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PART 13
Kings or Mortals?
As the Cold War intensified even further over the course of the 1950s. Many within Washington began turning more and more towards the needed idea of pragmatism. A mere decade earlier the idea of the United States finding itself allied with not one. But two openly socialist groups would've been unthinkable for practically anyone within the higher echelons of Washington. However the ever escalating threat of European Fascism meant that old ideas were now obsolete. Anybody who was a enemy of the Fascists was now going to be a friend of America at this point. The now famous words of Harold Stassen. "Mutual threat makes for strange bed companions". Perhaps best explain the abruptly evolving American attitudes seen during the early years of the Cold War. Attitudes that would form the core of American foreign policy for many years to come.
Figure 1: Ngo Dinh Diem. Leader of the Vietnamese Liberation Front and opponent of one Ho Chi Minh
The situation in Vietnam up until the point of the formal exit of Free French forces had been tense and chaotic as Algiers futile struggle to hold onto their far flung colony had brought several years of destruction to the region as the fight between the colonial government and the local resistance dragged on. However what was even more destructive for Vietnam and Indochina as a whole was the abrupt and rushed exit of the French colonial administrators and military forces that had been key in maintain what little remaining political stability existed in the colony left a power vacuum that would throw the entirety of the region fell apart into further instability and chaos. A vacuum that would be filed by Diem and Minh's forces. The situation would ultimately not be limited to just Vietnam in the end. As VLF cells in neighboring Laos and Cambodia soon began waging a active insurgency against the newly declared governments of both countries. Quickly spreading the conflict to the entirety of Indochina.
With the situation on the ground in the region rapidly deteriorating into a all out Civil War between Minh and Diem. United States quickly began moving towards assisting Minh's self-declared Democratic Republic as per the terms of their newfound alliance. US Navy vessels; traveling from nearby ports such as Okinawa. Manila and Guam made their way towards several coastal Vietnamese ports under the control of Minh and his Republic. Bringing with them hundreds of crates containing US military grade weapons (mostly rifles and handguns, as well as few test models of the Rivet Rifle. the American adaption of the Russian RPG) and the accompanying ammo. As well as other various amounts of supplies (mostly medical related) that were to ultimately help Minh's armies in their fight against Diem and the VLF. In addition to the various physical supplies the Americans were supplying Minh. Several dozen US military officials also made the trip to Vietnam in order to serve as formal military advisers to the newly formed Vietnamese People's Army. A role in which they would assist the young army in becoming a properly trained and well oiled fighting force capable of defending and reclaiming their homeland from the threat of fascism.
Figure 2: American advisors evaluate young Vietnamese People's Army recruits at a training field outside of Saigon, c. 1955
On the ground itself. The situation was extensively complicated at best and extremely volatile at worst. Overall control of the region was tenuous at best for both factions. Minh and the Democratic Republic were strongest within the southern half of the country. Including the area in and around the capital of Saigon. Where solid control was strongest. On the opposite side of the spectrum. Diem and the VLF found their power base more solid in the northern half of the country. However at the same time both factions had significant cells in each half of the country. All operating extensive insurgency operations against the other as apart of both factions efforts to unite their country. Diem's VLF had managed to infiltrate neighboring Laos and Cambodia and establish operational cells in the form of the VLF-aligned Pan-Indochinese Liberation Army. The PILA was established a few years prior in 1951 and had already been conducting guerilla operations against the French during the intervening years before the French withdrawal. The PILA would continue their operations against the newly established US supported republics in both countries. Ultimately forcing the US to extend their support to both respective countries.
On the domestic front for the United States. A pressing matter closer to home came up in Congress during 1954 in the form of the final status of Greenland and Iceland. The United States had initially established it's military presence in the isolated Danish territories in 1940 as apart of broad security measures to protect US shipping in the North Sea. Long before even entering the European War. By the end of the war in 1946, Iceland had developed into a vital Allied operational base, handling over half of the combined Allied aerial forces arrayed against the Axis Powers between the years of 1943 and 1946. As a result of the massive influx of American military personnel and business interests during and after the war, Iceland (As well neighboring Greenland. Both of which had remained nominally Danish throughout the European War) Found themselves in a complicated political limbo as the US military presence became permanent after the war. This would ultimately have grievous consequences for the native Icelanders. As much in the same way as the old Kingdom of Hawaii had lost her independence several decades prior, the complicated factors of both demographics and economics worked against the native Icelanders. As the US military presence grew over the next decade, a huge resident American support structure of businesses and civilians developed. Also, US fishing and whaling interests prevailed on the US congress to permit them concessions on Iceland that essentially eliminated the locally-owned industries. By the turn of the new decade. The Americans in the country. Now essentially at this point permanent residents. Made up nearly 38% of the population according to the official Icelandic governmental census of 1949. The United States government, spurred by the efforts of then President MacArthur worked to ensure the security and rights of the American transplants were secure and protected. Resulting in the "US approved" Icelandic Citizenship Reform Act of 1950. Which granted American-Icelanders full citizenship and rights that were entitled to every citizen of Iceland. Including the right to vote.
Figure 3: Robert McNamara. The last Prime Minister of independent Iceland. and subsequent first Governor of the new US state of Iceland
The American-Icelanders vice grip of power within the country quickly grew within a extremely short amount of time as the elite immigrant community came to completely dominate every single inch of local business, economics and life within Iceland. Forming a broad influential political bloc of elite businessman and military officials. With the idea of protecting their interests and rights in mind. A group of influential American-Icelandic businessman established the American Party in 1950 for that specific purpose. However the party under the leadership of a Californian born energy tycoon by the name of Robert McNamara quickly became the driving force behind the pro-annexation movement not only within the country. But also back in the United States as well. Ultimately the deciding factor in the question would come as a result of the 1953 Icelandic parliamentary elections. Which saw the American Party capture 26 of the Althing's 63 seats. More then any other party that participated in the elections. Finally possessing full undisputed control of the government. Prime Minister McNamara and the newly elected Icelandic government quickly moved towards pursuing it's goal of incorporating Iceland into the United States. A formal treaty of annexation was written up by party officials. Passing through the Althing by a slim but comfortable majority of 31-23 (With 11 MP's choosing to not vote on the issue) And subsequently sent to Washington for approval.
Debate on the treaty was more heavily contested within Congress. The Democrats were very opposed to the annexation treaty due to their perception that Iceland would ultimately end up being a heavily Republican leaning state. In addition to a perceived language issue due to the fact that the majority of the population did not speak English as a first language. Concerning some within the Democratic Party. Some within the Republican Party were also concerned with the treaty. Partly because of the issue of language. But also because of the lingering issue of what to do with Greenland; among other matters. Ultimately after some political power playing on the part of the pro-annexation President Stassen. The Annexation Treaty would pass within Congress with a slim majority after Stassen wrangled the support of several prominent Democratic Congressman with a bi-partisan compromise that included the promise of admitting Hawaii; a heavily Democratic leaning territory. To the Union as a trade off for the admittance of Iceland.
Iceland would formally be admitted to the United States as the 49th state of the Union on January 23rd, 1955; with Hawaii finally admitted as the 50th state only a short year later.
Figure 4: General Abdul Salam Arif. The man behind the ultimate death of the Hashemite Dynasty
Elsewhere in the world. Attention turned itself towards the ever troubled Middle East. The rapid and completely unexpected rise of the Egyptian led United Arab Republic within the region began to have profound effects on the wider political atmosphere of the Middle East. The fragile monarchies of Iraq and Jordan, led by respective branches of the influential Hashemite dynasty began quickly being unable to cope with the ever rising Pan-Arabic and nationalist sentiments within the region. These sentiments were proliferated throughout the region by the ever increasingly educated and nationalistic middle class. The proponents of Pan-Arabism saw the western backed (and western dominated) monarchies as nothing but tools of imperialism and greed. They sought to end the exploitation of the Middle East and the Arab people by distant rulers. And forge the Arab people their own destiny in the ever changing and troubling world.
Nationalistic ideals flourished among the underground of the region. The back alleys of cities such as Baghdad and Amman served as safe havens for the supporters of Pan-Arab nationalism and unity. Safe havens where they could express their beliefs openly through many avenues. Including literature and political posters. Underground groups such as the Arab League and the Pan-Arabian Committee worked. Sometimes in tandem, in spreading and teaching of what at the time had largely been considered extremely radical ideals. The ideals of Pan-Arabism were not limited to impoverished and poor and increasingly nationalistic middle and lower class civilians who suffered under the terrible living standards of the old monarchies. Many within the rank and files of the militaries of both Jordan and Iraq also shared the beliefs of Pan-Arabic nationalism and unity and shared the same disdain for the monarchy. A fact which would ultimately doom said Monarchies.
Figure 5: Egyptian soldiers arrive in a local Jordanian village during the UAR's brief war with the Kingdom of Jordan, circa. 1955
On December 21st, 1955. A group that identified themselves as the Iraqi Free Officers (Distinctly modeled after their famous Egyptian counterparts), launched a march on Baghdad. The Free Officers, led by a popular Iraqi general named Abdul Salem Arif. Initiated their plan to take control of the city in the late hours of the December night. Moving in towards and capturing several key communication and military positions throughout the capital city. Troops loyal to Arif quickly captured all main exit points in and out of the city. Allowing the Free Officer's soldiers to securely move on the Royal Palace. The chaotic fight for control of the Palace that soon between the Iraqi Royal Guard and Arif's supporters would ultimately claim the lives of King of Iraq, Faisal II. As well as the Crown Prince. Abd al-Ilah. Who were both shot and killed. The Prime Minister. Ahmad Mukhtar Baban was on the other hand successfully apprehended and arrested by forces loyal to Arif on various charges of treason and corruption. With Baghdad secure and the Hashemite dynasty deceased. Arif's supporters quickly moved on to the task of securing the rest of what was now known as the Republic of Iraq. Inspired by the success of Arif and the Iraqi Free Officers. A similar group launched their own march on the Jordanian capital of Amman to overthrow the government of King Abdullah. These "Free Officers". Unlike their Egyptian and Iraqi counterparts. Were initially unsuccessful in their goal as they found themselves unable the match the highly alerted and well trained forces of the Royal Jordanian Army. Who managed to easily crush the hastily and poorly organized revolt. However the tides quickly turned when Egypt launched a full scale invasion of Jordan 3 days later. On the 25th of December. 1955; in support of the Anti-Hashemite forces. Much like their Palestinian counterparts several years prior. The RJA were quickly and rapidly overrun by the overwhelming size and strength of the Egyptian Armies. Amman was captured in a mere 2 days. And the Kingdom of Jordan as a entity quickly ceased to exist.
The reaction in the West towards the chain of events in the Middle East was a universal feeling of shock and dismay. The loss of not only Iraq but Jordan as well to the forces of openly antagonistic Pan-Arabism was a huge blow for ACT influence within the region. Many western leaders feared the that continuing Egyptian expansion and the new Arab regimes in the region would not only lead to a domino effect that would threaten the western friendly regimes in Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Iran. But also allow for the Germans to spread their influence into the resource rich Middle East unopposed. Fears that were not completely unjustified considering the openly friendly relationship that existed between Cairo and Berlin. Leaving the possibility very much one within the realm of plausibility. No one was more threatened by the spread of Pan-Arabism then the nation of Saudi Arabia. The oil rich monarchy. Custodian of the two holiest cites in all of Islam. Was fully aware of the hostility and contempt Pan-Arabists held for the House of Saud. Especially regarding their control of Mecca and Medina. And the threat that Pan-Arabic ideologies held to the stability of the Saudi monarchy was a very pressing issue. The Saudis in response to the events of late 1955 moved towards expanding their existing ties with the British and Americans even further. Which ultimately led to the formal signing the ACT Charter by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in March of 1956.
