President Valenti, Part 2
US President Al Valenti had won what he considered a mandate. After his reelection, congress passed a bill to enact universal healthcare. But what he really wanted to do was to join Russia in its war against Japan. He was just waiting for the right time to push for a declaration of war. The Russian invasion and occupation of Lithuania hurt Russia’s cause in America. This was despite the fact that the Lithuanian government was not popular and many Lithuanians cheered the Russian soldiers as liberators. Facts didn’t matter if they got in the way of the narrative, and neither side was interested in the truth unless it furthered their agenda. Most Americans were unwilling to go to war with Germany or Austria-Hungary, only war with Japan was really on the table. Meanwhile, newly elected GOP congresswoman Ann Alexander from Oregon was rallying opposition to Valenti’s domestic agenda. She wanted massive cuts to federal spending as well as massive tax cuts. She emphasized individual liberty. Her views were not in the mainstream, but were gaining support among right-wing college students as an alternative to far-left movements that were gaining ground on college campuses.
-Excerpt from The Guide to the Executive Mansion, an in Depth Look at America's Presidents by Benjamin Buckley, Harvard Press, 1999.
(Congresswoman Ann Alexander, R-OR)
In June, the heavily outnumbered Russian and Mongolian troops in Urga surrendered to the Japanese. Japan did not invade Mongolia to conquer it, but instead to restore the previous government, which had ruled over the country until the Russian invasion in 1963. From Mongolia, Japan could now launch raids into Siberia and Central Asia. Around this time, the fate of the Russians who surrendered to the Japanese was made known. They were being used as forced laborers. It was a practice that reminded many of Adolphe Cartier, a man who was almost universally regarded as evil over 20 years after his death. During the Second Great War, thousands of German and Portuguese prisoners of war died while working in conditions that resembled slavery. In addition, a citizen of New Zealand was executed for allegedly trying to stir up unrest in Korea. Japan was increasingly unpopular in the West, especially in the English-speaking world.
While America had not declared war on Japan, it was working against Japan’s remaining influence in the Americas. Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina were countries of concern. It was determined that no action would be taken against Colombia. Colombia was a stronger ally of Germany than Japan, and was also friendly towards the US and UK. Argentina was a wildcard. It had been the residence of Leon Trotsky and an ally of France during the Second Great War. However, once it became obvious that Argentina had picked the wrong side, a group of officers led by Juan Peron staged a coup and Argentina left the war in 1939. Trotsky was placed under house arrest until his death in 1952. Ever since, it has been a largely isolated state, and has raised the ire of European powers for its support of African revolutionaries. The Brazilian government was actively pro-Japanese. America was concerned of the possibility of Brazil and Argentina forming a pro-Japanese bloc in South America.
Fortunately for US intelligence, there were those in the Brazilian military and government who did not agree with the direction Afonso Coelho was taking the country. Coelho was deposed in a coup on July 11, 1965. General Castelo Branco took office. Coelho was killed on the 13th while supposedly trying to escape from custody. Meanwhile, elements of the Brazilian Army that supported Coelho rose up against Branco at Sao Paolo. Brazil descended into Civil War. Much of Southern Brazil slipped out of the control of the Brazilian government. However, pro-government forces consistently held the upper hand. They were also supported by the US. The anti-coup forces would fight on for over a year, but they were ultimately defeated. At the same time Al Valenti met with Australian PM Robert Menzies and PM Walter Nash of New Zealand. They discussed the possibility of war against Japan. There was support Britain was unwilling to join the war, as it was dealing with colonial troubles. Australia and New Zealand couldn’t enter the war on their own and thus America would need to lead the way. Valenti was preparing for the inevitable showdown in congress.
-Excerpt from The Guide to the Executive Mansion, an in Depth Look at America's Presidents by Benjamin Buckley, Harvard Press, 1999.
(Congresswoman Ann Alexander, R-OR)
In June, the heavily outnumbered Russian and Mongolian troops in Urga surrendered to the Japanese. Japan did not invade Mongolia to conquer it, but instead to restore the previous government, which had ruled over the country until the Russian invasion in 1963. From Mongolia, Japan could now launch raids into Siberia and Central Asia. Around this time, the fate of the Russians who surrendered to the Japanese was made known. They were being used as forced laborers. It was a practice that reminded many of Adolphe Cartier, a man who was almost universally regarded as evil over 20 years after his death. During the Second Great War, thousands of German and Portuguese prisoners of war died while working in conditions that resembled slavery. In addition, a citizen of New Zealand was executed for allegedly trying to stir up unrest in Korea. Japan was increasingly unpopular in the West, especially in the English-speaking world.
While America had not declared war on Japan, it was working against Japan’s remaining influence in the Americas. Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina were countries of concern. It was determined that no action would be taken against Colombia. Colombia was a stronger ally of Germany than Japan, and was also friendly towards the US and UK. Argentina was a wildcard. It had been the residence of Leon Trotsky and an ally of France during the Second Great War. However, once it became obvious that Argentina had picked the wrong side, a group of officers led by Juan Peron staged a coup and Argentina left the war in 1939. Trotsky was placed under house arrest until his death in 1952. Ever since, it has been a largely isolated state, and has raised the ire of European powers for its support of African revolutionaries. The Brazilian government was actively pro-Japanese. America was concerned of the possibility of Brazil and Argentina forming a pro-Japanese bloc in South America.
Fortunately for US intelligence, there were those in the Brazilian military and government who did not agree with the direction Afonso Coelho was taking the country. Coelho was deposed in a coup on July 11, 1965. General Castelo Branco took office. Coelho was killed on the 13th while supposedly trying to escape from custody. Meanwhile, elements of the Brazilian Army that supported Coelho rose up against Branco at Sao Paolo. Brazil descended into Civil War. Much of Southern Brazil slipped out of the control of the Brazilian government. However, pro-government forces consistently held the upper hand. They were also supported by the US. The anti-coup forces would fight on for over a year, but they were ultimately defeated. At the same time Al Valenti met with Australian PM Robert Menzies and PM Walter Nash of New Zealand. They discussed the possibility of war against Japan. There was support Britain was unwilling to join the war, as it was dealing with colonial troubles. Australia and New Zealand couldn’t enter the war on their own and thus America would need to lead the way. Valenti was preparing for the inevitable showdown in congress.