1919-1935
In 1920, fascism was increasingly becoming a problem in Poland. These radicals were growing in strength and the Emperor saw his absolute power threatened. Communism had proven to be dangerous as well and both employed armed bullies. As such he outlawed paramilitary organizations, both Communist and Fascist. This backfired when the Fascists rebelled days after the proclamation in January 1920, but the huge Polish military again stepped in and squashed them. By late February, all rebel cells were eliminated.
The military was strong, as it had showed time and time again, but the Emperor craved more security and a more modern army still and ordered the construction of over 260 tank units. The industry to build these were lacking, as were the aeroplanes he also wished to employ and as such a large scale industrial buildup of tank and aeroplane factories were started.
The Emperor also saw the need to appease the people and employed new laws for better safety in the workplace, greatly reducing the militancy in the country – for a while.
In 1923 the Emperor’s plan to subdue Ireland meant another war with the country. This time, it was a total overrun of the Emerald Island and by June the entire country were under occupation. However, annexing the island entirely was impossible due to the diplomatic uproar it would cause, and by the end of September a treaty was signed between Poland and Ireland, resulting in the puppeting of Ireland and the ceding of the Isle of Man to the Empire.
The year after, the Communists struck. All over the Empire the cells sprung into action, and although the outcome was never doubted, the number of rebels were bigger than ever. The whole thing ended in a big showdown in Bayreuth in Germany, where 170k Commies stood against the Imperial army after securing control over Stuttgart, Nuremberg and Regensburg. In the end, the Communists was thoroughly defeated in the Battle of Nuremberg on March 10th, 1924.
Capitalizing on the victory, Fascist trade unions were declared illegal in May 1924 and a massive buildup of the air force was started the same spring. The country were simmering, but new revolts did not happen that year or the following.
In 1926 the Byzantines continued their downward spiral when the Ukraine forced the decaying country to release Armenia as an independent country under Ukrainian supervision, effectively almost halving the ancient Empire’s Asian holdings.
The balance of power would shift even more the same year, when France outright annexed Bohemia-Moravia in a diplomatic coup, both strengthening themselves quite a lot against their Polish rival, as well as removing an old enemy of the Polish realm in one fell stroke.
Radicalization and consciousness in the Empire was at this time growing at alarming rate. The people showed over 15% support for censored press vs the current state press only law. The Emperor decided to appease the second biggest demand, better minimum pay, still unwilling to give political rights to his subjects.
In the end, he had to give in, though. After a medium Communist rebellion and a huge Jacobin rebellion both happening in 1927, the latter hard fought, the Emperor on May 3rd, 1927 signed the law allowing a censored press replacing the state press.
The next two years were silent, but on December 7th, 1929 the Suez Canal was built by Polish engineers, giving Poland a much stronger position in Egypt.
Following this coup, the Emperor signed a declaration stating that Jews all over the world had the right to settle in ancient Israel. The move upset the Middle East.
In early 1930, the peace was over as a major Communist rebellion rose, almost overwhelming the country. For a while, the Emperor’s life was at stake as he was close to be captured by rebels descending on the capital. It would take one and a half years to finally beat the Communists, and the Emperor reluctantly allowed the establishment of a free press, although still refusing to entertain the thought of voting rights for anyone.
In 1933 he instituted better minimum wages for the workers, hoping to calm the people.
As the end of 1935 neared, the aging Emperor was having increased health issues, and the crown prince Pelka – soon to be Emperor Pelka VI – took over more and more day to day responsibilities. Almost 20% of the population wanted landed voting it was estimated. The crown prince did not want to give them that outright, but he confided to his inner circle that some change needed to happen, soon. In the meantime, a law allowing all trade unions were instituted to appease the people.
As the world entered 1936, tensions in the world was at an all-time high. Pelka VI rose to the throne on January 5th, 1936 when his grandfather breathed his last. His reign would see many of the issues of his forebear fixed, but at a heavy price. In 1936, Poland was the premier world power, as seen underneath:
The Middle East and Africa:
Asia and Oceania:
America:
The economy of Poland:
The political situation:
I will probably go over to Stellaris and write something for the in between. But with my time being less than before, it might take some time to get going.
