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spookyscaryskeletons - Der Mann im Hohen Schloß
Der Mann im Hohen Schloß
Administrators of the Western European Defense Compact (American Europe)
1947-1948: Henry Stimson [1]
1948-1952: George S. Patton [2]
1952-1955: Dwight D. Eisenhower [3]
1955-1958: Edsel Ford [4]
1958-1960: Neil McElroy [5]
1960-: Robert McNamara [6]
[1] - With the final victory over Germany having been achieved via the atomic thrashing of Hamburg and the poisoning of much of the Rhine, President Morgenthau set about with his vision of a de-Germanified Europe. This task would prove to be most difficult with the encroachment of France and the Low Countries. Nazi backed insurgencies under the leadership of Reinhard Heydrich, by now rumoured to have been conducting searches for ancient artifacts in the Middle East and Central America (indeed, he nearly triggered a war with Ireland in his search for the Spear of Destiny). In response to these troubles, Morgenthau and his erstwhile State Department (packed with his cronies) reluctantly to carve up the troublesome states of Europe between America and the resurgent Soviet Empire, now seething in their own way after defeats earlier in the decade. Thus, the 'Western European Defense Compact' was born (Cripps' Britain was exempt). The appointment of Stimson was more of a retirement present than anything, while underlings did more of the work to establish the laws of the new state. Stimson resigned two years before his death, and one year before the arch interventionist Arthur Vandenberg ascended to the White House in a landslide. Vandenberg sought to make the WEDC more of a lasting project as opposed to the horror show that was going on in 'Emperor Douglas' Land' over east.
[2] - Patton's appointment came as a shock to many both inside and out the political arena. He and Morgenthau were on terrible terms, and rumours about his anti-semitism were abound. Yet, at the behest of figures in the cabinet and general public opinion, the President was strongarmed into putting him in charge of Europe, turning Mark Clark down in the process. Patton relaxed the process of de-nazification, largely feeling that it was too intense and going on too long. Nonetheless, he chose to be a showboat instead of a governor, allowing for subordinates to continue the slow implementation of a radical free market agenda. Also on the agenda was an extended period of migration, in which thousands of Americans travelled to the WEDC to make a living in the country. Deindustrialisation was reversed on Vandenberg's command, and industry was brought back into western Germany. Under Patton, Heydrich's Werwolf divisions became ever more enamored with the prospect of searching for treasure, with the Philosopher's Stone a particularly coveted artifact. Patton resigned in 1953 to run as an independent in that year's election, which saw President Vandenberg re-elected to a second term in spite of tensions with the Soviets.
[3] - Eisenhower was a welcome change of pace as he seemed to show genuine interest in stewardship of the WEDC. He was responsible for the construction of highways and new buildings along France, Germany, and the Netherlands (the profits of which went back to the home states). Eisenhower also presided over the building of a EuroHighway across the continent, which stopped squarely at the Neutral Zone in Czechoslovakia. In 1954, Heydrich finally came out of hiding to launch another insurgency, having claimed to have found a city of gold in South America. It was quickly put down and he was finally captured. Vandenberg offered to have him executed in Berlin, but Eisenhower refused, and as a result he was imprisoned in a high security facility in New York, his mental facilities questioned at this point. Eisenhower resigned in 1955 after a broken safety switch caused an atomic bomb to accidentally be dropped on the coast of Brittany, killing thousands and causing serious diplomatic embarrassment to the US.
[4] - Ford was put in charge by the new president Bill Knowland, who was more than content to let the WEDC do its own thing. Ford would embark on an even harsher form of austere economics, seeking to run the WEDC on the bare minimum while also drastically increasing the presence of the European OSS. This was forgiven by his own capability, which allowed for the WEDC to see a proper economic boom. Tensions with 'Iron Lazar' grew tremendously during the Ford years, with skirmishes near the Neutral Zone becoming ever more common. Nevertheless, Ford attempted to steer the ship, and he did so as best he could. By 1958, the WEDC had become all but an American territory, and though his work, France became a hub of automobile manufacturing, with Nice nearly equaling Detroit by 1962. He left in 1958 to take back control of his business.
[5] - McElroy was put up as a sop to the GOP by President Kennedy. His term in office would see even worsening relations with the USSR as well as a large amount of post-war profiteering reported by the New York Times. His quiet if controversial spell in government would end in 1960.
[6] - McNamara, a bureaucrat in almost every way, was seen as the perfect choice to run the WEDC for the time being. However, protests sprung up as French and German activists argued that it was time for a native to be put in charge. Economic stagnation hit, with memories of Ford's administration far behind. By 1962, the American culture was entirely intertwined with the European, to the consternation of more than a few. Upon Kaganovich's death in early 1962 (coupled with the ascension of Alexander Shelepin) and rumours of an attempted raid on American Amsterdam by Soviet agents, it looks as if all out nuclear war is brewing between the two sides. The WEDC is desperately hoping it will escape the brunt of it, which looks unlikely due to the sheer number of harbours and ports used by the American armed forces.
Administrators of the Western European Defense Compact (American Europe)
1947-1948: Henry Stimson [1]
1948-1952: George S. Patton [2]
1952-1955: Dwight D. Eisenhower [3]
1955-1958: Edsel Ford [4]
1958-1960: Neil McElroy [5]
1960-: Robert McNamara [6]
[1] - With the final victory over Germany having been achieved via the atomic thrashing of Hamburg and the poisoning of much of the Rhine, President Morgenthau set about with his vision of a de-Germanified Europe. This task would prove to be most difficult with the encroachment of France and the Low Countries. Nazi backed insurgencies under the leadership of Reinhard Heydrich, by now rumoured to have been conducting searches for ancient artifacts in the Middle East and Central America (indeed, he nearly triggered a war with Ireland in his search for the Spear of Destiny). In response to these troubles, Morgenthau and his erstwhile State Department (packed with his cronies) reluctantly to carve up the troublesome states of Europe between America and the resurgent Soviet Empire, now seething in their own way after defeats earlier in the decade. Thus, the 'Western European Defense Compact' was born (Cripps' Britain was exempt). The appointment of Stimson was more of a retirement present than anything, while underlings did more of the work to establish the laws of the new state. Stimson resigned two years before his death, and one year before the arch interventionist Arthur Vandenberg ascended to the White House in a landslide. Vandenberg sought to make the WEDC more of a lasting project as opposed to the horror show that was going on in 'Emperor Douglas' Land' over east.
[2] - Patton's appointment came as a shock to many both inside and out the political arena. He and Morgenthau were on terrible terms, and rumours about his anti-semitism were abound. Yet, at the behest of figures in the cabinet and general public opinion, the President was strongarmed into putting him in charge of Europe, turning Mark Clark down in the process. Patton relaxed the process of de-nazification, largely feeling that it was too intense and going on too long. Nonetheless, he chose to be a showboat instead of a governor, allowing for subordinates to continue the slow implementation of a radical free market agenda. Also on the agenda was an extended period of migration, in which thousands of Americans travelled to the WEDC to make a living in the country. Deindustrialisation was reversed on Vandenberg's command, and industry was brought back into western Germany. Under Patton, Heydrich's Werwolf divisions became ever more enamored with the prospect of searching for treasure, with the Philosopher's Stone a particularly coveted artifact. Patton resigned in 1953 to run as an independent in that year's election, which saw President Vandenberg re-elected to a second term in spite of tensions with the Soviets.
[3] - Eisenhower was a welcome change of pace as he seemed to show genuine interest in stewardship of the WEDC. He was responsible for the construction of highways and new buildings along France, Germany, and the Netherlands (the profits of which went back to the home states). Eisenhower also presided over the building of a EuroHighway across the continent, which stopped squarely at the Neutral Zone in Czechoslovakia. In 1954, Heydrich finally came out of hiding to launch another insurgency, having claimed to have found a city of gold in South America. It was quickly put down and he was finally captured. Vandenberg offered to have him executed in Berlin, but Eisenhower refused, and as a result he was imprisoned in a high security facility in New York, his mental facilities questioned at this point. Eisenhower resigned in 1955 after a broken safety switch caused an atomic bomb to accidentally be dropped on the coast of Brittany, killing thousands and causing serious diplomatic embarrassment to the US.
[4] - Ford was put in charge by the new president Bill Knowland, who was more than content to let the WEDC do its own thing. Ford would embark on an even harsher form of austere economics, seeking to run the WEDC on the bare minimum while also drastically increasing the presence of the European OSS. This was forgiven by his own capability, which allowed for the WEDC to see a proper economic boom. Tensions with 'Iron Lazar' grew tremendously during the Ford years, with skirmishes near the Neutral Zone becoming ever more common. Nevertheless, Ford attempted to steer the ship, and he did so as best he could. By 1958, the WEDC had become all but an American territory, and though his work, France became a hub of automobile manufacturing, with Nice nearly equaling Detroit by 1962. He left in 1958 to take back control of his business.
[5] - McElroy was put up as a sop to the GOP by President Kennedy. His term in office would see even worsening relations with the USSR as well as a large amount of post-war profiteering reported by the New York Times. His quiet if controversial spell in government would end in 1960.
[6] - McNamara, a bureaucrat in almost every way, was seen as the perfect choice to run the WEDC for the time being. However, protests sprung up as French and German activists argued that it was time for a native to be put in charge. Economic stagnation hit, with memories of Ford's administration far behind. By 1962, the American culture was entirely intertwined with the European, to the consternation of more than a few. Upon Kaganovich's death in early 1962 (coupled with the ascension of Alexander Shelepin) and rumours of an attempted raid on American Amsterdam by Soviet agents, it looks as if all out nuclear war is brewing between the two sides. The WEDC is desperately hoping it will escape the brunt of it, which looks unlikely due to the sheer number of harbours and ports used by the American armed forces.
- Gorrister
- Word Count: 990