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With continued help and input from Merry Prankster, my work on some stories about the Communist Confederacy continues to go swimmingly. I also have most of the TL outlined from the Civil War to 1942, when the major story takes place. The once exception to that, is the age of colonialism and the Great War analogue, which I’m hoping to make a far more global affair. So, I come to you fine folks.

First some basics about major changes to the World by the turn of the century.

The USA of this world bears a closer resemblance to the Roman Republic than the Greek Democracies it mainly emulated in OTL. With Prussian (later German) aid, the USA was quick to establish a disciplined standing army and navy, along with a period mandatory military service that I may or may not tie to voting rights (ie, you don’t serve, you don’t vote). Much the same, the US is slightly more industrialized than our world, and far more militarized. Universal Manhood Suffrage has been the law for decades, and racial relations are decades ahead of OTL – on the downside, I can see women’s rights set back by generations. The result is a nations that is more militarized, industrialized and nationalistic, yet paradoxically, freer and more equal then OTL.

The CSA on the other hand, has descended to a sort of proto-Banana Republic only sustained by French and British aid and support. They suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Spain over Cuba that saw Kentucky secede and rejoin the Union in the 1880s, and with that defeat, died the last shred of liberty for those who don’t run a plantation or serve in the CSA military. The economy, already on shaky ground has been crippled by the rising cotton crisis thanks to the Boll Weevil. The slaves as always are on the verge of revolt, only this time they may be joined by a growing number of poor white Communists known as Rednecks, titled after the red bandanas worn by the Appalachian coal miners that started the movement. Needless to say, given my series concerning this is called ‘Communist Confederacy’ they will play a big role in both the War and the years to come.

I also expect the Western Hemisphere to have been altered a bit now that the USA doesn’t have total control over the continents like OTL. Mexico is ruled over by the Hapsburgs. South America may have seen a number of nations differently than OTL – I’m open to ideas and suggestions, since I’d like to see some fighting between both sides here.

Aside from that, the biggest change is the Second French Empire still runs France, currently ruled over by Napoleon IV. Other nations are mostly the same as OTL, though colonial borders may be greatly altered, and I’m open for suggestions for that as well, especially how Africa might have been carved up.

That said, my main concern is my planned alliances and outcomes for TTL Great War, especially concerning realism and plausibility. I’ve decided to do away with the rather cliché route of ‘USA joining the Central Powers’, having chosen an altogether different system of alliances to fight the war to end all wars: The Establishment Powers and the Antiestablishment Powers (working names, open to better ones).

The Establishment is made up of the older, established great powers and their vassals and allies, and includes Great Britain, the French Empire, Austria-Hungary, The Ottoman Empire, the CSA, Hapsburg Mexico, and maybe one of the Iberian nation and a couple of South American nations.

On the other hand, the Antiestablishment is made up of newer, rising great powers, like the USA, the German Empire, the Russian Empire, Italy, Greece, and likely a number of Latin American nations and maybe an Iberian nation. I expect Japan would jump into the war on their side in exchange for some concessions and a share of the victor’s spoils. I might have them support the Hashemites against the Ottomans too.

What sparks the war is TTLs French-German feud over Morocco around 1903/04. I’d like for this is really and truly a world war, as unlike our WWI, with three theaters, Europe, the Americas, Asia and to a lesser extent Africa.

The Americas will largely depend on the USA fighting against three enemies at once, the CSA, Hapsburg Mexico, and the British in Canada, with the latter being the most difficult of the three. The CSA falls to revolution after General Roosevelt takes Richmond and General Pershing has taken all land west of the Mississippi, and the provisional Redneck government of the CSA is quick to offer Virginia and all lands captured by the Union in exchange for peace. With two more fronts to go, as well as helping Germany and Russia in Europe, the US agrees. Mexico gets off fairly easy, ceding Baja and a scrap of Sonora for peace. Canada gets taken whole, and the status of its future is decided in the Peace Treaty made once the war is concluded.

Europe, I can see the more modernized Russia, Italy and Germany able to hold their own on the western front while making huge gains against both the Austria-Hungarians and the Ottomans, who are fighting a losing battle against the Hashemite as well. Once the USA manages to start pouring troops and supplies into Europe, I can see the war ending fairly quickly for all but Britain, who might make peace once they stand alone, likely after swapping Prime Ministers – if it’s plausible, I’d love to see Winnie get to be TTL Chamberlain.

As for peace, I see all but the British getting carved up by the victors. The Brits, with the exception of Canada, I could see getting very favorable terms in exchange for peace. Canada gets split three ways, Newfoundland and Victoria Island going to the British, Quebec and Labrador getting made into a Republic of Quebec, and the rest making up the lion’s share of the USA’s war gains.

My questions to you are the following:

Does it sound plausible so far? What about Asia? What would be some good sides for South America to have?

How might the peace treaty look as a whole? The only part I really have planned out is the separate peace between the CSSA and the USA, and the division of Canada. I’d love to get the rest fleshed out.

Perhaps most importantly, how might the post war look? Though I can see the new set of great powers largely at peace with each other, I would like some new trouble spots for my hinted at WWII. With the CSA gone communist and the post-national and post-racial bent it has given the movement, what places might see revolution in the future? The Ottoman remnant or France perhaps? Somewhere in Asia or Africa?

I hope I can get some ideas and help!
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