A more powerful Curtain Call - The Australasian Federation and World War 2
- Thread starter johnboy
- Start date
Thanks very much. Any suggestions you have PM me or just post them. Happy to hear them all.
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The 1895 Federal Election confirmed a coalition of the Protectionist Party, with roots in Victoria and rural New South Wales in particular, ally with the Liberals, that were rapidly gaining support in Australia as well as their former home of New Zealand to form a majority Government with Edmond Barton, one of the leaders of the Federation debate as the second Prime Minister of Australasia. Richard Seddon was a powerful voice and Deputy leader as the Leader of the Coalition Liberal party, forming a Centre-Right Protectionist Government.
In the Senate, however, they were forced to rely on the State Labour members, Labour having not as yet created themselves as a truly Federal Party. The opposition Free Trade Party had much more support in the smaller states, particularly Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.
1895 Australasian Federal Election Results
Party/Seats House of Representatives
Protectionist Party 32
Free Trade Party 27
State Labour Parties 16
Independent 2
Liberal 14
Other 0
Total 91
Protectionist/Liberal 46
Free Trade Party 27
Party/Seats won Senate
Protectionist Party 14
Free Trade Party 18
State Labour Parties 9
Liberal 10
Independents 3
Total 54
A year later came the happy news that Princess Marie Anne was pregnant with her and Prince Christian's first child, what would later become Crown Princess Alice, who would be born as the first Australasian Monarch within Australasia in 1897. Attached is a picture of the Crown Princess in 1907.
In the Senate, however, they were forced to rely on the State Labour members, Labour having not as yet created themselves as a truly Federal Party. The opposition Free Trade Party had much more support in the smaller states, particularly Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.
1895 Australasian Federal Election Results
Party/Seats House of Representatives
Protectionist Party 32
Free Trade Party 27
State Labour Parties 16
Independent 2
Liberal 14
Other 0
Total 91
Protectionist/Liberal 46
Free Trade Party 27
Party/Seats won Senate
Protectionist Party 14
Free Trade Party 18
State Labour Parties 9
Liberal 10
Independents 3
Total 54
A year later came the happy news that Princess Marie Anne was pregnant with her and Prince Christian's first child, what would later become Crown Princess Alice, who would be born as the first Australasian Monarch within Australasia in 1897. Attached is a picture of the Crown Princess in 1907.
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johnboy congratulations on an interesting timeline here. Looking forward to more.
Will we see the fall of Singapore ITTL? If it can be avoided it will drastically affect British decolonisation.
Also, although later in the timeline, I imagine West Papua (or Irian Jaya) can be negotiated to join the Australasian Federation when the Dutch inevitably have to give up the DEI. I think Indonesia or Malaysia joining Australasia would be a stretch too far but West Papua would make a great deal of sense.
Will we see the fall of Singapore ITTL? If it can be avoided it will drastically affect British decolonisation.
Also, although later in the timeline, I imagine West Papua (or Irian Jaya) can be negotiated to join the Australasian Federation when the Dutch inevitably have to give up the DEI. I think Indonesia or Malaysia joining Australasia would be a stretch too far but West Papua would make a great deal of sense.
Well it looks like we may have the name of the future Queen. I will guess that Prince Christian has only daughters. Anyone want to guess who Princess Alice will marry?
I think it is quite possible that West New Guinea will join the Federation. It might be difficult with the language differences.
That picture of the future Residence is quite nice. I will take a guess it is IOTL the house of one of the official Queen representives. It is quite pretty.
I think it is quite possible that West New Guinea will join the Federation. It might be difficult with the language differences.
That picture of the future Residence is quite nice. I will take a guess it is IOTL the house of one of the official Queen representives. It is quite pretty.
Just curious, is the Heir to the Australasian Throne called the
Prince of New South Wales?
Prince of New South Wales?
Hmm, going to guess member of a foreign monarchy, because that was still a thing at the time and it helps narrow the pool of candidates, and someone who will bring some kind of political benefit to the Federation.
The Anglo-Japanese alliance is firmly in place by the time Alice will need a husband, and and securing that alliance with a marriage might be tempting to secure Australasia against any foreign threat. But I think a half Japanese Monarch would go over poorly in what was OTL the white Australia era, and looks like it might still be, albeit lighter and softer. Still we have from Japan Prince Chichibu and Prince Takamatsu, both younger brothers of future Emperor Hirohito.
I considered the Netherlands but it seems that their royal princes suffered a rather sudden onset of death.
Russia is a possibility, but unlikely given that there's still lingering resentment from the great game with Britain, and to attack Australasia it has to go through Britain and Japan.
Portugal is already tied to the royal family, even if they didn't lose their county in 1910.
This leaves Germany, which is a growing colonial power, with pacific possessions, and later a growing naval power. And this is a cadet branch of the house of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha so maybe young Alice will seek her man among the many princes of Germany, a grand family tradition until that silly thing in the Balkans spoiled it.
I vote a German.
In 1895 the new Parliament quickly moved to restrict immigration to maintain Australasia's "European character", and the and the Immigration Restriction Bill was passed shortly before parliament rose for its first Christmas recess. Nevertheless, the Colonial Secretary in Britain made it clear that a race based immigration policy would run "contrary to the general conceptions of equality which have ever been the guiding principle of British rule throughout the Empire", so the Barton government conceived of the "language dictation test", which would allow the government, at the discretion of the minister, to block unwanted migrants by forcing them to sit a test in "any European language". Race had already been established as a premise for exclusion among the colonial parliaments, so the main question for debate was who exactly the new Commonwealth ought to exclude, with the Labor Party rejecting Britain's calls to placate the populations of its non-white colonies and allow "aboriginal natives of Asia, Africa, or the islands thereof". Immigration from the "South Pacific Islands", which did not include Papua New Guinea was not restricted, however, and current residents could automatically bring close family members out to immigrate. These restrictions would stay in place until relaxed by the events of 1941, with the "dictation test" itself being finally abolished in 1947.
In 1896, an historic law granting women's suffrage throughout the Commonwealth was enacted. Prior to Federation, women had already gained these rights in South Australia, New Zealand and Western Australia only.
Barton's Government secured support for an expanded British naval squadron at Sydney which would assist with training a local force and lobbied for preferential treatment for Australasian trade within the British Empire. A bill to create a separate Australasian Army was passed in 1895, effective 1.1.1896. A bill to create a separate Australian navy was drawn up, but this would not become law until 1.1.1906, as it requiring much training, recruiting and provision of facilities for such an entity to be created.
The Barton government received congratulations from the Pope on the tolerance shown to Catholics within Australasia, and Barton in return offered assurances that this would continue, with the support of Princess Marie Anne. This raised some protests from Protestants,but these were quelled to some extent by the announcements that the Royal children would be brought up as Protestants.
One of the most important issues dealt with by the new parliament was the establishment of a High Court. The Judiciary Act 1897, enacted in August, established the High Court of Australasia with five judges. On 21 November 1897, Barton resigned as Prime Minister, to accept appointment to the new Court. Richard Seddon became Australasia's second prime minister.
In 1896, an historic law granting women's suffrage throughout the Commonwealth was enacted. Prior to Federation, women had already gained these rights in South Australia, New Zealand and Western Australia only.
Barton's Government secured support for an expanded British naval squadron at Sydney which would assist with training a local force and lobbied for preferential treatment for Australasian trade within the British Empire. A bill to create a separate Australasian Army was passed in 1895, effective 1.1.1896. A bill to create a separate Australian navy was drawn up, but this would not become law until 1.1.1906, as it requiring much training, recruiting and provision of facilities for such an entity to be created.
The Barton government received congratulations from the Pope on the tolerance shown to Catholics within Australasia, and Barton in return offered assurances that this would continue, with the support of Princess Marie Anne. This raised some protests from Protestants,but these were quelled to some extent by the announcements that the Royal children would be brought up as Protestants.
One of the most important issues dealt with by the new parliament was the establishment of a High Court. The Judiciary Act 1897, enacted in August, established the High Court of Australasia with five judges. On 21 November 1897, Barton resigned as Prime Minister, to accept appointment to the new Court. Richard Seddon became Australasia's second prime minister.
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Nice update on the history of the Federation. The language test seems akin to the literacy tests of the US South. Glad to see that they disapear later. Good to also see that women get the vote earlier than the US and the UK. The more freedom of religion for the Royal Family is a good step. Even if ice is raised as a Protestant does not mean she has to remain one. As for a possible future husband it would be a nice break if she married outside of another Royal Family. Too early to pick a non white, but why not a Federation boy from a wealthy family. Local boy makes good and all that.
1897 also brought the first part of the Australasian Government's overseas adventures.
Firstly the Cook Islands, already a British Protectorate, being annexed by Australasia as an "Incorporated Territory" and the the Solomon Island likewise later the same year, both actions being ratified by the Barton Government with the consent of the British Government.
These were the first overseas acquisition aside from the Queensland governments earlier 1883 annexation of Papua as a colony, which was now a colony of Australasia. Certain administrative changes were made to the boundaries of Papua at the same time, with the islands Woodlark, Sudest and Rossel being placed directly under the administration of Queensland.
Firstly the Cook Islands, already a British Protectorate, being annexed by Australasia as an "Incorporated Territory" and the the Solomon Island likewise later the same year, both actions being ratified by the Barton Government with the consent of the British Government.
These were the first overseas acquisition aside from the Queensland governments earlier 1883 annexation of Papua as a colony, which was now a colony of Australasia. Certain administrative changes were made to the boundaries of Papua at the same time, with the islands Woodlark, Sudest and Rossel being placed directly under the administration of Queensland.
Pangur
Donor
Another few random thoughts
If Australasia included NZ, Fuji and what have you from the get go then a large enough navy is surely a given and if she is picking up a few colonies along the way so would be a marine corps.
What is still runnning around my head and I not sure what it would mean is that how would this Australasia be seen by Japan?
and for a slightly crazy idea; in the run up to ww2 assuming that Nazi Germnay is the same as OTL then perhaps have Aussie have a open door policy for German Jews? Get in early and they just might get Einstein
If Australasia included NZ, Fuji and what have you from the get go then a large enough navy is surely a given and if she is picking up a few colonies along the way so would be a marine corps.
What is still runnning around my head and I not sure what it would mean is that how would this Australasia be seen by Japan?
and for a slightly crazy idea; in the run up to ww2 assuming that Nazi Germnay is the same as OTL then perhaps have Aussie have a open door policy for German Jews? Get in early and they just might get Einstein
Another few random thoughts
If Australasia included NZ, Fuji and what have you from the get go then a large enough navy is surely a given and if she is picking up a few colonies along the way so would be a marine corps.
What is still runnning around my head and I not sure what it would mean is that how would this Australasia be seen by Japan?
and for a slightly crazy idea; in the run up to ww2 assuming that Nazi Germnay is the same as OTL then perhaps have Aussie have a open door policy for German Jews? Get in early and they just might get Einstein
Racist as it sounds, I will wonder if the Federation underlingsvwill consider Jews as Europeans for an easy entry. If they do then quite a few may be saved.
As for Japan, once the Anglo-Japanese treaty lapses they may consider the Federation as compitition for their resources. If Japan is like OTL then the IJN may be striking more of the Federation bases and ships.
Post World war 1 Jewish immigration to Australasia will be easy. Camillo Castiglioni's immigration providing such a good example of the benefits.
Ok, well than we might see a larger Jewish population among the Federation states. If they can escape with more of their wealth and possessions, all the better. Most likely any immigrants will be city dwellers, so which city do you think would be best for a Jewish Quarter?
0112 13 June 1940
Defense Minister Peter Fraser again sat in his office in the wee small hours of the morning. Now the fat was in the fire. Italy had declared war on France and Britain and Australasia had duly replied on the following day, 11 June 1940. France had clearly gone, Paris had been declared an open city and it seemed little could currently stop the remorseless German advance. 1st Corps was now in Egypt and 3rd Division had departed for Palestine 19 days ago. 4th Division was almost fully formed and would follow along in time. The creation of two further divisions of the ROAIF had been been approved only yesterday, namely 5th Division and 1st Armoured Division. On the home front, the government had legislated to clarify the conditions upon which militia may serve overseas, clearly stating that they could be used within Australasia's colonies, protectorates and territories as well as States. Five Militia Divisions so far existed "on paper", , the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th, but were all short of equipment, supplies and manpower, being drained to feed the ROAIF.
The navy already had a light carrier, two light cruisers and six destroyers in the Mediterranean. Another light carrier and two more heavy cruisers, along with three destroyers were escorting 3rd Division to Palestine. Success had already been obtained, the Italian liner Reno 9,700 tons being captured at Fremantle whilst lying at the port. Her sister ship Romolo had sailed from Brisbane and the hunt was on for her. The biggest prize was the 18,700 ton liner Conte Verde, captured by HMAS Melbourne and escorts on her way to Singapore. She had on board almost 2000 Germana and Austrian refugee Jews. The ship and the passengers would come back to Australasia. The navy had already expressed an interest in converting her to a carrier along the lines of the Australasia. The RAN had commissioned three Bathurst Class corvettes, eight minesweepers, three armed merchant cruisers, two hospital ships, one destroyer, one monitor and a submarine since 1st September last year.
The air force had one squadron of Sunderlands based in the UK, plus three of Hurricanes and one of Spitfires, all located in South West England. Two squadrons of Wellingtons, two of Ansons and two of He 112's were in Egypt. The first He 111 had been delivered a month ago. The CAC Boomerang was now in production with the first deliveries of an order of 105 due at the end of the month. Finally, the He 100 had two more comparative prototypes ready. When testing was finished early July, it was hoped to place an order and start serial production from Hencalls Point Cook factory in September. Numbers would be limited as production of the Merlin was still in it's infancy and a suitable location for a factory to produce in volume would have to be found and a workforce trained and recruited.
Defense Minister Peter Fraser again sat in his office in the wee small hours of the morning. Now the fat was in the fire. Italy had declared war on France and Britain and Australasia had duly replied on the following day, 11 June 1940. France had clearly gone, Paris had been declared an open city and it seemed little could currently stop the remorseless German advance. 1st Corps was now in Egypt and 3rd Division had departed for Palestine 19 days ago. 4th Division was almost fully formed and would follow along in time. The creation of two further divisions of the ROAIF had been been approved only yesterday, namely 5th Division and 1st Armoured Division. On the home front, the government had legislated to clarify the conditions upon which militia may serve overseas, clearly stating that they could be used within Australasia's colonies, protectorates and territories as well as States. Five Militia Divisions so far existed "on paper", , the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th, but were all short of equipment, supplies and manpower, being drained to feed the ROAIF.
The navy already had a light carrier, two light cruisers and six destroyers in the Mediterranean. Another light carrier and two more heavy cruisers, along with three destroyers were escorting 3rd Division to Palestine. Success had already been obtained, the Italian liner Reno 9,700 tons being captured at Fremantle whilst lying at the port. Her sister ship Romolo had sailed from Brisbane and the hunt was on for her. The biggest prize was the 18,700 ton liner Conte Verde, captured by HMAS Melbourne and escorts on her way to Singapore. She had on board almost 2000 Germana and Austrian refugee Jews. The ship and the passengers would come back to Australasia. The navy had already expressed an interest in converting her to a carrier along the lines of the Australasia. The RAN had commissioned three Bathurst Class corvettes, eight minesweepers, three armed merchant cruisers, two hospital ships, one destroyer, one monitor and a submarine since 1st September last year.
The air force had one squadron of Sunderlands based in the UK, plus three of Hurricanes and one of Spitfires, all located in South West England. Two squadrons of Wellingtons, two of Ansons and two of He 112's were in Egypt. The first He 111 had been delivered a month ago. The CAC Boomerang was now in production with the first deliveries of an order of 105 due at the end of the month. Finally, the He 100 had two more comparative prototypes ready. When testing was finished early July, it was hoped to place an order and start serial production from Hencalls Point Cook factory in September. Numbers would be limited as production of the Merlin was still in it's infancy and a suitable location for a factory to produce in volume would have to be found and a workforce trained and recruited.
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Well things have gotten a little worse for the Empire and the Federation. With two major enemies in Europe as well as a future third closer to home, the Federation will be pressed to engage its enemies. Hopefully with the Federation Corps to attack the Italians in East Africa and Egypt, and the Navy with its carriers going after German and Italian ships, subs, and raiders. Hopefully they will get the enemy before they get them.
I am drawing a blank. What does ROAIF stand for? I figure Australasian Imperial Force in part, but not sure of the rest.
I am drawing a blank. What does ROAIF stand for? I figure Australasian Imperial Force in part, but not sure of the rest.