Blackened Skies

THE AMERICAS​

Imperial government in Brazil forced to evacuate city as garrison rises for socialists; Imperial forces collapse in field, Colombia and America fight on against Brazilian revolutionaries

The Brazilian civil war, until now a dead slog, finally took a dramatic turn when Belem, the current seat of the Imperial government, experienced the conflagration of sudden revolution. The local garrison’s general declared his allegiance to the socialists, but despite his best efforts he and his men were not able to overcome the Emperor’s bodyguard. They escaped as fighting broke out in the city between the loyalists and the new turncoats. The American response was quick, but not quick enough as only days later Sao Luis became the target of a major socialist offensive that utilized both air power and ground movements to overwhelm the defenses. All across Brazil, news of the fall of Belem and the loss of Sao Luis ran through the Imperial ranks like wildfire, resulting in mass desertions. Although a few loyal soldiers remain, many have gone to join with the Colombian and American expeditions. The Americans managed to re-take Sao Luis following a major marine counter-attack, and have been establishing enclaves throughout northern Brazil out of imperial loyalists and their increasing force commitment. Despite the apparent fall of the Imperial government, the American presence is unmistakable and the highly professional and effective American forces have proved extremely difficult to dislodge by Brazilian revolutionaries. While the DRB continues to move westwards and consolidate chaotic territory, America’s presence on the continent grows stronger and stronger.

[Casualties-
Imperial Brazil lost 29 Reserve Divisions. Imperial Brazil lost 1 Autocar Divisions. Imperial Brazil lost 2 Lt-Armor Divisions.
Imperial Brazil lost 2 Md-Armor Divisions.
Imperial Brazil total casualties: 294,037.

Colombia lost 2 Reserve Divisions.
Colombia total casualties: 23,561.

USA lost 3 Reserve Divisions.
USA total casualties: 39,455.

DRB lost 35 Reserve Divisions. DRB lost 3 Reserve Divisions. DRB lost 2 Autocar Divisions. DRB lost 3 Lt-Armor Divisions. DRB lost 2 Md-Armor Divisions. DRB lost 1 Biplane Squadrons. DRB lost 1 Monoplane Squadrons. DRB lost 2 Reserve Divisions.
DRB total casualties: 411,732]

Bolivia deploys new weapons of war against Argentina - tables turned in Bolivia’s favor?

This year the Bolivia war evolved into something more new and more terrible than wars yet, as both sides opted to deploy what had been mostly considered to be experimental gas weaponry. While gas weaponry gained notoriety for its limited usage in the Franco-Germanic War, it was never deployed for widespread use until now. Argentina moved quickly to engage Sucre, being sure to blockade incoming roads as part of an effort to starve the city, and began the Siege of Sucre with a vicious gas attack that promised to saturate the entire city with mustard gas. But as the Argentinians prepared for their offensive, they discovered - to their horror - that the Bolivians had their own tricks. The Bolivians counter-attacked with their own deadly chemical cocktail, the exact nature of which this reporter cannot ascertain; the chemical agent released by the Bolivian shelling was monstrously disastrous for the coalition lines, as the gas seems to cause suffocation and death within seconds of exposure. Argentine troops, despite being equipped with gas masks, were not prepared to use them following a Bolivian shelling, whereas the Bolivians were equipped with gas masks and full-body suits.

The Siege of Sucre was broken in short order as Bolivia went on the offensive, using its chemical weapons liberally and gaining serious ground, aided tremendously as well by new American tanks. The Bolivian offensive allowed them to secure the heartland and make headway into Paraguay while Coalition forces scrambled to react to Bolivia’s dangerous new weapon. The Emperor of Bolivia, still comfortably seated on his golden throne in Sucre, was heard to comment that “It is now only a matter of time,” while eating succulent fruits and being told of the enemy death toll.

[Bolivia lost 11 Reserve Divisions.
Bolivia lost 1 Md-Armor Divisions.
Bolivia total casualties: 120,872.

Argentina lost 1 Reserve Divisions.
Argentina total casualties: 15,956.

Chile lost 9 Reserve Divisions.
Chile total casualties: 98,273.]

Mass arrests, unpaid taxes, in Tidewater escalates showdown between Wayne, Hamill
Savannah, United States of America

In just the latest of clashes with the Federal government, a controversial new pattern of arrests has hit the Great State of Tidewater, specifically targeting its non-white residents. Two pieces of legislation have recently passed in Tidewater due to the “state of war” that the United States finds itself in. The first is the Emergency War Powers Act, which declares that sympathy or support for socialism is a crime that is punishable by arrest and imprisonment without trial. The second is the Prison Labor Act, which in essence allows the state to sell the labor of prisoners to companies or businesses related to the war effort for a fraction of the cost.

The reality of these laws saw many Blacks, seeking to leave Tidewater for higher paying wages elsewhere, branded as socialist and arrested, forcing many to try to cross the border secretly. In a dramatic escalation though, Governor Hamill has branded entire towns or city sections, which happen to be Black areas, as socialist hotbeds, and the Tidewater State Troopers have arrested and imprisoned them.

Outrage from Progressives and from the Wayne administration has been fierce, with Tidewater loudly threatening to leave the Union if any action is taken to “stop Tidewater from destroying the forces of socialist anarchism”. As a further escalation, Hamill has not allowed Federal taxes to be collected, nor have any Tidewater military units reported for combat operations in Mexico or Brazil.

Behind the scenes, Hamill and Wayne have been in a back and forth with the Democratic Party Leadership to expel the other, leaving the party in a difficult decision. While Wayne has been the traditional favorite of the leadership, his recent actions against the trusts and other large business interests that back the Democrats have put the leadership in an awkward situation. Meanwhile, Hamill has been assiduously courting US Steel and other major trusts, and though his reactionary politics is generally frightening to most business leaders, many see him as a potential check against Wayne.

That being said though, with Wayne’s poll numbers continuing to rise among farmers and workers, some Democrat party bosses wonder if it would be possible to win without Wayne, while others feel that a loss with a “true Democrat” would be preferable than keeping Wayne. It seems that the 1936 convention may become more interesting than initially thought.

Republican Party officially dissolves
Monroe, United States of America

After continuing to lose ground to both the Democrats and the Progressives, Republican party leaders have officially thrown in the towel. Speaking at the site of where the party was first born, Republican leaders announced the end of the party. Citing the disaster that was the 1932 election, and the eroding of party support to Democrats and Progressives, the Republican Party elders felt the party no longer had a place in US politics. Speaking with a handful of supporters, former Republican senator Frank Castle, an outspoken critic of foreign wars, gave perhaps the greatest speech in the Republican Party’s history.

“When this party was first founded, it was in protest to the evils of this country. It was a protest against slavery, it was a protest against destructive trade policies, it was a protest against the distinctly undemocratic nature of the Democratic Party. Unfortunately, we Republicans were unable to break their stranglehold on the White House; at best we were able to protect some of the Great States we governed from the worst of the Democratic Party’s ideals.

I, and many others, stood up to protect the workers and small business owners against the Democrats. I stood for the countless workers who lost their jobs from destructive foreign competition. I fought for the brave men who risked everything to create a business, only to watch the trusts put his world to flames.

Were we on the wrong side at times? Perhaps. I look back over my career and think if things were done differently, perhaps we would be in the White House, or at the very least still fighting. But what is done is done. Where we have failed, I can only hope the Progressives succeed.

To the American people, I have three messages for you. The first, is a thank you, for giving us your blood, sweat, and tears, whether it be by volunteering, donating, or voting The second is a warning, Over the past two years, President Wayne has enacted a great amount of new laws. Some of them, I agree with. But know this: the mask may have changed, but the same monster is beneath it. The Democrats have no policy but power, and they will stop at nothing to retain it. You may hear what Wayne says, and think that he is a man who can get things done. True or not, the only thing Wayne and the Democrats believe in is retraining power. So long as the Democrats are in power, the people will not have the final say. The great plantation owners and the generals and the captains of industry will always have a voice louder than the people. Their concessions are just that: concessions to keep the people cowed and to keep them in power.

This nation was founded on a principle: that the people would rule this nation, not some backroom group of aristocrats who inherited their wealth and power. While you may not agree with everything they say, only the Progressives have the ability to bring back this founding principle, this grand ideal. I warn you, if you continue to elect these Democrats, only the name of your slavery will change.

The third is an apology. We failed you. And I will take that failure with me to the day that I die, wishing that I could have reversed this sad state a generation ago.

Good night. May the Republican Party find peace in its rest. And God Bless the United States of America.”

As the Republicans dissolve, many are divided in their response to Castle’s call to arms, with the different members of the Republican coalition finding new homes in the remaining parties. Many of the smaller scale factory and business owners are finding a new home in the Democratic Party. The more liberal members have joined fully with the Progressives, as have the peace wing of the Republicans, but a good chunk, particularly those with more racially charged views, have found a home in the rapidly rising New America Party.

Rise of the New America Party threatens Democratic majority
Atlanta, United States of America

While Wayne has record high popularity members across wide swathes of the electorate, a group of hardcore disenchanted Democrats have charted a course to crash the 1936 election. The New America Party holds fascist tendencies, with a platform that includes support for both farmers and workers, but also to reverse the recent gains made by Asians and Blacks under Wayne. A major aspect of the platform also includes the support for the trusts to reestablish themselves in a “New America”.

The party is a brainchild of two men, frustrated by Wayne’s recent policies. Jonathan Krane, a renowned psychologist and professor, has created stunning propaganda pieces that overshadow the government’s pro war posters. Dixon Dorrance, the second of the dynamic duo, is a former Secret Service agent and mercenary who developed a brutal reputation in Caribbean and Latin America. With a core of ex-mercenaries and Secret Service agents, Dorrance has created a militant wing of the party called “The Bluecoats” in a model similar to the Black and Tans. Though the force is small for now, there are chapters popping up in a variety of states.

The New America Party at this point is quickly preparing for the 1936 elections, hoping to score defections from both Republicans and Democrats, even targeting sitting governors. Keith Hamil has shown to be warm to the thought of running on the New America ticket if the Democrat continue with Wayne, though Governor Aaron Dent of Franklin is also a potential target too. The New America Party feels that Tidewater, Louisiana, Allegheny, Franklin, New Caledonia, and Texas could all be receptive to the New America Party, and they feel that even if they cannot win a majority they could capture a plurality of states in 1936.

Progressives mixed in response to Wayne
Madison, United States of America

The Progressive Governors’ Association had an interesting annual meeting, this year held in Madison, in regards to President Wayne’s recent actions, as the party as a whole felt torn by the past year. After a narrow loss in the 1932 elections, Progressive senators have been key allies for Wayne, helping pass legislation to break trusts, raise the minimum wage, and establish pensions for old age and unemployment. However, many were frustrated that the administration insisted that Black Americans would be excluded from the minimum wage laws, and were outraged about the mobilization for war against the Democratic Republic of Brazil. Waylon Jones, the eloquent governor of the Great State of Rushmore, has denounced the US mobilization efforts, and the PGA passed a resolution declaring that their states would resist any attempts by the Federal government to expand their power over the states in this time of “war”.

The Progressives did not just denounce the Wayne administration though, as many wanted the conference to have a positive message still. The PGA agreed overwhelmingly that they would make efforts to ensure that women would have access to voting rights in the states they governed by 1936, a feat most of them achieved by the end of 1934.

Overall though, while the Progressive Party still remains hostile to the Democrats, it was agreed that senators should still assist legislation that would advance Progressive Party values. Many feel that with the official collapse of the Republican Party, as well as the potential split in the Democratic Party, 1936 could be the year the Progressives capture the White House.

Mexico forms and shatters: Government for National Unity faces off with Communist Party and the Mexican Anarchist Polities
Mexico City, Empire of Mexico

As part of an arrangement struck between the former feuding states of the Empire of Mexico, Sonora, Veracruz, and Oaxaca, the Government for National Unity was announced, promising an end - of sorts - to the Mexican civil war.

This is how newspapers in America explained the situation. The truth, of course, is far more complex: it was overwhelmingly obvious to many Mexicans the extent of foreign influences in manipulating Mexico’s destiny, a point of contention among the Oaxaca given the USCA’s involvement - and, more still, a point of contention among all who came to resent more and more the hand of America in Mexican affairs. And so, when the GNU was announced, many Mexicans saw the hand of the hated enemy - but many more had grown tired of war.

Among those tired of war were the Oaxacans who had acceded to the GNU, a popular move among very little - the remainder of the Oaxacan forces, led by several disgruntled officers in the field, struck relations with the Commune and announced their Communist Party: an organization devoted to caring for the people even if the GNU won’t, and which has, so far, been cold if not hostile to the GNU’s authority.

But even more fearsome than the Mexican Communist Party are the Mexican Anarchist Polities, formerly known as the Raiders of Zacatecas, a union of sovereign free-folk. General Ignacio, the legendary figure, took his entourage and retreated from Zacatecas to the hills of central Mexico, where he and his army evaded the pursuing fingers of the Americans. For many months, Ignacio’s army wandered Mexico, preaching to villages and the people of the iniquity of the Mexican Empire and the importance of unity for the sake of everyone’s sacred freedom. A gifted orator, Ignacio has turned what appeared to be a devastating coup for the Empire into an ideological crusade against all that the Empire and its benefactors stand for. Although no major confrontation has yet resulted and Ignacio’s army is frustratingly elusive with locals providing no help to Imperial or American authorities, Ignacio’s reputation has spread like wildfire as, all over Mexico, they say “As long as Ignacio lives, we have hope.”

The 11 o’ clock to Belvaros roared into the terminal, clanking and shuttering and heavy with smoke. The conductor held a damp rag up to his mouth as he peered out at the platform and the smoke curled around. Some folks were coughing, on account of the smoke.

He peered back into the cabin, and the first man was already standing. “Belvaros,” shouted the conductor over the shoulders of the first man. At this point, he would have said “Vaci utca, St. Michael’s,” but now he didn’t bother and went straight to “Next stop: Erzebetvaros.”

The first man went by him and became the focus of this narrative. His name was Michael Stim and he was not cut from the same exact cloth as most of the people clogging the platform, a fact that made him pick up his pace. It was not that he looked down on any of them for any particular reason, but what separated them from him made him very nervous.

There were two things, mainly, that made him different from them. The first was that he was a German and they were Hungarian. Starving, huddled Hungarians waiting to either go to the countryside or take in relatives from the countryside. That was the sacred problem of living in the city: when you wanted to see anyone again, everyone always went to the same place. The train station. Even now, more than half of those huddled here were turning their heads up to watch the people exit the train. Michael picked up the pace again, not wanting to linger too long in a place where hope died so often.

The second reason - you might think the second reason was class. But Michael Stim did not believe in class; and not that that exonerated him of any class-based prejudices by itself, but he had dedicated his life to eliminating class from the face of the earth, so we can probably give him a pass on that account. But in fact, Michael Stim had no class, for he was a man outside of society. Such men have little need for class, and, truth be told, it hardly ever applies to them.

The actual second reason was that he was in Budapest on a mission. Nobody in that train station - the warm evening air hit him like a blast from a bellows - knew exactly what they’d be doing at the end of the day. But Michael did.

He stopped for a moment to take a deep breath. The air tasted good! He liked that. He smiled a warm and genuine smile, and allowed himself to indulge this one moment of genuineness.

He hailed a cab. “Where to?” “St. Michael’s Church.” “That’s the place the tyrant is going to make his speech.”

“I know,” said Michael. “I want to go there.”

“Even with the tyrant being there?”

“Yes,” said Michael; but he meant “Especially.”

As they drove, Michael pulled a beechwood box out of the inner pocket of his jacket and set it on his lap. The lid was inlaid with carved designs illustrating the crest of the Bavarian Intelligence Service, and the motto In tenebris salutem printed in neat, block lettering beneath. A beam of light from the car window illuminated the crest momentarily before Michael lifted the lid and inspected the contents of the box.

“Sir, we’re here,” said the driver.

Michael’s head snapped up. “Köszönöm, testvér,” he said, and exited the vehicle.

He was at the end of a long throng of people crowded around St. Michael’s. Several Russian soldiers were patrolling the perimeter with bored, superior expressions on their face. The crowd knew better than to antagonize or approach them. It was hardly expected if they should applause. For whose benefit, really, was this speech?

Michael worked his way through the crowd towards the church, and the voice of the Tsar of Russia became more audible over the sound amplifiers set up on the podium.

“We learn through our suffering!” came a powerful, majestic voice. “Think not of this as a war between enemies, but the friendly tussle of brothers before the ultimate reconciliation.”

Michael continued to move through the crowd, his heart pounding fast. He tried not to think about the widows and cripples he had met on his way here. He tried not to think about home. He tried not to think about Austria - everything about Austria. Every time his heart pounded, his vision went red, and another memory cropped up that he had to hurl away.

And then he breached the crowd, and there was the Tsar. He was grinning broadly, and was a handsome man, handsomely dressed in a very elegant but professional military uniform, decorated with the dozens of medals, ribbons, and honors he had only inherited and never earned. His fingers dazzled with golden jewelry and all around was the menacing headlights of military trucks and the bobbing helmets of soldiers. The Tsar was handsome. Handsome in every way a lifetime of pampering could make you.

Michael felt his breath stop. He looked up at the Tsar with pure hatred. And the Tsar looked down at him as if he had never seen him before.

Michael pulled the gun out of his jacket and aimed. “SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS!” he roared, and then, noise.

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The Tsar of Russia was shot in the left rib, which narrowly avoided puncturing his lung. He has been on the mend and is expected to make a full recovery.

Global Economic Report

European governments extend their credit to foot bill for major war

Strikes in Britain, Russia threaten to severely inhibit productivity

French films in high demand in United States

Sydney, Australasia site of musical innovation; records export

Japanese privates granted equal rank to white privates in U.S. Army

Average global economic growth: 0.5%.

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OOC:

Tobiisagoodboy: Russia has annexed your nation and taken your king prisoner. If you think Romania is down but not out, message Nuke and I ASAP.

Jackelgull: Oaxaca dissolved following the GNU proclamation. Now you are playing the Communist Party of Mexico, a semi-independent political entity with its own army and own source of political legitimacy. Many of your members think the Mexican Empire is not legitimate.

Grandkhan: Congratulations, Senor Ignacio, on coming to be Generalissimo of the free peoples of Mexico. The fat cats and self-proclaimed emperors think that the Mexican people are theirs’ to use and abuse and send to die in war. Drown them in their pretty marble fountains.

Also, note: Some of the casualties for this update may seem a bit off. I’m looking into it, but I stand by the results presented here.

Map​

Spoiler :

(Open map in new tab.)

We just experienced 1934; please send orders for 1935.

Country Stats (1934)

Orders due April 29.​

"DEM: -1 (0%) Wants Fascist influence to be curbed"

Democracy is dead. Long live the Queen.

OOC: First off all. *************************** Christos, we had a deal.
Second, one last adress by the last Romanian general:

"Dear soldiers.
Our Nation has fallen. betrayed by the maniac tsar in Russia, our nations was stabbed in the back and destroyed. The King is now a captured by those babarians, bucharest is burning.
Those who have managed to escape, I wish best luck. I hope you will find a safe haven.
To those soldiers that escaped caputre by the Russians, good luck too.
You may want to keep on fighting, if you want to, then do so, but not under this Generals command.
The King and the generals were not able to protect our nation, for this we ask for your forgiveness.
And to those now, who still wish to fight, I say.
Give them hell, make them pay for what they di to our nation, so that even in a hundred years they will curse that maniac tsar who brought ROmanian wrath on the Russian people.

General von Heissenberg, Commander Royal Guard.


OOC again: So much for Romania, I won't keep on playing it. Romania will not be turned into a puppet of any nation as long as I paly it, so I'll rather let it die and turn into a partisan mess for Christos.
The only major nation left I could play is already in a loosing war. What would you guys say, which nation could I take over ?

Hey Tobi, no harm, it's unfortunate it happened but we all take some knocks, including myself

As for new nations:

If you're looking to get into another war: Morocco is fighting a relatively safer war due to Italian naval supremacy in the Med Sea. Also, Thailand just got into the French and could make something happen potentially with some extra oomph

If you're looking for a nation more in building mode: Korea, while next to Russia, has plenty of forts, and you have the USA who probably wouldn't want you to get swallowed up. But you'd have to watch your line, if you stepped out of it then the USA might not be interested in protecting you.

Colombia is at war and has a strong ally with the USA. Portugal also has some tensions with Spain but does have a US alliance.

The USCA is a fun socialist state that you can build up but the USA is pretty anti socialist at the moment...

Those are all good nations that aren't in immediate danger of being overran

From The Greater Empire of Bolivia
To Argentina, Chile
CC: USA, Columbia, (Red)Brazil

Broadcasting by radio and sent by private letters, the Emperor of Bolivia delivers his message to the nations of the Americas. The leaders of Argentina and Chile have been invited by letter to attend a peace meeting in Sucre.

This horrid war has dragged on far beyond the boundaries of reason, plunging our great nations into what will inevitably remain as little more than an eternal struggle for the amusement of others whom would profit from the deaths of our peoples. This cannot - and will not stand.

For the betterment and prosperity of all of the South-Americas, I, Emperor Guillermo V of Bolivia, demand a White Peace to be settled between my sovereign nation and the Alliance of Argentina and Chile. I am willing to return all recently occupied land back to Argentina, in return that they do the same and remain on their side of the borders.

However, do not misinterpret this message. I demand peace for the sake of the peoples of our nations that suffer as a result of your unprovoked aggression. And while we squabble, the world moves on without us.

I am extending the olive branch. See to reason.

YOu know what. I'll play Italy.
If thats ok. Let's see if I can't prove that Italy can do great, as long as Mussolini is nowhere to be found.

Excellent update Crezth and Nuka!

The dream of an Anarchist Mexico lives on , stronger and more terrifying!

The United States applauds the Bolivian Emperor's desire for a peace with honour for all sides. The United States calls on Chile and Argentina to accept the peace, or be held accountable for continued hostilities by Washington.

OOC: A couple things on the otherwise great update. I don't think a city of Piedmont exists, and the map indicates that Sichuan is under Guangxi control instead of Han.

OOC: Yes indeed the regions Piedmont, the Capitol of the region is Turin.

Now starting Italy diplomacy, if its no problem.

Italy wishs for a diplomatic solution with Germany and France. We don't need to kill each other, a peace which satisfies both side can surely be reached.
There are far more concerning matters than our rivalry.
All we demand is freedom for the Nations of Croatia, slowenia, Bosnia and Serbia.

OOC: That face when Guangxi has the highest EP in the world by +100.

OOC: Kudos to GMs for getting me super fixated on fictional 1900s US elections. 10/10

good jarb, gmstar

JohannaK said:

OOC: That face when Guangxi has the highest EP in the world by +100.

Click to expand...

>implying I want to lose 5 stab and get 50 AE

Terms of The Greater Empire of Bolivia
I. Immediate end of conflict between Bolivia and Chile-Argentinian Alliance.
II. Argentinian and Chile military forces may not, at the consequence of war, mass forces at their borders with Bolivia.
Terms of The Republic of Argentina and Chile
I. Bolivian Emperor establishes an Imperial Diet, to allow representatives in Paraguay, Peru and political groups to be heard.
II. This Diet is to be monitored by neutral Argentinian representatives up until 1937.

Signed,
Guillermo V
Alvaro Colon
<chile_leader_name>

Click to expand...

The Greater Empire of Bolivia demobilizes to 20%

The Republic of Argentina demobilizes to 20%! Hail peace.
In other, similar news.

We invite both states of Brazil, USA, UK, Bolivia and Chile into a general South American Peace Conference. The idea is to make a long-lasting peace. It is time for all of us to rest. Enough young men from both sides have died. Let us end the bloodshed in a way that would satisfy everyone, and put an end to the grisly situation here.

A new era for South America must dawn.

The Brazilian Civil War is over. As far as we are concerned, this is no longer a war about the future of Brazil, but a war of Imperial aggression. We will attend this peace conference.

(nice update brudes)

The United States applauds the cessation of hostilities in South America. However, the United States declines to be involved in any conference involving Red Brazil and suggests that its allies Bolivia, Colombia, etc decline involvement as well.