Lalli is correct. Here is a map of eastern Africa as of 1983. What do y'all think about the Comoros islands. Should they stay a British colony, become a dominion, go independent, join East Africa, or join Madagascar?
The Union Forever: A TL
- Thread starter Mac Gregor
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Lalli is correct. Here is a map of eastern Africa as of 1983. What do y'all think about the Comoros islands. Should they stay a British colony, become a dominion, go independent, join East Africa, or join Madagascar?
AFAIK, the Comoros have not much to do with Madagascar culturally, so it's possible that any of the other options would be better.
They do and they don't. A large part of Comoran ancestry is Malayo-Indonesian, and there were periodic slave raids and conquest by the Sakalavas of Madagascar (especially on Mayotte/Mahoré). On the other hand, Islam, centuries of Arab/Shirazi influence and the importation of East Africans have made the Comorans very distinct from any Malagasy ethnic group. They weren't very happy with being administered as part of Madagascar until the 1940s IOTL, and I doubt they'd join it voluntarily ITTL, although there may or may not be formal cultural links.
As for whether they'd stay British, that depends on whether there's an anglophile creole class similar to the one that kept Mayotte a French dominion IOTL. My guess is not - the Comoros wouldn't be British ITTL for as long as Mayotte was French (thus less time for an affinity to develop) and the creole class may well be mostly French-descended as in Mauritius. I'd guess that they'll go for independence, and in fact that (as in OTL) there will be movements for each individual island to go its own way.
Most of the inhabitants speak a variant of Swahili. I vote East Africa.
I would say east Africa or independent Dominion.
Speaking of which, will decolonization happen in this timeline? The British dominions in Africa is decolonization I guess, and the Congo is currently warring for independence if I remember. Will other colonies (the non-british ones) get independence?
Speaking of which, will decolonization happen in this timeline? The British dominions in Africa is decolonization I guess, and the Congo is currently warring for independence if I remember. Will other colonies (the non-british ones) get independence?
Decolonisation is probably pretty inevitable event. But it might not be so massive as in OTL. It is possible that some British dominions will become republics. And yes, in Congo is war ongoing. And probably soon in Cameroon is too. Portuguese colonial empire probably collapse too.
Great comments guys, I will differently give them some thought. Indeed, decolonization is happening ITTL but is slower that OTL due to the lack of a second world war and some smarter choices. Parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East have already broken off and more will continue to do so. What do y'all think about certain colonies joining the UK proper? For example, Gibraltar and some Caribbean islands electing MPs to Westminster?
Iberian Crisis: Apr - Dec 1983
The Iberian Crisis
April – December 1983
April – December 1983
Spain
After the chaotic first quarter of 1983, both sides braced themselves for what would turn into a long and bloody war. In Seville, King Juan IV appointed Xavier Felicaino de la Rosa generalísimo of the Royalist forces. De la Rosa formulated a three-point plan to regain the country. The first point was to dramatically enlarge the forces fighting for the crown. This included conscription as well as attracting foreign mercenaries and volunteers. There was no shortage of these with literally millions of recently demobilized soldiers around the world form the late Asia-Pacific War. Second, de la Rosa intended to starve the Rebels into submission wherever possible. To accomplish this de la Rosa ordered the destruction of crops and livestock in Rebel held areas and converting merchant shipping into armed vessels in order to blockade the coastline. Lastly, de la Rosa informed King Juan and the Royalist Prime Minister Emilio Sagasta that a quick assault to retake Madrid could not be mounted at this time. Instead de la Rosa decided to bide his time until his forces were superior to the Rebels. Leon was surrounded in order to prevent reinforcements and supplies from reaching the besieged Rebels.
In September, the Royalists launched a brutal assault against the coastal city of Valencia. The fighting would last for more than two weeks. Ultimately, it was the devastating fire of the Royalist navy that forced the Republicans out of their urban barricades. Video footage of Royalist troops executing captured Rebel fighters caused outrage around the world as did similar videos of Republicans hanging civilians deemed to be helping the Royalists. While the Rebels lost ground in the south, by the end of 1983 they managed to capture nearly all of the Royalist garrisons along the Pyrenees. This greatly eased supplies coming over the boarder form France. During this time, France with the aid of the International Humanitarian Association set up a number of refugee camps running from Bayonne to Narbonne. Sadly, by the dawn of 1984 each side held roughly the same amount of territory as nine months before despite hundreds of thousands of casualties and millions of civilians displaced.
Portugal
In Portugal, forces loyal to the shaky regime in Lisbon held onto power despite Royalist guerrillas capturing several towns in the northeastern part of the country. In order to make further headway, Prince Fernando convinced his father and the Royalist government to strip the last of their remaining forces from their colonies stating, “We can have Portugal or Africa, but we cannot have both.” Unsurprisingly, African rebel movements seized control of Angola and Mozambique within weeks of the Portuguese withdrawal. In Guinea, a ceasefire was reached with elections planned for the following year. In Goa, the municipal authorities under Gopal Sahani announced the creation of the Republic of Goa comprising the enclaves of Goa, Daman, and Diu after the Portuguese officials left unmolested. The new republic was quickly recognized by the Commonwealth of Madras as well as the Republic of India. East Timor, São Tomé and Príncipe continued to remained in Royalist hands. Bolstered by these reinforcements, Prince Fernando was able to link up with pro-Royalist forces in the north. By December, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Portugal was limited primarily to the cities of Lisbon, Porto, Braga, and their environs.
As in Spain, foreign weapons and fighters continued to poor into the country. One of the most effective Republican outfights was the Free Lusitania Brigade comprised mostly of Latin Americans and Europeans. The Royalist employed the soon infamous King Alphonse Battalion that included a number of Japanese mercenaries some of whom, such as Captain Hiroshi Nishimura, were wanted for war crimes.
Flag of the Republic of Goa
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Good update, MacGregor!
If the local population feels British, it would be possible to elect MPs, I think.
Why does Hungary control Transcarpathian Ruthenia? Or rather, why was Russia prevented from annexing the area?
Works for French Guiana.
No reason it couldn't work, but I don't know how racist the UK proper inhabitants would be towards the Caribbean population.
As for the update, looks like the Royalists will ultimately prevail but possibly with some breakaway state(s) in Spain remaining and almost certainly with major governmental changes in both countries.
Hoo boy. Whoever wins this, it doesn't look like it's going to be pleasant. I think the Republicans are more in the wrong, though, for executing civilians instead of soldiers.
I wonder how intra-subcontinent relations will look in the coming years. How do the other Indian nations feel about Goa?
Agree. It is pretty bad idea to execute civilians. It will not increase support for republicans. But executing of rebels not be good idea too. However win civil wars, victors will have not easy and there is probably some kind of semi authotarian regime, not matter win monarchists or republicans.
MacGregor, Upon rereading this and i just noticed a part where Robert Todd Lincoln talks to his youngest son, William Lincoln, in one of your snippets (his reelection in 1908), and i was just wondering whether any other Lincoln entered the spotlight yet?
I liked independent Goa too, that's a great idea.
So if there are Japanese mercenaries, can it be reasonably inferred that Imperial Japan is openly backing the Royalists too? Or has the Pacific War been too damaging for them to do so?
So if there are Japanese mercenaries, can it be reasonably inferred that Imperial Japan is openly backing the Royalists too? Or has the Pacific War been too damaging for them to do so?