AHC: Make Ireland a heavily militarized country
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theirishdreamer
Banned
impossible
Irish politics has not real left wing politics, were a solidly conservative catholic nation from 1930 - 1990. You need Communism to be forced upon us for any scenario like that. And that involves the Cold War having all of Europe, especially Britain as Communist.
NATO is maybe doable (if very hard) but after 1945 the Irish voting politic became extreme pacifists focused on neutrality.
Irish politics has not real left wing politics, were a solidly conservative catholic nation from 1930 - 1990. You need Communism to be forced upon us for any scenario like that. And that involves the Cold War having all of Europe, especially Britain as Communist.
NATO is maybe doable (if very hard) but after 1945 the Irish voting politic became extreme pacifists focused on neutrality.
Agreed with that, Irish politics still doesn't even have a real right-left split in my view, certainly not one that other nations would see. In terms of NATO, perhaps the suggestion that Dev floated with having an agreement with the US outside of NATO (though that runs into the NI question again).
I'm still of the opinion that either you create the situation where from the start of the Free State a larger military is required, or that something draws Ireland into WW2 early and develops from there.
theirishdreamer
Banned
the
The 20's or early 30's is your best bet, its before alot of the current polices set in place and we still had access to trained cadres from the Civil War or War of Independence.
Maybe is the War of Independence had ended differently, or through some sort of Home Rule earlier in the period is your best bet.
Or if Britain falls into Civil War around the time of the General Strike.
The only reason we'd need an army is due to a hostile neighbor and OTL Britain is just too strong in the 30's for a big army to make a difference.
The 20's or early 30's is your best bet, its before alot of the current polices set in place and we still had access to trained cadres from the Civil War or War of Independence.
Maybe is the War of Independence had ended differently, or through some sort of Home Rule earlier in the period is your best bet.
Or if Britain falls into Civil War around the time of the General Strike.
The only reason we'd need an army is due to a hostile neighbor and OTL Britain is just too strong in the 30's for a big army to make a difference.
Army yes, the Navy/Air Force has other options, the Free State and the UK went back and forth over a naval force in 27 for example, with some recognition by the Free State that in the event of European war the RN would have other deployments. Even if you went for the conservative RN suggestion you massively/vastly expand the Irish Navy through the 30's and 40's with the possibility of engagements in WW2.
In terms of the Air Force again some more incidents like the bombings or the attacks on shipping "might" get them more support, perhaps some actual interceptions would give them some more public support.
theirishdreamer
Banned
or
A POD could be the British threat to attack the anti-Treaty forces in the Four Courts, OTL we came damn close to this happening. The British Government panicked and wanted it but the Army talked them out of it.
Given the fact the IRA had effectively restocked during the Truce period an resumption of hostilities will drag on and exacerbate the situation in Britain in 1923/23/25. Especially if Collins assassination plans went ahead.
The end result could be a British civil war and militarized Free State wary of British underhandedness. All you ned is more conservative British government in that period to push the entirity of Britain into chaos.
A POD could be the British threat to attack the anti-Treaty forces in the Four Courts, OTL we came damn close to this happening. The British Government panicked and wanted it but the Army talked them out of it.
Given the fact the IRA had effectively restocked during the Truce period an resumption of hostilities will drag on and exacerbate the situation in Britain in 1923/23/25. Especially if Collins assassination plans went ahead.
The end result could be a British civil war and militarized Free State wary of British underhandedness. All you ned is more conservative British government in that period to push the entirity of Britain into chaos.
WILDGEESE
Gone Fishin'
The best way to do this is to base this assumption on the size of the Swedish armed forces, Army which had conscription, Airforce and Navy.
For example, the Royal Swedish Airforce had 400 combat aircraft at the height of the Cold War.
Then divide their population by Ireland's then you've got a rough estimation of the size of Eire's armed forces every year from 1920 to the present.
WWW.POPULSTAT is a good website for populations of countries per year.
or you can just base it on the Israeli Armed Forces with has mandatory conscription for men/women over the age of 18.
Population in 1990 R.O.I 3.5 million
ISRAEL 2.5 million (actual Jewish population)
then whatever Israel has in it's inventory, Tanks, Warplanes, Surface vessels, just times the total by 40%.
I hope this has been helpful.
For example, the Royal Swedish Airforce had 400 combat aircraft at the height of the Cold War.
Then divide their population by Ireland's then you've got a rough estimation of the size of Eire's armed forces every year from 1920 to the present.
WWW.POPULSTAT is a good website for populations of countries per year.
or you can just base it on the Israeli Armed Forces with has mandatory conscription for men/women over the age of 18.
Population in 1990 R.O.I 3.5 million
ISRAEL 2.5 million (actual Jewish population)
then whatever Israel has in it's inventory, Tanks, Warplanes, Surface vessels, just times the total by 40%.
I hope this has been helpful.
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