American Caesar: An United States AAR in Kaiserreich

[Bloodfelt]

Hi all,



Inspiring myself in Atomic Crown, American Carnage and the German Century, I decided today to start writing an AAR. This is my first time here, so please, be nice

I am not a english native speaker, so I am going to apologize in advance for possible spelling mistakes. This story is going to mix narrative and informative parts, like a history book. We are going to follow Douglas MacArthur and the federal forces in the Second American Civil War. Will we free America from radicals on both sides? Will we combat foreign interference in America and restore the Monroe Doctrine? Will we join the impending European conflict? Only time will tell.

Warning: I do not support any extremist ideology and all opinions presented from this AAR should be taken as part of the role. It is important to note that this AAR represents the vision of Douglas MacArthur and a couple of secondary characters about what is happening. Therefore, except in informative parts, this AAR represents a SUBJECTIVE view. Enjoy it and any recommendation is welcome.


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Prologue: The Interview

"It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts—for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free."
- Woodrow Wilson, 1917.

Walking quickly, William. J. Prescott crossed the steps of Congress, dodging reporters and senators. At one extreme of the hall, New York Senator Jack Reed was speaking to reporters about his refusal to vote, what he called, "The Bill of the Elites." In Williams' opinion, pure propaganda. The Garner-Wagner Bill was not a bad bill. According to Long and Reed, however, it was a measure by the elites to further indebted the workers.
On the other side of the hall and the political spectrum was Huey Long. It seemed that for the first time in the entire legislature, America First would support a measure by the Hoover administration. But they wanted changes . Would Hoover be willing to accept them?
A young congressman in a suit stood in front of William.
- Can I help you, sir?
William smiled and held out his hand.
- William Prescott.
- Nathan Roberts, Senator for California.
- Republican?
- Almost. Farmer-Labor.
- At least you're not one of those radicals.- William said, pointing to Long.
- Thank goodness. And you?
- I am a journalist for "The Washington Herald".
Nathan grimaced.
- Hearst's newspaper?
- You don't seem to like it.
- I don't like your boss very much. Sometimes it almost seems like the only thing he doesn't like about American First is that they're Southerners and Huey Long himself.
- Maybe. But one has to put bread on the table.
-You are right. But don't quote me in your article. Who are you looking for?
- I have an interview with the"Big Chief
".
The senator smiled sarcastically.
- Of course. Look for him in front of the oval office. Lately Hoover talks to him more than his wife, apparently.
They said goodbye with a handshake. Once he walked away, William heard Nathan's voice:
- Good luck with the American Caesar!


Sitting in an armchair, William was somewhat intimidated by his strong presence. His sunglasses sat on the table in his office, along with different army documents. But he didn't look at those reports. He looked at him intensely. As if unsure of what to say. Just in case, William started the conversation.

- I am William Prescott, sir.
- I know who you are. Why did Hearst choose you out of all his journalists?

A complicated question, he thought. Maybe it was because he was a white man from a good family, from New York State? It did not seem like an acceptable answer to him. It hurt his pride.
- Because he knows that I am the right one for this job.
The general smiled.
- You value yourself. I like it. Do you feel prepared for the task at hand?
-Yes, sir.

Douglas MacArthur smiled. He had many names. "The young general", "The repressor of the veterans". "Hoover's pet". But now, in front of this young man, he could only think of that name that Hearst whispered to him days ago. When he was offered a journalist to write his memoirs. Because MacArthur has a lot to say. About the extremists, who fear him. About the big political families, who underestimate him. About the political parties, who think of him as a tool, a weapon. But MacArthur is so much more.

That phrase of Hoover's follows him. America is falling into anarchy. The republic is in chaos. And the republic needs a sword. A leader. And who knows? Perhaps, he would live up to that name that both enemies and allies use, Caesar.

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Welcome to American Caesar: An United States AAR in Kaiserreich

The 2º American Civil War (1936-1938)
Chapter 1: The Republic in chaos.
Chapter 2: The stumbling block of democracy.
Chapter 3: War Plan White.
Chapter 4: Reed's 35 days.
Chapter 5: America's Darkest Hour.
Chapter 6: Long Road West.
Chapter 7: Operation Majestic.
Chapter 8: Operation Freedom II.
Chapter 9: The End of the War in the West.
Interlude 1: Hoover´s Office.
Chapter 10: The hero of Paris.
Interlude 2: The Internal and External Front.
Chapter 11: The Final Offensive.
Chapter 12: The World Here and Beyond (Part 1).
Interlude 3: MacArthur´s house.
Chapter 13: The World Here and Beyond (Part 2).
Chapter 14: The World Here and Beyond (Part 3).

Landon´s Administration (1938-1940)
Chapter 15: “Better dead than red”.
Chapter 16: The Insulandia Campaign and the Smith Law.
Chapter 17: The Denver Trials (Part 1).
Chapter 18: The Denver Trials (Part 2).
Interlude 3: Prisoner 1013.
Chapter 19: The next step.
Chapter 20: The Ultimatum.
Interlude 4: The Car.
Chapter 21: The Spark That Ignites the Fuse.
Chapter 22: The British King vs. the American Caesar (Part 1).
Interlude 5 :TRANSCRIPT OF THE WAR CABINET MEETING.
Chapter 23: The British King vs. the American Caesar (Part 2)
Chapter 24: The Second Weltkrieg and the Republican Primaries.
Chapter 25: Draft MacArthur!
Chapter 26: The Two Wallaces
Chapter 27: The Lend-Lease Act, The Carver Commission, and The Mad King's Wedding
Chapter 28: The West Africa Campaign and Operation Salazar.
Chapter 29: The 1940 Elections.
Interlude 6: A Meeting Between an Incoming President and an Outgoing One.
Chapter 30: "Let’s End the War—Not Tomorrow, Not the Day After. Let’s End It Today." (Part 1)
Chapter 31: "Let’s End the War—Not Tomorrow, Not the Day After. Let’s End It Today." (Part 2)

MacArthur´s Administration (1940-?)
Epigraph 1: The MacArthur Administration.
Chapter 32: The Vienna Conference (Part 1)

​

 

[Bullfilter]

Welcome to AARLand and congratulations on starting your first AAR.

This is my first time here, so please, be nice

We always are . Off to a great start, looking forward to seeing where MacArthur leads you.

 

[Bloodfelt]

Chapter 1 : The Republic in chaos

"When a people has become incapable of governing itself and is in a position to submit to a master, it matters little where the master comes from."
- George Washington.

Any nation before glory must be on the brink of disaster. And this, unfortunately, was the situation in the United States of America in 1936.

After not entering the first Weltkrieg, the United States had a small moment of economic prosperity, which led analysts of the time to assume that now that Europe was worn out after the brutal conflict, it was America's time. But even if Woodrow Wilson never joined the European conflict, the American banks did. The banks made large loans to the Entente powers, often at a non-refundable rate. The American economy did not seem affected by the defeat of the Entente powers. In fact, it grew even more, initiating the stage known as the crazy 20s. But in 1925, the British Revolution happened.

The Revolution destroyed the economy with the stock market panic of 1925. With the monarchist government and aristocracy exiled to Canada and swearing to return to the homeland, there was no one in Britain to claim these loans and investments from. That's when the social and economic crisis called the Great Depression began. This Great Depression hit democrat party prestige hard. After the Wilson and McAdoo governments, the population felt the moment of change. And because of this, the two-party system broke down in the United States.

The miners' strikes, social conflicts and the victorious revolutions in France and Great Britain made the left grow, which had always had the problem of internal divisions between communists, syndicalists, anarchists… But in 1920, the National Emergency Congress was held by the American Socialist Party (SPA) which managed, surprisingly, to unify the left around French-style syndicalism. One new figure stood out among the delegates: Jack Reed. He was an ardent supporter of the syndicalism after seeing how communism fell in Russia, while syndicalism prevailed in Italy, France and Great Britain.

Jack Reed, leader of the Combined Syndicates of America, is a great example to understand the ideological drift of the SPA to syndicaslism.

While the forces of the left continued to grow legislature by legislature, it was the turn of the other establishment party to govern. In 1928, accusing the democrat candidate of political, economic and social ineptitude, the republican Herbert Hoover ascended to the White House with great expectations. The new president's economic policy to fight the Great Depression was to return to classical liberalism. His government low taxes on corporations, opposed welfare and used force to suppress any kind of socialist dissent, such as the Seattle commune, where Jack Reed was heavily involved.

However, the Great Depression also increased radicalization in the right. Taking advantage of the lack of social policies and after the defeat in the democrat primaries, Senator and former Louisiana Governor Huey Long founded a Party: America First (AFP). The Party was a strange mix of disgruntled Southern Democrats, Christian nationalists, right-wing populists, and many fervent anti-syndicalists. The creation of the party ate up a lot of ground for the Democrats. The establishment was broke.

Huey Long in 1936, giving an interview on the radio. Considered by many to be the first modern politician, Long was the first to use television and radio for propaganda. His charisma and amalgam of political ideas managed to bring together technocrats, hard-line soldiers and disgruntled democrats in the AFP.


Hoover's foreign policy was based on strengthening the Monroe Doctrine, albeit rather ineffectively. Unable to maintain the army in times of budget cuts, he had to withdraw from Haiti in 1930 and in 1932 from Nicaragua, defeated by the socialist guerrillas of César Sandino.This affected the president's prestige and provoked the "Cox´s Army" protests, where thousands of veterans of the interventionist wars in America marched to Washington D.C. to demand advance payments. Payments that an administration in crisis could not afford. In this moment of crisis, with disgruntled veterans at the door of the White House, a savior appeared: Douglas MacArthur.
Douglas MacArthur, known as "Big Chief", was the new Chief of the United States Army General Staff, the youngest so far. Aided by Dwight D. Eisenhower, MacArthur managed to maintain the protest peacefully, without major altercations. But on June 28, two veterans were killed in an altercation with police.

Reed and the SPA presented them as martyrs, who had died because of pressure from the political elite, who only had an interest in them when they needed others to die in their place. AFP and Huey Long presented them as an example of how the Hoover administration abandoned its soldiers and how America is fallen to socialism. These thousands of veterans were a cancer that was destroying republican credibility just 5 months before the elections. And with a dismal showing in the 1930 midterm elections, Hoover couldn't afford to lose. He ordered MacArthur to disperse them by force. Despite feeling sympathy for the veterans, MacArthur did Hoover's bidding. But like many things in life, he did it in a brutal way, with tear gas and bayonets. The general earned another nickname among the radicals: the repressor.

With this social tension, came the elections of 1932.

No one thought that Herbert Hoover could win his reelection. But thanks to the AFP stealing votes from the Democrats, the results were very close between the parties. For the first time since Washington's first term, there was no clear winner of the elections. For this reason, the 12th Amendment was employed and in a controversial vote, Herbert Hoover won his second term. Now he had nothing to lose.

Hoover's second term was characterized by the repression of radicals and the election of a successor to him. With a party disappointed with Hoover's policies, it gradually became clear that Alf Landon, leader of the liberal wing of the Republicans, would be his successor. Hoover, leader of the conservative faction, felt abandoned by his party. For this reason, he began to govern in an authoritarian manner and distance himself from the Republicans.

The repression of veterans caused Douglas MacArthur to rise to fame among conservative circles in the United States. His main support was William Randolph Hearst, a business tycoon who from his 28 newspapers managed to elevate the figure of MacArthur. Hearst was the one who gave him his last great nickname: The American Caesar. Gradually, as the election approached, Hearst presented MacArthur as the sword of democracy, the savior of the republic. To Hoover's surprise, the idea became quite popular among conservative elites in the Republican Party. Only time would tell how far this idea would go.

William Randolph Hearst was an American business tycoon and owner of many of the newspapers of the time. He was famous for creating the yellow press and for promoting the war against Spain in 1898. , manipulating their newspapers to convince public opinion. In 1936, he did the same. elevating the figure of MacArthur to a national scale.

Taking advantage of this internal weakness, both AFP and SPA started revolts and protests. But the surprise came when in late 1935, Hoover seemed to finally accept the vote on the "Garner-Wagner Bill," a bill that sought to get the American economy back on track out of the Great Depression. This bill was outside of Hoover's free market, but the president considered it necessary. The Garner-Wagner Bill sought to return to more interventionist social policies. But many, knowing Hoover's ideology, were aware that the bill did not go far enough. Huey Long wanted to expand it to include more social policies. While Jack Reed and the SPA did not believe that it sufficiently protected the worker from large corporations. If not changed, the bill would probably fail. Could Hoover get it through?

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Welcome to AARLand and congratulations on starting your first AAR. We always are . Off to a great start, looking forward to seeing where MacArthur leads you.

Thank you! I hope you like this timeline.

 

[Bullfilter]

The fuse is lit for the explosion of 1936 …

 

[Bloodfelt]

Chapter 2: The stumbling block of democracy.

"It is a paradox that every dictator has climbed to power on the ladder of free speech. Immediately on attaining power each dictator has suppressed all free speech except his own."
- Herbert Hoover

The United States was at the crossroads in 1936. Its citizens would decide the fate of the nation and indirectly of Western civilization.

After another four years of inefficient Herbert Hoover administration, it seemed unlikely that Republicans would return to the White House after the November election. However, if Hoover's analytical mind needed something to activate, it was a clear goal. And now he had it. The Garner-Wagner Bill was a prototype law that departed from Hoover's free-market economic policies. Unlike in 1932, Hoover would not veto the law. It was the only trump card of the Republicans.

But would Democrats, Republicans, and Farmer-Labor get through the law? The socialists were directly opposed to it. And AFP too, who were trying to get the most reactionary Democrat senators to their side. Republicans were worried. It was his only way of winning the elections in 1936. Hoover's advisers suggest that he make a pact with the devil. But which of the devils? The anti-establishment socialists? Long's reactionaries?Any deal would not only break the precarious balance in America, but it would also mean concessions to the radicals—concessions that would destroy America and the establishment. Hoover had the final decision and the fate of America in his hands.

The decision was taken. The administration prayed that the slim majority in Congress would allow them to save America and its citizens from the Great Depression.

On the international stage, the world was on its course. A new generation ascended the throne. George V, the man who had seen his home fall to the syndicalist hordes and as the Windsors' legacy disappeared because of him, died peacefully in Ottawa. Some naïve people thought that now that a new generation was ascending the throne, the crazy idea of returning home would be over. Many English immigrants barely remembered home. Some believed a common identity would be formed between Canadians and second-generation immigrants. That there would come a point where they would be equal and there would be no differences between them. They knew little about the new king.

Edward VIII was a vengeful and ambitious man. He was young enough not to be completely tied to his father's tradition, but old enough to remember (even if in an idealized way) the England he had to leave because of that red revolution. The only motivation that motivated him was to return home and destroy the enemies of the Empire. And if he had to spend Canadian resources and lives to do so, he would. Its first move was to start boycotting the figure of the Prime Minister, Mackenzie King. He was too independent for his liking.

On January 7, the president of the Russian Senate, Alexander Kerensky was assassinated. Although the killer's motives were not entirely clear, the few free newspapers quickly linked it to a desperate act by Savinkov, the right-wing populist leader. Without Kerensky, there would be no way to stop him and prevent an NRPR dictatorship. Some protests broke out by the little opposition in the big cities. But supported by the Russian army, Savinkov restored order. Calm seemed to have arrived in Russia, at least that is how it looked from the outside.

The consolidation of this regime did nothing but agitate the American and European left. If Huey Long won in November, the Socialists thought he would be the new American Savinkov. This self-coup d'état had great consequences for the future. At that time, elections were taking place in the Commune of France. When they arrived in Paris, in the middle of the vote for the new "Comité de Salut Publica". Chaos broke out among the delegates and this was taken advantage of by the most radical elements. In a frenzied speech, George Valois positioned himself and asked for the vote of the thin ones. He promised to save the revolution from reactionary threats and stabilize the nation in these times of crisis. By a small majority, he succeeded. France had a new Robespierre.

But this instability in Russia, together with the political shift towards authoritarianism in the Commune, had consequences. Economic consequences. The Black Monday.
With factory strikes, radicalism growing, inflation growing, and political ineptitude, the German population was looking for a way out. Some radicals believed in a socialist republic. Others sought a conservative revolution that would bring Germany back on the right track. Others only wanted a functioning democracy. But taking advantage of this chaos, a strong man appeared, a new Bismarck. Kurt von Schleicher managed to be appointed chancellor and quickly gathered all the state´s power under him. Would Schleicher succeed in reforming Germany in his image?

Kurt von Schleicher, nicknamed the Red General. Unlike other politicians of the time, Schleicher's vision departed from that framework between left and right. He was looking for an authoritarian, militaristic, and technocratic Germany. To do this, he managed to pass the Enabling Law of 1937, not without internal opposition.

This destruction of the economy only benefited syndicalists throughout the world. 1936 was a year with many elections. And this crisis did nothing but benefit the most radical left. The Third International was growing by leaps and bounds.

Returning to the US, the vote on the bill seemed to be going the right way. Too much. At that point, Republicans were confident. At that time, the Farmer-Labor political party presented a plan. A coalition between all the establishment parties against the radicals. A "National Coalition". But as much as it was beneficial for democracy, it was not for politicians. What ideas would prevail? The Republican Free Market? The agricultural policies of the Farmer-Labor?Or the interventionist ideas of the Democrats? Above all. Who would be a candidate? None seemed willing to give in. And it was then that America was sentenced to anarchy, because of those selfish politicians.

And it was then that proud and confident America received the first blow from the executioner, right in its chest. Trust had been broken. American democracy had failed and been subverted from within. The only possible way was by force.

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The fuse is lit for the explosion of 1936 …

And it won't take long for the bomb to explode...

 

[Bullfilter]

Bang! Here we go, as the KR world elsewhere takes some familiar paths.

 

[Nikolai]

Welcome to AARland! I love KR AARs.

 

[son of liberty]

I once did a DHKR as MacArthur. I will be interested to see where you go with him. Good luck.

 

[Bloodfelt]

Chapter 3: War Plan White

"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and, under a just God, cannot long retain it."
- Abraham Lincoln

Wiliam. J. Prescott would never have imagined that by fate, he would end up witnessing the ins and outs of the White House. That morning had been normal. As every Saturday, he was in the office of the Chief of the United States Army General Staff: Douglas MacArthur. As usual, the general spoke while the young journalist took notes.

- My stay in the Philippines was pleasant. -said the general.
- And what were your tasks?
- It was to help improve the capability of the Philippine army. Above all, in the anti-guerrilla struggle. The Philippine army improved a lot thanks to my help. But just two years later, I was appointed Chief of the United States Army General Staff.
- Without being indiscreet,general. Could you tell me your opinion of President Hoover?
- Hoover is not a bad president. But the times that have fallen to him are not promising for a man like him to shine. And write this down, young man. We live in dark times, where radicals are trying to destroy our nation. Only God knows what they would do to our nation. Luckily, let's hope that Hoover gets through the bill. With that, perhaps America will be saved.
- What would be your position as Chief of Staff if AFP or SPA won the elections?

The general looked William in the eye intensely.

- What do you think? - the general replied.
-I don't know. That's why I'm asking you, sir.

At that moment, the door swung open, and President Hoover entered the room The two men stood respectfully in front of the highest authority of the Republic. William had only seen the president from afar or in photos, never from so close. Just a few meters away from him, William noticed his dark circles, his sweaty forehead, and that feeling of tiredness that he emitted.

Herbert Hoover was the 30th president of the United States. Despite being a great manager and connoisseur of the American bureaucracy, the difficult times that the United States was going through made it seem that the position was too big for him.

These last four years have considerably affected the president. Much of the party repudiated him. His radical enemies continued to grow. His country's economy was sinking. Even if he could, William knew that the president would not want to be elected.

- Mr. President. - said the general respectfully. - How can I help you?

Hoover did not speak immediately but caught his breath. The first thing he did was point to William.
- Can you leave? This conversation has to be just between me and the general.

MacArthur shook his head.

- I want William to stay.
- Are you crazy, MacArthur?
- Listen to me, Mr. President. William is my biographer and will swear on the Bible not to tell anything about these meetings. But we need that when everything is over, there are witnesses for future generations.

The president thought about it for a second but ended up nodding. He sat down in the general's soft armchair. Meanwhile, MacArthur lit his pipe.

- You were right, General. The bill has not passed. What the fuck are we going to do now?

As the only response, the general approached his desk in silence and took out a folder, which he left on the table next to the president.

"What is this?" asked Hoover.

William watched in silence as the fate of America was settled before him. They all remained silent for a few minutes. Hoover read while MacArthur smoked his pipe. Once Hoover finished the document, he threw it on the bedside table.

- Oh my God, MacArthur. What you propose is...
- Dangerous, I know. But it is the only solution, Mr. President.
- There are still months to go before the elections. We do not know the results of the elections.
- But what if they win, President? Shall we give them the Oval Office? Do we give them America willingly? I will not skip his authority. But I won't stand idly by while we become a socialist republic or a Kingfish monarchy.
- And what will differentiate us from them, MacArthur? We will break 200 years of American democratic tradition. What will stop another disgruntled general from doing the same after us? I don't want to set a precedent.
-And we have a choice, Hoover?- MacArthur said angrily and without the usual respect. -Do you think I don't know how future generations will see me? Do you think I want to do this? But there is no other option.

William, who witnessed this conversation and this momentous moment, was aware that MacArthur would win the conversation. A tired and disappointed Hoover was no match for a determined and ambitious MacArthur. With a sigh, Hoover gave his tacit support.

- Okay, General. But the preparations will be carried out in secret. The opposition can never know this or our heads will roll. And remember that it is a contingency plan. We will only do this if Reed or Long wins.
- I will be discreet, Mr. President. Trust me.
- That's what I do. May God protect us.

After this, the 30th president of the United States of America left with his head down. Once alone, MacArthur looked at William.

- I expect your discretion on this matter. But you are vital to me, Mr. Prescott. I need you and your work in case we fail. I need the American people not to think that I did it for me but for them.

William did not answer. His only response was to look at the papers MacArthur had shown Hoover. Despite being turned around, William read it easily: WAR PLAN WHITE. MacArthur gestured, indicating that the interview was over. As William walked out the door, he heard the words that a thoughtful MacArthur indirectly dedicated to him.

- "Alea iacta est" - whispered the general to nothingness and at the same time, to history.

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The bill's failure shook American politics. Hoover had seen his project fail because of AFP and SPA. Now he would have to find something with which to gain some popularity. And to do so, he opened up a question that had not been mentioned for a long time. The problem with the stock market panic had been the British Revolution of 1925. This was what had caused the Great Depression, which had now worsened with Black Monday. The Hoover administration needed money, and now that the Union of Great Britain had fallen under the control of Oswald Mosley, those loans owed to them by the Entente seemed farther away than ever. Although previous governments (including Hoover's) had allowed these Entente debts to remain unpaid until the reconquest of Europe, the economic crisis caused Hoover to publicly ask the Canadian government to pay its war debts. His answer was the only possible one.

Now that the Canadians had refused, a decision had to be made. What was the United States most interested in? Strengthen its relationship with the Canadians and the Entente? Or punish them until they repaid their war debts? Democrats and liberal Republicans wished to strengthen their relationship with Canada and the Entente, wishing to defeat the socialist threat. Meanwhile, SPA and Huey Long supported punishing the Entente and proposed that the money collected in this "punishment" go to social assistance to workers. Surprisingly, Hoover made a decision contrary to his party.

This decision was incomprehensible to a large part of the democratic establishment. Why would Hoover play along with the radicals? Now the Entente was heavily dependent on the United States and had been weakened. This move by Hoover gained him some popularity, but political analysts of the time thought it had been a big mistake. However, to Reed and Long's chagrin, the money went to improve infrastructure and factories in the Midwest. Many politicians and voters thought it was stupid. But none thought this could be part of something bigger.

This decision caused a large part of the southern Democrats to switch to the AFP. In turn, the Farmer-Labor game lost its stronghold in Minnesota. The extremes were growing. The panic in the establishment did not stop growing. However, an opportunity to improve American prestige arose in Central America. After a series of border conflicts between Costa Rica and Panama, it appeared to escalate into open conflict when the small Panamanian air force bombed a Costa Rican border post.

Panama owed its independence to the United States and the American garrison in the Panama Canal was one of the few supporters of the Panamanian dictator. For this reason, Panama had always been loyal to the United States. But Hoover, sufficiently busy on the domestic front, withdrew support for Panama and made the dictator see that if he attacked Costa Rica, it would be a direct violation of the Monroe Doctrine. Frightened by losing American support, the reaction was swift.

This demonstration of American power abroad again benefited Hoover, causing democratic parties to rise in the polls. And as if the storm had passed, new news came from New Jersey and Washington. In these places, elections of senators were held, since they had resigned. Somewhat surprisingly, the Democrat Party won in both.

The newspapers, overly enthusiastic, predicted Nance Garner as the winner and the Democrat party as the winner of the election. Only Hearst's newspapers denied Garner as a possible winner and predicted a socialist victory. The public accused them of being alarmists.

John Nance Garner, known as "Cactus Jack", was the Democratic candidate in the 1936 election. He was a consensus candidate between the most conservative and the most liberal wings. The newspapers placed him as the favorite in the elections. None of them could foresee how AFP and SPA would steal their support bases in the south and the industrial centers.

While much of the establishment hailed Garner as the future president, the current president, Hoover, didn't have them all with him. Both candidates in that election were popular and very progressive. Very different from Garner. And despite this, the SPA had come second, a few votes behind. Much of this mirage was the fault of "gerrymandering". But for whatever reason, the analysts of the time did not put it in their reports.

But Hoover and MacArthur wasted no time. They knew that history would judge them. But they thought they were doing it to save their country. Secretly, they prepared for a possible radical president elected in November.

Their plan would be a successful coup d'état. MacArthur would be proclaimed temporary president with the help of Hoover and the army while the emergency lasted. The president and his radical allies in both chambers would be locked up awaiting trial. Both MacArthur and Hoover were clear that to make this coup d'état as legal as possible, they had to wait for this president to take an illegal action. Knowing the policies of both parties, it would not be difficult. Once detained, the National Guard and army units would be deployed in the streets. Thanks to the FBI, MacArthur and the Army had lists of different supporters of the SPA and the AFP. These would be arrested or directly neutralized. With the help of the Supreme Court, the AFP and SPA would be outlawed. Once America was stabilized, MacArthur would resign and elections would be announced.

This plan was already in place. In places like Texas and North Carolina, National Guard units had persuaded governors to be loyal to the federal government, while also fighting militias. Despite fearing the danger of a possible Red Revolution, MacArthur knew that some millionaires like Henry Ford favored the Kingfish. It was better to weaken the first. Moreover, as the European conflict had shown, fuel was vital for a quick war. So, he attacked more the AFP militias

Without fuel, it would be impossible to have an air force with which to destroy the rebel strongholds. Because if there was one thing that was clear to the general, it was that the coup would not be peaceful. But MacArthur never imagined what the coup would unleash.

On the international stage, the Third International continued to grow. Australia revolted, starting a war against the Entente. Only New Zealand remained loyal, without falling into syndicalism. In turn, perhaps encouraged by the Australasian War, the Vietcong guerrillas revolted against the Germans. Only time would tell if the revolution would succeed. But the East saw two more coups in that period. After Black Monday, Qing hegemony in Asia had disappeared. Socialists revolted in the south, while warlords ceased to recognize Beijing's authority.

Therefore, it is not surprising that after skirmishes in the forbidden city that were later rumored as a coup d'état, the Republic of Beijing was proclaimed. The new state fell under the rule of Marshal Wu Peifu and Cao Kun, leader of the democratic opposition. Under his tutelage, there was a backward republic divided between the military and politicians.

Finally, after another failed coup in Tokyo, democracy was saved in Japan. However, foreign journalists were not fooled. It may be that the national coalition government did not have radical military or autocratic traditionalists, but it was not a democracy, but an oligarchy between conglomerates, the army, the navy, and the monarchy.

Finally, in early October news came from Europe. After a decade and a half of occupation, the Belgian population had risen up and expelled their unpopular king and the German garrison from the country. With a regency council established and the Germans processing a tremendous strike in the Ruhr, the Germans vetoed access and trade, trying to strangle them economically. Schleicher's government was not in a position to initiate an invasion. At least for the moment.

But if there was a place with tension, it was the Balkans. Europe's powder keg was ready to explode, with the revanchist powers of Serbia, Romania, and Greece poised to challenge Bulgarian hegemony.

Finally, November arrived and with it, the elections. American citizens, from New York to San Francisco, would decide who would govern for the next 4 years. Or so they thought. Those elections were not only an ideological battle but also a cultural one. A war between the American establishment and the revolution, both on left and right. What was clear is that those elections would be divisive and one of the most important in its history. But voters and parties were confident. Everyone thought they would come out as winners.

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Only a lonely soul, sheltered in the White House with a wiskey, did not follow the enthusiasm of the rest of the Americans. Hoover was looking out of the windows of the Oval Office. Did no one else see how everything was going to go to catastrophe? He felt like a new Benedict Arnold. But he did not sell his democracy to the British. Now he was selling it to MacArthur's ambition. Because Hoover was not blind. He knew that the ambition of the American Caesar was infinite. There was no other option but to help him in his plans. MacArthur may have really thought that he was doing all this for freedom. For democracy. But the reality is that if they were not careful, the United States would destroy the Kingfish or Reed only to fall into a Caesar.

But Hoover swore to himself that he would not leave things at that. Because although America did not know it yet, he did. Garner hadn't won. There was still a vote to be counted, but although the press had hidden it, the FBI knew that once again Democrat's results had been disappointing. For the first time, gerrymandering had harmed the establishment. Now only the general's plan remained. And Hoover, somewhat drunk, swore to himself that if the new Caesar crossed the line, he would be a the new Brutus.

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Bang! Here we go, as the KR world elsewhere takes some familiar paths.

I was planning to do a split between syndicalists and totalists, but it seems that my game wants radicalism to grow everywhere!

Welcome to AARland! I love KR AARs.

Thank you! Although I enjoy many others as well, I must admit that I have a soft spot for the world of Kaiserreich.

I once did a DHKR as MacArthur. I will be interested to see where you go with him. Good luck.

Let's just say that my interpretation of MacArthur will be somewhat different than usual. I hope they like it. Thank u!

 

[jak7139]

Everything is set up to come crashing down. Will democracy survive?

 

[Bullfilter]

Excellent update, nicely written up. Looking forward to the aftermath of this divisive and divided election.

 

[Nikolai]

I, too, wonder if MacArthur will remain within bonds.

 

[Bloodfelt]

Chapter 4: Reed's 35 days.

"Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error."
- Andrew Jackson.

Populism had won and America was in its darkest hour. Many Americans looked at the newspapers with horror, while others with great satisfaction. What was clear was that the America of the founding fathers, Lincoln's America, Theodore Roosevelt's America, was dead. That election night that resulted in Reed's victory was deadly for America. Because the system was broken. The popular vote had not been so unequal. But when it came down to it, what counted were the votes for Congress and the Senate. And by a slim majority, Jack Reed, leader of the American Socialist Party, was inaugurated as the 31st president of the United States.

The reaction was not long in coming. The AFP denied the electoral victory, speaking of a pout. Long was aware that Reed would try to destroy the party. So Long began arming his militias and prepared for an armed insurrection.

For its part, the establishment was uneasy. They had lost. But instead of allying, the only thing they could think of was to fight among themselves, blaming each other for the defeat. This fight further strained the situation and prevented any kind of organized resistance in Congress. The months leading up to Reed's inauguration were the most tense months in American history since Lincoln's first election in 1860. Paramilitary groups fought in the streets, while robbing and buying weapons. America was preparing for a civil war.

After a tense Christmas, with street fighting between militias, President Reed swore the oath of office with his vice president Norman Thomas. To avoid riots and fearful of the army, Reed entrusted the security of the event to the socialist militias, under the organization of Gus Hall. This was Reed's first mistake. The AFP, which has a majority in the Senate, denounced this fact, claiming that Reed wanted to relieve the army so that he could, as in France, create his Red Army. Disgusted by the president´s partisans policies, General George Patton resigned from office and retired prematurely. After a couple of entreaties from General MacArthur, he was persuaded to remain in office and was given command of the troops deployed in the south. With this, MacArthur hoped that Patton, an anti-syndicalist, would join his coup d'état.

A couple of days later, Reed's chance came. A group of AFP militiamen, called minutemen, shot the mayor of Detroit at point-blank range, killing him on the spot. After a criminal investigation, this murder was quickly linked to AFP and Long himself. For this reason, Reed tried to pass a law in Congress that would outlaw the AFP, with its small socialist majority. The problem came in the Senate, with an AFP majority. The law was overturned. Reed, tired of the situation, used his executive power to enact Executive Law 7061.

With this law, the AFP was declared a terrorist organization. Of course, the AFP did not abide by this decision and appealed to the US Supreme Court. The court, either out of duress or fear, took a favorable position in Reed's favor. Theoretically pursued by state forces, Long fled to his native Louisiana and toured speeches criticizing the federal government.

Huey Long taken on February 6 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Huey Long, accompanied by Charles Lindbergh, denounces his persecution by what he called the "Reed´s clique in Chicago". To the dismay of Reed's government, the commanding general of federal troops in the South, George Patton, did nothing to stop the agitator. In fact, the few authorities loyal to Reed's government warned the president that the general showed signs of fraternization with the AFP.

Reed's control over the country was often no more than nominal. It was said that the president looked depressed through the windows of the White House, knowing that the city authorities despised him. Rumor had it that if he had been able to, Reed would have moved the new capital to Chicago. On February 13, police forces in most parts of the country went on strike and refused to follow the orders of what they called the" Washington's Red Tyrant". Reed, in desperation, was forced to ask for the army's help to control the streets and exercise his authority.

But if the US dissociated itself from its democratic values, Germany did the same. Taking advantage of the fear of a communist revolution, Kurt von Schleicher passed the enabling law of 1937. A new stage began for Germany. But this was not the only democratic government to fall at this time. After an overwhelming electoral victory, the Italian National Party won the election. The balance of power in Italy had shifted.

However, the focus quickly shifted to the Iberian Peninsula, specifically to Spain. Spain had lived through turbulent years until 1937. A backward economy, a very poor peasantry, and a lack of literacy gradually made Spain a second-class country. But things got worse. In January 1937, King Alfonso XIII fell into a coma and power remained under his son. This son, Juan de Borbón, proclaimed himself Regent. But this change in government meant that after the rigged elections of 1936, a general strike escalated into a confrontation. Soon after, anarchist militias seized the entire Spanish Levant, forcing loyalist forces to retreat toward the capital.

Soon the international press reported the presence of French troops on the peninsula, classified as international volunteers. Although George Valois, the totalist leader of France, despised Spanish anarchism, decided to pursue a pragmatic policy and began shipments of arms and volunteers across the Pyrenees. Oswald Mosley was not so convinced, who did not wish to strengthen non-totalist powers. Mosley himself was known to have purged the small but influential anarchist minority in his party. But after a historic ten-minute call between the two leaders, units of the People's Marines, camouflaged as volunteers, were sent to Spain.

But the problems for the Regent were not over. Seeing the inability of the government to destroy the insurrection, right-wing radicals along with garrisons from the north, revolted against the government. Although at first it was thought of proposing a military dictatorship, the presence of the Carlist militias, called requetés, tipped the balance. A few days later, Francis Xavier of Bourbon-Parma and Braganza was crowned king in the cathedral of Burgos. Xavier of Bourbon-Parma was the brother-in-law of Emperor Karl of Austria-Hungary. However, the new monarch did not ally with them but sought an alliance with the Entente powers. Soon, despite their distaste for the ideology of the new regime, units of the Royal Marines were deployed to the peninsula. Seeing how his Iberian ally fell into anarchy and fearing the spread of socialism, Kurt von Schleicher authorized the sending to Spain of a legion of volunteers under the command of Erich Von Manstein. This made the Spanish Civil War a small testing ground between the powers. Despite the sending of an armored force to Spain, the superiority of French armaments soon became clear. This was demonstrated where the siege of Belchite, where despite the air superiority , elite British units destroyed the German volunteer forces. This served as the inspiration for the 1958 film, The Siege of Belchite.

General Manstein in Belchite, Zaragoza. Known for being a theoretician of armored warfare, he was sent to Spain as punishment. The German general staff would regret not developing its theory in the future.

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February 26, 1937. Washington D.C

With camera in hand, William J. Prescott followed a battalion of the First Division of the National Guard. The soldiers marched in silence, bayonets fixed, escorting their general-in-chief. MacArthur did not speak, he only advanced smoking a pipe, as if in another world.

William took advantage of this stony silence to think. As a good American, he considered himself a Republican. And his loyalty was to the Republic, to Democracy. So while William enjoyed writing about someone as fascinating as MacArthur, he didn't entirely agree with the coup. But given the situation, he had little left. Whether I wanted to or not, I was going to witness history. William was praying that he hadn't chosen the wrong side. That morning Washington was empty. The general stopped in his tracks and with him his soldiers.

- Someone has told the syndicalists. If Reed hadn't escaped already, we'd have the SPA militias on us. Does anyone hear from Ike?

A uniformed captain answered him.

- General Eisenhower has taken Norfolk, sir.
-Perfect. Now we will end this. Captain, use half your men and clear the White House.
- At your command, General.

Just as MacArthur had predicted, Reed and his men had escaped. The White House remained empty. William could still smell the smell of burning paper. Someone would have warned them. As if reading his thoughts, the general spoke.

- If we don't capture Reed or Thomas, things will get complicated. I want those two in federal court as soon as possible. Do we know anything about whether Patton has captured Long yet?
- There's no news from New Orleans yet, sir. When I call the general's office, they tell me that he is not available.
- If he doesn't hurry, Long's bastard will escape. Call back and don't stop until you talk to Patton.
- ¡Yes, sir!

William followed MacArthur into the Oval Office, completely silent. The journalist prayed that Reed had not left any parting "surprises" before fleeing. But MacArthur, without thinking or fearing it, entered the office and looked out the window, where his troops could be seen putting up checkpoints. Now, with Washington under his grip, with Reed on the run for capture, and Huey Long about to be captured by Patton, MacArthur allowed himself to rest for the first time in months. Everything had gone well. Showing his tiredness, MacArthur sat down in the presidential chair, which would soon be his. William saw him smile for the first time in many months.

- We have done it, William. History will judge us, but we have done the right thing. Do you have your camera with you?
- Yes, sir.
- Then feel free to take photos and notes. Hearst wants to have a book by next year.

William plucked up the courage and asked the general and future president.

- How long will martial law last, sir?

- Whatever it takes, William," replied the American Caesar.- I don't plan to leave the White House until the job is done.

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Everything is set up to come crashing down. Will democracy survive?

MacArthur will save democracy. But at what cost?

Excellent update, nicely written up. Looking forward to the aftermath of this divisive and divided election.

Thank you. I think that we can say that Reed's short-lived rule has been a disaster. It only remains to be seen whether MacArthur's military coup is capable of saving the US, or on the contrary, sinking it.

I, too, wonder if MacArthur will remain within bonds.

Hoover and half of the General Staff think the same as you. Will the American Caesar be able to save the Republic? But even worse. Will he be able to renounce the absolute power once he has conquered it?


This AAR will be the last for at least three weeks as my exams begin. Luckily, I have the 5th Chapter halfway. If I have any free time, I will try to finish it and publish it. It is probably one of the longest to date, as I want to tell you a lot about the new MacArthur administration!

 

[jak7139]

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. How absolutist will MacArthur, Long, or Reed act in their attempts to save the nation? Probably very.

 

[Ulysses]

Pretty ironic how, for Spain, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Is MacArthur going to face any internal opposition since he has Syndicalists in his command staff?

 

[Bullfilter]

The world is becoming very difficult indeed. Enjoyed the chapter and good luck with those exams. Take your time and we look forward to the resumption of the story.

 

[son of liberty]

Good luck with your exams. I remember those days. I look forward to watching MacArthur kick the syndies out of the US. I always miss Patton when he is gone.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

MacArthur, Reed, Long. Three factions have emerged already ahead of an inevitable Civil War, when will the other emerge? (iirc, Kaiserreich has 4 factions + New England which joins the Entente)

 

[son of liberty]

MacArthur, Reed, Long. Three factions have emerged already ahead of an inevitable Civil War, when will the other emerge? (iirc, Kaiserreich has 4 factions + New England which joins the Entente)

And Hawaii makes six. DHKR anyway.

 

[Bloodfelt]

Chapter 5: America's Darkest Hour

"I am concerned for the security of our great Nation; not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within."
- Douglas MacArthur.

Long before his coup d'état to save the Republic, MacArthur was clear that he was not going to be able to govern alone. No matter how much he was president, a president needs allies and advisors. This group, known as Caesar's clique, was a grouping of people of importance in MacArthur's new America. Not all of them held official positions or were in the cabinet, but it was their influence and voice that influenced MacArthur when it came to making decisions.

The Organizer: Lesley J. McNair.

To coordinate his army as chief of staff, MacArthur chose this veteran of the Spanish-American War of 1898. Although often unknown, McNair's influence on the development of the army during the interwar period was very important. He created the divisional structures and included the anti-aircraft in the units. He was also the promoter of the Mobile Reserve Unit, which was the spearhead of the federal forces. On the other hand, McNair was not a particularly political person. Although he disliked Reed and Long, he only joined the plot out of admiration and respect for MacArthur. And this was the perfect man for the Caesar. McNair didn't want to stand out. He didn't care that MacArthur took credit for the organization of the army. The important thing for him was his work.

The German: Walter Krueger

Despite not being the only one of German origin in Caesar's clique, Krueguer could not help but earn this nickname. Krueger, like others within the federal government, was a veteran of the Spanish-American War of 1898.His main asset was his knowledge of battalion-level tactics. Krueguer was stationed in France during the Great War and from the German victories, he deduced that in order to obtain better tactical successes, the American army should grant some independence to the commanders on the ground. Following these theses, he collaborated with McNair in the reform of the federal units. MacArthur placed him as head of the third army, trusting in the caution of this veteran to counteract his desire for victory. While MacArthur allowed the veteran to maintain some independence, his performance was very efficient.

The Banker: Jp Morgan Jr

MacArthur was aware that if he wanted to succeed, he needed financing and control of the federal banks. For this reason, he selected millionaire John Pierpont Morgan Jr. as Secretary of State. J. P. Morgan Jr. was the son of the famed banker of the same name. Like his father, he despised appearing in the media and continued with philanthropic philosophy. However, this did not mean that the son depended on his father's fortune. Using his personal fortune, he served as a lender to the Entente powers. Although the operation did not go so badly, Morgan was harmed by the defeat of the Entente in the Great War. This, however, did not affect his pro-Entente position. The defeat of these a posteriori made him anti-syndical. He is one of the great supporters of the Entente in Caesar's clique.

The Old President: Herbert Hoover

MacArthur was undoubtedly aware of his lack of knowledge about state policy. Because if the American Caesar knew anything, it was the importance of maintaining the illusion that citizens continued to live under a democratic government. To do this, what better than to keep the old ex-president as an influential member of his cabine? With his low public popularity, it was hardly credible that Hoover would be able to challenge MacArthur. The general used him mainly to direct the bureaucracy and the internal politics of the parties. Thanks to Hoover, the political parties remained quiet, reassured by Hoover's promises that once the national emergency was over, democracy would return to America. Hoover was a conservative Republican and supporter of democracy, so he disliked military influence in the new government. Despite this, Hoover was Secretary of Interior of the New Goverment

The Progressive: Robert F. Wagner

Although MacArthur's new government was conservative and, according to some, reactionary, MacArthur was aware that if he wanted to maintain unity and popular support, he had to have Democratic members in his cabinet. This was a way of weakening the Republicans and thus making them more in need of his figure. However, the General did not rely on conservative figures in the party, but instead relied on the liberal wing of the party. MacArthur's plans were to unify the entire conservative force of the Democrats into the Republicans. With this, he thought to ensure republican control of the government once the natural emergency was over. Wagner had been the originator of the Garner-Wagner bill and MacArthur used him primarily as an economic reformer and as his government's Secretary of the Treasury. His policies were mainly to support the war effort much to Wagner's displeasure.

The Judge: Felix Frankfurter

To make his coup d'état as effective as possible, MacArthur needed the support of the judiciary. For this reason, he soon allied himself with Félix Frankfurter, Justice of the Supreme Court. Frankfurter was of Austrian origin and Jewish heritage, so many consider him an upstart, at least within the conservative Republican faction. From its inception, it was a Zionist and supported Balfourt's declaration. He was also a founding member of the American Jewish Congress. This caused some influential Jewish families to support the new regime.

But what drew attention was mainly for his moderate policies. He was one of the first non-socialist Americans to call for the recognition of the socialist powers in Europe and the normalization of relations and trade with them.MacArthur, though conservative, wanted to make lengthy reforms to state legislation. And Frankfurter was the only one of the judges who went over to the General, so MacArthur had no choice but to lean on him. Although at this time it seems irrelevant, the presence of the judge in the Supreme Court will be fundamental in the future.

The Raven: John Edgar Hoover

The need to maintain a repressive police force that would inform him of the anti-MacArthur movements, made the American Caesar need the collaboration of the FBI and its director, Hoover, to control the nation. Hoover was an authority in Washington since the mid-1920s. It was a shadow that moved between the offices, informing and blackmailing. He was anti-Semitic and strongly anti-syndical, which created great problems for him with Frankfurter, whom he had persecuted for his liberal policies. Although he was a proud person with a great sense of superiority, Hoover knew how to become a member of the new federal government, always showing himself to be a lackey of the general. Always being loyal to MacArthur allowed him to expand the power of the new FBI behind the government's back. From that submission to the general comes her nickname: Raven. Like the Ravens of the god Odin, Hoover reported all the ins and outs of the federal government.

Soldiers' General: Omar Bradley

The one who would later be one of the star commanders of the federal army and would be the commander of the first federal army was the opposite of MacArthur. While the Caesar was a talented and arrogant man, Bradley was a very capable person, but without those airs of grandeur. MacArthur relied heavily on the general, giving the general virtually total freedom. Like Eisenhower, he supported MacArthur because they truly believed they were saving America. However, both generals were pro-democracy and opposed full control by MacArthur. However, this never stopped MacArthur from giving him and the First Army priority when it came to supplies and reinforcements. His nickname comes from his closeness to his soldiers.

Mark Antony: Dwight D. Eisenhower

Like Bradley, Eisenhower had supported MacArthur believing it was the right thing to do. But unlike the previous one, Eisenhower did have a political ambition. Although it was not until later that the general's political positions were clear, it was always assumed that MacArthur had chosen him as his successor. This could be seen in how over time he got more positions. After the coup d'état, he was appointed general of the second army and commander of the Western Front. Although it was thought that he would be appointed vice president, the position ended up falling to Alf Landon to give a civilian ascpect to the government. His nickname comes from a cartoon in the Ottawa Times, where he was depicted as the most likely successor, apart from the Young Caesar.

Almost-president: Alfred Mossman Landon

Perhaps what surprised foreign analysts the most was the appointment of Alf Landon as vice-president of the new goberment. After coming third in the 1936 election, it seemed that the former Kansas governor's career was over. But MacArthur, on Hoover's advice, decided to appoint Landon as vice president. This gave legitimacy to the regime and the support of the liberal republican wing. This meant that Landon, mockingly nicknamed "Almost-President", was always an outcast within Caesar's clique. In part this happened because of envy, since others such as Edgar Hoover or Dwight Eisenhower wanted the position. Although many thought that his time had passed and that he was nothing more than a figurehead, Landon's life still had several surprises left. Some unpleasant for MacArthur.


The Great Manipulator: William Randolph Hearst

This figure is the cause not only of MacArthur's nickname, but also of the creation of his figure as a national savior. He had been the owner of dozens of newspapers and a wealthy landowner who used his media power to get what he wanted. Although somewhat disappointed not to be elected vice president, Hearst was awarded the position of Information Secretary. Thanks to his control of the media, he managed to keep the population deceived with propaganda.

The Young Caesar: Douglas MacArthur II

Douglas MacArthur II never held public office in MacArthur's government. However, his influence went far beyond what can be expected from a 27-year-old. Although he spent most of 1936 in Vancouver on a diplomatic mission, the General's nephew quickly returned and put himself in the service of his uncle. With MacArthur unmarried after the death of his first wife, many fanatical members of the federal government saw him as a clear heir to the great general. In 1938 he cited his references as: "Octavian Augustus, Napoleon, Washington and obviously my uncle". However, his small group of loyalists in the government often cited Kurt von Schleicher as their reference. The younger MacArthur always denied that he admired a "traitor to freedom."

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General MacArthur's speech on February 27, 1937


My fellow Americans:

I stand here today in front of the White House because with humility and pride, I have been forced to make the most difficult decision of my life.

Our political class has directed and governed the destiny of our proud nation for centuries. However, it seems that our system, for the first time in centuries, has failed.
New ideas, dangerous for our nation, have penetrated the heads of our citizens and corrupted them. But President Reed has not won only because of the citizens mistake to vote. Last night, the FBI gave me certain documents showing that in the last elections the SPA had committed fraud. Not happy with that, the socialist government has subverted the constitution, trying to destroy our army and replace it with its paramilitary militias.. That is why, as Chief of the United States Army General Staff, I have been forced to declare a state of emergency and declare President Reed unfit to govern the country.

It is not my desire to destroy the democratic system or set a precedent, but as a loyal patriot I could not stand still watching our nation be destroyed from within. This martial law and this period of national recovery is not a time for internal divisions, but for reviving the national spirit of our founding fathers.

During this exceptional period, it is to be expected that the collaboration of the state and national authorities will be sought out in order to find the radicals who are trying to sell our nation abroad. In these dark hours it is time. I do not stand here as advocate for any partisan cause, for the issues are fundamental and reach quite beyond the realm of partisan consideration. They must be resolved on the highest plane of national interest if our course is to prove sound and our future protected.

God Bless América

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The coup had triumphed throughout the country. Or so MacArthur thought. However, even the most perfect plans are destroyed once the enemy is in the fight. Studied a posteriori, it must be said that the coup was something planned in a sloppy way. Many of the governors or generals learned of the coup from the press. Even governors who would normally have supported the coup were not informed to maintain the secrecy of the plot. But soon MacArthur, who was planning from the White House, realized that things were getting out of control.

The first place where the insurrection began was in the south. Huey Long, after learning of MacArthur's coup, proclaimed himself president of the "American State Goverment".His cause was quicky supported by big companys as Ford. Also, other rigth-wing groups suport Long and began to arm themselves.

The general MacArthur , from Washington, ordered Patton to arrest the agitator. Patton had already received orders from Reed for the same. But to MacArthur's surprise, Patton revolted and joined Long's forces. The whole South was on fire and in rebellion. Long's forces began to advance northward, but they did not dare to engage in open combat with the Federal forces.

Things did not calm down in the industrial north either. Before the FBI could even intervene or the syndicalists rise in rebellion, President Reed appeared on a motorcycle in Chicago, just in time for the meeting of the Combined Syndicates of America. There, by an absolute majority, he was reaffirmed as leader. Soon after, socialist militias took to the streets. Now, the whole East Coast was on fire.

However, the real surprise came from the West. California was always a very independent part of the US. This was compounded by the Great Depression, as California was not hit too hard. When news of the coup reached the West, the economic and social elites resented. Many had great power thanks to the lack of government control. With an authoritarian MacArthur, this power would likely be lost. That is why the economic elites began to pressure politicians to resist the general. Finally, the governors of the West met in Sacramento, where they proclaimed their independence from the federal government. As their leader, they proclaimed California Governor Frank Merrinam, a conservative Republican and a staunch supporter of these corporatist companies. MacArthur ordered George Marshall, general of the Western armies, to suppress the insurrection. But Marshall, considering MacArthur an unconstitutional dictator, went over to the side of the "Pacific States," along with much of the air force.

Once news of the coup reached the outside world, the international powers began to intervene. The leaders of the Third International met in Milan to try to have a common response to the opportunity. Among them was Gus Hall, who had been sent as President Reed's confidant. From it came the idea of international volunteer brigades, where people of leftist ideologies from all over the world would enlist to fight MacArthur's authoritarian regime. But among those volunteers there were also regular military units, such as the entire French second armoured corps or 3 units of Royal Marines withdrawn from Spain. Despite being, in theory, volunteer units, the presence of political commissars was not long in coming. Soon, the real volunteers feared their political officials more than the "reactionary" bombs.

Brigade of international volunteers outside Pennsylvania. With the fronts still clear, undisciplined guerrilla units were vital in securing territory before the arrival of regular units.

The Pacific states also sought to align themselves with a faction. At first they sought to ally themselves with the Entente. But the new conservative government, king's puppet, refused to ally with them. His eyes were set on Alaska and New England. In Eduardo's opinion, it was time for Canada to rise up by taking advantage of American weakness. In the end, the Osaka agreement was signed, whereby in exchange for raw materials, regular Japanese units would support the Merrinam government. This treaty included secret clauses, which ceded Pacific islands, including Hawaii, to Japan. In addition to this, thousands of Irish volunteers embarked for California, who thought that fighting for the Pacific states, they would be fighting against tyranny.

For its part, the Reichspackt decided not to intervene, at least for the time being. Although many in the government supported Long's government, they eventually declared themselves neutral to avoid unnecessary spending. In addition, the German government had plans for the near future...

Now, as the news reached the White House, MacArthur realized that his coup had failed. He had not managed to save America in a "peaceful" way. Now, it would be his turn to fight for her and, even if he didn't say it out loud, for his life.

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Thank you all for the support. Although my exams have another three weeks left, I have managed to publish another chapter talking about MacArthur's government. I wish it had been longer, but to improve the narrative, I've divided it into two parts. I apologize in advance for possible spelling mistakes, since this time I have not been able to review the document with the attention it deserves.

Regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence for Young Cesar, I have been forced to it. I don't like it at all, as it takes away some of the realism from the AAR.

Douglas MacArthur II existed in real life and was ambassador to Japan, Belgium. However, there are no photos of him as a young man, at least within my reach. If anyone finds any, please send it to me.

The government members are all the advisors available in the game and that I have used throughout the game. I think talking about them makes AAR much more realistic. This coup has not been the work of one, but of many, and I wanted to make it clear. And one must build his AAR with what the game gives them. (I know some are for the post-MacArthur democratic route. But I still wanted to give them prominence).

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. How absolutist will MacArthur, Long, or Reed act in their attempts to save the nation? Probably very.

I was just thinking of using that quote for a chapter! Undoubtedly, civil wars favor the emergence of "strong figures" and centralized governments. We will see what happens in this America.

Pretty ironic how, for Spain, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Is MacArthur going to face any internal opposition since he has Syndicalists in his command staff?

As the mods present Spain, it seems inevitable that we will end up facing each other. However, I don't like howthe war is represented in the game. Why would Austria-Hungary support Bourbon Spain instead of the emperor's brother-in-law? Why was the Entente going to support the Carlist pretender? And above all. How the hell do the Carlists get so much support in the North? Where are the workers' councils of Asturias? Event in OTL Spanish Civil War, the Carlists were a little minority in Franco´s govement. And did not even plan to restore a monarchy, but rather a traditional Catholic dictatorship. Anyway. Let's see if someone releases a rework and fix this madness

About the syndies in his command staff: We can say that Edgar Hoover is going to fix this issue.

The world is becoming very difficult indeed. Enjoyed the chapter and good luck with those exams. Take your time and we look forward to the resumption of the story.

It almost seems that everyone has gone crazy in 1936 and that radicalism has taken over their minds. It's almost a joke that the only great democratic countries are Japan and Austria-Hungary. Regarding the exams, everything seems to be going well. Luckily, this chapter was almost finished, so it hasn't taken up much of my time.

Good luck with your exams. I remember those days. I look forward to watching MacArthur kick the syndies out of the US. I always miss Patton when he is gone.

Always, especially playing with the CSA, I feel sorry when your generals disappear. I know there is an option to readmit them later to service. But knowing MacArthur, is he going to let a traitor like Patton serve the army again? Who knows.

MacArthur, Reed, Long. Three factions have emerged already ahead of an inevitable Civil War, when will the other emerge? (iirc, Kaiserreich has 4 factions + New England which joins the Entente)

Yes, at the moment we have 4 factions. However, with a totalist Mexico to the south and a vengeful and authoritarian Canada in the north...