The Star-Spangled Expanded Universe of "What Madness Is This?"

[Master Xion]

Pretty sure all the states in the RU were free to start with?

Honestly, I can see the Southern nations doubling down and becoming horrible agrarian pariah state slavocracies that just bash each other endlessly in a long string of pointless wars until they all collapse in the early-mid 20th century and are rebuilt from the ground up by the sane!RU.

Really? I was under the impression that there were a few folks up there who had slaves but a combination of the abolitionist movement and industrialization led to it being banned in the North? Of course I could be wrong and feel free to call bullshit on that.

 

[Worffan101]

Really? I was under the impression that there were a few folks up there who had slaves but a combination of the abolitionist movement and industrialization led to it being banned in the North? Of course I could be wrong and feel free to call bullshit on that.

I'd have to double-check but I'm pretty sure NJ was the last state that is part of the RU TTL to abolish slavery and that was in 1804 so right about the time of the collapse, actually.

 

[Time Enough]

Visions of China: The Chinese Republic during the Great War

Part 2

1911-1914

Propaganda depicting fighting between Republican and Qing forces, 1914
​

Taxiu & Hong Yi: The New Force of Dharmism

Dharmism was the logical political movement for many Buddhists in Asia, as many turned to Socialism to help fight there oppressors and to prepare for the future afterwards. The creators of Dharmism were Uchiyama Gudō and Girō Seno’o two Buddhist priests from Japan, who after joining the Japanese Government in Exile of Empress Shige in 1900 started developing Dharmism which combined the Buddhist religion with Socialism (and few anarchist elements) which would become popular with many Buddhists across Asia with the idea that the only way to best achieve the ideals of Buddhism would be through socialism. In 1909 as Uchiyama Gudō & Girō Seno’o returned to Japan to help promote and teach the various revolutionary organisations there, their ideology had reached Li Shutong, an artist living in Shanghai who was becoming prominent within the Revolutionary community there. Always interested Buddhism he found the ideas of Dharmism fascinating and decided to join the Buddhist faith. In 1910 he would become a member of the Buddhist faith as China was consumed with Revolution.

Self Portrait of Li Shutong, 1910​

As the revolution occurred and the Revolution of the Divine Fist formed many Buddhists found themselves in trouble due a to mixture of reasons, in certain provinces Republican forces decided to “Westernise” which lead to the destruction of Buddhist monasteries and monuments, the remnants of the Qing army that fled to the Russian Empire would often loot and rob Buddhist monasteries and many Buddhists found themselves being target by religious zealots who had appeared in the vacuum caused by the revolution. Li Shutong realised that Buddhism had to modernise and would find his sentiments being shared Taixu, a Buddhist reformer who had turned to Dharmism as he saw the impotence of the Conservative Buddhists in China. The pair decided to form a partnership spreading a reformed and modern version of Buddhism to both the converted and non-converted across China.

Monk Taxiu, 1911

Dharmist Preacher, 1911
​

They quickly managed to gain followers especially in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of 1911 as many Buddhists fled from the deranged forces of the Tsar who would often massacred Buddhists on sight. As many more started to flock towards Dharmism Li Shutong decided to become a monk changing his name to Hong Yi and created the Jade Temple in Shanghai which he used to both to preach Buddhist philosophy and the idea of Dharmism whilst also printing his and Taxiu views in “Dharmism: Humanistic Buddhism” in early 1912. The book would become popular with numerous Socialist in China who found themselves alienated by the direction of the Chinese Labour Party, in particular Ching-Ling Soong who quickly converted to Buddhism and would become friends with Hong Yi and Taxiu as the pair set their eyes beyond converting the population of the Chinese Republic towards the land supposedly ruled by the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama himself.

13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, 1910
​

In the aftermath of the Velvet Revolution the 13th Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatso found himself in trouble, a reformer and moderniser he found himself at odds with the 9th Pachen Lama Choekyi Nyima who was more of traditionalist and believed that the monks should be in charge of Tibet. This would come to a head during the Tibet-Nepalese War of 1912 in which the recently modernised Tibetan forces tried to invade Nepal under the suggestion of the Pachen Lama and the Kashag. Lead by inexperienced commanders and up against the modernised forces of the Royal Nepalese Army (including veteran Ghurkha Mercenaries who had worked with Europan, Dutch and Nordreich armies) the Tibetan forces quickly collapsed leading to armistice being signed between Nepal and Tibet in January 1913 under the advice of the Europan Indian Government. The war had infuriated the Dalai Lama who was becoming angry with the conservative Kashag. It was at this point that Hong Yi and Ching-Ling Soong would journey to Tibet as part of pilgrimage and to spread the word of Dharmism. Whilst travelling across Tibet the pair would conduct some meetings with various Tibetan reformers which got the attention of Thubten Gyatso.

Tibetan Army, 1912

Nepalese Royal Army Officers, 1912
​

Whilst he wasn’t a Socialist Thubten did see the good in Dharmism and realised that implementing some of its ideas could help with the formation of the new Tibetan state and decided to hold a meeting with Hong Yi and Ching-Ling Soong in which the pair explained the various ideas of Dharmism. Thubten realised that if he were to implement the ideas of Dharmism then he could finally rid Tibet of the clique like Monks lead by Choekyi Nyima and modernise the country properly. In March 1913 Ching-Ling Soong would head back to China to but Hong Yi would stay and become Thubten’s assistant, around about the same time Taxiu would start forming Divine Councils across China which were Buddhist Communes which were organised on Anracho-Socialist line which were given some support by the Republican Government as a way to try and recover support from the Buddhist population.

Choekyi Nyima with Kashag members, 1912
​

As 1913 continued it started to become obvious to Choekyi Nyima and the Kashag that Thubten Gyatso was going to reform Tibet in his image and they were eventually going to become obsolete as a result which lead to them planning a coup. However the coup would be discovered by Tsipön Lungshar, one of the Dali Lama’s aides and a fellow reformer which would lead to the plotters being arrested and exiled (but not before Choekyi Nyima had his eyes gouged out as punishment). Now free of any conservative or reactionary elements Thubten Gyatso and Hong Yi would implement changes starting with the Serf Act of 1914 which ended slavery in Tibet and would start the creation of various Divine Councils across Tibet which would hopefully take over from the Kashag within time. Whilst this was happening Ching-Ling Soong and Taxiu would start the International Dharmism Council on the island of Mount Putuo which would coordinate the efforts to implement Dharmism in Buddhist communities around the globe. Thubten Gyatso, Hong Yi, Taxiu and Ching-Ling Soong hoped that Tibet would become a beacon of hope for Buddhist’s everywhere and he hoped that Buddhists would implement similar systems elsewhere, hopefully peacefully but if not then by force.

Tang Jiyao: The Chinese Strong Man

Tang Jiyao was a man who saw himself as the Emperor that China needed and originally he had planned to commit a coup against the Qing Emperor in 1907 before it was found out causing him to flee. Whilst in exile in Indochina Tang would discover two things; a book detailing the ideology of Custer’s RU and a thriving drug trade which was barely regulated by the lazy Dutch authorities. Using his remaining connections in China he would establish a Drug business in which he would supply Opium to various dens in Shanghai, the money he got back from them he would use to buy guns and pay gangsters to join his slowly expanding organisation. In 1910 as China became the Republic of the Divine Fist, Tang would return and try to start establishing himself as the strong man of China. But first he needed to become the strong man of Shanghai.

Tang Jiyao, 1910​

In 1911 as China was invaded by the forces of the Tsar, Tang would make his move. Tang’s rivals would be murdered as he became the head of the various drug dens, brothels and casinos that Shanghai had in store, the police more concerned with Russian Aeroship bombings and keeping dissidents in check ignored Tang. As things calmed down in 1912, Tang would focus on securing his claims and expanding outside of Shanghai, creating the Tang Clique an organisation comprised of Gangsters, Adventure Capitalists and increasingly Fascists whose politics Tang agreed with but found them lacking Chinese characteristics. Tang would start writing down his ideas on the possibility of Chinese Fascism but they would only be printed in a small pamphlet called “The Chinese Strong Man”, in it called for China to retreat from its conservative ways and become a nationalistic republic which would expand across Asia uniting all Asian’s against the two evils “Russian Empire and Japon”.

Tang Clique Meeting, 1912
​

After publishing the pamphlet Tang would start to flex his muscles creating the paramilitary organisation The Tang Guards, which he quickly turned into a security organisation to avoid problems with the police and the Republican Government who were suspicious of Tang but were dealing with other problems leading to Tang getting away with drug empire especially after he proclaimed a war on drugs in early 1913 which was essentially a way for him to destroy rivals with the help of police. He would also foster relations with various Macau businesses to help ship Opium and other drugs to places like Indonesia and beyond including the RU. He would also muscle his way into politics, becoming part of Kang Youwei’s Imperial Party before kicking him out of it which he did by using the Tang Guards to intimidate the party members.

Member of Tang's Guards, 1913
​

After making himself the head of the Imperial Party he used it to help him win the Shanghai Mayoral election of Autumn 1913, which although considered an insignificance to most in the Republican Government was used by Tang as a way to increase his power in Shanghai. Within months he had managed to fill the Shanghai local government with his cronies and it quickly became a town infamous for vice. However the Republican Government would do little to curb Tang’s influence there, although he was placed under watch and the Chinese Republican Intelligence Agency lead by Wellington Koo placed Tang after the Qing Government as a threat to the Chinese Republic. Despite his power though Tang still found it hard to perfect his political ideas and ideas of a Chinese Strong Man, it was around this time that he would meet a young university student from Hunan called Mao Zedong who was fascinated by Tang’s ideas and he would quickly become firm friends and political allies with him as the years continued.

Mao Zedong, 1914​

Ma Fuxiang vs.Ma Fuyuan: The Two Titans of the Hui

When Qing Government was overthrown the first problem the Republican Chinese Government had to deal with was the Hui Muslim population who were still firmly loyal to the Qing Emperor and lead by Mu Fuxiang would harass Republican Chinese troops in a successful guerrilla campaign. This would change when the Qing Government allied with the Tsar which horrified the Hui due to the Anti-Muslim policies and ideas of the Tsar especially after it was found out that the Tsar had several mosques burnt to the ground with the Mullahs trapped inside, leading to the Hui and other Chinese Muslims to declare loyalty to the new Republican Government. Lead by Mu Fuxiang the Hui Muslim Regiments would prove fearsome fighters against the forces of the Tsar and the Qing. However as the stalemate began political differences between some of the Hui would reach breaking point.

Ma Fuxiang, 1911​

Whilst fighting the Republican Government Ma Fuxiang and his second in command Ma Fuyuan both met with representatives of the Persian Government who saw an opportunity to supply a Muslim insurrection for their own gains. Ma Fuxiang would turn his back on them after joining the Republican Government whilst Ma Fuyuan would stay in contact, buying weapons from them and creating his own small clique inside the army. In 1912 as stalemate set in he went into action, restarting the guerrilla war with the forces of the Republic and denouncing Ma Fuxiang as a traitor the religion of Islam. This infuriated Ma Fuxiang who proclaimed to the Republican Government he would bring Ma Fuyuan’s head on a pike and would start a campaign to rid Ma Fuyuan.

Ma Fuyuan, 1912
​

The campaign with Ma Fuyuan was tough, whilst the Republican forces of Ma Fuxiang would often deal with supply shortages and lack of equipment Ma Fuyuan had a constant supply of weapons and equipment from Persia who made sure to keep him supplied. Ma Fuyuan wouldn’t just keep the fights to the countryside either, often orchestrating terrorist attacks across the cities and towns of China including bombings, hostage situations and kidnappings often aimed at secular Chinese which often lead to those secular Chinese attacking Hui. Several race riots would occur across China over the course of 1912 -13 much to Ma Fuxiang’s anger.

Member of Ma Fuyuan's Guerrilla's, 1912

Chinese Troops rush to deal with a hostage situation, 1913
​

However he would quickly find himself some powerful allies who would help him defeat Ma Fuyuan, in particular Wellington Koo and Song Jiaoren who both liked Ma Fuxiang in particular his progressive and good willed nature. What the pair didn’t know was Ma Fuxiang’s odder political beliefs in particular Ma Fuxiang believed in a strong Republican Government which also adopted Communalist nature to its structure of local government. Communalism which was often called “Watered Down and Ineffective Beutelism” called for the creation of small commune style councils which would report to the republic for help with things like funding, work projects and armed/police whilst managing the local region with very little input from the government which he believed would solve the governing of the various Chinese provinces.

In May 1913 Ma Fuxiang would help out in the coup in return for increased support and becoming governor of the Gansu after the fight with Ma Fuyuan. As Dutch arms and supplies flooded in Ma Fuxiang would use them to his advantage, in particular he would become fond of experimenting with the primitive air force the Republic had using the small aeroships they had to perform reconnaissance and to drop bombs in particular gas on the forces of Ma Fuyaun. In November 1913 Ma Fuyuan would be found by Ma Fuxiang in Hezhou City leading to street fighting between the forces. However Ma Fuxiang would win, capturing Ma Fuyuan in the process leading to his execution by firing squad before his body was behead and his head stuck on a pike and taken back to Canton. In return Ma Fuxiang would be made governor of the Gansu and he would start slowly trying to implement his ideas before quickly being interrupted as the Tsar's force pushed through into Southern China. But just because Ma Fuyuan was dead elements of forces still reminded now lead by Ma Lin who fled into Persia to prepare for the eventual strike back when the time came.

Fighting in Hezhou City, 1913

Ma Lin's Forces in Persia, 1914​

 

[Time Enough]

So that was a big one on China, two parts which reached 5'000 words. It certainly was fun. Now I'm not sure what to do next;

The brief war in Wales
Or
The War in the Colonies
Or
The destruction of California
Or
The War in Ireland

So much to choose, maybe you could shout out with ideas.

 

[245]

So that was a big one on China, two parts which reached 5'000 words. It certainly was fun. Now I'm not sure what to do next;

The brief war in Wales
Or
The War in the Colonies
Or
The destruction of California
Or
The War in Ireland

So much to choose, maybe you could shout out with ideas.

Wales and Ireland, and Scotland as well.

 

[Simeon]

... And now the Dutch are screaming bloody murder over the fall of a partner that is Republican China.

 

[traveller76]

So that was a big one on China, two parts which reached 5'000 words. It certainly was fun. Now I'm not sure what to do next;

The brief war in Wales
Or
The War in the Colonies
Or
The destruction of California
Or
The War in Ireland

So much to choose, maybe you could shout out with ideas.

In order of preference:
1. War in the Colonies
2. Destruction of California
3. The Brief war in Wales
4. The War in Ireland

Suggestions:
1. Effects of the Quebec Flu worldwide
2. Better living through technology (scientific developments)
3. Where are they now?

 

[Time Enough]

... And now the Dutch are screaming bloody murder over the fall of a partner that is Republican China.

"Quick buy as much of Canton as possible, we need to make an investment on this for fuck sake",yeah the Dutch are certainly annoyed although given that there plan's in the region were to strip mine it and run away with the loot they kind of deserve it. Hopefully the Republic of China can flee to Canton and Formosa (although that's not going to help everyone). Also I can see Tang Jiyao doing fine, I doubt the Russian Secret Police will be bothering with gangsters when they have bigger fish to fry (I can see him making a deal which allows him to be a governor of the Shanghai area).

In order of preference:
1. War in the Colonies
2. Destruction of California
3. The Brief war in Wales
4. The War in Ireland

I am leaning more to doing a look at the war in the colonies, first in Asia and then in Africa (maybe slip some Boots action to the Africa segment), I am also interested in doing the brief war in Wales mainly because I want to write something darkly comedic (I plan to have David Lloyd George & Niclas y Glais as Tony Blair & Gordon Brown style figures getting into bickering fights over politics as Wales implodes around them etc.) and doing one about Wales would allow me to do that. Although I could play up the "rich plantation owners try to play soldier only to minced upon meeting actual opposition" with the colonies story. A lot to chose from there.

Suggestions:
1. Effects of the Quebec Flu worldwide
2. Better living through technology (scientific developments)
3. Where are they now?

I like the Quebec Flu one, I keep a hold on that one. I think I could do a scientific developments one, similar in tone to my art one. I'm not sure about where are they now ones, maybe we'll see (maybe one on James Connolly, I like him and his character in WMIT so I'll see).

 

[Murica1776]

I'm planning on writing up a post on alt American art. Any suggestions on themes and styles to focus on? My idea is some kind of a mashup of traditional folk art, Soviet Realism, Nazi art, and a Rockwellian/Disneyesque sheen to make sure the fascism goes down saccharine sweet. I'm also thinking of covering alt-American folk heroes if y'all have any suggestions to throw my way.

 

[GrayCatbird42]

I'm planning on writing up a post on alt American art. Any suggestions on themes and styles to focus on? My idea is some kind of a mashup of traditional folk art, Soviet Realism, Nazi art, and a Rockwellian/Disneyesque sheen to make sure the fascism goes down saccharine sweet. I'm also thinking of covering alt-American folk heroes if y'all have any suggestions to throw my way.

I can imagine the RU being against whatever stands in for the avant-garde ITTL, both due to the general opposition of dictatorships to experimental art (especially if you're referencing Nazi propaganda/Soviet socialist realism) and because it's most likely associated with "decadent, absinthe-swilling Papist Europans".

Now, I can imagine *Disney having a lot more movies about Anglo-Saxon/Germanic folklore like Siegfried, Beowulf, and King Arthur, plus the requisite propaganda about Arnold, Burr, Milo Miles, etc. They're old enough that they're essentially American folk heroes. Also probably a film about Alvin and the Nutter.

Large portions of Disney's canon wouldn't be made though. "Pinocchio", "The Three Caballeros", and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" are all centered on Inferior Papists, and some of the works they're based on won't be written in the Madnessverse.

You'd also probably see offensive caricatures of immigrants enshrined in high art as well as propaganda (although in the RU they're essentially one and the same). Probably a lot of large allegorical paintings depicting the Immolation of Mexico and the wrath of God during Cleansing Month.

Now that I'm writing this, it would be interesting to see which Disney/Pixar films would never get made ITTL, or would be racist propaganda if they were.

 

[traveller76]

I see more Americana. The farm boy goes on great adventures against the decadent empire. The fall of a man to ruin and his redemption through the Church. How glorious the future will be under the leadership of the Union...

 

[Murica1776]

I can imagine the RU being against whatever stands in for the avant-garde ITTL, both due to the general opposition of dictatorships to experimental art (especially if you're referencing Nazi propaganda/Soviet socialist realism) and because it's most likely associated with "decadent, absinthe-swilling Papist Europans".

Now, I can imagine *Disney having a lot more movies about Anglo-Saxon/Germanic folklore like Siegfried, Beowulf, and King Arthur, plus the requisite propaganda about Arnold, Burr, Milo Miles, etc. They're old enough that they're essentially American folk heroes. Also probably a film about Alvin and the Nutter.

Large portions of Disney's canon wouldn't be made though. "Pinocchio", "The Three Caballeros", and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" are all centered on Inferior Papists, and some of the works they're based on won't be written in the Madnessverse.

You'd also probably see offensive caricatures of immigrants enshrined in high art as well as propaganda (although in the RU they're essentially one and the same). Probably a lot of large allegorical paintings depicting the Immolation of Mexico and the wrath of God during Cleansing Month.

Now that I'm writing this, it would be interesting to see which Disney/Pixar films would never get made ITTL, or would be racist propaganda if they were.

I see more Americana. The farm boy goes on great adventures against the decadent empire. The fall of a man to ruin and his redemption through the Church. How glorious the future will be under the leadership of the Union...

I definitely don't see the Union embracing anything avant garde. That's for the "sissified French Papists" to create. I definitely anticipate Beowulf and King Arthur being stupidly popular, as well as Washington, Burr, and other folk heroes. In fact, thinking about this sparked the idea for a future American folk hero update, lol.

I've started typing up the post. I've basically divided alt-American Art into 4 genres: Yankee Romanticism, American Greco-Romanism, American/Fascist Realism, and Americana. I should hopefully have it up soon!

 

[245]

I definitely don't see the Union embracing anything avant garde. That's for the "sissified French Papists" to create. I definitely anticipate Beowulf and King Arthur being stupidly popular, as well as Washington, Burr, and other folk heroes. In fact, thinking about this sparked the idea for a future American folk hero update, lol.

I've started typing up the post. I've basically divided alt-American Art into 4 genres: Yankee Romanticism, American Greco-Romanism, American/Fascist Realism, and Americana. I should hopefully have it up soon!

when you finish can you do the same for Carolina and the rest of the world in terms of art?

 

[GrayCatbird42]

I definitely don't see the Union embracing anything avant garde. That's for the "sissified French Papists" to create. I definitely anticipate Beowulf and King Arthur being stupidly popular, as well as Washington, Burr, and other folk heroes. In fact, thinking about this sparked the idea for a future American folk hero update, lol.

I've started typing up the post. I've basically divided alt-American Art into 4 genres: Yankee Romanticism, American Greco-Romanism, American/Fascist Realism, and Americana. I should hopefully have it up soon!

I can also see something like Thomas Cole's The Course of Empire paintings becoming huge in the RU's art world, but with more stuff about how empires fall when they let their Pinnacle Bloodlines become diluted. Also large, crowded propaganda paintings showing the imagined state of the rest of the world. Like perhaps some kind of decadent feast lorded over by Pope Sixtus VI, or a "tour of the nations" crammed with ethnic and religious stereotypes

 

[Murica1776]

Hey guys, quick update! I should have the art chapter up tomorrow. I would have finished it sooner, but I was also busy wrapping up finals, lol.

 

[Time Enough]

The Great War in the Colonies: Asia ​

As the giants of Europe battled each other for dominance of the continent other battles were happening elsewhere. The colonies of the various European powers also prepared themselves for war, however unlike the veteran soldiers and master tacticians of their homelands the colonies instead often housed spoilt rich kids playing soldier, career criminals, bored servicemen and natives who preferred being the beater instead of the beaten. Much of these problems were made worse when many of the elite military organisations stationed in the colonies were sent back to Europe or to the Middle East to deal with the problems there. In their wake they left the dumbest of the dumb, the crooked of the crooks and the worst of the worst to fight out trivial battles which didn’t amount to much in the long run, let’s find out more shall we:

Battle in the Jewels of Asia:

As Europa fought the Russians in Europe in India things were relatively quiet, apart from the usual battles with insurgent tribes and the occasional religious zealot in Kashmir the Europan army wasn’t really doing much. In fact numerous troops would be shipped off to Europe to fight the Tsar in Europe leaving behind a rather motley force in its wake lead by distant cousin of Emperor Napoleon, a General by the name of Jean Louis Rossi. The son of an Italian Duchess and a cousin of Napoleon in 1870, Jean spent his entire life in luxury and comfort, especially after he was sent off to India as a Captain in the Europan Army. Despite the fact that Jean was terrible at tactics other than overwhelming his enemies with large numbers and heavy artillery he quickly rose up the ranks, thanks to a mixture of nepotism and blind luck ending up the head of the Europan forces in India by 1911. As word got out about the conflict between Europa and the Central Powers Jean decided to start planning an attack of Dutch South East Asia and to arrest numerous Central Powers residents living in India despite promises that the businesses in the region wouldn’t get involved in politics or the war. Throughout late November and Early December numerous Central Powers and Dutch residents & companies would move to Dutch South East Asia or to neutral Nepal (leading angry discussions between the Europan Ambassador and the Nepalese Government) and prepare for the worst.

Jean Louis Rossi (left) at Californian War Games in 1910

Picture of Rangoon in Dutch Burma, 1910
​

On December 10th 1911, Operation Joyeux Noel would be declared by Jean, a three pronged attack in which Europan forces would advance into Dutch controlled Burma and Ceylon as well as sending ships to bombarded Dutch Malaysia and Siam. Jean believed that Dutch South East Asia would fall by Christmas with Jean planning a victory parade in Bangkok once Siam was taken over, however that would quickly turn out to not be the case thanks to the work of the Dutch Commander of the South East Asian forces, Major General Johannes Drees.

Major General Johannes Drees was born in 1861 to Henk Drees & Juliana Drees, middle class owners of a Tea House in the Netherlands. In 1879 he would join the Dutch Army just in time for the Dutch invasion of the Zulu nation in 1880 which he would prove himself in combat during the battle of New Groningen being awarded the Imperial Dutch Medal of Valour and being promoted to Captain as a result. Throughout much of the 1880s, 1890s and the early 1900s Johannes Drees would raise up through the ranks, using his charm and cunning tactical abilities to help quash numerous rebellions across the Dutch Empire. He would become friends with the Dutch Royal family in particular Prince Herman Napoleon the nephew of King Louis Napoleon which would cause him problems. In 1906 French Newspapers would gain sordid pictures of Johannes and Herman engaged in intimate acts which caused a scandal amongst the high society of the Netherlands particularly once more details were discovered.

Major General Johannes Drees, 1911
​

Despite the fact that Johannes was happily married to his wife Elisabeth of 12 years it quickly became apparent that the pair of them had a rather open relationship and would often engage in intimate acts with other people often of the same gender within Dutch High Society (including several royals and a few business owners). In wake of the scandal the Dutch Royal Family did clean up, sending Herman off to be the Governor of Dutch South Africa whilst Johannes and his wife was sent to Burma (a country that would become infamous as a place to send important Queer Dutch individuals after their sexuality was discovered often leading the colony being mocking called “The Deviant Colony”) with Johannes becoming the Commander in Chief of the Imperial Dutch Asian Army. Whilst there Johannes would reorganise the military, become friends with both the Dutch and Asian High Society and make sure to prepare for the eventual war with Europa. By the time Jean Rossi incited his plan Johannes had already gotten Dutch Asian territories ready for war.

Members of the Imperial Burma Rifles, 1911

Member of the Europan Indian Army, 1912
​

From the get go Jean Rossi’s plan of overwhelming the Dutch with a combination of heavy artillery and manpower wouldn’t work, particularly as it became apparent that the Dutch weren’t going to keel over and submit. The attempted invasion of Ceylon was the first indication that Jean Rossi’s plan was flawed. Thanks to outdated information the Europan’s believed they were facing a small force of about 5’000 men, instead in the past several months Johannes had increased it to 20’000 Imperial Dutch troops alongside 6’000 native police and militia volunteers. Equipped with as many artillery pieces, mortars, coffee grinders and rifles as possible and lead by hand headed veteran and friend of Johannes, General Jan Klop the forces there were ready and waiting for the Europan forces. After the Europan Indian Fleet bombarded the Northern Shoreline of Ceylon, Europan troops landed there expecting light resistance. Instead they were greeted with mortar and coffee grinder fire whilst the artillery pieces fired at the various Europan warships that sailed nearby sinking one and damaging several others. The landing was a shambles and after two days of intense fighting in an attempt to head in land the Europan forces surrendered as the warships headed back to India. Jean Rossi was furious instead throwing all his remaining forces at advancing through Burma whilst the Europan Indian fleet was sent to harass Dutch ships and bombard various locations in Siam and Malaysia. Jean would also organise the few aeroships he had into a bomber squadron with several being sent to bomb Ceylon whilst the rest were sent to support troops in Burma.

Dutch Artillery Piece in the Ceylon Fortifications, 1911

Europan Battleship "The Pride of Lyon" sinking off Ceylon, 1911
​

The Burma campaign would quickly become a slog for the Europan forces, despite early gains they had quickly fallen into a stalemate when they reached the so called “Elisabeth” Line named after the Generals Wife, a series of trenches and fortifications that lay deep within the Burmese jungle which slowed down the Europan forces. The dense jungle often confused matters with Europan artillery and air support often causing friendly fire to occur, alongside that many of the troops would become sick with illnesses like malaria and dysentery. Jean Rossi tried to get his troops to advance before monsoon period began but to no avail and by May 1912 his forces had advanced only slightly further into Burma causing Jean Rossi to stop Operation Joyeux Noel and to have his troops dig in until the monsoon period passed. Instead Jean Rossi decided to start a bombing campaign of cities across Dutch Asia using his Aeroships which he hoped would crush the will of the people. It didn’t work as many of the colonial subject’s, even ones who despised Dutch rule joined together against the Europan forces. Attempts to organise and support revolts and riots in Siam and Malaysia were crushed by the local colonial police with ruthless efficiency and the perpetrators shot.

Europan Artillery bombard Dutch positions, 1912​

Malayasian Rubber Plant on fire after a bombing run, 1912
​

In November 1912 Jean Rossi started a different plan, instead of trying to invade Ceylon and Burma he was going to focus on Burma instead with Operation Rangoon intending to finally gain the nation once and for all. On November the 25th 1912, Europan forces advanced yet again this time supported with not only artillery and aeroships but also gas. Due to a lack of gas masks the Dutch forces were forced to retreat with Europan forces reaching Mandalay by the 1st January 1913 much to the delight of Jean Rossi. However things back in India were getting out of hand, food shortages, lack of pay and nationalist sentiment had boiled over yet again and riots across the sub continent occurred. Jean Rossi’s troops would get in on it too leading to the Punjab Mutiny of February 1913 which Jean Rossi would have to brutally crush leading a massacre that killed 1’000 Soldiers. Having become addicted to alcohol and cocaine Jean was steadily becoming a toxic influence which was becoming apparent to the Governors of India as he tried to bully his way through Europan colonial society, punishing those who defied him and in one case stabbing a governor who told him that he couldn’t provide anymore food to the war effort. Fearing another Emperor Greer the various Europan colonial government plotted for Jean’s swift demise waiting for the right moment to initiate it. In April 1913 Johannes having finally gained additional strength from Dutch colonial forces from Indonesia and former members of the Royal Dutch Army alongside copious amounts of gas and flamethrowers would push the Europan forces back using Indonesia shock troops lead by Major Gerardus Johannes Berenschot to clear a path through the Europan forces. Outraged Jean Rossi would take an aeroship to survey the situation and to “put the fear of god into my men”.

Europan Troops during Gas Mask training, 1912

Indonesian Shock Troopers, 1912

Troops from Dutch Siam rest in Yangon, 1913
​

Whilst over the frontlines Jean Rossi would fall out of the aeroship to his death (it’s strongly believed that he was flung out by several crew members under the orders of the Europan Colonial authorities although it was never confirmed), with the position of the head of the Europan Indian Military going to the calmer and more sensible General Eduardo Delaine who organised a general retreat back to India. Upon learning about Jean’s fate, Johannes reaction was to laugh for several hours before telling his men to dig in upon reaching the Indo-Burmese border. Realising that the foolish Jean had been replaced with the boring but practical Eduardo, Johannes decided against pushing his luck. Apart from some small advances into Manipur, most of the Dutch efforts were about shoring up and preparing for Europan attacks into Burma again.

General Eduardo Delaine (left) showing members of Europan Colonial Society the trenches in Bengal, 1913​

Dutch Imperial Troops engaging in Machine Gun fire in Bengal, 1913
​

This didn’t occur as the war between the Dutch and Europa would end in December 1913, leading to celebrations across Dutch South East Asia whilst India had a more dower affair mainly involving trying to quell the remaining riots and to normalise the situation. In February 1914 Johannes would return to the Netherlands and become a member of the new The Dutch Imperial Knights and win the Imperial Medal of Valour alongside Jan Klop & Gerardus Johannes Berenschot and many others for their actions in Burma. Meanwhile Eduardo Delaine was given the permanent position of head of the Europan Indian Military which he took with gusto, crushing several uprisings that occurred across the country with extreme ruthlessness. Of course India & Burma wasn’t the only colonies where war occurred as we’ll see next time where we see how the war went in Oceania (spoiler, Europan had some problems there).

A collection of rioters, terrorists and nationalists await to be executed, 1914​

 

[Murica1776]

Visual Fascism: The Art of the American People
University of Lyon Press
​

To many Europans, the idea of American art seems an oxymoron, like a yellow orange or a weak Bonaparte. After all to produce art, one must be capable of introspection and empathy, things which the Yankees seem to forgo in favor of insane Fundamentalism, blood soaked expansionism, and obsessive industrialism. However, despite the horrific nature of their society, the Americans have still produced a great deal of art, albeit art that is both informed by, and reinforces, their fascist worldview. The study of the four main schools of American art, Yankee Romanticism, American Greco-Romanism, American Realism, and Americana, reveals a great deal about the twisted depths of the Yankee mind and soul, invaluable for those who wish to understand our Empire's greatest enemies.

Yankee Romanticism: This school of art is derivative of a wider school of Yankee thought known as the American Romantic Movement, which has influenced literature, art, and even music. Fundamentally, Yankee Romanticism worships the past glories of the American people, especially the American War of Independence, and glorifies noble heroes of American history and an imagined "Anglo-Saxon-Nordic-Teutonic-Classical" past which functions more as fascist myth than historical fact. Depictions of Aaron Burr, George Washington, Beowulf, and King Arthur are exceptionally common, as well as depictions of masses of colonial soldiers fighting the British, Republican Union troops facing down the "Psychotic Canuckie Hordes," and the imperial movement of Manifest Destiny via portrayals of pioneers and others. The Father of Yankee Romanticism is John Trumbull, who started by painting depictions of George Washington. The second most influential, and even more famous member of this school, is Emanuel Leutze, who was extremely prolific. Below are three works considered emblematic of the genre, two from Leutze and one from Trumbull.

The Surrender of General Cornwallis to General Washington at Yorktown by John Trumbull (1820)

Patriot-Saint Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze (1851)

Westward Ho! The Pinnacle Race Spreads the Empire of Liberty by Emanuel Leutze (1853)
​

American Greco-Romanism: The American people claim imperial descent from a variety of sources, but the most famous of these is the ancient Classical World. Believing that their blood flows with the blood of Greek tyrants and democrats, as well as Roman Caesars and Republicans, the Americans have a fetish for all things Greco-Roman. This has reflected itself in American art and architecture, with Greco-Roman tropes and scenes being found in sculpture especially. There is also a unique desire among the Americans to portray their dictators and tyrants as Roman figures, and a prominent example of this shall be seen in the examples below. The most famous sculptor from this school is Edmonia Lewis, a Negro woman from New York. Featured below is also a Leutze painting, as he worked with Greco-Roman tropes as well, and the line between American Greco-Romanism and Yankee Romanticism is notoriously blurry when it comes to painting.

The Strong Man Triumphant; or Caesar, Pinnacle Conqueror of France by Emanuel Leutze (1855)

Forever Free: The Pinnacle Negro Rescued from Bondage by Edmonia Lewis (1864)

Patriot-Saint Washington as Jupiter by Edmonia Lewis

The Pinnacle Man in Nature by Edmonia Lewis (1883)
​

​

American Realism: American Realism is a newer form of art, and coincides with the rise of the Manifest Destiny Party. In fact, the whole genre has been driven by government funding, as a way to propagandize the Fascist regime. It depicts happy, hardworking Americans "fighting the good fight for Liberty," and depicts scenes both blatantly propagandist in nature, and more subtle propaganda extolling American prosperity, community, and power. Large scale murals or posters are the favorite mediums of this school, although there is some sculpture as well. Leader portraits are also featured in this school, and they blend a strange sense of realism with cultish enthusiasm. The artists in this school are numerous, but the most famous are John Singer Sargent, Thomas Eakins, and William Abraham Chase. A good sampling of their works follows:

President Custer as Frontiersman by William A Chase (1892)

Our Commander-in-Chief in Bespoke Uniform by John Singer Sargent (1901)

A Saturday Luncheon by Thomas Eakins (1908)

A Pinnacle Wedding by William A Chase (1907)

Social Darwinism in Action by John Singer Sargent (1912)
​

Americana: Americana is the academic and marketing moniker given to a brand of American popular or "pop" art. Designed to be displayed in the home, this genre of art is focused on the everyday parts of American life. Depictions of small town Main Streets, baseball games, parades, and other "village life" scenes are staples, alongside the ubiquitous patriotic pieces. Perhaps more than any other school of Yankee art, this one is defined by subject matter rather than a specific style or group of artists. The artists in this genre are too numerous to mention, but the most prolific and successful producers of Americana are Currier and Ives Printmaking and All-American Painters Corporation, who mass produce Americana for the public.

American Winter Scenes by Currier and Ives (Original Print 1880)

Father Washington by All-American Painters Corporation (1852)

The Soldier's Home, The Vision by Currier and Ives (Original Print 1860)

Life in the Country by Currier and Ives

Across the Continent by Currier and Ives

​

 

[Murica1776]

when you finish can you do the same for Carolina and the rest of the world in terms of art?

I might try and do Carolina, but the rest of the world is on the precipice of such drastic change that I don't know if I could do their art justice. Plus I'm not as educated about more avant garde movements that I imagine will at least be somewhat influential in the non-Fascist world.

I think the next thing I'm going to write is going to be a list of American folk heroes. There will be some OTL heroes (Paul Bunyan for example) Madness! Burr, Lincoln, and Custer (now that Custer's dead), Beowulf, King Arthur, and some original ones. After that, I've been thinking about writing some "excerpts" from different history textbooks around the globe (but especially Yankee ones) to show just how warped their interpretation is. I think it would be interesting since we all obviously love history on this site.

 

[Master Xion]

Say, has anyone proposed an AU scenario where the Southron nations managed to defeat the Republican Union, perhaps with substantial French help?

 

[Time Enough]

Coming Soon:

The Great War in the Colonies:Oceania

Duke Ernest Augustus the Second of Western Australia

Minister of Defence John De Burgh

Aboriginal Soldier with wife before being sent of to fight the Commonwealth

Commonwealth Soldiers advance

​