America Emerges as a Great Power

1936 The Smith Administration was now slowly drawing to a close. The President had with held supporting Franklin drive to win the win the Democrat nomination for President. The various state conventions had been bloody affairs as Franklin s forces had fought to gain the delegates that it needed. On the other hand Al Landon had far smoother sailing in gaining the Republican nomination.
Presient Smith left with his Party for Guam where he would embark in the USS New York for the Philippines. The President was to be in Manila
to celebrate the granting of independence to that nation. It would go from being the Commonwealth to the Republic in one day. All executive powers would be turned over to the President of the Philippines
The US would retain bases in the Republic but it would slowly reduce it forces in the islands as the Republics military stood up to its responsibility.
 
President Smith left the Philippines pleased that he had accomplished his goal of granting that nation full independence. General MacArthur was clear that the country would still need a lot of American help. The New Republic's army had made progress but one can not build an establishment over night..
The President was en-roue to Guam where he would catch a flight to Hawaii and then would meet with the Hawaiian Monarch and then return home to Washington.
 
The President and his former Secretary of the Navy had had a falling out over both domestic and foreign policy issues. The result of this was FDR now was finding that his grip on the party's nomination was not as secure as it once was. Opponents to FDR turned to the President for an endorsement. Meanwhile the Republicans were rallying around Governor Al Landon of Kansas and he secured his party's nomination.

The democrat convention was a slug fast between FDR and the opponents. FDR was able to secure the nomination but his party was bitterly divided. President Smith campaigned for some Democrat governors and Congressional candidates but it was clear to the public that the President was against his party's candidate for President.

The result was that in the fall Governor Landon was able to win the election. The Republicans would be returning to the White House in 1937. The President Elect met with Secretary of State Hoover and asked him to remain in the post in the new administration.
 
FDR was shocked that he was unable to win the election. It was believed that part of the reason for his failure was the fact that President Smith and he had had a falling out. The result was a divided Democrat Party.
The President Elect traveled to Washington , where he planned to met with the Republican leadership in Congress and als a Meeting with President Smith was in his Schedule.
The President Elect Met with President Smith in the White House. Joining them was the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War. The President wanted to discuss foreign Policy and the problems that the new President would face upon taking office. He was glad that Secretary Hoover would be staying on as Secretary of State.
 
The incoming President had the advantage of having his party in control of both houses of the Congress. President Smith barely had control of the Senate for the second term.
Japan was happy that FDR had lost the Presidential race as they had felt that he was very much anti-Japanese.
The Republic of China was very pleased that Herbert Hoover was still going to be Secretary of State as they knew how to deal with him and that they coul trust his word. The Japanese were also reassured for while they felt that Hoover was favoring China he would always deal fairly with them.
 
The President Elect submitted his cabinet to the outgoing Senate for approval. President Smith called upon the Democrat members of the Senate to approve the new Presidents choices. Privately he pointed out that the new Senates Republican Majority would do it and all the delay would do would be to cause problems.

Secretary of State Hoover pointed out that there was a rising problem with the rise of Fascism in both the Russian Empire and France
 
The death of Napoleon IV in France gave the Fascist just the opening that they wanted. There was a march on Paris and a demand that the leader of the French Right be named as Premier of France. With all of the confusion taking place the Fascist grabbed the power and proceeded to make changes to ensure that they would not lose it.
The French Police began a crack down on the Socialist parties of France. Attempted strikes were broken as the strikes were drafted. Those that refused to obey were shot.
In North Africa the French Colonial Army occupied the rest of Tunisia.
The Italian troops that were there were hopelessly out numbered they were disarmed and marched south across the border into Libya.
 
American Diplomatic Missions in France were reporting what was happening as the Fascist seized power in France. France was not the only country that reported Political upheaval. In Russia the Far Rightist Parties moved to take control of the Government but Czar Michael was able to resist their attempts to take total power. He had for the moment been able to checkmate them.
In the Austrian Empire Emperor Franz Ferdinand passed away after a serious illness. He was succeeded by Archduke Karl. Karl had barely survived a similar infection and it was expected that his son Otto would take on a lot of the burden of state.
 
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