DominusNovus said:
Have the Americans and Russians be very close allies throughout the mojority of the 20th century. POD after Dec 1941.
With Communism in the Soviet Union being so diametrically opposed to everything the United States stands for, I think this is almost ASB territory. But here's an idea....
The Germans pull off a smashing victory over the Soviets at Stalingrad in the Spring of 1942. They fully exploit the victory (Hitler stays out of military planning and let's his Field Marshals run the show). Moscow falls in the late summer of 1942. Stalin and most of the rest of the Communist bigwigs are captured as they flee the city and executed. The communist regime comes crashing down. A rump communist state is formed by surviving Politburo members in the areas east of the Urals, but concludes peace with Hitler in early 1943.
Since entering the war in December 1941, America had been sending Lend-lease materials to the communist regime in Russia. Now that this regime is gone from Russia proper and the rump regime in the east has made peace with Hitler, America instead supports various non-communist groups which are resisting the Nazis in the areas under German occupation. The allied invasions of northwest and southern Europe proceed on schedule, and gradually, the Nazis are pushed back (albeit at much higher cost). Finally, after atomic bombs are used on several German cities, Germany surrenders in late 1945. American and British troops move into the various occupied regions, including Russia, and assist in the restoration of native governments there. Under American guidance, a democratic regime is established in Russia, and Russia is greatly aided by American food aid and other economic aid under the Marshal Plan. As a result, Russia (the area of the old Soviet Union west of the Urals) becomes a firm American ally, and, along with America, faces the Soviet Union (the communist regime east of the Urals) and China in the Cold War...with China being the dominant partner in the Communist alliance.