loughery111
Banned
Well, I finally decided to start a timeline. It's going to be done in the "excerpts of various historical texts" style, so it'll be bouncing around a bit between topics, and won't always be in chronological order. There will be references to events outside the Pacific, as needed, but I'm going to try to keep the focus there. If I prove able to write worth a damn, I might expand a bit into other areas and post-war history...
I've always been somewhat intrigued by what-if scenarios involving an early start to WWII, for instance at the Munich Conference or, as ITTL, following the Panay Incident and the Rape of Nanjing. So this will be my take on the shape of a WWII that drags the United States in several years early, and with a focus on the Pacific.
I'll release the first update tomorrow, a relatively short one. I'm going to try to stick to a weekly update schedule. Unfortunately, I'm going to be forced to do a lot of research on this as I go, and I've only got maybe the first year of the war outlined... so don't regard this as a promise, more of a guideline.
“It is increasingly clear that to deny the American people an opportunity to bring Japan to justice would cost President Roosevelt the 1940 election…” –New York Times editorial, February 20, 1938
“It is the declaration of the Congress of the United States, on this day, the Third of March, 1938, that a state of war exists between the United States of America and the Empire of Japan.” –Public announcement of US Declaration of War, March 3, 1938
“The Empire of Japan presents a threat that America and the world can no longer afford to ignore. Their actions in the taking of Nanking represent the most horrifying behavior seen in warfare since before America’s foundation. For this reason, and to protect both the people of China and Americans living within reach of Japan’s rapacious armies, Congress, at my request, has declared war on Japan. We fight to protect our familes and those of our brave allies, the Chinese, from conquest and murder at the hands of a ravening horde. May God have mercy on our souls and those of all who fight for freedom and justice.” –Franklin D. Roosevelt, Address to the Nation, March 4, 1938
10 points to whomever can guess the exact POD... the only hint you'll get is the first half of the thread title. Good luck. Comments or other feedback, anyone?
I've always been somewhat intrigued by what-if scenarios involving an early start to WWII, for instance at the Munich Conference or, as ITTL, following the Panay Incident and the Rape of Nanjing. So this will be my take on the shape of a WWII that drags the United States in several years early, and with a focus on the Pacific.
I'll release the first update tomorrow, a relatively short one. I'm going to try to stick to a weekly update schedule. Unfortunately, I'm going to be forced to do a lot of research on this as I go, and I've only got maybe the first year of the war outlined... so don't regard this as a promise, more of a guideline.
Prelude
“It is increasingly clear that to deny the American people an opportunity to bring Japan to justice would cost President Roosevelt the 1940 election…” –New York Times editorial, February 20, 1938
“It is the declaration of the Congress of the United States, on this day, the Third of March, 1938, that a state of war exists between the United States of America and the Empire of Japan.” –Public announcement of US Declaration of War, March 3, 1938
“The Empire of Japan presents a threat that America and the world can no longer afford to ignore. Their actions in the taking of Nanking represent the most horrifying behavior seen in warfare since before America’s foundation. For this reason, and to protect both the people of China and Americans living within reach of Japan’s rapacious armies, Congress, at my request, has declared war on Japan. We fight to protect our familes and those of our brave allies, the Chinese, from conquest and murder at the hands of a ravening horde. May God have mercy on our souls and those of all who fight for freedom and justice.” –Franklin D. Roosevelt, Address to the Nation, March 4, 1938
10 points to whomever can guess the exact POD... the only hint you'll get is the first half of the thread title. Good luck. Comments or other feedback, anyone?