The Rise and Fall of the British Republic

Right, now that Marky Bunny and I have got this timeline more or less planned out I thought I'd start from the beginning. Apologies if this basic reposting isn't allowed.

PoD is the success of the Spring offensive of 1918 owing to better logistics, planning and perhaps simply luck.

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Selected excerpts from the Diaries of John Burrows, assistant to Andrew Bonar Law, Prime Minister April 13th to April 30th 1918

Mr Burrows moved to America in 1928 to avoid increasing sentiment against people associated with the previous government. He wrote and published his memoirs in the 1930s.


9th April 1918
On my way to Whitehall I saw that the newspapers were starting to report what we were already aware off. The Main part of our forces in northern france has been swept back into the English channel by the German advance. Our troops, simply finding no further land to flee too have surrendered or fled their cause. As I arrived into Whitehall this was added to as I heard of the German’s advance as they turned their attention to the French, Americans and others As their so called “Shock Troopers” driving daggers deep into our lines in meticulously laid out plans.
Part of me wonders if it is punishment for our pride. Some of my colleagues described, upon hearing of the German attacks, as the last angry swipes of some cornered animal, only to find the German beast leap at us, supported by new soldiers tempered by three years of fighting Russians and Romanians.

This isn’t productive. The War Cabinet was meeting today and shall be tomorrow. The Chancellor will need to be rested, as will my country.

12th April 1918

The prime minister spoke to parliament and then the nation today. With causalities mounting in Northern France it has been decided that we shall effectively sue for peace with the Central Powers. He has given his justifications for accepting defeat as the desire to bring as many of our troops home safely from a conflict he believes we cannot win without most likely years more conflict, if at all. At the end of the speech he gave his resignation announcing he would recommend the King appoint Mr Bonar Law, my superior and Chancellor of the Exchequer.

13th April 1918

I am now secretary and assistant to the Prime Minister although much of me wishes this change had come under better circumstances. We travelled to Buckingham palace, having to make our way through the gathered crowds. When I had been informed about them I expected republicans and anarchists but instead we saw bank clerks, ship builders, street sweepers and shop owners. A broad mix of angry and perhaps dissapointed Londoners.

The eyes of the empire are split between the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, who is split between communicating with the prime ministers of the dominions as they arrange the withdrawal of their own troops and the unsurprisingly frustrated former allied powers. I suspect that they too will try and make peace with the Kaiser before too long.


14th April 1918
Already my journey to work has become more difficult, there are increasing numbers of frustrated workers, civil servants, academics and all others appearing at our gates in Whitehall and reportedly across the country. Some accuse the government of selling us out to the Central Powers and of giving up to easily. Some simply want our troops home safely. Others fear the Germans will not accept our surrender and we will see German Shock Troopers Marching up the beaches of Brighton and Dover by autumn.

Some correctly recognise me as a Civil Servant and ask me questions about the government’s plans for the continent. All I can do is merely reply truthfully that I do not know.

15th April 1918
This morning the Prime Minister has received word from Paris that France too is suing for peace along with what remains of the Belgian government, Italy and all other allied powers. By the Afternoon we’d received word that America had called truce with Germany. The war is for all intents and purposes over. I now await news of what more it will cost us.

Today I saw my first fatality, a man broke through police lines and headed towards the Prime Minister before policement caught him and beat him to the ground.

Even the police lines seem to be thinning.

20th April 1918
Through unknown methods and contacts the Times reports that representatives of the central powers are meeting in Vienna to discuss our fate. I fear for the Empire. Britain shall surely prevail but I don’t know if the Empire will prevail without us.

News is coming from around the world of uprisings. Nationalists in India attacking British army bases, renewed Irish republican violence and even protests in Canada, South Africa and Australia.

21st April 1918
I saw the first troops returning home today. Their mood seems peculiar yet understandable. It is a mix of anger and exhaustion. Their spirits have been broken but many of them don’t see the Germans as being the ones who broke them. Many of the troops travel straight from the arriving ships to the protests and crowds clashing with police. We are safe in whitehall but each day we hear news of riots and mobs forming in towns and cities.

26th April
For the first time I fear for my life. Sir Alfred Mond, commisioner of works was accosted whilst travelling out of London. His vehicle was stopped by a group of rioters (who some are saying were communist revolutionaries) and he was killed whilst trying to escape. I do not know if they are attacking members of the upper classes or government workers or simply those that look wealthy. I’m only a civil servant but even I am watching my back.

27th April
Changes are afoot in whitehall. Today the Prime Minister met with Mr J.R. Clynes, leader of the Labour party. I’m not privy to what was discussed but one can assume certain topics.

28th April
This Morning brings news of more murders, the more extreme groups of dissenters are targetting government officials and people assosiated with the crown and government.

The Prime Minister met with Mr Clynes again, this time joined by Mr Asquith, the Foreign Secretary and other members of the cabinet

29th April 1918
This morning the Prime Minister announced to his personal members of staff that, to prevent further bloodshed and disorder he will recommend to the king that he abdicate and Mr Clyne take his place as President of some republican Britain, promising new elections and reforms. Some of the crowd gathered protested at this but i stayed silent. I dislike this idea but i fear it is a choice between this and Bolshevism. Following this the Prime Minister departed, without my assistance, for the palace. I haven’t seen him since.

30th April 1918
This morning, Mr Clynes and the Prime Minister appeared before the gathered press to announce their plans to the world. His Majesty the King has agreed to abdicate. Mr Clynes will assume the office of President and Prime Minister until democratic elections for both the office of President and what he called “A British Senate” can be held. This would form the upper house of parliament, replacing the Lords.

Whilst watching them conduct this broadcast I kept reminding myself that it was a neccesity to bring peace back to Britain. I hope the people accept these changes.

1st May 1918
I awake this morning for my first day as a Citizen of the Republic of Great Britain and my last day as a civil servant. All aspects of government are being overhauled and reformed and although I could find employment in the new government both my personal duties to Mr Law and my assosiation to the previous government would perhaps represent a conflict of interests. Only god knows what the future holds and I hope that the dwindling crowds in the city streets are a sign that great things are afoot.

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Coming Next: The Treaty of Vienna
 
I must admit the plan came before the PoD.

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Excerpt from "Broken Britain: a history of the British republic," by Alistair Murray, Mitchell-Webster, 2005


In October 1918 with the ink barely dry on the first draft of the British Constitution, President Clynes found himself summoned to Vienna by the victorious central powers. It was widely assumed that the central powers would take a relatively moderate position given the surrender but not abject defeat of the Allied Powers. Their first condition, the British acceptance that they were the aggressors in the war and should take was largely symbolic but would justify and reinforce later parts as well as impacting on the mood of the British people.

Many historians have described the German tactics used at Vienna in such colourful terms as “Suffocation” and “decapitation” of the British Empire. The main part of this was the severe limitation of British armed forces. The army was to be cut back to a fraction of its size and limits to be put on the size and weight of tanks, essentially limiting the British to armoured cars. The (former) Royal Air Force, only recently formed, was to be limited to unarmed recognisance only. The navy was to be limited in both size and manpower. The limitations on size and tonnage of British ships limited them to half a dozen battleships (each smaller and less powerful than their wartime equivalents) a dozen cruisers and 18 torpedo boats. Over the next few years these limitations would be disastrous in efforts to counter rebellions and uprisings throughout the empire.

Some of the more extreme predictions during the summer of 1918 were that most or all of British colonial territories would go over to German control. However German demands in this area were relatively light and often in areas that were adjacent to existing German colonies. Control over Kenya, the Gold Coast, areas of Northern Rhodesia and Bechuanaland (later Botswana) was given directly to the Germans with limitations over troops being stationed in the remaining colonies. Similar deals were given to the French, severely reducing their presence in the continent. In line with German demands over the future of Belgium, Belgian lands in the Congo and Rwanda were also given to Germany.

The treaty saw the establishment of a German-lead European Union across the continent with Germany directly annexing areas of the Netherlands and Southern Belgium and creating the state of Flanders-Wallonia and a revised state of the Netherlands which would be part of a European customs Union and under German supervision.

With Belgium and areas of France still in German control and much of the British army having disbanded Clynes had little choice but to agree to the terms. Clynes had already stated he would not run for election in 1919 and much of the public sentiment blamed the treaty on the previous government so Clynes reluctantly accepted and returned home to the construction of the new British republic.
 
I take there was a PoD before 1918 for Germany to be in this position of superiority and for the Labour party to be so strong?
 
The PoD is admittedly vague and is generally that the spring offensive was better planned and the problems of logistics were overcome.

There’s no specific PoD for Labour. Simply that Clynes took advantage of the situation and was seen as a suitable link between the public and the government. Labour aren’t necessarily in power and the current caretaker government is probably predominantly national coalition
 
Daily Telegraph
4th September 1918
Royals “Still welcome in Britain,” say Clynes.


Interim President John Clynes has stated that the Royal family, the majority of whom are living in Canada at the present, are still welcome to visit Britain. This has lead to criticism from some, stating this sentiment may promote rebellion from the more staunch supporters of the new republic. It has however been lauded by conservative members of parliament and outgoing members of the house of lords who say it promotes a more gradual transition to what the former Secretary of state for war Winston Churchill called “The end game that Clynes and his socialists have forced upon us,”

At time of print it is unknown if the Royal family will visit Britain in the foreseeable future.

The Times
11th October 1918
Labour announce presidential candidate


Labour have defied expectations and chosen Author and ardent socialist Herbert George Wells. It was expected Labour would choose party Leader William Adamson but Mr Adamson has stated he will remain as leader of the Labour party and gives Mr Wells his strong support. It is hoped that Mr Wells’ Oratorical skills and pacifist views will capitalise on the anti war and left wing sentiments in the country at present.

Daily Telegraph
29th October 1918
Liberals select Chamberlain as presidential candidate

Just six days after the Conservative party choose George Curzon as their candidate for January’s presidential election the liberals have chosen Secretary of State for India Austen Chamberlain as their presidential candidate. Mr Chamberlain has stated he will stand down from his current position to fight the election, standing on what he calls the principles of “Unionism, freedom and reconstruction,


News of the World
12th November 1918
Leaders meet to discuss the future of the Empire

Representatives from the dominions of the British empire have met to discuss the Empires future and organisation under the Treaty of Vienna. Many different proposals have been discussed, one of these was proposed previously last year by Jan Smuts, South African statesman and minister without portfolio, to reorganise the empire into a more mutal “Commonwealth,” and renew the empire as a world power.
Yet more controversial are the calls to give control of British military assets to other nations in the empire to bypass the limitations of the treaty of vienna. It has been noted by some however that this would require greater definition of powers such as Canada, South Africa and Australia as states.
 
From The History of the Fallen Republic (2011)

The first ever Presidential election took place on Thursday January 16th 1919.

Five candidates took part, the Labour Party who had nominated much to many peoples suprise Author and ardent socialist Herbert George Wells ahead of Labour Leader William Adamson. The Conservatives chose George Curzon, the Liberals Austen Chamberlain. There where two other candiadtes both from the left. Slyia Pankhurst ran for the Workers Socialist Federation Party whilst the Communists nominated Cecil L'Eestrange.

Pankhurst ws supported by Sein Feinn in Ireland as she promised if elected to grant independance to the whole of Ireland, whilst all the others promised a settlement and all where very vague on the Irish question apart from Pankhurst.

The question was of course at the front of the campaign, with Wells calling both Curzon & Chamberlain "guilty men with blood on their hands". Curzon admitted mistakes in the handling of the war effort but said "The fundlement right of the war was correct". Chamberlain did every thing he could to distance himself from the Liberal War leaders of Asquith and Lloyd George.

Curzon said he accepted the formation of the Republic and that there would be "no return to the Monarchy", and that the country "must live in the real world".

The result was closer than many people belived it would be going to a run-off a week after the first election.

After the first ballot Wells only edged out Curzon by 62,370 votes with 30.49% of the vote to Curzons 29.89%. Chamberlain was 298,045 behind Curzon with 26.69 % of the vote. Pankhurst recived 7.72% of the vote although much of her support came from Ireland, and Cecil L'Estrange on just 5.21% of the vote.

In the second ballot in a straight run-off between Wells and Curzon, Wells edged out his opponent by 55.73% to 44.27%. It showed without any dobut that despite the formation of the Republic, the country was still very much a Conservative nation.
 
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RESULTS OF THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, HELD ON THURSDAY JANUARY 16TH 1919

  1. Herbert George Wells. Labour. 3,145,789 30.49%
  2. George Curzon. Conservative. 3,083,419 29.89%
  3. Austen Chamberlain. Liberal. 2,785,374 26.69%
  4. Slyiva Pankhurst. Workers Socialist Federation. 797,107 7.72%
  5. Cecil L'Estrange. Communist. 502,668 5.21%
RESULTS OF THE SECOND ROUND OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, HELD ON THURSDAY JANUARY 23RD 1919
  1. Herbert George Wells. Labour. 5,748,191 55.73%
  2. Geroge Curzon. Conservative. 4,566,166 44.27%
Margin of 1,182,025 votes (11.46%)
 
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