldiers had died in Indochina and for what?" Henri Queuille retorted in support of Vincent. We already are withdrawing soldiers from inland bases in Kampuchea and Laos. "We will maintain the Saigon Naval Base and negotiate independence for the local authorities there. The conversation ends here"

"What about negotiations to increase trade with the Federal Republic of Germany and Spain?" Paul Coste-Floret inquired. At this point, the room was in an uproar. There was still much animosity for Germany and Spain, well everyone in France viewed them as Fascist...

To: United States
Washington D.C.
President Harry S. Truman

Dear President Truman,

It is with deep regret that I must write this letter to you. The French Republic is suffering from the effects of World War 2 to this date and while my Presidency has been tied to Socialist movements. I must warn that if the current situation does not improve, the state of affairs in France might deteriorate to Communism which has been gaining popularity rapidly even in pre-war France. I fear for the safety of our sovereignty against the Eastern European menace.We sincerely hope more aid can be granted to helping our country get back on its feet.

We also hope you will support our withdrawal from Indochina. We have tried out best to prevent the Communist in the North gaining ground and it has bourne some fruit and we intend to relegate these duties to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam currently). We hope you will further support them as we have against Ho Chi Minh's oppressive regime. As to our status regarding NATO. Many French citizens are as of yet unwilling to commit to such an Alliance which they view is the cause of the World Wars. Perhaps the aid and development of France will convince them otherwise?

Yours sincerely,
President Vincent Auriol
Paris, Elysee Palace

To: United Kingdom
10 Downing Street
Prime Minister Clement Attlee

Dear Prime Minister Attlee,

I am pleased that Anglo-French relations have never been stronger and I hope we can support each other in our times of trials and tribulations. The French Navy is the midst of reconstruction and we have to support Operations in Indochina. Furthermore, we lack a large enough base of which to conduct operations. We hope the Royal Navy can aid in bombarding the Communists in Vietnam and also allow the Richelieu to dock in Singapore Naval Base if Saigon falls and Kwangchouwan in negotiation with China is returned. We hope to collaborate more and ensure democracy in our regions of decolonisation and support us in wars to maintain control of important yet independence-seeking colonies. Just to explain troop movement across the Mediterranian, tension has been flaring in Algeria and we have been sending more soldiers to the region in recent months.

Yours sincerely,
President Vincent Auriol
Paris, Elysee Palace