I guess there'd be a distinction between "technocracy" wherein scientists/engineers/etm. are listened to and "technocracy" wherein scientists/engineers/etm. are told what to say. Like how there's a classless utopian "communism" and the kind that's actually existed IRL.
The Union Forever: A TL
- Thread starter Mac Gregor
- Start date
I guess there'd be a distinction between "technocracy" wherein scientists/engineers/etm. are listened to and "technocracy" wherein scientists/engineers/etm. are told what to say. Like how there's a classless utopian "communism" and the kind that's actually existed IRL.
1984 Presidential Election
1984 Presidential Election
With a decent if not great economy at home and a hard won peace abroad, many thought that President Margret Stewart would seek a third term as president. President Stewart however opted not to run again, stating that she “wished to go out on top.” The Democratic nomination soon became a three-way contest between Vice President Hudson Accardo of Florida, Governor Benjamin Norwood of Dakota, and Senator Andrew Peatross of New Jersey. While Vice President Accardo was the natural frontrunner his reputation was severely tarnished in the 1982 Lake’s Crossing gambling scandal despite being acquitted. Governor Norwood represented the socially conservative isolationist wing of the Democratic Party and wooed voters by promising to stay out of any troubles overseas, especially in Iberia. Senator Peatross was a labor union champion and favored revitalizing American manufacturing. 1984 is remembered by historians as arguably the first presidential election where both parties’ candidates were decided by the recently empowered primaries and caucuses and not at the national conventions. Peatross secured his party’s nomination after sweeping Delaware, Rhode Island, Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico, and Maryland in April.
Andrew Peatross
Andrew Lynn Peatross was born on February 25, 1927 to working class parents in Newark, New Jersey. Peatross put himself through college at Rutgers University by working nights at a New Brunswick railyard. In the following years, Peatross rose to prominence as a labor organizer before being elected as a state senator at the age of 31. Peatross, married the same year and eventually had three children with his wife Cassidy. The New Jersey legislature selected him as a United States Senator in 1979. Charismatic and affable, Peatross was adept at working crowds. His working class background was integral to his common man imagine making him a favorite or poor and lower middleclass Americans.
The Campaign
The 1984 presidential election saw a variety of third party candidates divide the electorate. Jarrod Baumgartner and his American Technocratic Party launched a spirited campaign but failed to gain traction as the public was increasingly worried about Technocratic China’s waxing influence. The Ecoist Alliance, a small but growing environmentalist party, nominated Tracy Harlow and gained a spirited following with conservationists, young voters, and anti-nuclear activists. However, it was eccentric businessman McKenzie Lovett who garnered the most votes for a third party candidate brandishing a virulent strain of rightwing populism.
The Republican Party nominated Bobby Wentz the competent if not somewhat boring Governor of Ohio. Wentz however, was often overshadowed by his running mate Abraham Lincoln IV a freshman congressman from Illinois. The Republicans’ calls to contain China’s rise and increase funding for the space program did little for an American populace who was largely content to enjoy peace and quiet after years of war. This played well for the Democrats, who ran on a simple platform of paying down the wartime debt and protect American jobs.
Andrew L. Peatross
Democrat from New Jersey
35th President of the United States
The Results
On election night, Peatross and his running mate Chris Groce of Absaroka failed to secure a majority of the popular vote. However, with such a divided electorate the Democrats easily won a majority of the Electoral College making Andrew Peatross the 35th President of the United States.
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Yeah, the third party candidates wittled away at their majority. We will have to wait and see what 1988 looks like.
Here is a quick rundown of the primaries and caucuses by month as of 1984 courtesy of a great friend of the TL, rick007.
February : Iowa, Vermont, Nevada, and Cuba
March: Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, New Hampshire, Texas, Mahetane, Sequoyah, Dakota, Tennessee, Minnesota, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Alabama, Nebraska, Colorado, Louisiana, Pacifica, Kansas, Maine, Guiana, Mississippi, Jefferson, Michigan, Absaroka, Ohio, Missouri, Florida, Illinois, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, and Washington
April: Laramie, Pasapa, New York, Delaware, Rhode Island, Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico, Maryland, and Indiana
May: Connecticut, Oregon, Kentucky, and New Hampshire
June: Panama, Guadelupe and Martinique, California, New Jersey, and Micronesia
February : Iowa, Vermont, Nevada, and Cuba
March: Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, New Hampshire, Texas, Mahetane, Sequoyah, Dakota, Tennessee, Minnesota, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Alabama, Nebraska, Colorado, Louisiana, Pacifica, Kansas, Maine, Guiana, Mississippi, Jefferson, Michigan, Absaroka, Ohio, Missouri, Florida, Illinois, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, and Washington
April: Laramie, Pasapa, New York, Delaware, Rhode Island, Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico, Maryland, and Indiana
May: Connecticut, Oregon, Kentucky, and New Hampshire
June: Panama, Guadelupe and Martinique, California, New Jersey, and Micronesia
Yeah, does tend to keep the election season a little shorter than OTL.
Iberian Crisis: 1985 Portugal
The Iberian Crisis
1985: Peace in Portugal
1985: Peace in Portugal
For the first four months of 1985, the Royalists under Prince Fernando made slow but steady progress as they cordoned off Rebel controlled Lisbon from the rest of the country. However, the Republicans pushed backed each thrust into the city with considerable loss of life for both sides. Conditions inside Lisbon deteriorated as food, medical supplies, and ammunition ran dangerously low. Desiring to end the war before the Spanish Republicans secured their country and could intervene in Portugal, Prince Fernando formulated a plan. If he could split the Republican camp, a negotiated peace might be reached. The two largest factions in the Republican government the Communist League and the Front for Democracy had grown increasingly hostile towards one another as the war dragged on. In a meeting in Dublin mediated by the British Commonwealth, representatives from the Front for Democracy met secretly with Royalist envoys. The Royalists offered amnesty to the Rebels if the Republicans would lay down the arms and swear allegiance to King Manuel III. The Front for Democracy countered that any peace settlement would be contingent on the transition to constitutional government. After two weeks of negotiations a tentative agreement was reached. Manuel III was to be reinstated, Royalist Premier Miguelito Luiz Fernandes would be dismissed and forbidden to return to mainland Portugal, all Rebels who swore allegiance to the crown would receive a pardon, those who refused would be allowed to emigrate to a country of their choice unmolested, free and fair elections for a new parliament and constitutional convention were to be held by 1987. Britain, Portugal’s ally since 1386, guaranteed the terms and agreed to act as a peacekeeper until a new government could be established.
A bloodless transition however, proved impossible to achieve. News of the conference leaked to the Communist League in besieged Lisbon. What followed, has become known by a variety of names but in Portugal is most commonly referred to as the noite das granadas “night of the grenades”. For three days, the pro-peace Front for Democracy fought the irreconcilable Communist League in the streets. Per their agreement, the Royalist did not interfere in the partisan bloodletting. On June 3, the remaining elements of the Rebel government publicly announced that it would agree to the terms as discussed in Dublin. British troops landed the following day to secure the city. After 32 months of war, the conflict was effectively over. The rest of the year saw an uneasy peace settle over the devastated country. Prince Fernando, who had over the course of the war effectively taken control of the Royalist government, saw that the Monarchists adhered to the peace terms to the consternation of the hardliners. In the Azores, Premier Fernandes was imprisoned after refusing to step down. Unsurprisingly, he would die before the end of the year reportedly from stomach cancer. All told, an estimated 206,000 Portuguese died in the war. A further 295,000 fled the country. Portugal had lost its empire, but saved its monarchy. It would be up to Prince Fernando and the Republican remnants to forge a new Portugal.
Democratic Socialist Republic of Portugal
1982-1985
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A quick run down on Portugal's oversea possessions and their current status.
The Azores and Madeira: Served as the staging grounds for the Royalists retaking of the country during the war. The islands have been promised increased autonomy when the postwar constitution is drafted but will remain integral parts of Portugal.
Angola: Achieved independence after the Portuguese withdrew in 1983. Now known as the African Republic of Angola under a shaky coalition government seated in Benguella.
Portuguese India: Goa, Daman, and Diu are united as the independent Republic of Goa. Gopal Sahani is the current President.
Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor: These three territories are still colonies of the Kingdom of Portugal. During the war, the Royalist government was forced to grant considerable autonomy to placate the population. Questions regarding their future status are set to be discussed during the constitutional convention in 1986.
Mozambique: African rebels quickly took over the country after the Portuguese withdrawal in 1983. However, the new country immediately descended into civil war with several factions vying for power.
Guinea: After a successful referendum for independence in 1984, the territory is now the Republic of Guinea with its capital in Bissau.
Flag of the Republic of Guinea
The crossed machetes and star was a popular symbol used by Guinean freedom fighters and has been adopted by the new republic. Yellow represents the land's prosperous future, the black strip represents the Guinean people, and blue represents national unity.
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Well, that's too bad. Will Portugal have the strength to interfere in Spain?The Iberian Crisis 1985: Peace in Portugal
For the first four months of 1985, the Royalists under Prince Fernando made slow but steady progress as they cordoned off Rebel controlled Lisbon from the rest of the country. However, the Republicans pushed backed each thrust into the city with considerable loss of life for both sides. Conditions inside Lisbon deteriorated as food, medical supplies, and ammunition ran dangerously low. Desiring to end the war before the Spanish Republicans secured their country and could intervene in Portugal, Prince Fernando formulated a plan. If he could split the Republican camp, a negotiated peace might be reached. The two largest factions in the Republican government the Communist League and the Front for Democracy had grown increasingly hostile towards one another as the war dragged on. In a meeting in Dublin mediated by the British Commonwealth, representatives from the Front for Democracy met secretly with Royalist envoys. The Royalists offered amnesty to the Rebels if the Republicans would lay down the arms and swear allegiance to King Manuel III. The Front for Democracy countered that any peace settlement would be contingent on the transition to constitutional government. After two weeks of negotiations a tentative agreement was reached. Manuel III was to be reinstated, Royalist Premier Miguelito Luiz Fernandez would be dismissed and forbidden to return to mainland Portugal, all Rebels who swore allegiance to the crown would receive a pardon, those who refused would be allowed to emigrate to a country of their choice unmolested, free and fair elections for a new parliament and constitutional convention were to be held by 1987. Britain, Portugal’s ally since 1386, guaranteed the terms and agreed to act as a peacekeeper until a new government could be established.
A bloodless transition however, proved impossible to achieve. News of the conference leaked to the Communist League in besieged Lisbon. What followed, has become known by a variety of names but in Portugal is most commonly referred to as the noite das granadas “night of the grenades”. For three days, the pro-peace Front for Democracy fought the irreconcilable Communist League in the streets. Per their agreement, the Royalist did not interfere in the partisan bloodletting. On June 3, the remaining elements of the Rebel government publicly announced that it would agree to the terms as discussed in Dublin. British troops landed the following day to secure the city. After 32 months of war, the conflict was effectively over. The rest of the year saw an uneasy peace settle over the devastated country. Prince Fernando, who had over the course of the war effectively taken control of the Royalist government, saw that the Monarchists adhered to the peace terms to the consternation of the hardliners. In the Azores, Premier Fernandez was imprisoned after refusing to step down. Unsurprisingly, he would die before the end of the year reportedly from stomach cancer. All told, an estimated 206,000 Portuguese died in the war. A further 295,000 fled the country. Portugal had lost its empire, but saved its monarchy. It would be up to Prince Fernando and the Republican remnants to forge a new Portugal.
Democratic Socialist Republic of Portugal1982-1985
Probably not. I think they'll be trying to patch up their own wounds first and put an end towards the strife before looking outwards again.
I'm rather surprised that a truce with the Spanish Republicans wasn't one of the treaty articles. Perhaps it originally was, but got taken out in the bargaining.
Probably Portugal is too weak to doing anything. It has now long recovering era. And it would be stupid to intervene to Spanish Civil War anyway. Peace in Portugal hardly is so sure thing yet.
"A good compromise always leaves everyone mad."- Bill Waterson, Calvin and Hobbes. Speaking of which, how have newspaper comics been developing?
Mac Gregor: Good timeline. I'm personally very impressed at the lack of Europe tearing itself apart twice, that takes a lot of skill. As for Iberia, I don't see Spain letting this slide if the Republicans win. If the Commies win, then it's a coin toss between intervention and significant meddling in Portuguese politics. If the not-Commies win, then it's an initially chilly relationship followed by a gradual warming. After all, Portugal now has a parliament with actual power! I'd be pure hypocrisy to continue to oppose them on ideological grounds.
Ah, I remember Calvin and Hobbes fondly, and I have all of their strips. I also remember the exact context for the quote, and it applies perfectly. Mac Gregor, if you are a merciful God for this world, and you have already shown you are, please let a Calvin and Hobbes analogue occur. It would only be right.
Ah, I remember Calvin and Hobbes fondly, and I have all of their strips. I also remember the exact context for the quote, and it applies perfectly. Mac Gregor, if you are a merciful God for this world, and you have already shown you are, please let a Calvin and Hobbes analogue occur. It would only be right.
I'm very surprised these colonies are still around.
Really nice flag. Great symbol and great color scheme.