Mexico Ascendant: The Tale of a Failed Texan Revolution

[theman7777]

40: A Changing World

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For 16 years a weak Russian Republic limped along, plagued by political strife and poverty, but 1934 things were about to change. Vladimir Pavlovich Kozlov, a veteran general from the Great War, was a popular figure in Russian politics, commonly advocating a policy reclaiming of lost territories and stopping war reparations payments to Germany and Britain, as well as discrimination against minorities. This would have once been unthinkable in the Russian Empire, which was quite diverse, but the vast reduction in Russian territories following the Great War had made the nation much more homogenous. By 1933 his political party, the All-Russian People’s Nationalist Party had achieved a majority in the Duma.

A year later events mirrored those in France, with the party seizing power following a series of emergency measures that drastically increased the powers of the state. In the immediate aftermath of the takeover a series of purges rooted out many dissidents and important figures from the previous government. With power secured, Kozlov declared himself Vozhd of the new Russia, and immediately set out to build a cult of personality that pervaded every element of everyday life.

With the takeover by the All-Russian People’s Nationalist Party major changes swept through the country. The Party immediately declared an end to the reparations payments, and limits on military size. This was followed by a massive recruitment drive that saw many Russians enlist in the new army. The takeover also saw the revitalization and expansion of Russian military industries, and the employment of millions of workers. With the country improving internally, it was time for the Vozhd to flex his strength abroad.

As part of the plan to regain lost territories, the first target for Russian expansion was Central Asia. In 1936 Russian forces crossed the border into the Kazakh Emirate, swiftly defeating their vastly inferior army and annexing the nation. This coincided with Russia’s withdrawal from the League of European nations, amid international condemnation of their aggression. Next, Russia annexed the small Don Republic via a pro-Russian coup, bringing more territory under their control and further increasing their popularity at home.

Due to the anti-Semitic messages and policies promoted by the new Nationalist regimes in Europe, many Jews began to look for a place for safe haven, especially since many European nations weren’t keen on taking on refugees. An opportunity presented itself when a few influential Jews secured backing by several important British businessmen and politicians in the search for a Jewish homeland. Ultimately they settled on Africa as an ideal location, considering that the Ottomans were hardly going to allow them to settle in Palestine in large numbers. Through a sheer stroke of luck, the British government agreed to create a new semi-independent protectorate in northern Bechuanaland. Following this, southern Bechuanaland joined as part of the Dominion of South Africa.

This new pseudo-independent Jewish state quickly attracted thousands of immigrants from around the world. Within a year of its creation, the government gathered funds in order to attempt a purchase of a small corridor through German Southwest Africa. This strip of land would allow the new state access to the sea, and a much needed port. The transaction nearly bankrupted the new government, but ultimately the gain for Germany was too great, and they agreed to the deal. With coastal access secured, immigration further grew, and a state began to grow.

Southern Africa in 1937

World Map Circa 1937​

 

[theman7777]

41: Tension Rises

In the Americas, Mexico’s Socialist government pursued policies of land reform, massive tax reform, universal public healthcare, the promotion of cooperatives, and the nationalization several industries. These included petroleum (Pemex), natural gas, cement (Cemex), telephone (Telmex), water supply (Hydromex), railway (FNM; Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México), and electricity (Electromex). They also pursued setting up new state-owned companies pertaining to insurance, public intercity transit, alcoholic beverage control, iron and steel manufacturing, mining, forestry, as well as an airline. This was accompanied by an unambitious foreign policy, mostly focusing on containing the US, and keeping relations cordial with the Workers’ Union. Mexico during this period was largely isolationist, and the public was not interested in the prospect of another war.

In 1938 France initiated another aggressive action in Iberia. Following a nationalist coup in Portugal intent on establishing a government similar to France’s, a Portuguese government-in-exile was formed in Spain. Spain, seeking to restore some of it’s lost greatness, invaded northern Portugal, seeking to reinstate the legitimate Portuguese government. While Spanish forces believed they would be able to take Lisbon in just a few days, they found it much harder. Portuguese forces rallied to fend off the Spanish, and partisans took up arms in occupied territories. Spain’s refusal to retreat, however, lead to French troops crossing the border on April 7th, 1938. With most the Spanish army in Portugal, only a few thousand troops contested the French invasion, and by April 12, the Spanish government realized that no foreign support was coming, and they surrendered. Following this, Spain and Portugal were united, in a deal that greatly benefited the Portuguese, and the National State of Iberia was formed. The government was a close replica of France’s, with a figurehead monarch and the National People’s Party leading the nation. This country achieved some foreign recognition, but never received it fully due to the fact it was largely a French client state.

Map showing territorial control during the invasion of Spain

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In Eastern Europe, the Vozhd’s Empire rapidly expanded. By 1939, Central Asia was in Russian hands, and so were the areas north of the Caucasus. The only thing that had stopped Russia from annexing them too was Ottoman threats of war if Russia continued expansion in their sphere of influence.

World map in 1939​

 

[theman7777]

42: It Begins

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Germany was among the hardest hit by the Great Depression, but by the mid 1930s they had begun to recover, albeit still far behind the economic successes of the 1920s. A source of this improvement was in fact the United Baltic Duchy, whose economic success and drive for Germanization had allowed many poor or unemployed Germans to move to the Duchy. This allowed Germany to reduce its unemployment, while the Duchy reinforced its German-minority rule. By 1939, the leadership of the Duchy had decided to apply for integration with the German Empire, due to the apparent success of the Duchy’s Germanization policies. On January 1st 1940 the Duchy formally became a Federal State of the German Empire.
On January 15th, the French National State (also known as the 3rd French Empire), issued a ultimatum to the German Empire, following a series of border skirmishes and pro-French protests in Alsace-Lorraine. The ultimatum demanded an immediate return of Alsace-Lorraine and Luxembourg. The next day, January 16th, France declared war on Germany following their rejection of the ultimatum. Fighting immediately broke out on the Western Front, but it wasn’t until Russian forces crossed the border into the Kingdom of Ukraine on February 2nd that the conflict truly ignited.

 

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43: Fall of Europe

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As war erupted in Europe, initially French and German troops clashed along their shared border, but neither side made any major gains. The years following the Great War saw the construction of many defensive fortifications along the borders of the two countries, and now that they were put to the test, they were holding firm. At least until Russia joined the war on February 2nd. On that day, 1.5 million Russians streamed into Eastern Europe, using a combination of lighting armored warfare and massive infantry assaults. This attack, while not entirely unexpected, took the Germans by surprise, driving them and their Eastern European allies back hundreds of kilometers in only a few months.

Meanwhile, wartime production ramped up in the United Kingdom as they planned their next step. Already many British and Commonwealth troops had been deployed to the fronts in Germany and Africa, but the Commonwealth was preparing for an even more ambitious assault on the French, who had taken the advantage the distraction in Eastern Europe to force gains into German territory on the Western Front, at great cost. This cost became even more clear, as Italy and the Netherlands joined the war in reaction to further victories for France and Russia, who on June 3rd signed the Pact of Steel, establishing the Axis alliance.

In December 1940, the Commonwealth response to the French advances took place. A huge force of 400,000 ground, naval, and air forces launched an invasion at Calais. While the British goal of taking Paris was far from accomplished, this diversion managed to slow the French advance into Germany. However, as more French troops began to surround the invasion force, some began to question the legitimacy of the strategy.

Germany’s reaction to being driven back to the borders of Poland was an ambitious counteroffensive, known as “Operation Victory”. Diverting precious troops and reservists to Eastern Europe, Germany prepared for a massive assault against the now dug-in Russian troops. On February 16th, 1941, a date chosen due to the fact the war had started exactly a year earlier, the offensive began. Millions of artillery shells smashed into the Russian lines, followed by waves of German troops.

While the Germans achieved early success, capturing 50,000 Russian troops and pushing them back into Lithuania and Belarus, the Russian numerical advantage eventually became too much. A similar situation was occurring in the west, as British troops, following a failed attempt to break out of the Calais pocket, began to retreat from their foothold in Northern France. With many of Germany’s best men expended in Operation Victory, the Russians and French took the opportunity to advance, pushing past desperate German defenses, into their heartland. A similar situation played out in Italy and the Netherlands, as their weakened forces collapsed under French power.

Frontlines during the invasion of Germany​

By June 25 1941, all the major Allied powers, with the exception of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, had either surrendered or gone into exile. In the aftermath, Europe was partitioned between the two powers, establishing puppet states and annexing territories to expand their Empires. In France’s case, their annexations mirrored those done by Napoleon I, and Russia retook territories lost in 1918, with the additions of desired lands in Galicia-Lodomeria and Germany. With all of Europe in the hands of these totalitarian regimes, many around the world asked if it was already over. It was not.

Europe under Franco-Russian occupation

World map circa July 1941​

 

[theman7777]

44: The Calm Before the Storm

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While Europe had been secured by the Axis powers, they were still far from the completion of their goals. For the Russians, crucial stretches of the Trans-Siberian railway remained under the control of the Qing, and while there had been new railways built to circumvent this, the connection to their easternmost territories remained tenuous, especially since the loss of Vladivostok. For the French, Britain still lurked across the Channel, unreachable after the Channel Bridge was destroyed in the first days of the war. While the war in the air and sea remained hot, the situation on the ground was relatively peaceful, aside from the occasional partisan attack in occupied territory.

It was Russia who broke this peace, by launching a massive invasion of Finland in July 1941. The Finnish defense, while supported by the RAF and Commonwealth troops, was futile, and Finland surrendered by October.

In Africa, Mozambique and Angola were finally conquered by British, German, and South African troops, following a drawn-out battle against forces belonging to France and the Iberian National State. Furthermore, the French advance in Egypt was turned around, and parts of German Kamerun were liberated.

The most impactful event during the later part of 1941, however, was the Irish Uprising. Even prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, the Axis powers had been smuggling weapons and money to the Irish rebels. In the summer of 1941, British plans were leaked to the French, which supposedly called for another naval invasion of the continent. In actuality, these plans were incredibly rough drafts with little support in the British government or military. However, the French saw this, as well as Commonwealth forces in Finland, as a cue to begin an Irish uprising. Many things worked in the French favor here. British garrison forces in Ireland had been moved to Finland at the time, and recent wartime measures against Irish civilians had increased hostility to British rule. As a result, when the uprising began, it spread like wildfire. Within a month, the British forces had been trapped in remote coastal areas, and the British were scrambling to recall forces from Finland and the Commonwealth.

Ultimately, however, the Irish Uprising was unable to gain enough strength during the time where they held most of the country under their control, and when the Commonwealth counter-offensives began, their forces collapsed. The revolutionaries retreated to Dublin, where they made their final stand. The Battle of Dublin devastated the city, destroying much of it, before eventually forcing the rebels to surrender. This battle, however, showed the horrors of urban warfare, as the Irish inflicted thousands of casualties upon the British and Commonwealth troops. While the uprising officially ended on July 10th 1943, sporadic guerrilla fighting continued in the countryside for the duration of the war.

Changing control of Ireland during the Uprising

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While the British were still handling the Irish Revolution, other events were happening, that would quickly turn the war into a truly global one. In South America, war finally broke out in early 1942 between the Brazilian alliance and the La Plata one, with deadly effects. In Asia, the Russians issued a formal demand for the Qing Empire to return the Trans-Siberian railway to their control, and in the Atlantic the French were preparing a far-reaching attack force that would reshape the balance of power in the entire war. Both of these events would ultimately turn the world on its head.

World Map circa early 1942​

 

[theman7777]

45: The Global War

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Following a stalemate between Anglo-French naval forces in the Channel and surrounding the British Isles, the French navy moved southward, where it achieved total naval supremacy in the coasts of Southern France and Iberia. However, this was only the beginning of a larger plan. The US had been enforcing a costly embargo upon France, who planned a bold move to change this arrangement. MacArthur’s regime had spent the previous years rebuilding the American economy, but it still hadn’t returned to its booming state before the depression. Nor had the regime successfully stamped out the Canadian resistance in the northern areas of the country. This hadn’t stopped MacArthur from placing an embargo against France, which cut off important resources from the country. This embargo was worsened by similar embargoes by Mexico and the Workers’ Union, whose economy had become significantly more industrialized thanks to the draconian policies of General Secretary Steele.

France’s plan to force the US to reconsider was a strategic strike against the US air and naval base at Bermuda. The French believed that the destruction of large portions of the American Atlantic fleet would make them reconsider their anti-French position, and return the much needed flow of resources into a nation that was suffering increasing defeats in Africa. The strike, lead by France’s most modern aircraft carriers and supported by several submarine aircraft carriers as well, was planned for November 14th, but was delayed until the 20th because of weather. The attack itself destroyed several of the strongest ships docked in Bermuda, and significantly damaged the base’s infrastructure, but failed to strike the decisive blow to force the US to the negotiating table. As a result, the next day MacArthur enthusiastically declared war.

Mexico too declared war on France, in accordance to the Obregon doctrine, which stated that any attack against a nation in the Americas by a European power would be considered an attack on Mexico. These two were finally joined by the Workers’ Union, who stated their intent to oppose imperialist expansion and rightist ideologies, a somewhat ironic statement considering that the Union was the de facto ally of the MacArthur regime. Ultimately, however, the true intent of the Union was to spread their ideology and influence, an opportunity now that it appeared the tide was turning against the Axis.

The first months of the war in the Atlantic saw the US capture several strategically important islands, with the assistance of Mexico. Troops stationed in the American colonies also branched out, capturing nearby French territory.

In Asia, the Russian demand of the Trans-Siberian railway had not gone unanswered, and the answer the Qing provided was a resounding no. This was followed by a declaration of war against the Qing and Japan, and a huge offensive across the frontline. However, the Russians were soon bogged down by the poor infrastructure of the outer regions of China, as well as dogged defense by Chinese and Japanese forces, with the frontlines ultimately turning into a stalemate, albeit a very bloody one.

The state of the world at the middle of 1942​

 

[theman7777]

46: Return to Europe

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The North American entrance to the war was abrupt and violent, as war enthusiasm at home was at an all time high. Keeping this in mind, the generals from Mexico, America, and the Workers’ Union created an ambitious plan in order to allow the Allies to re-enter Europe. The most famous of these actions were the Portugal Landings, although there were also lesser-known additional landings in Southern Spain. Utilizing 200,000 troops from 4 different North American nations, the Allies hit the Axis where they were weakest: Iberia. Most Iberian troops were poorly trained, and those that were skilled were serving in the increasingly futile attempts for the French to retain control over their African colonies. Within the first day several beachheads were successfully established, and within the month much of Portugal and Southern Spain were occupied by Allied troops. This advance was ultimately halted by French reinforcements.

A lesser known story that lead to the amazing success of the Portugal Landings was the efforts of the British African Army in forcing the French to divert thousands of men to the fighting in Africa. By Summer of 1943, the amount of land the French continued to hold in Africa was quickly dwindling, with most estimates foreseeing the last French troops gone by the end of the year. The only area where the war was not advancing at a lightning pace was South America, where the warfare had become reminiscent of the stalemates during the Great War. Despite advances in weaponry and tactics, the Brazilians and La Platans continued to fight a grueling war of attrition, a war which the Brazilians were winning.

In the steppes of Mongolia, the Russians met their match, where they were unable to continue advancing against the massive quantities of Chinese troops. For the first time in history, the Russians found an enemy that's manpower dwarfed that of their own. On this front, the Chinese and Japanese slowly drove the Russians back, although they failed to break through the Russian lines in Xinjiang. While the war appeared to be turning in the favor of the Allies, victory remained a distant reward.

The state of the World, Summer 1943​

 

[theman7777]

47: The Watch on the Pyrenees

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With Autumn beginning, the Allies began a brand new series of offensives, both in Iberia, and the newly opened Italian front. In Africa, the British army finally mopped up the remains of the French and Iberian forces, but not after a drawn out and bloody final confrontation in Tunisia. In the east, Qing and Japanese forces continued to push back the Russians, in spite of poor infrastructure in the region.

In Iberia the new offensives were met by success, with Mexican, American, and Worker’s Union troops fighting alongside. However, not all was as idyllic as the propaganda would have the people at home believe. Large amounts of contention revolved around the establishment of Spanish and Portuguese governments in exile. This offended the Workers’ Union, who intended to establish a communist regime in Iberia. In retaliation to the creation of Spanish and Portuguese occupation zones in Africa, as well as the restoration of the governments in-exile’s control over their respective countries colonies, the Workers’ Union began to distribute communist propaganda in Iberia. To double down on this, they also began to support various leftist organizations that had been in hiding due to the oppressive nationalist government previously in power. As more and more of the peninsula fell under Allied control, the issue grew in importance.

In Italy, the British advance finally took Rome by mid 1944. At the same time, the Allied forces in Iberia reached the Pyrenees, where they were stopped by increasingly strong French resistance. Halted by the formidable mountains, the Allies began to draft a new plan: a naval invasion of Northern France. This would have several major pros and cons. On the pros side, it would be close to the UK, and therefore a smaller distance for ships and aircraft to reach. On the cons, the French had spent the prior years building a line of fortifications with forced labor from their occupied territories, fearful of an invasion from across the Channel. Ultimately, the voices in favor of the invasion won out, and it began to proceed.

On August 20th, thousands of Mexican and British troops landed in Brittany, Normandy, and Calais. While initial losses were high, the fact that most of the French army was in the Pyrenees allowed the Allied forces to advance, but were halted before reaching Paris. In the next months, no front advanced significantly, but the top scientists in Mexico were about to test a weapon that would end the stalemate in explosive fashion.

The state of the World, January 1 1945​

 

[theman7777]

48: The French Collapse

Following the landings in Northern France, all fronts in the west reached a standstill. The French were now throwing everything they had into the defense of their nation, and now that Allied troops were on French soil, they were experiencing much harsher partisan resistance. This brutal stalemate continued for much of 1945, with only minor gains for the Allies across France. Finally, in late 1945, Mexican scientists finally developed a weapon that they planned to use to change the course of the war.

On November 25th, 1945, the first ever atomic weapon was tested in the deserts of Nuevo-Mexico. Following years of work from a dedicated team of Mexican, British, and American engineers, the most destructive weapon imaginable was brought into existence. Now, the only decision left was how to use it.

After much deliberation, the Allied high command finally agreed on where to drop the first of these new bombs. On January 5th, 1946, a lone bomber appeared above the skies of Paris. Within minutes, most of the city would be in ruins. The decision to destroy the city remains a controversial one to this day, however, Allied commanders have always said that the bombing was motivated out of a desire to eliminate the French leadership in a single strike, a goal that was largely successful following the strike.

In the days following the atomic destruction of Paris, in which much of the French government was eliminated, including Emperor Napoleon V, the French forces collapsed across all fronts. Even a hasty coronation of the Emperor’s son, Napoleon VI, was not enough to rally the people and army, and soon the French government formally surrendered on April 15th, 1946.

With the French surrender, a vacuum appeared in Europe, one that was quickly filled by the Russians. The French client states in the blink of an eye became Russian client states, and Russian forces were quickly deployed into Central Europe in order to prevent further Allied incursions. This didn’t stop the Allies from opening a Northern Front to the war, by landing Mexican troops in Turku and American troops in Murmansk and Arkhangelsk.

The state of the World, June 1 1946​

 

[theman7777]

49: The Beginning of the End

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As an overstretched Russia scrambled to deploy new troops to a myriad of new fronts, Allied troops advanced in every area. By September most of Finland was under Mexican control, and Germany was quickly falling to Allied troops. It was at this junction that the Allies were forced to decide the next targets for Atomic destruction, following the Russian leadership’s repeated ignoring of Allied ultimatums. At this point the Russian government was aware of the danger of a nuclear strike, and such the leadership was residing in several bunkers in the middle of nowhere. Ultimately the cities chosen were Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, and Pskov. Saint Petersburg was spared due to the proximity of Mexican forces, and the brave actions of several Mexican commanders who convinced the Allied leadership to spare the culturally significant city.

While the Vozhd and his cronies were aware that there was a high chance of these cities being destroyed, and it therefore had little impact on their reckless desire to continue the war, the morale effect the bombings had on the civilian and military population was much greater. Mass desertions followed the attacks, allowing Mexican forces to advance into Poland and the Baltic States.

In South America, forces from the Empire of Brazil finally broke through the La Platan frontlines, surging towards Buenos Aires. This, alongside a pro-Brazilian uprising in Araucania and Patagonia, was the beginning of the end for the La Platan alliance.

The state of the World, November 1946​

 

[theman7777]

50: End of an Era

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By late 1946, Russia was collapsing. The army was in shambles, and lawlessness plagued the land. However, thousands of Allied troops continued to perish in the inhospitable environment, and Allied civilians were beginning to demand an end to the conflict. The solution to this problem was a massive nuclear bombardment in February of 1947. Ultimately, 15 nuclear bombs were dropped, which annihilated much of the remaining Russian infrastructure. Following the attack, much of the army surrendered, and Kozlov, the Vozhd, committed suicide in a bunker outside Moscow. Within a week, the remaining Russian holdouts surrendered, formally ending the Second World War.

The scars of Russian rule still remained in Eastern Europe. Many people from the Baltics, Germans, and Poles were deported and their homes were given to Russians during the Russianization programs during the war. While the Allied powers helped reimburse the survivors, it would take years to fully right the wrongs committed during this period.

The cultural impact of the Russian occupation. Note that Ukrainians and Belarusians were considered "Russian" enough to be exempt from the deportations.​

Immediately following the end of the war France and Russia were divided into zones of occupation. In France, there were zones for the Workers’ Union in Southern France, the United Kingdom in Northern France, Mexico in Central France, and Germany in the border areas. In Russia there were zones for Mexico, the USA, China, and Japan. As for actual territorial changes, in France, Brittany gained independence, Spain gained control of the parts of the Pyrenees in France, as well as other smaller areas along their border. Germany annexed many areas that bordered Alsace-Lorraine, while the Netherlands took over much of Northeastern France. While it wasn’t initially clear until after the Prague Peace Conference, the place where many of these territorial changes were decided, ultimately the areas of France under Workers’ Union occupation would become a separate, communist, state.

In Russia, much of the eastern regions of the country were divided up by the victorious Japanese and Chinese empires, while in the west the countries it once ruled now scrambled to gain territory once part of Russia. As well as the restoration of all pre-war borders, Ukraine, Belarus, the UBD, Finland, and the Kazakh Emirate all experienced new territorial acquisitions. This was in addition to the independence of 7 new states, Mordovia, Chuvashia, Mari El, Tatarstan, Udmurtia, Bashkortostan, and Orenburg.

Europe following the end of the Prague Peace Conference​

Germany, while they were one of the victorious powers, had suffered greatly from the war. Years of occupation and bombings had devastated the country, and many of the leaders of the constituent kingdoms of the German Empire had been killed or were missing. These circumstances spawned two main changes to the Empire. The first was the independence of the Kingdom of Bohemia and Moravia, and the United Baltic Duchy. The Czechs had lead one of the most successful guerrilla campaigns against Axis occupation during the war, and Germany saw no reason to try to reassert control, for two main reasons. First, they feared a similar guerrilla campaign, except this time target at Germany, and secondly, prior to 1940 there had been very little Czech assimilation into German culture, giving the Empire little hope for integrating them. However they did hold on to the German-speaking Sudetenland region, seeing no reason not to keep it in the Empire. The UBD also gained independence due to the small remaining German population, much of which had been forcibly deported into Germany by Russia during WW2.

The second major change to the structure of the Empire was the end of the constituent kingdoms. Like Napoleon’s conquests into Germany a century before, the French conquests had completely reshaped the structures of power in place before the war. Thus, very few of the German monarchies had escaped the conflict. The German Royal family on the other hand had in fact escaped to Dar es Salaam following their defeat at the hands of the French and Russians. Ultimately, while the monarchy survived the war, the old administrative structure didn’t, and Germany was reorganized into 24 new states.

Comparison between the administrative structure of Germany in 1930 vs 1950​

Across the world, a collective sigh of release was let out following the end of the war. In many cities across the globe massive celebrations were held, welcoming home Allied soldiers. The world was a drastically different place from the one 7 years prior. Empires had risen and fallen, millions had died, and the map of Europe, among other places, had been redrawn. Mexico stood as one of the preeminent powers, with military bases and troops all over the world, and a revitalized economy at home. However, not all was at peace, and the world was about to realize that true peace would take decades to achieve.

The world following the end of the Second World War​

 

[theman7777]

51: The Iberian Civil War

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The first major post-WW2 conflict was the Iberian Civil War. While few who payed close attention to the power dynamic in post-war Europe were surprised by this event, it still had a huge impact on the emerging world order. As early as 1943 the forces of the Workers’ Union had begun to train Communist guerrillas in the parts of Spain and Portugal they occupied, as well as to spread propaganda. Following the withdrawal of most the Workers’ Union forces in late 1947, much of the surplus equipment was left in the hands of the Communists whose movement had been nurtured under Workers’ Union occupation.

Beginning in early 1948, across Southern Spain and Portugal, there was a massive Communist uprising against the newly established Spanish and Portuguese governments. These governments had barely had enough time to begin rebuilding their nations and militaries, whereas the Communists had been training for the past 5 years, and were armed with the latest Workers’ Union tanks and armored vehicles. Thus, when the rebellion began it enjoyed quick success against the Spanish and Portuguese forces.

The main source of contention in the international community was how to respond. While a resolution was adopted, it was too little too late. This intervention was largely airstrikes as well some money and armaments, and it did little to halt the Communist advance, and the conflict was done by the end of the year.

Map of the Socialist Federation of Iberia​

In the aftermath, the Socialist Federation of Iberia was established, consisting of six autonomous regions, Spain, Portugal, Asturias, Galicia, Catalonia, and Basque Country. This was considered a major wake-up call for the international community, and clearly pointed out the growing divide between the communist and capitalist worlds. The anti-communists struck back by propping up the Spanish and Portuguese governments in exile, in their colonies, who were now flush with refugees from their home countries.

The World at the End of 1948​

 

[theman7777]

52: The Cold War Begins

As the turbulence of the Second World War subsided, the world became increasingly divided into different Blocs. In North America, Mexico became the leader of the strictly democratic bloc, while in South America, the Empire of Brazil formed their own faction, albeit one without a specific ideological bent. Across several continents, the Communist bloc grew, funneling weapons and money into uprisings in Africa. In Europe, Germany and Great Britain proved to be the dominant forces on the continent, each with their own blocs, Mitteleuropa and the Commonwealth respectively. Their power was largely due to their influence abroad though their colonies.

In Asia, the dominant force was now the East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere, a careful balance of Chinese and Japanese power. The Ottoman Empire during this period worked to craft their own alliance, extending their initial influence in the Caucasus into Central Asia, taking advantage of the Russian collapse.

Each of these factions competed for influence throughout the world, some were close to being allied to each other, and others clear enemies. Nearly every faction was hostile towards the Communists, lead by the Workers’ Union. The main reason these blocs formed were ideological differences, and their desire to impose their will on others. Trade, as well as old rivalries increased the gravitation of certain nations into factions, as well as the fact that nuclear weapons largely ended warfare for major nations, leading many countries to compete for influence and technology.

Map showing factions in 1950 (key: maroon - British, grey - German, dark green - Turkish, lime green - Sino-Japanese, green - Brazilian, pink - Mexican, red - Communist, white - Neutral)​

 

[theman7777]

53: Irish Apartheid

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The reaction of the British government to the Irish Uprising during the Second World War largely laid the groundwork for their policy towards rebellious areas going forward in the Postwar Era. Following the cessation of hostilities in Europe, the focus of British policymakers moved towards Ireland, still under military rule in the aftermath of the Uprising. While many solutions to the problem were discussed, some suggesting even Ireland becoming a Dominion, ultimately the British government settled on something more nefarious. Following the example of South Africa, where new laws segregating the black and white populations were being put in place, the British decided to segregate the Irish and British populations in Ireland.

However, the British were not willing to completely give the island up to the Irish, so they enacted a system by which the vast majority of the island would remain in British hands. Thus, large Irish-majority areas, especially those with large populations such as Dublin, became six new “Homelands” for the Irish people. All Irish with British citizenship had their citizenship revoked, and granted citizenship in the new Irish homelands. In the following months, tens of thousands of Irish people were deported into the homelands, often having their homes and farms be seized by the government to be redistributed to British families who lost their homes during the war.

These new Irish homelands were ultimately quite densely packed, as the vast majority of Irish land ended up in the hands of the British. In addition, many urban areas throughout the new homelands remained bombed-out and decrepit due to unrepaired damage from the uprising. The leaders of these homelands were fully cooperative with the British, having little power of their own and getting most their orders from London.

The system put in place in Ireland following WWII was reflective of the United Kingdom’s policy throughout their empire. In settler colonies, notably South Africa and Rhodesia, but on a lesser scale in Canada and Australia, native peoples found themselves forced into homelands similar to that of the Irish, in an effort to isolate them and make attempts at resistance futile. In non settler colonies, the British put considerable effort into expanding protectorates and puppet states, unwilling to let their vast empire fall apart. Eventually, despite all of their preemptive measures, the British Empire would find itself besieged by a myriad of internal and external threats, growing in number despite the government’s attempts to stamp them out.

 

[theman7777]

54: Mexico and the Sahara War

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In the postwar era Mexico experienced a period of rapid economic growth. While they had not exited the war with large spheres of influence like other major powers, Mexico had established economic and significant political ties around the world. Compared to the bombed-out European nations, Mexico’s industrial capacity was intact, and the demand for Mexican goods fueled the Mexican economy for many years to come. In addition, the waves of refugees and displaced persons coming from Europe further bolstered Mexico’s population and expanded its workforce.

Mexico’s comparatively small sphere of influence, which consisted of only democratic countries, all of which were in Latin America (Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela), began to grow significantly following the Second World War. Most notably, Mexico took advantage of the growing trends of decolonization, which was exploding violently in the Spanish Sahara Protectorate. While this represented a powerful force of Decolonization at this time, Mexico did not support the uprising, because of its communist nature, and how the primary supplier of weapons and goods to the rebels was the Workers’ Union. From 1952 till 1955 this conflict raged, largely because the rebels understood the weakness of the Spanish government-in-exile.

Following the communist takeover of the Spanish mainland, the conservative and monarchist forces fled to the colonies, taking with them tens of thousands of refugees. In the following years thousands more would flee the communist regime in Iberia, most of which settled in Spanish Argelia and Marruecos. Despite the Spaniards’ numbers being bolstered by those fleeing Iberia, they remained outnumbered by the natives, which was a deciding factor in the victory of the SLA (Saharan Liberation Army). Following the loss of the Spanish mainland, control over the newly acquired Sahara protectorate became increasingly tenuous, which lead to the power vacuum that allowed the SLA to rise to power. The forces of the Sahara Protectorate themselves did little to stop the SLA, and by the time the Spanish Army began committing large numbers of forces, most of the territory was under SLA control. The harsh desert made combat for the Spanish forces difficult, and after 3 years of bloodshed the leadership of the Spanish government-in-exile decided to end the conflict, resulting in the Peace of Oran (the capital of Spain-in-exile) which ceded the protectorate over to SLA control. The SLA victory had major implications, namely the bolstering of the Communist Bloc, but also destabilization of the region, as even after the official peace the new communist Saharan government supported independence movements in neighboring Italian Africa and the Spanish Mauretania Protectorate.

Map of the world following the end of the Sahara War​

 

[theman7777]

Unfortunately I've been quite bogged down with the next update, and may have bitten off more than I can chew. I'm going to split it into several parts to make it more manageable.

55: The Indian Civil War - Part 1

In the postwar era an increasing sense of desperation began to grow within the United Kingdom. This sense of desperation was caused by growing decolonization movements around the globe, particularly the ones in British colonies. The fear of losing the Empire became an increasingly real concern, which lead to more aggressive, nationalistic, and semi-authoritarian policies being pursued by the British Empire. This was first exhibited in Ireland, but ultimately had consequences across the globe.

As the British government cracked down with increasing brutality on many peaceful resistance movements within the Empire, many colonial subjects discontent with Britain’s rule turned to more violent means to fight the Empire. This radicalization was orchestrated by communist forces with the backing from the Worker’s Union, who ensured that these newly formed guerrilla groups had a distinctly communist ideology. Thus, especially in Britain's largest colony, India, resistance movements became almost entirely communist.

As part of the increasing decentralization of colonial rule as part of postwar Britain’s “divide and conquer” philosophy of maintaining control over their empire, the system of Princely States within India was greatly expanded to neutralize Indian nationalist movements. This also served to empower various ethnic nationalists within the subcontinent, who ultimately came to support the British against the communist forces who desired an United India.

The only area where this expansion of the Princely States did not apply was the North-Western Provinces, where British control was becoming so tenuous that they could not effectively transfer control to a collaborationist government. In southern India, as well as Malaya, the British government created special administrative zones, that were much more tightly integrated with the British homeland. Indians living in these areas had better rights and opportunities than those living outside the special administrative zones. As a result, the communist movement in these areas was not as strong.

Alongside the special administrative zones, there was also the Burmese Union, which was a loose economic union and confederation of the Burmese princely states. The standard of living in these areas was also better than in the rest of the Raj. Or, at least they were before the beginning of the Indian Civil War.

Map showing India after the expansion of the princely states and immediately prior to the Indian Civil War​

 

[theman7777]

56: The Indian Civil War - Part 2

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When communist rebellion broke out in the North-Western Provinces in December 1956, the British authorities responded with harsh and overwhelming power. However, the largest long term impact of this show of force was simply to further anger the local populations and further contribute to the spread of the rebellion.

The initial hotspots of rebellion quickly spread and formed a larger connected entity, just in time to be devastated by several British assaults. However, much of the territory that the British reoccupied wa subject to intense guerilla warfare, and urban battles drained the British manpower rapidly. Despite this, the British had an overwhelming advantage, having complete control of the skies through the RAF, as well as more advanced equipment on the ground, despite what the Workers’ Union had been sending the Indian communists.

Combat during the Indian civil war highlighted some of the major changing trends in warfare, with a greater focus on automatic assault weapons and guerilla warfare, as with the widespread introduction of anti-vehicle weapons it became much simpler to take out an expensive British tank with just a few men. The fanaticism of the Communist forces also gave them a leg up against their foes. With the British forces increasingly spread thin following their recent advance, the rebels went on the offensive, pushing back the British forces and recapturing much of the land they lost not long before.

Dark blue is territory controlled by the communists during the 2 month ceasefire​

This advance on the part of the Communists grew in strength, and ultimately saw the entirety of the North-Western Provinces fall to communist control. From this point, however, both sides ceased fighting for nearly two months as each group prepared for a resumption of hostilities. This proved to be a poor decision for the British, who thought that the time would allow them to bring in more men. What actually happened was that it allowed for the Indian forces to prepare for an assault, which overran the British positions and greatly damaged the British position on the subcontinent.
The immediate result of this British defeat was the declaration of independence from a number of Muslim Princely States along the Indus River. While both sides initially left them alone, the British came to fear that their example would lead to more Princely states declaring independence, leading to invasion of the Indus states. Some joined with the Communists despite their ideological differences, while others sided with the British, and others yet fought against both. This, combined with the continued communist victories across Northern India, lead to the rise of the Princely Federation.

The Princely Federation was the second attempt for the Princely States to avoid the two extremes of Communist rule and British rule, and to create a decentralized league of Princely States. It opposed both the Communists and the Raj, and for many Princely rulers it seemed the logical choice. Thus, it gained significant power and became the major 3rd party in the Indian Civil War.

Spoilers for upcoming updates are blurred out​

 

[theman7777]

Epilogue - The Next 50 Years

I wanted to start by saying that I’ve always felt bad about never giving closure to the people who read this timeline and encouraged me along the way, providing me with inspiration and pushing me to improve my work with constructive criticism. While I've forgotten much of the narrative I originally intended to write, I will do my best to provide a satisfying conclusion to Mexico Ascendant. Included are some maps and other visuals that I never published, and I do remember some of the broader ideas I had for the direction of the story, so here I will dump everything I have in the hope that it will provide some closure.


Part I - India​

During the Indian Civil War the communists increasingly gained the upper hand, crushing the Princely Federation, and creating a ever more desperate climate for the British. Widespread losses in India and growing insurgencies across the Empire exacerbated the slide towards authoritarianism, with the military expanding its control over both domestic affairs and the conflicts abroad. Having been pushed back to Southern India and taking heavy losses on all fronts, and without approval from the UK government, the command of the British Indian Army authorize the nuclear bombardment of Delhi, in a last ditch bid that a “shock and awe” operation would terrify the communists into surrender. On the contrary, this of course leads to the UK becoming an international pariah, and inspires mass mutiny amongst its Indian troops, allowing the total victory of the communists.

In the aftermath of the Indian Civil War, the UK scrambled to further delegate their rule to local intermediaries throughout the Empire, as it was slammed with sanctions and condemned by the international community, facing widespread unrest both at home and in the colonies.

The world in the aftermath of the Indian Civil War

Part II - Africa​

The rebellions sweeping the British colonies quickly spread to other imperial possessions, with international opinion increasingly turning against colonialism. Slowly but surely, the European powers either voluntarily withdrew or were expelled from their holdings, although this did not extend to all territories on the continent.

The American Junta was able to hold on to Liberia despite a barbaric bush war against communist insurgents by making it a full-fledged state, although the same strategy did not work for the short-lived states of Washington and Jefferson, which succumbed to their insurgencies. The American bush wars were some of the worst, as the generals in D.C. would rather napalm all of Central Africa than admit defeat, which is pretty close to what they tried to do. In the end, it was the neverending stream of America’s sons returning in body bags that forced an end to the bloodshed.

Africa in the midst of decolonization​

The settler dominions of Rhodesia and South Africa held out much longer than the rest of British Africa, resulting in far greater bloodshed, but ultimately they too were defeated (only partially in the case of South Africa). Meanwhile, much of the remaining Spanish and Italian possessions had already been highly Europeanized, which made the case for keeping them easier to sell to the international community. While a number of German colonies had a high population of European settlers, the German government favored the creation of multiracial democracies that would have full control over their affairs but would retain the Kaiser as their head of state. This relationship also involved close economic ties and other forms of collaboration. Sweden also approached decolonization with a lighter touch, ultimately helping to develop industry and higher education in Bas-Kongo, before granting them independence. As a result, Bas-Kongo is one of the most developed countries in Africa by the end of the century, categorized as a high income country.

Part III - The Commonwealth​

As for the official demise of the Commonwealth? It depends how you define it. Columbia left in the wake of Delhi's destruction. New Zealand exited in the 70s, and Australia in the 80s. By the mid-late 80s leftist rebels had overrun Angola, Mozambique, and Rhodesia, forming the Zambesi Socialist Republic, and were now focusing on supporting the Azanian Liberation Army’s efforts to topple the South African government, Britain’s last ally. With the South African army on the verge of defeat, British and South African military leaders issued an ultimatum: either allow the withdrawal of the military and the European population to the Cape Province, or face a repeat of Delhi. The gambit worked, and the conflict ended. However Britain gained nothing from this, as once the South African rump state had stabilized Afrikaner factions in the government and military executed a coup, forming the Cape Republic and severing ties with the UK. This obviously destabilized the uneasy peace with the ALA, with South Africa’s benefactor no longer around, however it would quickly be shown that there was a method to the Afrikaner generals’ madness, as the Cape Republic would successfully test its first nuclear weapon that same year. What later became clear was that pro-Afrikaner factions in the military had been siphoning funds for a secret nuclear program for the past 20 years, in order to shake the country’s reliance on UK forces and allow it to declare independence. South Africa’s betrayal would be the final nail in the coffin for the much-diminished British Empire. The 20 year guerilla war in Ireland reached its crescendo in the early 1990s, ending in the violent expulsion of the economically destitute UK from the bombed-out island. These days the UK remains diplomatically isolated, cut off from trade, and plagued by internal unrest. However, in the past few years in which the kingdom has been at peace for the first time in decades show some signs of improvement. The old guard of aristocrats, generals, and demagogues are dying out or retiring, giving hope for the isle’s redemption.

Part IV - The Worker's Union​

The Worker’s Union too had its day in the sun, and to its credit was able to achieve remarkable things considering its humble beginnings, even if it sometimes required unorthodox methods to produce results. Geopolitically the W.U. experienced a number of shifts over its lifetime, sometimes pursuing cooperation with the capitalist powers, especially Mexico, and sometimes nearly starting a nuclear war with the American Junta. While it was able to create massive growth in its earlier days, poor economic planning and the country’s isolation from many foreign markets lead to a steady slowdown of growth. The leadership of the state grew more complacent, bureaucratic, and corrupt as the years went on, to the point where its citizens no longer saw any reason to endure it anymore. As faith in the system broke down, the system itself broke down, dissolving in the mid 90s. However, corruption did not go away alongside the central committee. A failure to properly transition to a market economy lead to oligarchy and corporate crime. Despite this, there have been significant benefits brought by opening up to the world, and the country still has a lot of potential. Ultimately, it is too soon to tell how the young Gulf Federation will fair in the new millennium.

Part V - The American Junta​

The American Junta ended through gradual liberalization in the later part of the 20th Century, in part due to the humiliating and costly military defeats in Africa. While it is still far from a full democracy, the 2nd American Republic has made significant strides of late. The economy still is skewed heavily in favor of monopolies and well connected businesses due to the Junta’s corporatist policies, but that too seems to have benefited from increasing political liberalization.

Part VI - Mexico Ascendant
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Nobody would contest the notion that the 20th Century was Mexico’s century. At the turn of the millennium Mexico stands as the foremost global power. While no longer the largest economy, or in possession of the largest military, Mexico remains the world leader through cultural influence, its wide array of allies, its commercial ties, its ability to operate militarily in any corner of the globe, and its per capita wealth and prosperity. As the 21st century approaches, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Mexico stands ascendant.

The world as it stands at the end of the millennium





I plan to answer any questions or clarify anything about what happened/is happening/will happen, so anything you're curious about or that wasn't covered in the narrative itself I'll be happy to give an in-depth response.​

 

[theman7777]

A Little Something Extra:
The World in 2050

Global Alliances and Associations

*RCTLA = Revolutionary Concordat for the Total Liberation of Afrika
Ideology: Authoritarian State Socialism

Asian Liberation Alliance
Ideology: Totalitarian State Capitalism with Socialist Characteristics

European Association
Ideology: Liberal Conservatism, Democracy, Welfare Capitalism

Sino-Japanese Co-Prosperity Sphere
Ideology: Semi-Constitutional Monarchism, Market Economy with State Capitalist Characteristics

African Freedom Front
Ideology: Interventionist Liberal Democracy

Red Sea Pact
Ideology: Borderline Authoritarian, Semi-Secular Mixed Economy

Shia League
Ideology: Flawed Democracy, State Capitalism with Islamic Characteristics

Oceanian Defense Coalition
Ideology: Free Market Conservative Democracy

North Atlantic Axis
Ideology: Nationalist Oligarchy with Democratic Characteristics

Pacific Fraternal Union
Ideology: Social Democracy, Noninterventionism

UNASUR
Ideology: Flawed Democracy, Interventionist Socialism



As per usual, feel free to ask as many questions as you want!​