If it's not obvious, the other three Kennedy brothers despise JPK Jr. with every fiber of their being. Family reunions are NOT fun for them.
Watching From San Diego - A Two for One July 20th 1944 TL
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Political Consequences of the Marshall Plan, October 1948
Political Consequences of the Marshall Plan, October 1948
Maurice Thorez, former Deputy Prime Minister of France as of October 1948
Maurice Thorez, former Deputy Prime Minister of France as of October 1948
It would be foolish for anyone to have assumed that Europe would be totally recovered in 1948. However, signs of recovery were already present, and the attitudes of European nations and their people skyrocketed towards positivity. Aid programs began to develop with American funding, people could finally afford quality food, clothing, and other basic necessities, and economies stabilized to the point that American enterprises could boost their involvement in European economies. The post-war economic miracle had officially begun, and stability began to return to Europe.
More importantly, at least for Americans, was the collapse of communist support in Western Europe. In France, Guy Mollet as Prime Minister supported the Marshall Plan, but his Deputy Prime Minister Maurice Thorez, did not. France applied and received acceptance anyway, discrediting Thorez and his communists. Many began to see Thorez as Stalin's stooge instead of a legit minister, and dissidents leaked his earlier anti-war involvement from 1939 - 1941. Forty communist incumbents switched to Mollet's more moderate socialist party, and the communists went from the second largest party to the third largest. Thorez was excused from the Prime Minister position and Mollet appointed Georges Bidault in his place.
Germany similarly faced a leftist division caused by the Marshall Plan. Unlike Thorez in France, Ambassador Grotewohl supported the Marshall Plan without hesitation. However, this ruined his SDP-KPD alliance, with the communist KPD revolting. While Grotewohl tried to maintain leftist unity, he failed. The more charismatic Kurt Shumacher resurfaced and formed the SPD Opposition, now vindicated that pro-Soviet elements were anti-German. It split the SPD in half for the upcoming elections scheduled in 1949. Stalin was especially furious with Germany, and feared that the Germans would move into a solidly western camp. He began to advocate for a divided Germany, but the UN occupation zone was too solidified at this point, and it only fed into Western fears that Stalin would walk back on every deal he made.
In addition to helping the U.S. economy indirectly, it also helped dispel the idea that President Wallace was a communist stooge. His Marshall Plan had helped kill communism in Western Europe. If not once and for all, it killed communism for now. The newsreels showing a recovering, happier Europe also helped. John Bricker's calls for austerity and less foreign aid began to ring hollow, and this was Wallace's best card for reelection. The Bricker camp decided to try a Hail Mary, but found themselves intercepted in one of the worst ways possible....
More importantly, at least for Americans, was the collapse of communist support in Western Europe. In France, Guy Mollet as Prime Minister supported the Marshall Plan, but his Deputy Prime Minister Maurice Thorez, did not. France applied and received acceptance anyway, discrediting Thorez and his communists. Many began to see Thorez as Stalin's stooge instead of a legit minister, and dissidents leaked his earlier anti-war involvement from 1939 - 1941. Forty communist incumbents switched to Mollet's more moderate socialist party, and the communists went from the second largest party to the third largest. Thorez was excused from the Prime Minister position and Mollet appointed Georges Bidault in his place.
Germany similarly faced a leftist division caused by the Marshall Plan. Unlike Thorez in France, Ambassador Grotewohl supported the Marshall Plan without hesitation. However, this ruined his SDP-KPD alliance, with the communist KPD revolting. While Grotewohl tried to maintain leftist unity, he failed. The more charismatic Kurt Shumacher resurfaced and formed the SPD Opposition, now vindicated that pro-Soviet elements were anti-German. It split the SPD in half for the upcoming elections scheduled in 1949. Stalin was especially furious with Germany, and feared that the Germans would move into a solidly western camp. He began to advocate for a divided Germany, but the UN occupation zone was too solidified at this point, and it only fed into Western fears that Stalin would walk back on every deal he made.
In addition to helping the U.S. economy indirectly, it also helped dispel the idea that President Wallace was a communist stooge. His Marshall Plan had helped kill communism in Western Europe. If not once and for all, it killed communism for now. The newsreels showing a recovering, happier Europe also helped. John Bricker's calls for austerity and less foreign aid began to ring hollow, and this was Wallace's best card for reelection. The Bricker camp decided to try a Hail Mary, but found themselves intercepted in one of the worst ways possible....
An Austrian boy ecstatic at the new pair of shoes he finally received to replace his old ones, provided by Marshall Plan aid.
Senator Wayne Morse Endorses President Henry Wallace
Senator Wayne Morse Endorses President Henry Wallace
Senator Wayne Morse (R - OR), reading his endorsement letter of President Wallace.
Senator Wayne Morse (R - OR), reading his endorsement letter of President Wallace.
The Bricker campaign did not expect this sort of collapse. The Republicans were the trusted party on anticommunism, one of the most pressing issues in 1948. The conservative Democrats made their disdain for Wallace's naked progressivism known. The GOP took back the House in record numbers. The Republicans felt so certain that Wallace was beatable, but they felt proven wrong. The economy was recovering to the point it finally reached consistent growth and health. Wallace held his own with external communism and foreign policy. The progressives had stopped the conservative majorities in Congress for passing much of their key legislation. Worst of all, the conservative politics espoused by Bricker were proven too late to be discredited in the eyes of the American public.
Bricker and Wallace restored a 1944 agreement where their dirty laundries would not be exposed in return for mutual promise as Vice Presidential nominees, and as Presidential nominees, they so far maintained the promise. However, Bricker began to ponder if his only chance for victory was to break that promise and release the Galahad letter. If Wallace looked like a New Age wacko to the public, then he would become unelectable. If Wallace released the information of fascist Gerald L.K. Smith's endorsement of Bricker, so be it. Bricker was preparing his orders to his subordinates, until he was interrupted by a radio announcement.
"My fellow Americans..." a voice began on the radio that Bricker recognized. It was Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon. "... my compatriots in the Republican Party have failed you. Instead of moving towards the future, for a better America, we have nominated a man who will move this county into the past. A past reminiscent of Herbert Hoover. While I remain an ardent Republican, I must vote my conscience and break party ranks. On this day, October 18th, 1948, let it be known to the world that I, Wayne Morse, endorse incumbent Henry Agard Wallace for the Presidency." Bricker violently turned the radio off before the applause deafened his ears.
John Bricker screamed into rage, clearing his desk with a smash of his fist. Wayne Morse may have been one man and one man only, but Bricker feared a cascade effect. Wayne Morse was the most liberal Senator in Congress, and one of the few Progressive Republicans in the Senate. He had voted overwhelmingly with Wallace and the Democrats, to the point that his fellow Republicans ostracized him. Was this Morse's payback? Many believed so, and it only got worse. Although progressive Republicans like Dewey, Saltonstall, and Warren kept their endorsements for Bricker, they were much less ecstatic for Bricker. The progressive flank fizzled out entirely.
Bricker would spend the last days of the election locked in his room, feeling too defeated to campaign. As his own party support petered out, it did not matter what he did. Conservatives supported him, but only they seemed to like Bricker. And it seemed that conservatism was on the decline in the United States. Many Republican leaders openly discussed counterfactuals about if they nominated a moderate like Dewey, or a progressive like Warren or Saltonstall. Talks about 1952 came to dominate discussion instead of winning 1948. It almost felt like a coronation for Wallace.
Bricker and Wallace restored a 1944 agreement where their dirty laundries would not be exposed in return for mutual promise as Vice Presidential nominees, and as Presidential nominees, they so far maintained the promise. However, Bricker began to ponder if his only chance for victory was to break that promise and release the Galahad letter. If Wallace looked like a New Age wacko to the public, then he would become unelectable. If Wallace released the information of fascist Gerald L.K. Smith's endorsement of Bricker, so be it. Bricker was preparing his orders to his subordinates, until he was interrupted by a radio announcement.
"My fellow Americans..." a voice began on the radio that Bricker recognized. It was Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon. "... my compatriots in the Republican Party have failed you. Instead of moving towards the future, for a better America, we have nominated a man who will move this county into the past. A past reminiscent of Herbert Hoover. While I remain an ardent Republican, I must vote my conscience and break party ranks. On this day, October 18th, 1948, let it be known to the world that I, Wayne Morse, endorse incumbent Henry Agard Wallace for the Presidency." Bricker violently turned the radio off before the applause deafened his ears.
John Bricker screamed into rage, clearing his desk with a smash of his fist. Wayne Morse may have been one man and one man only, but Bricker feared a cascade effect. Wayne Morse was the most liberal Senator in Congress, and one of the few Progressive Republicans in the Senate. He had voted overwhelmingly with Wallace and the Democrats, to the point that his fellow Republicans ostracized him. Was this Morse's payback? Many believed so, and it only got worse. Although progressive Republicans like Dewey, Saltonstall, and Warren kept their endorsements for Bricker, they were much less ecstatic for Bricker. The progressive flank fizzled out entirely.
Bricker would spend the last days of the election locked in his room, feeling too defeated to campaign. As his own party support petered out, it did not matter what he did. Conservatives supported him, but only they seemed to like Bricker. And it seemed that conservatism was on the decline in the United States. Many Republican leaders openly discussed counterfactuals about if they nominated a moderate like Dewey, or a progressive like Warren or Saltonstall. Talks about 1952 came to dominate discussion instead of winning 1948. It almost felt like a coronation for Wallace.
Presidential Election Polls: October 1948
Presidential Election Polls: October 1948
Aggregate forecasts for the 1948 Presidential Election, October 31st, 1948
Senator Morse's endorsement affected voters more than it did party leadership, but the voters were what mattered. By this point in the race, President Wallace clearly enjoyed a wide lead over Governor Bricker. Bricker's policy planks failed on all accounts, Wallace kept the worst fears of communist threat at bay, and he presided over an excellent economy. Even better, he held his own and proved able to control the electoral narrative. John Bricker felt beat before the election was even held.
Based on the above aggregate, if the election were held today, Wallace would secure enough electoral votes to win re-election. Even with half of the South in open revolt, the Democrats would earn their re-election. This proved to the Democrats that they no longer needed to obey the conservative coalition and could govern as progressively as they wanted. And given the polls, the American public yearned for progressive governance. While Republicans still polled ahead on anticommunism, Democrats trounced the Republicans on the economy and foreign policy.
Benjamin Laney's soft-spoken flavor of the Dixiecrats failed. If he could not deliver a deadlocked election, then what good was he? His approach would be replaced with Thurmond's fiery approach, and Thurmond was already giving impassioned speeches against desegregation. If Wallace wished to pursue a pro-civil rights second term, it would not be easy. Governor Thurmond already discussed entry into the Senate after his Governorship to try and stall any civil rights bills, and also began contacting Southern Democrats to begin filibuster plans pre-emptively.
Based on the above aggregate, if the election were held today, Wallace would secure enough electoral votes to win re-election. Even with half of the South in open revolt, the Democrats would earn their re-election. This proved to the Democrats that they no longer needed to obey the conservative coalition and could govern as progressively as they wanted. And given the polls, the American public yearned for progressive governance. While Republicans still polled ahead on anticommunism, Democrats trounced the Republicans on the economy and foreign policy.
Benjamin Laney's soft-spoken flavor of the Dixiecrats failed. If he could not deliver a deadlocked election, then what good was he? His approach would be replaced with Thurmond's fiery approach, and Thurmond was already giving impassioned speeches against desegregation. If Wallace wished to pursue a pro-civil rights second term, it would not be easy. Governor Thurmond already discussed entry into the Senate after his Governorship to try and stall any civil rights bills, and also began contacting Southern Democrats to begin filibuster plans pre-emptively.
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United States Presidential Election, 1948
United States Presidential Election, 1948
President Henry Agard Wallace (D - IA)/Former Governor Robert S. Kerr (D - OK): 353 EVs, 51.1% PV
Former Governor John Bricker (R - OH)/House Majority Leader Charles Halleck (R - IN): 107 EVs, 44.5% PV
Governor Benjamin T. Laney (STR - AR)/Governor Strom Thurmond (STR - SC), 70 EVs, 4.4% PV
President Henry Agard Wallace (D - IA)/Former Governor Robert S. Kerr (D - OK): 353 EVs, 51.1% PV
Former Governor John Bricker (R - OH)/House Majority Leader Charles Halleck (R - IN): 107 EVs, 44.5% PV
Governor Benjamin T. Laney (STR - AR)/Governor Strom Thurmond (STR - SC), 70 EVs, 4.4% PV
Election Day arrived on November 2nd, 1948. By this point, it was unsurprising to many Americans if Wallace won a full term to the Presidency. Republicans hoped that Wallace would honor his promise to make it his last if that was the case. Regardless, Henry Agard Wallace won the election in an electoral landslide, being declared the victory by the media well before midnight. Bricker, and by proxy conservatism, lost the election. Before the election, many speculated the Republicans would return to the White House, but Wallace enjoyed too much good fortune and wise decisions for the Republicans to have a chance. Henry Wallace would remain the 33rd President of the United States of America, no matter what anyone wanted or did not want.
Results of the Senate Elections, November 1948
Downballot, Bricker proved to be a disaster for the GOP. Many Republican candidates deemed safe in the Senate elections narrowly lost their seats from the Wallace landslide, often by a few ten-thousands of votes. Republican incumbents in Michigan, Delaware, New Jersey, and most shockingly in Massachusetts, all lost their seats to Democratic challengers in an upset. Republicans held on in Idaho and Wyoming, however, where they expected narrow losses. While this map favored the Democrats anyway given the dominance of the South this round, the Republicans expected a narrow capture of the Senate. Instead, the Democrats gained a staggering 8 seats, for a total of 65 Senate seats in the incoming term, and only two short of being filibuster proof.
Before the election in the House, Republicans held a slim 230 seat majority. However, the Democrats rode in on the Wallace wave and recaptured 80 seats. Sam Rayburn smirked wickedly at the results, thankful he could keep on his promise of returning to the Speakership. Many of the defeated Republicans were conservatives or moderates who lost, often narrowly, who were negatively associated with Bricker. The surviving Republicans were either in safely conservative regions, progressive Republicans, or moderate Republicans considering a move towards progressivism.
This election saw to a revival of progressive American politics. The progressive coalition enjoyed a majority in the Senate for the first time, and President Wallace was free to advocate for progressive reforms with little hindrance. Deep down, Wallace considered his adherence to the two term rule a blessing. He would find that not needing to worry about re-election would indeed aid him. Meanwhile, Republican bosses flirted with a progressive turn, not wanting their party to fade away.
Before the election in the House, Republicans held a slim 230 seat majority. However, the Democrats rode in on the Wallace wave and recaptured 80 seats. Sam Rayburn smirked wickedly at the results, thankful he could keep on his promise of returning to the Speakership. Many of the defeated Republicans were conservatives or moderates who lost, often narrowly, who were negatively associated with Bricker. The surviving Republicans were either in safely conservative regions, progressive Republicans, or moderate Republicans considering a move towards progressivism.
This election saw to a revival of progressive American politics. The progressive coalition enjoyed a majority in the Senate for the first time, and President Wallace was free to advocate for progressive reforms with little hindrance. Deep down, Wallace considered his adherence to the two term rule a blessing. He would find that not needing to worry about re-election would indeed aid him. Meanwhile, Republican bosses flirted with a progressive turn, not wanting their party to fade away.
It’ll be interesting to see what Wallace prioritizes with his second term and hefty majorities
marathag
Banned
Even half as many murdered, would still be 3 times as bad as the Armenian and even more forgotten Circassian Genocide done by the Ottomans and Russians
I don’t think anybody disputes that, but it was summer of 1944 and on that the Holocaust really kicked into higher gear, particularly in Hungary and Poland
Admittedly that's why I still lack numbers. I am worried that I have Jewish migration too high because of that. Granted, Israel failed to exist here too.
Gr
anted I don’t entirely have hard data either but my understanding is at least a third to a half of the total Holocaust occurred more or less post-Valkyrie, thanks in part to the coup in Hungary. That’s 800k or so Jews saved right there
Actually no I’m totally wrong, the Hungarian Holocaust was more or less wrapped up by July ‘44
Yeah, Horthy was too little too late OTL, and same here. I want to say 5 million dead here, but I am not sure.
We will go with that number for now. The high number for Jewish migration could be explained by those whose deaths were butterflied, like Anne Frank's.
Tokyo War Crimes Trial, November 1948
Tokyo War Crimes Trial, November 1948
Former Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo on trial
Former Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo on trial
In Japan, the war crimes trial against the Japanese took longer. Many defendants had to be extradited from China or Indonesia, and thus proceedings went more slowly. The chief prosecutor, Joseph McCarthy, also wanted to make sure that justice was served fairly. Many viewed this as his chance for retribution against his Japanese captors, but spectators noticed his eerily calm and professional demeanor and wondered how true that was. Even when condemning the defendants for their crimes, McCarthy kept a level-headed persona, almost going robotic. In private, however, McCarthy would vent his frustrations to friends, believing that if he calmed himself off the record, he could work better as an attorney.
Of the several defendants present, seven were sentenced to death by the judges. The most prominent example was Former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, These men sentenced to death would be sent to their maker on December 23rd, 1948. Governor Nimitz refused to photograph any of the executions out of fear of Japanese resentment, and President Wallace agreed to his reasoning. Emperor Hirohito and his family were exonerated, thanks to McCarthy and Nimitz's preemptive actions. McCarthy actually spoke fondly of the Emperor after meeting him, which helped further mellow out the man.
Nimitz sighed in relief as the trials finally came to an end. Hopefully the Japanese could be liberated before 1952, maybe a year or two earlier. Admittedly, Nimitz waited to see what would happen until Germany was released as an independent nation before making a final decision. He had heard about the issues between the democratic and communist blocs in Germany, and thus worked with the Japanese to solidify the county as firmly American-aligned. Instead of demilitarizing the Japanese entirely, Nimitz opted to create a small Japanese self-defense force. While the Japanese could keep a small military to defend themselves, it was designed to where they would still require American help for anything serious, however.
McCarthy returned to America feeling triumphant. Many of the demons haunting him during the past four years felt gone, and he felt fully redeemed. While he was abroad in Japan, he met a nice Japanese woman and married her. Despite his fears about suffering from infertility, McCarthy was overjoyed to hear that his wife was pregnant with his child. He pondered about moving back to his native Wisconsin, but decided to remain in California after he and his wife enjoyed their honeymoon there. He quickly worked on getting barred in California to practice law there.
Of the several defendants present, seven were sentenced to death by the judges. The most prominent example was Former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, These men sentenced to death would be sent to their maker on December 23rd, 1948. Governor Nimitz refused to photograph any of the executions out of fear of Japanese resentment, and President Wallace agreed to his reasoning. Emperor Hirohito and his family were exonerated, thanks to McCarthy and Nimitz's preemptive actions. McCarthy actually spoke fondly of the Emperor after meeting him, which helped further mellow out the man.
Nimitz sighed in relief as the trials finally came to an end. Hopefully the Japanese could be liberated before 1952, maybe a year or two earlier. Admittedly, Nimitz waited to see what would happen until Germany was released as an independent nation before making a final decision. He had heard about the issues between the democratic and communist blocs in Germany, and thus worked with the Japanese to solidify the county as firmly American-aligned. Instead of demilitarizing the Japanese entirely, Nimitz opted to create a small Japanese self-defense force. While the Japanese could keep a small military to defend themselves, it was designed to where they would still require American help for anything serious, however.
McCarthy returned to America feeling triumphant. Many of the demons haunting him during the past four years felt gone, and he felt fully redeemed. While he was abroad in Japan, he met a nice Japanese woman and married her. Despite his fears about suffering from infertility, McCarthy was overjoyed to hear that his wife was pregnant with his child. He pondered about moving back to his native Wisconsin, but decided to remain in California after he and his wife enjoyed their honeymoon there. He quickly worked on getting barred in California to practice law there.
The Cold War Map of Europe, December 1948
The Cold War Map of Europe, December 1948
American-aligned nations in blue, Soviet-aligned nations in red.
American-aligned nations in blue, Soviet-aligned nations in red.
By the end of 1948, the beginnings of the Cold War were apparent. Soviet satellites all conveniently joined the ranks of the Communist world, including the "coalition government" of left-wing Poland. In the West, communist party popularity began to sink rapidly thanks to the Marshall Plan, general economic recovery, and Soviet agitation. The general feeling of eternal peace that many hoped would follow WWII never came. Thankfully, neither side wanted another war. The Americans enjoyed nuclear and technological advantage, while the Soviets enjoyed the manpower advantage.
The increasingly frustrated and agitated Stalin reverted back to his post-Valkyrie Plot paranoia. Originally, he was happy at how much Roosevelt and Churchill granted him, but not now. Czechia was denied introduction to communism, the Marshall Plan ruined the popularity of communism in Western Europe, Turkey denied Soviet access to the Black Sea, and Tito was rebuking Stalin despite also being a communist. The main thing keeping peace was the massive strip of unaligned nations going from Denmark to Yugoslavia. Apart from Yugoslavia, many of these nations were capitalist democracies at least somewhat friendly to the West, however.
As long as this neutral strip remained, hopefully tensions would remain low. However, Stalin's plans to infiltrate Germany and instigate a communist coup threatened the peace. Communist agents in Germany, fearful of losing their permitted places in the neutral nation, disobeyed Stalin whenever possible. This further fragmented the Left and drifted the entirety of Germany into the Western camp. Austria became more of a lost cause as the Soviets did not even fully capture Vienna, only certain sectors of the city. The Soviets were drifted out of Austria entirely, and the UN Occupation Zone of Austria was expected to join the West if Germany did.
The increasingly frustrated and agitated Stalin reverted back to his post-Valkyrie Plot paranoia. Originally, he was happy at how much Roosevelt and Churchill granted him, but not now. Czechia was denied introduction to communism, the Marshall Plan ruined the popularity of communism in Western Europe, Turkey denied Soviet access to the Black Sea, and Tito was rebuking Stalin despite also being a communist. The main thing keeping peace was the massive strip of unaligned nations going from Denmark to Yugoslavia. Apart from Yugoslavia, many of these nations were capitalist democracies at least somewhat friendly to the West, however.
As long as this neutral strip remained, hopefully tensions would remain low. However, Stalin's plans to infiltrate Germany and instigate a communist coup threatened the peace. Communist agents in Germany, fearful of losing their permitted places in the neutral nation, disobeyed Stalin whenever possible. This further fragmented the Left and drifted the entirety of Germany into the Western camp. Austria became more of a lost cause as the Soviets did not even fully capture Vienna, only certain sectors of the city. The Soviets were drifted out of Austria entirely, and the UN Occupation Zone of Austria was expected to join the West if Germany did.
Status of the World, 1948
Status of the World, 1948
World Map, December 31st, 1948
World Map, December 31st, 1948
The world was radically changed during the events of 1948. New nations formed, some dissolved, others united, others divided. One thing was certain: cartography was a lucrative business this year. Most prominently, China collapsed into several states, with a rump China covering the majority of the territory (most of this would be populated by Han Chinese and the remaining Mongols outside of the Soviet puppet). Another prominent change was in the Middle East, with Palestine forming as an independent nation to keep the Arabs from fighting over who owns what in the Levant.
The Americas changed very little. In Canada, Newfoundland joined the Dominion of Canada since their petition to join the United States was rejected by the British. The British kept onto their Caribbean territories as well as the Falklands, since these territories were cheap to govern and the Americans were content to let the British keep them for now. Africa outside of Libya remained under colonist control, though much of that was because plans were being drafted to minimize ethnic and religious strife. In South Africa, the pro-British government barely remained in power over Boer nationalists by 1% of the vote, with the new Jewish immigrants being the deciding vote factor.
The Americas changed very little. In Canada, Newfoundland joined the Dominion of Canada since their petition to join the United States was rejected by the British. The British kept onto their Caribbean territories as well as the Falklands, since these territories were cheap to govern and the Americans were content to let the British keep them for now. Africa outside of Libya remained under colonist control, though much of that was because plans were being drafted to minimize ethnic and religious strife. In South Africa, the pro-British government barely remained in power over Boer nationalists by 1% of the vote, with the new Jewish immigrants being the deciding vote factor.
In South Asia, India and Pakistan had a war between 1947 - 1948 that resulted in no territorial change, but with neither side backing down on their territorial claims. India became nervous at China's example, however. The Indochinese finalized their independence, becoming three separate republics. Vietnam remained the most unstable of these, however, as no one formed a majority government yet. The Cantonese split away from China and became aligned with their Indochinese brethren, as now they enjoyed independence, they could declare themselves as Indochinese rather than Chinese.
In Europe, very little changed territory-wise. Germany was preparing its independence by 1949, and Austria was preparing as well. Stalin's sudden interest in dividing Germany only made it friendlier to the West, and its communists ostracized. In addition, Stalin's emphasis on Germany and opposition to the Greek communists led to a colder relation with Yugoslavia. Bulgaria, initially pro-Russian, began to drift into Tito's camp after breaking with Stalin over the failing Greek communists. Bulgaria signed the Bled agreement to begin unification with Yugoslavia, and it might actually get away with it should Stalin keep ignoring his actual priorities of a defensive puppet line. The Soviet dictator was growing weaker and more reclusive by the day, and some wondered if he would die soon.
In Europe, very little changed territory-wise. Germany was preparing its independence by 1949, and Austria was preparing as well. Stalin's sudden interest in dividing Germany only made it friendlier to the West, and its communists ostracized. In addition, Stalin's emphasis on Germany and opposition to the Greek communists led to a colder relation with Yugoslavia. Bulgaria, initially pro-Russian, began to drift into Tito's camp after breaking with Stalin over the failing Greek communists. Bulgaria signed the Bled agreement to begin unification with Yugoslavia, and it might actually get away with it should Stalin keep ignoring his actual priorities of a defensive puppet line. The Soviet dictator was growing weaker and more reclusive by the day, and some wondered if he would die soon.
What’s up with Thicc Tibet? Is that part between Tibet and Kansu ethnically Tibetan…?
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