Thank you! I think I've been a little too focused on East Asia, there'll be more European and maybe modern day content coming in the near future.
Needle In A Haystack - A Cold War TL
- Thread starter ItsMyKetchup
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- cold war fdr henry a wallace usa
Likely not, its main purpose is to be a military installation, which it does a pretty neat job of already. Statehood means voted representatives, and citizens might get to actually voice their valid complaints, which is a big no-no for the U.S government. Besides, the vast majority of people either support continuing being a territory or independence, so statehood would just be another headache. Generally, I wouldn't see Ryukyu being admitted to the Union anytime soon, but anything is possible.
While the New Deal coalition fell apart after FDR's death, the New Deal still lives on, as the Progressive Party and Wallace have adopted many of FDR's domestic policies and expanded government in economic affairs.
Map of South China region, 2019
My first Inkscape map! (Don't be too harsh
)The Republic of China is what's left after the Nationalists were decimated in the Chinese Civil War. However, they were spared, being able to keep their possessions in the South China Sea, as well as Hainan and Taiwan. They operate on "easy diplomacy", in reference to their generous EEZ, spanning much of the South China sea, enforced by the U.S Navy presence in the region. Their control over these loose set of islands, some of which are very close to the Chinese coast, means that they can negotiate generous economic deals with other nations. In fact, signing the Handover Agreement with Portugal in 1970 meant that Macau would be transferred to ROC authority in 1989. Portugal agreed to abide by the agreement in 1989 despite pleas from Beijing. While Beijing was able to receive another prize in the mail, Hong Kong, the handover of Macau only legitimized the ROC's authority, preventing them from losing their U.N Security Council seat until 1999.
The People's Republic of China has remained mostly poor throughout the 20th century, although recent economic advances and liberalization efforts have caused a massive upshot in their economy, climbing up to 7th place by 2000, and the "Chinese Tiger" is threatening to disrupt the geopolitical and economic balance of the world. Alas, as the PRC approaches its 70th birthday, there is much to be optimistic about. Only 37 countries now recognize the ROC officially, the ICJ may reduce the ROC's EEZ by a significant amount in an upcoming case, and American arm deals to the ROC have slowed down to a trickle. Ultimately, the Two Tigers of China may be battling for another 70 years to come.
(Alright, that's enough Asia stuff for now.)
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I love the map. Also, it's actually quite interesting that such a broad cold war TL started off with Asia. Can't wait to see what the rest of the world is up to.
Gruening Plan (Europe)
This TL's version of the Marshall Plan. This time, it's worldwide, and helps become the foundation for the American-European relationship during the Cold War. It becomes one of Secretary Gruening's main priorities, along with decolonization and international cooperation.
Thank you! And Europe is pretty much the same as OTL, except a bit more nationalist and less American friendly, as well as a stronger Soviet presence, tempting Western European powers to form several regional alliances, mostly without the US. The rest of the world is quite... interesting, as a less hawkish American foreign policy (with the exception of McArthur) leads to some vastly different regimes and countries.
Modern day stuff and President Bernie Sanders is coming up soon...
By 1947, when the Gruening Plan is first implemented, the U.S still sees the Soviet Union as an ally, although this view quickly diminishes once very clear differences in foreign policy arise, but the Progressive Party and America's left still holds a "meh" view towards the USSR.
Bernie Sanders and the Progressive Party
President Bernie Sanders and the Progressive Party.
Well-made maps and infoboxes!
Also, does this mean an independent Rhineland Republic?
Yes, it does! Wallace was able to push some changes to Germany's borders once the Allied occupation ended, he implemented parts of the Morgenthau Plan (without the whole destroying Germany thing), including an independent Rhineland. He also tried to get Bavaria to become independent, but failed nonetheless.
It was treated as part of the French colonies, as it was pretty much under a lot of French influence at that time.
The plan seems to have succeeded later, according to your map! What was the impetus for South Germany to become independent after the Gruening Plan? When did independence come, and what government does South Germany have?
Germany was so utterly destroyed after World War II, and due to American apathy towards the German condition (save for some aid money) the idea of a single German identity that had been present since 1871 collapsed. Adding insult to injury, with the embarrassing split-up of Germany into occupation zones, people began identifying more with their province/state (like Saxony, Bavaria) then with a general German identity. Eventually, the 'German Troubles' in the 60s lead to a precarious agreement where South Germany would become independent in 1967, in order to ease mounting tensions. However, the economies of the German states are closely linked, with all being joined under a mini German EU.
Since the USSR is still alive in this TL (albeit with vast reforms and a different name), the Eastern Bloc was able to survive until the early 2000s, when it eventually gave way and began a mass democratization across Eastern Europe and even the USSR itself. East Germany and West Germany reunited, and there are talks of all of Germany eventually reuniting, as the younger generation has started to form their own German identity.
South Germany is a federal parliamentary republic, similar to other European nations, and has a Prime Minister and a President, as well as devolved provincial governments. Its politics are mostly similar to other European countries, but is not a member of the Atlantic Cooperative, despite being surrounded by AC members.
Since the USSR is still alive in this TL (albeit with vast reforms and a different name), the Eastern Bloc was able to survive until the early 2000s, when it eventually gave way and began a mass democratization across Eastern Europe and even the USSR itself. East Germany and West Germany reunited, and there are talks of all of Germany eventually reuniting, as the younger generation has started to form their own German identity.
South Germany is a federal parliamentary republic, similar to other European nations, and has a Prime Minister and a President, as well as devolved provincial governments. Its politics are mostly similar to other European countries, but is not a member of the Atlantic Cooperative, despite being surrounded by AC members.