Decades after Europe battered itself into submission during the First World War, a new cataclysmic war is on the horizon. Europe's machines march towards yet another conflict, pitting the empires of old against Democracies both young and old. The Alliance of Japan, the United States, the Russian Republic, the Republic of China, the Korean Republic, and the nations of the Warsaw Pact stand against the ravenous war machines of the British Empire, the newly revived French Empire, and the German Empire, which have spent years devouring most of Western Europe and America. Now their eyes turn East and Westward, looking for new lands to conquer.
Triple Empires vs. The Democratic Alliance: A Story of the Second World War (AHxKancolle?)
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Index
Well, I've decided to spin this off into it's own thread. This is meant to be a bit of an index, due to how I'm working on this project being a bit, scattered. I'm dividing what I want to do into six subsections. The first is covering events that at least started before the year 1922, which in this timeline, is the end of World War One. The Second is everything from 1922-1930. Followed by 1930-1939, the Depression era, which the pre-war going from 1939-1944. 1944 onwards is the war era. The last subsection is the basic information of what ships served under what nations, what where their names, and for original designs, what exactly are those designs.
Past to World War One:
The Russian Civil War
The Rise of the Republic of Japan
Battle of the North Sea
United States: Post Civil War to World War One
Post War Era:
Europe: 1922-1927
Depression Era:
Europe: 1927 Through the Great Depression
The United States: Post-World War 1 Through the Great Depression
Gathering Storm Era:
World War Two:
Ship Registry:
I hope you guys enjoy! This story was inspired by @M1Garand8 and their story snippet for their Singapore story, so please go check that out!
forums.spacebattles.com
Past to World War One:
The Russian Civil War
The Rise of the Republic of Japan
Battle of the North Sea
United States: Post Civil War to World War One
Post War Era:
Europe: 1922-1927
Depression Era:
Europe: 1927 Through the Great Depression
The United States: Post-World War 1 Through the Great Depression
Gathering Storm Era:
World War Two:
Ship Registry:
I hope you guys enjoy! This story was inspired by @M1Garand8 and their story snippet for their Singapore story, so please go check that out!
Singapore: My Life as a Worcester-class Cruiser [Kancolle SI]
Sorry, no new chapter yet. Chapter 4 is currently still being worked on. There're a few tricky sections that I'm trying to nail down but progress is slow at the moment. But it'll get done eventually… Anyway, the idea bunny has been bopping me in the head again for the past three days. So...
forums.spacebattles.com
Last edited:
The Russian Civil War
To understand the causes of the Second World War, one must look back to the First World War. The war that had no victors. In truth, if there was any nation that could be considered a winner of the Cataclysmic great war, it is the one that surrendered several years before its conclusion. That nation would be the Russian Republic, and the Civil War that ultimately lead to its creation.
The October Revolution, as it became to be known, started in October of 1917, after the Bolsheviks attempted to seize and dismiss the Constituent Assembly through force, after stunning and brutal election losses. While the attempt was crushed, Lenin managed to escape alongside other ring leaders.
Why the Bolsheviks lost so heavily is presently unknown. However, between the signing of the New Russian Constitution, during that April, and the official surrender of Russia in July with the signing of the Brest-Litovsk treaty, many Russian citizens clearly felt the Bolshevik's criticisms of Russia's new government weren't that drastic. And while the treaty itself was controversial, costing Russia considerable swaths of land, it was able to keep a sizable portion of its industry intact, though it lost Poland and several other border regions to Germany. Though, secretly and spitefully, the new government began shipping arms into these areas. This would prove useful for several nations declaring independence towards that war's end when Germany was simply too exhausted to keep fighting anymore, largely erasing what gains the Kaiser could lay claim to.
The initial scattering of the Bolsheviks lead to a resistance movement against the provisional government. However, among much of the Russian citizenry, this time is also called 'The Red Terror'. The Bolsheviks kidnapped many to serve in their armies, oftentimes at gunpoint or by holding hostages. While the Bolshevik's ranks swelled, it came at the cost of hundreds of thousands of soldiers willing to flee or turn on their commanding officers at the first sign they would be able to get away with it.
However, thanks to the peace several months prior, the Russian army was, at the very least, somewhat rested and combat capable. At least, considerably more than their red counterparts. However, early engagements were messy affairs. Bolshevik forces relied on brutal hit-and-run tactics up until their first major offensive in March 1918. While these attacks came from just about everywhere within Russia, the strongest concentration of these forces where in the West. These forces were more heavily armed and fed than any other in the Bolshevik forces. The newfound Republic used this to launch a campaign against Lenin and the Bolsheviks, claiming that were lapdogs for the Kaiser, on orders to make sure Russia kept fighting despite its surrender.
While it is true that Lenin had been returned to Russia in an attempt to weaken it by the German Government of the time, it is still up for debate how much his forces were armed and fed on the German payroll. The results of this propaganda speak for themselves. Bolshevik support, which had already started to wane ever since the early days of the Red Terror, took a nose dive. As news spread across Russia, even areas where they had support became increasingly more hostile. In some regions of Russia, Bolsheviks became known as задница императора. The rough intention behind this insult means where the Emperor rests their ass.
This insult was later used to describe French and German soldiers during the Second World War.
However, all was not well for the newborn Russian Republic. In addition to territories lost to Germany and Austria-Hungry as per the Brest-Litovsk treaty, several regions of Russia began to rebel, seeking to take back their independence. Finland, Ukraine, and Estonia declared their independence, threatening further force if their demands were not met. While the Bolsheviks in central Asia were crushed by January of 1918, the Russian Republic realized they did not have the force necessary to both fight off the Bolshevik legions and force these nations back into line. Not without harming both production for the war effort and the already precarious food situation.
The Russian Republic ultimately recognized each of the nations as independent sovereign states with considerable reluctance, though there were concessions. Soldiers of the government had to make their way back to Russia proper, and with their equipment as well. Those who were born in these new nations could refuse, but their equipment must still be returned. The Russian Republic also worked hard to secure a trade deal with Ukraine for much-needed grain.
Of course, this wasn't entirely followed. Many people in these new Republics had no trust or love for Russia, so many hid and maintained their old military equipment to use against the Russians. This choice, combined arms shipments to lost territories in Europe, proved to be an unpleasant surprise for German and French forces during the Second World War.
While there was strong criticism for giving up such land from the Conservative wings of government, the influx of soldiers that had once been policing these Republics could now be put into direct conflict with the Bolsheviks. Troops from Estonia aided in the crushing of the Bolsheviks during the Battle of Petrograd, encircling Bolshevik soldiers that were laying siege to the city. This battle completely crushed the Bolshevik presence in the West, outside of a few small holdouts.
The Forces of the Russian Republic, with their morale increasing, managed to remove the last trances of resistance in the area by October of 1919, followed by the capture of Lenin in January of 1920, caught trying to sneak across the newly established border of Finnland.
Lenin's capture helped bring an end to the conflict, but many Bolshevic positions had already been destroyed by the Russian Republic. Their holdings in Siberia were lost by July 17, 1919 with the capture of Omsk. However, it was not lost to the army, but rather a peasant uprising from mothers and sisters that were tired of having their husbands, sons, fathers, and brothers kidnapped and forced into service, as well as the other abuses Bolshevic soldiers inflicted upon Russia's civilian population.
The Bolshevic forces, facing defeat on all fronts, try to open a front in the south by launching another coup in the newly liberated Ukraine, hoping to cease the nation for their own ends. This coup meets initial success, managing to capture Kyiv in a lightning strike, lead in part by Joseph Stalin, in late November 1919. While they were able to hold the capital for several months, Ukraine did not bend to what they saw, rightfully, as foreign invaders. The situation was already beginning to unravel for the Bolsheviks by the time the Russian Republic announce the capture of Lenin.
With the announcement of Lenin's capture, the situation tipped completely out of control. Ukrainian forces captured and then hanged several important members of the attack, while others were shipped back to Russia as prisoners. This would prove to be a harbinger of what would happen to the Bolsheviks once Lenin's capture was announced to the whole of Russia.
By the next month, Lenin's capture was announced for all of Russia to hear. Some Bolshevik formations attempt a hard drive toward Moscow, which were crushed, while others simply put down their guns and faded away into obscurity. There were some attempts to free Lenin from captivity, but these attempts were met with failure. By September 9th, 1920, most of the fighting had come to a stop.
Lenin faced trial from December 1920 to October 1921, facing numerous crimes, including treason. Many called for the man's death, that he should be executed. However, it was enshrined as part of the Russian Constitution that the death penalty was forbidden. Many felt that such a power was simply too easy to abuse, as it had been used to murder countless people under numerous tsars. Including Nicholas the Second, which had been at the forefront of many's minds.
Despite the calls for the man's head, Lenin was found guilty, and sentenced to life in prison. He was kept in Moscow under the greatest security they could manage.
Lenin died ten years later, the day just before he was put in chains for the rest of his life. Some in Russia feared that there would be a Bolshevik uprising with the man's death. However, most of the nation did not care for the man's passing, or celebrated it, as Lenin's death marked the true end of the Bolsheviks.
By the time Lenin was sentenced, the First World War would continue to rage for another eleven months.
Russia suffered from the civil war heavily. In total, four to eight million Russians lost their lives, mostly civilians, with entire towns being depopulated by the Bolsheviks in their search for more soldiers. Combined with its dead from World War One, Russia had lost more than ten million people. However, it leaving the war and spared its people the worst of the slaughter to come.
After all, the First World War did not have winners. It had survivors.
The October Revolution, as it became to be known, started in October of 1917, after the Bolsheviks attempted to seize and dismiss the Constituent Assembly through force, after stunning and brutal election losses. While the attempt was crushed, Lenin managed to escape alongside other ring leaders.
Why the Bolsheviks lost so heavily is presently unknown. However, between the signing of the New Russian Constitution, during that April, and the official surrender of Russia in July with the signing of the Brest-Litovsk treaty, many Russian citizens clearly felt the Bolshevik's criticisms of Russia's new government weren't that drastic. And while the treaty itself was controversial, costing Russia considerable swaths of land, it was able to keep a sizable portion of its industry intact, though it lost Poland and several other border regions to Germany. Though, secretly and spitefully, the new government began shipping arms into these areas. This would prove useful for several nations declaring independence towards that war's end when Germany was simply too exhausted to keep fighting anymore, largely erasing what gains the Kaiser could lay claim to.
The initial scattering of the Bolsheviks lead to a resistance movement against the provisional government. However, among much of the Russian citizenry, this time is also called 'The Red Terror'. The Bolsheviks kidnapped many to serve in their armies, oftentimes at gunpoint or by holding hostages. While the Bolshevik's ranks swelled, it came at the cost of hundreds of thousands of soldiers willing to flee or turn on their commanding officers at the first sign they would be able to get away with it.
However, thanks to the peace several months prior, the Russian army was, at the very least, somewhat rested and combat capable. At least, considerably more than their red counterparts. However, early engagements were messy affairs. Bolshevik forces relied on brutal hit-and-run tactics up until their first major offensive in March 1918. While these attacks came from just about everywhere within Russia, the strongest concentration of these forces where in the West. These forces were more heavily armed and fed than any other in the Bolshevik forces. The newfound Republic used this to launch a campaign against Lenin and the Bolsheviks, claiming that were lapdogs for the Kaiser, on orders to make sure Russia kept fighting despite its surrender.
While it is true that Lenin had been returned to Russia in an attempt to weaken it by the German Government of the time, it is still up for debate how much his forces were armed and fed on the German payroll. The results of this propaganda speak for themselves. Bolshevik support, which had already started to wane ever since the early days of the Red Terror, took a nose dive. As news spread across Russia, even areas where they had support became increasingly more hostile. In some regions of Russia, Bolsheviks became known as задница императора. The rough intention behind this insult means where the Emperor rests their ass.
This insult was later used to describe French and German soldiers during the Second World War.
However, all was not well for the newborn Russian Republic. In addition to territories lost to Germany and Austria-Hungry as per the Brest-Litovsk treaty, several regions of Russia began to rebel, seeking to take back their independence. Finland, Ukraine, and Estonia declared their independence, threatening further force if their demands were not met. While the Bolsheviks in central Asia were crushed by January of 1918, the Russian Republic realized they did not have the force necessary to both fight off the Bolshevik legions and force these nations back into line. Not without harming both production for the war effort and the already precarious food situation.
The Russian Republic ultimately recognized each of the nations as independent sovereign states with considerable reluctance, though there were concessions. Soldiers of the government had to make their way back to Russia proper, and with their equipment as well. Those who were born in these new nations could refuse, but their equipment must still be returned. The Russian Republic also worked hard to secure a trade deal with Ukraine for much-needed grain.
Of course, this wasn't entirely followed. Many people in these new Republics had no trust or love for Russia, so many hid and maintained their old military equipment to use against the Russians. This choice, combined arms shipments to lost territories in Europe, proved to be an unpleasant surprise for German and French forces during the Second World War.
While there was strong criticism for giving up such land from the Conservative wings of government, the influx of soldiers that had once been policing these Republics could now be put into direct conflict with the Bolsheviks. Troops from Estonia aided in the crushing of the Bolsheviks during the Battle of Petrograd, encircling Bolshevik soldiers that were laying siege to the city. This battle completely crushed the Bolshevik presence in the West, outside of a few small holdouts.
The Forces of the Russian Republic, with their morale increasing, managed to remove the last trances of resistance in the area by October of 1919, followed by the capture of Lenin in January of 1920, caught trying to sneak across the newly established border of Finnland.
Lenin's capture helped bring an end to the conflict, but many Bolshevic positions had already been destroyed by the Russian Republic. Their holdings in Siberia were lost by July 17, 1919 with the capture of Omsk. However, it was not lost to the army, but rather a peasant uprising from mothers and sisters that were tired of having their husbands, sons, fathers, and brothers kidnapped and forced into service, as well as the other abuses Bolshevic soldiers inflicted upon Russia's civilian population.
The Bolshevic forces, facing defeat on all fronts, try to open a front in the south by launching another coup in the newly liberated Ukraine, hoping to cease the nation for their own ends. This coup meets initial success, managing to capture Kyiv in a lightning strike, lead in part by Joseph Stalin, in late November 1919. While they were able to hold the capital for several months, Ukraine did not bend to what they saw, rightfully, as foreign invaders. The situation was already beginning to unravel for the Bolsheviks by the time the Russian Republic announce the capture of Lenin.
With the announcement of Lenin's capture, the situation tipped completely out of control. Ukrainian forces captured and then hanged several important members of the attack, while others were shipped back to Russia as prisoners. This would prove to be a harbinger of what would happen to the Bolsheviks once Lenin's capture was announced to the whole of Russia.
By the next month, Lenin's capture was announced for all of Russia to hear. Some Bolshevik formations attempt a hard drive toward Moscow, which were crushed, while others simply put down their guns and faded away into obscurity. There were some attempts to free Lenin from captivity, but these attempts were met with failure. By September 9th, 1920, most of the fighting had come to a stop.
Lenin faced trial from December 1920 to October 1921, facing numerous crimes, including treason. Many called for the man's death, that he should be executed. However, it was enshrined as part of the Russian Constitution that the death penalty was forbidden. Many felt that such a power was simply too easy to abuse, as it had been used to murder countless people under numerous tsars. Including Nicholas the Second, which had been at the forefront of many's minds.
Despite the calls for the man's head, Lenin was found guilty, and sentenced to life in prison. He was kept in Moscow under the greatest security they could manage.
Lenin died ten years later, the day just before he was put in chains for the rest of his life. Some in Russia feared that there would be a Bolshevik uprising with the man's death. However, most of the nation did not care for the man's passing, or celebrated it, as Lenin's death marked the true end of the Bolsheviks.
By the time Lenin was sentenced, the First World War would continue to rage for another eleven months.
Russia suffered from the civil war heavily. In total, four to eight million Russians lost their lives, mostly civilians, with entire towns being depopulated by the Bolsheviks in their search for more soldiers. Combined with its dead from World War One, Russia had lost more than ten million people. However, it leaving the war and spared its people the worst of the slaughter to come.
After all, the First World War did not have winners. It had survivors.
Europe: 1922-1927
I originally intended on having this go for a full decade, but frankly, so I'm instead having it go the first five years post-war. It's not like a lot of things aren't happening anyway. Expect more later.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
The First World War ended not with a bang, but a whimper. After close to eight years of fighting, and the Battle of the North Sea failing to bring the decisive victory both the British and Germans desired, losing several capital ships both new and old, the people of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungry had had enough. Protests in factories and the streets, combined with mutinies on the front lines, forced the Entente and the Central Powers to talk terms.
The Treaty of Hague was signed on September 29th, 1922. Individual nations got concessions from other powers, with Germany reclaiming its lost colonies in Africa, as an example. However, this was mostly so each government could sell the war as a great victory to the citizens. Many breathed a sigh of relief that finally, the war was over. However, others could only watch in horror, as the nearly decade-long war came home to roost.
Millions died during the war, reaching into the tens of millions across all sides of the conflict, most young men. Those survivors that returned home had seen one of the most destructive wars in human history up to that point, with significant portions of a generation washed away in a tide of blood. The economic effects were felt quickly, as not only did production change from wartime economy to peacetime, but there were far fewer men working the factories and fields now, and production now couldn't keep up.
Britain addressed this by passing the Woman's Worker Act in July of 1923, allowing women to hold down jobs that their male counterparts did, bolstering Britain's workforce drastically, though this did lead to issues, as many men were not used to women working in such roles, despite the Munitionettes taking up wartime ammunition production.
France, meanwhile, prevented Chinese laborers from returning home as promised, using them as indentured laborers to maintain their production. This proved to be considerably less effective, leading to the June riots in 1923, where Chinese laborers and those sympathetic to their situation being a protest in Paris. The French police began a crackdown on the protesters, leading to violent retaliation from the protesters as it became a riot. Eventually, the army had to be called in to contain the violence, with the riots resulting in more than a hundred dead. The Republic of China, having long since realized that France did not intend to return its citizens, sent a strongly worded leader of protest, demanding that its citizens be released. France ignored China's demands. This was likely part of the reason why China ultimately joined the Democratic Alliance.
Germany, at first, looked like it had been the closest to what one might consider a winner of World War One. While it only managed to reclaim its African colonies, it had several buffer states between it and Russia and could create more in the future, by absorbing the many break-away Republics left in the wake of the Russian Revolution. However, by the time the ink on the Treaty of Hauge had finished drying, Many of these nations were undergoing an October Revolution of their own, overthrowing the provisional government in these nations, and declaring themselves independent. The Kaiser tried to use his armies to restore order and break the people back into German compliance, but the military was unwilling to march beyond Germany's borders, having been utterly exhausted by eight years of fighting. Multiple Generals confirmed that if they were forced to attack, there would likely be further mutinies on their hands, the Kaiser ultimately stands down, though he loses even more power in the process. Despite the seizing of Austria after the collapse of the Austria-Hungarian government in 1925 restoring a portion of public support, Kaiser Wilhelm would pass away, considered a weak Kaiser by many. He would be succeeded by his son, Prince Wilhelm the Third, in 1930, at the age of twenty-four.
However, the situation in the Medditrainian was considerably more dire. Despite the gains made by the Ottoman Empire against Imperial Russia, the nation partially imploded before the ink on the Treaty of Hauge had finished drying. A combination of religious fervor and famine played a role in causing the violently brutal civil war to come. Multiple nation-states rise and fall over the next decade and a half, until the pacification of the region that would go on to become Turkey by French and German forces in 1941, in preparation for war against the Democratic Alliance.
Austria-Hungary was slowly beginning to fall apart as well. The nation faced heavy causalities during the war, and its economy had begun to flatline. Further chaos was caused by numerous ethnic groups declaring independence, as well as a handful of Bolsheviks that had managed to flee from the Russian Republic trying to set up a new Communist revolution. The Austro-Hungarian military was able to keep some degree of order in the nation, despite their war werry-ness until late 1924, when a bomb was used to kill Charles the First, alongside several members of his family.
Austria-Hungary descended into complete anarchy, effectively shattering to pieces. The dual monarchy was no more, and it was impossible to tell where one claimant nation began and another ended. Poland managed to reunite with its ethnic peoples in quick order, taking advantage of the chaos, as did Ukraine shortly after that. A brief flareup of tensions nearly brought the two newborn Repubics to blows.
However, in May of 1925, with violence spilling into the German Empire, Kaiser Willhelm was able to convince the German army to march into Austria to restore order. The world watched with bated breath, fearing that this could prove to be the ignition for yet another cataclysmic war. Instead, many Austrians celebrated the German troop's arrival, with Austria electing to join the German Empire instead of becoming their nation. This event is considered the first major stepping stone on the road to Triple Empires.
With one of the bigger powers of Europe being willing to enter the chaos, the Ukrainian and Polish governments decided it was best to husband their military strength, in case the German Empire developed any ideas. These negotiations resulted in the San-Przemsyi compromise, with Poland getting the territory North of Przemsyi and West of the San river, as well as Przemsyi itself, while Ukraine takes Lviv, despite strong Polish claims to the city and its surrounding area.
On the British Isles, despite the attempts to stabilize, there is growing unrest. A new political party formed in 1923, called the Monarchist Restitutionist Party, claiming that the Great War, which much of the population considered a defeat in all but name, argues that the civilian government was to blame for the disastrous results. They aimed to restore the King to his rightful place as the uncontested ruler of the British Isle and the rest of the British Empire, and that he would lead them to greatness.
While not everyone bought into this line of thinking, sadly, many did, and the party enjoyed immense popular support. Support that only grew as time went on. By late 1923, an investigation attempting to see just how much association existed between this new Monarchist Party and the British crone existed was brought to light, causing chaos as many called for new elections to be had.
While King George the Fifth was angry about the insinuated accusation, even he was concerned about the ever-rapidly growing power of the Monarchist Restitutionalists. While he may have been king, Britain had been a Constitutional Monarchy for more than two centuries by this point. Some records that survived the war also suggest even if he was able to wield such power, he did not believe his oldest son would handle the responsibility well. However, the United Kingdom was teetering on chaos, one way or another.
New elections happened in 1924, and it was a blowout of almost inconceivable proportions, the Monarchist Restutionalist Party claiming more than half of the lower chamber and immediately began to work on dismantling all of Parliament. Many members of the minority party protested this course of action but to no avail. Even Members of the House of Lords were uneasy, having lost their power to veto legislation outright back in 1911.
'I didn't expect it. I don't think they did either. After all, how could they have? I doubt this was a thought anyone had even considered back in 1911. Who ever thought the people would want a King, without any restraints on his power, in charge again? Whoever thought they would try to legislate the Parliament away? May God have mercy on our souls, for I am afraid the Monarchists will not.``
-Unknown, attributed to a Member of the House of Lords, 1924.
Attempts to tie up the Monarchist Restutionalist Party's legislation only added fuel to the fire, further stocked by Irish nationals seeking independence. On August 9th, an unknown individual set a portion of the Westminster Palace ablaze. The Arsonist was never caught, but from there, violence only began to increase, as approval for the Monarchist Restutionalists reached a fever pitch. Members of the opposition and the House of Lords were harassed and attacked, despite demands made for civility, even those made by King George himself.
On October 23rd, a letter was leaked from Westminster Palace, signed by the minority whip of the time, requesting that the military aid Paralment in dealing with the "Monarchist problem", even going as far as to suggest that they overthrow the King as well. Whether or not the letter was fake or not has resulted in no small amount of debate in the post-war era, but regardless of whether it was produced by the Monarchist Restutionalists, or it was a legitimate letter written, the effect was immediate as it was devastating. Parliament was overrun by supporters of the party, holding members of the opposition and the House of Lords hostage for their treason against the crown.
The Royal Armed Forces were even more furious at the insinuation that they would turn against the King as well, and later investigations found no such proof of any attempts to collaborate against the crown. A few men captured higher ranking officers that felt might be willing to turn against the King, though none were proven without much doubt, though a handful were dismissed due to this. Though the military avoided most of the purge, they needed to put down the November Revolution in Ireland.
Meanwhile, a crowd of tens of thousands of Englishmen and Women formed outside Buckingham Palace, demanding that King George the Fifth disband all of Parliament. The protests continued long into the night, and on October 24th, King George made a choice.
'What I do, I do for Britain and her people. However, this is a dark road to walk, and a fear that my attempts to save this nation may well put it on the path to ruin.'
-Surviving Journal of King George the Fifth, written mere hours after his announcement that Parliament was to be disbanded by order of the King.
With Parliament disbanded, and several arrested, power began to consolidate around King George the Fifth. That power was tested on November 5th, when Ireland rose in revolution. While the war proved brutal for a tired Britain, it was also short, as King George the Fifth believed that the best way to end the war quickly, and, at least cost of human life, was by being extremely brutal to the Irish population. Despite many acts of heroic and selfless bravery on behalf of the Irish, their revolution was crushed by December 3rd, 1924.
The swift campaign helped restore faith in both the military and the crown. While the Army did the bulk of the fighting, the Navy proved useful in both blockading the island and supporting land operations, getting a boost in funding to help rebuild ship losses from the war. The crushing of the Irish rebellions was an event noted by other colonies of Britain, many of which were concerned by both its brutality and the power grab made by the King. While no rebellions manifested for the time being, the groundwork for independence was being laid down in the shadows.
The next time the British armed forces would be on the march, it would be in February 1926, in conjunction with the French military. Their target? A now crumbling Italy.
France suffered even more during that period, though it managed to avoid the fate of nations like Austria-Hungary, Italy, the Ottoman Empire, and Portugal. However, the internal situation was precarious, as France introduced a bill similar to Woman Workers Act in Britain. However, the Civilian Government and the military butted heads, as the Military felt that France needed to rearm to prepare for round two with Germany as soon as possible and that a strong military would allow France to further expand their empire. However, as much as the talk of glory resonated with some, the majority of the French people were tired. Tired of the killing, and tired of war. And the Government understood this well, focusing on improving conditions for the people of France.
However, some felt that one could balance having a stronger military, one that would be able to beat the Germans for certain this time, with improving the lives of the citizens. First and foremost among such ideological thoughts was one Augustin Bonaparte. While he claimed a relationship to Napoleon himself, such claims were difficult to prove at the time. However, Augustin appealed to both France's national spirit, and its unity, inspiring both rebuilding and rearming in equal measure. However, he road into the political scene focusing on more of the former, rather than the latter, at least at first.
The specter of possible renewed German aggression hung over France, however. Defensive positions were made in the most defensible terrain near the French border with German, and France worked hard to encircle Germany with allies. This was met with limited success, as Belgium wanted no part in a slaughter that would be even more devastating than the first, nor did the Netherlands. Many of the former nations under Russia, both those given to Germany and those breakaway states, were more than interested in security guarantees. As well security guarantees against Russia.
For many in the French government, this was a bridge too far. However unlikely, the very idea of a Russo-German alliance terrified many French politicians and generals. Plus, it would be better off if the new Russian Republic was part of such an alliance.
The Russian government, while concerned about Germany as well, had no interest in future wars. The First World War had been devastating, and the nation needed to nurse its wounds and focus on building up its industry. Furthermore, the nation now had a collection of states, which, while not friendly to the Russian Republic, weren't friendly to the German wolf, either, creating a mutual buffer zone between the two nations that were liable to attack whoever struck at them first.
Economic uncertainty in France continued to rise, however, as both repairing the damage from the war and building new defenses cost the average citizen a considerable amount in taxes, in a time when many weren't willing to pay. Even opening its doors to immigrant workers did not work as well as planned, due to China spreading the word about its kidnapped citizens far and wide. Meanwhile, the rest of the working class continued to push for social reforms. It was during this time in 1925 that Agustin managed to fight his way into the premiership.
Despite his very young age, he spoke clearly to the people of France. The last decade had been difficult, a challenge for everyone in the nation. However, it was a challenge that they had survived, and Agustin promised to make sure France did more than survive. That instead, it would thrive.
Agustin and his cabinet introduced a wide range of legislation, focusing on economic reforms, industry, and effective preparations for civil defense against any attempt of renewed aggression from Germany. He took a harsh stance against Germany's behavior in Austria after the collapse of Austria-Hungary, condemning the move as a land grab. Forces began building up near the border, in the event of a French attack, though these forces were diverted towards the southern border in 1926. By March of that year, the collapse of Italy was in full swing.
What caused the collapse is partially unknown, and subject to no small amount of speculation in the modern day. The Kingdom of Italy was young by the time of World War One, having formed in 1871, making it slightly older than four decades old by the time war began. Italy, in large part, entered the war to claim parts of Austro-Hungarian territory. Brutal fighting waged back and forth, and in the end, it had come for nothing. Most of the Central Powers held considerable resentment toward Italy for its perceived betrayal during the war, by entering on the side of the Entente. While the Entente did not care much for the smaller power.
Italy found itself hit by many of the same issues other powers in Europe had, economic recession as a result of lost human lives, primarily among their working population. Meanwhile, tensions between the northern and southern halves of Italy began to grow, and grow, and grow. However, these tensions never seemed to reach the fervent pitches they did with Austria-Hungary. At least, as far as many outside observers could tell.
But between economic stagnation, an inability to come close to fulfilling its war aims, and internal tensions, the Kingdom of Italy entered a sudden and terminal collapse. Anarchy ran wild through the streets, as refugees poured out of the country. While neighboring France enjoyed the new workers, the chaos was also beginning to leak across the border, alongside concerning ideas. Others also fled into the remains of Austria-Hungary, which was still in chaos.
Augustin, in early 1926, sensed an opportunity to not only bolster his public image in France but also expand his territory. He contacted King George the Fifth, requesting Great Britain's assistance in controlling the issue.
Both nations would go in, seeking to 'return stability' to their ally. Instead, they would split Italy between themselves. France took the North, while Great Britain would take the South. This would be done, of course, at the 'insistence' of the people.
After a few months of planning operations, the peacekeeping force was sent. Resistance from the Italian people was light, none existent in most areas. There was some fighting from various rebel groups, but many were more interested in killing one another than their invaders.
Rome, much like Italy, was split in two. However, what to do with the Vatican was a subject of much debate. King George the Fifth knew that Britain's involvement in seizing Rome given his position as the head of the English church, could prove troublesome. In the end, the area was left somewhat independent, but largely under the French administration.
The swift conquest of Italy proved to be a further boon to both Augustin and King George, even as Kaiser Willhelm condemned the move, despite his similar actions when it came to Austria. The world prepared for yet another between a weakened Entente and Germany, though neither side came to blows. Internal documents from this time share a common line of thought between German, British, and French generals. That despite their fairly easy conquests, a war against the other again would be ruinous, quite possibly sending them on the same path as Austria-Hungary and Italy.
This would go a long way in explaining why, despite the outright aggressive posturing that marked much of the mid-'20s, no fighting between Britain, France, and Germany occurred. Those in power were aware of their very precarious position and were reluctant to jeopardize their power. This is what likely allowed for the signing of the Rhien pact in 1930, combined with King George the Fifth's skill in diplomacy.
The British Empire and France spend a few months consolidating their holdings, as well as keeping things stable at home. During that time, Kaiser Willhelm chose to exploit the chaos of what was once Austria-Hungary once again, incorporating Hungary into Germany. This move ceased much of the squabbling between the remains of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as no nation wished to look like an inviting target to the German wolf.
Going into the year 1927, the situation in Europe had begun to stabilize. The economies of France, Britain, and Germany, while still smaller than their pre-war counterparts, were holding firm. Meanwhile, the newly free nations of Eastern Europe began to grow as well. However, everything was far from stable, as the region had numerous small powers and ethnic groups. While the shadow of the German Wolf and the Russian Bear provided an incentive for the newly formed nations not to fight, things were rarely quite so simple.
Fearing an attack, and that many of the newly created nations would be picked off one by one, the Republic of Poland called for a conference, consisting of several former Russian territories, as well as some of the remains of Austria-Hungary, though many of the Balkin states ultimately left negotiations. This would prove to be a near-fatal error for many of the new nations.
However, those that remained signed an agreement that if one of the signing nations was attacked, the others would come to its defense. This defensive agreement, called the Warsaw Pact, saw Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Belarus agree to defend each other from any external threats. The fact that most of these nations meant Germany, Russia, or in several cases, both, did not go unstated.
The pact was signed in late November of the same year. Many in the Alliance hoped to pull France and Britain into the agreement, however, these hopes were dashed by the signing of the Rhien Pact in 1930, which would be the major building block of the Triple Empires, the first sign of normalizing Franco-German relations.
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The First World War ended not with a bang, but a whimper. After close to eight years of fighting, and the Battle of the North Sea failing to bring the decisive victory both the British and Germans desired, losing several capital ships both new and old, the people of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungry had had enough. Protests in factories and the streets, combined with mutinies on the front lines, forced the Entente and the Central Powers to talk terms.
The Treaty of Hague was signed on September 29th, 1922. Individual nations got concessions from other powers, with Germany reclaiming its lost colonies in Africa, as an example. However, this was mostly so each government could sell the war as a great victory to the citizens. Many breathed a sigh of relief that finally, the war was over. However, others could only watch in horror, as the nearly decade-long war came home to roost.
Millions died during the war, reaching into the tens of millions across all sides of the conflict, most young men. Those survivors that returned home had seen one of the most destructive wars in human history up to that point, with significant portions of a generation washed away in a tide of blood. The economic effects were felt quickly, as not only did production change from wartime economy to peacetime, but there were far fewer men working the factories and fields now, and production now couldn't keep up.
Britain addressed this by passing the Woman's Worker Act in July of 1923, allowing women to hold down jobs that their male counterparts did, bolstering Britain's workforce drastically, though this did lead to issues, as many men were not used to women working in such roles, despite the Munitionettes taking up wartime ammunition production.
France, meanwhile, prevented Chinese laborers from returning home as promised, using them as indentured laborers to maintain their production. This proved to be considerably less effective, leading to the June riots in 1923, where Chinese laborers and those sympathetic to their situation being a protest in Paris. The French police began a crackdown on the protesters, leading to violent retaliation from the protesters as it became a riot. Eventually, the army had to be called in to contain the violence, with the riots resulting in more than a hundred dead. The Republic of China, having long since realized that France did not intend to return its citizens, sent a strongly worded leader of protest, demanding that its citizens be released. France ignored China's demands. This was likely part of the reason why China ultimately joined the Democratic Alliance.
Germany, at first, looked like it had been the closest to what one might consider a winner of World War One. While it only managed to reclaim its African colonies, it had several buffer states between it and Russia and could create more in the future, by absorbing the many break-away Republics left in the wake of the Russian Revolution. However, by the time the ink on the Treaty of Hauge had finished drying, Many of these nations were undergoing an October Revolution of their own, overthrowing the provisional government in these nations, and declaring themselves independent. The Kaiser tried to use his armies to restore order and break the people back into German compliance, but the military was unwilling to march beyond Germany's borders, having been utterly exhausted by eight years of fighting. Multiple Generals confirmed that if they were forced to attack, there would likely be further mutinies on their hands, the Kaiser ultimately stands down, though he loses even more power in the process. Despite the seizing of Austria after the collapse of the Austria-Hungarian government in 1925 restoring a portion of public support, Kaiser Wilhelm would pass away, considered a weak Kaiser by many. He would be succeeded by his son, Prince Wilhelm the Third, in 1930, at the age of twenty-four.
However, the situation in the Medditrainian was considerably more dire. Despite the gains made by the Ottoman Empire against Imperial Russia, the nation partially imploded before the ink on the Treaty of Hauge had finished drying. A combination of religious fervor and famine played a role in causing the violently brutal civil war to come. Multiple nation-states rise and fall over the next decade and a half, until the pacification of the region that would go on to become Turkey by French and German forces in 1941, in preparation for war against the Democratic Alliance.
Austria-Hungary was slowly beginning to fall apart as well. The nation faced heavy causalities during the war, and its economy had begun to flatline. Further chaos was caused by numerous ethnic groups declaring independence, as well as a handful of Bolsheviks that had managed to flee from the Russian Republic trying to set up a new Communist revolution. The Austro-Hungarian military was able to keep some degree of order in the nation, despite their war werry-ness until late 1924, when a bomb was used to kill Charles the First, alongside several members of his family.
Austria-Hungary descended into complete anarchy, effectively shattering to pieces. The dual monarchy was no more, and it was impossible to tell where one claimant nation began and another ended. Poland managed to reunite with its ethnic peoples in quick order, taking advantage of the chaos, as did Ukraine shortly after that. A brief flareup of tensions nearly brought the two newborn Repubics to blows.
However, in May of 1925, with violence spilling into the German Empire, Kaiser Willhelm was able to convince the German army to march into Austria to restore order. The world watched with bated breath, fearing that this could prove to be the ignition for yet another cataclysmic war. Instead, many Austrians celebrated the German troop's arrival, with Austria electing to join the German Empire instead of becoming their nation. This event is considered the first major stepping stone on the road to Triple Empires.
With one of the bigger powers of Europe being willing to enter the chaos, the Ukrainian and Polish governments decided it was best to husband their military strength, in case the German Empire developed any ideas. These negotiations resulted in the San-Przemsyi compromise, with Poland getting the territory North of Przemsyi and West of the San river, as well as Przemsyi itself, while Ukraine takes Lviv, despite strong Polish claims to the city and its surrounding area.
On the British Isles, despite the attempts to stabilize, there is growing unrest. A new political party formed in 1923, called the Monarchist Restitutionist Party, claiming that the Great War, which much of the population considered a defeat in all but name, argues that the civilian government was to blame for the disastrous results. They aimed to restore the King to his rightful place as the uncontested ruler of the British Isle and the rest of the British Empire, and that he would lead them to greatness.
While not everyone bought into this line of thinking, sadly, many did, and the party enjoyed immense popular support. Support that only grew as time went on. By late 1923, an investigation attempting to see just how much association existed between this new Monarchist Party and the British crone existed was brought to light, causing chaos as many called for new elections to be had.
While King George the Fifth was angry about the insinuated accusation, even he was concerned about the ever-rapidly growing power of the Monarchist Restitutionalists. While he may have been king, Britain had been a Constitutional Monarchy for more than two centuries by this point. Some records that survived the war also suggest even if he was able to wield such power, he did not believe his oldest son would handle the responsibility well. However, the United Kingdom was teetering on chaos, one way or another.
New elections happened in 1924, and it was a blowout of almost inconceivable proportions, the Monarchist Restutionalist Party claiming more than half of the lower chamber and immediately began to work on dismantling all of Parliament. Many members of the minority party protested this course of action but to no avail. Even Members of the House of Lords were uneasy, having lost their power to veto legislation outright back in 1911.
'I didn't expect it. I don't think they did either. After all, how could they have? I doubt this was a thought anyone had even considered back in 1911. Who ever thought the people would want a King, without any restraints on his power, in charge again? Whoever thought they would try to legislate the Parliament away? May God have mercy on our souls, for I am afraid the Monarchists will not.``
-Unknown, attributed to a Member of the House of Lords, 1924.
Attempts to tie up the Monarchist Restutionalist Party's legislation only added fuel to the fire, further stocked by Irish nationals seeking independence. On August 9th, an unknown individual set a portion of the Westminster Palace ablaze. The Arsonist was never caught, but from there, violence only began to increase, as approval for the Monarchist Restutionalists reached a fever pitch. Members of the opposition and the House of Lords were harassed and attacked, despite demands made for civility, even those made by King George himself.
On October 23rd, a letter was leaked from Westminster Palace, signed by the minority whip of the time, requesting that the military aid Paralment in dealing with the "Monarchist problem", even going as far as to suggest that they overthrow the King as well. Whether or not the letter was fake or not has resulted in no small amount of debate in the post-war era, but regardless of whether it was produced by the Monarchist Restutionalists, or it was a legitimate letter written, the effect was immediate as it was devastating. Parliament was overrun by supporters of the party, holding members of the opposition and the House of Lords hostage for their treason against the crown.
The Royal Armed Forces were even more furious at the insinuation that they would turn against the King as well, and later investigations found no such proof of any attempts to collaborate against the crown. A few men captured higher ranking officers that felt might be willing to turn against the King, though none were proven without much doubt, though a handful were dismissed due to this. Though the military avoided most of the purge, they needed to put down the November Revolution in Ireland.
Meanwhile, a crowd of tens of thousands of Englishmen and Women formed outside Buckingham Palace, demanding that King George the Fifth disband all of Parliament. The protests continued long into the night, and on October 24th, King George made a choice.
'What I do, I do for Britain and her people. However, this is a dark road to walk, and a fear that my attempts to save this nation may well put it on the path to ruin.'
-Surviving Journal of King George the Fifth, written mere hours after his announcement that Parliament was to be disbanded by order of the King.
With Parliament disbanded, and several arrested, power began to consolidate around King George the Fifth. That power was tested on November 5th, when Ireland rose in revolution. While the war proved brutal for a tired Britain, it was also short, as King George the Fifth believed that the best way to end the war quickly, and, at least cost of human life, was by being extremely brutal to the Irish population. Despite many acts of heroic and selfless bravery on behalf of the Irish, their revolution was crushed by December 3rd, 1924.
The swift campaign helped restore faith in both the military and the crown. While the Army did the bulk of the fighting, the Navy proved useful in both blockading the island and supporting land operations, getting a boost in funding to help rebuild ship losses from the war. The crushing of the Irish rebellions was an event noted by other colonies of Britain, many of which were concerned by both its brutality and the power grab made by the King. While no rebellions manifested for the time being, the groundwork for independence was being laid down in the shadows.
The next time the British armed forces would be on the march, it would be in February 1926, in conjunction with the French military. Their target? A now crumbling Italy.
France suffered even more during that period, though it managed to avoid the fate of nations like Austria-Hungary, Italy, the Ottoman Empire, and Portugal. However, the internal situation was precarious, as France introduced a bill similar to Woman Workers Act in Britain. However, the Civilian Government and the military butted heads, as the Military felt that France needed to rearm to prepare for round two with Germany as soon as possible and that a strong military would allow France to further expand their empire. However, as much as the talk of glory resonated with some, the majority of the French people were tired. Tired of the killing, and tired of war. And the Government understood this well, focusing on improving conditions for the people of France.
However, some felt that one could balance having a stronger military, one that would be able to beat the Germans for certain this time, with improving the lives of the citizens. First and foremost among such ideological thoughts was one Augustin Bonaparte. While he claimed a relationship to Napoleon himself, such claims were difficult to prove at the time. However, Augustin appealed to both France's national spirit, and its unity, inspiring both rebuilding and rearming in equal measure. However, he road into the political scene focusing on more of the former, rather than the latter, at least at first.
The specter of possible renewed German aggression hung over France, however. Defensive positions were made in the most defensible terrain near the French border with German, and France worked hard to encircle Germany with allies. This was met with limited success, as Belgium wanted no part in a slaughter that would be even more devastating than the first, nor did the Netherlands. Many of the former nations under Russia, both those given to Germany and those breakaway states, were more than interested in security guarantees. As well security guarantees against Russia.
For many in the French government, this was a bridge too far. However unlikely, the very idea of a Russo-German alliance terrified many French politicians and generals. Plus, it would be better off if the new Russian Republic was part of such an alliance.
The Russian government, while concerned about Germany as well, had no interest in future wars. The First World War had been devastating, and the nation needed to nurse its wounds and focus on building up its industry. Furthermore, the nation now had a collection of states, which, while not friendly to the Russian Republic, weren't friendly to the German wolf, either, creating a mutual buffer zone between the two nations that were liable to attack whoever struck at them first.
Economic uncertainty in France continued to rise, however, as both repairing the damage from the war and building new defenses cost the average citizen a considerable amount in taxes, in a time when many weren't willing to pay. Even opening its doors to immigrant workers did not work as well as planned, due to China spreading the word about its kidnapped citizens far and wide. Meanwhile, the rest of the working class continued to push for social reforms. It was during this time in 1925 that Agustin managed to fight his way into the premiership.
Despite his very young age, he spoke clearly to the people of France. The last decade had been difficult, a challenge for everyone in the nation. However, it was a challenge that they had survived, and Agustin promised to make sure France did more than survive. That instead, it would thrive.
Agustin and his cabinet introduced a wide range of legislation, focusing on economic reforms, industry, and effective preparations for civil defense against any attempt of renewed aggression from Germany. He took a harsh stance against Germany's behavior in Austria after the collapse of Austria-Hungary, condemning the move as a land grab. Forces began building up near the border, in the event of a French attack, though these forces were diverted towards the southern border in 1926. By March of that year, the collapse of Italy was in full swing.
What caused the collapse is partially unknown, and subject to no small amount of speculation in the modern day. The Kingdom of Italy was young by the time of World War One, having formed in 1871, making it slightly older than four decades old by the time war began. Italy, in large part, entered the war to claim parts of Austro-Hungarian territory. Brutal fighting waged back and forth, and in the end, it had come for nothing. Most of the Central Powers held considerable resentment toward Italy for its perceived betrayal during the war, by entering on the side of the Entente. While the Entente did not care much for the smaller power.
Italy found itself hit by many of the same issues other powers in Europe had, economic recession as a result of lost human lives, primarily among their working population. Meanwhile, tensions between the northern and southern halves of Italy began to grow, and grow, and grow. However, these tensions never seemed to reach the fervent pitches they did with Austria-Hungary. At least, as far as many outside observers could tell.
But between economic stagnation, an inability to come close to fulfilling its war aims, and internal tensions, the Kingdom of Italy entered a sudden and terminal collapse. Anarchy ran wild through the streets, as refugees poured out of the country. While neighboring France enjoyed the new workers, the chaos was also beginning to leak across the border, alongside concerning ideas. Others also fled into the remains of Austria-Hungary, which was still in chaos.
Augustin, in early 1926, sensed an opportunity to not only bolster his public image in France but also expand his territory. He contacted King George the Fifth, requesting Great Britain's assistance in controlling the issue.
Both nations would go in, seeking to 'return stability' to their ally. Instead, they would split Italy between themselves. France took the North, while Great Britain would take the South. This would be done, of course, at the 'insistence' of the people.
After a few months of planning operations, the peacekeeping force was sent. Resistance from the Italian people was light, none existent in most areas. There was some fighting from various rebel groups, but many were more interested in killing one another than their invaders.
Rome, much like Italy, was split in two. However, what to do with the Vatican was a subject of much debate. King George the Fifth knew that Britain's involvement in seizing Rome given his position as the head of the English church, could prove troublesome. In the end, the area was left somewhat independent, but largely under the French administration.
The swift conquest of Italy proved to be a further boon to both Augustin and King George, even as Kaiser Willhelm condemned the move, despite his similar actions when it came to Austria. The world prepared for yet another between a weakened Entente and Germany, though neither side came to blows. Internal documents from this time share a common line of thought between German, British, and French generals. That despite their fairly easy conquests, a war against the other again would be ruinous, quite possibly sending them on the same path as Austria-Hungary and Italy.
This would go a long way in explaining why, despite the outright aggressive posturing that marked much of the mid-'20s, no fighting between Britain, France, and Germany occurred. Those in power were aware of their very precarious position and were reluctant to jeopardize their power. This is what likely allowed for the signing of the Rhien pact in 1930, combined with King George the Fifth's skill in diplomacy.
The British Empire and France spend a few months consolidating their holdings, as well as keeping things stable at home. During that time, Kaiser Willhelm chose to exploit the chaos of what was once Austria-Hungary once again, incorporating Hungary into Germany. This move ceased much of the squabbling between the remains of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as no nation wished to look like an inviting target to the German wolf.
Going into the year 1927, the situation in Europe had begun to stabilize. The economies of France, Britain, and Germany, while still smaller than their pre-war counterparts, were holding firm. Meanwhile, the newly free nations of Eastern Europe began to grow as well. However, everything was far from stable, as the region had numerous small powers and ethnic groups. While the shadow of the German Wolf and the Russian Bear provided an incentive for the newly formed nations not to fight, things were rarely quite so simple.
Fearing an attack, and that many of the newly created nations would be picked off one by one, the Republic of Poland called for a conference, consisting of several former Russian territories, as well as some of the remains of Austria-Hungary, though many of the Balkin states ultimately left negotiations. This would prove to be a near-fatal error for many of the new nations.
However, those that remained signed an agreement that if one of the signing nations was attacked, the others would come to its defense. This defensive agreement, called the Warsaw Pact, saw Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Belarus agree to defend each other from any external threats. The fact that most of these nations meant Germany, Russia, or in several cases, both, did not go unstated.
The pact was signed in late November of the same year. Many in the Alliance hoped to pull France and Britain into the agreement, however, these hopes were dashed by the signing of the Rhien Pact in 1930, which would be the major building block of the Triple Empires, the first sign of normalizing Franco-German relations.
Rise of the Republic of Japan
The history of Modern Japan, as we come to recognize it, begins with the end of the Sengoku period, and the beginning of the Edo period. Also known as the Oda period, this portion of Japanese history began in 1602, when Oda Nobunaga was able to reunify Japan, bringing an era of chaos and conflict to a close. This brought centuries of stability to the Japanese people, even in the face of ever-increasing European colonialism surrounding them.
Although many were concerned about European influence over the island, many of Nobunaga's line felt that it would be best to seek out trade with the outside world. This was in part to help Japan keep pace with European technological trends, so as to not be easy prey to the European powers, largely France, Britain, and Spain. It also began to build up a navy for self-defense. While not the largest in the world, the Japanese Navy of the period was considered a very effective fighting force, more than sufficient to act as a deterrent.
However, Japan generally preferred to keep to itself outside of trade with other foreign powers. While most foreign ships were allowed in Japanese ports, it was best to never stray far from these ports without the proper guides or permissions.
Japan thrived in this state of pseudo-isolation, making advances in sciences and the arts. Japanese cities grew, and while a sizable portion of the population were peasants, there was upward mobility for those with both skill, talent, and the good fortune to catch a patron's eye. The nation only continued to urbanize, centralize, and even begin to industrialize, though a full industrial revolution would still be many years yet.
While news was slow, Japan kept an eye on foreign affairs with great interest. Spain's hold on the Philippines was always considered a threat of sorts, as Spain's hold on the island put the conquering nation too close for many to be comfortable with. Even after the defeat of the Spanish Armada at the hands of the British, many were still unnerved by the naval power.
However, the blow the Spanish Empire suffered, and the failure to even launch another invasion of the British Isle, meant nothing materialized on that front. Though the Japanese only really breathed a sigh of relief on the matter after the Spanish American War.
However, it was news of a rebellion in the British American colonies that drew the attention of many, almost two centuries later. Japan was intrigued by this development, and while it did not provide aid, it did keep a close eye on the situation. While Japan and Britain were similar, the two nations never ended up on the best of terms. Both were potent naval powers, while the British Empire's colonial ambitions left the Oda Shognite with the feeling that Britain was little better than Spain. So rebellion in one of their major colonies piqued their interest.
To their surprise of them, and much of the rest of the world, the revolution was successful. While on the other side of the world, the creation of this new nation was interesting. Some of the ideals of the American Revolution, as it would be later known, were certainly a perceived danger for the Shogunate, however, many saw opportunities in the lands to their far east.
Japan watched the Napoleonic wars with great interest, though stayed out of the conflict. On the other end of the world, Japan was of little interest to the would-be Emperor of Europe, and as such, Japan saw no reason to partake in the European conflict. The British nearly drew Japan into the war, however, capturing the crew of trading ships and forcing them into service, alongside the United States. This did not last long, however, as Japan began protecting its trade ships with warships of its own, with orders to destroy any British vessel that attempted to gang-press its civilians into service.
However, the Americans chose war in 1812, a war that ultimately came to an end a few years later, with the United States remaining an independent country. The Shogunate of the time decided that after two wars with the British Empire, now would be a go time to begin to open relationships with the younger nation.
Relationships were rocky at first, however. The United States had little reason to be open to the distant power of Japan, and the distance trade would have to go to reach the American East Coast to the Japanese home islands was considerable. During this period, the West Coast was far from the economic powerhouse it would become known for today, and would not be for some time.
A friendship only began to truly form during the era after the American Civil War, a time of considerable turmoil for the United States, in part due to the assassination of both President Abraham Lincoln and Vice President Andrew Johnson by what was originally believed to be Southern sympathizers, until it was discovered that the plot was ordered by none other than Jefferson Davis. Schuyler Colfax was forced to step into office to fill the void left, being the first President in US history to not be elected into office as either President or Vice President.
With American presence on the West Coast growing ever since the admission of California as the 31st state, trade could now flow with greater ease between the two nations, despite being separated by the largest ocean in the world. Robust railroads were constructed between the East and West coasts, allowing for exotic goods to be transported across the country, while manufactured goods were sent out West.
Japan, however, would undergo an industrial revolution of its own, even without American trade making its way to their shores. Changing times meant the Japanese navy needed newer ships, and already, Japanese ironclads were steaming in their waters, only a year after French and British ironclads were constructed.
There were issues, however. Japan, as an island nation, did not have the raw materials easily on hand. While Japan could trade for such things, as it was a land with considerable wealth, relationships with its neighbors of China and Korea were complicated at best, and neither nation was willing to willfully give Japan such resources, even through trade, and their closest trading partner, the United States, was still a considerable distance away, and while even further afield, many of the Empires in Europe feared Japan, believing it could unite their eastern colonies into a sphere of influence all it's own.
The Shogunate might have been willing to go the route of building an Empire if it weren't for a freak discovery in 1879. An abnormal substance was found on one of the outer islands. It looked like ice but did not melt. But when exposed to flame, it burned.
The Shoganite of the time Oda Yamamoto, set his best minds to studying this unknown substance, and how best to use it. While it took time, this proved to be an efficient, and very effective source of fuel. It would sell well in foreign markets, helping bring even more economic development to Japan. However, civil unrest was on the rise throughout the 1870s, and it only got worse during the 1880s. Oda Yamamoto was considered weak by many nobles, considering the Emperor a lapdog to the West in general, and the United States in particular.
This, however, was untrue. While Oda Yamamoto did not use his power like many of his predecessors did, he was far from weak and had his own goals in mind. Oda Yamamoto is considered the father of Japanese Democracy for a reason. He had laid the groundwork for a Democratic Japan underneath the noses of his critics and enemies. The result of numerous reforms paid off and his announcement of the transition was met with great support from the populace. Much of the nobility did not support this, however. Something Oda Yamamoto had prepared for, through laws and edicts that restructured the Japanese military.
Many nobles attempted to raise troops to attack Oda Yamamoto and capture the throne before he could step down. Most were unable to, with the peasantry unwilling to listen. Those the could raise armed forces were swiftly crushed. After the third attempted uprising, it had become clear that none would be able to stop Oda Yamamoto's plans. Even if the nobles could present a united front in their attempts to take the throne, the outcome would have been similar, if more bloody.
By 1892, Japan had become a formal democracy, with Oda Yamamoto stepping down, replaced by the newly elected Prime Minister. Oda Yamamoto would go on to enjoy his retirement, writing numerous novels, before passing away in 1920, not living to see the end of the First World War. Many in Japan were almost thankful that the man did not live to see the chaos that the Second World War would bring.
However, the name Yamamoto would not pass out of Japanese history. Instead, it would reappear during World War Two's darkest days, attached to a man that would prove to be the most renowned Admiral of the Japanese Navy.
Possibly, quite even, the entire war.
Although many were concerned about European influence over the island, many of Nobunaga's line felt that it would be best to seek out trade with the outside world. This was in part to help Japan keep pace with European technological trends, so as to not be easy prey to the European powers, largely France, Britain, and Spain. It also began to build up a navy for self-defense. While not the largest in the world, the Japanese Navy of the period was considered a very effective fighting force, more than sufficient to act as a deterrent.
However, Japan generally preferred to keep to itself outside of trade with other foreign powers. While most foreign ships were allowed in Japanese ports, it was best to never stray far from these ports without the proper guides or permissions.
Japan thrived in this state of pseudo-isolation, making advances in sciences and the arts. Japanese cities grew, and while a sizable portion of the population were peasants, there was upward mobility for those with both skill, talent, and the good fortune to catch a patron's eye. The nation only continued to urbanize, centralize, and even begin to industrialize, though a full industrial revolution would still be many years yet.
While news was slow, Japan kept an eye on foreign affairs with great interest. Spain's hold on the Philippines was always considered a threat of sorts, as Spain's hold on the island put the conquering nation too close for many to be comfortable with. Even after the defeat of the Spanish Armada at the hands of the British, many were still unnerved by the naval power.
However, the blow the Spanish Empire suffered, and the failure to even launch another invasion of the British Isle, meant nothing materialized on that front. Though the Japanese only really breathed a sigh of relief on the matter after the Spanish American War.
However, it was news of a rebellion in the British American colonies that drew the attention of many, almost two centuries later. Japan was intrigued by this development, and while it did not provide aid, it did keep a close eye on the situation. While Japan and Britain were similar, the two nations never ended up on the best of terms. Both were potent naval powers, while the British Empire's colonial ambitions left the Oda Shognite with the feeling that Britain was little better than Spain. So rebellion in one of their major colonies piqued their interest.
To their surprise of them, and much of the rest of the world, the revolution was successful. While on the other side of the world, the creation of this new nation was interesting. Some of the ideals of the American Revolution, as it would be later known, were certainly a perceived danger for the Shogunate, however, many saw opportunities in the lands to their far east.
Japan watched the Napoleonic wars with great interest, though stayed out of the conflict. On the other end of the world, Japan was of little interest to the would-be Emperor of Europe, and as such, Japan saw no reason to partake in the European conflict. The British nearly drew Japan into the war, however, capturing the crew of trading ships and forcing them into service, alongside the United States. This did not last long, however, as Japan began protecting its trade ships with warships of its own, with orders to destroy any British vessel that attempted to gang-press its civilians into service.
However, the Americans chose war in 1812, a war that ultimately came to an end a few years later, with the United States remaining an independent country. The Shogunate of the time decided that after two wars with the British Empire, now would be a go time to begin to open relationships with the younger nation.
Relationships were rocky at first, however. The United States had little reason to be open to the distant power of Japan, and the distance trade would have to go to reach the American East Coast to the Japanese home islands was considerable. During this period, the West Coast was far from the economic powerhouse it would become known for today, and would not be for some time.
A friendship only began to truly form during the era after the American Civil War, a time of considerable turmoil for the United States, in part due to the assassination of both President Abraham Lincoln and Vice President Andrew Johnson by what was originally believed to be Southern sympathizers, until it was discovered that the plot was ordered by none other than Jefferson Davis. Schuyler Colfax was forced to step into office to fill the void left, being the first President in US history to not be elected into office as either President or Vice President.
With American presence on the West Coast growing ever since the admission of California as the 31st state, trade could now flow with greater ease between the two nations, despite being separated by the largest ocean in the world. Robust railroads were constructed between the East and West coasts, allowing for exotic goods to be transported across the country, while manufactured goods were sent out West.
Japan, however, would undergo an industrial revolution of its own, even without American trade making its way to their shores. Changing times meant the Japanese navy needed newer ships, and already, Japanese ironclads were steaming in their waters, only a year after French and British ironclads were constructed.
There were issues, however. Japan, as an island nation, did not have the raw materials easily on hand. While Japan could trade for such things, as it was a land with considerable wealth, relationships with its neighbors of China and Korea were complicated at best, and neither nation was willing to willfully give Japan such resources, even through trade, and their closest trading partner, the United States, was still a considerable distance away, and while even further afield, many of the Empires in Europe feared Japan, believing it could unite their eastern colonies into a sphere of influence all it's own.
The Shogunate might have been willing to go the route of building an Empire if it weren't for a freak discovery in 1879. An abnormal substance was found on one of the outer islands. It looked like ice but did not melt. But when exposed to flame, it burned.
The Shoganite of the time Oda Yamamoto, set his best minds to studying this unknown substance, and how best to use it. While it took time, this proved to be an efficient, and very effective source of fuel. It would sell well in foreign markets, helping bring even more economic development to Japan. However, civil unrest was on the rise throughout the 1870s, and it only got worse during the 1880s. Oda Yamamoto was considered weak by many nobles, considering the Emperor a lapdog to the West in general, and the United States in particular.
This, however, was untrue. While Oda Yamamoto did not use his power like many of his predecessors did, he was far from weak and had his own goals in mind. Oda Yamamoto is considered the father of Japanese Democracy for a reason. He had laid the groundwork for a Democratic Japan underneath the noses of his critics and enemies. The result of numerous reforms paid off and his announcement of the transition was met with great support from the populace. Much of the nobility did not support this, however. Something Oda Yamamoto had prepared for, through laws and edicts that restructured the Japanese military.
Many nobles attempted to raise troops to attack Oda Yamamoto and capture the throne before he could step down. Most were unable to, with the peasantry unwilling to listen. Those the could raise armed forces were swiftly crushed. After the third attempted uprising, it had become clear that none would be able to stop Oda Yamamoto's plans. Even if the nobles could present a united front in their attempts to take the throne, the outcome would have been similar, if more bloody.
By 1892, Japan had become a formal democracy, with Oda Yamamoto stepping down, replaced by the newly elected Prime Minister. Oda Yamamoto would go on to enjoy his retirement, writing numerous novels, before passing away in 1920, not living to see the end of the First World War. Many in Japan were almost thankful that the man did not live to see the chaos that the Second World War would bring.
However, the name Yamamoto would not pass out of Japanese history. Instead, it would reappear during World War Two's darkest days, attached to a man that would prove to be the most renowned Admiral of the Japanese Navy.
Possibly, quite even, the entire war.
Battle of the North Sea
The Battle of the North Sea was the last major clash of the First World War. Fighting began on November Third, 1921, this battle was even more indecisive than Jutland, wiping years of construction efforts on either side of the war, and in the end, for no payoff. Both Navys had been standoffish ever since Jutland. While the German fleet was still safely contained, the British lost more ships and tonnage than the Germans had.
By this point, however, both nations had replenished their lost ships, as Renown, Repulse, and Hood had joined the fleet as the newest battle cruisers. Their main line now included four more battleships, Resolution and Ramilies, joined by the two ships of the Nelson class, Nelson and Rodney, which had entered construction in 1918, which were 34,700 tons at full load, armed with four twin sixteen-inch guns.
To their credit, the Germans, though focusing much of their efforts on submarine warfare, managed to gather enough resources to not only rebuild its destroyer losses but also complete several capital ships. The Mackenson class increased German battlecruiser numbers by three compared to what they had been since the start of the war, joined later by Battlecruiser Yorck in 1919. However, the size of the Admiral class lead to the canceling and scrapping of the Yorck class Scharnhorst and Gniesenua, as to have a larger design ready sooner. However, this new class of battlecruiser would not see the war, finishing mere weeks after the war's end.
Joining them were the Wurttemberg and the Sachsen, of the Bayern class, as well as Bismark and Triptz, the first two ships in a class of four. The Germans had managed to complete the vessels in secret, leading to the British not knowing how heavily armed and armored these vessels were. The Nelsons were built off what the British Admiralty knew about this new class of dreadnought, yet the Nelsons were considerably smaller than these new German vessels.
While Britain still had the advantage in Battleship numbers, the number of Battlecruisers that both sides could field was considerably more even. Both sides considered the Battle of Jutland a victory, however, they felt as if lessons could be learned, and had incorporated such lessons. Germany Admirals knew this. While their plan to lure away part of the British Fleet at Jutland was not a complete success, they realized that they could not take the entirety of the British fleet all at once.
However, due to repeated attempts to split the fleet, British Admirals were aware that Germans would attempt such a strategy, and were intent on keeping their forces together as possible against the German opposition. Though the two formations proved to be too far apart to take part in a uniform action.
Operations began in the very early morning, after weeks of coastal raids with small protected and armored cruisers, intent to lure out British Battlecruisers on patrol. This time, however, it would be the German battlecruiser force that would arrive instead, followed by the main German battle line. The battlecruiser task force arrived off the British coastline at 5:13 am and began shelling the area with their smaller secondary guns, with many of the escorts joining in.
The British, however, kept a slow and steady advance, keeping the battlecruiser task force from getting too far ahead of the main line, hoping to catch the German Battlecruisers by surprise. However, it was the British that were taken by surprise, that during the early hours, shapes began to loom out of the shadow to their northeast, the early dawn light making the shapes of the vessels hard to make out. While the poor lighting conditions in the north sea did not do the Germans any favors, as they nearly stumbled by the First Battlecruiser squadron in the darkness, taking advantage of the early morning light was part of the German plans.
Hostilities would not commence until 7:25, with the range closing considerably. By that point, it had become apparent who was who. However, it was the Germans who fired first, as, without the sun in their eyes, they were able to find their targets first. The British began returning fire not a minute late. While both side's accuracy was poor, the British only scored a handful of hits during this stage of the battle, they were able to do more damage, as British shells had been greatly improved.
However, by 8:12, when the rest of the Grand Fleet had arrived, the German fleet was already in the process of turning away, with the First Battlecruiser squadron taking considerable damage in the process. Admiral Hood was the least damaged out of the squadron, though she had taken several hits from Bismark's sixteen-and-a-half-inch guns, which restarted the Admiral class construction after the war, and many ships would go on to be fully repaired.
However, the British still suffer considerable losses. Renown had been forced to fall out of line after several close-range hits, and was later found having ran aground, to prevent the ship from sinking. While the ship would later be repaired through herculean effort, the same could not be said for Repulse, who had sunk after taking anywhere from nine to fifteen hits, most of them below the waterline. Inflexible exploded much like the other British Battlecruisers at Jutland, though due to the ranges involved, this could have been caused by a direct hit to the magazine. Indomitable was heavily damaged, though the battlecruiser barely managed to make it into safe harbor, looking akin to Seydlizt after Jutland. Repairs did not start until after the war, and due to the damage and her age, she was later sold for scrapes.
Lion sunk at 8:23, after the High Sea's Fleet had begun to open the range, taking numerous hits above and below the waterline. Most of the rest of the First Battlecruiser squadron was either taking on water and desperately trying to fight off sinking themselves or had barely managed to plug the holes in their ships before heading towards the nearest port they could. Princess Royal sunk later that day at 16:56.
However, the Germans did not get off entirely clean themselves, as during the close-range fighting, they had taken several hits. Bismarck herself was already limping back towards the port, being detached after several hits from Hood, Renown, and Repulse. Other ships were in various states of damage, though most of them had managed to patch up their damaged hulls.
Beatty, realizing just how much of a disaster it would be if his ships did not take out their pound of flesh from the German fleet, pushed his ships to attack, though several escorts detached to pick up survivors from the first Battlecruiser Squadron.
This was what the Germans wanted, as they began to turn around, with the German Battlecruiser fleet appearing out of the west. While the combined German fleet was still outnumbered by more than five ships, their battlecruiser squadron was fairly fresh.
Beatty, realizing the situation he was in, began to order a turn, attempting to cross the T of both German formations in a single maneuver. This worked, to a limited extent, though the main battle line of the High Sea's fleet continued to push north, ultimately crossing the rear of the British formation, which cost the battleships Bellerophon and Monarch German guns.
Meanwhile, the German Battlecruiser formation turned eastward, going broadside to the larger British line. However, due to many of the guns of the German Battlecruisers having shorter ranges, they had to close the range compared to the main British line, which was already firing upon them. And while German Battlecruisers generally had thicker armor, at least in comparison to their British counterparts.
Shots were traded between the two battlelines, each side scoring numerous hits with large caliber rifles. Agincourt fell out of line for the British, nearly suffering two magazine detonations as two of its guns were torn from the vessel. Iron Duke broke off as well not long afterward.
By 10:30, the Grand Fleet had completed its turn, having lost Agincourt at 9:14, Iron Duke slipping beneath the waves at 9:24, Warspite being forced out the order of battle at 9:30, as well as the loss of Bellerophon and Monarch, and other ships towards the rear of the formation being heavily damaged and fighting a combination of fire and flooding. Queen Elizabeth had also been forced to break away from the main line of battle. Unlike her sister Warspite, she managed to make it back to port.
However, the German Battlecruiser squadron was in terrible shape. Despite having superior armor to British Battlecruisers, it still wasn't enough to withstand a direct broadside engagement. Don der Tann was lost at 9:16, dueling the battleship Resolution. Seydlitz, who had miraculously survived her battle wounds at Jutland, would slip beneath the waves at 12:13 on her way back to port. Moltke broke formation after taking several hits from Nelson. While she managed to make it back to port, after the war, the Germans believed she would not be worth the effort to repair, and solid her for scraps. The remaining ships of the formation suffered nearly half a dozen hits or more each, resulting in the entirety of the German Battlecruiser force to break off the engagement.
British destroyers attempted to pursue the German Battlecruiser formation under Beatty's orders but ran into German escorts. A torpedo attack was attempted but eventually aborted.
Meanwhile, the German battle line continued to trade blows with the British, as their guns began to turn on them, instead of the Battlecruisers. While the damage that had been done was severe, with the British main line being cut down by several battleships, Admiral Scheer was still outnumbered, and missing the most powerful battleship in his fleet, even if Triptz remained afloat, even if Beatty's line was more heavily damaged than his own.
This, however, would not last. Like at Jutland, the smaller German guns forced the High Sea's fleet into closer range with the Grand fleet. The brutal brawl continued its northward crawl, both sides losing ships and men. It was by 15:25 that Admiral Scheer finally had enough, ordering a torpedo attack to give his battle line enough time to turn around and head home.
Admiral Beatty was now forced into the same predicament his predecessor had been in. Due to the damage to his ships, he was forced to turn away, as even a single torpedo hit would send any of his remaining ships to the bottom of the ocean. Beatty ordered an attempt at a night action, but aside from finishing off a few German battleships that, while abandoned, refused to sink, the German High Sea's fleet was gone.
Both sides claimed a great victory, but it wasn't. While Britain had lost more ships, much like at the Battle of Jutland, Germany was still too weak to break out of its cage. While Britain lost effectively five of its battlecruisers to three of Germany's, they still had more, once the fleet was repaired.
But in battleships, both sides suffered heavily. Agincourt, Warspite, Iron Duke, Monarch, Bellephoron, Hercules, Royal Oak, Canada, King George the Fifth, and Vanguard were lost, and the rest of the fleet suffered moderate to severe damage. Meanwhile, on the German side, Nassau, Grosser Kurfurst, Konig, Posen, Helgoland, Kaiserin, and Oldenburg were sunk, while the rest of the High Sea's fleet required months' worth of repairs.
However, despite the public claims, many within both governments were beyond furious at the results of the battle, which had wiped out decades of hard work on both sides. This was while the United States and Japan continued to build up Naval forces, each nation pushing their shipbuilding throughout the war, resulting in numerous new Capital ships being laid down by both powers. While Britain had considerably more Naval assets available to them, they lost almost half of their Capital Warships as a result of the engagement, meaning others had to be pulled from foreign stations.
The fact the battle was an attempt to finally restore trade flow to Germany was believed to be one of the reasons the German Empire ultimately agreed to a ceasefire and eventual peace, as without more supplies from overseas, they would not be able to produce enough material to change the situation on the ground.
The post-war era saw major shake-ups for both Navies, as both sides tried to recover from the losses in a frenzy of rebuilding. Britain laid down what would be known as their Edward-Class battleships, of the N3 design, as well as continued the Admiral Class, and their later successors, the Queen Mary Class battlecruisers, based on the G3 design. Meanwhile, the Germans continued to produce the Bismark class, before laying down a counter to the Edward class, which was somewhat similar to the design of the American's Minnesota class Battleships, followed by Scharnhorst and Gniesenua, and their successor, the Prinz Repprecht. However, the Depression resulted in many nations' shipbuilding efforts being scaled back, and the rise of aircraft carriers causing capital ship development to be split, Battleship and Battlecruiser numbers had only just begun to recover by the outbreak of World War Two.
By this point, however, both nations had replenished their lost ships, as Renown, Repulse, and Hood had joined the fleet as the newest battle cruisers. Their main line now included four more battleships, Resolution and Ramilies, joined by the two ships of the Nelson class, Nelson and Rodney, which had entered construction in 1918, which were 34,700 tons at full load, armed with four twin sixteen-inch guns.
To their credit, the Germans, though focusing much of their efforts on submarine warfare, managed to gather enough resources to not only rebuild its destroyer losses but also complete several capital ships. The Mackenson class increased German battlecruiser numbers by three compared to what they had been since the start of the war, joined later by Battlecruiser Yorck in 1919. However, the size of the Admiral class lead to the canceling and scrapping of the Yorck class Scharnhorst and Gniesenua, as to have a larger design ready sooner. However, this new class of battlecruiser would not see the war, finishing mere weeks after the war's end.
Joining them were the Wurttemberg and the Sachsen, of the Bayern class, as well as Bismark and Triptz, the first two ships in a class of four. The Germans had managed to complete the vessels in secret, leading to the British not knowing how heavily armed and armored these vessels were. The Nelsons were built off what the British Admiralty knew about this new class of dreadnought, yet the Nelsons were considerably smaller than these new German vessels.
While Britain still had the advantage in Battleship numbers, the number of Battlecruisers that both sides could field was considerably more even. Both sides considered the Battle of Jutland a victory, however, they felt as if lessons could be learned, and had incorporated such lessons. Germany Admirals knew this. While their plan to lure away part of the British Fleet at Jutland was not a complete success, they realized that they could not take the entirety of the British fleet all at once.
However, due to repeated attempts to split the fleet, British Admirals were aware that Germans would attempt such a strategy, and were intent on keeping their forces together as possible against the German opposition. Though the two formations proved to be too far apart to take part in a uniform action.
Operations began in the very early morning, after weeks of coastal raids with small protected and armored cruisers, intent to lure out British Battlecruisers on patrol. This time, however, it would be the German battlecruiser force that would arrive instead, followed by the main German battle line. The battlecruiser task force arrived off the British coastline at 5:13 am and began shelling the area with their smaller secondary guns, with many of the escorts joining in.
The British, however, kept a slow and steady advance, keeping the battlecruiser task force from getting too far ahead of the main line, hoping to catch the German Battlecruisers by surprise. However, it was the British that were taken by surprise, that during the early hours, shapes began to loom out of the shadow to their northeast, the early dawn light making the shapes of the vessels hard to make out. While the poor lighting conditions in the north sea did not do the Germans any favors, as they nearly stumbled by the First Battlecruiser squadron in the darkness, taking advantage of the early morning light was part of the German plans.
Hostilities would not commence until 7:25, with the range closing considerably. By that point, it had become apparent who was who. However, it was the Germans who fired first, as, without the sun in their eyes, they were able to find their targets first. The British began returning fire not a minute late. While both side's accuracy was poor, the British only scored a handful of hits during this stage of the battle, they were able to do more damage, as British shells had been greatly improved.
However, by 8:12, when the rest of the Grand Fleet had arrived, the German fleet was already in the process of turning away, with the First Battlecruiser squadron taking considerable damage in the process. Admiral Hood was the least damaged out of the squadron, though she had taken several hits from Bismark's sixteen-and-a-half-inch guns, which restarted the Admiral class construction after the war, and many ships would go on to be fully repaired.
However, the British still suffer considerable losses. Renown had been forced to fall out of line after several close-range hits, and was later found having ran aground, to prevent the ship from sinking. While the ship would later be repaired through herculean effort, the same could not be said for Repulse, who had sunk after taking anywhere from nine to fifteen hits, most of them below the waterline. Inflexible exploded much like the other British Battlecruisers at Jutland, though due to the ranges involved, this could have been caused by a direct hit to the magazine. Indomitable was heavily damaged, though the battlecruiser barely managed to make it into safe harbor, looking akin to Seydlizt after Jutland. Repairs did not start until after the war, and due to the damage and her age, she was later sold for scrapes.
Lion sunk at 8:23, after the High Sea's Fleet had begun to open the range, taking numerous hits above and below the waterline. Most of the rest of the First Battlecruiser squadron was either taking on water and desperately trying to fight off sinking themselves or had barely managed to plug the holes in their ships before heading towards the nearest port they could. Princess Royal sunk later that day at 16:56.
However, the Germans did not get off entirely clean themselves, as during the close-range fighting, they had taken several hits. Bismarck herself was already limping back towards the port, being detached after several hits from Hood, Renown, and Repulse. Other ships were in various states of damage, though most of them had managed to patch up their damaged hulls.
Beatty, realizing just how much of a disaster it would be if his ships did not take out their pound of flesh from the German fleet, pushed his ships to attack, though several escorts detached to pick up survivors from the first Battlecruiser Squadron.
This was what the Germans wanted, as they began to turn around, with the German Battlecruiser fleet appearing out of the west. While the combined German fleet was still outnumbered by more than five ships, their battlecruiser squadron was fairly fresh.
Beatty, realizing the situation he was in, began to order a turn, attempting to cross the T of both German formations in a single maneuver. This worked, to a limited extent, though the main battle line of the High Sea's fleet continued to push north, ultimately crossing the rear of the British formation, which cost the battleships Bellerophon and Monarch German guns.
Meanwhile, the German Battlecruiser formation turned eastward, going broadside to the larger British line. However, due to many of the guns of the German Battlecruisers having shorter ranges, they had to close the range compared to the main British line, which was already firing upon them. And while German Battlecruisers generally had thicker armor, at least in comparison to their British counterparts.
Shots were traded between the two battlelines, each side scoring numerous hits with large caliber rifles. Agincourt fell out of line for the British, nearly suffering two magazine detonations as two of its guns were torn from the vessel. Iron Duke broke off as well not long afterward.
By 10:30, the Grand Fleet had completed its turn, having lost Agincourt at 9:14, Iron Duke slipping beneath the waves at 9:24, Warspite being forced out the order of battle at 9:30, as well as the loss of Bellerophon and Monarch, and other ships towards the rear of the formation being heavily damaged and fighting a combination of fire and flooding. Queen Elizabeth had also been forced to break away from the main line of battle. Unlike her sister Warspite, she managed to make it back to port.
However, the German Battlecruiser squadron was in terrible shape. Despite having superior armor to British Battlecruisers, it still wasn't enough to withstand a direct broadside engagement. Don der Tann was lost at 9:16, dueling the battleship Resolution. Seydlitz, who had miraculously survived her battle wounds at Jutland, would slip beneath the waves at 12:13 on her way back to port. Moltke broke formation after taking several hits from Nelson. While she managed to make it back to port, after the war, the Germans believed she would not be worth the effort to repair, and solid her for scraps. The remaining ships of the formation suffered nearly half a dozen hits or more each, resulting in the entirety of the German Battlecruiser force to break off the engagement.
British destroyers attempted to pursue the German Battlecruiser formation under Beatty's orders but ran into German escorts. A torpedo attack was attempted but eventually aborted.
Meanwhile, the German battle line continued to trade blows with the British, as their guns began to turn on them, instead of the Battlecruisers. While the damage that had been done was severe, with the British main line being cut down by several battleships, Admiral Scheer was still outnumbered, and missing the most powerful battleship in his fleet, even if Triptz remained afloat, even if Beatty's line was more heavily damaged than his own.
This, however, would not last. Like at Jutland, the smaller German guns forced the High Sea's fleet into closer range with the Grand fleet. The brutal brawl continued its northward crawl, both sides losing ships and men. It was by 15:25 that Admiral Scheer finally had enough, ordering a torpedo attack to give his battle line enough time to turn around and head home.
Admiral Beatty was now forced into the same predicament his predecessor had been in. Due to the damage to his ships, he was forced to turn away, as even a single torpedo hit would send any of his remaining ships to the bottom of the ocean. Beatty ordered an attempt at a night action, but aside from finishing off a few German battleships that, while abandoned, refused to sink, the German High Sea's fleet was gone.
Both sides claimed a great victory, but it wasn't. While Britain had lost more ships, much like at the Battle of Jutland, Germany was still too weak to break out of its cage. While Britain lost effectively five of its battlecruisers to three of Germany's, they still had more, once the fleet was repaired.
But in battleships, both sides suffered heavily. Agincourt, Warspite, Iron Duke, Monarch, Bellephoron, Hercules, Royal Oak, Canada, King George the Fifth, and Vanguard were lost, and the rest of the fleet suffered moderate to severe damage. Meanwhile, on the German side, Nassau, Grosser Kurfurst, Konig, Posen, Helgoland, Kaiserin, and Oldenburg were sunk, while the rest of the High Sea's fleet required months' worth of repairs.
However, despite the public claims, many within both governments were beyond furious at the results of the battle, which had wiped out decades of hard work on both sides. This was while the United States and Japan continued to build up Naval forces, each nation pushing their shipbuilding throughout the war, resulting in numerous new Capital ships being laid down by both powers. While Britain had considerably more Naval assets available to them, they lost almost half of their Capital Warships as a result of the engagement, meaning others had to be pulled from foreign stations.
The fact the battle was an attempt to finally restore trade flow to Germany was believed to be one of the reasons the German Empire ultimately agreed to a ceasefire and eventual peace, as without more supplies from overseas, they would not be able to produce enough material to change the situation on the ground.
The post-war era saw major shake-ups for both Navies, as both sides tried to recover from the losses in a frenzy of rebuilding. Britain laid down what would be known as their Edward-Class battleships, of the N3 design, as well as continued the Admiral Class, and their later successors, the Queen Mary Class battlecruisers, based on the G3 design. Meanwhile, the Germans continued to produce the Bismark class, before laying down a counter to the Edward class, which was somewhat similar to the design of the American's Minnesota class Battleships, followed by Scharnhorst and Gniesenua, and their successor, the Prinz Repprecht. However, the Depression resulted in many nations' shipbuilding efforts being scaled back, and the rise of aircraft carriers causing capital ship development to be split, Battleship and Battlecruiser numbers had only just begun to recover by the outbreak of World War Two.
United States: Post Civil War to World War One
The United States after the Civil War was fraught with uncertainty and unrest. The President, Abraham Lincoln, had been assassinated, alongside his Vice President Andrew Johnson. The nation mourned the man who had seen them through the days of the Civil War, as Schuyler Colfax was sworn into the Presidental office. Addressing the nation, Colfax promised that he would bring those responsible for the murder to justice.
At the time he made his promise, Colfax had no idea how deep the rabbit hole went, but he kept his promise to the American people all the same. The assassin, John Wilkes Booth, was eventually captured and interrogated, as investigators scoured the countryside.
Booth was not simply a Southern sympathizer, instead, he was a hired gun, and he had been hired to kill the President of the United States. While he was unwilling to talk about who it was that hired, his partner, responsible for the assassination of Andrew Johnson, did. Several letters collaborated his testimony, though, for Jefferson Davis, this information was gathered posthumously.
Once the information was released to the public, there was no stopping what was next. Outrage over the assassinations exploded in the North, quickly reaching a fever pitch. The Army was sent to arrest Jefferson Davis to stand trial for the crime. Instead, they found a corpse. While investigations show that Jefferson Davis killed himself once he heard the news that he was involved in the assassination, many in the South did not believe such claims, with uprisings breaking out across the South, which only increased the ire of the North.
After all, they had accepted the South's surrender in good faith, only for them to kill the President and Vice President through an assassin? No, the North wanted blood. Colfax mobilized his forces, cracking down on the new attempt at an uprising. The assassination and the uprising were later found to be related, as the South planned on trying to make one last effort while the Union had lowered its guard.
The planned false surrender only further enraged the Union and convinced Coflax as well as many politicians that the only way to prevent similar crises from the South was to tear it out the causes by their roots. The Southern land gentry was stripped of their lands, given to both freed slaves and southern poor alike, while many politicians that served the Confederacy were tried for treason against the United States.
Many were convicted, having joined an attempt at a nation hostile to the United States. Most spent the rest of their lives in prison, rather than being hung.
Though there were still those who tried to resist, attacking Union troops, as well as trying to lynch freed slaves on false charges, leading to further crackdowns. It didn't look like there was much success at first, as local governments tried to do everything in their power to keep the repressive and abusive system of the South going, despite everything. However, as the years went on, violence began to lessen, as the young began to grow up around those that they had been told to hate by their parents, those their parents claimed were lesser.
These falsehoods had a harder time finding purchase with said youth. While Reconstruction was a decades-long process, taking more than twenty years for the first state to renter the Union, the process ultimately proved to be considerably successful.
Colfax himself did not run for re-election. At least, not directly. He instead ran as Grant's Vice Presidency. In his own words, Colfax saw himself as an acting President, and shouldn't resume such a position, as he was never dutifully elected by the American people into office in the first place.
As Grant's Vice President, he advised on how to continue the era of Reconstruction throughout Grant's term.
Meanwhile, the United States remained fairly isolated from the rest of the world, mostly keeping to itself. However, trade between the United States and Japan was increasing, as infrastructure on the west coast continued to grow. Both nations, despite their preference for isolation, became stronger trade partners with one another over the years, though there were still problems with foreigners within each respective country.
Tensions with Spain were on the rise over the next few decades, as the United States slowly reintegrated its southern states. This swiftly changed during the Cuban Revolution. The explosion of the USS Maine in port was one part of what led to the explosion of tensions into war. The second major contributing factor was what became known as the Andros Telegram.
Despite the Confederacy having been dead in an official capacity for decades by this point, there were still holdouts, hoping to claim what they considered to be their birthright. Spain, unsure if they could fight the Americans on equal footing, wanted to make use of these disparate elements, if not to cripple the United States, at least keep them distracted by events in their backyard.
When word reached the media of this telegram, they exploded into further activity. Many were pushing for war, and an attempt to stir up that amount of unrest within the United States was more than enough for war to be declared.
The conflict between Spain and the United States only lasted four months, with America laying claim to most of Spain's remaining overseas colonies, a death blow to the crumbling Spanish Empire. However, Spain was a weakening force in the world, as was considered one of the sick old men of Europe by many of its neighbors, so its defeat at the hands of the United States came as little surprise.
What remained of the 19th century passed with little fanfare, as the twentieth century began it's march. The 1900s saw the election of Theodore Roosevelt, a veteran of the Spanish-American war. This was also when Panama Canal began construction, an important construction that would save the United States, and many other powers, a considerable amount of time when it came getting from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and vice versa.
Panama, despite being at first a neutral country during the conflict, became the center for many attacks by the Triple Empires during the Second World War, with numerous attempts made to take the Canal. Much of the United State's naval capacity in the Carreaben was used to hold off attacks made by the British and French navies, hoping to claim superiority to launch a naval invasion. The United States was able to endure, however, keeping its main transport lane between the east and west open, though it came at both heavy cost, and was temporary, due to the number of submarines that prowled off the Eastern seaboard.
This was also the period that marked a radical shift in the United States' international policy, with the signing of a Defensive agreement. Called the Jusso-American Pact, this treaty saw both powers agree that if they were attacked by a hostile power, they would come to the other's defense. Signed on June 6th, 1910 by the Americans, this treaty did more than simply act as a defensive pact. It resulted in a rush of shipbuilding facilities and the infrastructure to support such an operation on the West Coast, benefiting from Japanese investment.
For Japan, the reason to enter such an alliance was two-fold. It viewed the United States as a rising power on the world stage and believed a defensive alliance would help ward off aggression from the European countries. The second reason was that despite Japan's strong naval tradition and large dockyards, they still had both limited space in which to build warships, but also limited resources in which to do so. This treaty allowed the Japanese Government to request orders from American shipyards. Much of their effort was focused on the East Coast, as the Panama Canal was still under construction.
Japan preferred to use these dockyards for smaller vessels, such as light cruisers and destroyers, though some of the Ibuki class would be produced in American dockyards before the start of World War Two.
It was four years afterward that Europe descended into war. The United States and Japan sat out the conflict, by and large, though the United States had no issue selling weapons to the Entente. German merchant raiding nearly drew the United States into the conflict due to the loss of Civilian life. American Civilians, especially. However, Germany, under the threat of drawing a fresh military power into the war, chose to scale back the operations of its Submarine Forces.
The United States played a role alongside Japan in negotiating the peace treaty between the Entente and the Central powers, acting as neutral powers, of a sort. America and Japan used most of the wartime to begin to build up their naval forces, on the off chance they were dragged into the war. Peacetime brought many boons to both nations, however, storm clouds loomed on the horizon, as the situation in Europe went from uneasy peace for falling nations, and economic troubles that ran beneath the surface began to rise.
At the time he made his promise, Colfax had no idea how deep the rabbit hole went, but he kept his promise to the American people all the same. The assassin, John Wilkes Booth, was eventually captured and interrogated, as investigators scoured the countryside.
Booth was not simply a Southern sympathizer, instead, he was a hired gun, and he had been hired to kill the President of the United States. While he was unwilling to talk about who it was that hired, his partner, responsible for the assassination of Andrew Johnson, did. Several letters collaborated his testimony, though, for Jefferson Davis, this information was gathered posthumously.
Once the information was released to the public, there was no stopping what was next. Outrage over the assassinations exploded in the North, quickly reaching a fever pitch. The Army was sent to arrest Jefferson Davis to stand trial for the crime. Instead, they found a corpse. While investigations show that Jefferson Davis killed himself once he heard the news that he was involved in the assassination, many in the South did not believe such claims, with uprisings breaking out across the South, which only increased the ire of the North.
After all, they had accepted the South's surrender in good faith, only for them to kill the President and Vice President through an assassin? No, the North wanted blood. Colfax mobilized his forces, cracking down on the new attempt at an uprising. The assassination and the uprising were later found to be related, as the South planned on trying to make one last effort while the Union had lowered its guard.
The planned false surrender only further enraged the Union and convinced Coflax as well as many politicians that the only way to prevent similar crises from the South was to tear it out the causes by their roots. The Southern land gentry was stripped of their lands, given to both freed slaves and southern poor alike, while many politicians that served the Confederacy were tried for treason against the United States.
Many were convicted, having joined an attempt at a nation hostile to the United States. Most spent the rest of their lives in prison, rather than being hung.
Though there were still those who tried to resist, attacking Union troops, as well as trying to lynch freed slaves on false charges, leading to further crackdowns. It didn't look like there was much success at first, as local governments tried to do everything in their power to keep the repressive and abusive system of the South going, despite everything. However, as the years went on, violence began to lessen, as the young began to grow up around those that they had been told to hate by their parents, those their parents claimed were lesser.
These falsehoods had a harder time finding purchase with said youth. While Reconstruction was a decades-long process, taking more than twenty years for the first state to renter the Union, the process ultimately proved to be considerably successful.
Colfax himself did not run for re-election. At least, not directly. He instead ran as Grant's Vice Presidency. In his own words, Colfax saw himself as an acting President, and shouldn't resume such a position, as he was never dutifully elected by the American people into office in the first place.
As Grant's Vice President, he advised on how to continue the era of Reconstruction throughout Grant's term.
Meanwhile, the United States remained fairly isolated from the rest of the world, mostly keeping to itself. However, trade between the United States and Japan was increasing, as infrastructure on the west coast continued to grow. Both nations, despite their preference for isolation, became stronger trade partners with one another over the years, though there were still problems with foreigners within each respective country.
Tensions with Spain were on the rise over the next few decades, as the United States slowly reintegrated its southern states. This swiftly changed during the Cuban Revolution. The explosion of the USS Maine in port was one part of what led to the explosion of tensions into war. The second major contributing factor was what became known as the Andros Telegram.
Despite the Confederacy having been dead in an official capacity for decades by this point, there were still holdouts, hoping to claim what they considered to be their birthright. Spain, unsure if they could fight the Americans on equal footing, wanted to make use of these disparate elements, if not to cripple the United States, at least keep them distracted by events in their backyard.
When word reached the media of this telegram, they exploded into further activity. Many were pushing for war, and an attempt to stir up that amount of unrest within the United States was more than enough for war to be declared.
The conflict between Spain and the United States only lasted four months, with America laying claim to most of Spain's remaining overseas colonies, a death blow to the crumbling Spanish Empire. However, Spain was a weakening force in the world, as was considered one of the sick old men of Europe by many of its neighbors, so its defeat at the hands of the United States came as little surprise.
What remained of the 19th century passed with little fanfare, as the twentieth century began it's march. The 1900s saw the election of Theodore Roosevelt, a veteran of the Spanish-American war. This was also when Panama Canal began construction, an important construction that would save the United States, and many other powers, a considerable amount of time when it came getting from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and vice versa.
Panama, despite being at first a neutral country during the conflict, became the center for many attacks by the Triple Empires during the Second World War, with numerous attempts made to take the Canal. Much of the United State's naval capacity in the Carreaben was used to hold off attacks made by the British and French navies, hoping to claim superiority to launch a naval invasion. The United States was able to endure, however, keeping its main transport lane between the east and west open, though it came at both heavy cost, and was temporary, due to the number of submarines that prowled off the Eastern seaboard.
This was also the period that marked a radical shift in the United States' international policy, with the signing of a Defensive agreement. Called the Jusso-American Pact, this treaty saw both powers agree that if they were attacked by a hostile power, they would come to the other's defense. Signed on June 6th, 1910 by the Americans, this treaty did more than simply act as a defensive pact. It resulted in a rush of shipbuilding facilities and the infrastructure to support such an operation on the West Coast, benefiting from Japanese investment.
For Japan, the reason to enter such an alliance was two-fold. It viewed the United States as a rising power on the world stage and believed a defensive alliance would help ward off aggression from the European countries. The second reason was that despite Japan's strong naval tradition and large dockyards, they still had both limited space in which to build warships, but also limited resources in which to do so. This treaty allowed the Japanese Government to request orders from American shipyards. Much of their effort was focused on the East Coast, as the Panama Canal was still under construction.
Japan preferred to use these dockyards for smaller vessels, such as light cruisers and destroyers, though some of the Ibuki class would be produced in American dockyards before the start of World War Two.
It was four years afterward that Europe descended into war. The United States and Japan sat out the conflict, by and large, though the United States had no issue selling weapons to the Entente. German merchant raiding nearly drew the United States into the conflict due to the loss of Civilian life. American Civilians, especially. However, Germany, under the threat of drawing a fresh military power into the war, chose to scale back the operations of its Submarine Forces.
The United States played a role alongside Japan in negotiating the peace treaty between the Entente and the Central powers, acting as neutral powers, of a sort. America and Japan used most of the wartime to begin to build up their naval forces, on the off chance they were dragged into the war. Peacetime brought many boons to both nations, however, storm clouds loomed on the horizon, as the situation in Europe went from uneasy peace for falling nations, and economic troubles that ran beneath the surface began to rise.
United States Capital Ship Registry
Battleships
New York Class
Nevada Class
Pennsylvania Class
New Mexico Class
California Class
Colorado Class
South Dakota Class
Nebraska Class
Oregon Class
Oregon Class Specs
Minnesota Class
Minnesota Class Specs
Georgia Class
Georgia Class Specs
Rhode Island Class
Rhode Island Class Specs
North Carolina Class
North Carolina Specs
Florida Class
Florida Class Specs
Missouri Class
Missouri Class Specs
Battle cruisers
Constitution Class (modified Lexington class)
Modified specs
Gettysburg Class
Gettysburg Class Specs
Antietam Class
Antietam Class Specs
Prairie Grove Class
Prairie Grove Class Specs
Port Hudson Class
Port Hudson Class Specs
Eutaw Springs class
Eutaw Springs class Specs
Otter Creek Class
Otter Creek Class Specs
Plattsburg Class
Plattsburg Class Specs
Fleet Aircraft carriers
Lexington Class
Yorktown Class
Cherokee Class Carrier
Cherokee Class Specs
Essex Class
Malina Bay Class (In-universe Midway class equivalent)
New York Class
- New York (Training Vessel)
Nevada Class
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
Pennsylvania Class
- Pennsylvania
- Arizona
New Mexico Class
- New Mexico
- Idaho
- Connecticut
California Class
- California
- Vermont
Colorado Class
- Colorado
- West Virginia
- Maryland
- Washington
South Dakota Class
- South Dakota
- Indiana
- Montana
- Iowa
- Massachusetts
- Orogen (Canceled and scrapped)
Nebraska Class
- Nebraska (Laid down January 3rd, 1922)
- Kansas (Laid down June 25t,h 1922. Cancelled and scrapped due to design flaws on September 5th, 1924)
- Displacement: 55,500 Thousand tons (Full load)
- Length: 730 ft
- Beam: 112ft
- Draft: 34 ft
- Speed: 22 knots
- Range: 8000 nm
- 5 triple 16-inch guns
- 18 single 6-inch guns
- Later retrofit to 10 twin 5-inch DP guns
- 5 single 3-inch DP guns
- Later retrofit to 40 bofors and 58 orlieken mountings
- Main Belt: 8-13.5 inches.
- Barbettes: 4-13.5 inches.
- Turrets: 5-18 inches.
- Conning Tower: 8-16 inches.
- Deck: 3.5-6 inches.
- Bulkheads: 6-13.5 inches.
- Uptakes: 9-13.5 inches.
Oregon Class
- Oregon (Laid down September 6th, 1924)
- Kansas (Laid down October 23rd, 1924)
Oregon Class Specs
- Displacement: 50,500 Tons (full load).
- Length: 710 ft.
- Beam: 107 ft.
- Draft: 33 ft.
- Speed: 23 knots.
- 4 triple 16-inch guns.
- 16 single 6-inch guns
- Later retrofit to 10 twin 5-inch DP guns
- 4-single 3-inch DP guns.
- Later retrofit to 45 bofors and 60 orlieken mountings.
- Main Belt: 9-14 inches.
- Barbettes: 4-14 Inches.
- Turrets: 5-18 inches
- Conning Tower: 8-16 inches
- Deck: 4.5-8 inches.
- Bulkheads: 6.5-14 inches.
- Uptakes: 9-14 inches.
Minnesota Class
- Minnesota (Laid down February 10th, 1926)
- North Dakota (Laid down August 23rd, 1926)
- Ohio (Laid down January 19th, 1927)
Minnesota Class Specs
- Displacement: 66,000 tons (Full Load).
- Length: 760 feet.
- Beam: 115 feet.
- Draft: 34 feet.
- Speed: 23 Knots
- 4 twin 18-inch guns.
- 18 single six-inch guns.
- Later retrofit 10 twin 5-inch DP guns.
- 4 single 3-inch DP guns.
- Later retrofit 48 Bofor mountings and 56 Orliken mountings.
- Main Belt: 9-16 inches.
- Barbettes: 6-18 inches.
- Turrets: 5-20 inches.
- Conning Tower: 8-18 inches.
- Deck: 5-8.5 inches.
- Bulkheads: 7-16 inches.
- Uptakes: 9-16 inches.
Georgia Class
- Georgia (Laid down March 3rd, 1928)
- Kentucky (Laid down October 31st, 1928)
Georgia Class Specs
- Displacement: 62,000 tons (Full Load).
- Length: 750 feet
- Beam:115 feet.
- Draft:34 feet.
- Speed: 23 knots
- 4 Quadruple 16-inch guns.
- 18 single six-inch guns
- Later retrofit to 10 twin 5-inch DP guns
- 4 single 3-inch DP guns
- Later retrofit to 45 Bofors mounting and 56 Orliken mountings.
- Main Belt: 8.5-15 inches
- Barbettes: 6-16 inches.
- Turrets: 6-18 inches.
- Conning Tower: 6-16 inches.
- Deck: 4.5-8 inches.
- Bulkheads: 6-15 inches.
- Uptakes 8-15 inches.
Rhode Island Class
- Rhode Island (Laid down January 23, 1930. Completed in the modified configuration on October 3, 1935)
- Delaware (Laid down September 2, 1930. Completed in the modified configuration on March 9. 1936)
Rhode Island Class Specs
- Displacement: 79,000 tons (Full Load).
- Length: 850 feet.
- Beam:125 feet.
- Draft: 36 feet
- Speed: 23.5 knots.
- 4 triple 18-inch guns.
- Twenty single 6-inch guns (planned configuration). Ten twin, 5-inch DP guns (completed design)
- Various Chicago Pino's, replaced by Bofors and Orleakens
- Main Belt 8-18 inches.
- Barbettes: 7-19 inches.
- Turrets:7-20 inches.
- Conning Tower: 9-19 inches.
- Deck: 5-9 inches.
- Bulkheads: 8-18 inches.
- Uptakes: 8-18 inches.
North Carolina Class
- North Carolina (Laid down on September 29th, 1936)
- New Jersey (Laid down on December 3rd, 1936)
North Carolina Specs
- Displacement: 42,500 tons (Full Load).
- Length: 770 feet.
- Beam: 110 feet.
- Speed: 27 knots.
- Four triple 14-inch guns.
- Ten twin 5-inch DP guns.
- Various Anti-air guns, mostly Bofors and Orlikens.
- Main Belt: 12 inches.
- Barbettes: 16 inches.
- Turrets: 16 inches.
- Conning Tower: 14 inches.
- Deck: 5 inches.
- Bulkheads: 12 inches.
Florida Class
- Florida (Laid down on February 20th, 1938)
- Texas (Laid down August 11th, 1938)
- Michigan (Laid down June 19th, 1939)
- Wyoming (Laid down June 21st, 1939)
Florida Class Specs
- Displacement: 45,000 tons (Full Load)
- Length: 740 feet.
- Beam: 110 feet.
- Speed: 27 knots
- Four triple 14-inch guns.
- Ten twin 5-inch guns.
- Various Anti-aircraft guns.
- Main Belt: 12 inches.
- Barbettes: 16 inches.
- Turrets: 16 inches.
- Conning Tower 15 inches.
- Deck: 6 inches.
- Bulkheads: 12 inches.
Missouri Class
- Missouri (Laid down August 24th, 1941)
- Arkansas (Laid down October 15th, 1941)
- Alabama (Laid down May 3rd, 1942)
- Mississippi (Laid down April 23rd, 1943)
- Tennessee (Laid down January 2nd, 1944)
Missouri Class Specs
- Displacement: 61,000 tons (Full Load).
- Length: 925 feet.
- Beam: 126 feet.
- Speed: 27 knots.
- Four triple 16-inch guns.
- Ten twin 5-inch DP guns.
- 40 bofors mountings and 60 orlieken mountings.
- Main Belt: 16 inches.
- Barbettes: 18 inches
- Turrets: 21 inches.
- Conning Tower: 16 inches.
- Deck: 7 inches.
- Bulkheads: 16 inches.
Battle cruisers
Constitution Class (modified Lexington class)
- Constitution
- Constellation
- Monitor
Modified specs
- Armor belt: 10 inches.
- Speed: 30 knots.
- Barbettes: 14 inches.
- Turret: 16 inches.
- Deck: 2.25 inches.
Gettysburg Class
- Gettysburg(Laid down August 9th, 1923)
- Vicksburg(Laid down November 16th 1923)
Gettysburg Class Specs
- Displacement: 48,000 tons (Full Load)
- Length: 865 feet.
- Beam: 106 feet.
- Speed: 30 knots.
- Three triple 16-inch guns.
- 14 6-inch guns.
- Later retrofit to ten twin 5-inch DP guns.
- 8 3-inch DP guns.
- Later replaced by Bofors and Orlikens.
- Main Belt: 11 inches.
- Barbettes:16 inches.
- Turrets: 16 inches.
- Conning Tower: 16 inches.
- Deck: 2.5 inches.
- Bulkheads: 11 inches.
Antietam Class
- Antietam (Laid down April 19th, 1925)
- Pine Bluff (Laid down August 21st, 1925)
Antietam Class Specs
- Displacement: 53,500 tons.
- Length: 850 feet.
- Beam: 105 feet.
- Speed: 31 knots.
- Three triple 16-inch guns.
- 16- 6-inch guns.
- Later retrofit to ten twin 5-inch DP guns.
- 8 3-inch DP guns
- Later replaced by Bofors and Orlikens
- Main Belt: 12 inches.
- Barbettes: 16 inches.
- Turrets: 16 inches.
- Conning Tower: 16 inches.
- Deck: 3 inches.
- Bulkheads: 14 inches.
Prairie Grove Class
- Prairie Grove (Laid down June 29th, 1927)
- Baton Rouge (Laid down August 15th, 1927)
Prairie Grove Class Specs
- Displacement: 61,000 tons.
- Length: 890 feet.
- Beam: 110 feet.
- Speed: 31 knots.
- Three twin, 18-inch guns.
- Eighteen 6-inch guns
- Later retrofit to ten twin 5-inch DP guns.
- 8 3-inch DP guns.
- Later retrofit to numerous Bofor and Orilikens.
- Main Belt: 13.5 inches.
- Barbettes: 18 inches.
- Turrets: 18 inches.
- Conning Tower: 16 inches.
- Deck: 4 inches.
- Bulkheads: 18 inches.
Port Hudson Class
- Port Hudson (Laid down May 14th, 1929, Complete October 3rd, 1935)
- Cedar Creek (Laid down October 24th, 1929. Canceled due to budget constraints June 14th, 1933)
Port Hudson Class Specs
- Displacement: 80,000 tons (Full Load)
- Length: 970 feet.
- Beam: 115 feet.
- Speed: 30 knots.
- Three triple 18-inch guns.
- Twenty single 6-inch guns (planned configuration). Ten twin, 5-inch DP guns (completed configuration).
- 40 Bofor mountings and 58 Orliken mountings (completed configuration)
- Main Belt: 14 inches.
- Barbettes: 17 inches.
- Turrets: 19 inches.
- Conning Tower: 16 inches.
- Deck: 4.5 inches.
- Bulkheads: 18 inches.
Eutaw Springs class
- Eutaw Springs (Laid down May 24th, 1937)
- Chippawa (Laid down April 16th, 1937)
Eutaw Springs class Specs
- Displacement: 43,000 tons (Full Load).
- Length: 780 Feet.
- Beam: 105 feet.
- Speed: 33 knots.
- 3 triple 14-inch guns.
- 10 twin 5-inch DP guns.
- 36 Bofor mountings and 58 Orliken mountings.
- Main Belt: 12 inches.
- Barbettes: 14 inches.
- Turrets: 16 inches.
- Conning Tower: 14 inches.
- Deck: 2.5 Inches.
- Bulkheads: 14 inches.
Otter Creek Class
- Otter Creek (Laid down March 9th, 1939)
- Fort Eiree (Laid down April 3rd, 1939)
- Fort McHenry (Laid down June 18th, 1939)
- Sandy Creek (Laid down June 21st, 1939)
Otter Creek Class Specs
- Displacement: 47,000 tons (Full Load).
- Length: 790 feet.
- Beam: 105 feet.
- Speed: 33 knots.
- 3 quadruple 14-inch guns.
- 10 twin 5-inch DP guns.
- 36 Borfor mountings and 58 Orilken mountings.
- Main Belt: 12 inches.
- Barbettes: 14 inches.
- Turrets: 16 inches.
- Conning tower: 14 inches.
- Deck: 3 inches.
- Bulkheads: 14 inches.
Plattsburg Class
- Plattsbug (Laid down October 31st, 1942)
- Manila (Laid down November 23rd, 1942)
- Silva Heights (Laid down February 12th, 1943)
- Guantanamo Bay (Laid down August 3rd, 1944)
Plattsburg Class Specs
- Displacement: 65,000 tons (Full Load).
- Length: 900 feet.
- Beam: 108 feet.
- Speed: 33 knots.
- 3 Quadruple 16-inch guns.
- 10 twin 5-inch DP guns.
- 80 Bofors and 60 Orlikens.
- Main Belt: 12 inches.
- Barbettes: 18 inches.
- Turrets: 18 inches.
- Conning Tower: 16 inches.
- Deck: 4 inches.
- Bulkhead: 16 inches.
Fleet Aircraft carriers
Lexington Class
- Lexington
- Saratoga
- Ranger
Yorktown Class
- Yorktown
- Enterprise
- Wasp
- Hornet
Cherokee Class Carrier
- Cherokee (Laid down September 5th, 1936)
- Sioux (Laid down May 24th, 1937)
- Navajo (Laid down June 16th, 1939)
- Crow (Laid down June 19th, 1939)
Cherokee Class Specs
- Displacement: 30,500 tons (Full Load)
- Length: 810 feet (waterline).
- Beam: 80 feet (waterline).
- Draft: 24 feet.
- Speed: 33 knots.
- Ten 5-inch DP guns.
- 70 Bofors and 74 Orlikens.
- 2.5-4 inches of belt armor.
- Deck: 2 inches.
- Tower: 3.5 inches.
- Complement: 90 aircraft
Essex Class
- Essex
- Bon Homme Richard
- Intrepid
- Kearsarge
- Franklin
- Ticonderoga
- Randolph
- Cabot
- Bunker Hill
- Oriskany
- Hancock
- Bennington
- Boxer
Malina Bay Class (In-universe Midway class equivalent)
- Malina Bay
- Cardenas
- Manzannilo
- Nipe Bay
- Santa Catalina
- Colon
- Long Island
Europe: 1927 Through the Great Depression
With many nations on its eastern border solidifying into a defensive alliance, Germany was effectively boxed in. While the German army may have been able to press the issue, much of the German public was still too war-weary for anything beyond a quick offensive war. Foreign expeditions were considered to carve out territory in Asia, however, the Kaiser was unwilling to consider such propositions for the time being. Unless something was done about the Alliance between France and Britain, then investing in overseas colonies was an untenable position, as such could not be defended as easily, not with the threat of a blockade from the Royal Navy hanging over their head.
The Battle of the North Sea was a disaster for both sides of the conflict, and it showed how drastically the Kriegsmarine needed more vessels, quickly. Shipbuilding had continued, desperate to replace losses, while Kaiser looked Westward to the United States. By 1927, the over sixty thousand-ton Displacement battleships of the Minnesota class were under construction, and designs for even larger vessels were being drawn up. While the United States had not partaken in the conflict, the nation had undergone considerable Naval Buildup during the war. With an undamaged backbone of naval warships, even production slowing for now, the Americans were amassing a formidable navy. German designers were hard-pressed to create designs that could both be produced easily and were yet capable of challenging the American leviathans.
This crux was something Kaiser Willhelm loathed, not knowing that King George the Fifth was facing a similar dilemma. While battleship construction did slow for a year due to economic concerns, the growth of the United States Navy was a heated topic on the isles. While without allies, the Americans could never be in a position to invade, the fact that the United States could likely, at least in theory, seize Canada and cut it off from Britain was something many were concerned about.
Letting the American Navy outpace the British Navy was increasingly becoming an issue, so King George the Fifth ordered an expansion program, hoping the uptick in dockyard jobs from work orders would help offset the expenditure. It helped matters that the Battle of the North Sea as well as Jutland were fresh in the British consciousness, further driving sentiment. The N3 and G3 classes were ordered to help bolster British naval power, hoping to bring a superior battleship against the Minnesota class in terms of firepower with ultimately less Displacement.
British designers also began to push for consolidation in design philosophy, focusing on improving the Admiral class vessels, due to Hood's performance at the Battle of the North Sea. Her high speed allowed her to function with the battle cruisers, and her armor, while thinner than most modern battleships, gave her superior protection that allowed her to survive.
They called for a focus on fast battleships, which, while not as fast as Battlecruisers and the cruisers they hunted, would be capable of holding their own against enemy Battleships. This idea would be implemented later when the Great Depression brought shipbuilding in many nations in the world to a grinding halt, though many American Admirals would outright call most of these Fast Battleships "Battlecruisers", due to the similarity between the design of British Fast Battleships and American Battlecruiser forces. British Admirals, by all accounts, despite being unaware of this, frequently called American Battlecruisers 'Stateless Battleships'.
However, the British were able to split a handful of Italian Battleships captured during their interference in Italy with the French. The French Navy, however, was largely of secondary concern. With their alliance with Britain and the risk of an Austro-Hungarian or Italian fleet no longer existing, there was considerably less need for French Capital ships.
While Augustin would prefer to spend his money elsewhere, he had dreams of reviving France as an even stronger colonial power. Still, the Navy got the short end of the budget for several years, resulting in unique yet flawed designs, like the Surcouf-class of submersible cruisers. He, unlike Germany and Britain, was not worried about the United States directly, per se, but he did find their closeness to Japan concerning his ambitions, as while he believed his Navy could handle what he thought was the inferior Japanese Fleet, he could not fight both nations at the same time.
Russia remained largely isolated from European affairs during much of this period, content to have the Warsaw Pact Nations serve as a collection of buffer states, even if those buffer states looked to the Russian bear with as much distrust as they did the German wolf. Russia preferred to invest and build up its strength, though it did import ideas from other places beyond Europe. The United States was one of these, as was, more controversially during the time, Japan. Most of its military funding, which at the time, was a fraction of what had been spent under the Tzar, went into its armed forces, leaving its Navy to languish. This would be critiqued by several Admirals post-war would bemoan this move as an error.
They argued that with a larger Navy, the Russians would have been able to put up more effective resistance in the Baltic Sea. Many disagree, however, as the Russian Navy could have held up more Naval assets of the Triple Empires. The problem was that Russia wouldn't have been able to support a much larger fleet, not without losing valuable and limited dock space that would be used to hold the American-designed and built behemoths.
It had already sent two of its older Battleships into the Black Sea to free up dock space, and another into the Pacific, where it was largely relegated to shore bombardment duty throughout most of the war. However, those sent to the Black Sea would partake in Operation Blinding Storm in the war's earliest days.
Europe experienced its first bout of true tranquility from 1927 into 1929, as many nations were focused on internal factors, while members of the Warsaw Pact worked on solidifying their position.
However, this came to an end on April 13th, as a routine border patrol got out of hand, resulting in several French and German soldiers dead. Both sides blamed the other, and soon many in France and Germany began to call for blood. Agustin and Kaiser Wilhelm stared down the barrel of a gun, each praying the other would blink.
The British public, on the other hand, was far less enthusiastic about such a conflict, and some seemed willing to break the deal with France. King George the Fifth, realizing that another war, regardless of whether the British were involved or not, could shatter any pretense of European dominance over the globe, sprang into desperate action.
His activities, and the fervor in which he carried them out, are believed to have contributed to his declining health a few years later. Despite the cost to himself, King George the Fifth was able to get Wilhelm and Augstin to agree to a non-aggression pact. The Rhein Pact, as it was called, created a demilitarized zone on both sides of the border, as well as agreements between the two nations to not wage more against one another. While there were no major ways to enforce such, as Germany and France were the two largest nations outside of Russia still on mainland Europe, Britain served as what could be considered the primary enforcer.
The results of this nonaggression pact were far-reaching, though even those who were concerned the most about this agreement never realized how nightmarish it would become down the line. The Warsaw Pact lost what it had hoped would be its counterbalance to the German wolf, leaving it caught between Russia and Germany. The United States was thankful that there would not be another war, as much as it was concerned about such matters. However, Japan saw itself as a potential target of French or German aggression and prepared accordingly.
However, it was unsure whether the Rhein Pact would hold at first. Tensions remained high for several months, barely constrained.
What broke the tensions was the sudden collapse of the United States stock exchange. While the fallout was contained at first, the Depression began to spread to the rest of Europe. Soon, each nation found itself grappling with high unemployment, bread lines, and an ever-growing discontent. Many military rebuilding programs were put on pause to save money, but that ended up costing more jobs.
Inside Europe, only Russia had been mostly unaffected by the slump in the global economy, putting it in a unique diplomatic position it would have never considered itself in decades prior.
However, in Britain, many of the super battleships were canceled, as King George the Fifth fought against the Depression gripping his kingdom. However, this plus the exhaustion from acting as the mender between France and Germany left his health in a state of continuous decline, resulting in his passing on October 24th, 1934.
His death was a hammer blow to the British people, at least within Britain itself. What quickly became clear was King George the Fifth was dead. And the British Empire all the worse for his passing. Things could have gone worse, as while the King's health declined, he moved his oldest son, Prince Edward, from the line of succession.
While this could have been considered to some to be an ill omen, the move was considerably popular, as Prince Edward was a controversial figure, due to his numerous affairs with married women, behavior that was seen as unbefitting of the head of the Church of England. While Prince Edward did attempt to contest this decision, he was not a popular figure, and the majority of Britain supported the King's choice, believing that a strong king was necessary, rather than one that could be led around by a skirt.
Prince Albert, taking on the name King George the Sixth, instead took the throne. He believed that taking on the same name as his father would help him restore confidence in the Monarchy, as rumors had already begun to fly that he was unfit to bear the crown. This was largely untrue, despite Albert's speech impediment, something he worked on throughout the early days of his reign when he found the time. However, his reign had come at the passing of King George the Fifth, who had been lionized by the Monarchest into a larger-than-life figure. As such, King George the Sixth had large shoes to fill, ones that might not have been able to be fit by anyone but his father.
King George the Sixth saw an expansion of power over Britain's more independent colonies, as unrest there continued to grow. While Australia and Canada still had independence, it was becoming less and less as years went by, as Britain needed more and more resources to keep their economy afloat. While King George the Sixth was considered a compassionate ruler within Great Britain itself, much of the rest of the United Kingdom hated him. One could argue the King simply followed in the footsteps of his father when it came to dealing with Rebellions and uprisings, but it can also be noted that out of the Triple Empires, King George the Sixth was considerably the most reluctant to attack the United States. His journals reveal he believed attacking the United States would be akin to poking a giant in the eye with a stick.
Britain, despite the economic damages unleashed by the Great Depression, managed to hold firm, as did the rest of the Triple Empires. However, the same could not be said for the rest of Europe. Spain fell apart into squabbling and infighting, with Portacual, which had fallen into chaos and seized by their larger neighbor, regaining their independence.
The Augustin government worked hard to contain the economic damage from the spread of the Great Depression, both by alleviating the harm dealt to French citizens, but also by blaming foreign elements for the crisis. The fact that many of these 'foreign elements' tended to have much in common with Augustin's critics was largely ignored by the populous.
What wasn't was the lack of blame aimed towards Germany for the crisis. Rather Augustin took to blaming the Japanese, Chinese, and Americans for the suffering faced by the French people. It was very convenient that those nations were outside of the French's ability to truly punish, at least, for the time being.
It was during this period that Augustin began to lay the final parts of his plan to seize ultimate power in France. Augustin was beloved by many in France, despite the crisis, but he wanted more. He wanted to stand on not a French Republic, but a French Empire, much like Napoleon had. This appeal to the glory days enticed many in France to his cause, as he pointed across the English Channel to point out how the British had become stronger by returning to the old ways, and that it was time for France to do the same. While historians are uncertain of when this play truly began, as many of Augustin's private journals were lost during the Battle of Paris, the result was clear. By July 3rd, 1933, Augustin was crowned Emperor of France to thunderous applause. The fact that this was right before the American Day of Independence was not lost on many scholars.
Germany had a much harder time of things. Kaiser Wilhelm, who had faced both major failures in both war and the economy, was facing insurmountable unrest within the German population. By January 19th, 1931, Kaiser Wilhelm the Second stepped down, leaving the seat for his son, Crown Prince Wilhelm. Though it is believed by some that Kaiser Wilhelm the Third desired to keep his name distant from that of his father, he ultimately embraced the title, hoping to fix his father's many mistakes.
Kaiser Wilhelm the Third went on to institute several programs that were akin to FDR's New Deal, except even more ambitious and radical in scope. Germany's recovery, while taking several years, was considerably faster than many of its neighbors, but was still kept in check due to international trade being considerably less than it had been. However, the Kaiser's eyes looked eastward, as the Russian bear was beginning to regain its strength. The Depression had done little to hinder Russia's economic recovery from the Civil War and had begun to draw considerable investment from Japan, and some American firms were beginning to join as well.
Russia was beginning its rearmament program in earnest, as well as continuing to build its railway infrastructure, especially that east of the Ural Mountains. While Western Russia was more populated, Vladivostok, the largest Russian port in the east, was closer to Japan, and allowed American trade from the Pacific to reach their shores. This proved to be useful during the war, as the United States couldn't send supplies through the Atlantic Ocean, between any route taking their ships through enemy waters, as well as the various submarines hunting off the east coast during the war.
Kaiser Wilhelm also noted the Warsaw Pact that sat between Russia and Germany, though he came to a far different conclusion than that of the Russian Government. But this became of Secondary Concern as Augustin became the Emperor of France. The Kaiser had been watching developments in France closely and believed he might be able to get more than a non-aggression pact out of the newly crowned Emperor.
The revolution in Spain gave him an opportunity. Chaos broke out in December 1935. While none of the Triple Empires directly intervened militarily, they were the three closest powers to Spain, able to provide volunteers and material. While the King of Spain, Alfonso the Thirteenth was dead, his son, Don Juan, yet lived, and with combined French, German, and British backing, reclaimed the throne by June 27th, 1937. The collaboration between German, French, and British volunteers, some of whom were veterans of the Great War did much to begin mending wounds between the former enemies.
Talks began slowly. Without the diplomatic expertise of King George the Fifth, negotiations were much more tense than usual. However, by December 19th, 1939, the ink had dried on paper. This document called the London Treaty, was a mutual defense and aggression pact between the British, French, and German, after years of negotiation and planning. This agreement also doubled as a trade pact, opening up a variety of goods and resources from each nation's respective colonies. This further helped rebound the economy of the Triple Alliance.
More concerningly, it was during this period when Kaiser Wilhelm made friends with a young, Austrian politician, and many of his anti-American ideas. This, combined with Agustin and his ideas, is part of what led to the Second World War, though that was still several years away.
By 1940, the Great Depression had largely lifted from the Triple Empires, and they began to put plans into motion.
For War.
The Battle of the North Sea was a disaster for both sides of the conflict, and it showed how drastically the Kriegsmarine needed more vessels, quickly. Shipbuilding had continued, desperate to replace losses, while Kaiser looked Westward to the United States. By 1927, the over sixty thousand-ton Displacement battleships of the Minnesota class were under construction, and designs for even larger vessels were being drawn up. While the United States had not partaken in the conflict, the nation had undergone considerable Naval Buildup during the war. With an undamaged backbone of naval warships, even production slowing for now, the Americans were amassing a formidable navy. German designers were hard-pressed to create designs that could both be produced easily and were yet capable of challenging the American leviathans.
This crux was something Kaiser Willhelm loathed, not knowing that King George the Fifth was facing a similar dilemma. While battleship construction did slow for a year due to economic concerns, the growth of the United States Navy was a heated topic on the isles. While without allies, the Americans could never be in a position to invade, the fact that the United States could likely, at least in theory, seize Canada and cut it off from Britain was something many were concerned about.
Letting the American Navy outpace the British Navy was increasingly becoming an issue, so King George the Fifth ordered an expansion program, hoping the uptick in dockyard jobs from work orders would help offset the expenditure. It helped matters that the Battle of the North Sea as well as Jutland were fresh in the British consciousness, further driving sentiment. The N3 and G3 classes were ordered to help bolster British naval power, hoping to bring a superior battleship against the Minnesota class in terms of firepower with ultimately less Displacement.
British designers also began to push for consolidation in design philosophy, focusing on improving the Admiral class vessels, due to Hood's performance at the Battle of the North Sea. Her high speed allowed her to function with the battle cruisers, and her armor, while thinner than most modern battleships, gave her superior protection that allowed her to survive.
They called for a focus on fast battleships, which, while not as fast as Battlecruisers and the cruisers they hunted, would be capable of holding their own against enemy Battleships. This idea would be implemented later when the Great Depression brought shipbuilding in many nations in the world to a grinding halt, though many American Admirals would outright call most of these Fast Battleships "Battlecruisers", due to the similarity between the design of British Fast Battleships and American Battlecruiser forces. British Admirals, by all accounts, despite being unaware of this, frequently called American Battlecruisers 'Stateless Battleships'.
However, the British were able to split a handful of Italian Battleships captured during their interference in Italy with the French. The French Navy, however, was largely of secondary concern. With their alliance with Britain and the risk of an Austro-Hungarian or Italian fleet no longer existing, there was considerably less need for French Capital ships.
While Augustin would prefer to spend his money elsewhere, he had dreams of reviving France as an even stronger colonial power. Still, the Navy got the short end of the budget for several years, resulting in unique yet flawed designs, like the Surcouf-class of submersible cruisers. He, unlike Germany and Britain, was not worried about the United States directly, per se, but he did find their closeness to Japan concerning his ambitions, as while he believed his Navy could handle what he thought was the inferior Japanese Fleet, he could not fight both nations at the same time.
Russia remained largely isolated from European affairs during much of this period, content to have the Warsaw Pact Nations serve as a collection of buffer states, even if those buffer states looked to the Russian bear with as much distrust as they did the German wolf. Russia preferred to invest and build up its strength, though it did import ideas from other places beyond Europe. The United States was one of these, as was, more controversially during the time, Japan. Most of its military funding, which at the time, was a fraction of what had been spent under the Tzar, went into its armed forces, leaving its Navy to languish. This would be critiqued by several Admirals post-war would bemoan this move as an error.
They argued that with a larger Navy, the Russians would have been able to put up more effective resistance in the Baltic Sea. Many disagree, however, as the Russian Navy could have held up more Naval assets of the Triple Empires. The problem was that Russia wouldn't have been able to support a much larger fleet, not without losing valuable and limited dock space that would be used to hold the American-designed and built behemoths.
It had already sent two of its older Battleships into the Black Sea to free up dock space, and another into the Pacific, where it was largely relegated to shore bombardment duty throughout most of the war. However, those sent to the Black Sea would partake in Operation Blinding Storm in the war's earliest days.
Europe experienced its first bout of true tranquility from 1927 into 1929, as many nations were focused on internal factors, while members of the Warsaw Pact worked on solidifying their position.
However, this came to an end on April 13th, as a routine border patrol got out of hand, resulting in several French and German soldiers dead. Both sides blamed the other, and soon many in France and Germany began to call for blood. Agustin and Kaiser Wilhelm stared down the barrel of a gun, each praying the other would blink.
The British public, on the other hand, was far less enthusiastic about such a conflict, and some seemed willing to break the deal with France. King George the Fifth, realizing that another war, regardless of whether the British were involved or not, could shatter any pretense of European dominance over the globe, sprang into desperate action.
His activities, and the fervor in which he carried them out, are believed to have contributed to his declining health a few years later. Despite the cost to himself, King George the Fifth was able to get Wilhelm and Augstin to agree to a non-aggression pact. The Rhein Pact, as it was called, created a demilitarized zone on both sides of the border, as well as agreements between the two nations to not wage more against one another. While there were no major ways to enforce such, as Germany and France were the two largest nations outside of Russia still on mainland Europe, Britain served as what could be considered the primary enforcer.
The results of this nonaggression pact were far-reaching, though even those who were concerned the most about this agreement never realized how nightmarish it would become down the line. The Warsaw Pact lost what it had hoped would be its counterbalance to the German wolf, leaving it caught between Russia and Germany. The United States was thankful that there would not be another war, as much as it was concerned about such matters. However, Japan saw itself as a potential target of French or German aggression and prepared accordingly.
However, it was unsure whether the Rhein Pact would hold at first. Tensions remained high for several months, barely constrained.
What broke the tensions was the sudden collapse of the United States stock exchange. While the fallout was contained at first, the Depression began to spread to the rest of Europe. Soon, each nation found itself grappling with high unemployment, bread lines, and an ever-growing discontent. Many military rebuilding programs were put on pause to save money, but that ended up costing more jobs.
Inside Europe, only Russia had been mostly unaffected by the slump in the global economy, putting it in a unique diplomatic position it would have never considered itself in decades prior.
However, in Britain, many of the super battleships were canceled, as King George the Fifth fought against the Depression gripping his kingdom. However, this plus the exhaustion from acting as the mender between France and Germany left his health in a state of continuous decline, resulting in his passing on October 24th, 1934.
His death was a hammer blow to the British people, at least within Britain itself. What quickly became clear was King George the Fifth was dead. And the British Empire all the worse for his passing. Things could have gone worse, as while the King's health declined, he moved his oldest son, Prince Edward, from the line of succession.
While this could have been considered to some to be an ill omen, the move was considerably popular, as Prince Edward was a controversial figure, due to his numerous affairs with married women, behavior that was seen as unbefitting of the head of the Church of England. While Prince Edward did attempt to contest this decision, he was not a popular figure, and the majority of Britain supported the King's choice, believing that a strong king was necessary, rather than one that could be led around by a skirt.
Prince Albert, taking on the name King George the Sixth, instead took the throne. He believed that taking on the same name as his father would help him restore confidence in the Monarchy, as rumors had already begun to fly that he was unfit to bear the crown. This was largely untrue, despite Albert's speech impediment, something he worked on throughout the early days of his reign when he found the time. However, his reign had come at the passing of King George the Fifth, who had been lionized by the Monarchest into a larger-than-life figure. As such, King George the Sixth had large shoes to fill, ones that might not have been able to be fit by anyone but his father.
King George the Sixth saw an expansion of power over Britain's more independent colonies, as unrest there continued to grow. While Australia and Canada still had independence, it was becoming less and less as years went by, as Britain needed more and more resources to keep their economy afloat. While King George the Sixth was considered a compassionate ruler within Great Britain itself, much of the rest of the United Kingdom hated him. One could argue the King simply followed in the footsteps of his father when it came to dealing with Rebellions and uprisings, but it can also be noted that out of the Triple Empires, King George the Sixth was considerably the most reluctant to attack the United States. His journals reveal he believed attacking the United States would be akin to poking a giant in the eye with a stick.
Britain, despite the economic damages unleashed by the Great Depression, managed to hold firm, as did the rest of the Triple Empires. However, the same could not be said for the rest of Europe. Spain fell apart into squabbling and infighting, with Portacual, which had fallen into chaos and seized by their larger neighbor, regaining their independence.
The Augustin government worked hard to contain the economic damage from the spread of the Great Depression, both by alleviating the harm dealt to French citizens, but also by blaming foreign elements for the crisis. The fact that many of these 'foreign elements' tended to have much in common with Augustin's critics was largely ignored by the populous.
What wasn't was the lack of blame aimed towards Germany for the crisis. Rather Augustin took to blaming the Japanese, Chinese, and Americans for the suffering faced by the French people. It was very convenient that those nations were outside of the French's ability to truly punish, at least, for the time being.
It was during this period that Augustin began to lay the final parts of his plan to seize ultimate power in France. Augustin was beloved by many in France, despite the crisis, but he wanted more. He wanted to stand on not a French Republic, but a French Empire, much like Napoleon had. This appeal to the glory days enticed many in France to his cause, as he pointed across the English Channel to point out how the British had become stronger by returning to the old ways, and that it was time for France to do the same. While historians are uncertain of when this play truly began, as many of Augustin's private journals were lost during the Battle of Paris, the result was clear. By July 3rd, 1933, Augustin was crowned Emperor of France to thunderous applause. The fact that this was right before the American Day of Independence was not lost on many scholars.
Germany had a much harder time of things. Kaiser Wilhelm, who had faced both major failures in both war and the economy, was facing insurmountable unrest within the German population. By January 19th, 1931, Kaiser Wilhelm the Second stepped down, leaving the seat for his son, Crown Prince Wilhelm. Though it is believed by some that Kaiser Wilhelm the Third desired to keep his name distant from that of his father, he ultimately embraced the title, hoping to fix his father's many mistakes.
Kaiser Wilhelm the Third went on to institute several programs that were akin to FDR's New Deal, except even more ambitious and radical in scope. Germany's recovery, while taking several years, was considerably faster than many of its neighbors, but was still kept in check due to international trade being considerably less than it had been. However, the Kaiser's eyes looked eastward, as the Russian bear was beginning to regain its strength. The Depression had done little to hinder Russia's economic recovery from the Civil War and had begun to draw considerable investment from Japan, and some American firms were beginning to join as well.
Russia was beginning its rearmament program in earnest, as well as continuing to build its railway infrastructure, especially that east of the Ural Mountains. While Western Russia was more populated, Vladivostok, the largest Russian port in the east, was closer to Japan, and allowed American trade from the Pacific to reach their shores. This proved to be useful during the war, as the United States couldn't send supplies through the Atlantic Ocean, between any route taking their ships through enemy waters, as well as the various submarines hunting off the east coast during the war.
Kaiser Wilhelm also noted the Warsaw Pact that sat between Russia and Germany, though he came to a far different conclusion than that of the Russian Government. But this became of Secondary Concern as Augustin became the Emperor of France. The Kaiser had been watching developments in France closely and believed he might be able to get more than a non-aggression pact out of the newly crowned Emperor.
The revolution in Spain gave him an opportunity. Chaos broke out in December 1935. While none of the Triple Empires directly intervened militarily, they were the three closest powers to Spain, able to provide volunteers and material. While the King of Spain, Alfonso the Thirteenth was dead, his son, Don Juan, yet lived, and with combined French, German, and British backing, reclaimed the throne by June 27th, 1937. The collaboration between German, French, and British volunteers, some of whom were veterans of the Great War did much to begin mending wounds between the former enemies.
Talks began slowly. Without the diplomatic expertise of King George the Fifth, negotiations were much more tense than usual. However, by December 19th, 1939, the ink had dried on paper. This document called the London Treaty, was a mutual defense and aggression pact between the British, French, and German, after years of negotiation and planning. This agreement also doubled as a trade pact, opening up a variety of goods and resources from each nation's respective colonies. This further helped rebound the economy of the Triple Alliance.
More concerningly, it was during this period when Kaiser Wilhelm made friends with a young, Austrian politician, and many of his anti-American ideas. This, combined with Agustin and his ideas, is part of what led to the Second World War, though that was still several years away.
By 1940, the Great Depression had largely lifted from the Triple Empires, and they began to put plans into motion.
For War.
The United States: Post World War 1 Through the Great
After the World War, the United States began to enter an isolationist phase. While the alliance with Japan was well maintained, the United States did not care much for the outside world. While some were concerned about Europe's growing instability, most saw the conflicts that began to stir up as not their concern. After all, they sat out the Great War just fine. And besides, with the next two largest navies in the world having torn themselves to pieces, surely the American Navy was more than up to the task of keeping out European aggression.
Things seemed fairly fine throughout most of the twenties. The economy was booming, and the times were good. But running beneath the surface were cracks, ever-growing behind the shroud of opulence. The cracks began to become apparent in March of 1930. The stock market entered free fall on April 19th, sending the United States economy, and that of most of the rest of the world into a downward spiral. While the Hoover administration did some degree of damage control, it was far too little, far too late.
Such a phrase could be used to describe much of Hoover's efforts. Much too little, much too late. Thus, during the next election, Franklin Delenore Roosevelt became one of the scant few Democrats to be elected into the High Office since the Civil War. As Theodore Roosevelt's cousin, FDR, as he became known, worked to soothe the public's anxiety and fears over the Great Depression. Unlike how some had feared, he very much looked down on those handful still holding onto the old ideas of the South stubbornly, preferring to lift up Americans as a whole.
However, the road out of the Great Depression was far from an easy one. Roosevelt turned to many public works programs to help stimulate the economy. While the United States did slowly begin to get back up off its feet, even FDR's best efforts were only chipping away at the issue. However, the improvements were more than enough to allow him to cruise to re-election in 1936.
The Depression began to loosen, slowly but surely, but elsewhere, the Depression was beginning to break. It still clung to the gears of American society, stubbornly refusing to leave. At the same time, things improved for the average American, things looked concerning, as Roosevelt had chosen to run for a third term, an unprecedented event in United States history. This caused a considerable amount of concern among many voters.
Despite this, Roosevelt cruised through re-election, in part due to his strong condemnation of Prince George the Sixth due to both the increasing influence of the British Crown over Canada and a border incident on June 10th, 1939.
Even while in the throws of the Depression, tensions between the United States and the British Empire had only grown, and relationships had been heated ever since King George the Fifth dissolved Parliament. While these tensions never reached boiling point, Great Britain was the only European power that could truly attack the continental United States. This border crossing caused a considerable scare among the American public.
While war was averted for the time being, the effects it had on the American people were felt immediately. Ground was broken for numerous military factories across the nation, as well as numerous new ships being ordered and beginning construction at a rapid rate. While construction did slow somewhat after the immediate threat of war had passed, Roosevelt was abundantly clear about what state the American military was in. The last major conflict the United States had engaged in was the Spanish-American War, and it showed.
The rising anti-American sentiment in Europe and Britain's alliance with France and Germany proved to be the final straw. While the United States had an ally in Japan, the odds of them being able to get to the East Coast to be able to fight in the Atlantic were slim to none. Not only did the United States need time to rearm its military, it also needed more allies.
However, most of Europe was either too small to matter or part of the Warsaw Pact, which FDR considered somewhat dubious in how much resistance the Alliance could provide against France and Germany, no matter how brave its fighters could be. While it was without much doubt that the Warsaw Pact would likely be attacked in the future, it was less about the Warsaw Pact itself, and what lay beyond.
Despite the rising anti-American sentiment in Europe, Germany and France did not try to hide their thoughts about the Russian Republic, nor did Russia itself forget World War One, or the British stealing away the Russian Royal Family before they could be tried for their crimes. It would likely be a matter of time before the Russian Republic was at war itself.
The increased military spending and the threat of another 'invasion' of the United States was the shot in the arm the country sorely needed. At the same time, FDR reached out to Japan, asking for what their thoughts would be about expanding their alliance to more powers. The Prime Minister leapt at the chance, though both had very different ideas one which nation to bring into the fold.
Intense back and forth followed, especially when both nations' legislative branches were kept informed of what was going on. Japan wanted to add China to the alliance. While relationships between the two countries had been tense, and had been for centuries at best, but relationships were cooling over the past few years, as Japan saw European holdings on Chinese cities and land as a threat to their national security.
Meanwhile, America sought to include the Russian Republic in the Alliance. FDR considered having a land ally in Europe to be of critical importance to any war that would break out from what he called the 'Three Empires'.
The Russian and Chinese governments jumped at the offer. While relationships with the United States had cooled since the revolution, bonds between the two nations were being rebuilt already, and China had been a nation that had drawn the United States attention for some time. While the Chinese government didn't like that they would have to wait to reclaim their lost holdings, they were also very much convinced that the war would eventually come.
Trade relationships also bloomed, with Vladivostok gaining more railway lines, this time aiming south into China, to allow goods to flow from Western Russia to China. The inclusion of China and Russia into what was now called the Pacific Pact, allowed for the ordering of several warships, including, most notably, the Арктический-class by Russia, as well as a modified Alaska-class large cruiser to serve as the flagship of the Chinese Navy.
The new treaty passed through Congress, though ultimately by thin margins. Many critics of the deal made war all the more likely, pointing out the web of alliances that ultimately started off the Great War. However, records show this couldn't be further from the truth. The addition of the Russian Republic bought the United States much-needed time. Germany, Britain, and France saw the recovery being brought on by the United States rearmament program and had initially planned to nip the problem before it got out of hand.
However, the inclusion of the Russian Republic into the Pacific Pact disrupted war plans. Initially, they wanted to attack Russia after defeating the United States. While Kaiser Wilhelm wanted to attack anyway, it was Augustin who urged caution, pointing out that while Germany had beaten Russia during the last war, it had come at no small cost. And even if the Russian army didn't stop them, there was still the Russian Winter, the real reason why Nepleon lost, to worry about.
While some argue this was a mistake, allowing the Democratic powers to build up strong militaries and defenses, it's hard to imagine Augustin's caution about underestimating Russia, if only its geography and brutal winters, to be wrong either.
By 1941, unemployment had dropped considerably, and the future looked bright. However, storm clouds loomed on the horizon, and unease ate at the populous. The Great Depression was beginning to end, but every end brought a beginning.
Things seemed fairly fine throughout most of the twenties. The economy was booming, and the times were good. But running beneath the surface were cracks, ever-growing behind the shroud of opulence. The cracks began to become apparent in March of 1930. The stock market entered free fall on April 19th, sending the United States economy, and that of most of the rest of the world into a downward spiral. While the Hoover administration did some degree of damage control, it was far too little, far too late.
Such a phrase could be used to describe much of Hoover's efforts. Much too little, much too late. Thus, during the next election, Franklin Delenore Roosevelt became one of the scant few Democrats to be elected into the High Office since the Civil War. As Theodore Roosevelt's cousin, FDR, as he became known, worked to soothe the public's anxiety and fears over the Great Depression. Unlike how some had feared, he very much looked down on those handful still holding onto the old ideas of the South stubbornly, preferring to lift up Americans as a whole.
However, the road out of the Great Depression was far from an easy one. Roosevelt turned to many public works programs to help stimulate the economy. While the United States did slowly begin to get back up off its feet, even FDR's best efforts were only chipping away at the issue. However, the improvements were more than enough to allow him to cruise to re-election in 1936.
The Depression began to loosen, slowly but surely, but elsewhere, the Depression was beginning to break. It still clung to the gears of American society, stubbornly refusing to leave. At the same time, things improved for the average American, things looked concerning, as Roosevelt had chosen to run for a third term, an unprecedented event in United States history. This caused a considerable amount of concern among many voters.
Despite this, Roosevelt cruised through re-election, in part due to his strong condemnation of Prince George the Sixth due to both the increasing influence of the British Crown over Canada and a border incident on June 10th, 1939.
Even while in the throws of the Depression, tensions between the United States and the British Empire had only grown, and relationships had been heated ever since King George the Fifth dissolved Parliament. While these tensions never reached boiling point, Great Britain was the only European power that could truly attack the continental United States. This border crossing caused a considerable scare among the American public.
While war was averted for the time being, the effects it had on the American people were felt immediately. Ground was broken for numerous military factories across the nation, as well as numerous new ships being ordered and beginning construction at a rapid rate. While construction did slow somewhat after the immediate threat of war had passed, Roosevelt was abundantly clear about what state the American military was in. The last major conflict the United States had engaged in was the Spanish-American War, and it showed.
The rising anti-American sentiment in Europe and Britain's alliance with France and Germany proved to be the final straw. While the United States had an ally in Japan, the odds of them being able to get to the East Coast to be able to fight in the Atlantic were slim to none. Not only did the United States need time to rearm its military, it also needed more allies.
However, most of Europe was either too small to matter or part of the Warsaw Pact, which FDR considered somewhat dubious in how much resistance the Alliance could provide against France and Germany, no matter how brave its fighters could be. While it was without much doubt that the Warsaw Pact would likely be attacked in the future, it was less about the Warsaw Pact itself, and what lay beyond.
Despite the rising anti-American sentiment in Europe, Germany and France did not try to hide their thoughts about the Russian Republic, nor did Russia itself forget World War One, or the British stealing away the Russian Royal Family before they could be tried for their crimes. It would likely be a matter of time before the Russian Republic was at war itself.
The increased military spending and the threat of another 'invasion' of the United States was the shot in the arm the country sorely needed. At the same time, FDR reached out to Japan, asking for what their thoughts would be about expanding their alliance to more powers. The Prime Minister leapt at the chance, though both had very different ideas one which nation to bring into the fold.
Intense back and forth followed, especially when both nations' legislative branches were kept informed of what was going on. Japan wanted to add China to the alliance. While relationships between the two countries had been tense, and had been for centuries at best, but relationships were cooling over the past few years, as Japan saw European holdings on Chinese cities and land as a threat to their national security.
Meanwhile, America sought to include the Russian Republic in the Alliance. FDR considered having a land ally in Europe to be of critical importance to any war that would break out from what he called the 'Three Empires'.
The Russian and Chinese governments jumped at the offer. While relationships with the United States had cooled since the revolution, bonds between the two nations were being rebuilt already, and China had been a nation that had drawn the United States attention for some time. While the Chinese government didn't like that they would have to wait to reclaim their lost holdings, they were also very much convinced that the war would eventually come.
Trade relationships also bloomed, with Vladivostok gaining more railway lines, this time aiming south into China, to allow goods to flow from Western Russia to China. The inclusion of China and Russia into what was now called the Pacific Pact, allowed for the ordering of several warships, including, most notably, the Арктический-class by Russia, as well as a modified Alaska-class large cruiser to serve as the flagship of the Chinese Navy.
The new treaty passed through Congress, though ultimately by thin margins. Many critics of the deal made war all the more likely, pointing out the web of alliances that ultimately started off the Great War. However, records show this couldn't be further from the truth. The addition of the Russian Republic bought the United States much-needed time. Germany, Britain, and France saw the recovery being brought on by the United States rearmament program and had initially planned to nip the problem before it got out of hand.
However, the inclusion of the Russian Republic into the Pacific Pact disrupted war plans. Initially, they wanted to attack Russia after defeating the United States. While Kaiser Wilhelm wanted to attack anyway, it was Augustin who urged caution, pointing out that while Germany had beaten Russia during the last war, it had come at no small cost. And even if the Russian army didn't stop them, there was still the Russian Winter, the real reason why Nepleon lost, to worry about.
While some argue this was a mistake, allowing the Democratic powers to build up strong militaries and defenses, it's hard to imagine Augustin's caution about underestimating Russia, if only its geography and brutal winters, to be wrong either.
By 1941, unemployment had dropped considerably, and the future looked bright. However, storm clouds loomed on the horizon, and unease ate at the populous. The Great Depression was beginning to end, but every end brought a beginning.