What a mess that India has made on the map. Nice to see the issue involving Alsace-Lorraine didn't evolve into bloodshed
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It was nice to see the tables turn for a once. We can see how old Benny likes prison this time
There really wasn't any that I noticed. But that's never stopped statesmen from building new states. I'm sure that Germany will respect this particular piece of paper
India looks like a very pleasant mess
It's nice to see it not being all red for once.
Yeah, the ideological differences might be a bit much but it might work some day.
Socialism is going to receive some interesting changes soon but you have to admit that it's nice to see Britannia humbled.
India should consolidate well enough but Alsace Lorraine will remain an interesting prospect for the future.
Sorry about the lack of posts, been a bit busy but I'll get to you in the next week with the conclusion of this story and a nice little epilogue to wrap things up!
Man, with the revolutionary calendar in place I hadn’t even realised how far along things were. Will be sad to get off this particular rollercoaster but glad to hear we’re the last few chapters soon.
Chapter XXII from "The Revolution Marches Onward"
Future historians will certainly view recent years as some of the most important in the history of the Commune both for the events that transpired and the plans that were set in motion. The end of the '30s saw an expansion of the Communist revolution to several small countries in the Americas who soon accepted the Commune as their natural protector while a new nation was formed in the Middle East from the efforts of Citizen Foreign Minister Danton. In 138, he managed to introduce the writings of Citizen Secretary Babeuf into the absolutist emirates of the Arabian Peninsula. The revelation of the chains they had been put under enraged the working classes and spurred them to overthrow the oppressive autocracies they had been laboring under for untold centuries. Delegations from the newly formed Communist parties approached Danton with requests of protection from the Commune. After due deliberation with Babeuf, Danton announced that it would be best if the recently freed Arabian nations would unify into a single People's Republic of Arabia and, due to their vicinity with the Egyptian RSC, a referendum would be presented to its people with the offer of becoming an external member of the Commune. The voting was finished in record time and provided the extraordinary result of 93% of Arabians voting for association with the Commune. Under the terms of this association, Arabia would maintain its independence, but the Arabian Workers Party would send representatives to the Commune's Parti Ouvrier Français and receive their leader by appointment from the Commune's Secretary.
Arabia enters the Commune's sphere.
The responsibilities of government in following two years took a heavy toll on Citizen Secretary Babeuf who reduced his public appearances to concentrate on his work. After several months of complete absence, on the 26th of Germinal 140, he appeared at the plenary assembly of the Parti Ouvrier Français and gave a historic speech. He stated that he had accepted the burden of the Secretariat in the early days of the Revolution in order to ensure the safety of the Commune. He had further accepted the role of Chairman after the Maratist treachery was revealed to fend off the vultures who would attempt to turn the Revolution towards personal gain. Now, after twenty-one years of loyal service, he requested to resign from his roles and retire to private life where he would tend to his ailing health.
This news proved to be a great shock to the deputies who then begged Citizen Babeuf to stay as both Secretary and Chairman and not to abandon them to infighting and the malignity of foreign agents. Babeuf replied that the Revolution was now safe and that there was no more need for a strong hand holding all the reins. He would, however, accept to remain as Secretary of the Party to ensure a continuity of government and provide counsel to those who would require it. In his constitutional role as Head of State he then nominated the loyal Foreign Minister Citizen Danton as the head of his new government in recognition of his competence in governance and most cherished friendship.
After this humble acceptance of the people's cries, Citizen Babeuf retreated from public life due to the enormous responsibilities with which he had to contend every day. On the 15th of Floréal of the 142nd year of the Revolution, the Commune and Communists across the world were shocked to hear that the father of the Revolution had died peacefully in his sleep. He was found in his bed clutching a well-worn copy of the Communist Manifesto and his gaze turned to the flag of the Commune, a loyal revolutionary even in his last moments. Upon his desk, Foreign Minister Bruno Giraud found a final great manifesto showing the way of the future to the Commune and espousing the leader's plan for his people. Here are some extracts from the thoughts of the most noble mind that has graced France.
Grieving citizens pay homage to the great man.
"My fellow Citizens, I write these words with the clear knowledge that I will not be able to speak them in person. I have dedicated my entire life to the service of the People, from my exile in England to these last decades as your guide, I have always labored for the benefit of those who could not protect themselves. Now, with the end nearing, it seems only appropriate that I find a way to guide and protect the Commune even when I will no longer be present. [...] The world is still gripped by the claws of Capitalism, but the Commune is a shining example for all the oppressed people that change is possible and that they can throw off their oppressors. Italy already develops into a fully-fledged ally, rescued from the depths it had fallen into as do the smaller countries in Europe and Latin America whose native Revolutions have brought them closer to us. [...] Expanding the Revolution must be our primary goal with the clear aim of ridding the world of its chains wherever and of whatever kind they may be. [...] With the balance of world power shifting away from Europe, the Commune must look to the United States to protect the governments of the People from the decrepit authoritarianisms of Germany and Russia. Though the Americans are misguided in their politics and backwards in their social views, they have helped the Commune to achieve its goals and there is hope that they may adopt the ideals of the Revolution. [...] Having such power at our disposal, we may be tempted to spread the Revolution by force. This is not the correct way; the countries of the world should free themselves of their own volition as France once did else they will beg for the golden chains they have been liberated from. [...] I now come to the internal future of the Commune. At the Constitutional Assembly and in recent years, I have strived for the extension of a dignified life to all Citizens by any means I could think of. This, however, does not mean that we have completed our progress. The future will hold great minds for Communism who will uncover more and better ways to move society towards utopia. I beg you here not to cling to the old ways in some misguided adoration of my provisions but rather embrace these changes so that the Commune might ever remain a bright example of human progress to all the people of the world. [...] Surely my passing will raise questions on the running of the Commune. My sole governance for twenty years was a feat to only be accomplished once. No man should be forced to assume such power for such a long time as it is a truly titanic sacrifice that few could withstand. Rather, I believe that the positions of Secretary of the Parti Ouvrier Français and Chairman of the Council of Ministers should stay separate to allow for a stable and balanced government of the Country. Some may say that these provisions are incorrect, but you should see them for what they are, greedy people who would abuse the People's trust only to gain power for themselves. It is for this reason that I have chosen Bruno Giraud to succeed me as Secretary of the Party as I am sure that he will understand the importance of my words. With this, I bid you adieu People of France, the Commune and the World. May the light of the Revolution forever illuminate the path in front of you."
With these words, Citizen Babeuf left the Commune and entered into the pages of history. Hundreds of thousands of fellow citizens attended the funeral procession as it passed by the Arc de Triomphe with every member of society being represented among the mourners. The body of the father of the Revolution was then placed in a purposely built crystal pyramid in front of the old royal palace of the Louvre so that citizens from here on out could gaze upon their savior and bear constant witness to the victory of the people over their oppressors. Danton and Giraud gave a joint speech praising Babeuf's life and swearing to uphold the spirit of his last manifesto as they had always loved and respected both the man and the revolutionary.
The final resting place of Citizen Babeuf.
This is the new world that we walk into. As the old revolutionaries leave us to our future, we must strive to remember their actions and the dedication they displayed so that we may carry on the Revolution even within those who have been born after it. The world has changed, and we must be the ones leading that change.
Arabia enters the Commune's sphere.
The responsibilities of government in following two years took a heavy toll on Citizen Secretary Babeuf who reduced his public appearances to concentrate on his work. After several months of complete absence, on the 26th of Germinal 140, he appeared at the plenary assembly of the Parti Ouvrier Français and gave a historic speech. He stated that he had accepted the burden of the Secretariat in the early days of the Revolution in order to ensure the safety of the Commune. He had further accepted the role of Chairman after the Maratist treachery was revealed to fend off the vultures who would attempt to turn the Revolution towards personal gain. Now, after twenty-one years of loyal service, he requested to resign from his roles and retire to private life where he would tend to his ailing health.
This news proved to be a great shock to the deputies who then begged Citizen Babeuf to stay as both Secretary and Chairman and not to abandon them to infighting and the malignity of foreign agents. Babeuf replied that the Revolution was now safe and that there was no more need for a strong hand holding all the reins. He would, however, accept to remain as Secretary of the Party to ensure a continuity of government and provide counsel to those who would require it. In his constitutional role as Head of State he then nominated the loyal Foreign Minister Citizen Danton as the head of his new government in recognition of his competence in governance and most cherished friendship.
After this humble acceptance of the people's cries, Citizen Babeuf retreated from public life due to the enormous responsibilities with which he had to contend every day. On the 15th of Floréal of the 142nd year of the Revolution, the Commune and Communists across the world were shocked to hear that the father of the Revolution had died peacefully in his sleep. He was found in his bed clutching a well-worn copy of the Communist Manifesto and his gaze turned to the flag of the Commune, a loyal revolutionary even in his last moments. Upon his desk, Foreign Minister Bruno Giraud found a final great manifesto showing the way of the future to the Commune and espousing the leader's plan for his people. Here are some extracts from the thoughts of the most noble mind that has graced France.
Grieving citizens pay homage to the great man.
"My fellow Citizens, I write these words with the clear knowledge that I will not be able to speak them in person. I have dedicated my entire life to the service of the People, from my exile in England to these last decades as your guide, I have always labored for the benefit of those who could not protect themselves. Now, with the end nearing, it seems only appropriate that I find a way to guide and protect the Commune even when I will no longer be present. [...] The world is still gripped by the claws of Capitalism, but the Commune is a shining example for all the oppressed people that change is possible and that they can throw off their oppressors. Italy already develops into a fully-fledged ally, rescued from the depths it had fallen into as do the smaller countries in Europe and Latin America whose native Revolutions have brought them closer to us. [...] Expanding the Revolution must be our primary goal with the clear aim of ridding the world of its chains wherever and of whatever kind they may be. [...] With the balance of world power shifting away from Europe, the Commune must look to the United States to protect the governments of the People from the decrepit authoritarianisms of Germany and Russia. Though the Americans are misguided in their politics and backwards in their social views, they have helped the Commune to achieve its goals and there is hope that they may adopt the ideals of the Revolution. [...] Having such power at our disposal, we may be tempted to spread the Revolution by force. This is not the correct way; the countries of the world should free themselves of their own volition as France once did else they will beg for the golden chains they have been liberated from. [...] I now come to the internal future of the Commune. At the Constitutional Assembly and in recent years, I have strived for the extension of a dignified life to all Citizens by any means I could think of. This, however, does not mean that we have completed our progress. The future will hold great minds for Communism who will uncover more and better ways to move society towards utopia. I beg you here not to cling to the old ways in some misguided adoration of my provisions but rather embrace these changes so that the Commune might ever remain a bright example of human progress to all the people of the world. [...] Surely my passing will raise questions on the running of the Commune. My sole governance for twenty years was a feat to only be accomplished once. No man should be forced to assume such power for such a long time as it is a truly titanic sacrifice that few could withstand. Rather, I believe that the positions of Secretary of the Parti Ouvrier Français and Chairman of the Council of Ministers should stay separate to allow for a stable and balanced government of the Country. Some may say that these provisions are incorrect, but you should see them for what they are, greedy people who would abuse the People's trust only to gain power for themselves. It is for this reason that I have chosen Bruno Giraud to succeed me as Secretary of the Party as I am sure that he will understand the importance of my words. With this, I bid you adieu People of France, the Commune and the World. May the light of the Revolution forever illuminate the path in front of you."
With these words, Citizen Babeuf left the Commune and entered into the pages of history. Hundreds of thousands of fellow citizens attended the funeral procession as it passed by the Arc de Triomphe with every member of society being represented among the mourners. The body of the father of the Revolution was then placed in a purposely built crystal pyramid in front of the old royal palace of the Louvre so that citizens from here on out could gaze upon their savior and bear constant witness to the victory of the people over their oppressors. Danton and Giraud gave a joint speech praising Babeuf's life and swearing to uphold the spirit of his last manifesto as they had always loved and respected both the man and the revolutionary.
The final resting place of Citizen Babeuf.
This is the new world that we walk into. As the old revolutionaries leave us to our future, we must strive to remember their actions and the dedication they displayed so that we may carry on the Revolution even within those who have been born after it. The world has changed, and we must be the ones leading that change.
The commune loses its founding father, but France must march on. Times are a changing afterall
It's a nice base on which to build this strange new century. France's changes are not yet done and next week you'll have a glimpse of what's next
I mean, after being dismantled, Britain is mostly a soggy island on the edge of Europe while France has the world's largest colonial empire. But I'm sure a British RSC would be warmly welcomed into the fold.
Alas next week is the epilogue and you'll get a general idea of where this communism is going...
World seems pretty sewn up but it's seen several very powerful masters fall before...
Epilogue "News from across the Atlantic"
Ever since the death of Babeuf back in 1934, the nations of the world have looked towards France anxious to find out whether it would tip back into dictatorship or if it might manage to gain some semblance of democracy. Past years seem to have answered the question on the side of progressive democratization under the joint rule of Danton and Giraud but this last December 1937 re-opened the question. Danton's death came as the unexpected result of a mysterious cancer and left Giraud alone at the helm with absolute power within his grasp. President Roosevelt exercised subtle pressures on the Secretary during his speech to Congress in the occasion of his extension of public funding to healthcare on the French model. In his oration, he praised Babeuf's example in the matter of providing rights to his people but placed particular emphasis on his "deathbed conversion to democracy" with which he had saved the soul of France. He continued by expressing his worry that France might slide into the autocracy of neighboring Germany with only the color of their uniform distinguishing them. He finished this aside by repeating America's role in leading its allies to a proper democratic system of government so that they might jointly aid in the progress of mankind.
President Roosevelt in his speech to Congress.
The speech had the desired effect, and, on the 6th of January 1938, Giraud appointed a young party member to become Chairman while announcing the removal of some restrictions to free press and free speech. Indiscretions by those in the diplomatic corps have expanded on this change and there appears to be talk of allowing alternative parties to have some representation in the Upper House, but these rumors have not yet been officially confirmed or denied.
On the international stage, France has emerged as the leader of its own sphere of influence with Italy acting as a second pole and vector of communism towards the East of the continent. It is, however, no secret that these nations all march to the tune that France sets and there are clear signs of liberalization which are being conducted by Giraud.
Smaller nations in Europe such as Great Britain and Spain have benefitted from French influence in increasing their social safety nets as they lean on the French Empire's vast pool of resources to maintain the infrastructure they built up in their own imperial days. While Spain has long been integrated with France, the United Kingdom initially displayed some reluctance in cooperation with the French due to the fresh memory of the I Great War but soon British industries, starved of colonial raw materials, have pressured their government to bury the hatchet and accept entry into the larger French sphere. This sphere, whose main members are Britain, Spain and Italy orbiting around the Commune, has taken on the appearance of a partial customs union with France allowing access to its colonies in exchange for privileged access to the member nations' military production with the expressed aim of ensuring peace and using the French military as a deterrent to foreign encroachment.
French and allied leaders finalize their customs union.
Beyond France, the continent is mainly a battleground between the Great Powers of Germany and Russia, a fact well known to them especially. The two powers have locked horns for the past decade and waged a diplomatic war for the control of the hearts and minds of the Balkans, but it seems now that the friction is starting to become critical. The struggle for influence which was once gentlemanly and ordered has become more erratic as threats to diplomats culminated in the German assassination of the Russian ambassador to Hungary. This was followed by the bombing of the German embassy in Romania which the Russians fervently denied knowledge of until a Tsarist covert agent was captured by Romanian police and confessed to the crime. This ever-worsening exchange of blows gives clear indications that one last European War will occur before the region can be fully stabilized.
Aftermath of the Romanian bombing.
The outcome of such a large-scale conflict appears to be in favor of the Germans with an industry unparalleled in their hemisphere and army endowed with cutting edge technology. This opinion is not shared by all analysts and some argue that the well of resources represented by India will be instrumental in compensating for the technological disadvantage of the Tsar. What is clear to all, but some prefer not to say, is that the winning side will be the one who can gain the support of the United States.
The lone superpower of the World has emerged unscathed from the three Great Wars and can boast a military and industry more than twice the size of either Germany or Russia. It is, however, unclear in which direction the Roosevelt administration plans to throw its support in the case of another Great War. It is no secret that Giraud has aims on Alsace-Lorraine and has tried to obtain a transferal of the small buffer state to French influence; this would appear as a clear motivation for the United States to join the Russians in defeating Germany and allowing for more French influence in Central Europe and consequent extension of American ideals into the autocratic East. Others have countered this argument by stating that the 1926 Treaty of Washington was the final word on conflict in Western Europe and that the President wishes to emulate the Alsace-Lorraine model in the East. This could be achieved by freeing many of the stateless nationalities under the Tsar and placing them under American protection for the sake of a more peaceful future.
Meanwhile, in the Far East, it appears that the power vacuum left by the fall of the Japanese Empire is being fought over between an overextended Russia and a newly solidifying China where it looks that the Nationalists have finally gotten the upper hand with the not-so-secret aid of the current administration. It seems likely that the Chinese will make good use of their armies hardened by civil war as leverage against the Russians, especially during another Great War, and some say that the fate of the newly unified India might hang in the balance.
In all these scenarios, the United States have the power to tip the scales. It is surprising to note that, over the past century, America has gone from a relatively unknown country in the Western Hemisphere to the arbiter of world conflicts where it can decide the outcome of even Great Wars. What it will do with this power is yet to be seen but it is certain that it will drastically change the course of the century.
President Roosevelt in his speech to Congress.
The speech had the desired effect, and, on the 6th of January 1938, Giraud appointed a young party member to become Chairman while announcing the removal of some restrictions to free press and free speech. Indiscretions by those in the diplomatic corps have expanded on this change and there appears to be talk of allowing alternative parties to have some representation in the Upper House, but these rumors have not yet been officially confirmed or denied.
On the international stage, France has emerged as the leader of its own sphere of influence with Italy acting as a second pole and vector of communism towards the East of the continent. It is, however, no secret that these nations all march to the tune that France sets and there are clear signs of liberalization which are being conducted by Giraud.
Smaller nations in Europe such as Great Britain and Spain have benefitted from French influence in increasing their social safety nets as they lean on the French Empire's vast pool of resources to maintain the infrastructure they built up in their own imperial days. While Spain has long been integrated with France, the United Kingdom initially displayed some reluctance in cooperation with the French due to the fresh memory of the I Great War but soon British industries, starved of colonial raw materials, have pressured their government to bury the hatchet and accept entry into the larger French sphere. This sphere, whose main members are Britain, Spain and Italy orbiting around the Commune, has taken on the appearance of a partial customs union with France allowing access to its colonies in exchange for privileged access to the member nations' military production with the expressed aim of ensuring peace and using the French military as a deterrent to foreign encroachment.
French and allied leaders finalize their customs union.
Beyond France, the continent is mainly a battleground between the Great Powers of Germany and Russia, a fact well known to them especially. The two powers have locked horns for the past decade and waged a diplomatic war for the control of the hearts and minds of the Balkans, but it seems now that the friction is starting to become critical. The struggle for influence which was once gentlemanly and ordered has become more erratic as threats to diplomats culminated in the German assassination of the Russian ambassador to Hungary. This was followed by the bombing of the German embassy in Romania which the Russians fervently denied knowledge of until a Tsarist covert agent was captured by Romanian police and confessed to the crime. This ever-worsening exchange of blows gives clear indications that one last European War will occur before the region can be fully stabilized.
Aftermath of the Romanian bombing.
The outcome of such a large-scale conflict appears to be in favor of the Germans with an industry unparalleled in their hemisphere and army endowed with cutting edge technology. This opinion is not shared by all analysts and some argue that the well of resources represented by India will be instrumental in compensating for the technological disadvantage of the Tsar. What is clear to all, but some prefer not to say, is that the winning side will be the one who can gain the support of the United States.
The lone superpower of the World has emerged unscathed from the three Great Wars and can boast a military and industry more than twice the size of either Germany or Russia. It is, however, unclear in which direction the Roosevelt administration plans to throw its support in the case of another Great War. It is no secret that Giraud has aims on Alsace-Lorraine and has tried to obtain a transferal of the small buffer state to French influence; this would appear as a clear motivation for the United States to join the Russians in defeating Germany and allowing for more French influence in Central Europe and consequent extension of American ideals into the autocratic East. Others have countered this argument by stating that the 1926 Treaty of Washington was the final word on conflict in Western Europe and that the President wishes to emulate the Alsace-Lorraine model in the East. This could be achieved by freeing many of the stateless nationalities under the Tsar and placing them under American protection for the sake of a more peaceful future.
Meanwhile, in the Far East, it appears that the power vacuum left by the fall of the Japanese Empire is being fought over between an overextended Russia and a newly solidifying China where it looks that the Nationalists have finally gotten the upper hand with the not-so-secret aid of the current administration. It seems likely that the Chinese will make good use of their armies hardened by civil war as leverage against the Russians, especially during another Great War, and some say that the fate of the newly unified India might hang in the balance.
In all these scenarios, the United States have the power to tip the scales. It is surprising to note that, over the past century, America has gone from a relatively unknown country in the Western Hemisphere to the arbiter of world conflicts where it can decide the outcome of even Great Wars. What it will do with this power is yet to be seen but it is certain that it will drastically change the course of the century.
Goodness the US bounced back in this AAR. Everyone's been through the ringer though at least once.
That's a hefty industrial score for Russia; they had a far better game than usual.
While not totally unscathed, it managed to get through the century on a good enough footing.
The US did an incredible job. I just realized at the end that it was absolutely monstrous!
I’m not sure how Russia recovered so quickly from its Japanese occupation but it did very well for itself.
Hello everyone!
Now that I’ve managed to complete this AAR, I’d be happy to hear your feedback on it! I’ve greatly enjoyed the process and I’d like to try my hand at it again, actually taking screenshots and steering the thing in view of another AAR.
So I’d be curious to hear which parts you particularly liked or what you think I could work on for next time.
It’s ok, I will only resent your criticism for a couple of hours before realizing you are right
Now that I’ve managed to complete this AAR, I’d be happy to hear your feedback on it! I’ve greatly enjoyed the process and I’d like to try my hand at it again, actually taking screenshots and steering the thing in view of another AAR.
So I’d be curious to hear which parts you particularly liked or what you think I could work on for next time.
It’s ok, I will only resent your criticism for a couple of hours before realizing you are right
I really really enjoyed reading this. If you do another project in a similar style, the thing I would want to see is more installments from the losers of the moment. Like, from royalists in exile after the rise of the Commune, or proto-communists criticizing the decadent republican regime.
I really enjoyed this story, especially with the presentation and structure of the chapters and images to establish a wider perspective. Should you ever write another project, feel free to create anything that your heart desires! Sometimes not every story would need a sequel, and I think things have a strong ending here.
Thanks a lot! I quite like that idea, especially since I was planning my next project to be more letter/diary based so that definitely lends itself to hearing more from the losers' perspective!
Thank you so much! Yeah, I was planning on going a different direction for my next project, if only because I don't own any HOI and I don't feel like it's my kind of thing. I'm looking to a Papal Vic 2 playthrough or something in Stellaris with way too much worldbuilding in it.
Honestly a Papal Kingdom HFM AAR would be pretty cool, or perhaps with the Italian Empire.