View Single Post
Old 08-03-2019, 08:35 PM   #4279
Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Default Re: New Reality Seeds

Quote:
Originally Posted by Astromancer View Post
Try this one...

In most worlds Edward VIII was merely unsuited to the job of king and his choice of a wife simply sealed the deal. On Simpson Edward was a cool calculating scoundrel who hated democracy. The mysterious early deaths of George V and his brother's wife and daughters is beginning to be seen as the acts of a cunning serial killer on Homeline. Although there are those who suggest the sudden deaths perhaps warped Edward.

Still, the personal alliance between Edward and Oswald Mosley has, in this world, turned Britain Fascist. It should be noted that both men are far more capable and cunning than their Homeline counterparts ever were.

Meanwhile, in Germany, a minor Bavarian political party attempted a Putsch. The leader died in the fighting but it acted as a warning call to the nation's elites. Either make a deal with the Left, or be at the mercy of the Right. Lucky for Germany a woman thought dead showed back up having spent years recuperating from violent injuries in the German Revolution of 1918-1919. Yes Red Rosa was here to save Germany. She knew she couldn't get the Socialism she wanted, but she got a socialism that worked for a broad alliance of Germans.

It's now 1940. Progressive Democratic Socialist Germany, now allied with France and an untrustworthy Russia (Rosa and Stalin loath each other, but make nice in public) against the Axis powers of Britain, Italy, and Japan. Canada has proclaimed independence and America is supporting them. Australia and New Zealand, terrified of both Japan and the horrible transformations of Britain bide their time praying for an opportunity to survive. India is roiling with riots and bloodshed since Gandhi's assassination. Luckily B. R. Ambedkar has risen up to lead the fight for justice.China is in the same hell they were in Homelin's history. Ireland's people have been made to flee their Island (although many are in mysterious camps) many Welsh, Cornish, and Scots, also flee as do the Jews, and others called Mud-People.

Basically, WWII with the roles of Britain and Germany switched. This would be a deadlier WWII. The British Navy means that Japan and Britain can work together as Germany and Japan never could or really wanted to.

This is meant to be a Q6 low manna world. Homeline is lining up with the USA, Canada, Germany, and France. Stalin is working to to deal with Japanese threats and might stay out of the war between "the Imperialists." Centrum dislikes this Britain, and is seeking to grab influence in the USA and Canada. The Cabal is simply in it for the mystic lore and magical relics, and those are mainly in Egypt and Southwest Asia.
There are a few problems with this seed.

First, Edward VIII can't do that much, no matter how unscrupulous and cunning he is. He reigns but he doesn't rule.

Second, without the German Nazis being in power, the BUF (British Union of Fascists) does not have them to emulate, so they don't adopt Nazi views (and don't have a break-up that results in a British Nazi party alongside the BUF).

Third, Canada, Australia and New Zealand don't need to declare independence. They've been de facto independent since signing the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.

Fourth, and the biggest problem with getting WWII out of this, the BUF isn't looking for territorial expansion. Being protectionist, they're far more likely to get rid of their colonies and dominion alliances to keep "non-UK" subjects out of the UK, helping to alleviate the unemployment problem.

Fifth, having just gotten the Irish problem solved (for a time), they are highly unlikely to annex the Dominion of Erie, especially as it might allow all those poverty-stricken Irish into the rest of the UK.

Sixth, the BUF is unlikely to horrify Canada. Given the high proportion of woman suffragettes in the party, it may well result in a Canadian version of the party and since Canada doesn't have an entrenched House of Lords, the proposal for the Senate to be composed of 'notables' is going to be less controversial, as long as Quebec doesn't lose its representation.

Seventh, there will likely be a political tussle in the UK over replacing the House of Lords with a Senate. Replacing the Cabinet with a five-ministers-without-portfolio War Cabinet is going to be a difficult sell as well. It's going to be an especially hard sell in federal states like Canada, Australia and South Africa.

Australia and New Zealand aren't particularly likely to fear Japan as long as the UK remains in the far east with a reasonable sized navy. If the UK starts withdrawing, then things change in a hurry. But there is a possibility that Australia and New Zealand might ally with Japan rather than opposing it.

A more interesting set of problems will be who allies with who during the Spanish Civil War and does the UK feel any need to pull Mussolini's chestnuts out of the fire in Africa.
Curmudgeon is offline   Reply With Quote