Peace in Our Time! - A TRO Inspired Franco-British Union Quest

obssesednuker · Oct 20, 2023

Is the Cambridge 6 still there? They're probably telling the Soviets everything.

Mashriqi · Oct 20, 2023

Great start to the new Cold War! A floundering Tory Government! I love a good challenge, now .... how do we win this Cold War?

digital2 · Oct 20, 2023

Fission Battery said:
The Princess would not divorce her husband nor would her first born child be married off to a family without a throne, especially since Elizabeth's child would be the heir after herself. They had to marry a royal of equivalent rank.

So, theoretically, if a Bonaparte was to gain a throne, would Elizabeth be okay with a marriage in that situation? There's still that option of deposing the incompetent Egyptian king...

Fission Battery · Oct 20, 2023

Regency said:
The crazy French monarchists truly were just nothingburger (not that we're surprised, but still).

They weren't even part of the government. Why did everyone think appeasing them was vital to maintaining support from the French? They literally capitulated to De Gaulle in the election post. A bunch of Tory ministers suddenly talking about killing the Princess's unborn child to marry her to a random French man would not go over well. It was a little annoying how many people immediately hopped onto the Bonaparte train for memes, but it was never going to go anywhere.

Huh, doesn't a customs union by definition already include free trade area in combination with common external tariffs? Maybe this is better worded into the FBU opening up its colonies to its dominions in exchange for the Commonwealth members agreeing to a customs union?

Colonial regions are not accessible to countries outside the FBU. It's an internal imperial system. You can trade with Britain/Algeria with reduce barriers, but get fucked trying to cut out the middle man to sell directly to say the Nigerian market. Only Franco-British companies can do that. It's a closed off system. Opening up colonies to investment means sharing the loot with a select few Commonwealth countries.

Bylba said:
All I understood:
1) Everyone hates us
2) We saved a lot of money

You saved a marginal amount of money.

Regency · Oct 20, 2023

Fission Battery said:
Colonial regions are not accessible to countries outside the FBU. It's an internal imperial system. You can trade with Britain/Algeria with reduce barriers, but get fucked trying to cut out the middle man to sell directly to say the Nigerian market. Only Franco-British companies can do that. It's a closed off system. Opening up colonies to investment means sharing the loot with a select few Commonwealth countries.

Hm actually I changed my mind, tho not mainly due to this explanation.

I think that quid pro quo scheme of "dominions agree to reduced tariffs=get some access to FBU colonies" you wrote could definitely work in the context of a Commonwealth Customs Union if it deals with dominions' tariffs on "critical" or "sensitive" industries which were exempted from the customs union. That is likely to be a thing as dominions have enough colletive influence to achieve that concession from the FBU (and the FBU may have select domestic industries it wants to protect in that deal anyways).

Fission Battery · Oct 21, 2023

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Archibald Sinclair
Strengthening the LoN was a major priority during his time as minister

[] Plan: Pressing What We Can V1
-[][SOV] Allow
-[][SOB] Allow all except France, Italy, Netherlands, Greece, Poland, PRC, and Mongolia.
-[][IBE] Invest in Spain so it joins
-[][AAB] Commonwealth Alliance of Nations
-[] Our current debts stifle us far too much, transfer all of our Haitian debts to the Americans in exchange for equivalent forgiveness of our debts with them. Regarding Versailles, the Reds' insistence on joining the League of Nations means that we could do a simple quid pro quo of ratifying a portion of their Versailles debt.
-[] Never has the fate of the Empire been in greater peril than now, these dark times necessitates greater ties of cooperation between all her children. Move forward with the creation of an Imperial Customs Union, with an independent ministry made up of members sent forward by all the Empire to decide Imperial commercial policy.
-[] Greater ties necessitate greater communication between Commonwealth members, organize a yearly Imperial Conference presided by Her Majesty and attended by all the heads of state within the Empire, to discuss and coordinate policies in these tumultuous times.
-[] Tie Indian Famine relief to their participation within the Imperial Project going forward.
-[] Ensure freedom of movement within the Empire.
-[] America is our only partner in keeping democracy alive, and they must understand this. Put forward the notion of a formal mutual defense organisation with a joint general staff and an American Supreme Chief to mollify them.
-[] Our holdings in Africa is one of our greatest tools of negotiation with the Americans, we can not surrender it all on the table for them. Begin the formations of Joint Economic Zones of Influence in the Middle East and parts of Africa such as the Congo, whereupon there will be reduced regulations or wage minimums for companies operating within them.
-[] The idea of another World War at this juncture is untenable, the modern way of war shall not be fought openly but in the shadows by various knives in the dark backing their puppets, it would do us well both to increase the budgets of our intelligence agencies and promoting cooperation of such within the Commonwealth Alliance of Nations
-[] Many have found themselves displaced from their homes in the wake of communist dictatorship, while we can not return them home, we can nonetheless offer them new lives through a newly found Imperial Bureau for Refugees to resettle them and give them house and hearth within the empty spaces of our vast Empire.

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1948 to 1952, Eden's Post War Government - Foreign Results
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As part of the coalition agreement, the Liberals were given relatively free reign over charting foreign policy. Tories maintained final say as the senior partners of the coalition, requiring Sinclair to have to politick to convince his counterparts to not sabotage his proposals for asinine reasons. Deciding the course that the Franco-British Union would chart after the war was extremely difficult to decide because of the bruised ego of a number of Tory hardliners. These unnamed ministers, aides, and backbenchers were reprimanded by party whips for their disruption of cabinet meetings and attempts to conduct foreign policy on their own. They constituted a vocal minority of Tories that felt that burning down Britain's international standing out of spite was worth it. There was nothing to be gained from it. Just bruised egos lashing out at everyone and anyone.

That included refusing to recognize all independent colonies, but rescind recognition of the Soviet Union, Japan, the Republic of China. This would have meant effectively declaring nearly a third of the world as illegitimate states that fell outside the protection of international law. In effect, a soft declaration of war against every other power on Earth, save for the United States. The unnamed hardliners also wanted to piss off by engaging on all owed debts. In short, an elaborate form of national suicide to spite the world. The very definition of cutting off their nose to spite their face. They threatened to whip up the government into a frenzy, but found little support among the party. They were reshuffled, removed from their posts, and forced to shut up once the Liberals threatened to collapse the government by withdrawing their support. They'd take Labour over Tories pissing in their cereal. Sinclair taking point on foreign affairs was the main condition of their coalition. In the end, the hardliners that didn't listen to party whips were expelled, allowing the government to continue on after a terse few weeks of little progress.

Once that was dealt with, the Franco-British Union began its steps towards shaping the postwar world. The majority of the government agreed that hiding from the world wasn't an option. The first step of building closer ties with their existing allies. The Anglo-American alliance had been a patchwork of overlapping agreements between the FBU, Commonwealth, America, and a few free riders. They needed something more comprehensive, with real teeth to it to coordinate their efforts in future conflicts. President Taft was less interested in the prospect because he considered it risking committing American soldiers to British affairs. However his cabinet was convinced to go along with closer ties when assured that the alliance would be primarily defensive in nature. America was offered a leading role in the transnational joint general staff too. It'd be under Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff US General Omar Bradley. Bradley served under Patton in North Africa, making him a natural fit for the position. America would also be leased space for naval and air bases across the alliance, giving it access to ports across the world for a low cost. It was enough to convince him to sell it to Congress, which stratified the treaty with the Franco-British Union, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and many others, establishing the Commonwealth Alliance of Nations.

It was also agreed to establish a joint intelligence sharing agency between leading members. It was dubbed Five Eyes, after the "five" nations involved in the program: Franco-British Union, America, Australia, and Canada. It was viewed by some in Congress as an attempt to let British agents spy on American citizens, but CIA Director Dulles was thrilled by the idea. It greatly expanded the reach of his own agency. The American navy and air force also enjoyed the ability to spread its legs again. The loss of all of its Pacific Island naval bases and majority of the Pacific Fleet had severely reduced its ability to operate. The damaged Atlantic Fleet was pulling double duty with less resources. The FBU had lost all of its island bases too. Its Pacific Fleet had been forced to split its ships between Australia and Sri Lanka. If nothing else, Franco-British admirals and generals slept soundly at night knowing if they're ever attacked in the Indian Ocean or South Atlantic there's a good chance Americans will get killed in the crossfire. America did however demobilize its military and economy. It kept volunteers only on bases, severely reducing its garrisons across the world in favour of focusing the navy over the army.

Ties between Commonwealth countries were also strengthened. London proposed a customs union between the Franco-British Union, Canada, Australia, West Indies, India and South Africa. Tariffs on goods would be greatly lowered, but a number of protections would remain in place for all parties to protect domestic industries. Franco-British negotiators disliked that provision, but other parties insisted that it be included to avoid their markets being flooded by a glut of cheap British goods. London managed to sweet talk its partners with offers of opening up select colonial markets to direct investment and exports. Congo would be the test bed of the policy, allowing members of the Imperial Custom Union to directly profit off the looting of Africa. Free of movement between Commonwealth countries would remain a core part of the program, though London allowed specific members to maintain racist exclusion policies to limit immigration. Australia firmly stuck to its "whites only" policy. Canada maintained its "continuous journey act." Both policies prevented Indians from migrating to their countries.

Yes, India was the odd duck of the whole scheme. It was not a white dominion, but had been granted dominion status. The West Indies had as well, but politically it was neutered, run by the governor-general and colonial landlords. The entire country was practically privatized by British, French, and Dutch colonists. The black population had no real power. India was another case entirely. Nobody quite liked giving them a seat at the table, but it begrudgingly deemed an acceptable compromise to avoid a revolution breaking out across the country. Bengal remained poised to finish its liberation of India. Tensions between the princes, compradors, and INC had not gone away. The left wing of the INC was extremely vocal about denouncing the rest of the party's collaboration with imperialists. The Muslim League was only partially mollified by the internal partition of several provinces to grant them Muslim majority electoral strongholds. India sat on the frontlines against the Japanese Co-Prosperity Sphere, alongside Australia. London was fortunate then that its ruling class benefited from the empire. They agreed to join the Imperial Customs Union as a condition to receive food aid. The aid was distributed among allies of the regime in a tactic to deliberately starve villages deemed unruly, and keep grain exports high. MI6 aided the government in cracking down on protests against the regime, helping to weaken the left wing further. Party members began fleeing to Bengal to seek asylum. Unrest spiked in several parts of India, but the military was deployed to put it down. The presence of a rival power claiming the sub-continent certainly helped motivate fence sitters into backing the regime to maintain their positions in the empire.

The government's program also meant rebuilding bridges London had previously burnt with other countries. The Soviet had sent feelers to negotiate with Britain to be accepted back into the League of Nations. It was a gesture of goodwill on Moscow's part to ensure the peace the Allies had won in Europe wouldn't fall apart. The Soviets made it clear though that they wanted special status within the LoN like the FBU. That included the ability to invite new members, veto invitations, and push to expel members. The FBU would have similar powers too. While it had the potential to cause stalemates within the LoN, it meant each power could flex their diplomatic muscles without leaving the institution in protest. So after much negotiation, the Soviet Union was readmitted into the League of Nations in 1949. It was celebrated as a milestone of Sinclair's program alongside the government's victories negotiating with America and the Commonwealth.

Immediately the new system was put to the test when they vetoed the Republic of Italy's invitation to the LoN. London immediately responded by vetoing the Soviet's invitation of Socialist France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Mongolia, and People's Republic of China. This was considered working as intended by all parties, rather than a failure. The Soviets didn't block Spain's invitation, but did lodge an official protest, and the FBU held its tongue when the rest of the Soviet bloc joined. By 1950 the LoN had grown rapidly, nearly matching its pre-war size. The minor increase in funding to it by the Franco-British government helped revive its numerous agencies. Soviet cooperation meant it had access to Europe again, expanding the scope of its operations. LoN agents worked closely with Soviets on cataloguing artifacts, treasures, historic art pieces, and cultural icons stolen by the Nazis during the war. The Swiss had been hiding a great number of them, which accounted for a good amount, but others disappeared from the continent, likely taken abroad by fleeing collaborators. MI5 quietly pretended not to know exactly which Nazi they'd saved had stolen what, leaving the location of some items unknown for years to come.

As part of a diplomatic quid pro quo for London, the Soviet Union got the German Socialist Republic on board to recognize war reparations owed to Britain as part of the Treaty of Versailles. In tense rounds of negotiation, including London pressing for Germany to recognize its claim to France's portion of the owed money, ended with the FBU begrudgingly agreeing to a reduced total amount, only recognizing Britain's claims, and ability to defer payments for the first few years. It was a minor diplomatic win for both sides, and secured London a source of income from another country. In a situation similar to the pre-war period, German debt paid to Britain was immediately used to pay off its debt to America.

In a similar vein, the FBU refused to recognize Socialist France forgive Haitian debt owed to France, claiming it for itself. In negotiations with America, London was forced to play hardball with Washington to convince the latter to accept the Haitian debt to reduce the amount owed to America. Haiti, Socialist France, and the Soviet Union loudly protested the negotiations, but had no ability to block Anglo-American dealings in the Caribbean. Washington recognized the FBU claims to Haitian debt as legitimate, agreed to the transfer of those debts to America, and subsequently invaded Haiti to occupy the country in 1950. The government was overthrown in favour of a pro-American dictator, and marines were left stationed in Port-au-Prince. All told it was a very clever deal that was well received by all parties, save for Haiti. The invasion and occupation had killed hundreds and displaced thousands. The nations' resources were sold to American companies by the new government. It was condemned by both Tokyo and Moscow, but neither could stop it.

Then the other shoe dropped. President Taft was pursuing a similar program as the Tory-Liberal-Radical government. He wanted to shore up trade with America's partners and normalize relations with countries previous governments had alienated. That included the Soviet Union. Washington didn't feel the need to pick a fight with continental Europe for the sake of some governments in exile with no land, save a bunch of islands. That was London's bag to hold. The only country not immediately recognized was Socialist France. America entered into negotiations with it and the Soviet Union to convince it to recognize French debts owed to America. It was a tough sell to Paris, but if it agreed that'd mean American recognition and trade. French cuisine was still highly regarded in a number of American circles, and they were craving real wine from the Metropole. America recognizing Socialist France would have been humiliating to the Franco-British Union. It'd mean its closest ally didn't recognize its claims to Metropole France.

That's why at the same time Washington approached London with a deal: pick up the tab for French debts or live with America recognizing the government in Paris as legitimate. Britain didn't get to have it both ways. It couldn't claim to inherit everything owed to France for itself, then not recognize what France owed others. Washington wanted its money. It would get its money, one way or another. If that meant playing nice with the Soviets to the detriment of London to get its money then it'd do it in a heartbeat. If the Franco-British Union does pick up the tab then President Taft promises to push for America to join the League of Nations. It'd be a great boon to the organization's legitimacy and CAN's unity. The decision caused a great deal of distress and debate in London…

===

America's Demand

You can only vote for 1 option.
Do not vote by plan.

[ ] Take on France's WW1 debt
[ ] Refuse. America recognizes Socialist France

===

In 1951 the Republic of China declared war on Tibet. The move has been approved by Japan, though it is not taking part in the offenses. Bengal announced its intention to support China in the war by pushing into border regions to secure mountain passes from the south. The Soviet Union has remained silent. MI6 believed the People's Republic of China may make its own play for Tibet too. The interior was a blackhole of information. It was unknown if fighting had broken out on the borders of the two Chinas. Neither has officially declared war on each other. The crisis was outside of London's concern so long as India's forces remained on watch and border's defended. New Delhi however had an idea. It believed that with Bengal distracted in Tibet its borders would be lightly defended. India requested Franco-British aid in supporting their proposed unofficial war against Bengal to retake the country. London was not thrilled by the idea of risking conflict with Japan, even if Franco-British forces didn't directly partake in the fighting…

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India's Proposal

You can only vote for 1 option.
Do not vote by plan.

[ ] Accept, provide India supplies, air support, and deniable volunteers to help them retake Bengal. Risks war escalating the situation into a full blown crisis.
[ ] Refuse. Do not aid India, order it to stand down. Do not risk war with Japan's ally.
[ ] Write In:

===

Regardless, by 1952, the Franco-British Union had managed to reaffirm its commitment to its allies and mostly make peace with the Soviet bloc. Japan mostly laid outside of London's line of sight. Tokyo focused on consolidating its gains over sabre rattling, content with its hard won empire and sphere of influence. Sinclair felt fairly good about the progress the government had made. Membership in the League of Nations was on the rise, its agencies were operating again, the Commonwealth remained tied to Britain, and the Americans… well, they still agreed to CAN. It shored up Sinclair's credentials as a peacemaker, though the Liberal's domestic policies still had little appeal to Franco-British Voters.

Other Global News:

1948 - The government of Costa Rica is overthrown in an American backed coup.
1949 - The Soviet Union establishes the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance.
1950 - China experiences a famine. Nanjing calls for food aid.
1952 - The government of Guatemala is overthrown in an American backed coup.
1952 - Japan establishes the Pan-Asian Conference. Its purpose is to act as a diplomatic forum for members of its sphere to coordinate national policies, financial institutions, and NGOs. Alongside it is the establishment of the Pan-Asian Development Board. It's a joint transnational and private agency meant to oversee investments into Japan's allies. The Bank of Japan expands its branches and foreign exchanges across East Asia. The yen quickly becomes the reserve currency of the CPS. Argentina and Brazil begin purchasing yen from the BoJ.
1952 - Bukharin is reelected to the position of Soviet Premier by the Communist Party. He subsequently announced that it will be his last term in office. He stressed that he had no desire to die in office and that it'd soon be time for a new generation to take the reigns of power. He has already begun to groom his chosen candidate to replace him.

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Colonial Results to follow.

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nachtingale · Oct 21, 2023

[X] Take on France's WW1 debt.

A tough pill to swallow, but for the defense of the Empire's legitimacy, and to continue securing and strengthening the Alliance, this must be done.

[X] Accept, provide India supplies, air support, and deniable volunteers to help them retake Bengal. Risks war escalating the situation into a full blown crisis.

With the crackdowns and paranoia on in the subcontinent at an all-time high, I do believe that India will attempt to solve the Bengal question no matter what we do, one way or the other. Better for us to have backed their invasion than not to maintain internal stability for that particular dominion.

Chimeraguard · Oct 21, 2023

[X] Refuse. America recognizes Socialist France
[X] Accept, provide India supplies, air support, and deniable volunteers to help them retake Bengal. Risks war escalating the situation into a full blown crisis.

As an MNKh Quest veteran, I cannot be satisfied unless we throw the British Empire into a pointless and entirely avoidable war in India.

Ralakesh · Oct 21, 2023