Germany emerges victorious from the First World War, as they develop tanks and tank warfare prior to the British invention of the Mark I. The German invention of the tank prompts earlier US intervention, in 1916. The Russians, unable to defend themselves against the advancing mechanized hordes, collapse into revolution earlier than the Russian Revolution OTL. The war, however, still doesn't end until 1918 as the United States is able to prolong the Entente war effort. At the end of the war, the terms of the Treaty of Versailles are imposed on all the Entente powers, with France accepting war guilt. The tremendous reparations imposed on the fledgling world-power United States result in an increasingly isolationist nation, vowing never to intervene over seas again and almost completely severing trade relations with Europe. Resulting economic collapses occur in the early 1920s and progress throughout the 1930s, exacerbated by the dust bowl. A group of revolutionaries turn towards the Soviet Union for help, and overthrow the resource-starved US government. In what amounts to a Maoist revolution, the nation becomes a communist authoritarian regime and opens trade relations with the Soviet Union. As agriculture is collectivized in an attempt to counteract the effects of the drought, the US economy booms, supplied by the Soviets and expanding rapidly from its twenty years of collapse. This rapid expansion continues throughout the second half of the 20th century, as the government continuously sponsors massive infrastructure projects and finances wars in the Middle East to try to spread the Red Revolutions. The United States expands, conquering the southern half of Canada in conjunction with the Soviet Union, which takes control of the northern half, as well as seizing some territory in the Middle East from its wars there. By the late 20th century, however, Western Europe has united, putting aside old differences for the preservation of capitalism. The newly formed European Union begins intervening in the US/USSR wars, and, as a result of technological advances in Germany, are vastly stronger than the US/USSR alliance. Failing invasions throughout the globe and rapid efforts by the US government to save itself by withdrawing almost all overseas troops leave the once-prosperous economy in shambles. US citizens blame it on returning soldiers not pulling their weight and expecting to be taken care of by the Communist party. In order to appease the increasingly angry masses, the government establishes a social credit system, ensuring that all citizens pull their weight and don't engage in un-American, anti-Communist, or otherwise offensive activities and ensuring that everybody is rewarded and punished according to their societal contribution. While soldiers and those that remember an America dictated by free will, and those that are able to see through this simple ploy to strengthen government holds on the masses, are angered by this proposal, the majority of the nation views it as a natural and essential step in regaining the previous prosperity of the nation.