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To Struggle and Strive: The Combined Syndicates of America in 1932. A Kaiserreich Quest

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I'll take the second roll for the Feds.

EDIT: Now, that's more like it!
Utritum threw 1 100-faced dice. Reason: Feds 2 Total: 24
24 24
 
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Yeah. If that was the roll, I fear screwing it up either means that they manage to kill him but left behind a messy crime scene with a lot of evidence, resulting in the whole "make it look like a random mugging" angle being simply unworkable, or even worse, Tobin outright survives and knows or at least strongly suspect that we just tried to have him clipped.
 
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July 1934
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    • The sun beats down on the Iowan farm, utterly disinterested in how it scorches the land and makes those who labor below it sweat. There are nearly forty men and women and boys and girls on the co-op farm. In the distance a pair of young men with red armbands are standing idly by, toting rifles and chatting. In between the two a few young children run, having escaped the tyranny of summer school and chores an hour ago and still having plenty of energy despite the heat.

    But most of the people are hard at work. A tractor pulls a harvester across the dying wheatfields, hay is baled, animals are fed, and in the shade of the porch, a few old folks putter about, bringing out cool water and lemonade to the sweating laborers, all except for one.

    He sits there, tapping away at a mechanical calculator and frowning at the numbers it gives him. He consults a sheet, taps at it again, and frowns.

    "Christ in Heaven, who do these bastards think they are?" he snarls.

    His wife gives him a look and he quails briefly, but continues.

    "They didn't give us half the help they promised - we were supposed to have three of those damn harvesters! As is, a third of the crop will wither before we can get to it. And those so-called Guards have done nothing but loiter around and shoot rabbits. And now they are saying that we can't sell our grain for anything like a decent price! We won't be able to fuel that fucking tractor if we don't get more cash!"

    He is ranting now, shaking his fist at the sky. Even now, work doesn't stop. It can't stop. But people are staring at him as they labor. His wife rushes over.

    "Jordie, sit down before you rupture your heart!" she commands, pressing on his shoulders with fingers worn thin by worry and work.

    He slides her hands off his shoulders and grips them tightly. Then he obeys, collapsing into the seat.

    "I don't know what we're supposed to do. I know they are setting the prices because there's people taking advantage of the drought, but it's not enough, not for us. We were barely treading water before..."

    Another old man brings him a glass of something stronger than lemonade and sits down with him.

    "We were drowning a year or so ago, before they came by and told the bank off. Those Red Guards seemed mighty fine then. The bad doesn't wash out the good."

    Jordie takes a drink and his belly warms a little. The world seems a little less bleak.

    "But the good doesn't wash out the bad. Still, they aren't bad fellows. And they have some good ideas."

    There's a spark in his eye and he turns to his papers, grabbing a pen and scrabbling on one.

    "When they weren't getting paid enough, they all got together and wouldn't work till they got paid more. That Milton fellow was telling Cynthia about one he was in the other day, trying to impress her."

    A few people barked with laughter at the tongue lashing he doubtless got, but Jordie kept writing.

    "So we'll do one of our own. We'll write to every farmer in the county, and then we'll write to our Congressmen. And not a one of us will sell a scrap of grain unless the price we get is enough to keep the farm going."

    Far away, in an office in Des Moines, another group of men are hard at work. They take calls and write letters. They meet with community leaders and Union Defense Committee Commanders and worker's representatives and state Congressmen and police chiefs and lawyers. They make deals and trade favors. They organize strikes and marches, they soothe tempers and maintain unity. They lead and direct and guide.

    And they always advance the cause of the working man.

    One of them, working in a cramped office on a tiny desk with a bad leg held together with glue, hears a phone ring. He turns towards the sudden jangle, knocking the desk over. Paper falls everywhere and something wooden snaps. He lets out a curse as he lunges over it, reaching for the door.

    He stumbles out of the office still cursing, and hears the phone ring again. Seeing no one else around, he picks it up.

    "Yes, hello, this is the Des Moines SPA office."

    His eyebrows shoot up as he hears the reply.

    "Christ in Heaven, who do these bastards think they are?"

    His cheeks turn pink slightly and he murmurs an apology for speaking so crudely.
    "We got them their land back. We protected them from bandits of every sort. We got them free tractors and replaced all the livestock they lost for a song! And this is the thanks we get?"

    He scrabbles for a pen, writing on his hand for lack of anything better.

    "Alright, thank you. I am sure this will be resolved soon. One way or another. We know how to deal with scabs here sir, I assure you."

    He rushes back into his office, grabs a pair of files and then sets them on fire. He stomps on the flames as soon as he judges the burning complete, an eager smile on his face. Then he runs down towards his boss's conference room. This is a bombshell, and he is going to be the one to deliver it.


    Rumors and News

    The horrors of the famine do not vanish in their entirety, but they fade. Stocks of food are shipped from everywhere they are available, including a massive purchase of South American grain by a coterie of industrialists looking to burnish their public images. The drought has not relented, but the horrific dust storms have died down.

    This is very good news, because a band of farming co-ops calling themselves the Fix the Price movement have begun protesting the price controls and other parts of the SPA's rural policy., Aside from letter-writing campaigns, petitions, and backing their own candidates, there have been several marches and protests. And the worst part is mysterious slowdowns and outright refusals to sell food from many of the farmers and co-ops involved. It's begun to cause trouble in the cities.

    They have demanded greater political representation for farmers and ranchers, including more control of local water supplies, more investment in preventing famine, and reduced price controls. Their leaders have compared the SPA's policies to Bolshevik War Communism and claim they only wish assurances that they won't be treated like Russian peasants. If they keep it up, you will make them wish they had been treated that way. Sometimes, you even mean it.

    Regardless of their causes, they have begun sparking unrest. While many of your subordinates are already leaping on the problem, there has still been a sudden spike in food prices and some shortages in cities, especially of meat. This has increased the expenses for keeping the soup kitchens running and left a lot of people contemplating very dangerous solutions. Something will need to be done about it, although if the weather continues to improve that will solve the problem on its own.

    Even with the anger from some farming cooperatives, many others have been impressed by your dedication to helping people in the famine, and you receive another groundswell of support among farmers, although it is not matched by a swell in urban popularity. In better news though, word has come of secret syndicalist meetings throughout the South as people hear of the passage of so many powerful civil rights laws.

    And factions of the CSA have begun arguing that more needs to be done. The Native American, Hispanic, Irish, Italian, and Chinese populations in the US have all suffered badly at the hands of capitalist-dominated governments throughout history. They deserve protection and acknowledgement as well.

    Meanwhile, agitation and organization efforts continue across the country. Creel has launched a major crackdown on "anti-American radicalism" after his efforts at reformism were frustrated. While there was some success in the countryside as small Farmworker's Unions and Share Our Wealth Clubs were broken up, his decision to try and destroy SPA popularity among the Chinese backfired. Badly.

    As it turns out, midnight raids on entire neighborhoods, constant harassment from racist police, and randomly abusive interrogations don't do much to win you loyalty.

    Many who have been receiving Creel's patronage have decided to look elsewhere, and Long is only too happy to provide. The governor of Nevada, for one, has openly declared himself a Longist.

    However, other federal efforts to gain support by piggybacking off the success of the Progressives have mostly worked out, even as they continue to bleed popularity from those tired to stagnation and incompetent government. Even if many of those who abandoned them will balk at raising arms against the American government, they still deny the Democrats and Republicans activists, donors, and votes.

    The Progressives and their assorted allies continue to grow rapidly throughout the country. It's really quite impressive They have been determinedly organizing local politicians and groups, building a formidable base of support throughout many parts of the country. The friendship of Floyd Olson, William Borah, and Quentin Roosevelt has suddenly begun to grow to critical importance for many politicians. And "loyal oppositions" to the ruling parties have sprung up in California, New England, the Upper South, and the Midwest.

    Long meanwhile, has been struggling to solidify his base in the Midwest and support among progressives. And it seems he has decided that the reactionary Dixiecrats are too much of a burden for that. Pelley has been frozen out of Long's inner circle, according to Century. Several prominent white supremacist politicians have been the target of blistering condemnation, while Long has doubled down on his hostility to the Klan.

    And most shocking of all, Henry Ford has died. He apparently had some sort of engine failure while driving. You weep.

    Then something even more shocking happened. Long sent you a letter. He wants to meet in Washington, DC.

    There is chaos in the South as Long abandons former allies such as Talmadge and Bilbo. Facing growing unrest from an unequal alliance of white and black farmers, the Dixiecrats tried to go back to getting support from the federal government.

    They are not exactly rejected, but they are not welcomed with open arms either. Deprived of any possible support, they turn to whipping up racist and anti-Semitic sentiment.

    While the effectiveness is questionable, it has resulted in some serious violence throughout the country. The Deep South, parts of Indiana that still have not entirely been purged of racism, much of the Southwest...there are even a few attempted riots in New York City and Philadelphia that are forcefully suppressed.

    Probably the most significant instance of violence was a brutal four-way farce as Longists, socialists, KKK members, and BOI agents all attempted to attack a museum at the same time.

    To be more accurate, the socialists and Longists were trying to attack a museum espousing the Lost Cause, the socialists for ideological reasons, the Longists for revenge. The KKK members were trying to defend it. The BOI agents were trying to arrest everyone.

    By the time the gunshots had died down and the fires had burned out, nearly fifty people were dead, the museum was a burned-out shell, and the chaos had spread throughout the town with bloody consequences.

    There have also been a series of organized attacks on the KKK and other white supremacist groups by Minutemen. Whether this is due to Long's commands or simply them taking inspiration for his diatribes is unknown, but you welcome it gladly.

    Canada has been wracked by unrest as the spate of assassinations continues, but several individuals who the Canadian government has claimed were responsible for the initial deaths have been arrested and publically executed. Riots and accusations of railroading and rigged trials have gone on unabated despite the apparent show of strength, but Schenk has confirmed that at least some of those executed are guilty.

    The rest of the RAF is keeping their heads down, but they are planning a major action of their own. Specifically, they are planning to attack a Californian prison where many men and women accused of "criminal syndicalism" are being held without trial. They have a man on the inside and large quantities of explosives, and between those they should be able to crack the prison open.

    You have noticed something concerning in the ever-changing political currents of Washington. Curtis's push to create an anti-radical coalition collapsed almost immediately, and no one has been foolish enough to try and revive it. But people are discussing it in almost nostalgic tones, and wondering if there was perhaps more sense in it than it seemed at the time.


    Plans from Subordinates

    The Coordination Committee has turned their attention from the receding famine to taking control of the agricultural situation. Many local farmers who attempted to join the Fix the Prices Movement will find themselves persuaded to do otherwise, through both persuasion and intimidation.

    The State Legislative Committee is attacking it from a more political direction, albeit again using a carrot-and-stick approach. Laws subsidizing farmers and offering support against the ravages of the Dust Bowl are being drafted, while legal scholars are being consulted to help create a legal argument for land seizure to help pass another set of laws.

    Norman Thomas is alternating between traveling the country to make the final push for various states to nationalize the rails and working to form an alliance with the Reformist Coalition.

    Butler is still continuing to work to discipline the Red Guards and bring them up to a higher standard.

    Schenk is putting the finishing touches on recruiting his last group of spies and preparing to begin looking for allies and spies inside the Fix the Price movement.

    Ben Stevens is heading back to California to rally further support against the oppression of Creel and his thugs, although he has expressed concern about the Fix the Price movement and how the majority of the CSA will react to them.

    The Committee of Propaganda is dividing their efforts in many directions this month. They are working to establish plays, theater, and entertainment of many varieties, further designing anti-racism propaganda, creating collections of stories and comics with pro-syndicalist and anti-racist messages, and expanding the repitoire of music available on the radio.

    Little has decided to tread lightly for the first month. He will be touring unions throughout the country, encouraging them to donate a portion of their strike funds to the CSA and setting up charities operated by the unions that will help support the cause.

    The cadres are still continuing their efforts at constructing better homes. Some are also looking to begin debating the role of women in the Revolution, holding conferences and symposiums and debates.

    You have 11 Influence and 2 Gravitas total. 0 Gravitas and 2 Influence are committed to ongoing actions. You are currently taking no focus.

    +10 to the next 2 rural organization or agitations actions. +10 to the next Union action.


    The current economic situation is confused and disordered. While capitalist exchanges have been totally replaced in some places, in others they have been merely supplanted or supplemented. The detrimental effects are already being felt as people revert to bartering and swapping. Some sort of reform must be made, within 3 months. (From the Syndicalists and Orthodox. +10 to the next Union action, +Relations with the Syndicalists, +Relations with the Orthodox, +Relations with the Center, -Strength to the Center, +support from the ASA and both factions of the IWW if completed. -Relations with the Syndicalists, Orthodox, and Center,-support from the ASA and both factions of the IWW, loss of income if failed).

    Liberation cannot just be economic. The chains of capital weigh on the mind as well, in the forms of patriarchy, racism, imperialism, and more. Just as we advocate for the breaking of the chains of capital, so must these chains be broken. And the party and syndicates are both united behind us on this. Make 2 significant steps on the path of social justice within 4 months. (From the Syndicalists, the Orthodox, the Anarchists, the IWW MA, the AFL-CIO, and the ASA. + Support from the IWW MA, the AFL-CIO, and the ASA, +Relations with the Syndicalists, the Anarchists, and the Orthodox, +1 Temporary Influence for Union actions, -support the IWW MM, the TUUL, and the Red Grange, -Relations with the Parliamentarians and Ultraleft Farmer-Labor if completed. +Relations with the Parliamentarians and Ultraleft Farmer-Labor, +support with the IWW MM, the TUUL, and the Red Grange, +1 Temporary Influence for rural-focused Union actions, -Support from the IWW MA, the AFL-CIO, and the ASA, -Relations with the Syndicalists, the Anarchists, and the Orthodox, if failed.

    California is one of the largest states in America, with an enormous population, a powerful industrial base, and a vast agricultural heartland. It also features some of the most powerful opposition to the workers' movements, thanks to endless bombardments of propaganda, foreign support from many parties, and the judicious use of force. But the workers there are nevertheless ripe for organization...and an election is coming up. Make major gains in popular and political support in the Golden State. (From the Parliamentarians, the Center, the Orthodox, the ASA, the AFL-CIO, and the Teamster's Union. ++ Support from the ASA, the AFL-CIO, and the Teamster's Union, ++ Relations with the Parliamentarians, the Center, and the Orthodox, +2 temporary Influence if completed.)

    The South has been a heartland of reactionary politics since the War of Independence, but there is great potential for socialist support within its cultural boundaries. The steelworkers of Birmingham are no less oppressed than their northern counterparts, while sharecroppers white and black are horrifically exploited. Political power in those states is all but impossible, but the organizing of workers can lead to great things nonetheless. By the upcoming election, gain significant support within the South. (From the Syndicalists, Ultraleft Farmer-Labor, the Red Grange, the IWW MA, and the IWW MM. +++ Support from the IWW MA, ++Support from the Red Grange and the IWW MM, ++Relations with the Syndicalists and Ultraleft-Farmer Labor, +1 temporary Influence for two months if completed.)

    While severe corruption of course can not be tolerated, a little simply greases the wheels. And perhaps more importantly, harshly rooting out everyone who has any sort of misconduct on their record creates all sorts of dangerous images, painting the one responsible as a power-crazed madman purging his political enemies on minor charges and of the body being purged as riddled with larceny. Best to wait a few months before taking further measures to root out corruption...say, taking no actions against it for 1 month. (From the Teamster's Union, ++ support from the Teamster's Union if completed, --support from the Teamster's Union, -2 to all actions for one month if failed.)

    This Frankenstein of an economic system is an awkward kludge. Food prices are slowly rising, while many manufactured goods and raw materials are either overwhelmingly common or far too rare. Tooling and machinery is getting much rarer, spare parts are becoming in short supply...nothing is serious yet, but there are all sorts of worrying trends. Take steps to reform and stabilize the economy within 5 months. (From the Syndicalists and Orthodox. +10 to the next two Union actions, +Relations with the Syndicalists, +Relations with the Orthodox, +Relations with the Center, -Strength to the Center, +support from the ASA and both factions of the IWW, increase in popular support if completed. -Relations with the Syndicalists, Orthodox, and Center,-support from the ASA and both factions of the IWW, loss of income, severe decrease in popular support if failed)

    The investigation revealed a far more serious presence of reactionaries in nearly every city and town than previously believed. Often built around church groups and other social institutions, they could serve as a potential nucleus for unrest, sabotage, counterrevolution, and potentially a white terror. All who are aware of this are in agreement: one way or another, this must be dealt with as soon as possible. Currently, people are debating what the best method will be. (No penalties or bonuses for using harsh or conciliatory methods. ++support from all CSA factions when completed. Minor losses of support in the CSA if the reactionaries cause problems until then.)

    The American education system was carefully designed to serve the will of the capitalists as part of their effort to ensure their dominance. From deliberately enforced inequality to classroom structures designed to make children acquiesce to the abuses of capitalism, no portion of it was left unscathed. We shall create an education system with higher ideals, for adults and children alike. Accurate history and economic science will be taught alongside art and music and math, and none shall be denied any knowledge. All it needs is to be built. Which will hopefully commence soon. Start 3 education-related actions within 7 months. (+Support from the AFL-CIO, ++ support from the IWW MM, slight increase in popular support if completed. --support from the IWW MM if failed.)


    Hold a Rally: It's a classic for every political party for a reason. There's nothing quite like a grand rally with banners waving and people cheering to make you seem unstoppable and to gather more support. The demonstration of the energy and might of the working class will have the capitalists shaking in their boots. It is a message to your supporters as well, that all the power of the SPA stands behind them. Here is what it says: Let your foes try and stop you. They will be ground under your heel. Cost: 1 Resources and a risk of backlash and hostile interruption. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/50/85/120. Results: Variable change in support, chance of intimidating your enemies. Can synergize with other actions.

    Wave the Red Banner: The Red Banner is not the only SPA-affiliated or favoring publication, but it is the only one produced by the Party itself. And it is immensely popular. New ones go out constantly, but you could write an article of your own and make a special edition. This would receive extra attention and possibly some new readership, allowing you to make your opinions heard and sway the hearts and minds of others. You could shape the narrative on something, make an argument for or against a particular course of action, attack an enemy or uplift an ally. Or to defend yourself and your decisions. The possibilities of the written word are limitless. Cost: 1 Resource and a risk of backlash. May be additional costs depending on the topic. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/25/50/75/100/150. Results: Variable change in support or party factions, results depend on the topic. The topic must be written in. Some examples: "The importance of unity in the socialist cause," "The corruption of the Hoover administration," "Why feminism and socialism must go together," and "Why Farmer-Labor should unify with the SPA." Can synergize with other actions.

    Send Socialist Agitators To: Nearly every street corner in Chicago, New York City, and Seattle has a man or woman standing on a crate and telling the passerby of the virtues of the cause and encouraging them to donate. They are often beaten brutally by the bourgeois or by police (and just as often protected by their listeners), but they nevertheless persist, determined to gain recruits and funds for the cause. Some of these agitators are amateurs doing it in their spare time, but quite a few are dedicated and skilled speakers. Sending these speakers in significant numbers to an area can turn your foe's supporters against them, especially if it is followed up upon with meaningful organization. Cost: Risk to the lives and health of the agitators depending on where they are sent to. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/Variable/Variable. Results: Write in an area (such as New York state, the Midwest, New Orleans, etc. The bigger it is, the more diffuse the impact) and reduce Federalist and AFP support there. Unlock actions to follow up on the agitation.

    Create Shadow Government: You have had a brilliant idea: Though you lack power at the federal level, the Socialist Party has substantial control of many mayorships and county governments alongside even more widespread but less official influence. You even control most states of the Steel Belt. Creating a forum to help these various governments cooperate and resolve disputes will be useful, especially if you have further requests from these governments. You have only discussed this concept briefly, but the idea of the Interstate Committee of Socialist Governments (name subject to change) has dazzled many. Especially since it will help you gain influence over their legal codes, voting laws, and National Guard armories. However, given the likely federal determination to show strength, such a provocative action could be risky. Cost: Backlash from within and without the Party, possible legal challenges. Time: 3 months. DC: 25/65/100/145. Results: Various states and lower-level governments integrated into a coordinated body, many new possibilities available, although the body could be unwieldy.

    Support Faction: The party is more than a little divided, even if everyone is determined to stick together, they still clash frequently, with each other and with you. Spending some time and effort backing a particular faction in these debates could gain you some gratitude, which is always a valuable currency. Cost: Risk of losing support within the CSA. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/Variable/Variable. Results: Increase Relations and Strength of selected faction, chance of gaining support within the CSA.

    Make Changes To Subordinates: You do not have the time or capability to make all the decisions involved with bringing the Revolution to America, and so you have trusted subordinates to help. Occasionally, you will need to redirect their efforts, invest more in their success, or even replace them immediately. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: Make any number of changes to 1 subordinate. Can be taken multiple times. Cannot be done for SPA Cadres

    Party Donation Drive: Your income comes from party dues and a cut from the incomes of the unions that make up the CSA. And it is proving insufficient for all the demands placed on your party. Asking for additional voluntary donations on a one-time basis would help ease the strain and buy time for you to begin finding additional sources of revenue. And doing it once shouldn't make you look too bad. As long as you make it clear you are asking. Cost: Extremely low chance of loss of support or Influence. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/10/20/30/40/50/60/70/80/90/100/110/140. Result: One-time increase to Resources, amount is dependent on roll.

    The International Question: With contact made with the Syndintern, they will soon begin encouraging internationalist behavior. Considering the amount of assistance you will need for them, it would be wise to help support revolutions in Canada and in the various client states of America, along with taking part in the broader Syndintern in less overt ways. Gauging the positions of various factions on this will help you understand your position. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: Find out the position of all factions of the SPA and CSA on internationalism.

    Display your Dedication: You are being accused of weakness, softness, and cowardice. Despite all you have suffered and sacrificed, it is not enough for some. Fine then, you will show them how much the cause means to you. A whirlwind tour across the country, visiting every union and party office you can meet, will provide the proof and silence their accusations. From Seattle to New York City, from Portland to Houston, anywhere men and women struggle for their liberation you will stand in their support. Cost: No Personal Action next month. Time: 2 months. DC: 25/50/75. Result: Gain Relations with all SPA factions.

    Squeeze the Fosterites: The newest group in the SPA has a dangerous ideology, one that threatens to provoke a reactionary alliance that could deal painful blows to your cause. The more mainstream factions recognize this, and would likely be willing to cooperate with you to hammer the divides in them and pressure them to return to the fold (with a price in mind, of course. Such is politics). Those who resist this pressure will be embittered, but they are going to be a minority of a minority. What harm can they do? Cost: Will further radicalize any remaining Fosterites, will politically indebt you to other factions, annoys the RAF. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/75/100. Result: Begin campaign to marginalize the Fosterites, will have options on how to handle it until it ends.

    Pro-Liberation Politics: The anti-racism program must be built on. The party's ideological limitations on the matter must be removed. There is more to be done...there is always more to be done. Some will back you to the hilt on this, others will oppose it to the end, but you must trust that the desire for unity triumphs over factional bickering...and you will spend some time laying the groundwork first before announcing your new proposals since they will likely be controversial. Cost: Relations with party factions, support in the CSA. Time: 2 months. DC: 0/20/45/65/115. Result: Lay the groundwork for and then propose modifications to the party line to further support anti-discrimination measures. Higher Relations will mean better results.

    Shore Up Support: You have sensed a slight chilling of your relations with the CSA, although many in their ranks are still your determined and dedicated allies. But you cannot predict how everything will fall out, and so rather than take their assistance for granted, you will spend some time speaking and working with them, making sure they know they are appreciated and hearing requests. It's simply part of being a leader, unfortunately, even if it's one you don't enjoy. Cost: Slight increase to Stress, time spent schmoozing is time not spent building up to a Revolution. Time: Until ended. DC: 10/25/40/50. Result: Reduced negative impact of actions on CSA support, hear requests and suggestions from your supporters.

    Assistant Adjustment: Even as your assistants work to make sure their views are supported by the party machinery, they are also being genuinely helpful in managing the fractious ranks and building towards the coming revolution. You could always use a few more...or perhaps you need to remove someone. Cost: Political turmoil, modification to bonuses. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: Options to change assistants.

    Speak for Liberty: While the SPA is at least somewhat united behind you, your willingness to push for social revolution has had the anarchists in the party and their similarly socially left allies be some of your most enthusiastic supporters, despite their relatively small numbers. If you want to make use of that support, you will need to help them. Speak on the topic of liberty, encourage support for racial minorities, demand women's liberation...perhaps go so far as to say homosexuality is acceptable. Let them know they have an ally in you. Cost: Political turmoil. Time: 1 month. DC: 40. Result: Increase in Strength and Relations of Anarchists.

    Condemn Atrocities: If you wish to keep the violent and vicious Fosterites from gaining strength, you need to lay the groundwork before you break them. Make it part of the SPA program to condemn excessive brutality, the murder of non-combatants and innocents, and wanton destruction. While the language will mostly be used against capitalists and Longists, it can also be applied to the sort of things they advocate for, making a useful cudgel against your enemies in the party. Cost: Some political turmoil, annoys the RAF. Time: 1 month. DC: 10/30/60/90. Result: Decrease in the Strength of the Fosterites.

    Insist on their Effectiveness: Though the Fosterites have had some of their bloodlust slaked, they are still demanding more blood, more death, more destruction. They appear to have no compromise in them..let's see if they have any common sense. While they may decry these reforms as cowardice and giving in to bourgeois demands to muzzle the workers and "suppress their righteous rage until the flame of revolution gutters out," you are doing nothing of the sort! You are simply trying to make them a more capable and organized force, an army capable of winning the revolution you all want. Cost: Some political turmoil. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/45/60/80. Result: Decrease in the Strength of the Fosterites.

    Divide and Defeat: The Fosterites are united only by their insistence that you go faster, that you birth the revolution sooner - and that like all births, that it be bloody and painful. And so the right pressures, ever so gently applied, can leave them broken and adrift, eliminating a potential political threat and greatly weakening an adventurist segment of the SPA. The pressures are asking what they want, which might be a dangerous question if you don't have a good answer... Cost: Some political turmoil, annoys and weakens the RAF. Time: 2 months. DC: 35/70/100/120. Result: Decrease in the Strength of the Fosterites.

    Back Up Butler: Butler has done an excellent job of reforming and expanding the Red Guard, turning it from a barely-controlled paramilitary into an effective force However, some of the changes he has made have been contentious, and he plans more. Some have begun suggesting you should rid yourself of him...something which you have no intentions of doing so. Make that clear, and make it crystal clear that Smedley Butler has your full confidence. Cost: Loss of CSA support. Time: 1 month. DC: 5/10/15/20. Result: Increase to Smedley Butler's Influence

    Command the Cadres: The SPA Cadres have been enjoying their newfound independence and will be reluctant to give it up again even temporarily, but you are liked and respected enough that they will do it. Even if they will complain. Cost: Political impact depends on what you choose. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: Adjust SPA Cadre actions as you see fit.

    Organizational Reform: With yet another intra-party spat developing, you find yourself getting frustrated. You need to take measures for preventing these sorts of problems from arising again...along with making sure reformist sentiments and corruption don't set themselves back in. Clear out the deadwood, impress your authority upon the leadership, and get everyone working together for the greater good of the workers. Cost:???. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/100/125. Result: Reduced chance of further political crises, +1 Gravitas, reduction in Stress.

    Ban the Nativists: With anti-nativist sentiment at an all-time high in the ranks of the SPA and among the workers, you can easily push through a change to the party platform and membership requirements to formally expel what dregs of nativists influence have slid in. This might mean a drop in your support, given that you have effectively forced out will doubtless take their votes and voices elsewhere, but all their efforts will be nothing more than spit in the wind. Cost: Minor losses in SPA Relations, CSA Support, and popularity. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/70/100. Result: Purge nativists from the SPA, +1 Gravitas.

    Standards of Integrity: With the removal and punishment of many corrupt individuals, it's time to make sure they and their ilk don't come back into power. You tried to push through higher standards of integrity and behavior for people running on SPA tickets or on the SPA payroll, including requiring them to publish their finances for all to scrutinize, but it floundered due to a lack of momentum. So you will get behind things and push. Cost: Loss in Relations with all factions, loss of support from the Teamster's Union. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/55. Result: Pass reforms to make it harder to be corrupt in the future.

    Push for Moderation: So far, actual resistance from these reactionaries has been minimal and easily dealt with. There's no need to step things up and provide martyrs or risk radicalizing them. They should be marginalized and propagandized against, but they should not be repressed. They aren't threatening enough to require it. Cost: Increases political costs of attacks from reactionaries. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: Nonviolent methods for dealing with the current crop of reactionaries grows more popular.

    Meet Them With Violence: Already these reactionaries have resisted the seizure of the means of production and protested against the transformation of society. They are receiving support from far more dangerous groups as well. They are obstacles before the tide of history, and they must be swept away. And we shall not hesitate in doing the sweeping. Cost: Increases political costs of attacks from reactionaries. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: Violent methods for dealing with the current crop of reactionaries grows more popular.

    Remove the Reformists: The threat of the incoming bill is not just to your voters, it could also dangerously embolden the dormant reformist wing of the SPA. Purging them after the bill is revealed will be taken badly. Purging them before...it won't be taken well. But it will be less costly. Of course, you could work to marginalize them without resorting to having them full-on removed from the SPA. Cost: Severe loss of SPA Relations and CSA Support. Time: 1 month. DC: 50/100/150. Result: Purge reformists from the SPA with varying degrees of efficiency

    United in Action: Tighten regulations and rules and push through a few measures granting you more authority over internal SPA matters. It might upset some, but it won't be too controversial. You'll put forth a slate, people will argue about it...you have done this dance before. And if you do it right now, you can get people used to you having great authority before they realize why you want it. Cost: Varying loss of SPA Relations and CSA Support. Time: 1-2 months. DC: ??? Result: Pass a package of various reforms to further centralize power around you.

    Send Union Organizers To: While agitators can disrupt other political organizations and explain why you are better, to actually gain support of the kind that makes people spend blood and gold and sweat on your behalf requires a different approach. Establishing that takes time, but sending union organizers to an area can make for a start. In many ways, the risks these organizers take is even greater than that of the agitators, especially if there is sufficient hostility to socialism already. Some have literally been tarred and feathered...Cost: Risk to the lives and health of the organizers depending on where they are sent to. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/Variable/Variable. Results: Write in an area (such as New York state, the Midwest, New Orleans, etc. The bigger it is, the more diffuse the impact) and gain temporary support there. Unlock actions for following up on the organization.

    Union Donation Drive: Your income comes from party dues and a cut from the incomes of the unions that make up the CSA. And it is proving insufficient for all the demands placed on your party. Asking for additional voluntary donations on a one-time basis would help ease the strain and buy time for you to begin finding additional sources of revenue. And doing it once shouldn't make you look too bad. As long as you make it clear you are asking. Cost: Very low chance of loss of support or Influence. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/10/20/30/40/50/60/70/80/90/100/110/120. Result: One-time increase to Resources, amount is dependent on roll.

    Union Charities, Donations: The unions of the CSA have their own individual strike funds and incomes, used for various events. These funds are often rather significant in size, and could be used to supplement the charitable endeavors of the SPA. Doing so would ease the logistical strain providing for so many causes, but not every union is entirely dedicated to socialist ideals, especially not when it comes to the outsiders who will inevitably come seeking aid. Cost: Increased risk of corruption. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/75. Result: +X Resources per month.

    Union Charities, Fundraising: The unions of the CSA have their own individual strike funds and incomes, used for various events. These funds are often rather significant in size, and could be used to supplement the financial resources at your command through direct donations and holding fundraising events. It may somewhat aggravate your supporters, but as long as you are using the money for their benefit there won't be more than grumbling. Cost: A new mandate. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/80/120. Result: +X Resources per month. Gain support from the Teamster's Union.

    Social Bonds: With the credit unions established, one immediate possibility to secure desperately needed funds is a simple scheme inspired by ones begun then abandoned during the Weltkrieg. Ask people to buy Labor Bonds, which can be redeemed at a later date for an amount equal to their purchase value. The money raised in the meantime can be put to use for any number of programs or initiatives. Cost: You will have to pay them back in a year. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/10/20/30/40/50/75/100/110/120. Result: Large, one-time boost to Resources.

    Mass Recruiting, Pt. 2: The sheer mass and organization of the working class gives you a potent tool for further empowering the American socialist cause. The overwhelming pro-SPA propaganda has begun countering the decades of mystification the American workers have undergone, but there are still many groups who stubbornly resist the tide of revolution. Some, such as the petty capitalists and highly-paid workers, need an explanation of the benefits of your cause. Some, such as reactionary churches, need to be exposed for the falsehoods they spread. But for some, financial and material incentives will be needed to secure their support, along with reminders as to the fate of class traitors. Cost: 6 Resources. Time: 3 months. DC: 30/60/90. Result: Further increase to size of the unions.

    Mass Organization: With the unions growing in size on a daily basis, measures need to be taken to ensure the democratic control of the unions is maintained. Through vote-buying, carefully designed structures, and coercion, corrupt bosses maintain their positions, while other leadership figures openly advocate for reformism or racism. The Revolution will not succeed with dedicated leadership from dedicated syndicalists. The political fight caused by this will be long and bloody and painful, but it will secure your position in the party, hopefully without causing too much splintering or outcry. Cost: Significant losses of support from party factions and the CSA. Time: 1 month. DC: 40/80/100/160. Result: Grip on party politics strengthened, subvote, actions to follow up unlocked.

    Medical Assistance: The economic dislocations are leading to constant grumbling, but for those who have taken control of their labor, the shortages and unpredictable prices are acceptable, especially since food and shelter and other such essentials are not too badly affected. But one matter of significance has been: many doctors are finding the prices of medication are rising, and many others have simply left for places they view as safer. It's not a crisis...yet. But it could become one if effective, decisive action is not taken soon. And of course decisive action is expensive action. Cost: -5 Resources, -3 Resources per month. Time: 3 months. DC: 20/45/70. Result: Hire doctors, improve the production of medicine, and make medical care easier to access for your urban supporters.

    Standards of Exchange: The smoothness and efficiency of exchange and transportation systems between mines, factories, and farms is growing as new methods are experimented with and old ones are discarded. Middlemen are cut out or reined in, agreements are formalized, reputations are forming. But it could always use another push to try and make things work even better. Work with union leaders to try and set a few standard methods of exchange, regularizing an ad hoc system. Cost: May upset some people, chance of losing support from the Teamster's Union, chance of increased corruption. Time: 1 month. DC: 35. Result: Further improve systems of exchange between enterprises.

    Socialist Markets: An alternate proposal, one popular among the more Orthodox wings of the party, is that workers at these facilities could be given labor vouchers representing the value of their work. These vouchers could then be exchanged for products at markets. The main difference between this and conventional finance is that the value of vouchers would be decided democratically and that they cannot be accumulated. Cost: Decrease in support and relations with the syndicalist wings of the SPA and CSA, 5 Resources. Time: 3 months. DC: 45/90/135. Result: Increase in income, establishment of labor voucher-based markets in locations with a strong SPA presence. Gain of support and relations with orthodox wings of the SPA and CSA. Increase in economic efficiency. Reduced strength of the Center, increased strength of the Orthodox.

    A Union Shop: Socialized stores have become common in Chicago as workers inspired by the strike or owners compelled by it create democratically run stores. Though mocked by some on the left and some in the more syndicalist wing as "market socialism" and accused of not removing the profit motive, even their strongest critics cannot deny they serve a useful person during this transitory phase. Begin encouraging local unions to establish shops along these lines, and ask for a small cut of the proceeds perhaps? The widespread establishment of these grows ever more vital as the toll of being forced to pay ridiculous fees for the use of capitalist's services and the inefficiencies of going without begin to take their toll. Cost: loss of support from TUUL and ASA, loss of relations with the Orthodox. 5 Resources. Time: 2 months. DC: 20/50/80. Result: Increase in income, establishment of market cooperatives in locations with a strong SPA presence. Gain of support from IWW, Teamster's Union, and Regional Unions, increased Relations and Strength for the Syndicalists. Increase in economic efficiency. Decrease in Strength of the Centrists.

    Rationalize Production Schemes: With the vast number of factories seized, different product schematics, manufacturing methods, and research facilities are now in the property of the workers. Though some of the men responsible for the more cutting edge possibilities are reluctant to work with "filthy Reds," sufficient bribery has overcome such concerns. Begin working to integrate the best of each factory and develop further innovations to turn the existing industrial base into the greatest in the world! Cost: 4 Resources, -4 Resources per month. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/75. Result: Begin integrating the segmented knowledge and innovations of the various companies and improving on their work.

    Arms Production: The Red Guards need more and better weapons. They need ammunition. They need grenades and uniforms. They need vehicles to transport them and fuel to supply them. An army is an incredibly difficult thing to supply, but you will need to support one. While you can't make anything heavier than mortars currently, small arms can be produced in significant quantities. It's time to start arming the forces of revolution so that they can match the foot soldiers of reaction and the servants of capital. Cost: 8 Resources, -6 Resources per month. Time: 3 months. DC: 30/70/120. Result: Begin producing large quantities of weapons, Red Guards better armed and equipped, unlock new options to supply and train them.

    (2 Influence Committed) Union-Integrated Planning: Currently, each factory and farm does as it sees best. While the creation of any market system would help coordinate their operations indirectly, doing so effectively would require the return of the profit motive and economic labor discipline. An alternative proposal, to be done separately or in combination, would be to create an Office of Economic Planning, responsible for creating 3-month production targets with the democratic input and experienced guidance of the workers. Such plans would be complex things, but they would also enable great economic efficiency. Cost: 3 Resources, -2 Resources per month. Time: 2 months. DC: 45/100/165. Result: Establishment of a democratic department for handling economic planning. Must establish what the goals of that planning are soon after. Decrease in Strength of the Centrists.

    Appoint an Outreach Manager: With efforts at denying you support growing in numbers and sophistication, you need to develop your advocacy among workers in response. From the imported Chinese scabs and desperate Okies of California to the suffering smallholder farmers of the Great Plains to the exploited miners and factory workers to the American heartland, there are millions just waiting to join your cause...if only they could be persuaded of their exploitations and educated of their class interests. Cost: Influence, loss of support in the CSA. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/Variable/Variable. Result: Appointment of a subordinate responsible for outreach and agitation, vote on how much to commit to them, potential gains in Support or Relations.

    The Farmworker's Union: With the slowly growing awareness of the importance of the rural population, some have proposed providing the Red Grange with some assistance in expanding their organization to be on industrial lines and thus begin including rural farmworkers of every variety, from the tenant-sharecroppers of the South to the wandering, poverty-stricken Okies of the west and all the types in between. Such assistance would always be very welcome, even if some think it can be better used elsewhere. Cost: 3 Resources, loss of IWW MA and IWW MM support. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/40. Result: Increased support from the Red Grange, increased Relations with Ultraleft Farmer-Labor, increased popularity in rural areas.

    The Agricultural Worker's Union: With the slowly growing awareness of the importance of the rural population, some have proposed providing the Red Grange with some assistance in expanding their organization to be on industrial lines and thus begin including rural farmworkers of every variety, from the tenant-sharecroppers of the South to the wandering, poverty-stricken Okies of the west and all the types in between. Such assistance would always be very welcome, even if some think it can be better used elsewhere. For instance, the IWW pointed to their already existing Agricultural Worker's Union, arguing that it should instead be expanded to include tenant farmers. Needless to say, the Red Grange disagreed. Cost: 3 Resources, loss of Red Grange support. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/40. Result: Increased support from both factions of the IWW, increased popularity in rural areas.

    (2 SPA Cadre Influence Committed) The Union Home: The housing cooperatives serve adequately, but they were never meant to be a long-term solution. Improvements have been made, but it is time to begin the next step and work on providing dignified homes for the homeless. The construction unions stand ready to do their part! Cost: 6 Resources. Time: 2 months. DC: 10/35/60/90. Result: Construction of large quantities of apartments to house people for free.

    Support for Friendly Farmers: The outrageous demands of many farmers and agricultural co-op leaders are not supported by all their number, and not everyone is taking advantage of the situation to jack up prices or hold vital grain hostage. Give those who have demonstrated solidarity for their fellows and simple good sense a reward for it. Financial support to help them expand their co-ops, applause and honor, political backing...there's all sorts of things you can give them. And hopefully some of their compatriots will take the hint. And hopefully the CSA won't get too upset...Cost: Slight loss of CSA Support, 2 Resources. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/30/45. Result: Give economic support to friendly co-ops, food prices stabilize somewhat, weaken the position of the hostile co-ops.

    Negotiate with the Co-Ops: Hostile farmers throughout the Midwest are threatening your food supply, and so you have no choice to hear their demands and hope there's some kind of compromise. You aren't exactly sure what they want, some sort of economic or political protection based on their manifesto, but you can hear them and maybe it won't be too onerous. And despite the outrage of the CSA, if negotiations fail that just means you have the high ground when it comes to alternatives. Cost: Moderate loss of CSA Support. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: Negotiate with hostile co-ops, hear what concessions they demand.

    A Purge of the Bureaucracy: The byzantine bureaucracies of the CSA have decided to demonstrate their distaste for you. Fine. You will return the favor. You will gut them. Have them fired. Have them arrested. You are this close to having them shot. Every scrap of evidence suggesting corruption will be waved around, transformed by your pen and your presence into an unforgivable sin, and they'll be forced out. And trustworthy, loyal men will be put in their place. Cost: Political backlash, likely to weaken the capabilities of the CSA and upset a lot of people. Time: 1 month. Result: Remove Passive Bureaucratic Resistance.

    Organizational Charts: The structure of the CSA's non-elected offices and departments and committees and commissions is a complete and utter mess. There are redundancies, there are fiefdoms ruled by petty tyrants, there are deliberately obtuse chains of command, all designed to protect and preserve unearned, unelected power. It's a great snarling knot, and it needs to be unraveled. So you will have your loyalists in the CSA begin tracing the structure, finding every scrap of information they can so you can plan an attack. Cost: Will further anger the bureaucrats. Time: 3 months. DC: 25/50/75/90. Result: Gain detailed understanding of the mess that is the CSA Bureaucracy.

    Simplify the Structures: Instead of mapping a labyrinth, you could cut a knot. You have the votes, you have the support. You will spend some time designing a new structure that's more sane and effective. And then you will make it so. The parasites and corrupt bastards will retain positions and power, but they will have no way to hide now, and it should hopefully be more efficient since that's the purpose it will be designed for. Cost: Will further anger the bureaucrats. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/125/225. Result: Dramatically modify and simplify the structure of the CSA Bureaucracy.

    Set Some Boundaries: You could also take a more peaceable approach to things. Crack down on a few of the worst cases, let a few of the more moderate ones slide, and then back off. They'll get the hint (you hope) and things will return to more or less a status quo...but now you are aware of the problem. And that means you will be halfway to solving it. Cost: Moderate increase/tolerance of corruption. Time: 3 months. DC: 40/80. Result: Remove Passive Bureaucratic Resistance.

    Democratization: Yet another possibility is to force them to accept more democratic participation and oversight in their decision-making. It will doubtless be popular among many even as it will enrage the bureaucrats, but it will hopefully force them to stop playing silly buggers and tone down on the theft and double-dealing and backroom games. Hopefully. Cost: Will further anger the bureaucrats. Time: 3 months. DC: 20/???. Result: Hopefully remove Passive Bureaucratic Resistance and democratize the bureaucracy, increased support from the CSA.

    Leave Them Their Fiefs: Finally, you could just leave well enough alone. Pull away, give them what they want. There will be costs in resources, time, and tears, but you just aren't in a position to handle another crisis. This can wait till after the revolution. Or until it's a little closer to it, anyway. Cost: Severe increase/tolerance of corruption. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: Remove Passive Bureaucratic Resistance.


    Establish Sporting Clubs: The wholesale purchase of firearms and ammunition by individuals draws attention. But sporting clubs, shooting ranges, and similar institutions doing so would not be a concern. Create a network of these companies as a means of subtly acquiring not just equipment for the Red Guards, but a way for them to train. Cost: 4 Resources. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/60/100. Result: Increased armaments for Red Guards, ease of training Red Guards increased, further actions to arm and equip Red Guards unlocked.

    Arm the Police: In the cities where you control the government, the attitudes of the police have shifted dramatically. They are now proud and determined supporters of their fellow workers against the ravages of capital. While they will need further restructuring to truly socialize them, that will have to wait until after the revolution. For now, you must prepare to fight it. Taking measures to increase the discipline and armaments of friendly policing departments will strengthen your control of the cities. Cost: Loss of relations with the Anarchists, Syndicalists, and Parliamentarians. Time: 2 months. DC: 10/40/70/100. Result: Dramatic increase in the number and quality of the Red Guards.

    Street Medics: One of the tactics used by the heroes of the Shanghai Uprising was the establishment of street medics, noncombat members of the Left-KMT who helped keep injured members in the fight and provided aid and comfort before the soldiers of the Legation Cities resorted to bloodier measures. Implementing such measures could be useful...Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 2 months. DC: 30. Results: Red Guards gain street medics, help reduce casualties.

    Acquire Explosives: The Syndintern has access to large stocks of a variety of explosives. In addition, there are many ways of making things that can blow up when you have access to vast amounts of industry. Begin stockpiling explosives for use in defensive or offensive actions, although giving them to inexperienced Red Guards could be risky. Cost: 2 Resources. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/75. Result: Acquire small but growing and highly eclectic stockpiles of explosives.

    Toll Fees: With your control of railways and the strength of your paramilitaries in many transportation hubs, you could easily gain substantial incomes by insisting on donations for those passing through, although you will need to make sure there are exceptions for those who already support you or who it would be dangerous to stop. Cost: Decrease in support among moderates, increase in corruption. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/75/125. Result: Increase to income.

    Scab Intimidation: The scabs and reactionary militias are outnumbered, outgunned, and outclassed. This may change as refugees continue flowing into the cities and capitalists fund their running dogs, but for now you have the advantage, and you must seize it. The Red Guards will defeat and drive off these "self-defense groups" and "protectors of the American way" and "private security forces" and show them that they are as dust before the tides of history. Cost: Risk of backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/?/?/?. Result: Reactionary militias and scab groups defeated and destroyed in areas you are strong.

    Security Procedures: The protection of leadership is the duty of the Revolutionary Guard, but there are not enough of those brave men to protect everyone. So it will be up to the Red Guards to protect union halls and party offices. To do so successfully will require the development of better security procedures than standing outside the front door. Cost: None. Time: 2 months. DC: 10/30/50. Result: Improved security for SPA facilities.

    A Red Terror: The furthest fringe of the party, as disorganized and bloodthirsty as they are, does have a point. You have allowed reactionary militias to prosper in places, and the miners of Montana and the workers of New York City have both paid the price for it. In the Midwest and West Virginia, preachers thunder brimstone sermons and incite their followers to arms against you. Collapsing Klan remnants and their equally violent offspring cling to power in Indiana and Ohio and the Dakotas. And everywhere federal agents and police attempt to suppress the Revolutionary Spirit. It is time to cleanse your holdings of them. Cost: ?? Time: 1 month. DC: 0/10/30/50/70/90/110/150/190. Result: Begin operations to shut down remnants of reactionary and capitalist military forces begin

    (2 Butler Influence) Instilling Discipline, Pt. 2: The Red Guards are still an irregular force. Only a small portion has experience serving in the military, and an even smaller part is able to devote their full time to fighting and training and drilling. But it is time to fix that. Working with respected figures among their ranks, it is time to raise expectations and tighten standards, to increase the number of exercises, to begin honing the force, This will doubtless cause some to leave, or form their own organizations, but as long as they accept a degree of oversight over their operations, that is acceptable. Cost: None. Time: 2 months. DC: 25/50/80/110. Result: Improved discipline of the Red Guards.

    Honor of the Regiment: One way to encourage good behavior of the Red Guards is to have that behavior reflect on something larger than themselves but more digestible than the syndicalist cause: their unit. Encouraging pride in the larger Red Guards groupings, the creation of distinct uniforms, and the utilization of unique symbology will hopefully create a spirit of socialist brotherhood between the members of the Red Guards groupings, and this spirit can be used through propaganda to make some of the more volatile individuals think twice. Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 3 months. DC: 25/50/75. Result: Create larger Red Guards units with a greater sense of esprit de corps.

    A Show of Strength: The furthest fringe of the party, as disorganized and bloodthirsty as they are, does have a point. Reactionary militias are growing bolder, feeling empowered by the collapse of order. Wherever you are weak, they grow powerful, and this cannot be tolerated. Striking a few of these groups, such as some of the Green Mountain Boys who live close to your stronghold, will let your point be made with relatively little bloodshed. Cost: ?? Time: 1 month. DC: 0/15/30/45/60/75/90. Result: Launch a few operations to attack some easy targets.

    Create Oversight Committees: One thing the capitalist "democracy" of America got right was making sure the military is entirely controlled by the civilian government. While de jure this is true for the Red Guards, it is not always de facto. One way to fix this would be to create committees of mixed soldiers and civilians that severe misbehavior can be reported to and that would generally provide oversight and direction. This may well be a controversial effort, but it will definitely be popular with some segments. Cost: Loss of Relations with Totalists and Ultra-Ultraleft, loss of Support from TUUL, SPU, and the Teamster's Union, potentially upsetting to Red Guards Time: 3 months. DC: 30/60/90. Result: Create oversight committees, greater control over Red Guards, increase in support from ASA, IWW, and AFL-CIO, gain in Relations from every other faction.

    Making Bankers Bleed: While most banks have collapsed under the strain of crisis and depression, several have been consolidated into larger enterprises that are more effectively able to withstand bank runs and anti-foreclosure efforts. But these banks have offices and vaults in cities throughout America, cities dominated by the Red Guards and friendly police forces. Steal their gold, destroy their paperwork, execute their corrupt leadership. Make them understand that there will be no place for men like Morgan and Fargo. Cost: Likely to provoke a severe reaction, loss of support from AFL-CIO and SPU, loss of Relations with the Parliamentarians. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/10/25/50/100. Result: One-time influx of Resources, records of debt destroyed, bourgeoisie terrorized.

    Purchase More Arms: Relatively few arms factories were seized, but some were, and already Red Guards units have begun to benefit, but the acquisition of weapons for them is an often haphazard process and only a few units have even standard rifles. But it would be easy enough for larger quantities to be purchased and distributed so that the vast throngs of syndicalist soldiers have good guns and adequate ammunition. Cost: 6 Resources. Time: 1 month. DC: 5/10/25. Result: Better-equipped Red Guards.

    Distribute Trainers: There are only so many skilled, experienced veterans who can serve as a training cadre. While there are plenty of men who survived the Legation Wars and the various Latin American Interventions, only some of them are willing and able to assist you. But equally, there are only so many camps set up. One proposed alternative is to send the trainers to the Red Guards instead of the other way around. Cost: Somewhat weakens the training cadre. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/60/80. Result: Trainers dispersed, slow improvement in the Red Guards.

    Raiding Reactionary Groups: The most powerful and organized reactionary groups have been identified. Their threat cannot be tolerated, and so it must be suppressed. They will be surrounded in their churches, attacked in their homes, arrested at their workplaces. They will be purged. Hopefully, the remainder will take the hint and cease being a thorn in our side, or we will have to purge them too. Cost: Possibility of provoking unrest, collateral damage, possible backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/60/80/120. Result: Attack and break up the most notable counterrevolutionary organizations identified previously.

    A Central Command: There are always more reforms that need to be completed. And the next one Butler wants to work on is establishing some sort of central command and general staff for the entire Red Guards, or at least for the more professional components of it. Consisting of Butler, some other experienced soldiers, and...you'll need to figure out the rest. Should they be elected like other officers, or perhaps by the CSA? Or some combination thereof? Or maybe only the supreme commander should be elected, and he can decide who will be on his staff? It's going to be a tricky business. But it's an important one. Cost: Likely to upset the CSA and the Red Guards. Time: 1 month. DC: 30/65/110. Result: Establish a unified central command for some/all of your paramilitaries.

    De-Kulakization: You are going to take a page or two from the writings of one of the few Bolsheviks who survived the Russian Revolution. The reactionary farmers are trying to halt the Revolution in its tracks. You won't allow it. Send in the Red Guards and execute those responsible for this scheme...after giving them a tribunal, of course. Everyone deserves an opportunity to plead their case. You doubt they will have luck though. The manifesto being circulated has gotten quite a few people's blood up, and you'll be satisfying them most wonderfully, although some cooler heads are worried about the consequences of this. Cost: Loss of support from the Red Grange and the AFL-CIO. Loss of Relations with Ultraleft Farmer-Labor and the Parliamentarians. Possibility of provoking unrest, collateral damage, possible backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/60/80/120. Result: Attack, arrest, try, and execute the leaders of the farms and co-ops trying to drive up prices or refusing to sell. General increase in Support and Relations.

    Smuggling Arms South: The sharecroppers of the Black Belt are aware of your actions on civil rights, and they are engaged in their own determined struggle for liberation and self-determination, one that has been going on for years. One with undeniable revolutionary overtones. It's time to give them aid. And what they need right now is a way to protect themselves from the orgies of violence the KKK and other "white citizen's groups" are inflicting. You can't send Red Guards that far south. But you can send them rifles and shotguns and plenty of ammo. And you'll have to hope that will be enough. Cost: 3 Resources. Time: 1 month. DC: 35/70/105. Result: Sneak meaningful quantities of weapons and ammunition down to the Black Belt.

    International Volunteers: The Syndintern has made their first request of you. The situation in South America is unstable. Chile is half-Syndicalist, there's unrest in the north and south of Brazil, and rumors of organizing farm workers in Argentina. And they need support and a demonstration of international solidarity. Sending volunteers from their hemisphere will do some good in that regard. Cost: 2 Resources, reduced effectiveness of Red Guards. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: Increase in SyndIntern Relations. Vote on how many to send.


    Christian Socialism: Most Americans are Christians, and despite the words of the Constitution it is widely considered a Christian nation. Given that many churches are staunchly opposed to socialism while socialism is just as staunchly secular, this could be troublesome. Fortunately, this Gordian knot can be cut rather easily. The concept of "Christian socialism" and claiming that Christ himself would be a socialist is simple enough, with ample support for this notion coming directly from the Bible. Combining this message with a few displays of piety will help reduce criticism from the pulpit, although significant portions of organized religion will doubtless remain hostile. Cost: Loss of Relations with the Anarchists, loss of support from Jews and other religions. Time: 2 months. DC: 15/45/90. Results: Increase in support from Protestant Christians, increased ease of recruitment.

    The American Revolution, Pt.2: The first connections are drawn, the first pieces of theory are created. Now it's time to poke holes in them and see where it doesn't hold up, either to your ideals or to reality. Your ideas are published, but now it's time to see how people have torn them apart so that you can make them better. Cost: Chance of loss of CSA support, chance of increased stress. Time: 1 month. DC: 30/60/120. Result: Refine the results of The American Revolution, Pt. 1

    Organize Education: Education is a necessity for workers. Reading, writing, 'rithmetic, critical thinking and understanding history, the skills and knowledge so they can labor and explain why they labor, all these are vital. American schools are fundamentally capitalist institutions, but alternatives can be established. Cost: -3 Resources, -1 Resources per turn. Time: 3 months. DC: 0/25/50/100. Result: Create a system of cheap socialist private schools.

    Organize Childcare, Pt. 2: You have designed your improvements to the ad hoc system of childcare, now it is time for the implementation to begin. All this will really involve is producing guides and perhaps some propaganda, but it will help. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/15/45/75. Result: Encourage the creation of more equal and better-designed childcare institutions.

    Public Libraries: While libraries are a common and immensely popular institution, they can be improved in a number of ways, from increasing the resources available to them to broaden the services provided to include rentable instruments and instruction programs. Cost: 2 Resources. Time: 1 month. DC: 10/40/70/100. Result: Improve the variety of services offered by libraries.

    The Worker's School: There are many subjects not taught in great detail to the workers through the American education system. Leadership, management, socialist ideology...and of course anything behind the most basic parts of math, science, and history, not to mention various less immediately practical subjects. Creating schools for adults, or training wandering schoolteachers to help them, is yet another way to expand your influence and benefit the workers. Cost: 2 Resources, -1 Resources per month. Time: 1 month. DC: 35/70/105. Result: Establish schools for adult workers.

    Photos for All: Photography is an incredibly powerful medium for displaying the impact of events upon people. The Dust Bowl, the Bleeding Midwest, the many deprivations and horrors caused by capitalism...and the triumphs wherever such things are fought would all make excellent subjects for photography. The camera can spread your message and make another potent tool in your arsenal. Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/60. Result: Expanded use of photography in propaganda.

    Propagandize Professionals: Doctors and lawyers and managers, all have been greatly affected by this latest crisis. More than a few have been forced into breadlines and soup kitchens alongside the workers they have once looked down on. Approaching them, convincing them to join their cause, will give you access to their skills, which are undeniably useful and valuable. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/100. Result: Begin propagandizing destitute professionals.

    Anti-Longist Propaganda: The Longists are ideologically incoherent, propped up by those they claim to oppose, corrupt, violent, brutal, prejudiced, openly favor the Confederacy and vilify heroes such as John Brown and Thomas Paine, and above all else they are ineffective. While their influence has been mostly expunged from areas you dominate, they still have some presence in parts of several states, most notably New York and the rest of rural New England. Target them. List their failures, condemn their faults, give them no rhetorical respite. Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 1 month. DC: 30/60/90. Result: Increased anti-Longist propaganda.

    Pillory Capitalist Greed: The Longists and the Federalists agree on one thing: capitalism is here to stay. They desperately seek to keep the same failing system, and they will spend as much blood as they need to in order to preserve their hierarchies and privileges. Capitalist greed is behind every death from want or violence since at least 1925. Politicians love to proclaim millions have died to syndicalism and revolutions. It is time to count the tally killed by capitalism and reaction. It is time to lay out the contradictions of capitalism and destroy any denial or defense. Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 1 month. DC: 45/90/135. Result: Increase in general anti-capitalist propaganda.

    Against the Opium: Religion has historically played a large role in American life, and the chaos of the Great Depression has led to something of a revival for its most unusual and esoteric branches. Many churches are strongly reactionary, offering pie in the sky for empty bellies on earth. And many are corrupt as well. Stephenson had pastors helping him, and reaping the sick "benefits" of his brutal actions. Publicize these sins, demand an accounting, and begin breaking the stranglehold of religion on American thought. Cost: 1 Resource, risk of backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 50/100/150. Result: Increase in anti-church propaganda.

    Radio Debates: One of the many potential uses of the new radio networks is to publicize debates between syndicalists and their opposition. The concept has attracted a great deal of interest, since such arguments were an important part of Lincoln's electoral victories. There is also a great deal of debate in how they are to be structured...Cost: Variable. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/30. Result: Votes on how to structure the debates.

    The Moral of the Story: The radio is also being popularly used for entertainment, and there is the occasional show you like to listen to in order to relax. There's no reason the SPA can't sponsor a few shows about bands of thieves stealing from robbers, the ordinary adventures of hard-working laborers, or perhaps a grand tale of an alien world wracked by civil war...Cost: 3 Resources, -2 Resources per turn. Time: 1 month. DC: 30/60/90. Result: Create socialist-themed radio entertainment.

    Street Art: Such artwork can be created in many other cities where you have a presence as well...it will probably go better if you don't have to deal with hostile police and "citizen's groups." You will create murals and graffiti in every style imaginable, showing the sins of capitalism and the glories of what will come after. Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 1 month. DC: 10/30/50/70. Result: Create socialist street art throughout SPA-controlled or influence areas.

    Public Life: The gardens have begun to bring people together who were formally separate: members of different tenant's unions now work together to turn an abandoned ruin into a fruitful garden, people from all walks of life relax in them when they can do so without interrupting work, and the recent arrivals and old hands can come together over an appreciation of fresh vegetables. This is a success worth building on. While people are adding to these gardens already, asking musicians to play by them or setting up benches and tables on the edge, or even segregating spaces for children to play, you could encourage this effort to spread thousands of miniature parks alongside the gardens to help encourage the entwining of various communities. Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/30/45/60. Result: Expand community gardens with other (cheap) community activities and facilities, encourage interaction between different groups.

    Challenge the Instability: The evident failures of bourgeois democracy are displayed before all of America: a president and a vice-president dead or incapacitated, no one able to determine who or how they should be replaced, state governments frantically banding together, federal authority beginning to vanish, rising unrest in America's colonies...what sort of nation could accept this, what sort of system could allow this? And what alternative is there? All these questions are to be answered. Cost: 1 Resource, risk of backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 5/10/15/30/45/60/90. Result: Condemn the failures of the United States government, explain why your proposal is a superior alternative.

    There is Power in a Union: Strength can be its own sort of comfort in dark and dangerous times. And you have strength aplenty. While there are many who might fear you, the alternatives are equally terrifying. Promise them protection, promise them safety as members of the CSA, promise them peace and stability, as much as can be gained. Cost: 1 Resource, risk of backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 35/70/105. Result: Convince people to join you to protect themselves from various other threats.

    Anti-Americanization: While the melting pot is a lovely concept, it also means that meaningful elements of various individual cultures are destroyed or appropriated. To resist such trends will require meaningful and long-term effort, but a start can be made through advocacy over the use of autonomy to establish holidays celebrating ancient customs and adding languages such as German, Yiddish, and Finnish to the days of schoolchildren so the tongues of their ancestry are not lost. Cost: 1 Resource, loss of support from socially conservative factions. Time: 1 month. DC: 10/20/30/60/90. Result: Agitate for expressions of local cultural heritage.

    Offer an Alternative: The internal pink unions of the SPA have largely evaporated. The reformist, class-collaborationist unions supported by the SPU have begun dissolving themselves, primarily merging with the more confrontational AFL-CIO. But in many cases, their members have been left adrift, with damaged worldviews and betrayed feelings. Now they are vulnerable to capitalist or reactionary subversion...but they can also be convinced to take a more radical stance. There just needs to be a place for them. Cost: Increased strength to the AFL-CIO. Time: 2 months. DC: 15/45/70/100. Result: Disaffected moderate workers recruited into the AFL-CIO and propagandized to be more radical, increase in AFL-CIO support.

    Street Theater: Work and labor are all well and good, but people need to relax and be entertained as well. And so entertainment shall be provided. Plays, skits, comedy groups, all shall be created. And of course, aside from the classic and common sorts of entertainment, some of it will have an edge to it as the entertainers seek to provoke thought and encourage the questioning of the current order. Cost: 2 Resources. Time: 2 months. DC: 25/55/85/100. Result: Establish small traveling syndicalist entertainment groups.

    Youth Groups: Children are the future. They must be protected and nurtured and educated, given the tools they need to succeed in a world that changes more and more by the day. And if their parents can't care for them, there needs to be an alternative. An extension of the existing childcare institutions, informal practices, and an alternative to the Boy Scouts all in one has been proposed: The Young Worker's League (the name was chosen to avoid coming down on the syndicalist vs. socialist debate). Cost: 1 Resource, -0.25 Resourcer per month. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/30/45/75. Result: Establishment of youth groups and clubs.

    Catholic Liberation: The Catholic church is a powerful reactionary force, particularly after the savage anti-clericalism of the Italian Revolution. But many of its adherents are syndicalists or at least progressives, and the Irish and Italian voting blocs have allowed themselves to be courted by the SPA despite unease from some segments of the party. Now it is time to take that relationship to the next step, and this begins by reducing anti-clerical tendencies in the party and presenting a face friendly to the Catholic church in theory, if not in practice. Cost: Loss of Relations with the Anarchists, Totalists, and Ultraleft Farmer-Labor, loss of support from Protestants. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/45/90. Results: Increase in support from Catholics, increased ease of recruitment.

    Anti-Olson Approaches: Olson has already begun working to secure his power base through the remains of the Progressive Party and Farmer-Labor, reaching out to Federal and even Longist groups to increase the strength of his reformist movement. While outside of Minnesota his position remains precarious (and even within the state), he is growing stronger. And so that base must be cut away. Attacks on his character, attacks on his politics, attacks on his record, any and all will be used to dismantle his support, although a degree of care must be taken for these attacks to not be blatantly sponsored by the SPA leadership. Only a degree though, it can be an open secret. Cost: Increased tensions with Olson. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/60/75. Result: Decreased support for reformism.

    Against All Racism: Racism is not something you will tolerate, nor is it acceptable to the CSA. While proclamations can only have so much impact, it is worthwhile to make them, especially if they can be followed up by action. But simply speaking against it will count for something. Cost: Decreased support from the IWW MM. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/60/105. Result: Racism and discrimination are condemned, chance of action being taken independently of you.

    Encourage the Seizures: There will be no cowardice in the SPA. You are seizing factories because the system they operate under is inherently unjust, and the workers of the world will be rectifying that. And if you don't like it, stay out of their way. Rally the workers to your banner, radicalize them, and go forth! Take the means of production, for the Revolution nears every day! Cost: Very provocative. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/45/65. Result: Increased support and radicalization within the party, more enthusiasm for seizing factories and other facilities.

    We're Singing on the Radio: With the developing core of singers and musicians working for the SPA, and the fairly robust radio network, the next step is obvious. Begin recording that music and adding it to the currently news-focused radio networks to make them more entertaining to listen to. Cost: -0.1 Resources per month. Time: 1 month. DC: 10. Result: Begin recording various songs and playing them on the SPA radio network, adding them to whatever the individual stations have managed.

    The Growing Pie: Yet another possible propaganda angle to approach would be the economic benefits of syndicalism. When all the workers are united and capitalist and banker leeches are no longer siphoning off the hard-earned profits of the workers for their own ends, we can expand the amount of wealth and industry for all, no matter their color or faith or place of origin. Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 1 month. DC: 45/90/135. Result: Begin spreading propaganda about the economic benefits of syndicalism and socialism.

    Religious Freedom: While you will not go so far as to demand the inclusion of religious symbology and rhetoric into the propaganda of the SPA, you will make it clear that you stand unswervingly for religious freedom. Many workers share many faiths, from Catholicism to Episcopalianism to Baptism, to say nothing of the minority religions of the country. And you promise that none shall be oppressed or suppressed. Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 1 month. DC: 40/80/120. Result: Begin spreading propaganda in favor of religious freedom and tolerance, hopefully countering the rumors describing you as a bunch of church-burning lunatics.

    Arts and Entertainments: With your solidifying control over many cities, that comes with control over more than just the means of production. The SPA controls the means of entertainment! Movie theaters, playhouses, concert halls, and more...now that control must be used. Let the workers enjoy the fruits of culture, let the Revolution be extended to the backstage and the projector room. Cost: 0.5 Resources. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/35/70. Result: Bring theaters, concert halls, etc. under worker control, begin developing socialist-themed works of entertainment.

    Painting a Picture: The museums and art galleries now only operate with the approval of Red Guards and have been opened to all. But the collections of the rich still shelter within their mansions. Bring them out, let there be art for all the people. And let work be done on creating new art, on sculptures showing the unity of the people and paintings showing the future of socialism. Cost: 0.5 Resources. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/35/70. Result: Bring art galleries, private collections, etc. under worker control, begin developing socialist-themed works of entertainment.

    Speeches on the Ground: There are many who hesitate and vacillate, who fear what socialism will mean. They have seen undisciplined bands of Red Guards exacting "taxes" and heard of merciless slaughters of wedding parties and church groups. They worry about how the means of production will be seized and what the social revolution will entail. Some degree of concern is understandable of course. They labor under capitalist realism and mystification. So they need to be reassured. Let them talk to dedicated socialists, let them hear that their concerns are meaningless. Surely many of them will become good syndicalists and socialists once their fears are assuaged. And if not...well, that can be dealt with too. Cost: 1.5 Resources. Time: 1 month. DC: 60/95/130/170. Result: Create and spread large amounts of propaganda, aim it at those scared at the prospect of revolution with the goal of reassuring them.

    Attack the Co-Ops: The rural areas are thick with reactionaries and opportunists, using the famine to try and extract more selfish profit. This cannot be tolerated, it cannot be allowed. Condemn them all, tar them, shame them, stain them. Their iniquity is unacceptable. Use your control of the radio wave and the printing press to drown out their spurious complaints, make it clear that the profiteering and reaction of farmers and co-ops will not be tolerated. Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/80. Result: General increase in CSA Support and Relations, increase hostility against corrupt farmers and rural reactionaries, improve urban popular support.

    Attack the Segregationists: Target those who still support segregation and racism harshly in propaganda. Smear them as the foot soldiers of capital, as upholders of a brutally oppressive system, as pathetic losers and absolute assholes, then smear them some more. Claim that if they want to live away from black people in separate but equal spaces, they can go to Canada. Condemn and insult them. Give them no mercy. Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/30/45/60. Result: General increase in CSA Support and Relations, increase hostility against segregation, improve popular support.

    Attack the Selfish: Selfism behavior and profiteering is not acceptable, but it has continued. Middlemen charging outrageous prices, foremen and union leaders abusing their positions, farmers trying to take advantage of the famine, thieves and criminals and racketeers, corrupt bureaucrats stealing and skimming. It cannot be tolerated, it cannot be allowed. Begin a campaign encouraging boycotts, rejection, and reporting of those who engage in such antisocial behavior. Target the bureaucracy, target the criminals, target the profiteers, target the corrupt, target the hostile co-ops, and leave no stone unturned. Cost: 1.5 Resources, will upset a lot of people. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/45/80/120. Result: Begin massive anti-corruption campaign, attacking it on all vectors.

    Condemn Cowardice: There can be no half-measures, no limp, tentative reforms. So long as capital holds power in this country, the workers will not be safe. Rumors of collaboration between the rich and poor for the sake of stability, whispers of compromise, none of it will matter. In a few years all that hard work will be rolled back and the gains of the worker's movement will be lost, unless they are set in stone. And so nothing less can be tolerated. And that must be made clear. Cost: 1 Resource, will upset some people. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/80/105. Result: Begin anti-reformism propaganda campaign.

    Tales to Tell: The printing press can do more than inform and elucidate. It can entertain! There are plenty of cheap dime novels and comics being printed. Indeed, sometimes it seems that's all that's being made. Why not do some yourself? There are plenty of writers with syndicalist or socialist leanings, and plenty more who can spin an entertaining yarn. Some can even do both! So get them writing, get the artists drawing, and start making everything from children's stories to weird fiction. Cost: 1 Resource, -0.5 Resources per month. Time: 2 months. DC: 15/35. Result: Begin creating short story collections, novels, children's books, comic books, etc. and publishing them.

    Political Cartoons: In many newspapers, there are mocking cartoons with labels and captions showing the author's opinion on various events. In recent months, a common motif is a ship sailing through dangerous waters. They are quick, easy to understand, and popular. And it's time to have some of your own...or some more of your own, anyway. They can be part of newspapers or posters or pamphlets, they can be everywhere. Cost: 1 Resource, -0.5 Resources per month. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/45/65. Result: Create lots of political cartoons and hire lots of political cartoonists.

    Educational Articles: The news is meant to inform. It can also be used to educate. Short columns can be included on science and history, but they can also include theory. Short, easily digestible chunks of theory for the casual reader. Hopefully, it can be made to work, you can't imagine how someone would make Das Kapital easy to understand. Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 1 month. DC: 40/60/80. Result: Begin publishing short, understandable, educational articles on various subjects including politics and economics.

    Editorial Control: With the growing power of the newspapers, you need to make sure that the editorials demonstrate correct attitudes. Tighten your control over their offices, set firmer standards for what can be said, create a mandatory list of topics to be discussed at least once a month to help shape public discourse. The power of the written word will help bring about the Revolution, so long as it is used properly. Cost: 1 Resource, minor loss of Relations with the Anarchists. Time: 1 month. DC: 15. Result: Gain ability to set tighter editorial standards, including a free action to have a topic be discussed and emphasized for a month.

    Demonstrations of Force: A more moderate solution to sending in the Red Guards to destroy reactionary farms would be to remind them that you could do that. Use radios and newspapers to make it clear the sheer strength and numbers of the Red Guards, and let them consider their options. You are sure they will come to their senses soon enough. Cost: Minor loss of support from the Red Grange and the AFL-CIO, minor loss of Relations with Ultraleft Farmer-Labor and the Parliamentarians. Possibility of provoking unrest, collateral damage, possible backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/60/80/120. Result: Publicize the strength and power of the Red Guards through radio broadcasts and newspaper articles. General increase in Support and Relations.


    Poach the Democrats: The lines in the Democratic party are hardening as they find themselves pulled in so many directions. Some find themselves attracted to Huey Long's populism, others the Dixiecrats' savage racism. Still, others are shifting to the Progressives, to the remnants of Farmer-Labor...but there aren't many left who are willing to join a revolutionary party. It will take quite a bit to find those who will. Cost: Unknown. Time: 1 month. DC: 65/110/160. Results: You convince some members of the Democratic Party and aspects of their political machine to switch allegiance to you.

    Working With Republicans: The Republican party is uniquely pro-business, even more so than the Democrats. But they are also the party of Lincoln, and many of the more progressive Republicans have been applauding your efforts on desegregation, especially once they realize it had actual popularity. They might well be willing to join you to support your efforts, and join the party...as long as they don't fear revolution. Cost: Unknown. Time: 1 month. DC: 65/110/160. Results: You convince some members of the Democratic Party and aspects of their political machine to switch allegiance to you.

    Peel Them Off: The broad anti-syndicalist coalition cannot easily be defeated, but any big tent will leave some out in the rain. Try and push smaller reform bills targeted at specific segments of that coalition and persuade them to join you in the hopes of stealing their momentum or getting a useful club to swing at them when they finally produce their big bill. Cost: Unknown. Time: 2 months. DC: 45/90/135. Result: Pass some minor reform bills, break up the reformist coalition somewhat.

    The Reformist Coalition: The semi-leftist coalition of seemingly every intelligent capitalist and foolish reformist so desperate to stabilize the country has exploded in popularity and power. The reforms they pass are broadening in scope, as an unofficial steering committee consisting of a few of the progressive movement's leading lights and shadowy dealers, including Floyd Olson and James Curley. Nearly every party has people aligned with this coalition, and they are growing stronger every day. They may well capture the working class's energy and direct it from revolution to reform. And that cannot be allowed.They could easily be a potent threat and deadly rival, but they are not there yet. You hope. They can probably be dealt with through co-opting and absorption, with reforms meant to diffuse the power of the working-class instead turned to strengthen it. Cost: Loss of support from those opposed to electoralism, growth of internal reformists. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/95/130. Result: Segments of the growing coalition co-opted, increase in support from those who favor electoralism.

    Co-Opt the Machines: While the political machines in SPA-controlled areas have been dismantled thoroughly, some yet remain. Halt their gradual dismantlement and co-opt them into your service instead, helping you gain votes in some contested towns and cities. Of course, embracing them means embracing their shadier side as well. Cost: Increase in corruption, risk of backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/25/40/50. Result: Increase in popular support, the Teamster's Union likes it.

    Agricultural Subsidies: One message that was delivered loud and clear by the angry demands of the profiteering farmers is that they feel unsupported by the various enterprises and activities. Cut the knees out from under them and push a series of subsidies and other financial benefits to address their concerns. Of course, this may well embolden them and it may cause complaints that you are giving into threats if you try and back this course...Cost: Likely to cause loss of support or Relations. Time: 1 month. DC: 45/90/120/140. Result: Pass agricultural subsidies to alleviate concerns of farmers and co-ops. Increase in support from the Red Grange and the AFL-CIO, increase in Relations with the Parliamentarians and Ultraleft Farmer-Labor

    Agricultural Seizures: One message that was delivered loud and clear by the hostility, violence, and reaction of the profiteering farmers is that they cannot be trusted or left alone. They need to be brought under the control of the working class, they need to have their economic power smashed, or else you may find the cities starving while they sit on piles of food. And that is a concern now, let alone in the depths of a revolution. Some may claim this is an overreaction, some may wring their hands, but the bulk of the CSA is behind you. Cost: Backlash, loss of support from the Red Grange, the AFL-CIO, and the Right AFL-CIO, loss of Relations with the Parliamentarians, the Anarchists, and Ultraleft Farmer-Labor. Time: 1 month. DC: 35/70/105. Result: Pass laws confiscating the lands of profiteering farmers and placing it into better hands.

    Sewer Socialism: American infrastructure is doing...poorly. Neglect and violence has led to bridges beginning to crumble, railways needing repair, and roads vanishing from dust and rain. The repairs will be costly and take a long time, but they can begin relatively simply by passing some spending bills in SPA-controlled states. Adjustments can be made to the infrastructure for the benefit of the workers, as well. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/75. Result: Infrastructure development begins.

    (2 Norman Thomas Influence) Railway Socialism: The most essential piece of infrastructure is perhaps the rails. These are what tie together the mines and farms and factories and allow an industrial economy to function. Control of the rail hubs was what gave the Bolsheviks many initial successes in the Russian Civil War, it kept the British revolution safe from the initial attempts at crushing them, and it was vital in the establishment of the French Commune as well. Even during the Slaver's War, the Union's superior rail network was vital. And if state governments are the ones repairing the rails and operating them, perhaps they should be the ones owning them...Cost: Expensive. Time: 1 month. DC: 30/60/90. Result: Begin massive railway repair program, seize the rails thus repaired through "legal" methods.

    Political Grandstanding: With Capitol Hill effectively dead due to the sheer dysfunction, now it is time to turn the Senate and House seats you control into bully pulpits. In committee and on the floor, you and yours will go on the attack through speeches and shouts. This is not a bid for passing a bill or an attempt to whip up some political support. This is an attempt to expose the social, economic, and political order of the United States as the blood-soaked horror it is from the very top. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 75/115/150. Result: Increase in popular support, the humiliation of all your political opposition.

    Demand Non-Intervention: Rumors of another US Army intervention in South America are spreading as well, provoking discontent and anger from everyone. These rumors are almost certainly false, even MacArthur has said so with his typical arrogance and utter lack of tact. But you can force the US to officially commit to a policy of non-intervention. This will likely result in a pullback of US support for several South and Central American juntas and boost your popularity among isolationists with broad support. But even with as much hostility to the idea of intervention, it will take a great deal of effort to pass. Cost: None. Time: 3 months. DC: 70/120. Result: Anti-intervention bill passed with broad support from several parties.

    Patronage Networks: Patronage is a reality of any political system, no matter how reformers rail against it. It has even begun popping up in the newly cleansed state bureaucracies, to say nothing of unions or the small-town governments on your side. So it must be dealt with and used to your advantage. Beginning to create and use these networks will also allow you to have at least a degree of control...which means you will be one making bargains with slimy bastards. Joy. Cost: Stress, increase to corruption. Time: 1 month. DC: 15. Result: Increase to support in the CSA, increase to support from the Teamster's Union, slight increase to popular support. Enhances effects of Assistants Adjustment

    Anti-Corruption Agencies: Corruption is a double-edged sword, and one that could cut you deeply. It is time to start taking measures to protect yourself, first by beginning to work with state governments to establish organizations that will purge corruption within elected and unelected offices...and making sure these organizations are resistant to the lure of corruption themselves. Cost: Slight loss of support in the CSA, slight decrease to support from the Teamster's Union. Time: 3 months. DC: 30/60/90/120. Result: Slight increase in popular support, slight reduction in corruption, further actions for reducing it unlocked.

    Local Autonomy Programs: The first implementation of the principles of local autonomy will begin. A relatively simple set of legislation will be passed, allowing school districts to choose to have optional "Cultural Enrichment" classes where students will learn the language, history, and traditions of their ancestors and granting municipalities permission to have local paperwork and signage in any language they desire, so long as English is also prominently available. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 5/25/50. Result: The first beginnings of local cultural autonomy.

    State Nationalizations: Huey Long has already done it, and so has the federal government and its supporters. It is time for the government of the workers to begin directly intervening in the economy. State-backed investors will purchase commanding shares in certain factories and facilities, transferring part-ownership to the workers and coordinating the economic functioning in order to bolster the state as a whole...and in order to better equip the workers for the inevitable backlash. This can be combined with subsidies and a variety of other economic tools to greatly strengthen the influence of workers in the economy. Cost: Possible minor backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 10/40/80/100. Result: Increase to income, some factories taken over by the workers and the states under the cover of law. Expand subsidies to workplaces, unlock further options for government intervention in the economy, possibly ease other economic reforms. Increase in support from ASA and increase in relations with the Orthodox.

    Strengthen the Justifications: With flimsy laws providing flimsier protection, it's clear they need to be fixed. Though fierce opposition has begun rallying, with everything from filibusters to bribery to harassment being attempted to keep the seizures from having actual legal justification. There are even threats of the army being called in to restore order, threats that are not followed through on only because of the fear of a full-on civil war. Strengthen the justifications, encourage the seizures, and prepare for the class war. Cost: Minor losses in CSA support. Time: 1 month. DC: 35/70/105. Result: The legal basis for factory seizure is strengthened.

    State Police Forces: With the National Guards hampered, there are other potential forces that could be used to suppress us...or used to crush reactionaries. To that end, the state police forces will be secured, their leadership replaced with trusted syndicalists, Red Guards will be hired, and they will be shifted to being under Congressional influence even as their arms are improved and their procedures revamped. Cost: Possible backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/80/120. Result: State police forces have their loyalty secured.

    Strengthen Your Political Control: The halls of Congress are filled with your allies and fellow socialists alike, forming a strong and united bloc. Or so it seems. In truth, the arguing and infighting routinely takes up hours, even with Norman working to shield you from the worst of it. With controversial legislation on the horizon, you need to tamp down on it and make your bloc in Congress truly a united front that will never break. Cost: Likely backlash, -1 Gravitas, probable loss of support in the CSA, loss of Relations with the Anarchists, the Centrists, and the Parliamentarians. Time: 3 months. DC: 45/90/135. Result: Tighter control over SPA and allied politicians, Norman Thomas gains +1 Influence, 1 less Influence committed to Norman Thomas.

    The Next Steps: To truly end white supremacy in America will require a sea change on every level of culture, something you are only toddling in the right direction due to the infrastructure it will require. However, you can work on repairing some of the damage. A second series of laws can be passed, giving educational benefits to colored people, offering them low-interest loans so they can purchase housing and improve their economic security, and push for their integration into government offices. Cost: Likely popular backlash, probable minor losses of support in the CSA. Time: 1 month. DC: 30/65/105. Result: Pass a series of state laws designed to eliminate the economic damage of Jim Crow and slavery.


    The Legacy of John Brown: John Brown was a revolutionary martyr who fought for freedom. Abraham Lincoln sought to bring freedom to the enslaved. They would support you in your struggle to bring liberation to all. You will insist on it. You will quote them to say so. You might have to be a bit selective in doing so, but it won't matter. Cost: None... Time: 1 month. DC: 5. Result: Increased efficacy of The American Revolution actions.

    Create an Educational Program: Designing a socialist education program will be just one of the many questions you have to answer after the revolution. There are important differences in content and teaching style and likely other things as well. Begin looking into who is an expert in such things and start drawing up the broad strokes of what a curriculum will cover. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/60. Result: Begin designing an education program.

    A Socialist Structure, Pt. 1: How will the economy work? Will currency be abolished? How will you ensure racial equality? Though there are examples to look forward to from Britain and France, you will need to begin creating your own answers to these questions. Plans must be made, although they will be by necessity vague. But creating the most basic framework for what form American socialism will take will help ease your path forward. Cost: Probable loss of relations, chance of reduced support in the CSA based on the decisions. Time: 4 months. DC: 0. Result: Begin coming up with a more detailed roadmap for socialist America, begin unlocking actions to create small-scale imitations/programs related to this.

    Judicial Reform: One of the matters most clamored for is judicial reform. The American justice system is incredibly corrupt, designed to allow the wealthy to skate away from criminal cases and lawsuits with equal ease, and the courts have long been a tool to prevent workers from liberating themselves. Lawyers, judges, juries...all will need replacement, reform, or renovation come the Revolution. Begin working out alternatives. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/75. Result: Begin coming up with a multitude of options for judicial reform.

    Against the Socialism of Fools: Anti-Semitism is a virulent problem in this country. Father Coughlin spews anti-Semitic bile, many claim Jews are behind every problem and especially the syndicalists, even some of your party members and unionized workers mislike them. Countering these narratives may cost, but it is a worthy effort. Cost: Unpopular with social conservatives. Loss in Relations with Ultraleft Farmer-Labor and the Parliamentarians. Chance of further losses Time: 1 month. DC: 10/50/100. Result: Counter anti-Semitic narratives, increase in support from Jews, small chance of increase in support.

    On the Women's Question: Women's liberation must be part of the revolution. Some advocate for the complete destruction of the institution of the family...they may go a bit far, but you understand where they are coming from. There are things you can do to help them achieve true equality. Some of them are obvious, like removing infantilizing laws that restrict women's rights and tearing down barriers that prevent women from working. What else can you do? Cost: Cost: Unpopular with social conservatives. Loss in Relations with Ultraleft Farmer-Labor and the Parliamentarians. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/80/100. Result: Increase in support from IWW MA and Regional Unions, increase in Relations with Syndicalists and Orthodox factions, begin developing a roadmap for women's liberation.

    Relations with Reservations: There are scattered Native American reservations across the country, full of people who haven't been citizens until recently, who have been forced off their homes and into desolate places, who have had their history and culture defaced and desecrated. In many ways, the imperialism and colonialism inflicted upon them is America's first sin. You don't know what they want, you don't know what they need. You will have to begin asking those questions. Cost: Unpopular with social conservatives. Loss in Relations with Ultraleft Farmer-Labor and the Parliamentarians. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/80/100. Result: Increase in support from IWW MA and Regional Unions, increase in Relations with Syndicalists and Orthodox factions, begin developing a roadmap for justice for Native Americans.

    Help for Hispanics: As the SPA grows in influence in the American Southwest, awareness of the historical mistreatment the Hispanic population of the United States has endured. Just as with the Native Americans and the colored populations, you need to open a dialogue with these groups. Cost: Unpopular with social conservatives. Loss in Relations with Ultraleft Farmer-Labor and the Parliamentarians. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/80/100. Result: Increase in support from IWW MA and Regional Unions, increase in Relations with Syndicalists and Orthodox factions, begin developing a roadmap for justice for Hispanic Americans.

    Develop a Radicalization Pipeline: The newest unions are staunchly conservative on social and economic issues. Advocating for better wages and shorter hours seems to be a step too far for many, let alone more unusual proposals like requiring factories to have childcare facilities and compensation for injuries or outright revolution. While the Great Depression has affected them, and they have heard of the various horrors inflicted upon workers by the government, both matters are distant to them. The cruelties of capitalism need to be brought home to them. They need to be persuaded that there must be a revolution. Cost: None. Time: 2 months. DC: 20/40/60/80. Result: Begin developing strategies for en masse radicalization.

    Create a Curriculum: For a socialist school system to exist, there must be a socialist curriculum, Having students elect their teachers seems faintly ridiculous, but there can be other ways for them to be exposed to the SPA's ideals from a young age, and there should certainly be a different emphasis on what is taught. No gender divide for one. Cost: None. Time: 3 months. DC: 20/40/60/80. Result: Creation of curriculum, improved results and lowered difficulty for Organize Education.

    Justice and Violence: Violence is one of the eternal topics people argue about. When is it acceptable, why is it acceptable, what limits should there be? Some proclaim it all equally abhorrent, others insist it is always necessary. The SPA has an ample variety of attitudes, some of which are counterproductive. The cowardice of the SPU and the bloodthirst of the Fosterites both threaten the revolution. The correct course is obviously somewhere in between the extremes: self-defense is obviously acceptable, and so is violence in the pursuit of justice, but you must decide where the lines are...and when they should be crossed. Cost: Varies. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/60/80. Result: Decide what sorts of violence are acceptable and when, develop a more defined thesis on it.

    Appoint a Committee of Ideology: This will be a contentious group whose arguments will echo throughout the party, but those arguments will be necessary for the building of a true socialist state. Economy, law, social organization, the role of religion and race, the question of minorities, internationalism, centralism, federalism, and councilism...all these things need to be discussed. And you don't have the time to do it, so you will have to get other people to do it for you. Cost: Likely to decrease the Strength of the Center, will occasionally make decisions you don't like. Will have to commit Influence and Gravitas. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: Create subordinate to handle various Intellectual actions, vote on how much to commit.


    A Black Budget: Given the likelihood of the Commission for Revolutionary Defense being involved in some less-than-savory affairs, it may be worth siphoning some money into hidden accounts so that it can be put to use but remain harder to use. Paying spies from sources that aren't clearly your coffers, purchasing equipment or information from organized crime, serving as a place to deposit money made from bank robberies...there are many possible uses. Cost: -2 to -2.5 Resources per month. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: Resources available that can be put to use for covert operations and remain obscure.

    Taking a Peek: With the sudden revelation of Schenk's dual loyalties, you find yourself wondering who else has friends or interests you should be worried about. You wonder if you can trust Schenk to do the investigation...you wonder who else you could trust to do it. You hate how shaken you feel about this...but he's not likely to try and hide any corruption or betrayal he uncovers from you. You are fairly confident of that. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: ??. Result: Find information about chosen subordinate.

    Someone Else to Spy: With Schenk's loyalties suddenly in doubt, you find yourself...concerned about what he's been doing, especially regarding the more inward-facing side of things. The Revolutionary Defense Committee having his attitudes would be potentially very unfortunate. You aren't going to fire him, but you are going to be looking to curtail his influence, and one way would be to focus him more externally and find someone else to take care of the more day-to-day duties for the Committee and leave the Commission to him. Cost: -1 or 2 Influence, may annoy Schenk and the RAF. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: Create an internally-focused Intrigue subordinate, vote on who they are.

    The Revolutionary Guard's Loyalties: You need to make sure the Revolutionary Guard is at least not entirely influenced by Schenk and the RAF. They were created before him, and you have never seen any sign of such attitudes from them, but he does have at least nominal influence over them, since the Commission appoints the Committee, who selects the Guard, who elect the Commission...although Schenk has just been appointing the people elected. Does that mean he thinks they already share his views? Was he trying to avoid suspicion? Was it a commitment to internal democracy? Or was he simply too focused on other matters? You will have to go around Schenk, or try to anyway, but you have to find out. Cost: Risk of annoying Schenk or the RAF. Time: 1 month. DC: ??. Result: Find out the Revolutionary Guard's loyalties. The more Influence or Gravitas invested, the higher the likelihood Schenk realizes what's up.

    Infiltrate The Enemy Within: There are reformists within the SPA, from those who think capitalism can be voted away to those who genuinely don't want to end capitalism. Many of these have links to outside organizations. These links need to be identified, and the traitors who are using them. They don't necessarily need to be dealt with like other enemies, but we need to be aware of them so we can keep undercutting their support. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/75. Result: Find more about reformists within the SPA, Left-Farmer-Labor, the Progressives, and the coalition they may be forming. Find out more about Olson's plans.

    Find the Red Army Faction: You can't leave this alone. You need to know who else is aligned with the RAF, and where they have their headquarters and where they draw their funding from...just in case the worst happens. What exactly the worst is changes from day to day, but you know being able to find the RAF will be helpful no matter what nightmare scenario you are picturing. Cost: Risk of seriously upsetting Schenk or the RAF. Time: ??. DC: High. Result: Find who else supports the RAF, find out where they are. The more Influence or Gravitas invested, the higher the likelihood Schenk realizes what's up.

    Siphon State Funds: With nearly unfettered access to many state governments and party loyalists being installed in treasury departments across the nation, you have an opportunity to enhance the party's financial position by arranging for subtle fund transfers from the government funds. There will likely need to be some sort of...shell to hide the directness of the money transfer. Cost: Risk of discovery. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/60/80. Result: Increase to income.

    Sending Spies: Particularly given your purging of the police and the increasing difficulties the capitalists are having with oppressing the workers in areas dominated by syndicalists, there is something of a low-level exodus going on from the north, which means there is an opportunity to get eyes and ears in the lower level of the National Guards, U.S. Army, and hostile militias, to name a few possibilities. Cost: Risk of discovery, risk to the spies. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/??/???. Result: Write-in where you send the spy.

    Newspaper Analysts: With the increasing influx of information, often heavily conflicting, getting an idea of what is going on in the country grows more difficult every day. Arranging for a few party members to subscribe to dozens of newspapers and compare them so they can brief you will be child's play compared to some of the things you have organized. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: Improvement to Rumors and News section.

    Send Covert Organizers: Unions cannot operate openly everywhere. Particularly in the South and Midwest, efforts to organize are met with bombs, knives, and bullets. Or worse. You have vivid memories of the results of your trip to Wilmington...But people still organize, they still fight. Sending covert assistance can lead to an increase to your strength in an area, and help increase the chances of more overt intervention. Cost: Risk to the lives and health of the agitators/organizers depending on where they are sent to. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/Variable/Variable. Results: Write in an area (such as New York state, the Midwest, New Orleans, etc. The bigger it is, the more diffuse the impact) and reduce Federalist and AFP support while increasing your own support there. Unlock actions for following up on the organization/agitation.

    Ears in the Party: To better keep abreast of movements in the Party and the doings of your subordinate, cultivating a small network of...trusted friends to let you know what they hear could be managed. Flora will probably have to be the one managing them, but you feel she is trustworthy. Cost: Risk of discovery. Time: 1 month. DC: 10/25/??. Result: Lower difficulty of actions involving intelligence within the SPA.

    Create Shell Corporations: To help with some of your more...unpleasant deeds, you can avoid scrutiny by purchasing a few false companies and helping you to conceal any unfortunate money trails. Cost: Risk of discovery. Time: 1 month. DC: 10/??/??. Result: Increase chances of avoiding discovery for embezzlement actions.

    Infiltrate the Army: With the contacts Butler has given you, you now have a simple way of infiltrating the army. Selecting volunteers from the Red Guards and having them sign up will enable you to gain some low-level infiltration, while going through the men he introduced you to will enable you to hear rumors and gossip from higher levels. MacArthur is certainly planning to use the army against you, you must find out how. The steady sidelining of officers with syndicalist sympathies has left you with fewer avenues, although the recruiting spree does offer fresh opportunities for entering the lower ranks. Cost: Risk of discovery. Time: 2 months. DC: 40/80/?/??. Result: Make contacts within the military.

    Steal Weaponry: The National Guards of several states are in total disarray. Extensive orders have been placed in other states for more equipment. But federal troops are securing the majority of depots, with strict orders and intense security procedures. Only a few SPA and AFP dominated states have resisted the federal commands, leaving fewer points of access for these thefts...and those points are certainly being watched. Cost: Risk of discovery, 1 Resource. Time: 1 month. DC: 75/??/??/???. Result: Begin creating stockpiles of weapons and equipment such as grenades, machine guns, mortars, etc.

    Into the Navy: Another possibility for infiltration is the navy. A scheme to try and stabilize a few coastal cities has been passed, and the fleet is being expanded, meaning new sailors are being recruited. This is a perfect opportunity to begin slipping syndicalists into their ranks. Cost: Risk of discovery. Time: 1 month. DC: 30/??/??. Result: Make contacts within the military.

    (2 Schenk Influence) A Program of Subversion: The SPA has neglected the possibilities of infiltrating and subverting hostile organizations. Pink unions, anti-syndicalist militias, and rival political parties are all viable targets for the sowing of dissent, fostering of splits, and eventual destruction. But to do so effectively, we must build up our capacity for identifying those who can deceive, for preparing tactics and methods, for establishing lines of communication. Cost: -1 Resource per month. Time: 1 month. DC: 45/90/135. Result: Set up training program for political infiltrators and agent provocateurs, improve efficacy of spying.

    Hunt Infiltrators: The Longists and Federalists have doubtless begun infiltrating us, trying to sow division and sabotage our efforts. Perhaps this has already begun bearing fruit, or perhaps it will become a problem in days to come. Either way, the spies must be found and removed. With limited sources of information, it may prove difficult, but it is a task that must be accomplished as soon as possible. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/60/100. Result: Begin hunting for spies within the CSA.

    Propaganda of the Deed: There are many tools for spreading syndicalism and disrupting reactionaries. Bombs and guns are excellent at doing both. By demonstrating the spirit of revolution, weakening the forces the oppressors can bring to bear, and striking fear into the hearts of those who stand against us, we shall strengthen the cause! The class war shall come and end the conflicts of history, and no price is too great to pay it! Cost: -3 Resources, risk of discovery, possible backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/35/50/65/90. Result: Begin a campaign of political bombings and assassinations.

    Protective Measures: With violence rising by the day, measures must be taken to protect the leaders of the revolution. The Guard must be expanded, with the new members set to providing protection wherever needed. Cost: 3 Resources. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/55/85. Result: Recruit more bodyguards.

    Sabotage Records: Cost: -1 Resources, risk of discovery, possible backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/35/50/80. Result: Begin destroying records of mortgages, factory ownership, etc.

    Robin Hood Revolutions: The Bolsheviks funded themselves through bank robberies before they were able to seize power. While the size and strength of the SPA mean such tactics are no longer needed, they could still be useful. A campaign of public, armed theft will do much to demoralize our class enemies and tie up their investigation and intelligence resources. Cost: -1 Resources, risk of discovery, possible backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 10/30/60. Result: Begin a campaign of bank robberies, increase to income.

    Union Entryism: Not every factory has been seized, not every union is a revolutionary one. In particular, there are several states with growing industrial bases that have minimal SPA support. Infiltrating these areas and their factories will be important, especially since many of these factories are responsible for producing the equipment needed by the slowly reforming Federal Army. It will be a difficult task for those agents assigned, one which will need a great deal of skill, but it will be an invaluable one for us and for the Syndintern. Cost: Risk of discovery. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/???/???. Result: Pink unions and non-unionized factories infiltrated, especially in states where support is lacking.

    Spies in the House: The rich have servants. Maids, nannies, handymen, butlers, gardeners... all are trusted to go into people's homes, to stay there with minimal supervision, and sometimes even to assist in more discrete functions. And while they are typically members of the labor aristocracy, they are just as often subjected to cruel abuses of all kinds. And so many of them may well be willing to aid you, giving you access to an invisible but dense information network...although it is also possible that the BOI and Longists will have anticipated this and established counters. Cost: 0.1 Resources per Influence invested. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/??/??. Result: Find and recruit spies and informants among servants.

    Rooting Out Domestic Enemies: Of course, a similar approach could be done to members of the SPA who hire unionized domestic workers, to say nothing of the countless secretaries, aids, and functionaries who are vital for keeping the vast infrastructure of the party running. Any one of them could be turned into a spy. So it may well be worth gently vetting those individuals for potentially troublesome sympathies and ties.If any evidence of spying is found...They cannot be allowed to subvert our revolution. Cost: Will piss a lot of people off. Time: 1 month. DC: ???/???/???. Result: Find spies and informants among your own servants.

    Preparing for a Kornilov Affair: When the tides of revolution rose in Russia, the force of counterrevolution attempted everything they could to stop it, including a military coup. The Kornilov Affair was a defeat for the reactionaries thanks to the preparations of the Soviet, preparations we have barely begun. We need to expand our military, infiltrate Longist and Federal forces, seize the rails..but for the coup itself, we need to secure methods of evacuation for SPA members in Washington lest we suffer the fate of the Last Bolsheviks. Cost: Mildly annoy some people in Washington. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/??. Result: Begin preparing to evacuate leaders of the SPA and allies such as Reed and Thomas in event of a coup or purge.

    In the Dead of Night, Farming Edition: Those who stand against the might of the working class will be cast down and broken. By the ballot or the bullet, they will be defeated. But that will take time, and they could do untold amounts of damage first. So they need to be removed. Quickly, quietly, and in the dead of night. The leaders of the profiteering farmers and reactionary co-ops will be seized, tried, and punished. And justice will be done, and a stern lesson taught. Cost: Public backlash, will cost support with the Red Grange, the AFL-CIO, and the Right AFL-CIO, may cost additional support, will cost Relations with Ultraleft Farmer-Labor, the Parliamentarians, and the Anarchists. Time: 1 month. DC: ?/?? Result: Seize and arrest the worst of the profiteering farmers.

    In the Dead of Night, Reactionary Edition: Those who stand against the might of the working class will be cast down and broken. By the ballot or the bullet, they will be defeated. But that will take time, and they could do untold amounts of damage first. So they need to be removed. Quickly, quietly, and in the dead of night. The leaders of the reactionary groups that still infest SPA-controlled territory. will be seized, tried, and punished. And justice will be done, and a stern lesson taught. Cost: Public backlash, will cost support with the AFL-CIO and the Right AFL-CIO, may cost additional support, will cost Relations with the Parliamentarians and the Anarchists. Time: 1 month. DC: ?/?/?? Result: Seize and arrest the leaders of various reactionary groups.

    In the Dead of Night, Bureaucrat Edition: Those who stand against the might of the working class will be cast down and broken. By the ballot or the bullet, they will be defeated. But that will take time, and they could do untold amounts of damage first. So they need to be removed. Quickly, quietly, and in the dead of night. The most vilely corrupt bureaucrats will be seized, tried, and punished. And justice will be done, and a stern lesson taught. Cost: Public backlash, will cost support with the Teamster's Union, the AFL-CIO, and the Right AFL-CIO, likely to cost additional support, will cost Relations with the Centrists, the Parliamentarians, and the Anarchists. Will anger the CSA bureaucrats. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/??? Result: Seize and arrest the worst of the corrupt bureaucrats.

    Find Tools, Farming Edition: There are always individuals willing to betray their class interests, to serve as dupes out of principle or greed. That has been one of the greatest weaknesses of the worker's movement, but it also applies to the other classes. Look among the profiteering farmers to see if there will be people who can assist with the discrediting, defeat, or destruction of their movement. Cost: Cooperation has a price. Time: 2 months. DC: ?/??. Result: Catspaws and infiltrators established among the profiteering farmers.

    Find Tools: Reactionary Edition: There are always individuals willing to betray their class interests, to serve as dupes out of principle or greed. That has been one of the greatest weaknesses of the worker's movement, but it also applies to the other classes. Look among the various reactionary movements to see if there will be people who can assist with the discrediting, defeat, or destruction of their political organizations. Cost: Cooperation has a price. Time: 2 months. DC: ??/??. Result: Catspaws and infiltrators established among the reactionaries.

    Find Tools: Bureaucrat Edition: There are always individuals willing to betray their class interests, to serve as dupes out of principle or greed. That has been one of the greatest weaknesses of the worker's movement, but it also applies to the other classes. Look among the corrupt CSA bureaucrats to see if there will be people who can assist with the discrediting, defeat, or destruction of their cliques. Cost: Cooperation has a price. Time: 2 months. DC: ??/???. Result: Catspaws and infiltrators established among the corrupt CSA bureaucrats.

    Steal the Bill: You only have scraps of the big bill, not enough to prepare a proper defense against it. So you need to get more of it. You know where various politicians live and work, and surely one of them has a copy somewhere? Schenk knows some men familiar with this sort of thing, they'll do the job and find you a copy. And if you are lucky, they won't even leave a trace behind. Cost: 4 Resources, temporary -1 Resources per month. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/??/?? Result: Hire a burglar to get you a complete copy of the bill.


    Work Overtime: Although your heart and mind ache at the thought, the cause needs you. It will be stressful, it will be upsetting to your wife and daughter, you can feel your very soul revolting at the thought of spending even more hours working...but you must. The workers of the world demand it! No matter what it costs you. Cost: Severely stressful, unhealthy, bad for your family. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: +1 temporary Influence.

    Personal Attention: If you spend a few hours working on a particular task, it will likely go smoother. It will cut into the time you would normally spend with your family or your books, but it is a sacrifice you will have to make. Cost: Stressful, not great for your family. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: Small dice and narrative bonus to chosen action.

    Exercise: You have gotten slightly out of shape thanks to the stress of the election. Getting back in shape would be good for your health and your image...and if you ever get the chance to punch Huey Long in his fat face or strangle MacArthur, it will help then too. Cost: Not great for your family. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: Decrease in stress, improvement to health.

    Spend Time With Your Family: Your daughter Hannah misses you, as does your wife Louise. Spending some extra time with them this month will make up for all the times you missed doing it during the campaign season. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: Major decrease in stress, good for your family.

    Write: You have been working on another book about your own thoughts and beliefs about socialism and syndicalism, as well as on a few poems, memoirs, and some other odds and ends. Spending some time working on that will help order your thoughts and ease your burdens. Cost: Not great for your family. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: Decrease in stress, possibility of new traits.


    Free Actions

    Tweak a Subordinate's Priorities: While those who are working with you are scattered across the country, between the train and the telegram they are within reach. Requesting a minor change to their priorities is a simple matter. Cost: May pick only twice per turn. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Result: May make 1 change to 1 subordinate's priorities (change order, add one, remove one). This will have a political cost if used on the SPA Cadres.

    Ask For a Favor: Party members already sacrifice their time and money and sometimes their health and their life, but you must ask for more. Though it will cost some precious goodwill, continued success will bring it back, and so you can confidently ask for favors. Cost: Variable amount of Relations, changes in Strength of factions. DC: No roll. Result: May get as many favors as Relations and Strength allows.

    Call on the RAF: Talk to Schenk, let him know what you need, he goes somewhere to talk to the RAF leadership, and whatever you asked for gets accomplished. You try not to think anything more of it. Cost: Cooperation from the RAF. DC: No roll. Result: May get as many favors as Cooperation allows.

    Throw Your Weight Around: You are the leader of the SPA, the man who helped lead the Seattle and Chicago General Strikes to success, the man the Syndintern has trusted with bringing about the Revolution. Though you are democratically elected, you have undeniable authority. Authority you truly prefer not to use...unless you absolutely have to. Cost: -9 Relations with all factions of the SPA, narrative effects. The cost will change as you use it for better or worse. DC: 0. Time: 1 month. Result: Temporarily convert 1 Gravitas to 1 Authority.

    Meet with Long: What the devil does Long want with you? You supposed you can ask him yourself. Most of the SPA won't know or won't care, but the Red Army Faction and a few other radicals will probably be upset. You aren't too happy with it yourself. Cost: +Stress, -Relations with the Red Army Faction. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Result: Meet with Long.

    Secretly Meet With Long: What the devil does Long want with you? You supposed you can ask him yourself. Most of the SPA won't know or won't care, but the Red Army Faction and a few other radicals will probably be upset. So you'll just cut them out of the loop. Cost: +Stress, risk of --Relations with the Red Army Faction. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Result: Meet with Long.

    Adjust Your Priorities: Long-term commitments are risky in the chaotic situation the American nation is in. Temporarily stepping back from them would allow you to handle crises as they come back. Cost: Minor penalties to targeted action. Time: 1 month. DC: 0. Result: De-commit Influence from selected action, narrative penalties.

    Choose A Focus: You are currently taking no foci.

    The Union Forever! - Through the most difficult and darkest days, it was the unions that kept the revolutionary spirit alive. Let the unions stand forever. No reactionary or capitalist can defeat the people, united. Time: 3 months. Effect: Gain national spirit The Union Forever (Effect: +1 Strength to the Left faction per month).

    Spread the Word - The inevitability of the revolution and the glory that will come after must be spread from sea to shining sea. The Newspapers and pamphlets and posters will make everyone see your message, even if they deny it. Time: 1 month. Effect: 1 Temporary Influence for propaganda involving the written word.

    Apply Red Paint - Art is one of the greatest gifts of human civilization, and it is one that must be made accessible for the people. There are many disparate movements organized around making syndicalist and socialist art in America, but many of these movements are nothing more than a single young man painting in an apartment. An investment in resources will see these movements flourish once the artists are no longer starving. Time: 1 month. Effect: 1 Temporary Influence for propaganda involving visual art.

    Sing Proud Songs - Music can fire up emotions and raise spirits, grant hope or terror. It can spread messages, true or false. And it is time for the music of the people to spread the word of liberation. Time: 1 month. Effect: 1 Temporary Influence for actions involving music.

    Spread the Word - The inevitability of the revolution and the glory that will come after must be spread from sea to shining sea. The Newspapers and pamphlets and posters will make everyone see your message, even if they deny it. Time: 1 month. Effect: 1 Temporary Influence for propaganda involving the written word.

    Cross the Color Line- America has segments of its past that are shameful and regrettable. That cannot be changed, but we can step forward and try to make things better. Integrated Red Guards, integrated unions, integrated party affairs...let the color lines in America disintegrate. Let racism and white supremacy be destroyed Time: 2 months. Effect: +10 to all anti-prejudice actions for the next 2 months.

    The Failing Middle Class - The wealthy proletariat and the petit bourgeoisie are major backbones for MacArthur and the Democrat-Republicans. But as the economy grows worse, many fall into poverty and so become easier to radicalize. Time: 1 month. Effect: +10 to the next roll involving recruiting the wealthy.

    Union Recruiting - Not every worker has chosen to join a union. Some are scabs, some are scared, some are reactionaries. Regardless, with tensions rising every day, the threat they pose to the Revolution grows. Pressure can be applied through the carrot and the stick to see them join unions and develop class consciousness. Time: 1 month. Effect: The next 3 union recruiting actions gain +5 to their roll.

    Blitz the Soldiers - The current US Army and Air Force are powerful despite their small size. Well-trained and led by a skilled corp of officers who have cut their teeth in dozens of imperialist actions, they could deal significant damage to the Revolutionary cause...unless their soldiers could be convinced to join us. Time: 1 month. Effect: The next 3 actions for recruiting or co-opting soldiers gain +5 to their roll.

    Political Alliances - Victories must be won not just on the battlefield, but in the halls of the rich and powerful. They must be convinced to side with you against Long's insanity and MacArthur's tyranny. Time: 3 months. Effect: Gain the national spirit of Political Alliances (Effect: +1 Strength for the Right faction per month).

    Form Spartacus Columns - the KKK and the Silver Legion, to name just a few, inflict all sorts of horrific violence upon sharecroppers, and that is leaving aside the abuse they receive from police and frequent incidents of mob violence. Between a lack of weapons and a lack of organization, little can be done against them. Your strikers have defeated soldiers, paramilitaries, and police. They can do it as well. Time: 1 month. Effect: Easier to arm and organize the sharecroppers.

    Establish Community Organizations - The social life of these small rural towns often revolve around reactionary churches. Co-opting these existing institutions or creating new ones will be essential to solidifying your control. Time: 2 months. Effect: Gain +5 to the next 3 Cultural actions that affect rural areas.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • If nothing else, the whole big reorientation definitely has some massive consequences for the AFP's future.
    notbirdofprey said:
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    You can see it on the map to. Look at the Deep South. Long's support there has gone way down (except for the Black Belt, where it went up for understandable reasons.) The cities especially have seen Long's support pretty much collapse, and those are the places where the Dixiecrats and their main white middle-class support base is.

    This is a... pretty big shift in the AFP.

    They've also lost Ford, who in canon was one of the big sponsors for the AFP and, IIRC, the guy who really pushed in the corporatist faction of the Party.
     
    [] Plan: A Little bit Wobbly
    -[]Negotiate with the Co-Ops [0]: 1 Influence
    -[]Send Union Organizers to California Cities [0/???/???]: 1 Influence, 1 Gravitas
    -[]Send Covert Organizers to the Black Belt [???/???/???]: 2 Influence, 1 Gravitas
    -[]Union-Integrated Planning [45/100/165]: 2 Influence
    -[]Socialist Markets [45/90/135]: 3 Influence
    -[] Offer an Alternative: 2 Influence
    -[] Personal: Spend Time With Family
    -[]Free Action: Meet with Long
    -[]Free Action: Tweak a Subordinate's Priorities x2
    --[] Get the Coordinating Committee to drop 'Demonstration of Force.
    --[] Get the SLC to drop Agricultural Seizures to focus on the best made Agricultural Subsidies around.
    -[]Focus: Form Spartacus Columns
    -[] Syndintern Abilities: Syndicalist Spies, Economic Expertise

    Here's a plan!
     
    Last edited:
    The Laurent said:
    [] Plan: A Little bit Wobbly
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    Laurent and I worked on this plan together on Discord. The idea is to resolve not just the Fix the Price protests but our broader economic troubles in general, while also making a strong push towards two very important regions we're trying to organize in. And we have the Syndintern abilities to tie it all together and give us the buffs we need to push it over the line.
     
    The Laurent said:
    -[]Send Covert Organizers to the Black Belt [???/???/???]: 2 Influence, 1 Gravitas
    -[]Union-Integrated Planning [45/100/165]: 2 Influence
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    With the bonus from Syndicalist spies, is putting 3 dice on the Black Belt really necessary? Wouldn't that third die be better spend on Union-Integrated Planning, to hopefully reach the highest DC?
     
    Chimeraguard said:
    If nothing else, the whole big reorientation definitely has some massive consequences for the AFP's future.

    You can see it on the map to. Look at the Deep South. Long's support there has gone way down (except for the Black Belt, where it went up for understandable reasons.) The cities especially have seen Long's support pretty much collapse, and those are the places where the Dixiecrats and their main white middle-class support base is.

    This is a... pretty big shift in the AFP.

    They've also lost Ford, who in canon was one of the big sponsors for the AFP and, IIRC, the guy who really pushed in the corporatist faction of the Party.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Just looking at the influence maps...I would imagine the Federal Government is not far off from the internally screaming stage of panic. They basically have no red anywhere.
     
    Crunching down on the farmers is the wrong move here- all they're doing is agitating for better conditions, as is their right. It's just affecting us now.
     
    Random Member said:
    With the bonus from Syndicalist spies, is putting 3 dice on the Black Belt really necessary? Wouldn't that third die be better spend on Union-Integrated Planning, to hopefully reach the highest DC?
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    We could do that, and with the bonus from Economic Expertise it might even be feasible. But I really want to do as well as possible on Send Covert Organizers to the Black Belt, because all its DCs are secret and it's the foundation on which all our organizing in the South rests.
     
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