Not well. Like burning effigies of the President on the street not well.
Blue Skies in Camelot: An Alternate 60's and Beyond
- Thread starter President_Lincoln
- Start date
Quick Snapshot of Mainland Europe - 1977
Thank you all for the kind words! 
I'm thrilled, as always that you enjoyed the latest update.
It was too good not to, @Worffan101! Thank you again for your contribution. I'll be sure to keep you all updated on Senator Murphy's comings and goings in the Upper Chamber. As Worffan alluded to, the Senator, given his popularity, likely won't have too much trouble getting reelected when the time comes for it. Methinks he can expect a long and hopefully fruitful career in the Senate.
This is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing, @Enigma-Conundrum !
Great ideas! My research on IRL Alternative Energy projects in Alaska has revealed that wind turbines, solar farms (only in use in the summers, of course), and especially hydroelectric power are all viable options for the "Last Frontier". As time progresses in Blue Skies, expect President Udall's green energy initiatives to start working their way through the country, even eventually to mighty Alaska.
As @President Earl Warren pointed out, the Alaskan public is none too pleased about the success of President Udall's bill. Even with a large amount of public support across the Lower 48 (around 65 - 70%), only 11% of Americans in Alaska supported preserving the Federal Land as Udall eventually did. This, as stated in the chapter, is largely due to Alaskans desiring more immigrants, jobs/economic development, and spending in the local economy to fund infrastructure and other projects. While this act has certainly drained whatever goodwill the President had in Alaska, politically, Alaska has always been a staunchly conservative/libertarian state to begin with. That is not different ITTL. So far, Alaska has backed the GOP ticket in every race covered ITTL.
1964 - One of the few states to back Governor Rockefeller over President Kennedy.
1968 - Voted for Governor George Romney.
1972 - Voted for President Bush.
1976 - Voted once again for President Bush.
President Udall advocated for the Alaska Land Use Act despite it not being popular in Alaska, because he felt it was the right thing to do. Other Democrats (including Chief of Staff Stew Udall), were also willing to back it because they weren't too concerned about their popularity in an already conservative state. Will this strategy pay off in the long run? Only time will tell. Of course, in the short term, expect both Alaskan Senate seats, as well as its sole House seat to stay "True Blue" Republican.
Running the risk of sounding sarcastic - lots! Here are some major events from Mainland Europe (up to and including 1977) that I haven't included in an update as of yet:
Incumbent President: Francois Mitterrand (Parti Socialiste )
France in 1977 stands at the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. The "Trente Glorieuses" ("Glorious Thirty"), a period of near miraculous economic growth and relative prosperity brought on by the end of the Second World War and U.S. aid from the Marshall Plan has come to a close. While economic prosperity and average living standards have remained high under the left-wing government of President Mitterrand (the first Socialist to be elected President of the Fifth Republic), GDP growth has cooled to a more modest 2-3% annually. Most economists blame this on the after effects of the 1973 oil shock and unrest in the Middle East, though conservative elements in France are quick to blame Mitterrand and his Socialists as they gear up for the 1981 Presidential election. In general, "the Hexagon" maintains its strength and position in Western Europe, as well as its leadership role within the burgeoning European Economic Community (EEC). Speaking of which, here are the EEC's members, as of 1977:
Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom
Another important event:
June 27th, 1977 - Djibouti achieves its independence from France, continuing the international trend of decolonization.
Incumbent Chancellor: Helmut Schmidt (SPD, in coalition with FDP)
Like its neighbor, France, West Germany is currently working to combat the economic malaise of the 1970's. Following revelations that one of his personal aides was, in fact, an East Germany Communist spy, the exhausted Willy Brandt resigned his position in 1974, leaving his Finance Minister, Schmidt, to take over the ship of state, as the new head of an uneasy coalition between his own centre-left SPD and the classically liberal FDP. Since taking power, Schmidt has worked to slowly reform German society, while taking a hard line to cut public spending and impose austerity measures. This has led to clashes with the left wing of his own party, but Schmidt (a former Defence Minister), has earned international respect for his shrewd diplomacy, especially his efforts to strengthen ties with Mitterrand's France. By 1977, West Germany is considered one of the leading nations of Western Europe, and a leader of the EEC as well. Schmidt has also earned high marks from economists, who marvel at his country's ability to "weather the storm" and emerge from the Great Recession with relatively low levels of both inflation and unemployment. German productivity has, it seems, come to save the day again.
The late 1960's and 1970's were not happy times for the nation of Italy. Often called "anni di piombo" ("Years of Lead") by common people and historians alike, these twelve or so years were marked by political instability, violence in the streets, and rampant intimidation and even assassinations. Bombings, murders, and riots plagued the streets as government after government was elected and subsequently failed to solve the rampant infighting. Finally in May of 1978, Prime Minister Aldo Moro of the Christian Democrats, a famed reformer and figure of great reverence within the country, managed to put a stop to the violence when he achieved what he called the "historic compromise". This compromise, at its core, involved the creation of a coalition between the centre-right Christian Democrats and the Communist Party of Italy, which Moro understood was more nationalist than the "red brigades" causing violence in the streets. The Italian Communist party practiced "neocommunism" or "eurocommunism", a more democratic form of the ideology which absolutely opposed influence from Moscow. Moro's compromise was not easy. He survived an assassination attempt by the Red Guards as he attempted to form the coalition and before that fended off whispers of a Military Coup attempt. (Note: The CIA officer on the ground at the time - 1973 - asked then-President Bush if he would support a military coup. The President responded that he would "support any government in Italy that effectively kept the communist party from power", a clear violation of the Kennedy Doctrine. But the President felt that Italy, a Western European nation, was too critical a location to "fall" to communism.) Despite the bloodshed, Italy under Prime Ministers like Moro has experienced leaps and bounds of social and economic progress. Regional governments were introduced in 1970 to address local/regional concerns when the national government was preoccupied. These new governments were given autonomy and authority to legislate in areas such as public works, town planning, social welfare, transportation, and others. National spending on the relatively poor, agrarian south of the country increased dramatically - leading to development and a much higher standard of living there. By 1977, Italy had the most generous welfare provisions in Europe. Simultaneously, Italian workers were, on average among the best paid, most protected, and best treated on the continent.
Do you have questions about other countries in Europe I can answer? If so, I would be happy to.
I'm thrilled, as always that you enjoyed the latest update. I'm honestly just surprised and thrilled that my little bit got canonized!
It was too good not to, @Worffan101! Thank you again for your contribution. I'll be sure to keep you all updated on Senator Murphy's comings and goings in the Upper Chamber. As Worffan alluded to, the Senator, given his popularity, likely won't have too much trouble getting reelected when the time comes for it. Methinks he can expect a long and hopefully fruitful career in the Senate.
Roast of Representative Mo Udall
Guests roasted Representative Mo Udall for his 61st birthday. During the dinner, viewer calls are taken.www.c-span.org
Yes, this is real. It's magnificent.
This is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing, @Enigma-Conundrum !
Great ideas! My research on IRL Alternative Energy projects in Alaska has revealed that wind turbines, solar farms (only in use in the summers, of course), and especially hydroelectric power are all viable options for the "Last Frontier". As time progresses in Blue Skies, expect President Udall's green energy initiatives to start working their way through the country, even eventually to mighty Alaska.
As @President Earl Warren pointed out, the Alaskan public is none too pleased about the success of President Udall's bill. Even with a large amount of public support across the Lower 48 (around 65 - 70%), only 11% of Americans in Alaska supported preserving the Federal Land as Udall eventually did. This, as stated in the chapter, is largely due to Alaskans desiring more immigrants, jobs/economic development, and spending in the local economy to fund infrastructure and other projects. While this act has certainly drained whatever goodwill the President had in Alaska, politically, Alaska has always been a staunchly conservative/libertarian state to begin with. That is not different ITTL. So far, Alaska has backed the GOP ticket in every race covered ITTL.
1964 - One of the few states to back Governor Rockefeller over President Kennedy.
1968 - Voted for Governor George Romney.
1972 - Voted for President Bush.
1976 - Voted once again for President Bush.
President Udall advocated for the Alaska Land Use Act despite it not being popular in Alaska, because he felt it was the right thing to do. Other Democrats (including Chief of Staff Stew Udall), were also willing to back it because they weren't too concerned about their popularity in an already conservative state. Will this strategy pay off in the long run? Only time will tell. Of course, in the short term, expect both Alaskan Senate seats, as well as its sole House seat to stay "True Blue" Republican.
Running the risk of sounding sarcastic - lots! Here are some major events from Mainland Europe (up to and including 1977) that I haven't included in an update as of yet:
France
Incumbent President: Francois Mitterrand (Parti Socialiste )
France in 1977 stands at the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. The "Trente Glorieuses" ("Glorious Thirty"), a period of near miraculous economic growth and relative prosperity brought on by the end of the Second World War and U.S. aid from the Marshall Plan has come to a close. While economic prosperity and average living standards have remained high under the left-wing government of President Mitterrand (the first Socialist to be elected President of the Fifth Republic), GDP growth has cooled to a more modest 2-3% annually. Most economists blame this on the after effects of the 1973 oil shock and unrest in the Middle East, though conservative elements in France are quick to blame Mitterrand and his Socialists as they gear up for the 1981 Presidential election. In general, "the Hexagon" maintains its strength and position in Western Europe, as well as its leadership role within the burgeoning European Economic Community (EEC). Speaking of which, here are the EEC's members, as of 1977:
Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom
Another important event:
June 27th, 1977 - Djibouti achieves its independence from France, continuing the international trend of decolonization.
West Germany
Incumbent Chancellor: Helmut Schmidt (SPD, in coalition with FDP)
Like its neighbor, France, West Germany is currently working to combat the economic malaise of the 1970's. Following revelations that one of his personal aides was, in fact, an East Germany Communist spy, the exhausted Willy Brandt resigned his position in 1974, leaving his Finance Minister, Schmidt, to take over the ship of state, as the new head of an uneasy coalition between his own centre-left SPD and the classically liberal FDP. Since taking power, Schmidt has worked to slowly reform German society, while taking a hard line to cut public spending and impose austerity measures. This has led to clashes with the left wing of his own party, but Schmidt (a former Defence Minister), has earned international respect for his shrewd diplomacy, especially his efforts to strengthen ties with Mitterrand's France. By 1977, West Germany is considered one of the leading nations of Western Europe, and a leader of the EEC as well. Schmidt has also earned high marks from economists, who marvel at his country's ability to "weather the storm" and emerge from the Great Recession with relatively low levels of both inflation and unemployment. German productivity has, it seems, come to save the day again.
Italy
Incumbent Prime Minister: Aldo Moro (Christian Democracy, in a "Grand Coalition")
The late 1960's and 1970's were not happy times for the nation of Italy. Often called "anni di piombo" ("Years of Lead") by common people and historians alike, these twelve or so years were marked by political instability, violence in the streets, and rampant intimidation and even assassinations. Bombings, murders, and riots plagued the streets as government after government was elected and subsequently failed to solve the rampant infighting. Finally in May of 1978, Prime Minister Aldo Moro of the Christian Democrats, a famed reformer and figure of great reverence within the country, managed to put a stop to the violence when he achieved what he called the "historic compromise". This compromise, at its core, involved the creation of a coalition between the centre-right Christian Democrats and the Communist Party of Italy, which Moro understood was more nationalist than the "red brigades" causing violence in the streets. The Italian Communist party practiced "neocommunism" or "eurocommunism", a more democratic form of the ideology which absolutely opposed influence from Moscow. Moro's compromise was not easy. He survived an assassination attempt by the Red Guards as he attempted to form the coalition and before that fended off whispers of a Military Coup attempt. (Note: The CIA officer on the ground at the time - 1973 - asked then-President Bush if he would support a military coup. The President responded that he would "support any government in Italy that effectively kept the communist party from power", a clear violation of the Kennedy Doctrine. But the President felt that Italy, a Western European nation, was too critical a location to "fall" to communism.) Despite the bloodshed, Italy under Prime Ministers like Moro has experienced leaps and bounds of social and economic progress. Regional governments were introduced in 1970 to address local/regional concerns when the national government was preoccupied. These new governments were given autonomy and authority to legislate in areas such as public works, town planning, social welfare, transportation, and others. National spending on the relatively poor, agrarian south of the country increased dramatically - leading to development and a much higher standard of living there. By 1977, Italy had the most generous welfare provisions in Europe. Simultaneously, Italian workers were, on average among the best paid, most protected, and best treated on the continent.
Do you have questions about other countries in Europe I can answer? If so, I would be happy to.
Attachments
Will Don Bluth stay at Disney ITTL? I remember someone asking that and was wondering if a verdict had been reached.
I think that would've been me.
Good to know!
During the duration of this timeline (1962-1973), Disney has been through two 'ages' to call them, with the ending of 'Silver' in 1967, and the begging of 'Bronze' in 1970.
As for possibe ideas to what to do, there is Don Bluth, a legendary animator who made The Secret of NIMH (1982), An American Tail (1986), The Land Before Time (1988), All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989), and Anastasia (1997), he left in the late 70s after he became disappointed with the way the company was run, forming his own studio, which eventually feel apart, to which then he teamed up with FOX to form their animation studios, but that also fell under after their film Titan A.E bombed hard. So, makig him stay could see Disney release his films instead, possibly even leading to an earlier and longer Disney Renaissance.
Don Bluth
Anything that'd prevent the post-Renaissance nostalgia exploitation Disney has devolved to in recent years.
The recent trend of live-action Disney remakes is way more creatively bankrupt and damaging to Disney than their output post Disney's death. And that era featured a movie that recycled much of its animation from earlier movies.
The recent trend of live-action Disney remakes is way more creatively bankrupt and damaging to Disney than their output post Disney's death. And that era featured a movie that recycled much of its animation from earlier movies.
The Benelux? Celtic nations? Scandinavia?Do you have questions about other countries in Europe I can answer? If so, I would be happy to.
I'll admit that I had the idea of Don Bluth directing an adaptation of Kate Crackernuts in collaboration with Andrew Lloyd Webber for Disney. Then, the two collaborate more until The Little Mermaid eventually comes and is direct by John Musker and Ron Clements.
Speaking of pop culture, I started my own supplement early.
Britt Allcroft and Lucasfilm Present: Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends (A BSiC supplement)
Feburary 5, 1982 Shepperton Studios: Surrey, England Britt Allcroft and David Mitton were sitting in the latter's office. For about a year, the two had been working on creating an adaptation of the Railway Series of books written by the Reverend W. Awdry. The publishers, Kayne and Ward, agreed...
www.alternatehistory.com
A Disney update is a must, for sure. I'm going to have to do a fair bit of research however, as my knowledge of the company's vast history is fairly limited.
I don't want to spoil, as I've been wanting to maybe do a write-up for @President_Lincoln on the ITTL Disney Renaissance and changes to the parks like I did for Star Trek. Haven't had time to write it as it'd be for the 1980s, but if you guys want to see some of the ideas I mentioned back in September to @President_Lincoln and he's okay with me saying them here, let me know.Good to know!
During the duration of this timeline (1962-1973), Disney has been through two 'ages' to call them, with the ending of 'Silver' in 1967, and the begging of 'Bronze' in 1970.
As for possibe ideas to what to do, there is Don Bluth, a legendary animator who made The Secret of NIMH (1982), An American Tail (1986), The Land Before Time (1988), All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989), and Anastasia (1997), he left in the late 70s after he became disappointed with the way the company was run, forming his own studio, which eventually feel apart, to which then he teamed up with FOX to form their animation studios, but that also fell under after their film Titan A.E bombed hard. So, making him stay could see Disney release his films instead, possibly even leading to an earlier and longer Disney Renaissance.
Don Bluth
I will say this however, and that's that as cool as it would be to see Don Bluth not leave Disney, I think it's much more likely and realistic that he would still initially leave the company in the 1970s. The sad fact is that with Walt still dying in ITTL as he did in OTL, the issues with upper management after Walt dies are simply not going to go away and are absolutely going to still be a factor, which will still lead to Bluth leaving.
Now whether he stays gone and away from Disney, especially after his company falls apart like it did in the early 1990s OTL, is another story.
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Lemme guess, he eventually returns ITTL?I don't want to spoil, as I've been wanting to maybe do a write-up for @President_Lincoln on the ITTL Disney Renaissance and changes to the parks like I did for Star Trek. Haven't had time to write it as it'd be for the 1980s, but if you guys want to see some of the ideas I mentioned back in September to @President_Lincoln and he's okay with me saying them here, let me know.
I will say this however, and that's that as cool as it would be to see Don Bluth not leave Disney, I think it's much more likely and realistic that he would still initially leave the company in the 1970s. The sad fact is that with Walt still dying in ITTL as he did in OTL, the issues with upper management after Walt dies are simply not going to go away and are absolutely going to still be a factor, which will still lead to Bluth leaving.
Now whether he stays gone and away from Disney, especially after his company falls apart like it did in the early 1990s OTL, is another story.
@Nerdman3000
I actually have a better idea on that front. How about when Ron Miller is finally replaced, one of the first things Michael Eisner does is offer Bluth a chance to return, which Bluth agrees to as long as he gets to finish An American Tail first.
Imagine, for Disney's first completely original story, we could have Bluth giving us All Dogs Go To Heaven.
I actually have a better idea on that front. How about when Ron Miller is finally replaced, one of the first things Michael Eisner does is offer Bluth a chance to return, which Bluth agrees to as long as he gets to finish An American Tail first.
Imagine, for Disney's first completely original story, we could have Bluth giving us All Dogs Go To Heaven.
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Thank you all for the interesting conversations surrounding Disney ITTL! As @Nerdman3000 has stated, I have already asked him to create a write up of the history of Disney ITTL when he gets the chance. Judging by his previous work on TTL (See the Star Trek updates and contributions to the Pop Culture sections), I cannot wait to read his Disney work!
Fantastic! Thank you for your interest and hard work @Andrew Boyd! I look forward to seeing what you write for your supplemental TL.
Fantastic!
Thank you for your interest and hard work @Andrew Boyd! I look forward to seeing what you write for your supplemental TL.I think my ideas for railroad preservation ITTL are too small to really make a thread, so I'll simply give them now.
- Assuming Conrail still exists ITTL, the New York Central and PRR are spun off into separate railroads again, with the latter, especially the St. Louis route that was abandoned IOTL, becoming part of the Norfolk Southern System.
- The Southern Railroad buys up the Grand Trunk 5629 with help from the Illinois Railroad Museum.
- The Great Dismal Swamp Derailment is barely. Thus butterflying one of the two events that started the downfall of the Southern/Norfolk Southern Steam Program.
- N&W 1218 is taken out for an overhaul in 1991 like OTL. However, it eventually returns to service by 1996.
- Assuming Conrail still exists ITTL, the New York Central and PRR are spun off into separate railroads again, with the latter, especially the St. Louis route that was abandoned IOTL, becoming part of the Norfolk Southern System.
- The Southern Railroad buys up the Grand Trunk 5629 with help from the Illinois Railroad Museum.
- The Great Dismal Swamp Derailment is barely. Thus butterflying one of the two events that started the downfall of the Southern/Norfolk Southern Steam Program.
- N&W 1218 is taken out for an overhaul in 1991 like OTL. However, it eventually returns to service by 1996.
Excellent updates! About other countries in Europe, how is the situation in a) Scandinavia and b) Greece and Cyprus? I remenber that ITTL there was no military dictatorship in Greece. As a result, Greece will probably enter the EEC a bit earlier, instead of 1981. Was there any Turkish invasion in Cyprus ITTL?
Congrats at the latest chapter, @President_Lincoln...
Like how Udall and Goldwater team up for something constructive...
Congrats to Senator Murphy (and Cleland, too) for getting the VA started...
There are some things that are still OTL, I see (the reinstatement of the death penalty); wonder what happens ITTL...
BTW, the song "Carry On Wayward Son" was sung by Kansas and released in 1976 (and is now the unofficial theme song of the TV show Supernatural), so congrats for continuing the pattern, @President_Lincoln, and waiting for more...
Like how Udall and Goldwater team up for something constructive...
Congrats to Senator Murphy (and Cleland, too) for getting the VA started...
There are some things that are still OTL, I see (the reinstatement of the death penalty); wonder what happens ITTL...
BTW, the song "Carry On Wayward Son" was sung by Kansas and released in 1976 (and is now the unofficial theme song of the TV show Supernatural), so congrats for continuing the pattern, @President_Lincoln, and waiting for more...
Is it possible via handwavium to keep the Erie Lackawanna Railroad from being ripped up?
Just watched Rocketman, got me thinking: what’s Reggie Dwight, better known as Elton Hercules John, up to?
I think his songs have been mentioned in the pop culture updates, so he's probably in the same spot as OTL