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Chapter 8: Imperialistic Games
The war, though bred in Europe, produced profound effects in the exotic (though mostly European controlled) lands of Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The northernmost section of the "dark continent" had stayed practically identical territory-wise from the prewar days. The same went for West Africa, carved up between rivals France and Britain save for the small nation of Liberia and the German colonies of Togo and Kamerun along the coastline. In Eastern Africa yet another independent African state could be seen, that being Ethiopia. In the past this empire had survived the frantic "Scramble for Africa" via clever diplomatic maneuvering and the receiving of weapons so they could at least compete with an invading force. These principles still held true, however it remained to be seen if a bitter and vengeful Italy could be bested again. Russia had been their primary helper back in 1895, but it now seemed that the British were the only likely candidate for such a task. Further south produced the most noticeable changes. In their victory Germany nabbed the southern portion of French Equatorial Africa as well as the Belgian Congo, which combined with their preexisting colony of German East Africa created a strip of German controlled land in Central Africa that was contiguous from coast to coast. Near the southernmost coast of the continent was the anxiety-infested leadership of the Portuguese and British colonies, including the dominion of South Africa. The “Lion of Africa” had run buck wild during the war despite horrific odds, and the increased establishment of his homeland in the region failed to ease any worries if future conflicts were to break out. On the other hand the Boers, who had suffered defeat at the hands of the British less than 20 years prior, had some of their lost hope rejuvenated. They carried a rebellious spirit which could be compared to the Quebecois in divided Canada, though at the moment the situation in both areas was not opportune for any sort of uprising.

Just across the Red Sea from the Horn of Africa is the Arabian peninsula, now just about completely encased by the Commonwealth and split between numerous small factions. To the northwest Persia was a region less fractured yet also trapped within a ring of British influence. The buffer state of Afghanistan remained as a barrier between the Raj and Russia. New pieces for the empire were gained, yet British India had stayed the jewel in the crown regardless. But the otherwise smooth gem housed a bumpy piece on its exterior. That being the acquisition of French India by Germany, a move which contained more symbolism than practical use, though it succeeded in making London very uncomfortable.

British and French colonies in Eastern Asia remained untouched, though the defeat in Europe did little to stabilize Indochina. Siam was yet another lucky nation which had avoided complete European domination, though their location near the center of the action provided them with an interesting choice. If they do side with someone in upcoming struggles, who? Their main options included the United Kingdom, France, or the ascending Japan. The past 60 years saw Japan modernize at an unprecedented rate, and they had firmly established themselves as a major regional power following their trouncing of Russia in 1904-1905. Before the Great War they held an alliance with Britain, one which they honored by declaring war against Germany in August of 1914. Despite being on the losing side Japan had avoided letting go of any territory, and its increasingly ambitious military wanted to begin carving out a spot in the world for a Japan which relied on itself. The Pacific Ocean offered chances for extensive naval operations targeting a variety of different nations, one being the Philippines-controlling United States. The Japanese Navy had expanded in recent years to be a very real threat on the seas and could theoretically go toe to toe with the best the West could muster. Meanwhile the Japanese Army favored campaigns in the mainland of Asia, a major goal being domination of China, who for much of the past century had been routinely forced into submission by outside powers. The last emperor had been deposed only in 1911, with the current goal of the Republic of China being to secure themselves for the years to come, a challenge made more daunting by the independent warlords which dotted the nation combined with the views of will be members of a soon-to-arrive Communist Party.

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