ME6- Posting of Countries

[Aussey]

Name-
Leader(s)-
History-
Government-
Economy-
Military-
Other Info-
Flag-
__________________________________________________ ______________
RULES:

1) All armed forces and civilians overseas magically appear in their beds or barracks when the wake up the morning after the event. Their equipment is in the storage it came from, or the factory it was made.

IE: LCpl Barry is serving in Iraq on December 31st. He goes to sleep in his cot in there. When he wakes up Jan 1st he's in his bed in NJ. If their bed is no longer there, or occupied they wake up in a nearby hotel. Ex-pats well fail to ISOT. Foreign nationals inside your country well ISOT with your country. IE the Swiss tourist Hans Moleman is vactioning in NYC. His Switzerland fails to ISOT, but he does leaving him trapped in NYC for the time being.

2) No nukes. All uranium or plutonium in warheads has been turned into lead. Comon, the most realistic reaction for a country loosing communication with everything outside of it would be bad. Really really bad. Nukes can be manufactured though.

3) No space based super weapons. No Ion Cannons, no Orbital Bombardment weapons, ect.

4) Tech roughly the same as OTL.

5) Unclaimed areas well be the same as OTL cicra 1000 AD. All humans and animals that are ISOT well be given immunity to diseases that might be able to ravage the modern population. Basically there are people there now, so a modern democratic nation would probably be torn in what to do with them.

6) Ships at sea stay at sea, with no effect.

7) Satellites well not ISOT.

8) Nations must be claimed by Friday, March 25 800 EST.

9) National territories are decided on a first come, first serve basis. Exact border can be negotiated with your buddy next door.

10) Unless two combatants can agree on an outcome, BATTLES WELL BE SENT TO A NEUTRAL FOR MODERATION.

[Aussey]

Name- Kingdom of Lorraine

Leader(s)- Queen Cloe de Guise (since June 7, 2002) (Head of the Royal Government)
Chancellor William von Krafft (assistant Head of the Royal Government) (since August 30, 1965)


Capital- Royal City of Strasburg

Population-43,000,000(approx. 2004 estimate, not including military, or Commonwealth nations/colonies/or dependencies)

Languages- French (official), German (official), Dutch (official).

History- 1n 1550, Mary of Guise, Regent of Scotland, and her family declared their duchies of Guise, and Lorraine independent from France. They also took with them Alsace, and minor French provinces along the eastern border. 1n 1552, the Guise-Lorraine family asked the Pope for recognition of their nation, in return they would help put down the Protestant rebellions.

The Pope agreed, and Regent Catherine de Medici, who opposed massacuring Protestants, was forced to recognize newly independent Lorraine, or face war with all of Europe. Mary of Guise, Queen of Scotland, choose her brother Charles to become the first King.

IN 1559, King Francois II became King of France. Taking advantage of the week situation, Lorraine claimed more French easte border territory, until they reached the English Channel. They managed to ally themselves with England, so GB owns Calais to this day.

In 1565, Lorraine signed a Peace Treaty with France. In it, Lorraine promised to be a Catholic nation, allied with France. Lorraine gained Acadia and some of Canada from the French, and re-named it Nova Lorraina.

During the seventeenth century, the Lorrainese navy grew, and grew. In 1680, the Queen married a Swiss noble, and the two countries decided to merge.

By the dawn of the eighteenth century, Nova Lorraina had become a fairly large colony. In 1710, the capital city of New Strasburg was finnished along the St. Lawrence River. In 1740, the King married Queen Mary of the Netherlands. She retained rule in her own right until she died, when her husband became King. When he died, their child inherited the Dutch throne along with his Lorrainese thrones. In 1780, Lorraine demanded Britain give it the Bahamas, in return for keeping Calais. Britain agreed, and the Bahamas became the Queen Mary Islands.

Someitme during the nineteenth century, Lorraine occupied Cuba and Hispaniola while there were revolutions in Spain. By a decree from the Grand Duke, Cuba, renamed Havnnah-Bay, and had Hispaniola re-named New Guise. Havnnah-Bay, New Guise, and the Queen Mary Islands formed the colony of New Alsace. In 1867 the West Indies Act, made the King's youngest brother become King William I of the Federation of the West Indies. In 1870 the North American Act made the kings's sister become Queen Adele I of the Union of Acadia. These nations, along with Lorraine, formed the Guisean Commonwealth. In the 1890s, Lorrainese ships landed in Antarctica, int he South Pole Race, and claimed some of it as Lorrainese Sovreign Antarcic Territory. Though they never reached the south pole, this penninsula still is part of the Kingdom.

In recent times, Lorraine has decided to be a neutral nation, however that is a law that can be changed. The last formal colony of Lorraine, the Crown Colony of the Lorrainese East Indies, was given independence in 1997. However, the King of Lorraine was proclaimed King of all Indonesia. Indonesia joined the Guisean Commonwealth in 2000.

Economy- Lorraine, Germany, and France entered as customs union in the mid 1990s. Lorraine primarily exports white wines, pork, lace, and other regional agricultrualities.

Military-
The Royal Lorrainese Army

The doctrine of the Royal Lorrainese Army (at least in Europe) depended in the use of heavy armor and speed to defeat their enemies. In accordance with that ideas their regular armed forces consisted by December 31st 2004 of 14 Mechanized Divisions, 2 Armored Divisions, 6 Armored Brigades, 3 airmobile divisions, two airborne divisions and 4 mountain ones. The armored brigades followed the tradition of the Scottish Cavalry Guards Brigades and are armored divisions in everything but name. Independent units attached to Corps and Army HQ are not included in this numbers. After mobilization another 10 divisions are added to order of battle.

The Armored Division: 13,000 men strong with 220 Champion Main Battle tanks(1), 150 Jaguar Gun helicopters(2), 160 Bison cargo helicopters(3), 70 Rapier recon vehicles(4), 315 Guerrier AFV(5), 75 SP 155mm guns(5), 26 Fleche SAM batteries(7). ( 6 armored brigades, 3 helicopter brigades, 2 artillery brigades, engineers, AAA, MP...)

The Armored Brigades (named after locations in Scotland) only defer from the Armored division on their lack of infantry components: 11,000 men strong with 220 Champion Main Battle tank, 150 Jaguar Gun helicopters, 160 Bison cargo helicopters, 70 Rapier recon vehicles, 75 SP 155mm guns, 26 Fleche SAM batteries. (6 armored brigades, 3 helicopter brigades, 2 artillery brigades, engineers, AAA, MP...)

The Mechanized Divisions (named for historical figures in Lorrainese history): 13,000men strong with 140 Champion Main Battle tanks, 150 Jaguar Gun helicopters, 160 Bison cargo helicopters, 70 Rapier recon vehicles, 600 Guerrier AFV, 75 SP 155mm guns, 27 Fleche SAM batteries. (3 armored brigades, 4 helicopter brigade, 5 infantry brigades, 2 artillery brigades, engineers, AAA, MP...)

The Mountain Divisions (named for locations in Swiss Alps): 12,500 men strong. Liberal issue of portable AT weapons. No tanks or armored vehicles. 120 Jaguar Gun helicopters, 110 Bison cargo helicopters, 75 155mm howitzers, 27 Fleche SAM batteries. (5 infantry brigades, 3 helicopter brigades, 3 artillery brigades, engineers, AAA, MP...)

The Airmobile Divisions (named after Kings and Queens of Lorraine): 17,000 men strong. Liberal issue of portable AT weapons. No tanks or armored vehicles. 200 Jaguar Gun helicopters, 540 Bison cargo helicopters, 77 155mm howitzers, 29 Fleche SAM batteries.( 5 infantry brigades, 4 helicopter brigades, 2 additional cargo helicopter brigades, 2 artillery brigades, engineers, AAA, MP...)

The Airborne Division (named the King’s Own or in this case the Queen's Own): 10,000 men strong. Liberal use of portable AT weapons. Trained and used as commando unit. As such lacks heavy weapons or helicopter support. Is purely used as an elite unit to disrupt communications and stop enemy reinforcements to a given area until relieved. Heaviest weapon on arsenal is the 81mm mortar, the hand held SAM and the three men crew served Predateur AT missile. (8)


(1) OTL Challenger 2 Tank
(2) OTL Lynn helicopter
(3)OTL CH-53
(4) OTL Scimitar
(5) OTL Warrior
(6) OTL AS-90
(7) OTL Rapier
(8) OTL TOW

Roayl Lorrainese Navy-

HMS : 22,000 tons, 28 knots, 24 F2A fighters[1], 24 antisubmarine helicopters[2], 12 Bison cargo helicopters, 24 Jaguar gun helicopters . Defensive equipment includes a anti submarine system with 60 anti torpedo missiles and a Air defense Gun system of 4 x 20mm AA guns [3] guided by radar targeting.

Cruisers:
Named after Admirals
Van Hauser Class (4 in service): 11,300 tons, 33 knots, 10 x 152mm guns (1 triple and 1 double forward, 1 triple and 1 double aft), 6 x 2 105mm DP guns, 2 torpedo tubes, 6 x 20mm close range weapons, 4 x 20mm AA gun systems, 1 ASW helicopter.

Destroyers:
Named after cities.
Brussels Class (6 in service): 5,200 tons, 30 knots, 1 x 114mm gun (1 single forward), 2 x 20mm close range weapons, 4 torpedo tubes, 2 x 20mm AA gun systems[3] 1 antiship missile launcher[4] , 1 ASW helicopter.

Strasbourg Class (6 in service) : 5,200 tons, 30 knots, 1 x 114mm gun (1 single forward), 2 x 20mm close range weapons, 4 torpedo tubes, 2 x 20mm AA guns systems, 1 antiship missile launcher. 1 ASW helicopters in small hangar.

Hague Class (6 in service): 7,350 tons, 29 knots, 1x 114mm gun (1 single forward), 2 x 20mm close range weapons, 4 torpedo tubes, Principal AA Missile System[5] with 48 missiles. 1 ASW helicopters in small hangar.

LPDs:

HMS Lorraine Class (5 in service): 18,500 tons, 18 knots, 2 x 20mm close range guns, 2 x 20mm AA guns systems, capable of carry up to 10 tanks or 30 AFV as maximum vehicle capacity. Can launch 2 Bison or Jaguar helicopters at one time.

Nuclear submarines:
Named after ports

Boulogne Class (4 on service): 15,980 tons, 20 knots nuclear powered, 4 torpedo tubes, 16 ICBM tubes.

Antwerp Class (8 on service): 5,200 tons, 32 knots nuclear powered, 6 torpedo tubes, 2 cruise missile launchers, 2 antiship missile launchers.

Amsterdam Class (6 on service): 4,900 tons, 32 knots nuclear powered, 6 torpedo tubes, 2 cruise missiles launchers, 4 antiship missile launchers.

10 diesel submarines and at least 90 small ships(minesweepers, support ships, frigates) also in fleet.

[1] similar to OTL Harrier fighter

[2] similar to OTL Merlin Mk1 helicopter

[3] similar to OTL Phalanx system.

[4] similar to OTL Sea Dart missile system

[5] similar to OTL PAAMS


Government- The King still holds Executive power in Lorraine. A two branch government of Executive, and Legislative. The King is the Supreme Head of the National Court, however actual power is vested in the Judge-de-Royale as acting head of the judiciary systems in Lorraine. The King has the power to veto the National Assembly, and hold the powers of a North American president. He is also formely the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Armed Forces, and has the power to be military commander. Each Department, the Netherlands, Luxemborg, Guise, Alsace, Orleans, Lorraine, and Switzerland send 5 Senators to the National Assembly. The Royal Council, and Chancellor of the Realm also are part of the Executive Branch. If the Monarch is not married, the Chancellor acts as Regent while the monarch is away, or sick for a long time.

Guisean Commonwealth- These nations are independent members of the Guisean Commonwealth. The Kingdom of Lorraine, the Union of Acadia, the Federation of the West Indies, and the Commonwealth of the Indonesias. Every 6 years one of the reigning monarchs is elected Emperor-General of the Guisean Commonwealth. Currently, the Queen of Acadia holds the title, and the International Election, in which a new monarch is elected Emperor-General, is January 15 2005.

Titles claimed by monarch- King of Lorraine, Duke of Alsace, Duc de Guise, Duke of Orleans, King of the Netherlands, Count of Luxembourgh.

Other Info- Lorraine, though voted to be neutral, has one of the most powerful armed forces in the world. It is considered a world power, though the last time it used military force was the 1970 West Indies Rebellion, when republicans tried to overthrow King Charles Edward.

Flag- The Blue background, with the fleu-de-louris represents the French origin of Lorraine. However, the white stripe in the middle shows their separation, and distinction from France. A combined Alsace/Lorraine Coat-of-Arms was placed in the middle in 1970, replacing the Coat-of-Arms of the House of Guise. This was done to show Lorrainese nationality, and not Guise sovreignty.

[perdedor99]

Name: Empire of Japan
Capital: Tokyo
Population: 130,000,000
Leader: Emperor Akihito (head of state), Prime Minister Yoshii Kono (head of government)
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Territorial Extension: OTL Japanese Home Islands, Formosa, the Micronesian island chain, Sakhalin island, the Kuriles islands, the Ryujos islands and the Phillipines
Military:
IDA: 24 divisions: only 2 armored and 4 mechanised. 10 divisions are either airborne or airmobile due to terrain considerations of the Empire. Rest are either leg or mountain infantry; service rifles is a caseless rifle with a 150 round capacity;lasers batteries used as AA. An anti ballistic umbrella was going to be implemented in the Home Islands by the middle of 2005.
IJN: 6 carrier battle groups, 12 missile cruisers, 84 destroyers, 20 LST ships and 30 nuclear powered submarines, 300 airplanes:stealth technology common in aircrafts and destroyers. 2 SNLF divisions(marines).
IJAF: over 2000 aircrafts; stealth technology common in aircrafts.
Technology:On the civilian sector OTL, on the Military 5 to 10 years ahead.

History:
Mix of ME2 and ME4 history.
The Meiji Emperor of Japan died in 1912. Japan had come a long way in his 45-year reign. The country now counted itself a great power, with a navy ranked 4th in the world. Japan even had a colonial empire (Taiwan, Philippines and Korea) and "interests" in China. Japanese colonial rule, while stern, wasn’t brutal except for their handle of the Moro Rebellion in the Philippines (1905-1908). Despite a small industrial base, the prewar economy flourished. Japanese diplomacy centered on an alliance with Britain, in which each pledged to aid the other should they become embroiled with 2 great powers. Each side insisted on an exception. Britain would in no case fight the USA, and Japan would not enter a purely European war. In 1904, the alliance allowed Japan to attack Spain, secure that the intervention of any foreign power would trigger British involvement. The Empire fought on the Allies side during WW1 and was awarded the Micronesian Island chain as reward for their participation.

The interwar years were ones of turmoil with the nation moving into the spiral of military dictatorship and military adventures in China, only being stopped by the crushing defeat of the Russo-Japanese War. The conquest of Manchuria and Korea by the Soviets was a crushing blow to the Army’s cliques and the Chinese adventure was finished to try to defend the Home Islands. The Navy prestige on the other hand raised due to their complete destruction of the Soviet Pacific Fleet and their capture of the island of Karafuto (Sakhalin).

After their defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (1939-1940) Japan spent the 1940's in a period of political turmoil only resolved by the Emperor naming Admiral Yamamoto (hero of the last war due to the excellent record of the IJN during the war) as Shogun in 1945, a title and position not used since 1867. Under his authority the Communist agitators and the more militaristic elements in the armed forces were purged while the defense budget was raised to create a more flexible and modern Army. His greatest achievement was perhaps the Constitution of 1952.

The Constitution of 1952 created a House of Peers and a House of representatives modeled in the British model but most important was the Bills of Rights included in this Constitution, a copy of the United States Bill of Rights word for word. With this accomplished Yamamoto step down after the national elections of 1954 to national acclaim. He is considered the father of the modern empire and today reverence to his memory is only second to the one given to deceased emperors.

The 1960's saw a bigger rapport with the United States in the fight against Communist. With the European nations colonial rule ending in Southeast Asia, Japan took over the mantle of defender of that new nations against Communist. Against Japanese advice the United States got embroiled in the former French Indochina but thanks to Imperial mediation the former colony was partitioned into two nations by 1969. While only a stalemate was reached in Indochina, the Communist movements in the newly formed nations of Malaysia and Indonesia were stamp out by Japanese "advisors".

The 1970's and 1980's saw a big boast for the Japanese trade, especially consumers goods to the new Southeast Asia nations for fossil fuel products. The Empire transformed itself into a capitalist paradise, with minimal business taxes and little regulation of business practices. The high growth of Japanese heavy industries that started in the 1960's transformed the Empire in an economic power house by the late 1970's with the creation of the EACPS (East Asia Co Prosperity Sphere) a free trade alliance. Also the 1980's saw the development of high technology industries especially in the military combines and the laser industries.

The last 15 years have seen the Empire transformed from the humbled nation of 1940 into a regional leader with over 200 ICBM but casting wary eyes to the dying giant to the West, The Soviet Union.

[perdedor99]

Kingdom of Egypt
Capital: Cairo
Languages: Official Arabic, French and English know by a great part of the population.
Leaders: His Majesty King Farouk III, Prime Minister Hosni Mubarak.
Population: 71 millions
Territorial Extension: OTL Egypt, Sudan and the Arabian peninsula.
Government: Constitucional Monarchy. The Constitution of the Egyptian Imperial State defines Egypt as a unitary constitutional monarchy. Since Egypt has extended the right to vote to the population of citizens 21 years of age and older, and which possesses an elected parliament, it is usually classified as a democratic state. However, the centralization of political power in the executive branch of the Egyptian government and the weakness of the parliament makes Egypt's claim to democracy problematic.

Economy:Uniquely in the Middle East, Egypt possesses a diversified modern industrial and post-industrial economy that firmly places Egypt in the lower ranks of the First World. This industrialization is the culmination of the desires of Mehmet Ali and his successors to promote the creation of a modern industrial base despite British desires to reduce the country to a simple market. By the beginning of the World War 1, Egypt had emerged as an industrial power of roughly the same order of magnitude as Spain. In the Second World War, Egypt's distance from the battlefields allowed Egyptian industrialists and landowners alike to prosper. Egypt blossomed into a relatively powerful economic powerhouse that is today.

Crude petroleum is the most important mineral product of Egypt. 39.7 million barrels of oil were produced annually in the early 1960's. As a result of the discovery in the 1950's and 1960's of large new fields in the Al Alamayn and Gulf of Suez areas, annual production of crude petroleum increased to approximately 312.2 million barrels in the early 1980's. Proven reserves stood at 5.8 billion barrels in 1992 as Egypt renewed exploration. The government also encourages natural gas production to supply domestic energy needs, with annual extraction in the late 1990's of 8.7 billion cubic metres. By 2004,crude petroleum and petroleum products accounted for 15 percent of export earnings.

Military:The Egyptian Imperial Armed Forces make up one of the most powerful national militaries of the world, with a total numerical strength of 1,000,000 circa January of 2004. Of these, 640 000 serve in the army, 300 000 in the air force, 50 000 in the navy, and 10 000 in the strategic forces. On reaching 18 years of age, all males holding Egyptian citizenship resident in Egypt are conscripted for 18 months of military service. Further, if circumstances require any male between 18 and 30 years of age can be conscripted for another period of 12 months above and beyond the 18-month period of conscription mandatory for all Egyptian males.

Egypt's armed forces are primarily oriented towards the defense of the national territory of Egypt and Hijaz, with secondary orientations towards the defense of the Mediterranean basin and the Levant. Despite doubts about the effectiveness of conscript soldiers, conscription is likely to remain a feature of the Egyptian military for some time to come. Egyptian military doctrine calls for the creation of a technologically-advanced military that will be able to defeat comparably-sized forces in the Middle East, northern Africa, and southeastern Europe using local and Egyptian bases of operation

Since 1989 Egypt has possessed the ability to make long-range missiles, in 2002 using the Hassan-2 missile to launch an Egyptian civilian communications satellite into orbit, while in 1998, Egypt purchased its first aircraft carrier, the Cairo. In addition, Egypt possesses the technological ability to manufacture weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, although it is treaty-bound from making such arms. This, along with Egypt's recent mutual-defense treaties with the Levantine states and India, is a signal of Egypt's eventual aim of becoming a global military power.

Army: 32 divisions; 20 infantry(ten mechanised, ten motorised) 3 airborne divisions, 9 armored divisions.

Navy: 1 aircraft carrier, 2 battleships, 4 missile cruisers, 2 gun cruisers, 36 destroyers, 20 submarines diesel, 120 aircraft

Air Force: 1000 aircrafts.

History: For History before 1914 check ME4. After the First World War, Egypt dominated the Middle East, between its annexation over the Hijaz, its satellite kingdom of Syria, and the compliant British(Iraq, Palestine and Kuwait) and French mandates(Lebanon). During the Second World War, Egypt was neutral but leaned in favor of the Allies.

Now, early 21st-century Egypt is a First World country. The 71 million inhabitants of the Egyptian Imperial State enjoy perhaps the highest living standards in the world outside of Europe, North America and the South Pacific, and is certainly the wealthiest country in the Middle East. Egyptian high-tech business conglomerates maintain a worldwide presence, while Egyptian popular culture is enormously popular throughout the Arab world and Egypt is the linchpin of the United Nations' presence in the Middle East. At the same time, Egypt has remained in many ways a profoundly traditional society; conservative Islamic mores still reign after a fashion and motivate an outraged generation of elders to criticize the newly-liberal urban cultures of Cairo and Alexandria, while Egyptian pluriethnicity.is an unsettling fact for many native-born residents and the conservative political system is highly unpopular among the young.

[Civilizer]

Name: Republic of Chile
Leaders- Main People: President Joaquin Lavin (Conservative), Opposition leader Michelle Bachelette (Center-Left)
Population: 37,000,000
History: The history of this Republic of Chile goes the same as in OTL until the Pacific War (1879-83). During this time, Chile spread its power northward, capturing the provinces of Antofagasta, Tarapaca, and Atacama. However, the leaders in Santiago made a quicker peace with Peru, realizing it was impossible to capture the whole country, and retreating from Lima to its present OTL borders, except for Bolivia being given a small strip of land on the coast and rail access to it to prevent a future war. Without the losses implied by the semi-guerrilla war of Peru against the Chilean occupiers, Chile was able to send troops southwards to reclaim the Patagonia, which the argentines had been chipping away at since the 1840's. The Argentines refuse to compromise, and war looms ahead. The war starts in late 1884. The now veteran Chilean army, supported by the increased money from trade due to the saltpeter producing regions of the North, inflict several humiliating losses on the larger Argentine army. However, soon a stalemate develops, and peace is made by the treaty of Ushuaia on august 13th, 1885. Chile manages to hold on to an atlantic coast, although it is much reduced. It also gets the entire Tierra del Fuego.
From then on, Chile becomes a wealthy, powerful country. It claims easter island, and economic growth is even greater than in OTL, due to the ability to export through the Atlantic, in puerto santa cruz. The civil war against President Balmaceda in 1891 is won by presidential forces, due to the increased public support because of the stronger economy, and Balmaceda's decision to strengthen democracy instead of establishing a dictatorship. The quicker war stopped the atrocities comitted by Balmaceda and the liberal government introduced more democratic reforms, which further boosted economic growth, international investment, and industrial growth. By 1900, Chile was considered an important power, and a growing leader in Latin America.
WWI saw the international importance of Chile increase, since the warring nations required more saltpeter. Chile supported the Allies, and on 1917 sent a small expeditionary force to fight in France, as well as some of its modern navy to aid britain, after U-Boat attacks on saltpeter shiping.The war also saw a great increase in European immigration, which further boosted population and modernization. During the 1920's, Chile saw a period of unprecedented prosperity, and the election of both a conservative president and congress. The government placed a laizes -faire policy, and local industry boomed, even with the collapse of the saltpeter industry due to synthetic saltpeter.
The Wall Street Crash affected Chile greatly, and caused a coup against the conservative government in 1932. The new liberal coalition introduced a "new deal" program, although the conservative elements stopped the marxists from gaining too much power. In 1935 the collapse of the Bolivian government meant that Chilean troops moved in to restore order, as this could be catastrophic for northern stability. Peru complained about this, and declared war on april 15th, 1935. The war was quickly won by the modern Chilean army. Chilean aircraft bombarded Lima, and the navy destroyed 5 Peruvian destroyers. A land invasion began on the 18th, and 3 weeks later had captured Lima. the treaty of Sucre made the entire south of Bolivia up to the deparment of santa cruz an occupation zone, whose fate would be decided by a plebicite, control of the Natural Gas wells, the control of Peruvian Arequipe to Chile, and established a new Bolivian Republic, which finally began to prosper with Chilean aid. The plebisite was won in favor of Chile, due to the increased economic aid which the southern bolivians were grateful for. By 1939, Chile was ruled by a left wing coalition, the opposition were the remaining conservative elements. In 1939, WWII began. The American front put Chile against fascist Argentina and the Second Confederation of Peru and Bolivia, founded in 1937 and bitter from defeat in 1935. Chilean forces, although better equiped and with USA aid, were outnumbered and soon began to lose ground. Axis forces would capture Sucre, Antofagasta, Puerto Santa Cruz, and Punta Arenas before Brazil entered in 1942 to turn the tide. After 1944, the navy was sent to the Pacific to aid America against the Japanese. War's end in early 1946 with the atomic bombs dropped in Hiroshima and Cordoba, Argentina, gained Chile some territory from Argentina. In 1952, the Chinese civil war ended with nationalist victory. During the 50's and 60's, Chile enjoyed good economic growth and renewed immigration from Peru, Argentina, and a shattered Europe. The 70's brought Communist revolutions to Argentina, and military coups in most latin american countries. Chile remained stable, and the election 1970 was won by center left candidate Salvador Allende, the first leftist government since 1910 (better economy discouraged him joining Communist party). In 1982 Chile would become a nuclear power as its government insisted on greater protection against the radical neighbors. This raised some objections from the USSR, but little from the USA, as it was glad to have another nuclear armed ally. The restoration of democracy in latin america and collapse of the USSR in 1989 saw the begging of a decade of renewed economic boom. The election of 2000 would be won by Joaquin Lavin. By 2004 the threat of war is again in the world due to Nationalist China's dispute with the USA over the USA's invasion of Kazakhstan to fight terrorists. Economic collapse and coups in Brazil and Argentina in 2003 has Chile preparing for possible preemptive strikes.
Military:
Army- Over 700,000 combat ready troops, and with conscription has a trained reserve of 4,000,000. Over 700 Abraham tanks.
Navy- 25 Capital ships, 3 Aircraft Carriers (O'Higgins, Prat, Balmaceda), 42 smaller ships.
Air Force- The FACH has just gone through a modernization process. It has 35 F-16's, 20 Harriers, and 75 older aircraft (including 30 chilean made P-120 Condors) , as well as 40 Black Hawks.
Chile is a nuclear power and has 10 nuclear warheads, although only a few ICBM's.
Economic- It has the GDP of a developed country, and its main exports are manufactured cars, copper, saltpeter, fruits, natural gas, and other manufactured products. It also exports a few military weaponry.
Other Info-

[General_Paul]

Gov't: Parlimentary Government, Prime Minister Thomas Finney

technology: Equal to the year 2014 (ICBM's are in full use, and Ion Drives are being developed for manned space flight.) Hydrogen Fuel Cells are supplanting most combustion engines. One Space Launch Facility (still under contruction for use by the European Union) outside Calcutta (New London.) Computers are in wide spread use.

Population: 217,000,000

Military: Standing Army: 700,000 (All armed with Modern British Weaponry, 50,000 of those are british special forces and regular army stationed in the provinces before the great disturbance) Reserves: 2-3 Million (Most are over the age of 30). Air Forces: Fourteen Squadrons of Third generation Harrier Jump Jets (only four squadrons are fully functional, the rest are switching over to hydrogen fuel cells.) Over 300 B-52 Bombers in Various States of Repair, and usage. (100 are grounded, the rest, are fully functional). Navy: Submarines: 25 H-K's (Hunter-Killer's), 20 Nuclear Launch Platform Submarines. ICBM':77 Ground based, 175 Submarine Based. Aircraft Carriers: 4 Full sized, 7 Escort, 15 Converted (Most converted from battleships, and from Freighters. Battleship models only number in the range of five, can be turned back into battleships with ease.) Battleships: 3, Cruisers: 1 squadron (Each squadron numbers in the dozen or so range). Destroyers: 2 Squadrons. Destroyer Escorts: 15 squadrons (Numerous others either in the line of being scrapped, or in the process of being scrapped.) Numerous Coastal patrol Craft.

History: The British Crown Colony of New London began her life in the year of our lord 1775, to suppliment lagging control over the British controled North American Colonies. But, instead of crushing the native tribes, the colonists who reached the site of New London signed peaceable treaties with the tribes, and brought them into the Capital city of New London (Calcutta before the year 1945) and proceeded to anglocise them. By the year 1781, the British had lost control of ALL colonies in North America, even the Belize Colony went into full rebellion. Thousands of colonists were sent to india, in particular, the New London Colony. By 1850, the British Crown Colonies in India numbered in the mid 10 million range, not counting the native population, who had intigrated with the rest of British society (They numbered in the mid 100 million range, stretching from the Siahan Mountain range in Pakistan, all the way to the borders of French IndoChina. During the indistrial Revolution, the colony had been completely industrialized to balance out the production downfall due to the loss of the canadian colony. When the African Colonies began to even out the imbalance, the New London Colony began to grown its own cotton. During the American Civil War, (Between the Canadian/Northern Colonies, and the Confederacy), the New London Colony produced 1/5 of the world's cotton supply. The colony grew rich, so rich in fact, that it was able to lay down its own rail lines. By the year 1900, the New London Colony was the most profitable colony in the British Empire. When the great War broke out, the New London Colony sent three Divisions to aid her mother country (the 1st Mountain division, the third Low lands division, and the fourth mechanized), all three are still in existance. By the time that the war had ended, the New London Colony had become fully industrialized, disease, and famine were beginning to become erased from the memories of the colonists. But, when the Spanish Flu of 1918 swept through New London, no one was left untouched. Over three million perished, disease and famine became common place. It took the colony ten years to recover, and by that time, radical Islam, and Hindu ideas began to spread through the minds of many. One man, named Mahatma Gandi, lead the masses in a war of non-violence. This went on for ten years, from 1930, to the year 1940. When, in the year 1941 however, things got dicey. The government of Japan declared war on the Western allies (the United States of America, England, and her crown colonies.) The Japanese army spared none. They pushed through Indochina, through Burma, and reached the southern borders of New London. The divisions pressed into southern India, and began the process of systematically cutting the rail lines. By the time that the British army rallied, and drove the invaders out, over 50% of the southern Rail lines were cut. By the time that the japanese military surrendered, the Colony was already in the process of re-building the shattered economy. The cotton fields had been all but burned to a cinder, the factories near Burma had been destroyed, and the rail lines were inoperable. The entire country had to do one major overhaul. It took well into the 1960's to repair the broken colony, and rebuild her economy. With the death of Mahatma Gandi, the pacifist movement ceased to exist. They accepted their role as british citizens, and moved on with their lives. During the 1960's, fears of a breakout of communism into New London were widespread, the british army mobalized five divisions to combat any invasion. The british East Asia fleet was berthed at Calcutta, and strategic alliances were set up. Through the Vietnam War, and the russian War to control Afghanistan, the New London Colony stood firm. The colony officially changed its name to the United Provinces of India. By the year 1991, the colony had gained almost full status as a country. When the USSR collapsed in 1992, the colony was granted full rights as a country. The United Provinces Chose to keep the flag of their ancestors, the traditional flag of England, the Union Jack, positioned on a field of Red and white stripes. This is to signify the original provinces of the Colony, and to signify her place as a free and independent India. The end of the millenium brought the British East India Fleet back to port in Calcutta, the Provinces had signed a treaty with the British Gov't to berth the fleet once again in its traditional port in Asia. The British Army and the Royal Air Force (RAF) built over 30 bases around the provinces, to help with protection.The new government also purchased many used aircraft, and technologies from the rest of the world, so as to protect her from any threats, from inside the flegling Union, or outside. Communist Indochina (Made up of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos), had a significant standing army, and a medium sized navy, and was ready and willing to go to war with any of her neighbors, so, the provinces stand ready and waiting. When the great disturbance that brought the Provnices here, the british Fleet, and the planes and ships that it had stationed pledged allegiance to the Provnices, untill they could get home, if they could...

[Bulgaroktonos]

Well, seeing as I was enjoying my Greek Republic, I think I'm going to keep it, and just continue its TL as if it had never been ISOT'ed.

So, the history from 1945-2004

Fearing Prussian aggression and gradual moves towards domination of the rest of OTL Germany, Austria-Hungary declared war on Prussia following Prussia's announcement of the North German Confederation, which was to include all Prussian Territory, Hanover, the Palatinate, the Netherlands, and the various small duchies in between. Following Austria's declaration, on the 23rd of March, Russia too declared war on the Prussians the following day. This was followed by France's declaration of war against both Russia and Austria Hungary (in ATL France and Prussia became good friends after the War of Austrian Succession in the late 1880s, as they both feared a strong Austria).

At first, the Prussians were able to hold the Austrians and Russians back, and won incredible victories in Bohemia and the Baltic states, seizing Prague in June. However, the Russian army was able to mobilize, and after stablizing the Czech front because of an Austrian collapse on August 9th, began its invasion of East Prussia on September 3rd.

In Italy, the Italian states ally with France, and attempt to push through Austrian Lombardy and Venetia, but are unsuccessful. By January of 1946, the Russians have managed to push Prussia back into Brandenberg, and are poised to take Berlin. This spurs Britain and Greece, hereto uninvolved into the war. Unwilling to see the destruction of Prussia, the entry of Great Britain and Greece turns the tide of the war. The Greek Army drives north into Serbia and Hungary, while begins widespread bombing of Russian oil facilities.

The British war machine, calling upon the resources of both the Americas, gears up for war. To make a long story short, Russia pressures Persia and Egypt into the war to distract Greece, but the war is over in short order by 1949, when Britain and Greece successfully test an Atomic weapon, and destroy Aleksandrgrad (Stalingrad/Volgograd) and Smolensk. However, given the size of the Russian war effort and its relative dominance on land, the Allied forces were forced to accept a very lenient treaty, in which Russia retained the Imperial monarchy, and was granted concessions in China, recieving Manchuria and Korea(which it had wrested from Japan, and unofficial Ally during the war).

Since then, Greece has lived in moderate prosperity, barring the post-war depression that led to the ultimate collapse of the Austro Hungarian state. Massive aid from Britain managed to secure the post-war world. Russia, having suffered massive casualties has since recovered, and has spread its influence throughout China. This is cause for concern in Britain and Greece, as Russia is the second largest nuclear power, with Greece a close third.

There are active Guerrilla wars in the Caucasus, where Russian and Georgian guerillas are attempting to liberate Georgia and return it to the Russian fold. There are a few similar movements in the Zagroz mountains of Persia.

Tech-wise, they are roughly where we are, with human cloning being a hot-topic in Greece at the moment. Britain and Greece lead the world in electronics manufactures, with Britain way out in front, seeing as they own fully half the globe. Britain in this TL has landed on the moon repeatedly, and is looking to begin setting up some kind of moon base within the next 10 years, a feat easily within their capablities. Greece has offered any assistance Britain is looking for, and Britain's top scientists and physicists are in Greece now, looking to work on the issue.

Stem-cell research isn't that big of an issue, and to all intents and purposes, it's been accepted as a viable tool for medical research.

Greek Territory: OTL Greece, 1914 Serbian Borders, Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Kuwait, Eastern Persia (controlling most of the oil fields in Eastern Iran), Georgia, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and Macedonia, oh, and Malta and Cyprus.

Population: Roughly 196.8 millions (world fact book estimates+computations).

Military: 800,000 active (Mostly in Georgia and the Zagros mountains, hunting down Persian and Russian Guerrillas)
1.2 million reserve

Navy: 4 "Alexander IV" Class Carriers, with 50 strike fighters each.
similar to our Nimitz/JFK Classes
5 "Opsikon" carriers, basically just an older non-nuclear version
29 nuclear armed and powered subs. Basically, Trident subs
about 10 are on deployment around the word at ISOT.

Current Emperor: Edward I Lascaris (grandson of Alexander IV, son of John IX
and a woman of "Latin," i.e. Western European descent).
Current Prime Minister: Anastasios Chidrigas
Grand Domestic: David Rabin

[Bulgaroktonos]

To clarify to all.

The Greek Republic is basically something like Japan. It has an emperor, but isn't called the Japanese Empire or the Empire of Japan. The Greeks simply decided to call it what it was, a Republic.

In exchange, the Emperor allowed to relinquish some of his power over law making. He serves in a fashion not unlike Augustus did. He acts as the head of state, signing legislation, and presides over the Senate, acting as chair.

Depending on the Emperor, the Emperor may be very powerful, or not. He has tons of "power," but relies more upon his influence and personal charisma to have his will done. He can be answerable to the Senate for crimes, but only 1 Emperor has ever pushed the boundaries of his power, and he was deposed for his son by the Senate.

The Grand Domestic basically serves as the Secretary of Defense, except a lot more powerful. He is capable of calling up reserves and mobilizing anywhere outside the province of Thrace and Nicaea. However, this action must eventually be confirmed by the Emperor, and is specifically designed to function as a safeguard against Imperial incapacitation and a freeze on the military organization. The troops in and around Constantinople are the Emperor's personal troops and will answer only to a member of the Imperial family in the event of an Emperor's inability to issue the orders himself. The order from the family must be signed by the Prime Minister (who functions as the voice of the majority party in the Senate, and has a seat at the Imperial Council).

The Imperial Council is made up the highest ranking military and civilian officials. It is called at least once a week in Constantinople, and is designed to set some guidelines on what threats are facing Greece, what the economic situation is, and how it might be dealt with. The Emperor has final say in any decision made by the Council, but it is rare to find an Emperor who is willing to defy the rest of the Council. If one does, it is usually a sign of bad relations to come.

[reformer]

Name: Kingdom Of Italy

Leaders: King Carlos Emmanuel, Pope John Paul II, Maria Bourbon

History: Early history from this timeline (which will be continued) http://www.alternatehistory.com/Discussion/showthread.php?t=11033
Later, after WWI, the growing reactionary movement gained popularity worldwide, and an confederation was formed with Spain, Portugual, southern France (which later joins Italy due to a communist revolt in Paris), Bavaria, Austria, the United Arab Peoples, and most of south America. The confederation together began colonising the world again as Britain began to withdraw.

The reactionaries were very distrustful of Democracy due to past exspieriences with the United States and Communist regiems in France, Russia, Eastern Europe (Italy invaded and took over Albania when its citisens put in a cry for help) and a Socialist regiem in Britain.

Other members of the alliance took more direct control of the colonise, so Italy was left with little when ISOTed.

After Vatican III, the Catholic church became exstremely tollerant of Protestants, and the confederation began to become attractive to Protestant reactionaries. Italy directly intervened and helped the Boers in South Africa, growing a strong connection, so South Africa is also ISOTed.

When finding all the members of its confederation gone, it will find itself much more weak then OTL.

Government:
Excecutive: A powerful king, son of Umberto Emmanuel and a Carlist in Rome
Some direct rule by the Catholic church from Pope John Paul II in Vatican City
There is a council in Venice. Half of the members are elected, and the other half are appointed by the king. The head of the Council is Maria Bourbon, a popular Carlist from Spain
Economy: Very strong with a much larger population of 75 million (instead of 58 million now). This is due to incouraged immigration from across the world. Italy has been almost enirely industrialised do to a much smaller enviornmentalist movement. The economy suffers greatly from loosing their half colinies and allies.

Military: 42 divisions, 26 infantry, 12 marine, 4 armored, small air force, 16 smaller colonial divisions that were posted somewhere in the Italian possesions when it was ISOTe
Flag: Same as OTL Italy

Other: Corsica and Provence are a part of Italy

[Matt]

Great Britain
Prime Minister Anthony Walker
King Charles

History: OTL up to the Falklands War-
Introduction

The War for the Falkland Islands will inevitably go down in history as one of the events of infamy. Regardless of what Argentina said at the time, or what has been said since 1982, Argentina nevertheless attacked, without warning or provocation, the British territory of the Falkland Islands. Furthermore, in another historical circumstance, the War would also see then end of the phrase ‘Britannia Rules The Waves’. The audacious Argentine air attack, on 10th May 1982, would ensure the end of the Royal Navy as a force in global affairs. And coinciding with the British defeat, the Conservative Government of Margaret Thatcher would, likewise, be defeated in the British general elections two months later in July.

The dispute, over the Falkland Islands, goes back a long way in history. It is a complicated affair which once saw France, Spain & Britain disputing who actually owned the Islands. At one point, the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, saw Spain awarded ownership of the Islands, but then in 1764, in defiance of the Treaty, the French established a settlement at Port Louis, thus making a claim to the Islands. Then the Spanish established their own colony at Port Egmont, closed the small French colony under agreement with the French, & then, in turn, handed over the colony to the British along with the ownership of the Islands in 1774. A few years later Spain claimed British ownership was in void because the British closed the Port Egmont settlement a year before.

Now the Argentines entered the fray. Following Argentine independence from Spain, in 1816, Argentina claimed that the Falkland Islands belonged to them. Furthermore, in 1820, the Argentines send a frigate to the Islands to stake their claim. Eight years later, as a result of this action, a small but prosperous colony had been established based on the seal trade. In 1829, however, the British protested the situation but did little about it other than handing over strongly worded letter to the Argentine government.

The next step, however, witnessed the United States enter centre stage over the Falklands. In 1831, a number of Americans were caught poaching seals on the Falklands. In reprisal, the US sent the warship Lexington to the Falklands which opened fire on the settlement. A couple of Argentine officials, on the Islands, were also arrested whilst the US government declared the Islands free of any government. In doing so, the British returned in 1833, forced the remaining Argentine population off the island, & finally claimed the Falklands for themselves. At this point, the British stay on the Falklands &, in 1842, the Islands officially become part of the British Empire. And so this would remain the situation for the next 140 years…

The Taking of South Georgia

On the 19th March 1982 41 Argentine “workmen” arrived on South Georgia Island transported by the Argentine Navy transport Bahia Buen Suceso. As it so happened, these workmen were actually members of the Argentine Navy’s Special Forces. The next morning, at the Argentine camp, their national flag was raised which gained the attention of four British scientists who were also on the island. As a result, the British government expressed its objection to the Argentine flag flying on British territory & promptly demanded its lowering. This, the Argentines did, albeit reluctantly.

The British, however, began to grow some concern as to the actual activities of these Argentine workmen. As a result, the British Governor of the Falkland Islands, Rex Hunt, sent 22 Royal Marines to South Georgia Island on the HMS Endurance. In a similar move, although unknown to the British, the Argentines had sent another naval transport ship, the Bahia Paraiso to South Georgia along with a detachment of Argentine Marines. This ship also carried two helicopters.

On the 29th May 1982, the Royal Marines were ordered that, if the Argentines tried to occupy South Georgia Island, due to concerns over what the Bahia Paraiso was up to, they were to use “Yellow Card” rules of engagement, which would prove to be useless in the events which would follow. Thus, on the 2nd April 1982, the Royal Marines were place in a difficult position when they discovered that the Argentines had indeed a military presence on South Georgia & not a civilian one (which the “Yellow Card” rules were suppose to deal with).

At the same time as the Falkland Islands were being invaded, the Argentine forces on South Georgia thus made their move. But it was not as easy as the Argentines thought, or wanted it to be. The Royal Marines, commanded by Lieutenant Keith Mills, had prepared defensive positions not far from their billets having feared the worst a few days before.

Yet, on the 3rd April, regardless of the Royal Marines preparations, the Argentines made their move against them nonetheless. The fighting which followed was intense. The British gave a good account of themselves against great odds. In the end, the Argentines had to even throw a frigate & two helicopters into the battle, which saw, however, damage caused to the frigate, by British rocket fire, & one helicopter shot down. In the end, though, numbers, lack of supplies, & without hope of reinforcements, the Royal Marines eventually surrendered without loss. With them thirteen British civilians also went into captivity. The Argentines had won the hard battle for South Georgia, but at great cost. Ironically, in a gesture of good will, the British prisoners, both military & civilian, were sent home to Britain two weeks later.

The Invasion of the Falkland Islands

Whilst the Argentines were playing their subterfuge on South Georgia Island, there was no indication whatsoever that the Falkland Islands as a whole came under Argentine threat. Yet this was to change dramatically on the 31st March. By now, British intelligence became alarmed, not overly about developments on South Georgia, but by the fact that Argentine naval deployments indicated that an invasion of the Falklands could take place within days.

As a result of this warning, Governor Hunt ordered the Royal Marine detachment to prepare defences. Luckily for the British, instead of the usual detachment of 40 Marines, there are actually 70 present, plus a local contingent of Falkland Islanders. As a result, by the time the Argentines eventually landed, the British had reasonable defences come the battle.

On the morning of 2nd April 1982, the Argentine invasion took place. Landing around Port Stanley, the main settlement on the Falklands, the Argentine 2nd Marine Battalion, landed unopposed & moved towards the town. The main objectives, for the invaders, were the airfield & Government House. Fighting, however, took place once the Argentines left the beach areas. The Royal Marines gave a good account of themselves, even in the face of armour. Using LAWS anti-tank rockets, damage wss done to several Amtrak vehicles.

The battle, however, soon turned against the British as the Argentines had overwhelming numbers. The airfield was soon taken by the Argentine Marines & immediately the 25 Infantry Brigade began to arrive by aircraft. Elsewhere, the Argentines moved slowly & surely towards Government House. Governor Hunt, knowing all too well that there was no hope in stopping the Argentine invasion, issued the surrender order at 9.30am. That evening, Governor Hunt & the Royal Marines were evacuated from the Falklands to the mainland. They, like their comrades from South Georgia, were returned to Britain by way of Paraguay.

The British Response

The British response to the invasion of Sovereign territory was immense. No one displayed more outrage than the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Known as the ‘Iron Lady’, not only did she show her anger in public, an emotion which the people of Britain shared it must be noted, but she spent little time with diplomacy. Orders were immediately sent out from Number 10 Downing Street to the armed forces. Thus the largest Britain Armada, since the Suez Crisis, would be assembled. And along with the Royal Navy, the Army & the Royal Air Force was also organising their part to play.

The units of Britain’s military, assembled to give battle, was impressive. Two aircraft carriers, HMS Hermes & HMS Invincible would lead the Royal Navy, which would also include the one off class ship DDGs HMS Bristol; the County class ships HMS Antrim, & HMS Glamorgan; the Type-42 class ships HMS Cardiff, HMS, Coventry, HMS Exeter, HMS Glasgow, & HMS Sheffield; as well as the frigates HMS Brilliant, HMS Broadsword, HMS Active, HMS Alacrity, HMS Ambuscade, HMS Antelope, HMS Ardent, HMS Arrow, HMS Avenger, HMS Andromeda, HMS Argonant, HMS Minerva, HMS Penelope, HMS Plymouth, HMS Yarmouth; & finally six submarines including HMS Conqueror & HMS Spartan.

Along with the combat ships would come several troop, cargo & landing ships including HMS Fearless, HMS Intrepid, HMS Sir Bedivere, HMS Sir Galahad, HMS Sir Geraint, HMS Sir Lancelot, HMS Sir Percivale, HMS Sir Tristram, & importantly the helicopter tender HMS Engadine.

On board all these ships came an impressive array of personnel & equipment. 20 of the Sea Harriers would be deployed upon the two aircraft carriers. These would become essential for protecting the fleet from any air threat. Backing the Sea Harriers up, would be the various SAM systems which many of the ships had. The SAM systems varied, though, from the Sea Cat & Sea Slug systems, which were somewhat old, to the more effective & modern Sea Dart & Sea Wolf systems.

Although the naval element was probably the most impressive, considering the assets involved, it would, however, once the fleet arrived at the Falklands, be the task of the ground forces who would inevitably have the difficult job of, not only landing, but giving battle to the Argentine military which occupied the Islands. This unthankful task would fall to the Army’s 5th Infantry Brigade & 3 Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines.

The Empire Strikes Back

On the same day that the Falklands was surrendered to Argentina, Britain had already set her plans in motion to retake the Islands. Out of the ships listed above, an “Advanced Group” was organised & sent to the South Atlantic in preparation for the main fleet. Centred around the destroyers HMS Antrim & Glamorgan, HMS Coventry, Glasgow, Sheffield, & the frigates HMS Arrow, Brilliant, & Plymouth came along. Added to this Advanced Group was a detachment of Royal Marines, SAS & SBS units.

At the same time as the Advanced Group was getting its orders to sail south, the nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror also got its orders. Like the Advanced Group, it was to head south as part of a coordinated mission to strike at the Argentines. On the 21st April, HMS Conqueror hence arrived at its patrol station & began to collect information of Argentine activity on South Georgia Island. A day after Conqueror arrived it put ashore a small party of SAS & SBS troops to observe the Argentine positions on the island itself.

Having studied the Argentine positions, the SAS & SBS units inform the Advanced Group, commanded by Admiral Woodward, of their observations. Woodward then orders HMS Antrim & Plymouth, along with the troop support ship RFA Tidespring to head to the South Georgia Islands in an effort to retake them. Thus, on the 25th April 1982, the first action to take the Falklands Island back occurs.

Under the cover of cannon fire from the two Royal Navy combat ships, British troops land on South Georgia on the beaches, via landing craft, & on higher ground via helicopters. The Argentines, to their credit, manage to hold on until the next morning when the cannon fire from the two Royal Navy ships became very accurate &, likewise, obvious that there was no chance of survival. Wishing to thus avoid pointless deaths, the 150 strong Argentine garrison surrendered.

Yet if news of the fall of South Georgia was bad news for the Argentines, worse news was soon to come. HMS Conqueror, now free from her duties at South Georgia, was ordered to begin patrols to the west of the Falklands. Coinciding with this, the British announced an exclusion zone around the disputed islands. Ignoring the British exclusion zone, the Argentine Navy decided to put to sea. There were many reasons for this, but the leading one was the approach of the RN Advanced Group.

The Argentine Naval planners had come up with a two-prong attack in dealing with the Advanced Group. One task force would be centred around the elderly aircraft carrier the 25 de Mayo, whilst a second group centred around the elderly cruiser General Belgrano. A third group centred around two DDGs, the Santisima Trinidad & the Hercules (which were ironically British Type-42 destroyers), which patrolled the Argentine coast. So, in accord with the plan, the Argentine Fleet sortied on 26th April 1982.

The Argentines, however, were not aware of the exact location of the RN Advanced Group. Even though Tracker aircraft, from the 25 de Mayo, scanned the surrounding seas with their radar, looking for the British ships, nothing was found. Unbeknownst to the Argentine navy at the time, the Advanced Group had sailed to the west of the Falklands in order to recapture South Georgia. By the time the Argentines had become aware of the fall of South Georgia, the two Argentine Navy task force groups were to the north-west (25 de Mayo task force) & south-west (General Belgrano task force) of the Falklands. And it was in these locations that the Argentine Navy decided to stay until the location of the Advanced Group was finally discovered.

HMS Conqueror, in the meantime, had taken up its patrol station to the west of the Falkland Islands on 1st April. Enjoying advanced sonar technology, it did not take the Conqueror long before a contact had been identified to the south. As a result, the RN submarine headed off to the location of its contact in order to investigate. The Conqueror’s captain, fully aware of the exclusion zone & what it meant should any Argentine vessel was found in it, was prepared to sink the contact if it proved to be of Argentine origin.

Thus on the 2nd April 1982, Conqueror came upon the General Belgrano task force patrolling the south-western approaches to the Falkland Islands. The hunters now became the hunted. Without any warning whatsoever, two torpedos hit the General Belgrano midships that caused great destruction. The Argentine cruiser had no chance as it began to sink. The British had gained another victory, one even greater than the retaking of South Georgia.

The Argentine Naval response was not surprising. Realising the great danger its ships were in, the entire Argentine Navy, apart from one diesel-electric submarine, returned to port. It seemed that Argentina had surrendered the South Atlantic Ocean to the Royal Navy. But, in reality, Argentina would now resort to its only real strength it had in fighting the British: her aircraft.

The Loss of HMS Sheffield

On the morning of the 3rd April 1982, the British were celebrating two victories. Things looked to be going well for the British in their endeavour to retake the Falklands. Already, South Georgia had been liberated, whilst the Argentine Navy, in response to the sinking of their cruiser, had returned to port as fast as was possible. Furthermore, the great armada that Britain had put together for this undertaking, had arrived in the area. Now the British had the full weight of their military to bring to bare against the Argentines. There seemed little for the British to overly worry about. But this was to soon change.

Now that the Argentines had more or less surrendered the Southern Atlantic to the British, they began to take stock. Clearly the Royal Navy was far too superior for the Argentine Navy to defeat in an open encounter. It would require something very different possibly not seen since the days of the Second World War. It would take the combined efforts of the aircraft of the Navy with that of the Air Force. And this would take much effort & planning. But first of all the Argentine planners had to know if the centre piece of their plan would work. As a result, a hastily battle plan was put together to try out the Navy’s only one true asset - their Super Etendards.

On the morning of 4th May there seemed no threat coming from the Argentines. HMS Sheffield, now that the entire fleet had arrived, took up its patrol position some 40nm in front of the main fleet. Its role was that of radar picket, insofar as it was to keep an eye on the skies should any aircraft try to attack the fleet. Unbeknown to the Sheffield, an Argentine Navy Tracker aircraft, operating to the north of the Falkland Islands, was able to scan the British destroyer, at some distance, without itself being noticed. If it was itself scanned, it would have been challenged by two Sea Harriers who performed CAP duties.

Once the Sheffield was noticed, the Tracker reported its findings to its controllers back on the mainland, & not long afterwards, two Naval Super Etendards took off to try their first strike mission against the Royal Navy. Events now moved fast as the Super Etendards flew towards the location of the British ship. The great advantage, in the forth coming battle, would soon shock the world as the nature of Naval battles was about to change. At some distance from the Sheffield, in fact at 60nm away, the Super Etendards, which had been flying low to avoid British radar, now gained height whilst turning on their own radar in an attempt to get a final fix on the Sheffield. Once this was achieved, two Exocet missiles were fired at the target.

The Sheffield never knew what hit it. There was no warning. Nothing. The Exocet missiles had been fired beyond the effective radar range of the Royal Navy ship. As a result, the two Argentine aircraft were never really spotted by the Sheffield’s radar, although there was some intermitted contact. But this was not enough to get the full attention of the ship’s radar personnel.

The British soon conducted rescue missions, for the surviving crew of the Sheffield, & these were largely successful, but the loss of the Sheffield soon took the gloss of the British successes to date. For the Argentines, though, the success of the Super Etendards mission was met with much joy. The Argentines now knew that air attack was the way they could defeat the Royal Navy. As a result, their plan for a full air offensive would go ahead in five days.

Plans

Yet, even with the loss of the Sheffield, the British continued to press ahead with their efforts. And if the Argentines thought that the British may take a few days to recover from the sinking of the Sheffield, they were mistaken. On the same day that the Sheffield was sunk, the first actions against the Argentine garrison on the Falklands took place. The Royal Air Force now got involved. The aging British bomber, the Vulcan, was given the mission to attack Stanley Airfield, which was now used by the Argentines. Although it only involved the use of one aircraft, this still came as a shock to the defenders. What was worse, too, was the fact that Sea Harriers began attacks around the Falklands, although this was mostly around Port Stanley.

The reaction by the Argentines was not surprising. As a result, they implemented four days earlier, part of their air offensive plan. So on the dawn of 6th May, a CAP was established over the town of Poart Stanley consisting of two Mirage III fighter jets. Argentina had 17 such aircraft &, although these had to be based on the mainland as the runway at Stanley Airfield was too short, the patrol could be maintained 24 hours a day as they had plenty of numbers in such aircraft.

The next step was sending all eight Navy Skyhawk jet fighters to Stanley airfield. These were the A-4Q model which had been updated ten years ago from the original A-4B model. As such, they could be used in the fighter role like the Mirage III, even though the Sidewinder they employed was the ‘D’ model & somewhat obsolete. Nonetheless, like the Mirage III CAP, these Skyhawks would also provide a CAP & acted as support for the Mirage fighters.

Added to this air defence was an assortment of AA guns & SAM systems which were concentrated around Stanley Airfield. Thus when the RAF attempted another bombing run in the evening of 6th May, it was intercepted by the Mirage CAP. And, instead of attempting to continue with its bombing mission, the Vulcan bomber reversed course & headed back to Ascension from where it came.

The airspace, however, over the Falkland Islands was now to be contested between the Sea Harriers of the Royal Navy & the jet fighters of Argentina. In many respects it was an uneven contest & the Argentines would lose two Navy Skyhawk A-4Qs whilst their Air Force comrades would have six of their Mirage IIIs shot down. At the same time, the RN would lose two Sea Harriers to a mid air collision & have one shot down due to ground fire. Annoyingly for the Argentine pilots, all of their efforts came to naught against their opposition.

Nonetheless, the efforts of the Argentines ensured that the groundwork had been established for the upcoming air offensive. Instead of waiting for the 10th May, it was decided to bring some elements forward a day. This was risky, considering that a possible attack on Stanley Airfield could destroy the forth-coming attack, but it was decided to go ahead with the plan anyway. So all through the 9th May, 45 Argentine Air Force Skyhawk A-4B/Cs (the older model) arrived at Stanley Airfield to be readied for the air offensive. And protecting this resent addition to the Falklands, the Navy Skyhawks & Air Force Mirage IIIs doubled their efforts in patrolling the Falklands airspace. The British helped in this regard by not launching any attack on 9th May. That was unfortunate.

Battle of the Falklands

There seemed to be no indication, on the morning of 10th May, that the greatest naval battle to take place since 1945 was about to begin. The British, after loosing three of their Sea Harriers on 8th May, had begun to analyse the situation. The RAF, after encountering strong air defences, including enemy fighters, had told the Royal Navy that it could not send further Vulcan bombing missions to the Falklands, because they believed that the bomber would be shot down well before reaching its target.

As a result of the RAF’s concerns, on the 9th May, the British decided that the Argentine air coverage of the Falklands would need to be seriously contested, but this meant that the Royal Navy needed more Harriers. As a result, it was arranged that ten more Sea Harriers would be flown down to Ascension Island & then from there they would fly to the Fleet. Coming with the Sea Harriers would be also eight RAF Harriers. Although somewhat different to their sea based cousins, they could, nevertheless, still do the job. The Harrier reinforcements would leave Britain the next day & arrive on the 11th May. The next day the British planned to conduct their own offensive against the Argentine air cover.

Yet as these Harriers left Britain, trouble was brewing for the British. By the end of the day, it would be they who were in serious trouble. For as per the Argentine battle plans, the great Argentine Air/Naval Offensive began. The Argentine attack came in several phases. Each had to be well timed, although there had been much left free so that commanders had the opportunity to adjust their part of the plan according to circumstance. Nonetheless, the attack began as planned.

The first signal that something was afoot was when the radar equipment on board HMS Hermes & Invincible alerted their operators that powerful airborne radars were operating to the west of the Falklands. Fearing that an attack might be under way, the alert was given. As such, four Sea Harriers where launched to join up with the two already patrolling the skies as part of their CAP duties. But before the Harriers could be vectored towards the location of the enemy radar, the first major part of the Argentine plan came into action.

Having been alerted to the Royal Navy’s reaction to the Surveillance Group, comprising two Argentine Air Force Elint 707s & two Naval Tracker aircraft, the Deception Group of aircraft, that being ten Aermacchi MB.339 jets & ten Canberra light bombers, went into action. Having taken off from their bases some half hour before the Surveillance Group had turned on their radars, the Deception Group deliberately climbed in height to gain the attention of the British.

To the British radar operators, it just appeared that a large strike force had just conducted a “pop-up” manoeuvre which is commonly done, by attacking aircraft, in order to get a radar fix on their respective targets. As a result, it appeared to the British that they were under attack by a mixed force of Aermacchi MB.339 light strike aircraft, but far more alarmingly, Canberra bombers. Needless to say, this gained the full attention of the British & soon all six Sea Harriers were sent to intercept this incoming threat.

The Argentines, however, had deliberately planned for this event. Once the Surveillance Group ascertained that the Deception Group had been seen, & that Sea Harriers were heading towards them, the Deception Group got the go ahead to complete their mission. In doing so, they dropped their altitude to some 250 feet above sea level & turned around. The Sea Harriers, thinking that the Argentines were trying to get under their radar, continued with their interception mission not realising that they were being deliberately led away from the fleet. Soon, however, the Harriers, in their futile attempt at intercepting the Argentine aircraft, were low on fuel & had to return to their carriers. They would take no further part in this day’s business.

The British, though, obviously had more than six Harriers. As a result of the situation, two more Harriers were launched to take up the CAP duties now relinquished by their comrades. At the same time, the Argentines began the second phase of their plan. At this point, the Argentine Fighter Sweep Force of 20 Dagger Fighters, an Israeli fighter aircraft that is similar to the Mirage III, now came into play. These aircraft were formed into two groups, & although both groups would fight together as a whole, their purposes were different prior to air combat.

The first group of ten Dagger fighters rose in altitude whilst the remaining ten remained low. This was a deliberate ploy, in a manner similar to the Deception Group, except in this case there would be no withdrawal. Instead the Dagger fighters meant business. And as with the Deception Group, the British soon saw the Daggers on radar. Immediately the British reacted with alarm & sent the two Sea Harriers of the CAP towards the location of the incoming Daggers. Furthermore, knowing that these aircraft were Dagger fighters meant the British launched a further six Harriers to support the two already airborne.

Upon seeing the British air activity, the Surveillance Group, once again issued orders for Argentine reaction. This meant three things took place all at once. The first immediate step saw the ten Dagger fighters return to their previous low altitude & rejoin the other ten fighters of the Fighter Sweep Force. Soon the British would be caught in an ambush where 20, & not ten fighters, were waiting for them.

The second step witnessed the introduction of the Entendard Exocet Force. This small group, numbering only four Super Entendards, would have the most important mission of all. Being guided by the information gathered by the Surveillance Group, the four aircraft flew at low altitude towards their objective - the two Royal Navy carriers. At the appropriate time, the four aircraft did the “pop-up” manoeuvre & fired their Exocet missiles before anyone could do anything about it.

Coinciding with the Entendard Exocet Force, came the great bulk of the air attack. The 45 older Skyhawks, who the day before had arrived at Stanley Airfield, were now added to the battle known as the Skyhawk Strike Force. But they were not alone. Providing a fighter escort came ten more of the Dagger fighters grouped as the Fighter Escort Force. It would be just as well these Daggers came along, considering the air defence which the British could still offer after being as stretched as they were.

Yet before the Entendards had even gotten into position to fire their deadly cargo, the British Harriers & the Daggers of the Fighter Sweep Force soon clashed. Amazingly for the British pilots, even though surprised & greatly outnumbered, they fought extremely well under the circumstances. Armed with the latest model Sidewinder missile, the ‘L’ version, five Argentine Daggers had been destroyed before the Argentines even had an opportunity to return fire. Furthermore, the British ships had been alerted to the real situation & the remaining three Sea Harriers had been launched.

The battle, though, was now reaching its climax. With only three Harriers in reserve, Woodward, the Royal Navy admiral commanding the fleet, was justifiably concerned. Ordering a full alert, every radar & SAM system throughout the entire fleet came online. It was just as well as, at this point in time, the Skyhawk Strike Force was beginning to split up into nine groups of five. In doing so, each group had its own particular target, which included the two British carriers & every destroyer. But before the Skyhawk Strike Force were even within of the Royal Navy’s SAM umbrella, the remaining three Sea Harriers tried to intervene.

Now came the turn of the Argentine Fighter Escort Force. Their sole mission was to keep the Skyhawk Strike Force alive. Noticing the movements of the remaining Sea Harriers, the ten Daggers intervened. Again, though, the Daggers were severely hit in the air mallee which followed. Within a minute, three Daggers were destroyed whilst all three Sea Harriers survived the initial attack. But, as had happened to the other Sea Harrier interception force, the British were caught up in their own deadly action which ensured that the Skyhawk Strike Force went unmolested.

It was at this point in the battle when everything went wrong for the British. Just as the Skyhawk Strike Force began their bombing runs, the four Exocet missiles announced their arrival. Within seconds, all four missiles hit their targets. Within seconds. Both HMS Hermes & Invincible were surrounded in smoke. Emergency alerts were sent to the fleet for help, although most ships were too busy with the battle at hand, as the planes Skyhawk Strike Force had survived so far without any loss & was clearly threatening several ships. This, however, was about to change. Now in range of the Sea Dart SAM systems on HMS Bristol & the Type 42 destroyers, several such missiles were launched at the incoming Skyhawks.

Unfortunately for the British, the Sea Dart system was more like the American Standard SM-1 SAM system than the far more capable Aegis air defence system. As such, each RN destroyer could only target one Skyhawk each. Overall, this meant only five aircraft could be engaged at the same time. Having said that, the two County Class destroyers also tried to engage the Argentine aircraft as well, but their Sea Slug SAM system was more or less obsolete &, in the action which followed, only managed to hit one plane.

Unlike the lack of success, which the Sea Slug armed destroyers had, the other destroyers had much more success. Alas, for the Argentine pilots, the British shot down a further 20 Skyhawks using the Sea Dart SAMs, whist a further two Skyhawks were hit with the Sea Wolf system. But if the Argentines thought that their cost for victory was steep, the British losses from the combined Exocet/Skyhawk attack was worse. Not only was HMS Hermes & HMS Invincible hit by two Exocets each, but each received the attention of two Skyhawks. The Argentine jets were able to score four 500lb bombs on both carriers which lead to their sinking later that day. Furthermore, both County Class destroyers were hit by several 500lb bombs, as was the Type-42 destroyer HMS Coventry. Finally, two frigates of the Amazon Class, HMS Antelope & HMS Ardent, were also hit. And all these ships would be lost. Five other frigates were also damaged, but were still seaworthy.

Within an hour of the opening phase of the Argentine attack, it was thankfully over. The Royal Navy had been gutted. Frantic efforts at rescue operations soon began as had improvised planning. The most important aspect at this point was the recovery of the surviving Sea Harriers. Even though their carriers had been sunk, it still meant a landing place had to be made quickly for the 12 surviving Harriers. Thankfully HMS Engadine, the helicopter support ship, was able to take eight of the homeless Harriers, whilst four of the fleet support ships, those having large helicopter support facilities, took one of the remaining four Harriers each.

Woodward, who survived the sinking of his flagship HMS Antrim, gave the saddest order of his life. Knowing all too well that his position was completely untenable, Woodward ordered a withdrawal to Ascension Island. Britain, or so it seemed, had lost the war. The only exception to this order was given to the submarines patrolling the waters around the Falklands & off the Argentine coast. These would remain in order to enforce the exclusion zone which was still in force.

Aftermath

On the 11th May 1982, Argentina awoke with the news of a great victory. And indeed it was for a short time. Three days later, after it had been confirmed that the British fleet had withdrawn, the 25 de Mayo, with two frigate escorts & two cargo ships, left port for the Falkland Islands with supplies for the army garrison & the civilians. On the 12th May, HMS Spartan, a nuclear submarine, fired four torpedos into the Argentine’s only aircraft carrier. Within an hour, the aircraft carrier had sunk. The other Argentine ships waited around only long enough to rescue the surviving crew & returned to port as quickly as they could. In many respects, a stalemate eventuated as Argentina could only supply the Falklands by air & had only 15 cargo planes which could fly into & out of Stanley airfield.

Furthermore, on 14th May, the United Nations finally got involved in a meaningful manner. Backed up by the Security Council, the UN began to broker a peace deal between the British & Argentines. These negotiations were further forced along by threats from the United States that it would intervene in the matter on the side of Britain. As a result of these threats, the leadership of Argentina, which was a military Junta at the time, caved into American pressure & agreed to a peace treaty with Britain. As a result, the Falklands were handed back to Britain on 1st June after the evacuation of all Argentine personnel. In return, Britain, under UN supervision, would have to hold a referendum within 6 months on the Falklands asking its population what its future would behold.

The aftermath of the Falklands War in 1982, however, did not simply end there. By the end of June 1982, the Argentine Military Junta, governing the country, collapsed in the face of a People’s Revolution. Discussed by the eventual loss of the war, & by the handing back to Britain of the Falklands, the people of Argentina had had enough. Within 24 hours, Argentina was liberated from the military dictatorship & joined the ranks of free people in the democratic world. In a similar manner, the Thatcher government, even though successful in regarding the Falklands, nevertheless suffered badly in the British General Election in 1982. The defeat of the Royal Navy was, by far, too much for the British People to tolerate, & took it out on the Thatcher Government by voting the government out of office in preference for the Labour Party, as Britannia no longer ruled the waves.

I accidently deleted the additions I made to it, so let me sum it up. Labour collapsed, Conservative government elected. Rebuild RN, using 3 former USN aircraft carriers. 3 Ark Royal class added to that number by 1990. Saddam invades Kuwait, but a RN task force built around the Ark Royal is on station. Attacks Saddam's invading army. Invasion not replused, but enough time is given to evacuate almost all the Kuwaiti Armed Forces. Iraqi's launch massive attack on the Ark Royal. Attack is replused using the carrier's fighters. Coaliton buildup as per OTL, with larger British detachment. Kuwait liberated in Feb 1991.

Soviet collapse as OTL, but brief civil war(no nukes) breaks out. British troops sent to the Baltics to protect independence. No major draw down of British armed forces post-Cold War. In 1995 GB invades Serbia when they start getting uppity. Brief, intense war, with longer drawn out occupation.

April 2001, Terror attacks. WTC, Pentagon, US Capital hit in US. Car bombs go off all over Britian. Queen Elizabeth II killed in ambush. 1500 Britons killed, in addition to 5000 Americans. US/UK invades Afganistan on Sept 11. OBL capture near Pakistan border on March 20, 2003 by Royal Marines.

ISOT lands: British Isles(including Ireland, who is so similar to OTL i won't even post them) Ascension Islands, Falklands, Diego Garcia, Hong Kong(not turned over to China.)

Military:
Military manpower
Availability(males age 15-49): 14,943,016 (2004 est.)
Fit for military service(males age 15-49): 12,393,785 (2004 est.)
Military strength
British Army
Main Battle Tanks 600 Challenger 2
Infantry fighting vehicles 800 Warrior
Armoured Personnel Carriers 6,000+
Artillery 700
Aircraft 500
Personnel (Regular Army) 175,00
Personnel (Territorial Army) 60,000+

Royal Navy
Ballistic Missile Submarines 4
Fleet Submarines 11
Aircraft Carriers 6
Helicopter Carrier 1
Destroyers 15
Frigates 30
Patrol boats 40
Amphibious Assault ships 5
Minesweepers 20
Survey vessels 6
Aircraft 210
Personnel (Regular) 100,000
Personnel (Royal Naval Reserve) 15,00
Personnel (Royal Marines Reserve) 1,100
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Tankers 9
Resupply ships 2
Tanker/Resupply ships 2
Aviation training ship 1
Repair ship 1
Amphibious Assault ships 5
Strategic lift vessels 2
Royal Air Force
Aircraft 2000(including helicopters)
Personnel 90,000

Population: 60.2 million

[perdedor99]

Name- People’s Republic of Mexico
Leader(s)- Secretary General Antonio Perez Sotomayor
Government-Mexican Communist Party only permitted party. MCP follows Marxism operated on the principles of democratic centralist. In reality a one party dictatorship.
Territorial Extension: OTL Mexican borders but Baja is part of the United States and must likely will ask to rejoin as soon as possible.

Economy- Their economy depends greatly from subsidies from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Union of European Socialist Nations plus trade with them. Mexico has a government-controlled economy with a mixture of modern and outmoded industry and agriculture, in the majority of cases the industry is in shambles due to years of mishandle and corruption. Recent administrations have expanded competition in railroads, telecommunications, electricity generation, natural gas distribution, and airports. Per capita income is one-twenty that of the US; income distribution remains highly unequal. The government is cognizant of the need to upgrade infrastructure, modernize the tax system and labor laws, and provide incentives to invest in the energy sector, but progress is slow. Oil exportation areas are close to guerilla dominated areas and production sometimes is interrupted due to sabotage.
Military-
Army: 100,000 men divided into 30 military zones. In the majority of cases undertrained but well suited for the counterinsurgency actions against the pro-democracy guerillas in the provinces bordering the United States and in Yucatan. Over 100 T-62 tanks divided in independent companies thru the country. Soviet equipment is the standard issue.
Navy: 25 small ships. 50 Soviet build anti submarine aircraft.
Air Force: 120 aircrafts; 80 fighters and 40 bombers. Obsolete and comparable to MIG-21 and Tu-22 bombers.
History- The American invasion of Mexico in pursuit of Pancho Villa turned into a real shooting war between the nations of Mexico and the United States. By the end of 1918 the war in Europe ended into exhaustion with the governments of Germany and Russia fell to Communist uprisings while in Mexico a treaty was forced on the Mexican people, who also fell to a Communist leaning government. Baja California was ceded to the United States and a demilitarized zone created in the Mexican side of the US-Mexican border. The beginning of the world struggle against Communist started.

1920’s-The German and Russian socialist governments reached an agreement to expand their revolution abroad. By the end of the decade, China is under the sway of a young man named Mao and the Baltic States and Finland are now republics inside the Soviet Union. In Mexico, secret military treaties are signed with their comrades on the other side of the sea. The Great Depression showed up in schedule.

1930’s- With the chaos caused by the depression, revolts occurred all to the Middle East and the Balkans. Italy transformed itself into a Soviet Republic after a short civil war in 1934. Civil war in Spain erupted in 1936, with the French and British supporting the rebels against the left wing government that was forced to lean more in the International Comintern. Thousands of Mexicans ‘volunteered” for action in the war. Ended in victory for the rebels in early 1938. Russo-German invasion of Poland in 1938 starts World War 2.

1940’s- The war ended in stalemate with the entrance of the United States on the side of the Allies in 1943. By the end of the war by 1946 continental Europe except for the Iberian Peninsula are under the Communist force yoke. But their advances into the Middle East are stopped with southern Persia and Iraq recaptured by joint American-British forces, plus the African Continent was liberated from Communist Italian forces. In Asia, Japan was forced from Korea and Indochina and Thailand fell to the Chinese but they were defeated by the British in India and in Malaya with Japanese and American forces help. Mexico stayed neutral but they tied up a lot of American forces on the border between the two nations during the war.

1950’s to present-The world is in a state of Cold War between the Communist and the Democratic nations. The 1970’s and 80’s were years of proxy wars in Africa and Asia, all of them brutally suppressed by the so-called democracies. By 2005, the Communist block is showing cracks and calls for democratic reports are being heard in the border Socialist republics like France, Thailand, Turkey and Italy. Mexico feels surrounded and their continued existence was protected due to the fear of escalation between the powers. Guerillas are common in their northern and southern borders of the country and is possible the nation could collapse.

[Matt]

Formal Name: German Reich
Chancellor Heinrych Wolfensberger(CD)
Kaiser Otto II, Head of State

History POD:

January 1859: Crown Prince Fredrich?s wife Victoria gives birth to a wonderfully healthy baby boy, named Johann(OTL Wilheim without his birth defects and accompanying angst). Growing up Johann is revealed to be remarkably levelheaded and diplomatic. He spends significant amounts of time in England, under the care of his Grandmother Victoria, and Uncle Edaward. There he becomes a close friend of future the King of England, George V, and a terrific Anglophile.

April 1889: After just over a years reign Kaiser Fredrich III succumbs to cancer. Johann is crowned on April 20.

1890s: Johann pushes for closer ties with Britain, while relations cool with France and Russia. Fearing possible alienation from Britain, the Kaiser decides to maintain only a modest Fleet, one only designed to keep the Baltic open. Resources that would have otherwise gone to the Imperial Navy OTL, goes instead to the Army, particularly into the area of artillery.

On the political side, reforms are adopted. The working class was appeased with very progressive legislation guaranteeing accident and health insurance as well as old-age pensions. Germany reforms one of Europe?s most archaic tax codes into a modern progressive income tax. France and Russia enter into an alliance, fearing growing German power on the continent. Numerous crisis?s are provoked by France during this time, but none spill over into war.


July 1, 1905: The Borderland crisis boils over into war with France. Great Britain sits out, having previously maintained much closer relations with Germany then OTL. Russia does not live up to its promises. The Schlieffen Plan executes as plan, and the French Army is destroyed in detail, largely thanks to German superiority in artillery and numbers. The final blow comes at Belleau Wood, where the bulk of the French Army is encircled and destroyed outside of Paris. Even the French now legitimately sees Alsace-Lorraine as German, and Luxembourg is annexed. Belgium sovereignty is restored after the French Army violated its sovereignty.

The Treaty of Versailles is seen by almost all as generous. France must demilitarize its border with German and Belgium. It?s fleet cannot exceed ½ of the size of Britain?s, and it?s Army is like wise restricted. Reparations are to be made to Belgium and Germany. France is allowed to retain its colonies. Germany gives its African colonies to Britain; in turn a formal defensive alliance is formed.

1915: The Great War begins after A-H mobilizes against Serbia. Russia declares war against A-H, Britain and Germany declares war on Russia. The War well last for 2 years. Tanks, the machine gun, aeroplanes all change the face of warfare. The numbers involved are unprecedented in human history, and leave approx 10 million dead on all sides.

1917: The Treaty of Minsk is signed. The Allies have fought Russia to exhaustion. The Independent Kingdoms of Poland, Byelorussia, Ukraine, and Baltmak are craved out of Russia as buffer states. Civil war erupts in lands that remain in Russian control.

1918: Tzar Nicolas abdicates and flees to Paris. The Reds seize control. Though they effectively control Russia, the civil war well simmer for many years. Lenin leads the world?s first communist state.

1922: Lenin dies. He is seceded by Trotsky. He well implement a series of long term development plans that well bring Russia into the modern stage. But it comes at a cost of millions. Acheiko Hadikin (dun dun dun!!) carefully rises through the ranks of the Communist party, vying his time.

1927: The World-Wide economic collapse bring strong dissidents and unrest to Germany. For the first time in his life, Johann doesn?t know how to handle the crisis.

1929: The German Constitutional Convention. Johann decides to ditch the current form of government, and declares the convention shall be held. A federal system is decided on, similar to the United States. Provinces(Prussia, Bavaria, Pomerina etc.) well have a large degree of self-government, but well remain subordinate to the Federal Government in Berlin. There is a bi-cameral legislature, the Bundestag, and an elected Chancellor as the head of Government. The Kaiser shall remain as the head of state, with little de jure powers, but plenty of de facto.

1930: The first elections are held. Otto Von Richter, a former foreign minister is Germany?s first Chancellor. The just left of center party, the Social Democrats take control of both chambers. Social Welfare, and federal work program laws are put into place, giving Germany, as Chancellor Von Richter says ?Ein Neues Abkommen,? a new chance.

In Russia Hadikin, through circumstances not entirely understood, seizes control of the government And vengeance is on his mind. He begins a modernization of the Red Army.

1935: Border clashes break out between Russia and Japan. Low level warfare well continue there for years.

1940: Russia annexes Byelorussia and parts of the Ukraine. A formal alliance, The Northern Europe Coalition, is formed between Germany, Britain, Poland, and Austria-Hungry. It establishes common command and control of NEC forces, and basing of troops in Poland and A-H.

1943: Revolution breaks out in Baltmark, Russian forces invade to "restore"order. War in the Ukraine.

1944: Tensions grow in Eastern Europe. By July, the Ukraine is conquered, and Russia begins shifting massive numbers of troops and material to the border with A-H and Poland.

January 1945: The Russians invade Poland. Despite the edge in technolgy the NEC forces enjoy, Russian numbers are almost too much to stop. Russian forces strike deep into Poland, capturing Warsaw. Konigsberg is encircle. Budapest is threatened. Russian landings in Denmark. By the end of 1945, the Russian forces lose their momentium. They have reached as far as the Oder River. From here on out, NEC forces well be attacking. Ground well slowly be taken back.

March 1946: NEC forces, including a large detachment of German Marines, land and seize Leningrad. Poland and Denmark completely liberated by Sept. Austrian forces collapse, German and British forces rushed to the Southren front to reinforce.

1947: British forces enter Minsk, German counter-offensive in Hungray. Japan attacks British and American forces in the Pacific. US declares war, joins NEC... renamed NAC. Late in the Year German forces break a Russian Army in the Ukraine, front collapsed there.

1948: Fighting continues. Baltics completely liberated, Byelorussia, Ukraine, Finland. Scandinavia Union joins war. First use of Atomics. Russian army obliterated near Moscow. Second weapon detonated over Petrograd. Russian Army mutinies. War ends.

1948-1960: Occupation of Russia. During this time the Japanese surrender to the Americans. All NAC countries well participate in the occupation. Ukraine, Estonia, Lativa, Finland, Byelorussia, Siberia given independence. Denmark and Iceland join Germany.

1960-present: Pax Europa. No major wars in the period. Germany concentrates on domestic devolpment. A/H crumbles, and German troops enter territories as peace-keepers. Minor colonial wars are fought. World divides into 4 blocks, American, British, German, and Chinese.

In recent years, a early EU has been formed with Germany as it's central figure. France and Britain are not members.

Demography

Population: 100 million (2000 census), Mostly ethnic Germans. Small minorities of Poles, Danes, Czechs, Jews, and numerous other groups. All ethnic groups enjoy equal status under the law.

Languages: German, official language, small amounts of French, Czech, and Polish also spoken in border regions.

Economy: Highly industrialized, concentrated in the Ruhr and Rhine River valleys, Major Seaports in North Germany, including Kiel, Danzig, Koniegsberg, and Wilheimshaven. Germany


Politics and Government: Germany is a Constitutional Monarchy, with Kaiser Wilhelm II presently on the throne. The Kaiser is a largely ceremonial role, serving only as the official Head of State, although his input is often sought for political matters. The Head of Government is the Chancellor, who is elected to a six year term.

The Bundestag, the German legislative body, is divided into 2 houses, creatively named Gross Haus, and the Klein Haus. Members of the Gross Haus are elected also to 6 years terms, and 2 serve from each German State. Members of the Klein Haus serve 3-year terms and the amount the serves each state varies based on population.

There are 3 major parties in Germany, and several smaller ones. The three parties are the Social Democrats, Christian Democrats, and the Socialists.

Sub-divisions: 23 states, and 3 independent cities

German Military:

300,000 Active army, organized into 20 divisons. Additional 50,000 reservists and 6 reserve army divisons exist. Numerious independent Brigades and companies. Details to follow.

Luftwaffe: 100,000 man with over 2500 combat aircraft. Details to follow.

Reichsmarine: 2 Carriers(like the DeGaulle OTL
2 mini-carriers(like the British Invincible OTL
4 SSBNs
11 SSNs
9 DD
20 FG
26 PBs
6 amphibious ships(LPD, LHD, etc)
600 aircraft
75,000 sailors
45,000 Marines(3 divisions)

ISOT areas: OTL Germany, Iceland, Denmark, former German areas in Poland, Kalinggrad enclave

[Imajin]

The Holy Roman Empire
Head of State and Government:Her Most Catholic Majesty, Caroline II Juliana, Holy Roman Empress, Queen of Romans, Electress of Austria, Queen of Bohemia, etc. etc.
Government: A federation of various territories (Electorate of Austria, Kingdom of Bohemia, etc.) Under the Third Imperial Constitution, many powers remain in the hands of the Monarch.
Economy: The Empire is heavily industrialized, and modernized. It is a center of technological devlopment as well.
Military: Due to the long peace, the standing army consists of only 100,000 soldiers, stationed across the Empire. The Imperial Army is a well-trained, modern force. The Imperial Air Force consists of several 200-men Squadrons stationed in the various bases across the Empire, and though it is rather small, it is generally acknowledged to be the most powerful Air Force in it's world.
History: Margrave Heinrich II Babenberg of Austria demanded that, to compensate for his loss of Bavaria, his territories in the Ostmark be raised to an Electoral status. Thus, this timeline's Privilegium Minus formed the Ostmark into the Electorate of Osterreich, or Austria.
Frederick II, thanks to butterflies, was substantially a different person than OTL, and managed to keep his throne and end up with an heir, Frederick III Babenberg. The Babenberg Electorate began to slowly grow around various territories, through marriage alliance and Conquest. Frederick III gave birth to a daughter, Maria Caroline, who married into the Kingdom of Bohemia. The son, Charles I, made his capital in Vienna, thus beginning the house of Premysl-Babenberg.
The Premysl-Babenbergs proved to be adept rulers, and expanded their lands greatly, culminating in the conquest of Galicia from Poland. However, Elector Charles IV almost ended all that, coming into conflict with the Pope, a Habsburg from Aargau. The Pope owned the territory of Trieste, which Charles IV was tryed to pressure the Pope into selling to him. The crisis finally ended when Charles IV agreed to cease attempts to seize Trieste, and in return the Pope granted Austrian ships the right to use Trieste as a free port.
Charles IV's son, Rudolf I, was elected Holy Roman Emperor, a title that was only prestige. However, this came into conflict with the Wittelsbach, who wanted to create Bavaria as a Kingdom within the Empire. The previous Emperor had planned to allow it, but Rudolf I did not. In return, the Elector of Bavaria called for a "formal end" to the Holy Roman Emperor. The other Electors did not like the growing power of Austria, so they agreed, and voted to end the Empire. In return, Rudolf I issued the Privilegium Maius, which granted the title of Holy Roman Emperor to the Electors of Austria, who retained that title.
In 1698, Franz Rudolf I issued the Proclamation of Sucession, which abolished the Salic Law. This was because Franz Rudolf I had but one child, Caroline, and the closest relatives were, by royal intermarriages, the hated Wittlesbach. Thus, Caroline became Empress Caroline I. Caroline I married the King of Brunswick, forming the modern royal house of Brunswick-Premysl-Babenberg.
The 1700s passed uneventfully, with an industrial revolution beginning near the end. The 1800s, however, would bring changes. In 1823, the King of England, George II, was killed by his own people, who proclaimed an end to all monarchies. The new English Democracy invaded the continent from it's port city of Calais, and began a reign of terror for monarchs everywhere. Even the Pope was not spared, as he and his brothers were killed, ending the long dominace of Habsburgs in the Papacy. However, the Imperial Army proved integral to pushing the English back across the channel. At the Conference held in Prague, England was divided between Scotland and France.
The 1900s were filled with new technologies, and Austria took advantage of many of them. Though Austria had stayed out of the colonial races that took place after the Conference at Prague, in 1956 it claimed a slice of Antarctica, Nova Bohemia, and mans a large reasearch center there. And, in 1978, Austria planted it's flag on the Moon.
In 1990, Caroline Juliana became the second female Empress.
Flag:
The army uses a Red flag with a white bar through the middle (based off the Crusader battles, in OTL this became the flag of Austria), the naval ensign uses the Red-White-Red flag with a gold anchor in the center.

[Imajin]

The Papal Legation of Trieste
Head of State: His Holiness Pope Innocent XV, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Succesor of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostle, Pontifex Maximus, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province and Servant of the Servants of God
Government: Catholic Theocracy based off Canon Law.
Economy: Trieste is a major Port City, as well as tourism.
Military: The Trieste Guard, 100 men strong, is officially the branch of the Papal Army, but defense is traditionally the responsibility of the Empire.
History: From the same TL as the HRE. Trieste ceded itself to the Pope to escape Venetian domination. In 1900, the Pope was forced out of the Papal States in Italy by a nationalist movement in Italy, and since then has resided in a palace in Trieste. The Pope also rules Avignon, but that was not ISOTed.
Flag: Gold and Red flag with a crossed golden Key and Halberd. I've attempted to draw it here. (Gold and Red were the Papal Colors before Napoleon)

[DuQuense]

Name
Dominion of Siam & East Indies

Leader
Chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)
head of government: Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat (since 9 February 1999) and
President Tran Duc Luong [Laos]
Former Prime Minister Saloth Sar [Cambodia]
Former President Ho Chi Mien
Deputy Prime Ministers CHATURON Chaisaeng, Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut (Ret.),
PURACHAI Piamsombun, VISHANU Krua-ngam ; LIPTAPANLOP
Suwat ; SOMSAK Thepsuthin, PHINIT Charusombat; Phan Van Khai [Vietnam]
cabinet: Council of Ministers

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister is designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following national elections for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the king. The House then elects the President.
As the Nationalist Communist party has held power since 1959. The king has no real Power.

History

When the war of 1754 broke out in the Americas William Pitt put lots more attention on defeating France's Ally Spain.
As such Britain ended up with Spanish Cuba and the Philippines,
as well as French NA.

But as there was only so much She could Do, GB lost out to France in India, and Cape Town.

After the loss of North America in the Revolutionary War of 1776, Great Britain turned Its attention to it's Asia holdings in the Philippines, and Australia.
In order to Counter the growing power of French India, Britain Moved into Siam.

Over the next century Britain took over the nation of Siam, Arranging a Royal Marriage with the Princess of Laos, and help enforce Siam's claim to Cambodia. This brought Britain into Conflict with Vietnam.

By 1880 Great Britain controlled all of Indochina, from Hanoi to Bangkok, from Singapore to Mandalay.

Following the Great rebellions of 1833, Austria having lost Hungary,
turned it's attention North.
By 1868 the New Austro-Germanic Empire Controlled all Germany,except for Prussia/Livonia.

In 1872 The Empire attempted to annex Holland, in a secret deal allowing France to Annex Belgium. During the War between Austria/France, & England/Prussia, Great Britain occupied the Dutch East Indies. Receiving title at the end of the War.

Following the end of the GW 1 in 1925 [1921-1925] The East Indies were Folded into the new Dominion of Siam, and East Indies.

Following the End of the second Great war in 1951, Ho chi Mien of Vietnam, and Saloth Sar of Cambodia, launched a communist uprising,
surported by the Chinese Communists.

In 1957 China Fell to the Communists, and in 1959, so did Siam.

For 39 years Saloth Sar, as Prime Minister, attempted to form his idea of a perfect Communist State. Very Closed from the outside world except for a few exports [oil]
[OTL North Korea/Myanmar]
Following Saloth Sar death in 1999, there have been a few opening to the world but very small.
Siam has what is considered as the most developed 1960's economy in the World. [they have been developing it for 40 years] and is the Worlds largest exporter of Vacuum tubes for precision instruments.

In November 2004 [Thanksgiving Day] a force 9.8 Earthquake Caused a major Landslide in the Natuna Islands, as Several of the Islands just disintegrated.
The resulting Tsunami's Reached a height of 70 meters and traveled at speeds of over 750 Kph.
The lands all around the South China Sea suffered extensive Damage,
The two areas hardest hit were the Mekong Delta were the flat Swamps, offered little resistance, allowing the waves to travel up to 50 miles inland, and around the Bay of Thailand. Were the Narrowing Inlet concentrated the Waves. Causing them to double in Height.

It took major International efforts to allow any International personnel, But by Christmas, close to 5.000 relief workers, most from the WHO and related groups, had been allowed in.



Armed forces (estimated)

2.583,000 active forces (estimated); 8,700,000 reserves
Army
1.900,000 forces (estimated) with some 9.200 tanks.
Navy
300,000 forces (estimated) with 52 submarines, 12 destroyers, twenty-three frigates and 750 coastal and patrol combat vessels, 170 naval combat planes
Air force
283,000 forces with 1315 combat aircraft and 450 armed helicopters [Cobra], 500 [Huey] types


Flag
British Union Jack, with a Hammer/Sickle imposed in the Center
[Drives the British Mad, every time it is mentioned. ]

[Ward]

The Greater French Republic

Head of Goverment : Jean De Lyon
Form of Goverment : Federal Republic

Language : French and Arabic

History : In the 1920's the French Goverment knew that they would fight Germany again so they build a line of Forts , that Ran the whole length of the boarder of Germany .
In the 1930's the German Goverment went the same as they did in history .
France knowing that they wouild not have the man power to fight the Germans with French Men desided to start bring in the Men of the colonies into the military . These men were tought how to read and write in French .
As the finished there 2 years in the military they went home and wnated better standered of living there , By 1939 most of Africa that was in French Hands was on it's way to having Electry lighting and indoor pluming .
The second World War started the same as in history but when the Germans Attacked France in this time line they were stoped but the French Forts. The French were able to hold onto France area untill the end of the war . The USSR and Germany fought a major war from Aug of 1942 to May 1945 when Germany was concored by the Wester Allies and the USSR.

The French were forced to move about half of there industry to africa to get it out of range of the German bombers .
After the War the French Goverment was forced to give the Vote to retuning Vets of the Army . By 1950 there were 30% of the members of the parment were Black and Arab members . The Areas of Africa were brought up to the standers of France . Almost all of French Africa was conected by Rail and highways .

In 1967 The first none French born Premer was elected to head the Goverment of France .

France stated neurtal in the cold war with the USSR and the US of A .

France has its own Space program that started in the late 1970's .
They now have a space plane that lunches from southern French Africa and is building a space station in space .

France is a major industral power building everything from Aircraft to toys .
They have a large electronics industry , and they are energy exporters ,

Pop of Greater France Republic is 250 million

GNP is 1 trillon Dollars

Millitary
French Army is 1 million Men and women in 2 airmoble Divs , 3 Lt Armored Divs. 2 Armored Divs , 4 lt Mec. Divs , 6 Mec Divs . 1 airborn Divs.

French Airforce . 500,000 men and women
1000 combat Aircraft.

French Navy is 125,000 men and women .
will list later no latter then 22 march .

[Bulgaroktonos]

The Dominion of New South Yorkshire (OTL Argentina)

Population: 20 Million

Government*: Governor William MacKenzie.

*Note: New South Yorkshire is a Dominion of the British Virginian (American) Lands, and is from a slightly different world than my Greek TL. It's from the TL where Greece ISOT'ed in ME5

History: First colonized in 1623 by British explorers, New South Yorkshire became a huge colony for British farmers and herders by the late 1700s. Granted Dominion status in 1837 after the Great Rebellion in Northern Virginia led Britain to begin issuing home rule to colonies of importance or with large populations. Examples include Ireland (which contrary to OTL actually gets along rather well with the English, as they have been spared many of the atrocities of the Tudors, Cromwell, Stuarts, and others), India, Upper and Lower Virginia (OTL Canada and US), Australia, New South Yorkshire, and South Africa.

The Great War began on March 22nd 1946. Britain found itself pitted against Russia, Austria-Hungary, France, Egypt, and Persia. After the entire population of Greece and its leaders and cities vanished into thin air only to be replaced by wild beasts, Britain's enemies multiplied. Only Prussia remained her staunch ally, but even the specter of British supremacy in air, land, and sea was not enough. When the war broke out after nearly 6 months of mobilization and tension, it was unlike anything experienced in history.

Prussia and her German allies were crushed by mid 1947, in a frenzy of destruction unparalleled in even the devastation caused by the Thirty Year's War. The Prussians had fought for every inch of ground, and the toll taken by modern weaponry showed on the very ground. Great urban centers were now nothing more than rubble. But the worst was yet to come. Britain, from her bases in Britain itself waged a terrible air campaign against her enemies, reducing French cities to ruin, and bombing cities as far away as St. Petersburg into dust. In Central Asia, Russia launched a full scale invasion of India. Despite the conscription of millions from the Indian populace, the British were unable to stem the tide of Russian troops until they had penetrated as far as Agra, where a valiant defense by British, Australian, and Indian troops managed to stop the Russians.

Finally, drawing upon their humongous reserves of resources from the Virginias, Britain was able to drive the Russians back from India and from East Africa, pushed back against the Egyptians. The war would last 9 years, and cost upwards of 100 million lives, and was only ended when Britain unleashed atomic weaponry on Moscow, Aleksandrgrad, Smolensk, and Kiev. Even now, Europe has not fully recovered, and large sections of Germany, Italy, and Central Europe remain unpopulated. Britain remains the world superpower, and Russia remains underdeveloped. It has only been through the efforts of Britain to aid the ravaged European continent that anarchy and collapse did not take hold. Britain has successfully landed on the moon several times.

NSY serves as a major grain and cattle producer for the world, and serves as one of the major launch sites for the British Space Program. International Aid coming from Argentina is tremendous as Britain purchases huge amounts of the harvest for that express purpose.

It's beef is considered the finest in the world.

Military: Local police forces. No military to speak of as NSY has not had a war or even minor military engagement fought on its soil since the Anglo-Dutch wars of the 1700s.

[Aussey]

Imperial State of Brazil

Head of State and Government: HIM Empress Maria Joanna, Empress of Brazil, Queen of Portugal

History- Basiclly like our. Dom Pedro II issues liberal reform, and the House of Brasillia is formed. HIM's grandfather was Emperor Dom Pedro II.

(Quick outline before I leave...more tommorrow)

((If anyone knows of a TL, or could write a quick one, I have no knowledge of PortugalBrazil/South America at all...))

[DuQuense]

Interesting idea...are there rules against ISOTing a colony/dominion/region from the same TL as another country?

Whe like them to be slightly Different, Ie Isot- Porto Rico from Bush wins- and Hawaii from Gore wins-

OTOH there is no rule that Countries have to match. I could ISOT imperial China 1900 into my USA.

:D :p :eek: Just had a great idea for next WW 2 ME
[Got to plan ahead for these thingys] ;)

[Imajin]

The Kingdom of Portugal (Mozambique)
Leader- Charles II Braganza, King of Portugal, Prince of Mozambique, Heir to Norway (through his wife, a Norwegian Princess), 1969-
Capital- Lourenço Marques, which in OTL became Maputo.
Population- 20,124,200 (51% African Christian, 39% African Muslim, 10% European or Mixed European-African)
Government- Bicameral Parliamentary monarchy. The Lower, or Mozambiquan, House is based on full sufferage, and is officially temporary ("Until we regain Portugal"), and the Upper, or Portuguese House, is filled with nobles and descendants who fled Portugal. All bills must pass both houses and the King, though there is a strong political movement to grant the Lower House more power.
Economy- Mozambique is an industrialized and diversified nation, and is heavily invested in following economic reforms in the fifties. Major products include food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminium, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, and tobacco.
Military- The armed forces of Mozambique are large, (1,000,000 men altogether), but not well armed. Much of the military technology is in the 1970s range.
History- In this timeline, Cuba revolted against Spanish rule in the 1880s. Despite a strong Spanish attempt to stop it, Cuba broke free, bringing Puerto Rico with it. Shocked that Spain had sunk so low as to be defeated by the disorganized rebels, a popular rvolution installed Marcos de Ignacio as Presidente of the Spanish Republic. Marcos de Ignacio planned an annexation of Portugal, a quickly declining country that was lower than even Spain, to help nationalism. Portugal quickly fell, and many fled the Spanish onslaught to Portuguese Africa, and when the royals fled to Lourenço Marques, most of the fleers went to Mozambique. The new government, cash-strapped, sold Angola to Germany.
In between the World Wars, Mozambique remained neutral, with it's government only consisting of the former Portuguese Parliament. However, after the second world war, the group FRELIMO was formed to grant representation to Africans. Finally, in 1973, FRELIMO and King Charles II came to an agreement wherein a new house would be added to the Parliament consisting of representatives from across Mozambique, and ended a large querilla war. Since then, the economy has opened up, and Portugal has done very well.
Flag- The flag of 1816 (http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/pt-1816.html) was readopted following the fleeing of the government to Mozambique, just as that flag was used when the government fled to Brazil. The armillary sphere this time represents Mozambique, not Brazil.

[DuQuense]

Republic of Ziare
Name
Republic of Zaire

Leader-,
Chief Councilor-- Frederick Mbewellba
Speaker of he Council -- Otto Shaltz
There are 92 councilors [think Senators] representing various Tribes and groups
[Think Camber of Commerce, or Head of the Military]

History

This is Will Poust's time lime where Lettow-Vorbeck continues the War in German
East Africa .
http://www.althist.com/east_African_empire.htm

The Republic of Zaire, Is based on a similar POD.

The Armistice is signed and goes into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918. 11 November 1918, as the armistice ending the War to End All Wars went into effect halting hostilities in Europe, saw General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the German Commander of forces in Africa and his guerrilla army of native Africans and Europeans deep in bush, preparing for a new offensive.

On the 14th of November the Germans attack the town of Fife, Northern Rhodesia striking at the British arms depot there. The Attack is a complete success, seeing as the British and Rhodesian Forces thought the war war over. It is here that the news reaches Lettow-Vorbeck that an armistice has been signed and that Germany has unconditionally surrendered. Lettow-Vorbeck cannot believe it, But the Hundreds of captured news papers, confirm it.

The next day Lettow sends one of his Lieutenants Back into Fife to arrange a Surrender. Instead the local Commander throws the Lieutenant in Jail and announces that he will be put on trail. By the Time the Authorities in Cape town can respond Lettow is back in the Bush, preparing to continue the Campaign.

During 1919 Lettow continues his campaigning, during the Year many Ex German Soldiers, unhappy with the Armistice arrive in east Africa.
In 1920 the British unhappy with the Continuing war vote the ------- out of
Power. The new government of ------- Sends a delegation to East Africa. Were
they recognize the Independence of the area.

During the Twenties, with the continuing troubles in Germany, The East African Republic is a Magnet for Germans looking for a new Start. While this Slows slightly in 1929 with the start of the Depression, by the mid 30's it has again become a Magnet, this time for People who the Nazis are pushing out of Germany.

With the Annexation of the Congo and Gabon, in the late 20's the Name is Changed to the Republic of Zaire, Becoming one of the First new African counties to adopt a African Name. The First Council of 16 had 11 blacks and 5 Whites, While the Council has expanded several times to reflect to the growth of the Republic, this Ratio has remained close. From the Beginning The Republic has attempted to be a Nation reflecting both the concerns of both the Black and White Africans.
While not always successful it continues to be the policy underlying the Racial relations, between the two groups. This has had effects both in Europe and the Americas.

In 1936 Italy invaded Ethiopia, leading to a complete break in Relations.
Emperor Haley Selassie established a government in Exile in Dar Es Salaam.
With the start of WW 2 in 1939 Italy declared Neutrality. But continued to
rebuild it's forces.

In 1940 During the Invasion of France, believing France completely tied up with Germany, Italy Declared war on France and Britain. This lead to Zaire declaring war on Nazi Germany.
Zairian troops Took part in Both the Invasion of Italy, and D-Day, It was Zairian Troops who Liberated several of the Camps,
This had a Major effect on Zairian Politics, and after the war Zaire took in Thousands of Refugees from Europe.
This gave Zaire a significant Jewish Minority, And Aborted this Time Lines Israel.

With the DoW Zaire became eligible for lend Lease from “Neutral” America. With the Mediterranean in Italian Hands, Most of this was transported across Africa by rail.
This includes Hundreds of Sherman Tanks, P-38 Planes, Dozens of B-17s, and
thousands of Trucks and Jeeps. The British, South African, and Zairian Forces attacked Italian Somalia, & Ethiopia,

Zairian troops Took part in Both the Invasion of Italy, and D-Day,
It was Zairian Troops who Liberated several of the Camps,
This had a Major effect on Zairian Politics,
and after the war Zaire took in Thousands of Refugees from Europe.
This gave Zaire a significant Jewish Minority, And Aborted this Time Lines Israel.

Today Zaire is one of the Regional powers that help maintain stability in a troubled World.

Zaire's integrated Society had effects in South Africa, where they retained the Cape Colony Franchise, and never instituted Apartheid,

The US were Zairian Trained Black professionals, were active in Civil Rites.

Cuba were Zairian Student help topple Bastisa, and prevent the Communist Castro from assuming Power.


Military

East Africa was a German Procession and many of the first post WW 1 immigrants
were ex Soldiers who joined the Republic Forces. The Military reflects this
being a Imperial German Army and Airforce in fact if not in name. The Entire
adult male population is subject to 2 years military training on their 18th
Birthday, and in the inactive reserves till the age of 40.
Even today There is a lot of Cross training with the Bundeswehr,
and for years following WW 2 Zaire was the only Nation that German Soldiers operated in, outside Europe.

Since the end of WW 2 there has been a growing number of Females in the Military,
with Females now making about 20% of the Forces.

The Standing Military is 1.9 million Men in 2004, plus about 6 million More in
the Reserves, This about 50% New 2 year Recruits, and 50% Career.

Army
1.1 million Men divided into divisions, Three Infantry and an Artillery Regiment. Except for several dozen Divisions, that have Mounted Infantry, and Calvary instead, Dispute the addition of close to 1.200 Tanks, and Helicopters, Mounted Calvary is still used for Night Patrols, [MPs] and Cross Country Scouting.

Air Forces

Half a Million Men
From the beginnings of Independence Lettow, realized the need to Industrialize to prevent the Republic from being just another Resource Colony. In the Early twenties he set up Textile factories, then in the mid twenties Lettow managed to talk Mercedes-Benz into Moving their Abandoned Military Aircraft manufacturing Equipment to Zaire, Zaire had also bought lots of war surplus airplanes, So when the WW 2 started Zaire had a supply of trained pilots, and support, true they were Trained on WW1, early twenties, Biplanes. But they learned the new P-38s and B-17s very rapidly.
Following the end of the War Zaire maintained it's Air Fleet, Not only buying Surplus P-38s and P-51s but buying the machinery that had made them.
They also imported a large number of the Blacks that had worked in the plants during the war. As the Returning White service men took up their places in the Seniority system.
Even today Zaire continues to Manufacture the P-38, and B-29s thro they are built out of Composites, and use a Very petrol efficient Wankel rotary engine. Zaire has about 400 state of the Art, F-22 Jets bought from the US, for Border defense, But the Air/Coast/Interior Patrols are done with the mush less expensive P-38s, & B-29 Modified. [Military transports ] this allows them to operate as Bush Pilots emergency personnel, Patrolling over the whole Country.

Navy,
The Smallest of the Services with only 450.000 men. The navy has 30 light Cruisers and 120 Destroyers, All surplus, plus two Aircraft Carriers, bought from Britain, France, Italy, and even Japan. It is more a Coast Guard than a Navy, but like the other two Services it is highly Trained and Professional. It main Duty of late has been enforcing the Whaling, and Fishing [Tuna] treaties in the Seychelles islands.

Economy
Following the War Zaire continued Lettow's Industrialization policy, Diversion into Automobile's [license from Kaiser to make the Jeep, Northrup, to make the P-38 [still a export item to third world militates], Trucks, Tractors and Farm Equipment [Major exporter to China]. Since the seventies, Zaire has moved into Plastics [Gabon Oil], and Electronics. It also has the largest Exchange Student program in the World for It's Medical schools

Other
General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck [1870-1964] Retired in 1950,
having worked for thirty-five years at building a Modern, stable Democracy out of what once was, a German Colony in the Middle of Nowhere, Today Zairians feel He would be proud of His legacy.

Flag
Black upper left triangle, White lower Right, to show the two tribes that live in the Land. Separated with a Red Stripe showing the Blood Both have shed for it.
__________________
The First Law of War, is Murphy's

[reformer]

Ok, I take back all refrences to South Africa in my Italy post. If possible, could Italy controll the Panama Canal Zone? (caputed from the U.S. in its ATL)

Also, I'd like to claim the remaining southern African areas (nor just south Africa, but all the area surrounded there) and create the United Afrikaan Rebpublics of Transvall-Oranje if allowed. I'll post details tomarrow.

[DuQuense]

Name
The United States of America
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html

Leader
President Albert Gore
VP Joesph Lieberman

POD

On election Nite 2000,
the Networks didn't try calling Florida till after the[CST zone] polls [CST] closed at 10.00pm EST,
[OTL they called Florida at 9.00pm after the first Polls Closed.
The result were to to Close to Call and Florida continued to see-saw thru the Nite,
But by 9.00am the Results were clear, at 0915 George Bush made his Concession Speech.
[OTL the state recount did give it to Bush] Here there is no first Mistake to cloud the Issue, and the Result are more definite.

Sept 10th New Jersey

When the Report of the Normal Traffic Stop tripped the FBIs Watch List,
Law Enforcement, moved into action. Within 2 hours the FBI was interrogating the Subject, and by 7.00am on the 11th, 15 men had been arrested.

At 11.15am Flight 217 from Boston to Chicago, went down in a Pennsylvania Field.
Subsequent Investigation Indicated it was headed for Washington,
and the hijacking had been Foiled by the Passengers.

This had the enviable results of toughing laws dealing with Hijacking.
and a new law was Passed -Making it Illegal for Passengers to interfere with attempted Hijackings.

2002
the Taliban remain in power in Afghanistan,
Bin-Laden, Removes the Saudi Cell in Charge of the attack on ammerica.

In their Place a Palestine Cell, Connected with Ha-mas is given the Green lite, and The Resources.
The leader is Yassar El Siad', Trained as a Electrical Engineer at Cal Tech,
He worked For the California Light And Power, During College, He is now a Top Official in the Utility.


2003
Saddam Hasem remains in Power in Iraq.

Yassar El Siad makes several trips to Lebanon recruiting personnel.

The Attack on America Starts.

2004
The Weapon Inspectors find no WMDs
Saddam Hasem remains in power in Iraq.
The Attack on America Continues.

December 31st 2004
The Ball Drops in Time Square
The Attack on America Culminates
The Event Happens.

[DuQuense]

PS ?Did I mention that the Dominion of Siam has Nuclear ICBMs?
100 of them thingys

[Matt]

Republic of China

Borrowed from Hendryk's Superpower Empire: China TL

http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=5223&page=1&pp=40

1911-1930: the Chinese Meiji

The dynastic change of 1912

In the 19th century, China went through a crisis that seriously weakened its society and political system. Western aggression, British-sponsored opium smuggling, unbalanced budgets, the Taiping uprising, and a string of natural disasters, in the context of the gradual decline of the Qing dynasty, added up to a nearly insurmontable challenge. After the failure of the 1898 reform movement, aborted within 103 days of its launching by Dowager Empress Cixi, many concluded that the only way out of decline went through regime change. The main revolutionary leader was Sun Yat-sen (Sun Zhongshan in pinyin, 1866-1925), a republican and anti-Qing activist who became increasingly popular among the overseas Chinese and Chinese students abroad, especially in Japan. In 1905 Sun founded the Tongmenghui (United League) in Tokyo with Huang Xing (1874-1916), a popular leader of the Chinese revolutionary movement in Japan, as his deputy. This movement, generously supported by overseas Chinese funds, also gained political support with regional military officers and some of the reformers who had fled China after the Hundred Days' Reform.
The republican revolution broke out on October 10, 1911, in Wuchang, the capital of Hubei Province, among discontented modernized army units whose anti-Qing plot had been uncovered. It had been preceded by numerous abortive uprisings and organized protests inside China. The revolt quickly spread to neighboring cities, and Tongmenghui members throughout the country rose in immediate support of the Wuchang revolutionary forces. By late November, fifteen of the twenty-four provinces had declared their independence of the Qing empire. A month later, Sun Yat-sen returned to China from the United States, where he had been raising funds among overseas Chinese and American sympathizers. On January 1, 1912, Sun was inaugurated in Nanjing as the provisional president of the new Chinese republic. But power in Beijing already had passed to the commander-in-chief of the imperial army, Yuan Shikai, the strongest regional military leader at the time. To prevent civil war and possible foreign intervention from undermining the infant republic, Sun agreed to Yuan's demand that China be united under a Beijing government headed by Yuan.
However, on January 18, Yuan died, officially of heart failure, although revionist historians have speculated ever since on whether his death may have been "assisted". But even with Yuan out of the way, Sun was made to understand by the conservative faction that had rallied behind Yuan that his legitimacy would not be recognized by the armed forces and much of the state apparatus if he went ahead with his presidency; to spare China a civil war, a man acceptable both to the revolutionaries and the old elite would have to assume power. That man, chosen jointly by both parties, turned out to be Kang Youwei (1858-1927). A native of Nanhai, Guangdong province, Kang came from a wealthy family of scholar-officials. He was an accomplished classical scholar with a knowledge of the West gleaned from Western books in translation. He and Liang Qichao had fled abroad after Cixi’s condemnation of the reform movement in 1898. Kang had spent a total of thirteen years in exile, visiting over forty countries on five continents, and promoting the Society to Protect the Emperor (est. 1899) and its successor the Society for Constitutional Government (1903). To this end Kang and Liang were also involved in two failed insurrections against Cixi in 1900. Kang made his most extensive travels in the West in the years 1904-1909, visiting twenty European countries and North America. He returned to China on February 3, 1912; nine days later, the last Manchu emperor, the child Puyi, abdicated. On March 10, in Beijing, Kang Youwei was sworn in as provisional president of the Republic of China.
Kang had put his time in exile to good use. After the failure of his 1898 reforms, he had concluded that the remedies to China’s decline—beyond the overthrow of the deliquescent Qings—were a revival of Confucian values, to shake them free of the sclerosis caused by their instrumentalization by the previous dynasty, and the right balance between Chinese traditions and Western technological innovations. Having spent several years in Japan, where the Meiji regime was precisley succeeding in creating a viable synthesis between Japanese culture and Western technology, he knew such a balance was possible.
However, Kang wasn’t enough of a reformer to feel at ease at the head of a republic. Within weeks of his coming to power, he convened a constitutional assembly to define the institutional form of the new regime, and gave the chairmanship to his long-time friend Liang Qichao. Under Liang’s influence—which relayed Kang’s—the assembly promptly opted for a return to Imperial rule, but, as a concession to Sun and the progressives, with a parliamentary legislative branch. The inspiration was the Wilhelmine Second Reich, which had already been the basis for Meiji Japan’s institutional structure. Many of Sun’s followers felt betrayed and urged him to break away from Kang, but the latter deftly appeased them by entrusting several key ministry portfolios to members of the Tongmenghui. The Zhong dynasty was officially proclaimed on September 21, 1912.

One of the first measures taken by newly crowned Emperor Kang is to declare, in time-honored fashion, the advent of the Great Awakening era. But he also busies himself with more mundane matters: reclaiming control of customs (and their revenues) from the Western powers; reorganizing the civil service; reforming the fiscal system; laying the groundwork for universal education; etc. The first two years of the Zhong dynasty are thus busy ones, but the most significant development during that early period is the reconciliation of the traditional and modern Chinese elites around the new regime, facilitated by their cooperation at the legislative level. Indeed, the new Imperial Parliament is bicameral, with a Senate made of appointed members selected from both the old establishment and the business-oriented coastal bourgeoisie, and a Lower House made of elected members; but the minimum income requirement to be part of the electorate limits the latter to the wealthiest 8% of the population. Thus representatives of the two elites, the heirs to the old order and the rising bourgeoisie, get to rub elbows in both chambers, and learn to work together, much as the land-owning aristocracy and the industrialists did in 19th-century Britain.

1914: First reclaimed territory

The beginning of WW1 in Europe gives the new regime an opportunity to undo one of the many humiliations suffered by China during the previous decades. In September 1914, Kang announces that China sides with the French-British Entente, and therefore gets both countries’ blessing to reclaim the Shandong peninsula, heretofore occupied by Germany. The Germans have but a small expeditionary corps in Qingdao and, with no hopes of reinforcements coming to their rescue, are vanquished after two months of fighting; by December, the last German soldiers have surrendered. The regime’s propaganda machine milks the victory for all its worth, and the population, starved of good news for a century, lap it up. A long-dormant nationalist fervor is reawakened, and Kang takes advantage of it to launch an ambitious program of rearmament: British military instructors are hired to complete the modernization of the army along Western norms, and aircraft are purchased from France and Britain to equip the brand-new air force.
The very first plane to fly with Chinese colors is the RAF FE2, a 2-seat pusher-propeller fighter, followed in short order by the Caudron G4 bomber/reconnaissance plane. By 1917, Chinese pilots fly Nieuport 17 and SPAD SXIII fighters, and Vickers Vimy bombers are purchased in 1918.

1918: The Russian “unequal treaties� revoked

It is therefore with newfound confidence in its new military might that China observes the Russian revolution of February 1917, the takeover by the Bolsheviks at the end of the year, and the subsequent descent of the Czarist empire into civil war. The political chaos, and in particular the secession of Russia’s Pacific regions give China the opportunity to intervene militarily into Russian territory, ostensibly to contain the Bolsheviks’ expansion. In fact, the alliances made with the various White Russian factions such as the one led by Von Untgern-Sternberg are purely circumstantial; by 1920, the short-lived Republic of the Far East is promptly annexed, along with the part of Kazakhstan south of Lake Balkhach. China thus restores the Sino-Russian border as it had been defined by the Treaty of Nerchinsk in 1689, and undoes the annexions perpetrated by Russia in the second half of the 19th century.
The de facto occupation of Eastern Siberia at a time when, in Europe, the embattled Soviet regime is forced to accept important losses of territory to the benefit of the Baltic states, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Romania spurs China to create wholesale the kingdom of Yakutia, a puppet state that stretches from the East bank of the Ienisei to the Bering Strait, of which Yakutsk becomes the capital. At the time of its creation, the contry has but a scattered population made up of Yakuts (30%), White Russians (25%), Tungus (10%), Buriats (8%), Mongols (8%), Samoyeds (7%), Tchouktches (5%), other Siberian peoples and Chinese. The latters’ share of the population, initially low, rises in the course of the following decades and reaches 35% by the early 21st century.
Yakutia is predictably satellized politically and economically by China, on which it is dependent for protection against the USSR and for development. The regime is officially a constitutional monarchy, but the real power is in the hands of Chinese “advisors�. Chinese garrisons are stationed along the Yakuto-Soviet border, in Yakutsk, and in the larger towns (Krasnoiarsk, Ulan-Ude and Magadan, for the most part).
Yakutia's creation and vassalization, needless to say, is done with the blessing of the Western powers, who are all to happy to outsource to China the job of containing the Soviets to the East. Better have Eastern Siberia turned into a Chinese-controlled puppet state, the reasoning goes, than remain part of the USSR. After all, can anyone imagine the USA sharing a border with the Soviet Union?

1933-1945 : The Sino-Japanese war

By 1922, Yakutia has been secured and the relationship with the nascent Soviet Union evolves towards the same form of peaceful—if wary—coexistence that also becomes the rule on the USSR’s European borders. Various attempts by the Bolsheviks to export Communism to either China or Yakutia remain fruitless ; except for a handful of frustrated members of the Tongmenghui’s radical wing and the odd exalted intellectual, the Communist ideology fails to seduce a population already mobilized by the new regime. Banned or barely tolerated by the authorities throughout the following decades, the Communist Party will remain a marginal force in Chinese politics.
Having scored a major geopolitical victory at a relatively minor cost, the Zhong dynasty focuses inward and takes advantage of the comparative international stability of the 1920s to invest the bulk of its resources into infrastructural development. Military expenditures are no longer a priority from 1922 onwards and the modernization of the Chinese armed forces is for the most part put on hold. The Chinese soldier’s main weapon during that period is the Lee-Enfield Mk. III bolt-action rifle, licence-produced in national armories since 1914, with officers being issued a Chinese-made version of the Mauser M-1896 pistol ; both weapons will remain in widespread use until 1945 and even later in certain units. From 1924 however, a deliberate effort is made to encourage the development of a national aeronautical industry by producing under licence both civilian and military planes ; to that effect, agreements are signed with several European aircraft companies, chief among which Fokker. The new aircraft factories, located in Chongqing, Sichuan, as part of a policy of developing the industrial infrastructure of the inner provinces, begin churning out F.VII airliners and Fokker’s D line of fighter planes, from the D-XI in 1924 to the D-XXI in 1937.
Emperor Kang dies in 1927 and is succeeded by his son, who takes the dynastic name Guoxing (Star of the Nation). Within two years of his coming to power, however, international developments force a radical reevaluation of priorities for the Chinese government.

Japanese victories: 1933-1938

In Japan, the economic impact of the 1929 crisis and the rising influence of the military lead to the implementation of expansionist policies ; as early as 1930, Tokyo no longer hides its imperialistic ambitions in North-East Asia and begins planning for the invasion of former Manchuria from its Korean colony. Faced with the growing Japanese menace, Guoxing resumes the modernization of the armed forces, but privileges the Army and Air Force rather than the Navy, the importance of which is underestimated by the Chinese Chiefs of Staff. Compared with Japan, China in 1930 is sorely outmatched in battleships, both in size and number, especially in the cruiser category ; those few ships built during the 1920s are mostly medium-sized aircraft carriers.
In 1931 and 1932, tensions keep rising between Japan and China ; while the Japanese military lobby pressures the government into endorsing its aggressive agenda, officers on the Sino-Korean border initiate incidents on their own initiative in the hope of creating a strategic fait accompli. They are eventually successful : on March 4, 1933, an exchange of gunfire on the Yalu river degenerates and gives the Japanese the casus belli they needed to officially declare war on China. The first offensives are repelled by the Chinese forces, and both sides dig in along the banks of the Yalu, leading to a situation not unlike Europe’s « phony war » of 1939-1940. Faced with this stalemate, the Japanese Chiefs of Staff begin to plan a series of large-scale operations involving air raids, a land offensive in former Manchuria and troop landings in Qingdao, Tianjin and Shanghai. The offensive is launched in May 1934 ; taken off-guard by its scale, Chinese forces are overwhelmed and cede large chunks of territory in their hasty retreat : by October, the Japanese control the four Manchurian provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Fengtian and Rehe, although the beachhead on the estuary of the Yangzi is pushed back by the Chinese after heavy fighting. The capital is moved from Nanjing to Chongqing. Yakutia isn’t spared : its small army and the Chinese garrisons, barred from receiving reinforcements, can only offer token resistance to the Japanese advance from the South and the Okhotsk beachhead ; so that the Vitim and Aldun districts are swiftly conquered and occupied.
By 1935, the Chinese forces have partially recovered from the onslaught and manage to slow down considerably the Japanese advance to the South and West, without however being able to stop it altogether. Partisan warfare in the occupied areas begins to organize and ties down an increasing share of Japanese troops. But the Japanese army is still at this point superiorly trained and equipped, and Japanese mastery of the seas is undisputed. The parts of China and Yakutia under Japanese occupation are subjected to thorough exploitation of both their natural resources and manpower. At the end of that year, apart from the aforementioned Manchurian provinces, the Japanese control Suiyuan, Henan (including Beijing), Shandong and Shanxi (with Taiyuan subjected to a brutal siege) ; further landings enable the seizing of Xiamen, Hong Kong, and the island of Hainan. The frontlines eventually stabilize in northern Henan and Jiangsu after the famous battle of Kaifeng. It rages from September 6 to November 17, 1935, and claims the lives of over 130,000 Chinese and 90,000 Japanese ; yet, despite intensive bombing and shelling of the city by the Japanese, the Chinese forces stand their ground, making the city a symbol of national resistance against the invaders, and earning it the nickname « Verdun of the East ». Neither side manages a significant breakthrough in the course of the following three years, although Japan generally retains the initiative during that period and keeps China on the defensive.

The turnaround: 1938-1945

The conflict takes a new turn in late 1938 : from that point on, the Chinese military apparatus, based in the war capital of Chongqing where a sprawling industrial complex has been developed in the course of the previous five years, benefits from the full mobilization of both society and economy, and is now battle-hardened. The long-delayed modernization of the armed forces is by then in full effect, and there is no longer a significant technological gap with the Japanese ; elite Chinese troops (and, increasingly, resistance fighters) are equipped with Schmeisser MP-28.II SMGs, while the Air Force is finally catching up with Japanese aircraft : apart from its workhorse, the Fokker D-XXI, the CAR fields Vickers Wellington bombers, with such cutting-edge fighter designs as the Dewoitine D-520 and the Bloch MB-155 under negotiation with the French for license production. Ground forces are issued with the kind of light armor that has proved most effective in the hilly, waterlogged battlefields of Henan and Jiangsu : the obsolescent Renault FT-17 is being phased out and replaced with newer AMC-35s and Vickers Mk. IVs. Generally speaking, China by that time benefits from the rearmament of Western Europe, as new models of tanks and planes are designed and their licenses sold by the cash-strapped governments of France and Britain. Partisan operations are also in full swing and force the Japanese to divert much of their strength for messy, morale-eroding counterinsurgency operations that for the most part only manage to harden the resolve of civilian resistance ; with over 2 million square kilometers of often densely populated territories to keep under control at the price of brutal repression, the Japanese fighting strength is, slowly but inexorably, beginning to wear out.
The outbreak of WW2 in Europe is a boon for China on three counts. First, thanks to the official alliance between Japan and Germany, China achieves the status of co-belligerent alongside France and Britain against the Axis, meaning it benefits from that point on of the American Lend-Lease program. Second, the European conflict is a timely distraction for the Soviet Union, which may otherwise have taken advantage of the situation to attempt an invasion of Yakutia ; Kremlin archives declassified in the mid-1990s offer evidence that Stalin was at the very least contemplating such a move, although no precise strategy had been formulated. Be that as it may, the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact kept him focused on Poland and the Baltic states, and the bulk of the Red Army deployed to the West. Third, being allied to Britain, China gets important assistance from Australia ; from October 1939, new shipyards in Perth built with Chinese labor begin assembling the Chinese Navy’s new war fleet (most of those workers will stay on after the war, and their descendants make up the bulk of today’s sizeable Chinese community in Perth).
The following years confirm the orientation taken by the Sino-Japanese war in late 1938 : a war of attrition in which, neither side being able to gain a decisive advantage on the other, each seeks to exhaust the other by inflicting on it unbearable casualties. Despite the Japanese use of chemical and bacteriological warfare, China gradually gains the upper hand as it can draw on virtually unlimited manpower while the bloody insurrection in occupied provinces takes it toll on Japanese forces. Attempts at encirclement by invading French Indochina in September 1940, Malaysia and the Dutch East Indies in November of the same year and Burma in January 1941, while geographically expanding the so-called Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere and giving Japan much-needed access to South-East Asia’s natural resources, contribute to stretching Japanese forces even thinner.
With the Chinese front looking more like a quagmire by the year, and Washington’s embargo on oil and strategic materials putting severe pressure on Japan, Tokyo attempts to break the stalemate with a preemptive strike on the United States. But the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor achieves the opposite of the intended result, and draws the USA into the war on the Allied side, on both the European and Asian fronts. From then on the Japanese defeat is only a question of time, as the Mikado’s empire has neither the manpower nor the resources to hold against two continental powers. Furthermore, America takes over as China’s main provider of military equipment : just as M-2 haltracks and T17E1 light tanks replace the Vickers and Suomis of previous years on the ground, Chinese skies soon fill up with Lockheed P-38s, Republic P-47s and North American P-51s as older Fokker D-XXIs, G1s and Bloch MB-155s find themselves outmatched by the newer Zero fighters (the Dewoitine D-520s stay on, but are primarily used as carrier-based fighters in the latter stages of the conflict). The victories achieved by the Japanese Navy in the Pacific in 1942 are merely the swan song of Japanese power ; by December 1944, having fought to exhaustion, its industrial potential obliterated by Chinese and American bombing raids, its reserves of fuel empty, Japan has no choice but to accept unconditional surrender, which is signed on January 3, 1945. Meanwhile, the Chinese leadership has taken advantage of the Tehran Summit in 1943 to negotiate the retrocession of the foreign concession in Shanghai as soon as victory is achieved and the implementation of a timetable for that of Hong Kong (the issue of Macau, however, remains unsolved at that time).
Victory gives China most of its territorial integrity back, as it regains, besides Shanghai’s foreign concessions, the island of Taiwan, annexed by Japan in 1895 with the treaty of Shimonoseki (Sakhalin island, temporarily occupied by Chinese forces after the war, is eventually ceded back to Japan in 1952). The Zhong dynasty’s legitimacy is all the stronger for it ; for the Chinese people, Emperor Guoxing’s famous declaration from the Southern gate of the Forbidden City on Chinese New Year’s Day 1945, « Zhongguo qilai le ! » (China has awakened), symbolically erases a century’s worth of humiliations and foreign occupation. Another strongly symbolic move is the sending to Europe of an expeditionary force to help out the Allies against the Third Reich ; many of those soldiers, once demobilized, will stay on in Europe as guest workers to take part in post-war reconstruction. Bringing in their families, they will jump-start a large-scale migration movement of Chinese labor to Western European countries during the following three decades, as Europe’s booming economy needs extra manpower ; by 1975, Chinese will be the largest ethnic minority in France, Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, and the second largest in Italy and Denmark, for a total of 7 million individuals, a figure which has doubled by 2004.
The long and bitter war against Japan has changed China in many ways. Politically, the regime enjoys a level of popular legitimacy unprecedented since the 18th century. Economically, development is no longer confined to the coastal areas, as Sichuan has benefited from the crash industrialization of the war years and now hosts a vibrant industrial complex as well as several renowned technical universities and military academies ; the sleepy prewar backwater is now an economic powerhouse in its own right. Culturally, the war generation has learned to take pride in both the resilience and adaptability of Chinese culture ; historians talk of a « Chongqing generation » of decision makers who came of age during the war years : men and women who grew up in the East but spent a decade in Chongqing, joining the war effort in the embattled capital, and blended the coastal provinces’ typical pragmatism and open-mindedness with the hinterland’s respect for tradition. Last but not least, socially, the war has accelerated evolutions that otherwise may have taken a generation longer, such as greater equality for women, who by 1945 constitute some 39% of the workforce (the armed forces have also gone co-ed in 1938, to make up for the high losses suffered during the initial phase of the war).

1945-1990 : The emergence of a tripolar world

Dividing up the world : 1945

It is during the four-party summits of Yalta and Potsdam between the USA, the USSR, Britain and China that the general outlines of the geopolitical equilibria of the following decades are drawn, with each power informally negotiating the extent of its sphere of influence with the others. Since Britain, weakened and painfully aware of the programmed disparition of its colonial empire (with a timetable for Indian independence in the works), chooses to align itself on the American position, the three main players are the United States, the Soviet Union and China. At the time of the Yalta summit, whereas the war in Asia is over, the Japanese having surrendered in January 1945, it is still raging on in Europe, although the fact that America can now deploy its entire military might against the Third Reich means that victory is but a question of time. The European theater thus focuses the attention of both Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin, so that Guoxing has relatively little difficulty in obtaining key concessions in the reconstitution of China’s traditional influence in East Asia ; and while the future « iron curtain » between the US-British zones and the Soviet zone is gradually being delineated through backroom deals and the reality on the ground, the Chinese leadership imposes the official recognition of China’s occupation of Korea, French Indochina, Malaysia and the Dutch East Indies. In the last three territories, China can therefore channel and influence at will the independence movements.

The stabilization of the tripolar balance : 1945-1973

The early post-war years provide China with several diplomatic opportunities. Both the USA and the USSR remain focused on Europe, where each side interprets the other’s every move as a covert attempt to expand its area of influence. By 1949 the two superpowers are engaged in a high-stakes game of brinkmanship which culminates with the Berlin blockade. Meanwhile the European colonial powers lick their wounds and are unable to prevent Chinese ingerence in their Asian possessions. China, which has placed the negotiations between independence movements and their colonial masters placed under its unofficial arbitrage, skilfully uses its seat at the permanent Security Council of the young UN to give them a multilateral dimension. A series of timetables is—sometimes grudgingly—agreed on for the accession to sovereign status of all European colonies in East Asia. Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia thus become indépendant in 1950. Then Burma does in 1954. Indonesia follows in 1955, although Nanjing obtains that the island of Bali become a separate country. Finally, in 1958, comes the turn of Malaysia, merged with Singapore but not with the sultanate of Sarawak ; this causes some resentment from the ethnic Malays, as the inclusion of Singapore makes the Chinese the majority community. China further imposes that the retrocession of Macau take place on the same timetable as that of Hong Kong (scheduled for July 1, 1953), under threat of « unilateral liberation » of the Portuguese-controlled territory.
However, one of China’s most far-reaching diplomatic achievements of that period takes place outside of its traditional sphere of influence. Involved with observers’ status in the negotiations between the British government and the Congress party for Indian independence, Chinese diplomats weigh in on the latter’s side, and pressure Britain not to endorse Ali Jinnah’s objective of creating a separate country—which would have been named Pakistan—for India’s Muslim minority. The subcontinent’s partition along religious lines is therefore avoided ; although riots between Muslims and Hindus do take place in 1947 and 1948, a bloody war of religion is preempted.
By 1948, the Cold War spills beyond Europe : the Soviet Union asserts its Jdanovian vision of global geopolitics (the struggle between an « imperialist » and a « democratic » side), seeks to infiltrate so-called Third World countries with local Communist parties, and denies Yakutia’s very right to exist. Various border incidents take place along the Ienisei during 1950, as Stalin tests the political and strategic will of China to protect its largest vassal state. But despite the odd dogfight between Soviet Mig-15s and Chinese Daweilan-8s and -9s (the licence-produced versions of the De Havilland Vampire and Venom), the situation fails to degenerate into open conflict : having understood China’s determination, Stalin backs down.
The 1950s are for China a geopolitically fruitful decade : as the former colonies of European powers become independent—mostly without noticeable incident—they have little choice but to align themselves on Nanjing in order to avoid becoming pawns in the strategic power play between the USA and the Soviet Union. So as not to alienate these new allies, China shuns any overtly dominant attitude, and instead reestablishes the old principle « give more, take less » that ruled at the time of the Ming and Qing dynasties its relationship with tributary states. As Laozi put it :
« A great country humbles itself before a small one
And thus wins it over
But if a small country humbles itself before it
The great country shall be the loser
What does a great country want but get more client states
What does a small country want but a secure overlord
Both profit from their relationship
But it is up to the great one to bow down »
(Dao De Jing, chapter 61)
China’s most enthusiastic satellite state is, predictably, Malaysia, in which Prime Minister Lee Kuan-yew governs a population that is 62% Chinese ; at the other end of the spectrum is Indonesia, where the government treads a fine line between keeping Nanjing satisfied and exploiting the population’s anti-Chinese sentiment. Most, like Vietnam (which has become a republic under the presidency of Ho Chi Minh), fall somewhere in between. The one point of contention throughout the period is the status of the Huaqiao, or overseas Chinese, who have formed powerful communities in all South-East Asia and usually control the bulk of their host countries’ economy ; lengthy bilateral negotiations, in some cases lasting into the early 1960s, are necessary to sort out their status and citizenship.
In domestic politics, the Chinese regime remains generally authoritarian, with the executive, under the control of the Emperor, firmly in charge ; but the members of the Lower House are from 1947 elected by universal suffrage (including women), with several parties represented, although the pro-government conservatives hold a de facto monopoly on legislative power until 1965, when the progressives, headed by Zhou Enlai, become the majority party for the first time. The government’s economic policy is consistently growth-oriented, and blends business-friendly measures with a strong dose of social paternalism, akin to what is being practiced in Japan (and indeed by most of China’s satellite states, with stunning results in terms of economic development). Confucianism remains the official ideology, and although freedom of religion is recognized, and most people practice the traditional blend of Buddhism, Taoism, ancestor worship and folk religions (with Islam present in Xinjiang, Ningxia and parts of Yunnan), the activity of Christian missionary movements is strictly monitored. The country’s centralized structure gradually evolves toward federalism as provinces are granted increasing autonomy in such fields as taxation and education, with special provisions in the case of Tibet, Xinjiang and Mongolia. In 1965, Emperor Guoxing declares the end of the « Great Awakening » era, and opens the « Long Prosperity » era ; he dies in 1971 and his succeeded by his son, who takes the dynastic name Wensheng (« Triumph of Civilization »). His reign is initially a continuation of his father’s, but he gradually reduces his involvement in day-to-day government, giving an increasingly more prominent role to the Prime Minister ; by the time of the premiership of Zhao Ziyang (1977-1989), the regime has evolved into a Japanese-style parliamentary democracy, although one with strong technocratic leanings, with the state bureaucracy remaining influential behind the scenes. Did not Confucius say :
« Should the ruler embody virtue, he need not give any order for everything to be well. Should he not, even if he multiply his orders, he shall not be obeyed. » (Lunyu, 13 :6)
And : « Who, better than Shun [23rd century BC], knew how to govern through non-action ? What was action to him ? All he had to do for peace to reign, was to sit in all dignity face to the South. » (Lunyu, 15 :4)

In economic terms, the period from 1945 to 1973 is when China completes its extensive development phase, which had begun in the early 1920s and was interrupted by the war ; the exceptions were the military-industrial complex and the industrial nexus built around Chongqing between 1934 and 1945. The wartime destructions, especially in the North-East and the coastal areas, require massive investments in infrastructures, transportation and housing, which in turn create a Keynesian effect on the economy at large. Heavy industry and consumer industry develop jointly to feed the huge and growing domestic demand, but also to take advantage of the opening of international markets from then on regulated by such multilateral agreements as the GATT. With a plentiful workforce, the investment potential of the Huaqiao, and a reactive entrepreneurial class, China’s industry closely follows Japan in its penetration of Western markets.
China’s population goes from 520 million in 1945 to 930 million in 1973, with a growing proportion of city-dwellers. This demographic boom is caused by the compounded effects of the post-war surge in birth rates and a rising life expectancy, is partially offset by emigration, mostly to the satellite states of South-East Asia, to Western Europe, and to the USA, Canada and Australia : over a 30-year period, no fewer than 25 million Chinese settle in foreign countries. This process is made easier by a series of bilateral agreements initiated by the Chinese government : just as, at the time of their retrocession in 1945, the residents of the Shanghai International concession are granted the double Chinese-American citizenship and those of the French concession the double Chinese-French concession, the residents of Hong Kong are granted the double Chinese-British citizenship when the city reverts to Chinese rule in 1953 (for fairness’s sake, residents of Macau get the Chinese-Portuguese citizenship, although few leave for Portugal until the early 1980s) ; so millions of migrants can settle in their host country without administrative hurdles. As for emigration to the USA, Canada and Australia (as well as New Zealand), it is made possible by the repeal under diplomatic pressure by Nanjing of the anti-Chinese laws put in place in those countries in the late 19th century and applied until WW2. The Chinese authorities first obtain the authorization of family reunion for those immigrants arrived from China in earlier decades but often condemned to lifelong bachelorhood, prevented as they were from bringing in their spouses and children. Next, all discriminatory legislation specifically targeted at Chinese people is removed from the books. In spite of scattered xenophobic reactions in those countries’ public opinions—fed in some cases by populist politicians—the legal status of Chinese immigrants is everywhere normalized by 1955.

1973-1990: From Détente to the Second Cold War

The First Cold War, which is conventionally considered to have begun with the Communist takeover of the Czech government in 1948, had gradually given way to détente after what historians commonly refer to as the Havana-Berlin Tradeoff, wherein the Nixon administration, faced with the erection of the Berlin Wall by Warsaw Pact forces in August 1961, agreed with Khrushchev to condone the new German status quo in exchange for the USSR in turn ceasing military assistance to the young Castro regime in Cuba. By the following year, US forces had invaded the island and reinstated President Batista, but at the cost of a civil war between pro- and anticommunist Cubans that would last for over two decades, devolve by the mid-1980s into a Colombian-style endemic insurgency, and would only truly be over with the Clinton-brokered summit of July 1995 between President Gutierrez and Communist leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara.
China takes advantage of the détente both to consolidate its control over its sphere of influence and to increase its economic clout by attracting foreign capital (it becomes the world’s second destination of direct investment after the USA in 1967, and the first by 1974) and expanding its penetration of Western markets. Even with the slowdown caused by the 1973 worldwide recession, its GDP growth rate remains one of the world’s highest, along with Japan’s, Korea’s, Vietnam’s and Malaysia’s. Further, as China’s "hard power" grows, so does its "soft power" : after a parenthesis of some 150 years during which the Chinese cultural model in East Asia had been overshadowed by Western imperialism, it once again becomes prevalent in China’s traditional sphere of influence (several of the region’s countries officially adopt neo-Confucianism as a state ideology, Mandarin becomes the region’s lingua franca, and Vietnamese schools resume teaching the Chinese writing system alongside the newer, French-imposed Latin script), and in the 1970s starts spreading into the Western world, relayed locally by overseas Chinese communities. By 1975, Chinese cultural centers, language schools and universities have opened in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, Toronto, Sydney, Perth, Auckland, Jakarta, London, Paris, Rome and Hamburg ; their dual purpose is both to provide a way for the children of Chinese emigrants to remain in touch with their heritage, and to introduce Chinese civilization to the Western public at large. Did not Confucius say : "Studying knowledge to apply it at the right moment, welcoming a friend who comes from afar, are not those the greatest pleasures ?" (Lunyu, 1 :1) Nanjing likewise sponsors the opening of Taoist and Buddhist temples in large Western cities to cater to the spiritual needs of Chinese communities, although the countercultural movement of the late 1960s sparks an interest for Chinese forms of worship among elements of the Western population as well ; while statistics are imprecise, it is estimated that some 1.5 to 2.5% of Westerners have converted to Taoism or Mahayana Buddhism by the early 21st century.
During that period, China acquires two symbolic elements of superpowerdom with the detonation in 1962 of its first nuclear bomb (designed, it later turned out, in partnership with France, which was at the same time developing its own nuclear capability), and the launching in 1971 of its first satellite, using the first of what will turn out to be a highly successful line of rockets, the Tianshen.
Détente however comes to an end in the late 1970s. The trigger event is, as is well known, the Afghan war. After India’s independence in 1947, Afghanistan had aligned itself on Iran in order to escape the geopolitical ambitions of its large Eastern neighbor and the Soviet Union alike. For three decades its position seemed secure, although the inflitration of disgruntled Muslims from the Pashtun-populated regions of Northwestern India remained a recurrent nuisance, and occasionally soured relations with India when some of them attempted to use Afghanistan as a rear base for Islamist activism across the border. But Afghanistan’s precarious stability ends abruptly when Iran falls to Khomeyni’s revolutionary forces in February 1979 : the chaos rapidly spills over across the border, and within four months the Afghan central government’s authority, flimsy at the best of times, breaks down altogether in the turmoil of ethnic, religious and political infighting that pits Sunnis against Shi’ites, Pashtuns against Tadzhiks, and rural conservatives against urban modernists. By August, both India and the Soviet Union claim a right to "secure their strategic interests" by sending troops to "pacify" Afghanistan ; with the USA temporarily paralyzed by the fall of its allied regime in Iran, and the new Zhao administration in China widely perceived as unwilling to take a firm stand on the international stage, Brezhnev decides to take the gamble. On September 2, the first Soviet troops cross the border ; India quickly follows suit. China decides to preemptively secure the strategic Wakhan corridor that leads to its own border, and by the end of the month the three armies are facing each other off in central Afghanistan. The Second Cold War has begun.
With Afghanistan de facto divided into three zones of occupation, the relations between China and the Soviet Union fall to their lowest level since 1950. Clashes take place between both armies, and once again the Yakuto-Russian border is the theatre of armed incidents, this time pitting Mig-29s against Huofeng-11s (the Chinese version of the Saab-37). The trilateral arms race between the USSR, the USA and China, which had cooled somewhat since the early 1960s, resumes with a vengeance in 1980. China’s armament policy remains unchanged : increasing its technological know-how by producing in its own factories local versions of whatever equipment it needs ; it is because of the reluctance of the US government to allow the sale of licensing rights for advanced weapons systems, and because it seeks to avoid dependency on a single exporter, that China prefers dealing with European manufacturers, such as Saab, British Aerospace, Westland and Aérospatiale. China does however purchase from US manufacturers long-distance transport planes (the Lockheed C-5, the Douglas C-141, and more recently the Douglas C-17), indispensable to its force projection capability, and such aircraft as the Fairchild Republic A-10, the Sikorsky MH-53 and the Bell AH-1. However, from the mid-1980s China increasingly deploys nationally designed weapons systems, as its R&D is by then able to hold its own.
Tensions remain high until 1986, when the new First Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, Mikhail Gorbachev, launches his twin policies of glasnost and perestroika, in a desperate and ultimately doomed attempt to reform the terminally sclerotic political and economic structures of the USSR. New and increasingly far-reaching treaties on arms control are signed in 1986 and 1987 with US President George Bush and Chinese Prime Minister Zhao Ziyang, and in 1988, the border dispute with Yakutia is finally settled when the USSR officially recognizes the Ienisei as its Eastern border (as well as renouncing any right to the territories that China had reclaimed in 1918 south of Lake Balkhash). But the Cold War is only truly over in 1989, with the mostly peaceful collapse of Communist governments in Eastern Europe.
During that decade, while the USSR’s economy slowly grinds to a halt, China’s keeps growing, and that of its satellite states along with it ; in 1985 China’s GDP is equal to 60% of the United States, which had undergone a considerable slowdown during the eight-year Ford administration, in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis (in fact, most pundits agree that without the rise of international tensions in 1979, incumbent President Ford would have lost the White House to Democratic challenger James Carter). It is also in 1985 that China launches its first manned space mission, onboard a Tianshen-7 rocket ; four years later, the Chinese have installed their own permanent orbital station.

[Matt]

China Cont...


1990-2004 : And then there were two

By the early 1990s, China as a whole is no longer in a phase of extensive development, but in one of intensive development : while the level of economic activity in the provinces of the hinterland (with the exception of Sichuan) remain comparatively lower than in the coastal provinces, the gap is narrowing, and the completion of most infrastructural projects causes a relative slowdown of the growth rate ; from then on, China is a First World economy in its own right. In 1992, the average per capita income in Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hebei and Shandong is equal to Germany’s, and slightly lower but catching up in Guangxi, Hubei, Sichuan and Liaoning ; in 2004, it is equal in the aforementioned provinces to California’s ; some 580 million Chinese are now economically of middle class level or above. GDP parity with the USA is reached in 2003, and after that date China is the n°1 world economic power.
The Chinese economy benefits to no small extent from the quantum leap in information technologies that takes place in the 1990s ; just as investments in more traditional sectors have reached saturation levels, hich-tech electronics and online services begin to pick up. In order to maximize the potential of those new activities, industrial parks devoted to hardware and software production are created in several locations, the largest of which is in the coastal city of Dalian. As India similarly develops in own electronic industry, businesses in both countries begin merging and concluding assorted deals with each other, leading to the development of what is now known as the Dalian-Bangalore Connexion. In 2004, China has the largest absolute number of PCs in the world, with the USA coming second and India third, which explains that 47% of all online communications are in Chinese. From the early 1990s onward, China also becomes a world pioneer in the development of fuel cells and alternative fuels, as the Chinese government seeks to reduce the country’s growing dependence on oil imports; from 1997, the first operational (and affordable) hybrid cars roll off the assembly lines, and by 2004 8% of Chinese vehicles are hybrids, including most public vehicles, and the proportion rises steadily.
Meanwhile, Chinese universities such as Beida and Fudan enroll a constantly rising number of foreign students not only from satellite countries and India but also, increasingly, the Western world, the Middle East and Africa, while enrollment figures in the overseas network of Chinese colleges rise at a similar pace.
The last few years of the 20th century further witness a shift in the flow of international investments : outward investment from China becomes almost as high as inward investment into the country, as Chinese businesses increasingly implant branches abroad or take over foreign firms. While economic links with satellite countries, the USA, Canada, Japan and Europe remain dynamic, China also becomes Australia and New Zealand’s first trading partner, and the second after the USA for Argentina, Chile, Brasil and Mexico. China thus expands its economic and cultural influence in the South Pacific, and makes promising inroads into Latin America.

In 2004, the total number of Chinese worldwide is 1,642 million, of which 79 million live outside of China. The breakdown is as follows :
� 29 million in vassal Asian countries, including 13 million in Malaysia (62% of the population), 5 million in Indonesia (2% of the population) and 4 million in Yakutia (35% of the population) ;
� 21 million in the USA (6% of the population) ;
� 15 million in the European Union (3% of the population) ;
� 6 million in Canada (17% of the population) ;
� 4 million in Australia (19% of the population) ;
� 2 million in Latin America, half of those in Brazil (0.8% of the population) ;
� 1 million in New Zealand (21% of the population) ;
� 1 million in South Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, the Pacific and Africa.

This diaspora is both highly economically dynamic and upwardly mobile. Its hold on the economy of China’s satellite states, which in several cases dates back centuries, grows more solid by the year ; and thanks to low-profile, family-based business networks that extend into every overseas Chinese community, as well as the growing integration of Chinese immigrants in the economy of their host societies, this influence—distinct from but contributing to the more classic trading links with China—begins to expand in the rest of the world. But second- and third-generation children of the diaspora take every avenue of social promotion, from the entertainment industry to politics. One of them is the current governor of California, Sonia Cheng, who moved many with her speech at the inauguration of the largest Buddhist temple in the USA, built in 2002 in San Francisco, when she praised Buddhism as "a religion that embraces science where others shun it ; a religion that gives compassion where others demand obedience ; a religion in the name of which no crusade was ever launched, nor any jihad fought."

The fall of Communism in Eastern Europe is followed within two years by the collapse of the USSR as a country ; and whereas the Soviet Union could at least project the appearance a superpower, post-Communist Russia is little more than a Third World state—and a rapidly depopulating one at that—leaving only the USA and China as global powers. The relationship between the two, while not altogether devoid of a strategic dimension, turns out to be primarily diplomatic, economic and cultural, as each deploys its "soft power" to increase its global influence. Each obviously retains a civilizational edge in its own sphere of influence, but, to an increasing extent, the two hegemonic cultures begin competing on each other’s turf. This Protean race is not the less intense for being mostly covert, and as pundits such as Joseph Nye and Benjamin Barber don’t fail to notice, it is the ultimate vindication of Sunzi’s theories over those of Clausewitz, for this "clash of civilizations" is a war without violence whose battlefields are the hearts and minds of people, and whose soldiers are universities, entertainment industries, religious organizations, websites and even restaurants. On one side are the Ivy League colleges, Hollywood, Christian missionary movements, Silicon Valley and McDonalds ; on the other, Beida/Fudan, the Shanghai and Hong Kong studio network, Buddhist NGOs, the Dalian-Bangalore Connexion and Chinese takeaways. It is, in a sense, the purest, most abstract form of warfare, between two different perceptions of history, humanity’s place in the world, and the nature of reality itself : a war between memes and possibly meta-memes. What people read, watch, hear, eat, wear and believe are so many vectors for the competition. However, as Korean scholar Park Sunghee writes, unlike conventional warfare, this conflict may ultimately turn out to be a positive-sum game, as it enriches the global cultural makeup ; in Taoist fashion, out of binary opposition a dynamic process greater than the sum of its parts can emerge. In the most controversial chapter of her seminal book "Two Beget Three : Making Sense of the Sino-US Civilizational Bipolarity" (2002), she speculates on how the global order may have turned out without this equilibrium :
"Let us imagine an international system in which there aren’t, as is the case, two competing hegemonic civilizations of equal influence, but only one. How such a system may have come into being is beside the point ; we shall simply, for the sake of argument, suppose it did. A single dominant civilization, whichever it may have been, would, lacking a counterbalance, have become overly assertive ; it would have aggressively attempted to remake weaker cultures in its image ; and these cultures, unable to compete on the same level—that of civilizational paradigms—would have responded with asymmetrical forms of resistance : petty obstructionism in the best cases, and endemic terrorism in the worst ones. A world in which a dominant civilization has no competitor would hardly be the peaceful one we have come to take for granted since the advent of the Sino-US bipolarity ; rather, it would be one of predatory cultural homogenization on the one hand, and endlessly recurrent acts of violent resistance on the other, the two trends indefinitely reinforcing one another."

Just about everything you need to know about China is in that thread....

[Imajin]

Grand Duchy of Scandinavia
Grand Duke: His Imperial Majesty George II, Emperor of All Russias, Great, Minor, and White, Grand Duke of Scandinavia, King of Poland, etc. etc.
Capital: Trondheim, governed from St. Petersburg (Not ISOTed)
Government: Self-governing (Suspended for over 150 years), mainly controlled from St. Petersburg.
Economy: Scandinavia's economy is very similair to OTL. I will go into more detail later.
Military: The Army of the Grand Duchy consists of 50,000 men, armed and trained. The Baltic Fleet of the Russian Empire is stationed in Sweden.
History: In this timeline, Sweden refused to accept the Russian conquest of Finland, and kept on fighting. Unfortunately, resistance was futile, and all Sweden fell to the Czar, and was reformed into the Grand Duchy of Scandinavia.
At the Congress of Vienna, Norwegian representatives demanded that Norway be made independent. The powers decided to fashion it into a Kingdom ruled by a Romanov. Norway rebelled, and Russia occupied it and finally annexed it in 1848.
The revolutions of 1848 not only resulted in the annexation of Norway, but also the end of the Scandinavian Government, which had held much power in the past.
Russia faced turmoil in the 20th Century after it lost several wars with Japan, culiminating in the loss of all Siberia and Alaska to a puppet government, Russia ended all remaining autonomy of the Grand Duchy. Russian settlers were sent in, and much of the former Swedish noblilty, who had had some rights, were sent to the Kazakh steppe.
The Grand Duchy escaped many atttacks in WW2, but the rest of Russia was not as lucky. Russia was attacked by National Communist Germany, and faced many loss of life. Quite a few Russians fled to the cities of Norway and Sweden during this time, and many stayed.
Today, the Grand Duchy is a prosperous part of the Empire of All Russias. There is some resentment over the Russian occupation of the country, however, and many calls for the autonomy, lost in 1848, to be finally restored after Scandinavia's years of loyalty.
Flag: Blue St. Andrew's Flag, with a shield in the center quartered Sweden-Norway-Finland-Sweden, crowned with a Grand Ducal Crown. I'll get an image up later.

[Matt]

Roughly speaking, the CAF has about 6,000 aircraft, of which about 1,200 are fighters (600 J-37s, 400 JAF-39s, 120 Tornados, etc.); there are fairly high numbers of ground attack planes (such as the A-10 "Warthog" and even some aging OV-10 Broncos) and assault helicopters (mostly S-67 Blackhawks and Tigers) as a leftover from the Cold War when China expected to have to fight Soviet tanks, as well as many transport planes (among which C-5 Galaxys and C-17 Globemasters) for the purpose of strategic force projection.
China's navy comprises among other ships 2 Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carriers as well as several smaller carriers with their support vessels, 2 complete battle fleet, and an unspecified number of subs.
The ground forces were trimmed down in the early-to-mid 1990s as the high command reasoned that the post-Cold War strategic threats no longer involved large-scale ground warfare. Instead China has during the last decade experimented with rapid-deployment forces; the idea is to be able to deploy anywhere within its sphere of influence (ie East Asia) 3,000 men within 36 hours, 10,000 men within a week and 30,000 men within two weeks, along with their equipment and logistical train. China's military doctrine went through an overhaul between 1993 and 1995, and the priority is now speed and mobility over raw strength. This new doctrine hasn't been put to the test as of 2005, except on a small scale in isolated hot spots where Chinese forces intervened as part of a UN-sponsored coalition, like Somalia. Figure an army of approx 500,000

China, needless to say, also has enough ICBMs to nuke into oblivion any hostile power. But unlike the Soviet Union, it didn't bother with tactical nukes; the Chinese military doctrine during the Cold War was to keep nuclear weapons for purposes of deterrence, and to keep the battlefield mostly conventional (exceptions were made for chemical and to some extent bacteriological weapons).

[Othniel]

Roughly speaking, the CAF has about 6,000 aircraft, of which about 1,200 are fighters (600 J-37s, 400 JAF-39s, 120 Tornados, etc.); there are fairly high numbers of ground attack planes (such as the A-10 "Warthog" and even some aging OV-10 Broncos) and assault helicopters (mostly S-67 Blackhawks and Tigers) as a leftover from the Cold War when China expected to have to fight Soviet tanks, as well as many transport planes (among which C-5 Galaxys and C-17 Globemasters) for the purpose of strategic force projection.
China's navy comprises among other ships 2 Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carriers as well as several smaller carriers with their support vessels, 2 complete battle fleet, and an unspecified number of subs.
The ground forces were trimmed down in the early-to-mid 1990s as the high command reasoned that the post-Cold War strategic threats no longer involved large-scale ground warfare. Instead China has during the last decade experimented with rapid-deployment forces; the idea is to be able to deploy anywhere within its sphere of influence (ie East Asia) 3,000 men within 36 hours, 10,000 men within a week and 30,000 men within two weeks, along with their equipment and logistical train. China's military doctrine went through an overhaul between 1993 and 1995, and the priority is now speed and mobility over raw strength. This new doctrine hasn't been put to the test as of 2005, except on a small scale in isolated hot spots where Chinese forces intervened as part of a UN-sponsored coalition, like Somalia. Figure an army of approx 500,000

China, needless to say, also has enough ICBMs to nuke into oblivion any hostile power. But unlike the Soviet Union, it didn't bother with tactical nukes; the Chinese military doctrine during the Cold War was to keep nuclear weapons for purposes of deterrence, and to keep the battlefield mostly conventional (exceptions were made for chemical and to some extent bacteriological weapons).
Good thing all nukes turned to lead....

[Othniel]

It is only Russia and Ukraine that will be ISoTed.
So how much of Russia, the Siberian Annexation?

[Bulgaroktonos]

Awesome, another hostile, devilish Russia for my Greeks to mistrust.....

Do we get no friendly Russians?

[Othniel]

Think about how Estonia, and Lativa will feel....they were rebelling against a USSR in mine.....

[DuQuense]

Name
Persia

Leader
Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi II

POD
1968
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, "Accidentally" :rolleyes: Died while in Custody.

1979
Jimmy Carter narrowly loses the re Election, The Shah announces he is making a Pilgrimage to Mecca

1982
The Big one Hits California 9.8 in Los Angles, A hour later a After Shock of 9.5 Rocks San Francisco.
All Government services in California swing into emergency mode. Over 200.000 people will Die, and several million will be homeless, it is the Greatest Natural Disaster in recent History.

Thousands of Business are totally Destroyed, post offices are Closed, Banks Empty, and Check Houses Silent.
Within Four Days the Closed Financial Institutions effect have spread across the nation. and within Five, Foreign Finance Centres are effected. A week after the Quake, Brazil Defaults on it's Loans, Followed a day later, by Argentine, several African Nations, and finally Mexico.

In Iran the long awaited results of Development were just starting to appear.
Since the end of WW 1 Iran had been plowing every thing back into Internal Development,

1983
As Europe Asia and the Americas struggled with the worst Depression in History, Iran and Iraq went to war.

1984
Democrats win the Elections
Iran gains the momentum in the Iraq War.

1985
Unemployment reaches 60% in Europe, 40% in parts of the US.
Iran wins the War, annexes the South, divides the northern part into Iraq, and Kurdistan, both Iranian Puppet regimes,

the USSR Collapses, along with East Europe. USSR disintegrates, even Russia splinters.

1986
Iran sends troops into the former Russian Stan's to restore order and Prevent Looters from raiding into Iran, They also seize control of the Various Nuclear Devices stationed in the Stan's.

1987
The International Community [What isn't focused on the Depression] Starts talking about "The New Persian Empire"

1990's
As the World struggles with the Great Depression, Iran tightens it's Hold on the Stan's, thro it is starting to have competition, from the traditional, Influences from Turkey.

There are also tensions between the More Modern Iran, and the Fundamentalist Taliban that controls Afghanistan.

1998
Due to the Taliban in Afghanistan the Shah and his Family have adopted a more traditionalist Practice. of Islam.
while Burka's are still prohibited, Womens Veils have returned as a Fashion Accessory for Public occasions. thru the Mullahs still rail against how flimsy and Decorative [expensive Lace] they are.

Europe and the Americas are pulling out of the Depression.
Due to the Great Depression Tech is about ten-fifteen years behind OTL.

2001 September 11th

A suicide Bomber yelling about glory for the Al-Queda & the Taliban
Plunges into the Shah's Party as they are kneeling For prayer in front of the Mosque.
The Shah Is killed and His Son Pahlavi II, is badly injured. along with a Dozen others.

Septembre- Decembre. numerous Border Incidents between Afghanistan, Iran and the neighboring Stan's
[Even the Liberal ex Russian Ayatollahs thought Bombing a Mosque was beyond the bounds]

2002
The Recovered Pahlavi II is crowned in as Shah,
asks Iran's Parliament for a declaration of War on Afghanistan

2002-2004
Iran [with it's Stan allies] -- Afghanistan War.

[Cockroach]

Decided to recycle an old nation:
Nation: Commonwealth Of Australia
Leader:Sir Thomas Hall
Military:
Navy (active):1 CVA (60 aircraft max capacity, air group usually 26 CAC-25, 18 CAC-22, 3 AWACS, 4 ASW Helicopters), 1 Fast Battleship (armed with 6 16" guns all foward, 32 4.5" in 8 turrets, 3 twin launchers for medium range SAMs), 7 DDGs, 11 FFGs, 7 gun armed Frigates.
Navy (Reserve):1 CVL (30 aircraft capacity, 16 CAC-18 assigned to carrier), 2 CA, 3 CLG (9x6in, 1x SAM launcher 8xSSM), 7 DD (6x5in, 8x21in TT), 9 gun armed frigates.
Air Force:98 CAC-25 Thylacine fighters (somewhere near equilevent to F-15), 157 CAC-22 tacticle support aircraft (similar to SEPCAT Jaguar), 48 TSR2a medium bombers (see: http://www.whatifmodelers.com/air/phobbins/phoenix.htm), 35 assorted transports, 50 Canberra bombers and 83 CAC-18 fighters (near equilevent to the F4 Phantom) are held in reserve.
Army (Active): 54000 men, 43 95 Cuirassier mk II Main Battle Tanks (joint Anglo- Australian program, 120 mm main gun), 130 Cuirassier
mk I MBTs (105mm main gun), 500 Dingo AFVs
Army (Reserve): 125,000 men, 156 Centurion mbts (105mm main gun), 1045 AFVs
Special Weapons: around 25 tacticle nukes
Captial: Canberra
Population: 29 million
Resources: Limited oil production, substantial depostits of coal and various metals, some uranium deposits
Tech Genrally as per OTL but due to the soviet construction of a battle fleet during WW2 the big gun naval vessels have persisted in service
History
In the TL of this nation Australia was settled sooner (1783) and more emphasis was placed on free settlers as opposed to convicts. History proceeds more or less as pre OTL but Federation occures in 1889 rather than 1901. Post federation the white Australia policy is still implimented althought designed in such a way as to allow more non-Anglo Saxon europeans in. Australia orders 3 15in gunned BCs in 1912, one is transfered to the british, one oppertates under Australia command in WW1 and one is completed in 1919. Post WW1 Australia continues to build up its fleet and improve its industrial capacity. In the washington treaty the RAN is accepted as a sepprate antity and so can maintain its substanitial fleet (2 BCs, 1 CV, 2 CAs, 4 Cls and light forces). This fleet and the other branches played a major role in WW2 and, unlike OTL, Australian forces did not get relegated to the more minor campaigns in the latter half of WW2. As the war dragged into 1946 while the US stockpiles 15 nukes for a final bombing campaign, Australian forces carried out a number of daring raid on Japan, even managing to capture a Japanese cruiser! Post war Australia continued to play a major role engaging in the Korean war, Australiasian war (OTL Malay emergancy) and Vietnam. Australia has developed into a major regional power, and while allied with the USA is remarkably independent.
Edit to attatch image of the fast BB

[DuQuense]

1852 Nicaragua
Presicent Walker looked at the Treaty one last time. Then taking a pen from the american Ambssodor,
Sighed his Name, Hending the pen to the Secretary of State who signed.
Then Ambasodor Alesander Stephen Signed for the US

1853
With the Senate ratification and approbation of 3 million Dollars the Nicaragua Canal Company was Born.

http://www.answers.com/topic/nicaragua-canal
http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20050222-040630-9452r.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/nicaragua

1856
The first Workers arrived the begin the Surveying.

1861
Work on the Canal Suspended.


1877 Washington DC

President Grant had Problems, the Nation was still disunited, from the late War.
The Southerner were unhappy, about the attitudes of the free Negroes,
Labor was unhappy about the Negroes, moving North and taking Factory jobs from poor Whites.
Westerners were complaining about the Chinese.
They had been glad for the Chinese while the Railroad was being Built,
But now there were cry to round them all up, and ship them home.
And Secretary of State Stewart, had some Idea he wanted to talk about.
Hadden Alaska been enuff.

As Stewart entered He cracked one of his Smiles, " I've got the Solution to our problems"
Laying a folder on the Desk He began to take out papers.
"It is outside the US so all our people will be involved, 'Politics ends at the Shoreline'
It involves lots of Laborers, all those unemployed Negroes and Chinese.
Best of all-- And is already approved by Congress, Thro they may have to be reminded."

As Grant looked over the papers, he began to Smile.

1897
Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt Stood on the Bridge of the BB USS Maine. as It became the First Ship to officially Enter The newly opened Canal

1977
Dispute massive protests across the nation, President James Carter signs a treaty restoring Nicaragua control over the Canal.

1982
The Government of Nicaragua formally take control over the canal

1992
Columbia enters into a agreement for a Japanese Company to begin construction of a sea level canal across it's Panama province.

2004
The Final American Bases will be officially closed by the middle of 2005.

Details
DETAILS
Population
5.7 million (2003),
Ethnic group
About 40 percent are mixed descendants of American Indians and Spanish
colonisers. A further 17 percent are of European descent, 9 % are African
descendants, 17 % are decentants of American Negroes, 16 % Decentants of American Chinese
and the remaining 5 percent belong to Indian minorities (Miskitos, Sunos and Ramas).

Religion
70 % Roman Catholic, 25 % Protestant. 5% other
Climate
Tropical, rainy season between May and October.
Currency
Cordoba
Time zone
GMT -6
Public holidays
2004: Jan 1, April 8, March 9, May 1, July 19, Aug 1, 10, Sept 14, 15, Nov 2,
Dec 8, 25
Electricity
110V AC 60Hz
Travel rules
Passport valid for six months from date of entry required. Visa required by all
except nationals of several European and Central and South American countries.
Driving
National or international licence required, valid for 30 days.
Health rules
Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from or via infected areas.
Hepatitis A, malaria, polio, tetanus and typhoid immunisation recommended.
Hepatitis B and diphtheria immunisation is recommended in some circumstances;
seek further advice. Malaria exists from June to December in rural areas as well
as the outskirts of Bluefields, Bonanza, Chinandega, Jinotega, Leon, Puerto
Cabeza, Rosita and Siunna towns. Risk of rabies. Precautions: Boil or sterilise
drinking water and milk. All food should be well cooked.
Source: NI World Guide 2003/2004; Europa World Year Book 2003

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS
Infant mortality
27 per 1,000 live births (2001)
Maternal mortality
97 per 100,000 live births (1985-2001)
Life expectancy
66.8 years male, 75.1 years female (2001)
Illiteracy
9.5percent male, 7.9 percent female (2003)
National Fertility
3.1 and Dropping

ECONOMIC INDICATORS
GDP
$2.6 billion (2003)
Per capita
$480 (2002)
Growth
1.0 percent (2003)
Inflation
4.5 percent (2003)
Debt
$5.8 billion (2003)
Defence budget
$39 million 2003
Defence expenditure
$39 million


MILITARY STATISTICS
Armed forces
16,000 active forces (estimated)
Army
13,000 forces (estimated) with 147 main battle tanks
Navy
1.300 forces (estimated) with nine coastal vessels
Air force
1,700 forces with no combat aircrafts and 45 armed helicopters


COMMUNICATIONS
Civil aviation
The principal airport is the Prisident Grant International Airport, in Managua.
There are 185 additional airports in Nicaragua.

Aerolineas Nicaraguenses (AERONICA) operates domestic routes and international
services to El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico and the United States.

Nicaraguenses de Aviacion (NICA) operates domestic services to Panama, Costa
Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and the United States.
Railways
The state-owned Ferrocarrio de Nicaragua has a 287-km track network, but it
reportedly ceased operations in 1994.
Roads
In 2000, there were an estimated 120.000 miles of roads of which 68.000 Miles were
paved. This includes close to 38.000 Miles of All Weather
"Interstate Roads built by the American military in the 1960-70's
Some 8,000 Miles of roads were damaged by 'Hurricane Mitch', which
struck in late 1998. The Pan-American Highway runs for 384 km in Nicaragua and
links Managua with the Honduran and Costa Rican frontiers and the Atlantic and
Pacific Highways connecting Managua with the coastal regions.
Telecomms
783,600 main line telephones in use
close to 193 CellFones in Country with a nationwide Cell System

[Aussey]

Name- Imperial Federation of Brazil
Leader(s)- HIM Empress Maria Joanna I
History- Following the Portugese rebellion, Dom Pedro I was proclaimed Emperor of Brazil. He declared Brazil a sovreign nation, and a neutral one. After granting liberal rights, the Empire of Brazil flourished. Its Armed Forces grew strong, and were able to occupuy the Guianas, until their European nations re-purchased them...these monetary incomes made the empire great.

Following Emperor Dom Pedro I's death, Dom Pedro II became Emperor of Brazil. MOre liberal liberties were granted, and prosperity also reigned under Dom Pedro II. The Imperial Brazillian Company was formed, and in the African Congress, was able to claim Abyssinia.

When Dom Pedro II died, his unpopular Protestant son, Dom Pedro, became Emperor Dom Pedro III. He was deposed three months after being crowned, and the Brazillian Republic was formed. After much hatred of the government, finally in 2002, after ruling since 1956, the President-General agreed to the Bill to restore a limited monarchy. Dom Pedro III grand-niece, Maria Joanna, became the first female monarch in Brazillian history. Since she was crowned, which was also the beginning of the Imperial Federation of Brazil, Brazillian foreign policies have become less strict as they had been in republican times.

Government- The Empress can propose laws, and veto them. Real power is in the Senate, and the Prime Minister. The Senate/House of Representatives is identical to the United States...

Economy- Since the coronation of HIM Empress Maria Joanna, Brazillian economy has grown at a steady rate...

Military- No info is availiable as the re-training of Imperial Armed Forces only began in 2003...

Other Info- In 2003 Brazil signed its first alliance since the deposing of the monarchy, with other nations of South America...

Flag- During Republican era, the crown was merely taken off. In 2002, the Crown was re-instituted by the Imperial Brazillian Flag Act...

[Aussey]

And the Imperial Coat-of-Arms of Empress Maria Joanna I

[Imajin]

Here's the flag of the GD of Scandinavia, as promised.

[Condottiero]

Name: Sovereign Military Order of Saint-John of Jerusalem and Malta
Government: similar to an elective Monarchy. The Current Grand Master is the Duke Giovanni Tomassi.
He is attended by a counsil of Bailiffs that counsel him in different matters:
Foreign Affairs: Mssr. Françoise-Bernard-Ettienne du Bois d'Arbine (Bailiff of the French)
Economy: Count Oleg Rossoliev (Bailiff of the Slavic)
Defense: John Heatcliff Rushmore, seventh Earl of Innsmouth (Bailiff of the English)

Territory: The Archipielago of Malta
Population: 200,000 inhabitants
Army: Two fleets of the Religion, each one consists in one small Carrier (carries 10 Harrier like airplanes and 15 Apache helicopters), two destroyers, two submarines, one cruiser (carries two more helicopters) and troop transports for one flag (1000 men) of Marines.

History:
POD: 1798 The order decides to fight Napoleon, achieving a surprise victory over the Napoleonic fleet. The order claims for help to the Pope, the Czar and the King of Spain.
1804 British troops are not allowed to land, the british fleet tries to force the landing but unsuccessfully again.
1830 With new funding the renew their fleet and their vows to defend christianity. The Order spreads along all Europe. They side by Greece during their independence war, by Russia during the Crimea War, against Egypt in the Greco-Egyptian war (1892)
1914 During the Great War they remain neutral, performing humanitarian tasks.
1941 The Order enters World War II in the side of the Allies against the new "Satan": Hitler.
1946 The start to perform operations in the Mediterranean and Middle East against Sovietic interests. Due to their ferocious anti-communism they receive tons of the best warfare american material.
1974 The Order manages to force Israel's retreat from Lebannon protecting the christian population.
1991 The Order Participates in the First Gulf War
2004 One of the fleets of the Religion returns after participating in the defense of Lebannon against Syria, when...

[Othniel]

Name- Federal Commonwealth of Poland & Byelorussia
Leader(s)- Chancellor Yirik Navolk
History- same timeline as Germanys

Government- Federal Republic (German Vassal)
Economy- Open to all neighbors.
Military- 100,000 Active army, organized into 7 divisions. Additional 50,000 reservists and 6 reserve army divisions exist.
Air defense program: 3,000 man with over 900 combat aircraft.

Federal Commonwealth’s Navy: 1 Carrier
3 DD
7 FG
9 PBs
2 amphibious ships
600 aircraft
25,000 sailors
15000 Marines(1 divisions)
Flag- (Same as otl with Belarusian tribute, will post later.)

[General_Paul]

Name: Gran Columbia, Made up of Central America, and South America (Not claimed South America, besides bolivia, and Paraguay)

Population: 210,300,000

Government: Facist Dictatorship

Capital: Bogota

Military: 1,313,000 Men under arms (Over 10 million men and women can be mobalized via a reserve draft act, passed in early 1940)

Air Forces: All US and USSR bought aircraft, and aircraft plans. B-51's B-47's and TU-95 bombers are the most numerous in numbers. Requisitioned Chinese, Russian, and American built B-29 Superfortresses are also still used for tactical bombing. Fighters include the MiG-29, the F-15, F-14, and F-16 fighters. Russian bought fighters include the MiG-29, MiG-27, MiG-23, and MiG-17.
Fighters: 5300 fighters
Bombers: 5400 bombers (including the B-29 super fort's)

Ground Forces: Most tanks are either Russian built T-54, T-55, M41 Bulldogs, M48, T-60, T-80, and T-72 tanks.

Tanks: Over 350,000 tanks are either on full combat readyness, or in storage for the next conflict that could spring up.

History: Stability in Gran Columbia after the spanish break off lead to a popular democracy being placed in charge in the late 1820's. With this, the people had a say in their popular gov't, and gave Gran columbia the fuel to rebuild after the spanish war. Over fifty years, untill 1875, Gran Columbia did not suffer from any wars, or threats from overseas powers. In 1875, a border conflict with Costa Rica lead to an all out war in Central america. This war lasted 15 years, and lead to the eventual take over of all of central america for Gran Columbia. In the 1930's, a popular Facist party candidate was able to get elected to the columbian Senate. Over 10 years, untill 1946, the facist party gained popular support, untill it was the dominant party in Gran Columbia. In 1948, the military generals in charge of Gran Columbia's defense were almost all hard line facists. A popular takeover of Gran Columbia's gov't occured, and on the 5th of October, a facist gov't was placed in charge of Gran Columbia, and a dictator, Salvadore Bedford, an immigrant from pre-war England, a facist party member, was put in charge of the nation. For forty years, Salvadore commanded Gran Columbia with an iron fist, making land grabs at the Guyanas, and securing them quickly. Now, a new dictator, Miguel Bedford, has taken command of Gran Columbia, and is preparing for a war with Brazil.

[Bulgaroktonos]

Empire of Russia (a bit implausible, but fun to write, and good to instill fear with)

Population: 292.4 million

Capital: Moscow

History: OTL until Nicholas I. Nicholas dies in 1848. Alexander II is now 30 years old, and ready to assume the Imperial mantle. He begins his reign much as he does in OTL, getting the ball rolling on various reform movements, looking to restructure Russia. He takes on a slightly more pro-Western attitude, and hires British industrialists to oversea and advise on the projects. To each team he attaches numerous Russian Engineering students, in order to avoid dependency on the Western industrialists. Being younger than his OTL self, Alexander has much more gusto for his projects. He avoids the Crimean War, and the drain on resources. Serfdom is rolled back by 1856, and his projects actually achieve a large measure of success. He encourages trade with the West for Russian merchants.

This creates some tension with Slavophiles within the Russian aristocracy, but Alexander's charm and success with turning Russia into an industrial power manages to silence most of his opposition. Alexander models his judicial appointments on the US system, making all nominations for life, and has a rather effective system of internal controls. All judges are answerable only to the Duma, and corruption in the judicial system is kept pretty low.

To sum up the reforms of Alexander II, Alexander III (whom his father trained in his fashion), and final reforms of Nicholas II, we have:

-Massive rail network. A Massive undertaking completed primarily in 1910, with tracks going all the way out to Vladivostok. Most of European Russia is connected through railways.

-Large industrialization. By 1910, Russia is as industrialized as OTL 1880-1890 Germany.

-With massive revenues coming in from the increased industrialization of Russia, Alexander II and then Alexander III began programs of public education, in which all students wishing to attend were allowed. University studies remained out of reach for most peasants, but by 1910, Russia's literacy rate had grown exponentially.

-Moderate self rule in Poland, Ukraine. In both places, Alexander II was forced to put down small rebellions, but decided that the best policy was to allow for both regions have a measure of self rule. Ukraine and Poland were allowed to elect their own legislature which then sent proposed domestic laws to a Czar-appointed, legislature-approved governor.

-As an achievement, Russian propaganda was effective in portraying the Russian state as the guardian of all Slavs everywhere, and that all Slavs in Russia were the vanguard of Slavic independence. This got popular momentum in Russia, Poland, and Ukraine on the side of Russias support for Romanian annexation and Bulgarian independence.

In 1910, war broke out between Russia and Austria, Germany, and France (who had a rapproachment after Russia attempted to seize parts of Turkey from the Ottomans). Britain stayed out of the war and acted as a loan and supplier for both sides. After a prolonged and vicious campaign that went to the very gates of Kiev, Smolensk, and St. Petersburg, the Russians were able to turn the tide against the French, Germans, and Austrians. Britain and the US finally entered the war in 1915, after complaining about the destruction of their shipping by France and Germany. Austria Hungary collapsed, France and Germany were stripped of most of their overseas lands. After a plebiscite, Russia annexed Bulgaria and Slovakia and then stripped parts of Pomerania and Silesia from Germany.

Germany and France stewed in their defeat. They planned revenge against another former enemy, Italy, as well as Britain. Docility played into their hands, as all the victors of the First War had become quiet. France and Germany assured Russia they would not attack them, and that their true quarrel was with those who had jumped on them whilst down. Russia used this time to fight with the Japanese over Manchuria, who had decided that Russia would be otherwise distracted. Italy was crushed, and Britain sent to the ropes. America refused to enter the war. Finally on July 10th, 1938, Germany and France invaded Russia. However ferocious their assault, they were too far from Russia's industrial centers, and the pride of Russian soldiers and the Russian winter stalled them. However, they were able to penetrate as far as the river Don. Russia began pushiing them back when disaster struck. Britain exited the war, and made a separate peace. With access to the Arabian oil fields, the Berlin-Paris Axis was able to continue its drive inland. It was only through the masterful designs of Field Marshal Rokossovsky that the Germans and French were turned back.

In the East, Russian commander Konev conducted a campaign that would have made Flavius proud. He struck a few telling blows at Japanese supplies, while making sure the Japanese military was never able to truly track him down in the vast wilderness of Siberia.

By 1945 the war has wound down, Russian troops and bombers have savaged Germany, France, and the Low Countries. France and Germany sign unconditional surrenders to Russia. Russia annexes Czechoslovakia and Hungary, as well as all remaining German lands east of the Oder-Niesse. Russia then occupies the Bosphorus and Dardanelles as punishment for Turkey's entrance into the war in 1939 and their attack against Russian Armenia. Serbia too is annexed. Croatia and Bosnia are left alone, as the Russian propaganda has been utterly ineffectual toward both groups, and Russia has no desire to take on more uppity populations than it already has. Japan too has been beaten back into Manchuria, which is broken away to join China through Russian aid to the Nationalist Chinese.

The next 50 years are spent in a cold war between the Americans, who stepped in in 1945 to end the conflict and rebuild Western Europe. Within a few years, American actions were construed in Russia as efforts to hem them in and drive them back. As the West was viewed with mistrust anyway, America is quickly seen as the reason Russia did not punish the aggressors further, and many nationalists believe that America did so out of a desire to keep Western Europe faithful to America so that America could one day destroy the Russian Empire (this isn't actually far off from how OTL Russian nationalists actually think, even nowdays). The Cold War is begins due to the mistrust of the West in Russia, and the fear of the Russian juggernaut in the West.

Russia keeps pace with most of the world in technology, as it is a relatively liberal society, having moved towards a constitutional monarchy in the closing years of Nicholas II's reign (a comparison might be mid-1800s Britain, in which the royals had lots of influence, but the real power lay in the Parliament). It is roughly mid-to-late 1990s tech.

However, both sides of the 'conflict' set parameters for their nuclear weapons, deciding that weapons beyond 15 megatons should not be built or tested, and surprisingly, both nations were pretty good about keeping their word.

In 2000, Russia successfully tested an anti-missile system. It was more or less a fluke of chance, and had failed in 20 previous publicly announced attempts, but America panicked, believing her deterrant to have been compromised. This combined with incorrectly translated intercepts led America to believe that the Russians were preparing an invasion upon a second such test. One was scheduled for three weeks later. Thus it was that German, American, French, and British troops once again crossed the Russian frontier. Russia abstained from using nuclear weapons, knowing the winds in Europe might drive the radiation into Russian lands, and also due to their knowledge of the fact that their missile system was hardly adequate to defend even Moscow, and that nuclear escalation would lead to MAD. America does not want to be the first to use nukes as they know America would be devasted in the retaliation. They have now knowledge of the capability of Russia's missile shield and is unwilling to risk using nukes unless they know they can eliminate Russia's second strike capability.

So the war slogs on for 5 years. About 2 years ago, Russia manages to break the stalemate that had developed near OTL USSR border. A concentrated strike by Marshal Vlad Dushan punched through the French forces in Kaliningrad, and began to roll up the Allied forces. American and British forces began a disorganized retreat from the Balkans, fearing encirclement and destruction with no hope of escape. The German army is all but destroyed in the following months. The Russian juggernaut rolls on, meeting little resistance until the Rhine and Tiber Rivers. Germany is virtually barren. Those who have not fled the Russians hide in forests and caves, or are almost universally shipped back to Russian territory to begin rebuilding.

Russian troops roll on, taking whatever sustenence they can. The Rhine Defense is flanked from Russian troops coming from the South of France. British troops are encircled in and around Kiel with little hope of escape. Paris is in ruins as Russian bombers fire bomb it nightly.....

Military:

13 million total.
Army 12 million
Roughly 2.3 million front line troops
Navy 500,000
Air Force 500,000

[reformer]

The United Afrikaaner Republics of Transvall-Orange

Government: Corrupt democracy with strong church and corprate connections

Leaders: President William Kruger (a decendent of original president Paul Kruger), Religious leader: Alexander De Beers (as in De Beers diamonds)
Main bussiness leader Lieven De Beers (brother)

History: France is more sucessful in the Napoleonic war. Due to weakend power, the British hessitate before annexing South Africa. Many view south africa as a place of refuge, and many Germans, Dutch, royalist French, and even some British migrate, thinking that Britain won't annex. Due to the increased interest, Britain does annex South Africa, and later Indonesia.

Napoleon continues to be sucessful, and eventualy conqueres Holand. Many more Dutch immigrate to south africa, believing that the weaker British will give it up.

They don't, and the Voortreker group up to the north is much larger. Paul Kruger, the first president, became a hero by fighting off both British and French military forces. With most of the world under French or British controll, the Affrikaners become romanticized (note, even though many haven't been there since the 17th or 18th century, they still refer to themselves as Afrikaaners, and others call them Boers)

A revolt in capetown coupled with a Boer invasion touples the British ocupation, and the Afrikaaners take power throughout south africa.

They breed very rapidly, and the white population becomes the majority. The calvanist work ethic has been put into the industrial and mining world in south africa. Many more refugees come from throughout French Europe because of the bussiness isn't state owned, making for larger profits. Mixed race natives eventualy convert and join the ranks of the Boers as the Boers exspanded northward. The Xhoso and Zulu slowly interbreed and die out. Some migrated away.
The current Republic is deeply routed in Calvanism, obidience, racial theory, and hard work. There separate version of Calvanism has been formed into the Reformed Afrikaaner Church, currently led by Rev. Alexander De Beers. Though not official, the church has a very strong prescence in the so caled republic.
Military: Every Boer between 16 and 45 is forced to sign up for the army, and is given basic training. The standing army containses only two divisions, both infantry, but the citizens are prepared for gurilla warfare and conventional warfare and can mobilize quickly.
Economy: The economy is based mainly on the gold and Diamond mines in Transvall, which have proven very beneficial. There is a small but very well run industrial system, which fully takes advantage of the ethics of Calvanism.

[Bulgaroktonos]

I can't help but wonder how all those surrounded British troops and all the policy makers for the Allies would feel upon discovering that all Russian troops are gone......

[Othniel]

Soviet Socialist Republics of Estonia & Lativa/ BSLA/ USSR Army.
Leader(s)- No formal leaderish is in the country. Connel Chernenko of the Red Army, vs. the underground rebellious instutions of the BSU and the BSLA.
History-In 1973 a popular reformist leader was excuted publically in the city of St. Petersburg. In reaction an attempt at inpendance was made by Estonia, with Lativia soon following. In 1981 war was declared on the Unitied States, a full out attack against Alaska and Oregon was bretched. After a small nuclear excage, the area became unliviable. The act was firmly protested by the people whom wished to have peace with their neighbors. Estonia, Litivia, and Lativa all revolted against the Russian Goverment. Over the next twenty years small sabtouge goals would be met through out the USSR.
Government- Martial Commnuism.
Economy- Devesated
Military-
Reds: 5 divisons and two regements of soldiers and tanks. Small Naval Bases protecting the oil wells and acess to St. Petersburg.
BSLA: The Baltic States Liberation Army consists of unknown thoasands and tens of thoasands. 230,000 armed insurgents. 70,000 covert opps, and supporting sympathesisers.

Other Info- ADD AT LATER DATE
Flag-ADD AT LATER DATE

[Condottiero]

Form of Government: Islamic Theocracy

Ruler: Sheik Mohammed al-Bornoui

Economy: only survival farming survives.
Abandoned cultivation areas of cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber.
Other abandoned production: crude oil (in non-ISOTed area), coal, tin, columbite.


Army: 1.500.000 irregulars mostly equipped with AK-47, stinger missiles, RPG-7 anti-tank ammo, 60 mm and 81 mm mortars, some old russian tanks and 20 MIG-19 (almost useless)


POD 1968 After the Biafra conflict a military coup supported by the USSR declares the Popular Republic of Nigeria.

1971 CIA supports islamic radical groups against the communist government.

1980 The Islamic Movement "African Yihad" deposes the pro-soviet president.

1983 The new Missionary Islamic Republic of Nigeria breaks diplomatic relationship with the USA and most european nations.

1993 Christian Tribal groups rebel in the oil producing provinces of the south.

1995 An international peace force lead by the US creates a UN protected area in the south.

1996 Sheik Muhhamad al-Bornoui declares Yihad over the foreigners and the Christians of the south.

2001 After the attack on the WTC, Bush administration declares that there are evidences of Nigerian implication in the attack.

2002 US forces enter in Nigeria. Thousands of volunteers from all the islamic nations rush to defend their Nigerian brothers.

2003 The international force barely manages to keep the southern provinces. It is suspected that Saudi Arabia and other supposedly moderate islamic nations support the Islamic Government of Nigeria.

2004 When the rebels prepare for a massive guerrilla action over the south...


Flag: Black with a red crescent.

[Matt]

Soviet Socialist Republics of Estonia & Lativa/ BSLA/ USSR Army.
Leader(s)- No formal leaderish is in the country. Connel Chernenko of the Red Army, vs. the underground rebellious instutions of the BSU and the BSLA.
History-In 1973 a popular reformist leader was excuted publically in the city of St. Petersburg. In reaction an attempt at inpendance was made by Estonia, with Lativia soon following. In 1981 war was declared on the Unitied States, a full out attack against Alaska and Oregon was bretched. After a small nuclear excage, the area became unliviable. The act was firmly protested by the people whom wished to have peace with their neighbors. Estonia, Litivia, and Lativa all revolted against the Russian Goverment. Over the next twenty years small sabtouge goals would be met through out the USSR.
Government- Martial Commnuism.
Economy- Devesated
Military-
Reds: 5 divisons and two regements of soldiers and tanks. Small Naval Bases protecting the oil wells and acess to St. Petersburg.
BSLA: The Baltic States Liberation Army consists of unknown thoasands and tens of thoasands. 230,000 armed insurgents. 70,000 covert opps, and supporting sympathesisers.

Other Info- ADD AT LATER DATE
Flag-ADD AT LATER DATE


Oth, a Colonel is a little low on the totem pole to command 5 + divisions, make him at least a Soviet equipvalent to a Major General. Give him an equal inside the NVKD as well.

[Othniel]

He was the highest Ranking officer ISOTed. Leading the field regiment.

[Condottiero]

Territory

After the conflicts of the first half of the previous century, the Iberic Union gave independence to most of the territories it held around the world. However close ties where kept with all of them (Naples and Sicily, Tunisia, Algerian Federation, Indonesian Union, Republic of Angola, Federation of Mozambique, Madagascar, Mali, West African Federation), creating with them and some other allies such us the Amazonian Republic, the Republic of La Plata, the Kingdom of Peru and the Kingdom of Colombia the Hispanic Commonwealth with a common monetary unit, some common policies (Trade, Police Protocols…) and a defensive system. There are some Territories in the West of Africa that voted to remain in the Iberic Union and not to incorporate in the WAF (they are OTL: Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia and Ghana)

Political Organization of the Iberic Union:

It is a Presidential Republic with a Parliament whose representatives are chosen by all the citizens over the age of eighteen years and a Senate whose representatives are chosen by the main cities of the non-colonial territories (Iberian Peninsula, Morocco and West African Territories).

There are several political formations, the biggest ones are the Conservative Union (UC), Liberal Party (PL), Social Democrat Alliance for Iberia (ASDI) and the Iberian Republican Party (PRI); there are other smaller like the Iberian Catholic Party (PCI), the Nationalistic Castilian Party (PNC), the Germania Valencia (GV), the Istliquial (a nationalistic Moroccan party) and the Iberian Marxist Union (UMI).

The current President is Manuel Ramirez Ibañez from the PRI, supported in the Parliament by a coalition of the PRI, the ASDI and the GV. The Senate reflexes a more complex situation in which the coalition UC/PL/PRI require the support of other formations usually the PCI or the PNC.


Demography (only ISOTed areas):

112,000,000 inhabitants (51% Hispanic, 21% African, 10% Berbers, 8% Arabs, 6% Italians, 2% Jews, 2% other).
In the Iberian Peninsula the Hispanics are almost 85% of the population, while Berbers concentrate on Morocco, other ethnic groups are more distributed.

Languages:
Official: Spanish, Portuguese, Tamazig, African tongues (Akan, Moshi Dagomba and others).
Minoritary: Italian, Valencian, Arab, Basque.

Economics:
Highly developed industry.
Major industries: steel and metalurgy (W of Morocco and NW Spain) aeronautics (southern Spain), shipyards (NW Spain and Morocco), electronics and Software (Old Castile), chemical (northern Morocco), farmaceutical (Portugal), defense (New Castile, around Toledo and Madrid).
Leading R+D centers in Soria, Lisbon, Toledo and Seville.
Airspace program with launching facilities in Açores Islands.
Massive solar energy installations in Sahara and Wind generators in Gibraltar region. There are thirty nuclear centrals but there are plans to substitute them with new technologies. Due to the hostility of the Persian Gulf nations, Russia and Scandinavia the Iberians had reduced enormously their dependence on petrol. For instance cars are 90% electrical as well as the Iberian trains. They are developing now mag-lev technology.

Iberian Peninsula:
Natural resources: Coal, wolfram, copper, tin, lignite, iron ore, uranium, mercury, pyrites, fluorspar, gypsum, zinc, lead, tungsten, copper, kaolin, electricity (hydro, nuclear, solar and eolic).
Agriculture and fisheries: Products--grains, vegetables, citrus and deciduous fruits, wine, olives and olive oil, sunflowers, livestock, cork.

Morocco (+Sahara)
Natural resources: Phosphates, manganese, lead, silver, copper, iron ore._
Agriculture: Products--wheat, barley, citrus fruits, vegetables, olives, livestock, and fishing.

West African dependencies
Natural resources: Gold, steel, diamonds, hydropower
Agriculture: Cocoa, Timber, fish, rubber, coffee

[Condottiero]

In 1498 the Infant Miguel was born. He was the first son of Isabel de Trastamara, heir to the throne of Aragon and Castile, and Manuel "the fortunate" king of Portugal, the mother died a few days after giving birth. In OTL Infant Miguel died in Granada in 1500 after having been accepted as heir to the crowns of Castile, Portugal and Aragon.

In 1517 Miguel I is crowned as Rex Hispaniorum (Castile, Aragon, Portugal, Navarre and Sicily). From the beginning he shows a policy strongly oriented to the new discoveries and increasing the trade with the Americas, Africa and Asia. Following Cardinal Cisneros' policy he secures the North of Africa annexing Morocco, Alger, Oran and Tunis.

When the Imperial throne is left vacant: François I of France, Charles of Habsburg and Frederick of Saxony are the main candidates for occupying it. The King of France has the support of the Pope and buys the support of the Hispanic King by giving up all his claims over Naples and helping Miguel in the conquest of Northern Africa.

In 1532 the kings of France and Hispania lead the Crusade against the Turks that ends the siege of Vienna and liberates Hungary. Only five years later the second One Hundred Years War starts as the Lutheran princes lead by Frederick of Saxony and Charles of Habsburg rebel against the French Emperor. The war ends in 1632 with the partition of the Empire: the Holy Franco-Roman Empire (comprising France, Flanders, Rhineland, Central Germany and Savoy); the Empire of Austria (Austria, Bavary, Bohemia and Hungary); the United Provinces (Holland, Zealand, Bremen and Saxony) and the Evangelical Union (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Pomerania and Brandenburg).

During the war England tries to attack the Hispanic commercial lines, but the answer of the Hispanic fleet is terrible, sacking all the southern English ports.

The undisputed dominion of the seas by Hispania ends in 1641 when the Dutch manage to control the Cape colony and with the help of the Indian Moguls control trade with India and settle in Brazil. Scottish and Swedish (Evangelical Union) colonies appear in North America. While the English create some settlements in the Guinea Gulf.

The twelve years war starts in 1645 in which Austria and Hispania ally against the Ottomans and the Evangelical Union. The war is a draw, however Austria gets Serbia, Hispania some Islands in the Adriatic, the Ottoman Empire recover some lands in Tunis and the Evangelical Union takes the Hispanic colony of Madagascar.

In 1649 the Republic of Sale is created in the South of Morocco by some English and Dutch privateers. It will disrupt the Hispanic trade requiring a renewal of the Hispanic fleet.

The United Provinces ally in 1702 with England against Hispania in a naval war for Oceanic control. The Holy Franco-Roman Empire supports decisively Hispania. The United Provinces lose Cape Colony and Madagascar to the Holy French Empire and Brazil to Hispania. England loses Ireland that becomes independent and Calais and the Channel Islands to the French.

The English Revolution takes place in 1772, king Charles IV is beheaded in the Tower of London. The English Republic is proclaimed. The Viceroyalty of La Plata rebels in 1787 following the ideals of the English revolution. After a nine years war Hispania concedes the independence to the Republic of La Plata (comprising OTL Northern Argentina and Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and the South of Brazil).

The Revolution spreads to the Evangelical Union in 1799. The Holy French Empire, Austria, United Provinces, Poland and Hispania create the Holy League that sends an army to Scandinavia to put an end to the revolution and to save King Gustav III. The allied force is defeated in Gothenburg. Revolutionary Anglo Swedish forces invade the United Provinces and Poland led by a young English general: Arthur Wellesley. Wellesley's army invades Germany, Austria and France. The Hispanic army is busy fighting in La Plata, but is forced to come back to the peninsula as the Anglo Swedish forces with an allied French corps cross the Pyrenees in 1811. King Diego IV and the rest of the Royal Family flee to Mexico in May; however the Anglo Swedish army is defeated first in Salamanca (1812) and then utterly destroyed in Soria (1813) in November. Wellesley barely manages to escape the peninsula. He returns to Germany where a polish army is attacking his bases there. Finally he is defeated and killed in the Battle of Brandenburg.

The Hispanic parliament (resentful for the abandonment of their king)) approves a Constitution that limits the power of the King in 1814.

In 1815 the Congress of Rome takes place and a new map of the world is "drawn". The partition of England takes place (between Scotland, Ireland, France and the United Provinces), while the King of Sweden is restored but the Evangelical Union is dissolved: Denmark (including Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Greenland and the North American Territories) secedes from Sweden (that keeps Finland, the Baltic nations and Swedish Germany).

In Hispania the King's return until the vows the Constitution approved in his absence. The King refuses and decides to stay in Mexico where he is crowned Emperor of Mexico (OTL Mexico, south of USA, meso-America and Hispanic Caribbean), his younger son, Alfonso, will become king of Peru (OTL Perú, Bolivia, Ecuador, and part of Brazil); and his second son king of Colombia (Colombia, Venezuela and the Guyanas). Hispanic government, which is now a Republic (the Iberic Union), only controls Brazil (in fact the East of OTL Brazil) in the new world. However it controls vast territories in Africa (Angola, Mozambique, Madagascar and all the NW) and in Asia (Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia and Indo-China).

By 1860 the Iberic Union is again the most powerful nation, with a strong industry and controlling half the trade in the world (even with the new American kingdoms), however there is a competitor. French Empire not only has recovered from the destruction of the Welleslian wars, but feels that it is in a situation to defy the Iberic Union. The Triple Alliance is signed between the Empire of France, Austria and the United Provinces. The French diplomacy forces a conflict in Italy where they try the annexation of the Papal States. The Iberic Union faces a global war against the Triple Alliance. The American kingdoms show cold (if not hostile) neutrality. After three years of war, the Iberic Union barely manages to restore the initial situation. Nothing changes but the four nations are exhausted: the Ottoman Empire, Russia and Poland decide to take advantage.

In 1868 the Iberic Union starts a program or renovation of the armed forces and, specially, the fleet. Five years later the Iberic Union involves in the Greek liberation war against the Ottomans. In the battle of Naxos, the heavy cruiser "Viriato" sinks five ottoman cruisers and one monitor.

The program includes building shipyards and docking facilities, heavily fortified, in Angola and Philippines. The colonies are industrialized and thousands of settlers are sent there.

In 1899 the French Empire, Austria and the Ottoman Empire renew Triple Alliance, but this time the Iberic Union also moves and manages to create the Lisbon Pact between the Iberic Union, Sweden, Republic of La Plata, Mexican Empire and Greece. Both sides fear entering in a global confrontation such as the '68 War and start a low-grade war in the African and Asian colonies providing weapons to rebel groups and favouring piracy and privateers (the Republic of Sale returns to its piratical origins hired by both sides). This low-grade war favours the economy of the nations of both pacts: there are Iberic companies that sell their products to the Triple Alliance under Mexican third party companies.

However by 1914 both sides decide to meet in Dublin to sign a Peace Treaty for this undeclared war. The peace is signed, filling the whole world with a new hope of peace and progress. In five years the dreams of peace vanish as the Ottoman Empire and the Holy French Empire provide the Republic of Sale with faster and more powerful cruisers that interrupt the Iberic commercial lines.

War erupts again in 1924 when Iberic forces invade the Republic of Sale and the Triple Alliance Nations acknowledge compromises with the corsairs of Sale. The European battlegrounds receive more blood in Italy, the Pyrenees and Northern Germany. The French army uses massively a new weapon: the airplane. Thus the iberian cities suffer the first attacks in several centuries. The most important towns in northern Aragon suffer terrible bombardments, forcing the Iberian army to launch an offensive over France. They fail and retreat after six months, however they have forced the french airfields to lie farther to the north and had seeded several kilometres at the feet of the French side of the Pyrenees with thousands of mines. A stalemate is reached when the first iberian aeroplanes are built. In Asia, the war takes place in China were revolutionary forces supported by the Lisbon Pact try to depose the Emperor. It is one of the fronts where both sides fight more bitterly.

In May 1931 the peace is signed again. No one gains the war, but everybody loses. The chinese people has less motives than anybody else for feeling happy: their civil war will continue until 1940 under an international embargo. This embargo will not be respected by the Russian Empire that will develop its own warfare industry in order to supply the Imperial side and by the Iberic Union that will supply the rebels with war gear and other equipment.

The Iberic Union authorities start a massive reconstruction program relocating the industries in vulnerable areas like northern Spain and Naples to other more secure like northern Morocco and Southern Spain. The Air force will be strengthened in order not only to be able to handle any foreign threat but to become an offensive army on its own.

In 1940 the Chinese Emperor crushes the last rebel strongholds and starts a terrible repression. The Chinese army is now a sharp and terrible weapon and the Emperor is willing to use it outside his empire. China, Russia and Japan (a puppet Russian kingdom) create the Eastern League. In January 1942 Chinese forces launch a surprise offensive over Iberic Indochina and French India, the move is performed after provoking a tense situation in the area. The French and the Iberic armies are fully deployed in the area with huge reinforcements but facing each other not the Chinese. Chinese victory is complete. The Triple Alliance and the Lisbon Pact decide to put away former grudges (at least temporally) and to punish the Chinese Emperor. When their forces are on their way to South Asia, Russian forces invade Poland, Austria and the Ottoman Empire in Europe and sign a peace treaty with the Mexican Empire and Scotland in North America.

In December 1943 Russian heavy bombers drop fire and destruction over the French Empire and Italy, while they occupy Istanbul and northern Greece. During 1944 the Lisbon Pact forces prepare a huge fleet to reinforce the East Indies positions and to attack the Chinese soil, while long range bombers and newer and faster fighters start to give their own punishment to the Russian forces in Europe. Although some armoured divisions are deployed in Austria the idea is that the Iberic Air Force will do the job and the allies ground forces will just occupy terrain and clean the resistance bags.

By May 1945 a huge allied fleet arrives to the East Indies harassing the Chinese army and allowing the landing of an army that defeats the Chinese in the battles of Lan-Ho, Yu-san and finally takes Shangai. The Sino-Russian forces lose initiative. The russians retreat in Europe and Middle East while the Chinese abandon Indo-China.

The Russians start a program of secret weapons. In October 1946 they test their first nuclear bomb and they use one to bomb the city of Bucharest where the allies where massing one army. The explosion leaves almost half million death between troops and civilians. The Iberians unleash massive air strikes over Russian industrial and military objectives. However, they cannot stop the defection of the Nordic nations (Sweden and Denmark, who sign separate peace treaties with Russia).

In 1947 the Iberians develop their own nuclear program in the midst of an intense moral debate. By the end of the year Russians and Chinese sue for a cease fire. It will last for more than 40 years, In which both sides fight a silent war in South Asia, Africa and even in North America.

In 1968 the Russians managed to put the first man in orbit. But in 1973 the Iberians built the first permanent installations in orbit. Then the Russians took the lead after building their first permanent base three years later and sending in 1975 the first man to the Moon. In 1977 the first Iberian reached the moon and they built a permanent base almost simultaneously to the Russians. The crisis of 1979 plus the economical effort made to keep the space race ruined the Russian Empire. The Czar had to resign and a republic was established. In 1980 peace was finally signed between the Iberic Union, Russia and China.

China took then the role of Iberia's main adversary. The Chinese Emperor managed to sign a secret treaty with the Ottoman Empire, Persia and other oil producers (Lybia, French Nigeria and the Empire of Mexico) that would cut Oil exports to Iberia and her allies.

During the '90s several small conflicts between Iberian and Chinese forces took place in Central Africa, Japan and Oman, where the Iberians had to oppose their superior technology to the Chinese superior numbers.

In 2001 the space race was resumed when the Iberians announced that they would put one man in Mars by 2004. The Chinese started their own program to the red Planet.

[Lauranthalas]

Country name: Canadian Republic
Government: Dominant Party Democracy
Population: Canadian Provinces: 225 Million
New Zealand Provinces: 30 Million
Military:
Army: Standing Army of: 500,000 in Canada
268,000 in New Zealand
Tanks: M48:5,000
T54:5,500
T55:4,500
T62:14,000
T70:16,000
Artillary: 155mm (Battleship Surplus Rounds for Iowa-class battleships - 2,000 around New Zealand Coast Line)
Air Forces: F-18A: 2500
F-16:1250
F-15:750
F-4:500
Navy: 10 Carriers (5 Nimitz-class, 2 Essex-class, 3 Battleship-converts)
6 Battleships (3 Iowa-class, 3 Bismarck-class)
30 Submarines (Carrier escorts - 2 per Nimitz-class-carrier, 2 per Battleship-convert, 3 per Essex-class-carrier, 1 per Battleship, 2 for various roles)
35,000 Marines
F14A: 30 per Nimitz, 15 per Essex, 20 per Battleship-convert
F18A: same numbers as F14A
Special Forces: 20,000

Histroy:
After American Revolution Canadian Forces influenced by the American break-off saw a chancein brealing off Britain while they were fighting Napoleon. Declaration of Independence was published on 4th of March 1799. Britain in reaction send forces to suppress revolution. Americans in responds send armse up to teh Canadian Provinces. First battles were fought against loyalists in Newfoundland. From 1800 till 1805 especially French Catholic Canadians fought a running guerilla war against British army froces in Canada. This struggle brought enough support from Americans to force the Congress to pass the historical 1805 resolution also known as the recognition act that assured American recognition of Canadian sovereignty.
For two years America openly fed arms and ammunitions to Canada while the British ahd to draw more and more forces to the fronts against Napoleon. British public support dwindeled and on the 9th of august 1809 teh British Parliament quickly voted in a 2 to 1 vote in the house of Lords to recognize canadian Independence. When this passed British forces were sent home and Canadian civilians celebrated in the streets. Remaining british loyalists fled the country heading to England.
Immediately a democracy was founded in Canada modeled on the american constitution. On January 3rd 1810 the first Canadian Chancelor was sworn into office in Ottawa the new capital.
For the next 40 years Canada spread its borders expending all the way to the broder of British Columbia and into Greenland. Attempts to purchase Alaska from Russia during the 1850's were unsuccessful so Canada decided to find a new outlet for trade. The small British settlement on the Island of New Zealand seamed the perfect choice. Throughout the years 1859 to 1861 the Canadian Congress raised enough taxes to make a viable offer to Britain tobuy New Zealand. In 1864 Britain signed over to the Canadian republic.
In the following 35 years the Canadian Republic built a strong oilbased economy in the Northern and Yukon Territories by getting the knowledge of finding oil from pertrolium experts who attended British Universities. Those also set the fundament for a new research-network in Columbia and New Zealand.
Due to Australian attempts to take over New Zealand, Canada built Army bases on the North and Southtip of New Zealand and created a major Naval base in the Cook straight between 1898 and 1906.
The next 50 years Canada secured their overseas posessions in New Zealand and the main territoy while building naval, army and air force bases all over the border territories. In the years from 1924 till 1929 Canada build a military headquarter in the Hudson bay.
In the 1940's a dire need for oil in New Zealand was found and the Canadian governent responded with building a two way pipeline from Dawson to aukland. This project was finished in 1954.
Due to the ongoing cold war in western Europe the Canadian government has purchased weapon systems from both sides to combat any thread from both sides.

[Condottiero]

Name: Sovereign Military Order of Saint-John of Jerusalem and Malta
Government: similar to an elective Monarchy. The Current Grand Master is the Duke Giovanni Tomassi.
He is attended by a counsil of Bailiffs that counsel him in different matters:
Foreign Affairs: Mssr. Françoise-Bernard-Ettienne du Bois d'Arbine (Bailiff of the French)
Economy: Count Oleg Rossoliev (Bailiff of the Slavic)
Defense: John Heatcliff Rushmore, seventh Earl of Innsmouth (Bailiff of the English)

Territory: The Archipielago of Malta
Population: 200,000 inhabitants
Army: Two fleets of the Religion, each one consists in one small Carrier (carries 10 Harrier like airplanes and 15 Apache helicopters), two destroyers, two submarines, one cruiser (carries two more helicopters) and troop transports for one flag (1000 men) of Marines.

History:
POD: 1798 The order decides to fight Napoleon, achieving a surprise victory over the Napoleonic fleet. The order claims for help to the Pope, the Czar and the King of Spain.
1804 British troops are not allowed to land, the british fleet tries to force the landing but unsuccessfully again.
1830 With new funding the renew their fleet and their vows to defend christianity. The Order spreads along all Europe. They side by Greece during their independence war, by Russia during the Crimea War, against Egypt in the Greco-Egyptian war (1892)
1914 During the Great War they remain neutral, performing humanitarian tasks.
1941 The Order enters World War II in the side of the Allies against the new "Satan": Hitler.
1946 The start to perform operations in the Mediterranean and Middle East against Sovietic interests. Due to their ferocious anti-communism they receive tons of the best warfare american material.
1974 The Order manages to force Israel's retreat from Lebannon protecting the christian population.
1991 The Order Participates in the First Gulf War
2004 One of the fleets of the Religion returns after participating in the defense of Lebannon against Syria, when...

NOTE that the territory is not going to be ISOTed, just the fleet going back home... We are errant knights


:(

[DuQuense]

by getting the knowledge of finding oil from petroleum experts who attended British Universities.

MeThinks You would get better Experts if they attended U of Texas or the U of Oklahoma

[Othniel]

(White/russian) Oregon(BC)
Goverment: Royal council
History: In addition to the Original timeline the Russians claimed Alaska and that in Yukon, British Columbia, and Oregon (Oregon/washington) Later instead of Alaska they sold Oregon territory (called Washington in this timeline.) During the first world war the Russian Imperists fled to this rich colony. During the second world war Alaska was taken by the Japs. The Americans helped keep the Japeness from getting into Upper Oregon. When the USSR fell Oregon was unable to regain Russia.

[Bulgaroktonos]

Does this mean we have 4 Czars?

[Othniel]

Techniqually no, they are Russian yes. But it has been replaced by the advisors of the Csar. The Csarina stepped down in order to gain American favour after WW1

[Lauranthalas]

MeThinks You would get better Experts if they attended U of Texas or the U of Oklahoma

well you have to think about the fact that my oilfield are mainly under water. and the british get all their oil ressources they pump themselves out of the atlantic and the northern sea. thus British oil experts know more about how to get it from under the ocean. thats why i took british ones

[Imajin]

There are three states that exist within the Holy Roman Empire. They have some limited ability to control their foregin affairs, and have their own monarchs.

Principality of Vaduz (Covers part of modern day Liechtenstein, and is by far the smallest)
Prince: Hans III Habsburg-Premysl-Babenberg
Population: 13,000
Capital: Vaduz
Flag: A white banner with these arms (http://www.ngw.nl/int/oveur/images/vaduz.jpg) in the center.

Grand Duchy of Voralburg (Most of the modern Austrian state of Voralburg)
Grand Duke: Franz Josef I Montfort-Babenburg
Population: 375,000
Capital: Bregenz
Flag: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/a/at-8.gif

Kingdom of Liechtenstein-Habsburg (Scattered territories across Bohemia, Lower Austria, the rest of Liechtenstein)
King: Hans-Adam IV Liechtenstein-Habsburg
Population: 467,100
Capital: Castle Liechtenstein (in Lower Austria)
Flag: Gold over Red bicolor.

[Aussey]

Name- Union of Acadia
Leader(s)- Queen Adele de Guise II (since February 19, 1987) (Head of the Royal Government)
Chancellor Johann Oldenburg(assistant Head of the Royal Government) (since August 30, 1985)


Capital- Acadianna City

Population-3,000,000(approx. 2004 estimate, not including military)

Languages- Cajun (official)

History- In 1870, the King of Lorraine passed the Nova Lorraina Act, in which he granted them independence, and placed his sister, Princess Adele, and HM Queen Adele I of the Union of Acadia.

Until 1900, Acadia work on forming a strong central government between the provinces of Nortannia (Newfoundland), Nova Lorraina (Nova Scotia) and the King Charles Islands (PEI, and the big island that is part of Quebec). It worked, and the Union truly became united.

Throughout the twentieth century, population in Acadia progressed gradually. In 1930, Queen Adele I died, and her son, King William became king. At one time, republicans led a mass rebellion, that had to be put down with the aide of the Royal Lorrainese Army.

In 1970, King Charles died, and his son became King Charles Eduard. In 1972 the Immigration Act was passed allowing only people from Commonwealth nations to move in after over-population became an issue. In 1987, King Charles Eduard died of a heart attack, and his 21 year old daughter became HM Queen Adele de Guise II of the Union of Acadia.

Economy- Acadia, Canada, Nouvelle France, and the New Englan Confederation have been in a customs union since the 60s. Acadia mainly produces fish and lumber.

Military-
Royal Acadian Armed Forces:

The Royal Acadian Army

The size and population of the Union of Acadia makes impossible to this nation to field a big army on a regular basis but in case of war or an emergency they can raise their numbers of divisions 10 fold and in case of extreme peril close to a million men can be called to arms. The doctrine of the Royal Acadian Army depended in the use of speed and the rapid deployment of their reserves to defeat their enemies. In accordance with that ideas their regular armed forces consisted by December 31st 2004 of 1 Mechanized Divisions and 1 Infantry Division. On mobilization 1 Armored Division, 4 Infantry divisions and 5 airmobile divisions joins the order of battle of the Royal Acadian Army. Independent units attached to Corps and Army HQ are not included in this numbers. Units of the Acadian Army follow the model of their mother country in their organization and equipment.

The Armored Division follows the model of the Royal Lorrainese Army: 12,000 men strong with 220 Champion Main Battle tanks(1), 100 Jaguar Gun helicopters(2), 120 Bison cargo helicopters(3), 66 Rapier recon vehicles(4), 250 Guerrier AFV(5), 72 SP 155mm guns(6), 24 Fleche SAM batteries(7). ( 3 armored brigades, 1 helicopter brigade, 1 artillery brigade, engineers, AAA, MP...)

The Mechanized Divisions (named Queen Adele's Grenadiers): 12,000me strong with 100 Champion Main Battle tank, 100 Jaguar Gun helicopters, 120 Bison cargo helicopters, 66 Rapier recon vehicles, 400 Guerrier AFV, 72 SP 155mm guns, 24 Fleche SAM batteries. (1 armored brigade, 1 helicopter brigade, 2 infantry brigades, 1 artillery brigade, engineers, AAA, MP...)

The Infantry Divisions (named Queen Adele's Rifles, reserve units numbered 1 to 4): 12,000 men strong. Liberal issue of portable AT weapons. No tanks or armored vehicles. 100 Jaguar Gun helicopters, 120 Bison cargo helicopters, 72 155mm howitzers, 24 Fleche SAM batteries. (3 infantry brigades, 1 helicopter brigade, 1 artillery brigade, engineers, AAA, MP...)

The Airmobile Divisions (named after historical battles, reserve divisions numbered 5 to 10): 14,000 men strong. Liberal issue of portable AT weapons. No tanks or armored vehicles. 100 Jaguar Gun helicopters, 400 Bison cargo helicopters, 72 155mm howitzers, 24 Fleche SAM batteries.( 3 infantry brigades, 1 helicopter brigade, 1 additional cargo helicopter brigade, 1 artillery brigade, engineers, AAA, MP...)

(1) OTL Challenger 2 Tank
(2) OTL Lynn helicopter
(3)OTL CH-53
(4) OTL Scimitar
(5) OTL Warrior
(6) OTL AS-90
(7) OTL Rapier
(8) OTL TOW


Government- The King still holds Executive power in Acadia. A two branch government of Executive, and Legislative. The King is the Supreme Head of the National Court, however actual power is vested in the Judge-de-Royale as acting head of the judiciary systems in Acadia. The King has the power to veto the National Assembly, and hold the powers of a North American president. He is also formely the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Armed Forces, and has the power to be military commander. Each province, Nortannia, Nova Lorraina, and the King Charles Islands send 5 Senators to the National Assembly. The Royal Council, and Chancellor of the Realm also are part of the Executive Branch. If the Monarch is not married, the Chancellor acts as Regent while the monarch is away, or sick for a long time.

Guisean Commonwealth- These nations are independent members of the Guisean Commonwealth. The Kingdom of Lorraine, the Union of Acadia, the Federation of the West Indies, and the Commonwealth of the Indonesias. Every 6 years one of the reigning monarchs is elected Emperor-General of the Guisean Commonwealth. Currently, the Queen of Acadia holds the title, and the International Election, in which a new monarch is elected Emperor-General, is January 15 2005. HM Queen Adele II is Empress-General of the Guisean Commonwealth until the International Election.

Titles claimed by monarch- King of the Union of Acadia, Consul of North America, Prince of Lorraine.

Other Info- Acadia is an official neutral nation. The last time it used military force was the Acadian Rebellion, when republicans tried to overthrow King Charles Eduard.

Flag- Taken from the flag of the Acadian nationals. This flag, adopted in 1932, changed the blue and red of the nationalist flag, to the dark blue of Lorraine. A Puffim, the national bird, and part of the Royal emblem, was placed in the middle.

[Aussey]

Name- Federation of the West Indies

Leader(s)- King Eduard III (since September 9, 2004) (Head of the Royal Government)
Chancellor Marie Augusta(assistant Head of the Royal Government) (since August 30, 1965)

Capital- City of Port Guise

Population-43,000,000(approx. 2004 estimate, not including military, or Commonwealth nations/colonies/or dependencies)

Languages- French (official), Spanish (official), English(official)

History- In 1867 the King of Lorraine passed the New Alsace Act, which officially created the Federation of the West Indies. He placed his brother, Prince Eduard as King Eduard I of the West Indies.

In 1879, King Eduard was shot, and his 3 year old son became King Eduard II. HIs mother, Queen Anna, was Regent for 15 years. When Eduard became king in his own right, the tourist industry began to blossom.

Durng the twentieth century, the West Indies became a rich nation. Tourism, and local delicacies and artifacts were sold at hgh price to the European royalty. In 1947, King Eduard II died, and his daughter became Queen Adelaida Maria I. By 1970, the West Indies was one of the top 10 richest nations in the world.

In 1988, Spanish and English were made official languages, and all people were given equal rights. A movement to merge with Acadia was vetoed in 1990. In 2001, the Guise, thakns to the West Indies, became the most valuable currency, and remains that to this day.

Economy- Based mainly on Tourism, and local agricultures.

Military-

Royal Armed Forces of the West Indies:

The size and population of the Federation of the West Indies makes impossible to this nation to field a big army on a regular basis but in case of war or an emergency they can raise their numbers of divisions 10 fold and in case of extreme peril close to a million men can be called to arms. The doctrine of the Royal Army of the West Indies depended in the use of speed and the rapid deployment of their reserves to defeat their enemies. In accordance with that ideas their regular armed forces consisted by December 31st 2004 of 1 Mechanized Divisions and 1 Infantry Division. On mobilization 1 Armored Division, 4 Infantry divisions and 5 airmobile divisions joins the order of battle of the Royal Army of the West Indies. Independent units attached to Corps and Army HQ are not included in this numbers. Units of the West Indian Army follow the model of their mother country in their organization and equipment.

The Armored Division follows the model of the Royal Lorrainese Army: 10,000 men strong with 200 Champion Main Battle tanks(1), 80 Jaguar Gun helicopters(2), 100 Bison cargo helicopters(3), 46 Rapier recon vehicles(4), 210 Guerrier AFV(5), 68 SP 155mm guns(6), 20 Fleche SAM batteries(7). ( 3 armored brigades, 1 helicopter brigade, 1 artillery brigade, engineers, AAA, MP...)

The Mechanized Divisions (named Grenadiers of King Eduard): 10,000me strong with 80 Champion Main Battle tank, 90 Jaguar Gun helicopters, 110 Bison cargo helicopters, 40 Rapier recon vehicles, 320 Guerrier AFV, 60 SP 155mm guns, 20 Fleche SAM batteries. (1 armored brigade, 1 helicopter brigade, 2 infantry brigades, 1 artillery brigade, engineers, AAA, MP...)

The Infantry Divisions (named King Eduard's Rifles, reserve units numbered 1 to 4): 10,000 men strong. Liberal issue of portable AT weapons. No tanks or armored vehicles. 90 Jaguar Gun helicopters, 100 Bison cargo helicopters, 70 155mm howitzers, 20 Fleche SAM batteries. (2infantry brigades, 1 helicopter brigade, 1 artillery brigade, engineers, AAA, MP...)

The Airmobile Divisions (named after Princess-Royals of the West Indies), reserve divisions numbered 5 to 10): 12,000 men strong. Liberal issue of portable AT weapons. No tanks or armored vehicles. 80 Jaguar Gun helicopters, 310 Bison cargo helicopters, 70 155mm howitzers, 15 Fleche SAM batteries.( 2 infantry brigades, 1 helicopter brigade, 1 additional cargo helicopter brigade, 1 artillery brigade, engineers, AAA, MP...)

(1) OTL Challenger 2 Tank
(2) OTL Lynn helicopter
(3)OTL CH-53
(4) OTL Scimitar
(5) OTL Warrior
(6) OTL AS-90
(7) OTL Rapier
(8) OTL TOW

Government- The King still holds Executive power in the West Indies. A two branch government of Executive, and Legislative. The King is the Supreme Head of the National Court, however actual power is vested in the Judge-de-Royale as acting head of the judiciary systems in the West Indies. The King has the power to veto the National Assembly, and hold the powers of a North American president. He is also formely the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Armed Forces, and has the power to be military commander. Each district: Queen Mary Islands, Havannah-Bay, and New Guise, send 5 Senators to the National Assembly. The Royal Council, and Chancellor of the Realm also are part of the Executive Branch. If the Monarch is not married, the Chancellor acts as Regent while the monarch is away, or sick for a long time.

Guisean Commonwealth- These nations are independent members of the Guisean Commonwealth. The Kingdom of Lorraine, the Union of Acadia, the Federation of the West Indies, and the Commonwealth of the Indonesias. Every 6 years one of the reigning monarchs is elected Emperor-General of the Guisean Commonwealth. Currently, the Queen of Acadia holds the title, and the International Election, in which a new monarch is elected Emperor-General, is January 15 2005.

Titles claimed by monarch- King of the Federation of the West Indies, Prince-General of the Greater Antilles, Prince of Nueva Espana, Prince of Lorraine.

Other Info- The West Indies are an officially neutral nation.

Flag- Four triangles with the national colors (Orange, blue, and purple- Orange for the fruitility, Blue for the water, Purple for the Royalty). Three of the triangles represent the districts. The last one represents all their ties to Lorraine. The Coat-of-Arms of Guise were placed in the middle, though since the 1970 Lorraine Flag Act, many people have been moving to place the nations coat-of-arms in the middle instead of those of the House of Guise.

[Imajin]

A slight change in the Holy Roman Empire..

The Kingdom of Poland (Austrian Galicia and Krakow)
Capital: Krakow
Monarch: HRH Caroline I Juliana, Queen of Poland, Holy Roman Empress, etc.
Viceroy: Sir Boris Martell
Economy: Poland is not as industrialized as the rest of the Holy Roman Empire, with the exception of Krakow, which is the third largest city in the B-P-B domains (Brunswick-Premysl-Babenberg)
Miltary: The army and air force are integrated into the Imperial Roman Army and the Imperial Winged Forces
History: Poland had a rough history in this timeline. It lost much of Galicia, West Prussia, and it's fiefdom over East Prussia in the War of the Triple Alliance in the late 1600s and early 1700s, which Krakow was left as an exclave. It slowly lost land after land to the greedy Brandenburgans and Russians through the 1700s, and with the Prussian takeover of Warsaw in 1798, the once-great Kingdom was only it's Krakow exclave. It continued to try and act as a viable elective monarchy, but in 1857, with the death of Georg von Luxembourg, who did not even speak Polish but wanted the title, the electors voted to make King Ferdinand VI King of Poland. Ferdinand VI reformed the Kingdom, forming it as hereditary and curtailing the powers of the monarch. Late in his reign, Austrian Galicia was granted to Poland.
Ferdinand IX Josef, the Emperor-King who came before Caroline II, severly curtailed the powers of Poland. He integrated the Polish Armed Forces into the Imperial ones, and during his reign Poland was de facto the northernmost provinces of the Empire. In 1991, the new Empress Caroline II Juliana began to grant Poland its autonomy yet again, and by now talks have began to separate the forces.
Flag: From the reign of Ferdinand IX Josef to 1995, only the Holy Roman Imperial Flag was used, sometimes with a Polish coat of arms in the center.

[reformer]

Well, I'm taking over Scandinavia. I'm gonna be gone the next few days, so just don't do anything with it. I'll write it up when I get back. Basicaly, the POD is during the 30 years war. The Catholics won, and a huge load of Protestants went up north to Scandinavia to worship freely. In a oppressive Hapsburg/Papal Europe, there were many secret converts who immigrated up north. This is a slightly backward country, with a very strong Protestant terrorist network. Its only now going through the enlightenment.

[DuQuense]

The years between 1919 when East German Territories gained their independence, to 1940 when Zaire declared wr on Italy/ Germany becoming eligible for lend lease. Where very difficult, Dispute the rapid, or may-be because of it, Growth of the Country. The Republic almost Collapsed into a one party Dictatorship, several time.

Several things things stopped it.

One

The large number of dissatisfied German Veterans that immigrated into the Zairian Army, They were use to a Society were the Military was suborinate to the Civilian.

Two

Lettow-Vorbecks Support for the Culture and society of the Natives.

Three

The large number of American Blacks that moved to Zaire to take jobs, or to establish Business's By the late 30's most major black firms had Branches in Zaire. In the 40's -50's even smaller firms opened Branches.

one of the reasons given for the civil rights laws of the 1950's in the US, was to stop the Black Brain Drain.

Four
Lettow-Vorbecks sheer- will not to let it happen.


The result of this is a modern nation with it's African Roots intact [think OTL Japan], But a very Frugal Traditional view of the world.

The military was one area of stability in the early years, and maintains this . Acting as the national Police as well [Think RCMP being part of the Army.] One semester of the fifth year in the military academies is devoted to a police Academy like program.

This is one reason why Zaire has always been a great posting for American Troops. Especially with the large number of Blacks in the Volunteer forces.

[Aussey]

Name- Western Guise Oil Corporation & Property

Leader(s)- Cloe de Guise, C.E.O & President

History- In 1921, Lorraine purchased from the Kingdom of all Venezuela, a coastal strip of territory. A year later, oil was struck. This caused a mass immigration to the land. With all these people, there were multiple oil "companies" and the prices were outrageous. Finally, in 1927, the King personally purchased the land from Lorraine for 13,000,000 guise. He formed the Western Guise Oil Company in 1929, and made himself C.E.O, Founder, and President. Today, Cloe de Guise, his great-granddaughter, is C.E.O & President.

Government- Since this area is techniclly a large company with a lot of property, there is no formal "government." The Vice-President of the Corporation lives in Port New Amsterdam. All the citizens (techniclly "employees") bring their issue to the VP, who takes them to the C.E.O, who either agrees, or refuses. IN 2002, a Police Force started training. Few have become police, though, so a request to Lorraine for police was filed in November 2004.

Economy- Oil, lumber, fish, shells are the "products" that are sold by the "company."

Military- WGOC has two infantry divisions of their own. If invaded, responsibility is that of either Lorraine, or the West Indies.

Main "city"- Port New Amsterdam, "capital"

Flag- Taken from a district in the Netherlands province, the Coat-of-Arms is that of the family of Guise, and the black waves reprent oil.

[Aussey]

Name- Sovreign Lorrainese Anarctic Territory

Leader(s)- Queen Cloe de Guise (since June 7, 2002)
Dr. Fredrick Brittanie, Chief Executive Researcher (since OCtober 27, 1990)

History- In 1890, during the South Pole Race, Lorrainese ships landed on the unclaimed Anarctic Penninsula. Seeing some forms of life, they decide not to go any farther south, and establish a colony there. Though only 300 actual civilians live there now, its main purpose is for Antarctic research.

Government- A monarch chooses a C.E.R of the territory, who is also responsible for governing the citizens. A re-election is held every 6 years. All major changes must be approved by the Queen of Lorraine. But since it is far from Strasburg, most power is granted in the C.E.R and the Lorrainese Antarctic Cabinet of Ministers.

Economy- none. All money made from the nation is that of stamps, which sell for over $50 in the US, they are a great collectors item.

Military- A police militia has been in place since the 1910's.

Other Info- The civilian population is 315 as of 2004. The researchist population is 233 as of 2004. Most people there are of Dutch decent, the reason for the Nassau lion on their flag.

Flag- The Flag of Lorraine in the upper left hand corner.A purple banner represents the monarchy. The Coat of Arms, on a white background was the flag until 1926.

[Aussey]

Name- Commonwealth of the Indonesias (formely Lorrainese East Indies)

Leader(s)- Queen Cloe de Guise (since June 7, 2002)
Royal Governor Antwon Hoffman (since April 3, 1980)
Chancellor Maria Pallonari (since August 18, 2002)

History- In 1740, the King of Lorraine married Queen Mary of the Netherlands. Throuought their marriage, they nations only shared monarchs. Upon the death of Queen Mary in 1775, the King of Lorraine became King of the Netherlands, but actual power was in the Dutch parliament. Finally, in 1782, the King died, and his son became King of Lorraine and the Netherlands, and bore full power in both nations. The Dutch East India Company was shut down, and the East Indies became the Territories of the Alsatian East Indies. In 1786, the name changed to the Crown Colony of the Lorrainese East Indies.)

Throught the centuries, the main focus of the islands was to sell spices to Lorraine for cheap, and to the other nations of the world expensively. Every 5 years, the Spice Islands Convention was held in the capital city of Borenanne, where every nation would fix the price at which they would purchase spices for the next five years.

Many small tribal rebellions haunted the 1800s. In 1897, the Tribal Act was passed by Queen Julianna of Lorraine. It set up "reservations" that where completely under tribal rule.

The Indonesias truly began to form in the mid 1940s. In 1947, they became a semi-autonomous part of the Guisean Commonwealth, but their Head of State, and Executive Officer was the Queen of Lorraine. Finally, in 1997, the Commonwealth of the Indonesias was formed, and the King of Lorraine was proclaimed King of all Indonesia in a grand ceremony. The east Indies have remained neutral in all wars.

Government- The King still holds Executive power in the Indonesias. A two branch government of Executive, and Legislative. The King is the Supreme Head of the National Court, however actual power is vested in the Judge-de-Royale as acting head of the judiciary systems in the Indonesias. The King has the power to veto the National Assembly, and hold the powers of a North American president. He is also formely the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Armed Forces, and has the power to be military commander. Each state, Borneo, Java, New Orange, Eastern Nassau, Indoguisea, and Hollanna, send 5 Senators to the National Assembly. The Royal Council, and Chancellor of the Realm also are part of the Executive Branch. If the Monarch is not married, the Chancellor acts as Regent while the monarch is away, or sick for a long time.

Guisean Commonwealth- These nations are independent members of the Guisean Commonwealth. The Kingdom of Lorraine, the Union of Acadia, the Federation of the West Indies, and the Commonwealth of the Indonesias. Every 6 years one of the reigning monarchs is elected Emperor-General of the Guisean Commonwealth. Currently, the Queen of Acadia holds the title, and the International Election, in which a new monarch is elected Emperor-General, is January 15 2005.

Titles claimed by monarch- King of the Indonesias, Duc de Java, Prince of all Borneo, Master of the Pacific (ancient title given to Dutch monarchs by tribesmen in the 1500s)

Military- Currently, a total re-organization of the Indonesian Royal Forces is under way. In event of attack, there are 2 aircraft carriers, 35 small ships, and 3 diseal submarines in the navy.

Since it's a group of islands, there are only 5 airmobile divisions and 2 infantry divisions. The Air Force is currently that of Lorraine, until the Royal Indonesian Air Force (RIAF) is complete.

Flag- The old flag of the Dutch East India Company, however the red and blue of the Netherlands, became the dark blue of Lorraine. When it became the Alsatian East Indies, it bore the Alsatian shield. When it was the Lorrainese East Indies, it bore the Lorrainese shield. Upon independence from Lorraine, all three, those of the Dutch East India Company, Alsace, and Lorraine were put atop that of the colonial flag of a horizontal bi-color (blue, white, blue) with the Guise symbol in the middle.

[Matt]

Changing the TL a little bit. Germany offically refers to itself as a Republic, much as the Bulg's Greeks do.

A war was fought between Germany and France. France seized A/L and Luxembourg in 1967, while most of the Germany Army was garrisoning parts of Russia. Unable to dislodge them, and unwilling to use nukes, they have stayed in French hands. In the last 20 years Russia has been rebulding it's military and eyeing up(once again) lands in it's former spheres of influence.

[Ward]

The Greater French Republic builds incloused Train line in the area of the Great Desert in North and Central Africa . These are built so the Rail lines are not covered by sand during storms in these areas .
Greater France uses more high speed electric trains then any other nation in the world . The French Use trains as most Americans would use airlines to get to other parts Greater France . French Expes Trains run at almost 300kph .

Greater France is Starting one of the Greates eng. feates of the day with the Greater Med tunnel which is slated to be finished in 2011 .

[Odd Man Out]

I would like to claim all remaining territories in Africa.

[Ward]

Thats fine by me but who am I to say.

[Odd Man Out]

So whom should I talk to about designating me as that territory?

[Lauranthalas]

Write down your history in the me6 posting of the countries thread. thats all you needa do



are you troy (paul says so)

[Odd Man Out]

alright, thanks tobias

[Lauranthalas]

ok yeah you are.

sry didnt see that we are already in the right thread. so simply write down a history and then post it in here

[Odd Man Out]

Country: Ethiopia
Government: Socialist Fascism
Technology: modern 21st century
Population: 1.5 million
Military: Comprised of 500,000 standing military (includes regular army, seamen, airmen)
Economy: Primarily agricultural based, mining, development of military equipment

[Odd Man Out]

Country: Ethiopia
Government: Socialist Fascism
Technology: modern 21st century
Population: 1.5 million
Military: Comprised of 500,000 standing military (includes regular army, seamen, airmen)
Economy: Primarily agricultural based, mining, development of military equipmentMilitary: 250,000 regular Ethiopian National Guardsman
100 U-boats
500 Aegis Cruisers
6 air craft carriers
5,000 airborne units
1,000 C-47 (used for commercial import, exports, and Military carriers)
5,000 Marines
500 P-38’s
500 B-29 super fortresses
500 Wild Cats
3,000 Modified Tiger Mark II
3,000 Modified Panthers
Miscellaneous guerilla forces
History: In 1930, after the empress died, Ras Tafari Makonnen, adopting the throne name Haile Selassie, was crowned emperor. His reign was interrupted in 1936 when Italian Fascist forces invaded and occupied Ethiopia (they first invaded on October 2, 1935, took the capital Addis Ababa on May 5 and formally annexed Ethiopia on May 9). The emperor was forced into exile in England despite his plea to the League of Nations for intervention. Five years later, the Italians were defeated by British and Ethiopian forces, and the emperor returned to the throne.

Over the following decades, Emperor Selassie exerted numerous efforts to promote the modernization of his nation. The country's first important school of higher education, University College of Addis Ababa, was founded in 1950. The Constitution of 1931 was replaced with a new one in 1955, which expanded the powers of the Parliament. While improving diplomatic ties with the United States, he also sought to improve the nations' relationship with other African nations in helping to found the Organisation of African Unity in 1963.

Despite these attempts at modernization, by the early 1970s the advanced age of Emperor Selassie was becoming a major problem for the future of his nation. As Paul B. Henze explains, "most Ethiopians thought in terms of personalities, not ideology, and out of long habit still looked to Haile Selasie as the initiator of change, the source of status and privilege, and the arbiter of demands for resources and attention among competing groups." Ethiopians worried for their future following his impending death, and whether his successors would continue his campaigns for modernization and economic development.

After a period of civil unrest which began in February 1974, the aging Haile Selassie I was deposed on September 12, 1974, and a provisional administrative council of soldiers, known as the Derg ("committee") seized power from the emperor and installed a government which was socialist in name and military in style. The Derg summarily executed 59 members of the royal family and ministers and generals of the emperor's government; Emperor Haile Selassie died on August 22, 1975, allegedly strangled in the basement of his palace.

Lt. Col. Mengistu Haile Mariam assumed power as head of state and Derg chairman, after having his two predecessors killed. Mengistu's years in office were marked by a totalitarian-style government and the country's massive militarization, financed by the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc, and assisted by Cuba. From 1977 through early 1978 thousands of suspected enemies of the Derg were tortured and/or killed in a purge called the "red terror." Communism was officially adopted during the late 1970s and early 1980s; in 1984, the Workers' Party of Ethiopia (WPE) was established, and on February 1, 1987, a new Soviet-style civilian constitution was submitted to a popular referendum. It was officially endorsed by 81% of voters, and in accordance with this new constitution, the country was renamed the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on September 10, 1987, and Mengistu became president.

In December 1976, an Ethiopian delegation in Moscow signed a military assistance agreement with the Soviet Union. The following April, Ethiopia abrogated its military assistance agreement with the United States and expelled the American military missions. In July 1977, sensing the disarray in Ethiopia, Somalia attacked across the Ogaden Desert in pursuit of its irredentist claims to the ethnic Somali areas of Ethiopia. Ethiopian forces were driven back far inside their own frontiers but, with the assistance of a massive Soviet airlift of arms and Cuban combat forces, they stemmed the attack. The major Somali regular units were forced out of the Ogaden in March 1978. Twenty years later, the Somali region of Ethiopia remains under-developed and insecure.

The regime's collapse was hastened by droughts and famine, as well as by insurrections, particularly in the northern regions of Tigray and Eritrea. In 1989, the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) merged with other ethnically based opposition movements to form the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). In May 1991, EPRDF forces advanced on Addis Ababa. Mengistu fled the country and was granted asylum in Zimbabwe, where he still resides.

In July 1991, the EPRDF, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), and others established the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE) which was comprised of an 87-member Council of Representatives and guided by a national charter that functioned as a transitional constitution. In June 1992 the OLF withdrew from the government; in March 1993, members of the Southern Ethiopia Peoples' Democratic Coalition left the government.

[Cockroach]

Odd Man Out, I have a few "concerncs" about your nation:
Population: 1.5 million
Military: Comprised of 500,000 standing military (includes regular army, seamen, airmen)

What one-thrid of your nation is in the active component of the military! You seem to have gone well and truely overboard!
500 P-38’s
500 B-29 super fortresses
500 Wild Cats
3,000 Modified Tiger Mark II
3,000 Modified Panthers

Why when your nation has a "21st century" tech level do you have WW2 vintage units still in widespread service?
500 Aegis Cruisers
6 air craft carriers
5,000 airborne units
Given your nation's tiny populaation how do you justify 6 aircraft carriers and 500 cruisers. Also 5000 airborne units seems a bit high, I assume you actually meant infantry...

[Ward]

He could have 6 Spansih CVH Dedalo class They are small . But why do you need a CV at all .
500 Aegis Cruisers no way they would cost more then the navies of Europe, USof A and Japan could afford .
Maybe 5 at most . Japan only has 5 or 6 of these right now .
Now you could have bought all 46 of the Knox's Class FF from the US in the 90's . They are not a bad ship .

As for your Aircraft Lets bring it more upto date with 300 F-5E it is a cheep aircraft to buy and run . and how about 72 SU-29 Intercept , 120 F4-Fs
And for bombers how about 60 Tu -22 .

For Tanks Why Use Them they breack down to much Use the French Armored Car the AMX-10RC . It has a 105 mm Gun and can take out most tanks . Also it dose not use the Fuel that a Tank dose .
The Tanks you had would not stand up to modren tanks at all .
If you want help building a military just ask and we will help you build a nice little army . Rember you are building a third world Army .

[Lauranthalas]

Odd man out

your airforce is pretty big for only a 500k army

especially the cargo fleet is damn big. no african nation can efford 1,000 C-47's. see I ahve already a very big airforce and I only hav 15 C-17's and 20 AN124's + a damn lot cargo helicopters. more you dont need. better take down a lot of planes and make helicopters. they are cheaper and help much more in your case. further you don't need to build airfields for helicopters.

paul and i can help you around tomorrow if you want to.

[Condottiero]

I agree. You should increase a bit your population and decrease your armed forces. Maybe a couple of small carriers, several frigates and old modified cruiser and some submarines would fit. Less aircrafts and more modern.

[Condottiero]

The Republic of Mozambique is a member of the Hispanic Confederation, a Union of former Iberian colonies that share currency, certain legislation (Trade, Penal and Civil codes) and constitute an open market.

The Republic of Mozambique's leader is President Manuel Salzedo Lanças from the Liberal Party, being the oposition leader Samuel Ohoro Cardozo.

The economy is somethin equivalent to OTL Chile.

Population: 10 million (45% different ethnic african groups, 35% Iberians, 5% Italians, 5% Indonesian, 4% jews, 6% other).

Economy: Chromium, iron, copper, bauxite, gold, wheat, corn, meat, fisheries; agricole machinery; shipyards; chemical industry.

Army: three infantry divisions (15000 men strong each) and one armoured (with Leopard-2 tanks)
Airforce: 24 Eurofighters, 36 F-18A and 2 C-135 Sceptres
Navy: 2 frigates, 4 corvettes and 3 submarines.

[Othniel]

Name:República Federativa do Brasil
Leaders: Rafael Aranha, Rui Barbosa, Maurício Gaúcho, Hélio Amado, Antonio Palocci
Population: 177,062,044
Millitary 708,248 (compared to their complusary 2 year service having 1,830,195 males in millitary service) men serving in all branches of the armed forces. Higher number of Helicopters than tanks.http://www.exercito.gov.br/EB/Capa/Imagens/logo_eb.gif


FAB "The Brazillian Air Force is currently attempting to revamp its air force. Theese fighters have come to the table to fight along side the AMX from EMBRAER; Lockheed F-16, the Dassault-Embraer Mirage 2000-BR, the SAAB-BAE Gripen, and the Sukhoi Su-35.


Marinha do Brasil

The total naval strength of 64,700 in 1997 included Naval Aviation (Aviação Naval) with 1,300 members, the Marines (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais--CFN) with 14,600 members, and only 2,000 conscripts. Naval operations are directed from the Ministry of Navy in Brasília through the Navy General Staff (Estado-Maior da Armada--EMA), six naval districts (five oceanic and one riverine), and two naval commands--Brasília Naval Command (Comando Naval de Brasília--CNB) and Manaus Naval Command (Comando Naval de Manaus--CNM). The 1st Naval District is located at the country's main naval base in Rio de Janeiro; the 2d Naval District is in Salvador; the 3d, Natal; the 4th, Belém; and the 5th, Porto Alegre. The 6th Riverine District has its headquarters in Ladário, near Corumbá on the Rio Paraguai.

After years of intense rivalry between the navy and the air force for the control of naval aviation, President Castelo Branco decreed in 1965 that only the air force would be allowed to operate fixed-wing aircraft and that the navy would be responsible for helicopters. According to many critics, such an unusual division of labor caused serious command and control problems. The complement of aircraft carried by the Minas Gerais included at one point six Grumman S-2E antisubmarine planes, in addition to several SH-3D Sea King helicopters and Aérospatiale Super Puma and HB-350 Esquilo helicopters.

In accordance with the Castelo Branco compromise, the S-2E aircraft were flown by air force pilots and the helicopters by navy pilots. A crew of the Minas Gerais with full air complement consisted of 1,300 officers and enlisted personnel. As of late 2002, the Navy had reportedly become responsible for flying all aircraft with the rivalry having subsided between the two branches of the armed forces.
3 Aircraft Carrier (French built)
14 British and American built frighters
and other locally built ships.



Economy $1.25 per OTL US Dollar
Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment Note: Brazil was the place for expirment in clean technology after a US fallout with the Middle East. 30% more is mined here at cheeper and more enviromentally safe standards. Discovery of oil here has caused much joy for the western world.
Agriculture - products: coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef
Flag: OTL Flag, minor changes under way.

[Condottiero]

This is the Flag of Mozambique

[Galbatorix]

Country: Ethiopia
Government: Marxism
Technology: mid 20th century
Population: 15 million
Economy: Primarily agricultural based, mining, Colective economy, some nonoptimal indusrty

Military: 250,000 regular Ethiopian Revolutionary Guardsman (infantry and some armored divisions with T-62 tanks)
10 soviet conventional submarines
12 destroyers
20 fragates
50 MIG-17
30 Su-27
Silkworm missiles in the coast and SAM batteries. No other misiles.

History:
The Italian invasion of World War II caused the appearance of the Marxist alliance of Ethiopia. After several years of fight in 1944 they were able to expel with British aid to the Italians. Later they expelled the English and they established a communist state to image and similarity of the USSR. Unfortunately the disintegration of the Soviet block caused to many problems to the marxist government of ethiopy that lately is been harassed by the international community, Islamic extremist groups in the coast and extreme-orthodox groups in the interior.
They are surviving with Chinese aid.


Condottiero ?where do you get those flags?

[Condottiero]

The flag for the Iberians is the flag used by the Spanish army in the battle of Pavia and the one for Mozambique is just a modification, changing the yellow and the white strips.

[Galbatorix]

?what aliances and military bloks are? ?someone can post them?

[Lauranthalas]

i dont think that is really possible. because there are alliances where a country has to allies and those two allies are kinda hostile to each other. that would be a big fat mess.

[Matt]

we should really lock this thread up now....

[Aussey]

Name- Autonomous Province of Timor
Leader(s)- Charlotte Nassau, Proconsul; Leon Matthys, Vice-President; Alexander Hoffmann, Secretary-of-the-Senate; Julianna Nechita, Secretary-of-Monarchy.

Capital- Eastern Nassau (formerly Timor City West)

Population-20,000(approx. 2004 estimate, not including military)

Languages- Dutch and Arabic (official)*

*Only province of the Kingdom where Alsatian, French, and German aren't official languages

History- In 2005, The Indonesian War broke out when President Gen. the Duchess Julianna came to power. To war ended, with a terrible Indonesian defeat, to the unhappiness of Lorraine and the Netherlands. Indonesia was divided amongst the allies: Canada, Japan, India, and Austria-Poland. Lorraine then became the sole governor of the former Co-Dependency of Timor, which in the past had been ruled by Lorraine and Indonesia. Lorraine granted Timor independence, and the Timorese Grand Republic was formed. Soon the name changed to the Timorese Republic. In mid-July of 2005, the republic voted to be annexed to the kingdom, and the Autonomous Province of Timor was admitted into the kingdom.

Economy- Timor's economy is mainly that of a Pacifican-island one. Many tropical products are produced and exported. Timor and Australia have a customs union.

Military- Defense is the responsiblity of the Kingdom of Lorraine and the Netherlands

Government- The King of Lorraine and the Netherlands is Head-of-State. However, the Executive Official of the province is the Proconsul, who also holds the title President and Governor. Next inline, is the Vice-President of the Timorese State, which is the representative of the King and President of the Lorrainese-Dutch State. The Secretary-of-the-Senate is responsible for both internal and external(within the kingdom) affairs. The Secretary-of-Monarchy is responsible for all royal occasions, and is Supreme Magistrate of the High Court of Timor. Foreign relations and command of the military rests in the power of the King of Lorraine and President of the Lorrainese-Dutch State. Taxes are proposed by Timor, and either accepted or rejected by Lorraine-Holland.

Titles claimed by monarch- King of Lorraine and the Netherlands, Master of the Pacific, Duc de Java, Prince of Borneo.

Other Info- Timor is an active nation in the modernization of the Pacific/Asian region.

Flag- Taken from Timorese nationalists, the triangle was colored Nassau gold, and blue and white stripes (from the Lorrainese flag) where added. The Lion of Nassau was added Timor's Dutch ancestry, and the symbol of the Netherlands East Indies Company, taken from the flag of the Commonwealth of the Indonesian State was added to show Timor as the successor state of Indonesia.