Unbroken Chains- Time Line

mowque

Banned
Well found the TL and start to read, is interesting the POD( the venezuela scenario and the geopolitical consequences), again i will no comment because i don't read but give you a little aclaration:

it's 'Guerra Rapida' who will be literay Quick or Fast War and not Rapido Guerra” In Spanish that doesnt' have sense(unlike in English).

That is a little Advice, mainly because is mother language and notice that curious, well start with the tl, i wish succes

Yeah, I can't speak Spanish and I struggled with that little bit. Thanks for the help.
 
I'm glad you PM'd me otherwise I wouldn't have read this. I feel like this is a part and place in history that is largely ignored, or is subject to total domination by the Americans/British. I like what I read. Keep it up!
 
I'm glad you PM'd me otherwise I wouldn't have read this. I feel like this is a part and place in history that is largely ignored, or is subject to total domination by the Americans/British. I like what I read. Keep it up!
Ditto, but I need my next story fix! :D
 
How about Relámpaguerra?

Portmanteau!

ED: My only question so far in the TL is Tirpitz. He was in charge in 1897 and the way he built up the navy was to whip public opinion about Britain into a frenzy, especially in the Reichstag. It's how he got the ship-building bills through in the first place and expanded them later. So why would they actually ally with Britain? Joseph Chamberlain really wanted it, and Eckardstein I think (not Hatzfeldt).
 
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By 1900, it seemed that America's dominance in the Western Hemisphere would not be questioned, let alone challenged. The rapid pace of industrialization had transformed America. The combination of relative stability (with the notable exception of the Civil War), a large growing population, massive geographic size, and abundant resources, had produced a economic giant of no equal. The United States held 23.5% of the world's manufacturing output, compared to Britian's 18%. Even these numbers hide the true performance of America industry. The United States produced more steel then the next three powers (Great Britian, Germany, France) combined. This growth was driven by massive American companies. In one famous example the Andrew Carnegie steel company was producing more steel that all of England. Huge companies, like Singer, Rockefeller Oil, Colt, and International Harvester dominated the world market and often pushed European firms to the limit.
1) International Harvester was founded in 1902
2) was it anything like a dominant player on the world scene? If so, where? I don't think Grandad had any IHC equipment, and it's not a name I remember seeing on the neighbouring farms, either.
Massey, John Deere, New Holland, and Case, in about that order, I'd have said, and Massey wasn't US...
 

mowque

Banned
Sorry for the delay. They should come quicker now. We take a bit of a jump to 1908, but we after this we stay tightly focused.

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The Last Round of Applause

It is somewhat ironic that one of our most personally conservative presidents set in motion the great Progressive movement of his time. William Bryan was hardly the most progressive man in the United States. A former minister, uncomfortable with evolution and uneasy with non-Christian views, he was not what one would expect to be the face of any America Progressive movement. However, Bryan was the man most responsible for welding two great American forces together. He skillfully bonded the dying force of Populism (a relic from battles of the 19th century) to the resurgent force of Progressivism. While many historians point to Bryan's second (and especially) third terms to show his growing affinity with progressivism, it in fact Bryan laid the foundations of his bridging early on.


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A common take on Bryan's political machinations.

The Socialists were a growing force in the United States. Having formed in the last century the First Atlantic War had been a strong catalyst for them. Urging anti-war messages and asking workers to 'bind together against oppression' , many of their leaders had become quite powerful. One of the most influential and popular was Eugene V. Debs. One of the most tireless critics of the Roosevelt administration, he had made a name for himself as the leader of the rambunctious Socialist movement, along with more radical members like 'Big' Bill Haywood. While Debs could hardly claim to speak to the majority (such as his arch rival Samuel Gompers), he was perhaps the best known voice of the laboring masses.

Bryan had always had a wary respect for the more moderate Socialists, and even more for ones like Debs who sprinkled their speeches with references to God and the Bible. What had really drawn him though was the massive calls for peace in 1902, along with the angry tirades against big business interests. Both of these appeals to Bryan on a deep level, and he was convinced that he could 'bring them in' and strengthen his own hand in the Democrat party.

The first meeting was a total disaster. Meeting in early 1907 in a Chicago hotel, Bryan ran into a wall of Socialist hostility. Aggressive and uncompromising, "Big Bill"Haywood took command of the meeting, drowning out such 'fusionists' like Debs. The meeting was short and loud, leaving both parties with little hope. Bryan's dream on uniting the Socialists with a major ticket seemed dashed. However, a few days after the meeting as Bryan was preparing to leave the city Debs came and saw him privately. Over the next few days, the deal was hammered out between Bryan and Debs.

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Leader of the IWW, Haywood saw no point in dealing with a man like WJ Bryan.


On the surface it was simple. Bryan promised to support a number of new planks in the Democrat platform, including appoint Debs to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to provide a direct pipeline from union to government. In exchange Debs promised to moderate his speeches and bring as many Socialists as he could into the Democratic fold. While seemingly a common enough political deal, it had profound repercussions. The first was immediate. After the deal had been reached, Debs broke it to the other Socialists, many still in town. The fire and fury of its realization is still legendary. Even for a party known for angry outbursts the Socialists Party outdid itself upon hearing Debs 'fusion plan'. In the end Bill Haywood walked out of the meeting crying he would never appease the government. Surprisingly however, most of the party agreed to the term, and Debs became head of the Fusionist faction inside the Democratic party.

This sent shock waves through both major parties. To the Republicans it had a two-fold effect. To the conservative mainstream Republicans it only seemed to be justification for their anti-Democrat views. The socialist fringe was a worse menace then ever. Conversely the Roosevelt wing of the Republicans, the repressed progressives saw it as a great move and many contemplated going over to the Democrats (or at least working with them). TR himself hoped the move would moderate such wild radicals as Debs as well as de- legitimize the dangerous influences of people like Haywood.

As for the Democrats, the party had always been divided over such Progressive issues. Inherently racist and agricultural the Democrats usually resisted such change but Bryan had bucked the trend (due to his own principles and political acumen) and brought a new and volatile element into the party. While many members of the party (Mainly 'Bourbon' Democrats) resisted the change the next year would see the challenge between Bryan's Populist/Progressive coalition and the traditional “East Coast” Democrats with the likes of Parker and Wilson.

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Alton Parker, the very face of the East Coast Democrats.

Gathering Clouds

All throughout 1907 and into the election year of 1908 both parties began to assemble for the coming election. The Democrats were busy ingesting the Socialists, still unaware of how much significance it held. Union membership went up as labor leaders began to see the possibly of a friendly government. As the date of the convention got closer the struggles for power got more intense. The 'East Coast” Democrats rallied behind Parker and up and coming Woodrow Wilson. These Democrats were determined to win the struggle for the soul of the party from the Bryanites. They certainly had more money then the rag-tag group that Bryan had assembled. But the spirit of the times was against them, not to mention Parker had been steam-rolled by TR in 1904.
The first sign that Bryan was gaining steam with his approach was that the Democratic Convention was going to be held in Denver. A western city, Denver had long been a Bryan stronghold and that image would certainly color the proceedings. In the build up to the mid summer convention, Debs criss-crossed the nation pushing for fusion and gaining thousands of 'promises' Socialists vote. TR himself began to eye the Socialists with a wary respect. On the other side the traditional Bryan base, the small farmers, small hold miners and religious rural people turned out in droves to support him in his speeches. His motto “Who shall rule?” rung true against the gold-plated “Bourbon Democrats”.

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Denver in 1908, the site of the epic struggle between Bryan and the East Coast Democrats. Rural but booming, Denver was a Progressive stronghold housing such groups as the Stock Growers Union and such Progressive men as jurist Ben Lindsey.

The Convention itself was brutal on party but despite intense balloting,the choice had already been made. The Bryanite wing, strengthened by the Socialists, was too strong to refuse. With cries of “The People's President!” Byran was picked to run for the Democratic ticket in 1908. His running mate was former Indiana congressmen John Kern. Known for his ability to sooth ruffled feathers and a strong Midwest progressive he appealed to both parts of the party and would be invaluable on the ticket. The “East Coast” Democrats predicted disaster but all (except a few hardliners) joined the cause and supported Bryan.

In contrast to the stormy Democrat process the Republican lead up to the Convention was less dramatic. Overshadowed by Theodore Roosevelt it was his new found protege , George Cortelyou who was groomed for the next candidate. TR had begun to rely on him for his cool head during the First Atlantic War and it had bloomed into a true friendship. While more conservative the TR was, Cortelyou was still the best bridge between the TR wing of the party and the mainstream goldbugs of the party. Still, even TR faced difficulties in dealing with the party. Distracted by being president, when the Convention did take place, in Chicago, he was forced to concede to allow Nelson Alrich as the Republican running mate. A long time Senator Alrich was known for being a tough conservative and political manipulator. He also had a tinge of corruption about him, but nothing could be proven. Under this slight cloud TR predicted that Cotrelyou, supposedly modeled in his image, would easily win re-election.
 
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mowque

Banned
A bit of a detour to the East

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“Triumph of Will- The Revolution of 1906 and the Omani War”

The Iranian Revolution of 1906 is often overlooked in view of other 'mass movements' of the time. These other movements are often either more “European' or much larger in scope and power. Among these are the Ulster Resistance in Ireland, the victory of British-German immigrants over Dutch South Africans, the agitation in Tanzania and even the turbulence of Eastern Europe. These movements often overshadow the overthrow of yet another 'Oriental Despotism”, but this view is incorrect in the extreme.

The expulsion of Western influence in Iran is possibly one of the most significant events in Middle East and Central Asian history. For the next 50 years, this event is the dominating event in the region. This book is an attempt to understand and explore this crucial and world changing event. Also, following the Revolution, part of the book is a study of the Omani War, which helped shape the Revolution in new ways and helped cement (or dissolve) some of its foundations.




The Revolution is best understood by considering the odd bedfellows that helped achieve it. One important faction is the merchant mid-upper class. Consisting of native Iranian traders and businessmen, these were the men with the most to gain and most to lose. It was only through their capital and education that the Revolution had the success that it did. The catalyst of the revolt (Western monopolies of markets) was also their biggest concern, and longest running concern. It was these highly educated, native born Iranians that hoped to form a modern, powerful, rich capitalists state in the old state of Persia.


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On the other hand, we have the Muslim clerics. Alienated by a secular and power-hungry Shah, they often sided with the merchants before, and the Revolution was no different. Seeing that this could be the chance to help strengthen the power of the mosque, they often aided and helped the revolters by giving a moralistic and religious meaning to the fight. Also, if anything, the clerics were even more against the oppressive Western influence (primarily Russian) that was dictated policy, even over religious matters. The strong community spirit the clerics added to the Revolt was irreplaceable.

But perhaps the strangest contingent of the revolt was the actual fighters. The poor, violent often non-Persian military men. Inflamed by rhetoric and propaganda, and minds filled of Socialist, nationalist fervor, they were willing to do anything for “Iran”, as they envisioned it. Many of these men were used rather callously by the merchants and the clerics as expendable fighters, but some turned out to be surprisingly intelligent and clever. These men were more the face of the Revolt then anyone else, and left the most permanent mark, despite many disasters and betrayals later on.



The Revolt was the rare case of a mass rising of the populace. The passage of yet another Western trade agreement was the catalyst, Finally, the merchants took a stand, and to their mild surprise, the rest of the nation rose with them, including tough fighters from the north. Still, it was hardly quick and easy. Even without Russian or British help the Shah had the army on his side. He sieged such rebel bases as Tabriz and Rasht. And in the rural countryside the military fought a running battle with the growing partisan forces. It was in the battles and sieges that the military men came to the fore. Men like Sattar Khan, a native of Tabriz. A rough, no-nonsense leader, he soon broke the siege and proceeded to take to the hills, gathering a strong force. Other liked-minded men soon took control of much of Oran as the Shah trembled. Desperate for aid, he called out to Moscow and London but both were far more concerned with Europe and the Shah saw he had little hope.


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Sattar Khan, posing for a photo.




By Mid-July it was all but over, everywhere but inner Tehran had fallen to the parliament forces and still the West failed to act. Khan was set up as 'President” of the chaos, and finally the Sultan attempted to flee the nation. Caught in the back county, he was killed by a small unimportant band of fighters. With this act, the revolt turned even more violent. Hundreds of “Shah men” were killed as the clerics took revenge against liberals and atheists as merchants took aim at old business enemies. Even worse, many of the though military men ran rampant across the country-side, killing and looting. Still, by September peace had mostly returned. At the head of one ad-hoc army after another Khan restored peace and set in place an interim parliament.

The parliament quickly took shape as merchants and clerics are picked by various committees to serve. The body actually took a rather conservative face and soon Kahn faced a serious challenge for power. The meetings of the parliament were often watched by hundreds if not thousands of Tehran citizens, eager to see which Shah scapegoat was thrown before the lions or what new law would be passed. In the cold January of the new year a new debate raged. Should a new Shah be put on a throne? Didn't Iran have a tradition to maintain? Something more subtle and powerful then the West could understand? Not to mention the religious implications. Against this tide Kahn stood, along with most of the bloody veterans. It seemed that the tide had turned against them.
 

Japhy

Banned
To be honest, the American Political scene being painted here seems incredibly detached from any real historical understanding.

Which is frankly highly disappointing for a timeline that has taken this long to get rolling. Especially when its a Timeline with decent writing, and at least compared to other works a minimal number of image attachments.
 
Couldn't read all of it as of now, but it certainly seems promising: a war that puts up America vs. England and Germany .. ach, that's gonna hurt! :eek:
 
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