[Forum Game] - World in Revolution: 1920 Mk. II

[Julius Maximus]

The Dominion of New Zealand is simply amused of the fact the Canadian government has shown it has no idea of the well-documented economic expansion that New Zealand has had since 1920.

We, along with France are the two most prestigious nations in the world in terms of a stable, growing economy using both private and public funds and initiatives to advance our nations.

But the mere fact The Dominion of Canada thinks New Zealand is going through a economic depression or even the progression of the sprawling city of Auckland is "devastated" which is far from the truth for both accusations.

And as we said in our previous statement, the economic policy enacted by Canada is one of failure, and we urge not only the Canadians but the United Kingdom to help avoid this impeding disaster.

Francis Bell, Foreign Minister of New Zealand​

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

The Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics​

Comrades, the Romanians have seen error in their attempts to subjugate the people of the Moldavian SSR, and are proud to see the nation achieve its independence. Having helped defend the Moldavian people, the USSR can now return to a state of peace.

The USSR made great strides in the previous year in working towards the achieving our five year plan. We have seen the successes in development of the nation’s railways and the electrification of the homes of Soviet worker! This year shall see a continuation of these policies and continued efforts to support the modernization and industrialization of the Soviet Union, such that the worker can compete on an equal footing with the capitalists!

~ Iosif Stalin, General secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

 

[Gorganslayer]

((is portugal a nation? if not it should be ))

 

[TJDS]

​

We wish to remind our friend, the Dominion of New Zealand, that Canada has had a greater economic growth than New Zealand, thanks to our laissez-faire policy. We, the Canadian Government, changed our policy by using both private and public funds to invest in industries that need lumber and other goods that could not be sold to the Empire, to open up new markets for our lumber industry and other industries which were hit by the increase in tariffs of the USA, after Imperial Preference was accepted. Thus, if New Zealand thinks that the Canadian Policy is bad and the New Zealander Policy is good, they may want to rethink their position, for the Policies are one and the same.

We wish to clearify our statement about Auckland, for it seems that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand does not understand it. The Canadian Government does not mean that the New Zealander Government was affected by Auckland, no, it were the New Zealander Citzens who invested in the Pharmaceutical Companies who were parylized by Auckland, for the New Zealander Government wanted to create a Pharmaceutical Industry in Auckland, while there was no market to sell the goods, this clear flaw in the New Zealander Plan for the Industralisation of Auckland led to many investors with large amounts of debt and every Pharmaceutical Company closed. We, the Canadian Government, think that no government should stand idle as a project of this size - which was funded (with Taxmoney) and coordinated by the New Zealander Government - fails, thus we created Industries for the surplus goods, to prevent economical devastation of our People like the devastation in Auckland.

To stabilize our relations with our most trusted friend and ally, the Domion of New Zealand, the Canadian Government ask for an official apology of Francis Bell, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Domion of New Zealand, for the Canadian Government is shocked about the statements made by Mister Bell. We hope that this will stabilize our relations and that we can continue the cooperation between our nations, as members of the Empire and as allies.

William Lyon Mackenzie King,
His Majesty's Prime Minster of the Royal Domion of Canada,
His Majesty's Secretary of State of External Affairs of the Royal Domion of Canada
OM CMG PC ​

 

[Frymonmon]

Events of the World: 1928​

Europe

With the British government flagrantly violating the Washington Naval Treaty, it was decided that the oldest and weakest vessels in the fleet over this limit would be scrapped. In order to ensure that not even these few thousand men would be without a job, the government was quick to ensure that they were reassigned to serve on new ships, with the announcement shortly after of the construction of two new aircraft carriers, it was clear where these sailors were going. Both of the ships were to be laid down in Belfast, in order to ensure jobs for Northern Ireland.

The development of a new and upgraded rifle for the British Army was announced by the government, seeking to upgrade the No. 1 Mk Vi rifle, which was around four years old. Designing, testing, and production of the rifle was completed within a few months, and was expected to be mass produced starting by the end of the year, moving forward into the next year.

With London recording growth year over year, few people believed that the growth of the city would stop any time soon. The Lord Mayor and the City Council began to effect greater and greater standards for the rapidly expanding city, with The Lord Mayor focusing, rightly, on the City of London, while the city council of London was working on providing more housing for people, and ensuring better modes and lines of transportation and communication. Neighbouring councils took much of the same approach, but instead of the expected growth that would come of this, economic activity remained stagnant, and some indicators were showing a downward turn.

In Northern Ireland, the Blueshirts, formed in in the Republic of Ireland, began to infiltrate past several British posts, and begin to operate on a clandestine basis inside the British territory. Widely supported by the Catholic population of Northern Ireland, the Blueshirts waged a war of terror against the British. Tax collectors were found dead, and government officials, known to support the United Kingdom, were killed through a series of shootings or bomb attacks. With the new protection of the Blueshirts, violence flares up across Northern Ireland, with thousands demanding unification with the Republic. The fragile peace with which the British had enjoyed since the end of the Irish revolt, was now shattered.

The Irish Pound was introduced during the year in the Republic of Ireland, taking the country off the British Pound, which had existed as a currency since gaining independence. The Ministry of Finance began the wide-scale production of the new Series A of bills, easing the transition away from the Pound. With a goal by the end of the year of being fiscally independent from British Banks, no stipulation was made towards being independent from American currency. The American dollar was seen as much more reliable than the Irish Pound, and was widely accepted, and in many cases, accepted more than the Irish Pound, showing that the government still had a lot to do in order to install confidence in the Irish populace.

Economic cooperation between France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg increases as private investment, mostly from France, was being spread across international borders more and more. Several railways, the most prominent of which being laid down from Amsterdam to Paris, was designed to allow rapid transportation between the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, with two branch lines from France and Belgium connecting to Luxembourg. With all of this in mind, mutual tariffs between the four countries were lowered, with Luxembourg benefiting the most from this flourishment of economic activity.

Despite heavy opposition from the leftists in the country, universal suffrage for all French citizens over the age of twenty-one was passed and implemented into law. Leftist opposition to this law was based on the fear that women would be more supportive of right-wing policies, and support them by a wide margin. The legislative election of 1928 was able to prove the leftists incorrect, as the right-wing only gained a moderate boost in popularity, but nevertheless, an alliance of right-wing deputies was able to elect André Tardieu as Prime Minister of France.

Electoral posters in Paris.​

In a move that stunned thousands of Frenchmen, and again vehemently opposed by the left, a controversial bill was passed through the Chamber of Deputies which shifted the electoral policies of the President of France. No longer reliant on the legislature, the President would now be elected by the French public. With elections scheduled for 1930, the legality of the motion was challenged, and French union workers announced that they would be on strike, with thousands of other left-wing workers announcing they would protest this action, which many dubbed illegal, by staging sit-ins and not working. Economic growth in France, which was already starting to slow down, took a lurch downward, as the economy was thrown over the cliff by the roaming strikes, which produced power outages, loss of goods, and riots in several cities. The army was forced to be called in several times over to ensure services were still being provided, and some semblance of peace was restored. While it seemed unlikely that the decree would be reversed, the damage to the French economy would set the stage for the Presidential election.

Propaganda posters were erected across Spain, showcasing Primo de Rivera as a modem of peace and stability, someone who would clean up the government, and ensure that Spain was resorted to its former glory. The King gave several speeches in favour of the new government, pledging that an agreement was made between him and the new Prime Minister that war taxes would not be raised, and that any war would only be for the benefit of the Spanish nation, and that it was the politicians before Primo de Rivera that caused Spain’s misery. While an uneasy calm descended on the nation, the government was bolstered by a flight of capital from their northern neighbour, engulfed in strikes and economic malaise, as investments ramped up, and factories opened, as thousands were eager to work for their new French investors.

While there was no official link to the government, the Kaiser Wilhelm Institutes gained a large increase in funding for a vast majority of their own projects, as well as a slew of other German inventors and pioneers given funds. Peter Debye, Fritz Haber, Walther Bothe, Max Planck, Johannes Winkler, and Max Valier were all among those who benefited from this sudden surge of funds. Fritz von Opel, who had been in contact with some of Germany’s top scientists, successfully tested the first rocket-powered car in Germany, touching off a massive frenzy for this fast and monstrously loud objects across the Reich, as books, magazines, and toys were made to mirror this new craze.

Fritz von Opel in his rocket car.​

With the Lithuanian annexation of Memel gone and passed, thousands of Germans rallied against the government, demanding action to be taken against Lithuania. Expecting a massive assault upon the country, Estonia and Latvia announced their mobilisation, sending soldiers into Klaipėda, which only hastened the withdrawal of thousands of Germans from the region. As Germans were interviewed escaping Lithuania, they spoke of a systematic oppression under the new regime, calling it a dystopia for all Germans. The SPD, which had previously adhered to the policy of peace, understood that the government’s credibility had collapsed within its inability to strike in this crisis, and a bill passed through the Reichstag with unanimous support, albeit with the Communists and the National Socialists voting no, to expand the German arsenal and upgrade their weaponry. Massive amounts of money were earmarked for the process, as it was explained only the best should be given to those who will defend the Reich moving forward.

With the Social Democrats out of the government, and the right-wing dominate in politics, a move that was spearheaded by the conservative middle class party was implemented, announcing tax benefits and in some cases cash payments to couples that produced large families. Women, it was decided, were supposed to stay at home and raise their kids. Should they take up this patriotic duty of making Germany stronger and stronger, the government would, of course, support them in doing so.

Elections in Sweden take place, amid massive discontent against the Social Democrats for their changes to society, with many leveling the title of “Bolshevik” against them for their interference in the markets. With their perceived “radical” turn to the left, the right-wing attempted to show they had their own reformist streak, but that they would stand against a Communist Sweden. As the election results came in, the Social Democrats took a drubbing at the polls, with the Farmers’ League also losing seats. The Conservatives were able to take control of the government with the Liberals, but they both signaled that they would not shy away from the intervention in Lithuania.

With the Social Democrats removed from power, the Swedish car industry was on a massive rise, given the fact that a government was now friendly towards the markets once again. The increase in living conditions, mostly established by the prior government, also allowed more people to own a car and be able to afford them. Reforms that were made seemed unlikely to be rolled back, which seemed to be very popular with all sectors of society.

A potential for war against Germany seemed to be a real possibility, marshalling the Riksdag, with a more bellicose make up than before, to invest money into the upgrading of the armed forces of the country. Taking note of several advisors hired from the recent conflict zones across Europe, the new doctrines were drafted to ensure that the Swedish would be able to fight to counter anything that they might meet.

An eye towards modernity, and France, Mussolini orders the construction of dams across Italy for their cheap power, via concrete dams, and irrigation, via earthen dams. Designed to unite both the urban, industrial and rural, agrarian portions of the country, the measure was well balanced, but costly.

Recruitment was ramped up for the Czechoslovak Army, with a weary eye in the south towards Hungary, which itself had announced that it would re-arm. Volunteers were called up across the country, to be shoved into service as quickly as possible. While the government was highly successful in doubling the size of the Army within a period of five months, the quality of the overall army sharply dropped.

To combat this problem, the Czechoslovak government allocated millions to the training of these new recruits, seeking to make sure that they would be able to learn from the past experiences of the Czechoslovak Legion, which were given control over the training regime. While training during the year went well, it was still below what the Army could muster in the previous year, with full knowledge that it would take more time in order to make sure the Army was improved.

Educational reforms come to Hungary, as the government - no longer focused on the liberation of Transylvania, now turns back towards their own population. With an idea of ensuring that education was most effective during the early stages, new schools were constructed, along with books being handed out to the earlier forms of state education that was mandated.

With weapons purchased from France and Poland, as well as gaining access to several advisors of both states, the Yugoslav Army was well on its way towards ensuring its soldiers were both properly armed and trained. With Belgrade regiments given the updated fire arms and placed under strict French military drills, they soon became some of the best in the country. Several French officers agreed to stay and help train the rest of the army, with their techniques and manners carefully documented so that Yugoslavs could take over the job of the French instead.

With a major goal in ensuring that food crops were produced, and that they could be moved to the markets, complex planning was continued to be placed into agricultural reform, with detailed tables and tallies and calculations determined to find the amount of farmers needed to create the needed amount of crops. Several farmers were begun to be moved to cities, and their plots given out to other farms, in order to ensure maximum efficiency. They were cared for and made sure they could at least be on their way to get a new job, as the country’s leaders were more and more optimistic about these new reforms, despite the massive costs they were bringing in.

Fighting in Romania increased at a rapid pace, with the Hungarians openly supporting the Transylvanian Self-Defense Forces, and the Royal Hungarian Army involved in direct combat with the Iron Guard, but only within the Dresden-mandated regions of Transylvania, which the Iron Guard rejected along with the treaty signed with the Soviet Union. Jewish volunteers for the Romanian Army, moved by propaganda from the Royal Government, do nothing but bolster Iron Guard recruitment, especially in areas of Transylvania which, despite heavy Hungarian immigration into the region, was still vastly populated by Romanians, few of which wished to be located within this Hungarian-dominated state.

Despite this, it was determined that a “Gentleman’s Agreement” be formed between the Iron Guard and the Romanian Government, with both of them ceasing to fight each other. It appeared that this was not going to be supported by the government, with government soldiers making a feint towards the North, making it seem as if they were seeking to attack the Hungarians, while the Iron Guard announced their own offensive against government soldiers. In an agreement that lasted for about a week, both sides betrayed the other, and changing little on the ground. In the port of Constanta, Italian shipments of weapons and supplies, along with crucial funds, reaches Iron Guard soldiers in the city, where they are able to topple the city government, and send out the supplies to other regiments of Iron Guard soldiers. Defections in government forces became widespread, with the majority simply leaving the army, and the others joining the Iron Guard. Government control over the country became tenuous at best, as less and less people seemed willing to subject to its control.

On the military front, the Romanian Army actually gained ground, beating back the Iron Guard offensive in several towns, giving them the upper hand, but that advantage was decreasingly rapidly due to the defections and the constant attacks by the Transylvanian Defense League. The Iron Guard was able to draw the majority of their support from this area, as well as in the countryside, while the urban populations, on average, remained staunchly pro-Monarchy. An attempt to overthrow the government in Bucharest failed without a single shot fired, as the police were informed by several people of the plot, and were able to arrest them. Regardless, in the southwest, the self-proclaimed “State of Romania” was announced, to be placed under a “Fascist” government, and promptly issued calls for recognition and assistance in driving both the monarchy and the Hungarians out of the country.

The Dmowski government, which was clever to ignore the issue of elections, simply continued to govern as if elections were not an issue within the Republic. One of these advancements was the state announcing an increased control over the economy, with new factories being opened with state money, and entrance exams given in order to ensure that only Polish people would be able to get the job there. Engineers were given massive amounts of money to work at these factories, to make them more innovative and efficient. An extraordinary amount of effort was put into this endeavour, that the Government did little else during the year, much to the dismay of minorities, which saw their economic situations decline.

Conscription is announced on a wide-scale in Lithuania, with all able-bodied males between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five brought into military service, ready to defend at any given notice. The major issue was in Klaipėda, expected to be the frontlines of any German military invasion. Ernestas Galvanauskas was appointed as the Special Administrator to the region, and the region itself was declared a Special Administrative region, distinct from the Republic’s government, for the duration of the League’s mandate, with a vote of confidence planned at the end of that period. This move, seen to try and show that Lithuania was interested in keeping peace and allowing a vote, was expected to help raise its credibility in Europe, and severely anger the Germans.

The Five Year Plan continues in the Soviet Union, with industrialisation on the mind of the party leaders in Moscow. Of course, in order to build up an industrial base, one needed to ensure that the resources needed for their production were gained, and that a surplus was always constantly maintained, in money, in food, and in heavy machinery to further increase industrial production. Electrical production was declared to be needed, with a focus on all major western urban areas having complete electrification by the end of the plan, as well as more people on the collective farms, particularly in Ukraine and southern Russia, where it was being taken to well voluntarily, but more forceful measures were taken, placing more and more people on these farms, but ensuring that they were given tractors to cultivate, and free seeds as well. The government also reported of massive migration into eastern Ukraine, leaving many to speculate where the original inhabitants had gone.

A woman driving a tractor on a collective farm.​

The Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, which had declared independence earlier and had it recognised by the Kingdom of Romania in the treaty between the Soviet Union and Romania, now only a few months into it’s nationhood, announced it would be ascending to the Soviet Union as a member state. A portion of the territory of the MSSR was broken off and given to the YSSR for “administrative” purposes, but it was believed to be in order to open up more land for cultivation and expansion for Russians and Ukrainians, not Romanians.

Middle East, the Mediterranean, & Central Asia

Be it a suicidal notion or his supreme adherence to neutrality, the Bulgarian Tsar, instead of announcing the attack against Romania that even the left wing was supporting, instead announces ambitious new welfare plans to be began. For many, this was the sign that the government was not representative of the people, and that their calls for change had been ignored. Riots against the government broke out in streets across the nation. With the news that the Tsar was expanding his Personal Cavalry Squadron, for his own protection, tensions flamed even higher. Several shipments of unknown origin appeared in the port of Burgas, where several Communist groups, both underground and aboveground, suddenly rose up, gathering dock workers and factory workers, to declare the start of a national revolution. After overwhelming the local police garrison, the Communists took control of the city, and quickly began to consolidate control over other regions of the country nearby.

The new alphabet was introduced in Turkey and even if the conservative opposition to Turkey's leader grew stronger, the purges he conducted made him untouchable. Or nearly, as a Kurd tried to assassinate Kemal in Mosul when he was trying to teach Turkish to the population. The transition to the new writing form and the standardization of the language had effect, as programs to make the population literate were more effective now that the alphabet was more adapted to the language, and this sign of modernization was acclaimed by Western observers, who saw Turkey continue to rise.

Persian-Turkish relations took a dive in 1928 as the Persians were enraged that the railway they needed to link their country to the Mediterranean wasn’t getting built. A rough draft of the line was given to Tehran, to reinsure the Shah that it would be built but this didn’t seem like a real priority for the Turks. The Persian part of the line was built, but served no purpose as the tracks ended right on the border. Hawks in Turkey claimed the Turkish - Azeri and Kurdish - parts of Iran had to be conquered and that the Persian demands were wholly unacceptable. The Ghazi didn’t seem to endorse these ideas.

Not afraid of the political consequences, Reza Shah Pahlavi decided to reopen an university in Tehran, and invited foreign professors to help Mahmoud Hessaby lead it. Even though the Qajar had been ousted of power largely because of their similar endeavour, the new Shah had a wide control over the country and the anti-Western ideas professed by the mob a few years earlier were nowhere to be seen in 1928. This however made foreign teachers harder to motivate and if students were sent abroad, the University faced difficulties to start, not lacking students but direly needing professors.

An old project of the King was finally endorsed in 1928, as the link between the Hejazi and Baghdadi railways was built. This would link all parts of the Hashemite realms, and would enable Syria to be more closely tied to Iraq. In Iraq proper, the rebels lost the support from Damascus that refused to openly fight the British and were crushed by an entire British army, with nearly 200.000 men occupying the region. All attempts to involve the tribal chiefs to elect a new King - Faisal - were thwarted, for the British army was firmly in control of a rump Iraq.

A meager attempt to create industries in Syria was launched and foreign funds were collected. Some factories were built, to create in Syria products that would be be sold in the internal market such as cement or textiles and the Damascus soap industry received backing from French groups, but it remained very marginal.

In Hejaz, rumors of a war were widespread but the Saudi never came. The continued presence of Syrian and French troops however was quickly infuriating the local Bedouin leaders who claimed they needed no outside help to repel the Wahabbi. The French weren’t in the Holy Cities, but their presence was considered unpious by most conservative Muslims, who slowly turned away from the Sharif and his Caliphate.

North & South America

State-owned industries created the year prior by the government were sold off at record losses, where they promptly went bankrupt, as trade was oriented towards the Empire, with the government going so far as to offer tax breaks for all companies that decided to open new trade links in with the Empire. Loans and subsidies were given to investors who wished to expand Empire trade, signalling a clear desire to move away from trade with the United States, which would be a daunting task. Efforts were also made into ensure that “Buy Empire” was well publicised in the country, and making it very clear on ways how to open better ties with them, and seeking to make sure the labeling of Empire goods was prominent. The year saw an actual decrease in real terms of trade between the United States and Canada, with all of the lost trade going to mostly the United Kingdom.

With the economy booming, and no sign of letting up, the Republicans went into the 1928 Presidential Election was a massive hand to be played against the Democrats. It seemed unlike any other time in American history that the cities were becoming more wealthy and welcoming places to live, the rural areas were seeing a rise in farm prices from the collapse earlier in the decade, and the outskirts of the city were becoming host to the increasingly wealthy. There was no reason for any of these people to vote against the Republicans, and Al Smith of New York, a Catholic, was nominated by the Democrats. The election, at times, didn’t even seem to be a contest. Hoover swept the nation, capturing forty four states, with Al Smith only capturing Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. The margins were close in the former Confederacy and in the northeast, but Hoover logged a total of 27,568,712 votes to Smith’s paltry 10,015,469. In Congress, the Republicans logged a record-breaking 286 seats in the House of Representatives, leaving Democrats with 149 seats. Republicans also picked up fourteen seats in the Senate, giving them sixty two out of ninety six seats.

Herbert Hoover campaigning for the Presidency.​

With Republican control of Congress still assured, bills were passed for both the increase in funding for the FBI and anti-crime organisations, as well as a massive aid relief act for the victims of the flooded areas, which was considered by many to still be a disaster. This massive spending, acceptable in these times of prosperity, was widely seen as rejuvenating the location economies, and also had the unintended consequence of bring major new roads and industrial factories to these areas, seeing as they were being rebuilt and aid was being used here. The other bills, which expanded FBI presence and other federal agencies to combat crime opened up along these avenues of relief money, with the obvious implication that they were seeking to curb KKK influence in the South. Needless to say, the KKK rallied against the federal government, as Democrats were furious at the intrusion of Washington into local affairs.

As issues of KKK violence and peaceful elections reigned in the United States, over their southern border, a fierce war was raging. The Cristeros were gaining further and further support, with unofficial support coming from outside groups and volunteer organisations. Some of the most elite forces were called “Los Dominicanos,” who were trained by none other than the American-created Dominican Military, which gave them basic military training and transportation to rebel-held territory. Fighting erupted in Mexico City, forcing the legitimate government out after well-armed and well-trained forces, who most certainly were not speaking Spanish, were able to drive them out of the city. The anti-clerical government responded by clamping down on churches even further, abolishing all privileges they had in the country, and murdering any clergy that was suspected of being against the government in any way.

In the Dominican Republic, which was known to support the Cristeros, ran an official policy of neutrality, advocating for the United States to intervene and force both sides to mediate a solution to the problem. Regardless, hundreds of clergy and other refugees from the government were welcomed into the Dominican Republic. The new clergy were quickly given jobs, as the government also expanded funding for the church, which in turn began to build more schools, orphanages, and medical locations. The Church was the prime providers of social services in the Dominican Republic, with the government supporting it with ample funds.

Mexican clergy arriving in the Dominican Republic.​

With massive land plots abandoned by the coffee oligarchs, President Vargas announces a redistribution programme, allowing landless peasants and farmers, as well as those who had worked the land before, to take ownership of the land as long as they cultivated it for useful production, be it food or other export crops, of their choice. Coffee was not high on their lists, and coffee exports in Brazil collapsed during the year, driving up prices elsewhere, but greatly helping with the President’s popularity. Money was also announced for a new pro-industry agenda, offering subsidies to industries for them to expand and further industrialise the nation. With both the rural and urban population firmly behind the new government, it seemed that Brazil was finally taking their first steps into growth, and showing their potential for becoming a major power.

Even if politicians in Washington looked upon the Brazilian Revolution with concern, anti-Communist organisations were formed to monitor the bureaucrats and lower ranking government officials, seeking to root out any un-patriotic and dissenting forces within the new administration. This was closely followed by a crackdown on anti-government groups in the country that expressed their concern at the way President Vargas was going to run the nation. With his anti-communist stance, he was seen favourably in Washington, quelling fears that he would seek to drive Brazil into a Communist state.

Elections in Argentina pit former President Hipolito Yrigoyen against Robustiano Patrón Costas, with both sides trying to rally the nation to their own view and their party. The Radical Civic Union was widely thought to be able to sweep the Presidency and the Congress, but the progress under President Piñero was hailed as well. Yrigoyen was re-elected President, mainly due to his massive popularity, despite the good work that Piñero had accomplished. Few people knew of Costas, and were unwilling to take the chance in electing him.

The Direccion Generalde Aeronáutica was formed in Buenos Aires, to be given control over the newly formed Fabrica Militar de Aviones, which itself as a subdivision of the semi-private military industry in Cordoba. This spreading out of new factories and military directives was meant to ensure that the air wing of the Argentine Military could be upgraded with the benefit of the increasing military establishment, and good salaries for any foreign experts that wished to move to the country. Construction of new aircraft was underway, and expected to be ready to be put into the air by the next year.

With President Piñero on the way out, one of his last acts was to ensure that more money was secured for the National Industrial University. With broad support from the Radical Civic Union and his own party, regional branches were established in cities across the country, hiring those who had graduated from the university to staff these new universities. They ranged from small campuses to massive universities, depending on its location, ensuring that all areas of the country had access to the National Industrial University, sure to provide a highly educated population moving into the future.

Africa & Asia

The follow-up of the Chinese elections wasn’t easy as both the military winners of the war and the House had to share the spoils. An alliance between a large group of Progressives - close to the local military elites - and the Young China Party was formed, with the YCP making concessions to the warlords’ cronies in order to gain power. Chen Guofu was made Prime Minister albeit he knew he had to give the Anhui’s victors large influence. Feng Yuxiang remained Minister of War, Zhang Zongchang became Vice-President but the Supreme Military Council, made of representatives of the most prominent warlords, gained a tremendous influence over the Parliament and most laws that went against its wishes would easily be shut down. The YCP had thus nominal power but practically there was little it could do. Instead, it focused on a hearts and minds campaign, to make the Chinese people understand how they had to change. Feudal ideas such as foot binding had to be banned, old habits such as opium use needed to disappear from the society and mostly a new syncretic thought, linking Christianity, nationalism, self-strengthening and a mild rejection of Western influences was becoming more and more popular in the country. This was by no mean a unified doctrine, as Neo-Confucian and more liberal ideas were developed by its leaders and Christianity was sometimes seen as an element China had to (re)appropriate, sometimes as a foreign threat. Amusingly, the sect that idealized Jimmy Yen was gaining neo-Taiping elements, as a mix of a reborn Jesus, chauvinism and autonomism was created. A civil society, different from those in the West, was thus emerging and with it a sense of stability. With Guangdong increasingly looking like a haven of safety, and with modernists in Shanxi and Manchuria, the Chinese economy slowly but steadily began to improve.

The economic and thus political ties between the military and the industrial elite in Japan continued to grow closer. A large contract was signed between the IJN and the Okura and Mitsubishi zaibatsus, to modernize Japanese weaponry. The government, forced to agree to the IJN demands, issued more and more bonds to pay for the army and these bonds were in turn bought by zaibastus that used the money to modernize their production apparel. With new howitzers, submachine guns and AA guns, the IJN seemed ready for a fight, be it against Russia or to secure more influence in a China that appeared to slowly slip away from Japan.

The air branch of the IJA then also asked for funds and with upcoming elections, the government didn’t dare to oppose the renewed demands of the army. More and more bonds were issued and Japan was worryingly overspending. When news - or rumour - spread that the government might redeem those bonds for a lower value to be able to meet its obligations, a bank run ensued and over thirty small banking establishment were unable to cope with it. The Japanese banking, heavily dependent on internal capital, was shaken to the core and its involvement within the economic fabric made the rest of country suffer, as what could only be described as a recession began. All over the country, businesses went under and a protest vote was expected.

A bank run, for the Bank of Taiwan​

Japan had been influenced by nationalists, liberals and left-wingers over the past decade, and the tensions within the society were exacerbated by the worsening economic climate. The government had given universal suffrage but much to the regret of some circles, it hadn’t restricted the public sphere or banned nefarious organizations. The Japanese communist Party notably criticized the ‘negative attitude’ of the country towards Soviet Russia and claimed that the crisis spelled the end of capitalism in Japan. With money coming from Shanghai - where the International was expected to have agents - it was able to appeal to the lower classes that had been given the opportunity to vote, and gained 14 seats and over 6% of the popular vote. Various non-communist left-wing groups also made a strong appearance, with the Labour-Farmer Party - close to the Communists - gained 11 seats, the Japan Labour-Farmer Party gaining 32 seats, the Social Democratic Party gaining 38 seats and the Enlightened People’s Communist Party agitating and bombing two voting booths in the region of Kyoto. The Minseito gained 164 seats and the Seiyukai 140, meaning liberal parties still won the elections. However, with 61 independents elected who were by all means supportive of the authoritarian theories of the right-wing, the other side of the political spectrum was also well represented. The two main parties won, but only because of the voting system as 53% of the Japanese population voted for other parties. An era was coming to an end.

In the middle of an overhaul of the federal system, the Australian capital was moved to Canberra. This was a mean to end the dispute between Melbourne and Sydney and to confirm the federal nature of Australia, so as to oppose the Western Australian secessionists. With now empowered federal entities, the local governments were able to work more efficiently, and many issues that had been born out of the rivalry between the main cities of the East were settled.

Bruce’s bid to ensure social peace was a conservative solution: he reduced the tax rates to let the poor end up with more poney in their pockets and expected the richer stratas to invest more in the nation’s production apparel. Consumption indeed rose during the second and third quadrimestres but investment remained sadly low, as the tensions between the various classes made Australia less appealing as an investment destination, Australian capital often invested in nearby New Zealand.

With elections incoming, New Zealand’s Prime Minister was working to create his own legacy as his full term had been dominated by the shadow of his predecessor, and to win yet another victory, perhaps as stunning as the previous one. And what could better ensure him a lasting place in the heart of New Zealand than education? The young generations would all follow the courses his administration intended to establish and his name would remain associated for decades with public schools. Taking control over the curriculums nation-wide, the Coates administration set standards all schools were required to follow. This widespread uniformisation ensured that all students received roughly equivalent lectures, and had tremendous effects on some schools in more backwards areas of the country. The government wanted to make sure its control was effective and guidelines for all subjects - focusing on maths, science and professional education - were given, with special rights given to the Maori as well.

The Liberals of the United Party opposed the idea of an even more interventionist government and campaigned for the approaching elections on a clear platform: the Education Act would be rescinded and the government would take a hand-off approach to the economy. Labour was facing hard times as the Red Scare in New Zealand didn’t seem to end, the Australian communists and laborists being painted as allies of New Zealand’s labour and the Comintern. The race appeared to mostly concern the United and the Reform Parties, as Labour was poised to end in third place. But on election day, most observers were shocked to see the United Party, that was expected to make a strong showing, crumble. Labour also lost one seat, ending with only 11, but the Liberals lost half their seats, with 6% of the popular vote and 4 seats. A new party, the Country Party, gained a seat, but the Reform Party clearly swept the Parliament again, with 64 elected members and nearly two-thirds of the popular vote.

Other Notable World Events

• Estonia changes its currency from the mark to the kroon.
• Convicted American murderer Ruth Snyder is executed at Sing Sing.
• Charles Jenkins Laboratories of Washington, D.C., becomes the first holder of a television license from the Federal Radio Commission.
• Charles Lindbergh is presented the Medal of Honor for his first Transatlantic flight.
• A bomb attack against Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini in Milan kills 17 bystanders.
• The first ever east–west transatlantic flight by aeroplane takes place from Dublin, Ireland, to Greenly Island, Canada, using German Junkers W 33 Bremen.
• An earthquake destroys 200,000 buildings in Corinth.
• Rookie driver Louis Meyer wins the Indianapolis 500.
• A bomb attack against the Italian consulate in Buenos Aires kills 22 and injures 43.
• Aviatrix Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to make a successful Transatlantic flight, as a passenger in a Fokker F.VIIb/3m piloted by Wilmer Stultz from Newfoundland to Wales.
• Philo Farnsworth demonstrates to the Press in San Francisco the world's first working all-electronic television system, employing electronic scanning in both the pickup and display devices.
• Swedes start a tradition of eating Gustavus Adolphus pastries to commemorate the 17th-century king on the anniversary of his death in battle.
• Mickey Mouse appears in Steamboat Willie, the third Mickey Mouse cartoon released, but the first sound film and the first such film to be generally distributed.
  

GM Note: Australia and Haiti are open. Duke (Ethiopia) has been removed from the game.

 

[Frymonmon]

Countries of the World: 1929

​

Argentina
Overview: Presidential Republic
Population: 12.732 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 52,097 m.
Trade: $ 6,355 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Expansion, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 38% Services, 15% Industry, 47% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -85.09 m.
Total Income: $ 5,963 m. 15.16% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 6,048 m.
National Treasury: $ -33,482 m. BB Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (2/5) Average, 1.56% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Average, 1.60% of GDP
Education: (1/5) Good, 1.68% of GDP, Semi-Public
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Poor, 0.29% of GDP, Private
Miscellaneous: 0.82% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 1.02% of GDP, Navy: 1.52% of GDP, Air Force: 0.21% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (1/5) Good, 1918 Technology
10 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 923,028
Navy: (3/5) Good, 1923 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 2 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 9 Cruisers, 14 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1912 Technology
2 Fighter Wings, 1 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
President: Hipolito Yrigoyen
Played by: alexander23

Australia
Overview: Parlimentary Democracy
Population: 6.394 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 33,292 m.
Trade: $ 4,773 m.
Economy: Newly Industrial, Boom, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 43% Services, 13% Industry, 44% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 843.22 m.
Total Income: $ 5,117 m. 18.02% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 4,274 m.
National Treasury: $ -27,699 m. BB Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (2/5) Good, 1.40% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Good, 1.43% of GDP
Education: (1/5) Good, 1.37% of GDP, Semi-Public
Health & Welfare: (2/5) Good, 0.56% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 0.68% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 1.65% of GDP, Navy: 1.53% of GDP, Air Force: 0.44% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (2/5) Excellent, 1920 Technology
8 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 622,278
Navy: (2/5) Good, 1920 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 1 Battlecruisers, 5 Cruisers, 7 Destroyers, 6 Submarines
Air Force: (4/5) Failing, 1918 Technology
1 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
Prime Minister: Stanley Bruce
Played by: 99KingHigh

Brazil
Overview: Presidential Dictatorship
Population: 32.794 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 32,783 m.
Trade: $ 3,908 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Boom, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 47% Services, 8% Industry, 45% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -436.91 m.
Total Income: $ 4,008 m. 18.61% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 4,445 m.
National Treasury: $ -24,127 m. BB Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (1/5) Poor, 1.79% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Poor, 1.89% of GDP
Education: (2/5) Good, 2.71% of GDP, Mostly Public
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Failing, 0.34% of GDP, Private
Miscellaneous: 1.06% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 1.11% of GDP, Navy: 1.32% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Poor, 1916 Technology
8 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 2,636,535
Navy: (2/5) Average, 1919 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 2 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 2 Cruisers, 10 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1912 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
President: Getúlio Vargas
Played by: baboush

Bulgaria
Overview: Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 5.755 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 7,223 m.
Trade: $ 540 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Boom, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 41% Services, 7% Industry, 52% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 236.92 m.
Total Income: $ 1083 m. 19.86% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 846 m.
National Treasury: $ -2,788 m. BB Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (4/5) Failing, 1.40% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Average, 1.70% of GDP
Education: (4/5) Good, 1.15% of GDP, Semi-Private
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Failing, 0.27% of GDP, Private
Miscellaneous: 0.90% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 2.72% of GDP, Navy: 1.81% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (4/5) Average, 1918 Technology
1 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 488,805
Navy: (3/5) Failing, 1918 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 1 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1918 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
Tsar: Boris III
Played by: MastahCheef117

Canada
Overview: Parlimentary Democracy, Dominion of the United Kingdom
Population: 11.140 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 55,393 m.
Trade: $ 5,656 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Expansion, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 62% Services, 6% Industry, 32% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 366.25 m.
Total Income: $ 4,844 m. 10.72% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 4,478 m.
National Treasury: $ -12,708 m. AA Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (2/5) Average, 1.76% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Average, 1.80% of GDP
Education: (1/5) Good, 1.51% of GDP, Public & Private
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Average, 0.68% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 0.93% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 0.49% of GDP, Navy: 0.46% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Good, 1917 Technology
3 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 1,011,481
Navy: (1/5) Average, 1918 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 2 Cruisers, 4 Destroyers, 4 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1912 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
Prime Minister: W. L. Mackenzie King
Played by: TJDS

China
Overview: Paper Democracy
Population: 487.849 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 286,818 m.
Trade: $ 35,158 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Expansion, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 8% Services, 3% Industry, 89% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 9,062.48 m.
Total Income: $ 22,967 m. 13.17% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 13,904 m.
National Treasury: $ -28,699 m. B Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (2/5) Poor, 0.88% of GDP
Administration: (1/5) Poor, 0.85% of GDP
Education: (1/5) Poor, 0.34% of GDP, Mostly Private
Health & Welfare: (4/5) Failing, 0.17% of GDP, Private
Miscellaneous: 0.53% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 1.05% of GDP, Navy: 0.13% of GDP, Air Force: 0.02% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.24% of GDP
Army: (2/5) Average, 1916 Technology
86 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 58,884,347
Navy: (2/5) Average, 1915 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 6 Cruisers, 9 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1910 Technology
1 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
Leaders: Cao Kun
Played by: Stormbringer

Cuba
Overview: Presidential Republic
Population: 3.742 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 5,892 m.
Trade: $ 702 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Expansion, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 49% Services, 7% Industry, 44% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -136.83 m.
Total Income: $ 548 m. 12.33% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 685 m.
National Treasury: $ -2,729 m. A Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (4/5) Poor, 1.76% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Average, 1.90% of GDP
Education: (2/5) Poor, 1.00% of GDP, Semi-Private
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Poor, 0.65% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 1.02% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 4.27% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (2/5) Average, 1922 Technology
1 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 1,260,951
Navy: (2/5) Failing, 1918 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1900 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
President: Gerardo Machado
Played by: Maxwell500

Czechoslovakia
Overview: Presidential Republic
Population: 14.980 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 35,858 m.
Trade: $ 3,773 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Stagnation, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 51% Services, 20% Industry, 29% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 516.01 m.
Total Income: $ 3,957 m. 11.91% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 3,441 m.
National Treasury: $ -13,679 m. A Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (3/5) Average, 1.90% of GDP
Administration: (2/5) Excellent, 2.23% of GDP
Education: (1/5) Average, 1.08% of GDP, Semi-Private
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Average, 0.38% of GDP, Private
Miscellaneous: 1.05% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 1.62% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.47% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (1/5) Good, 1919 Technology
18 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 1,160,951
Navy: (1/5) Failing, 1912 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (2/5) Average, 1918 Technology
1 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
President: Tomáš Masaryk
Played by: nachopontmercy

Dominican Republic
Overview: Presidential Republic
Population: 1.738 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 1,669 m.
Trade: $ 239 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Stagnation, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 35% Services, 3% Industry, 62% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -29.77 m.
Total Income: $ 177 m. 14.54% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 207 m.
National Treasury: $ -3,013 m. BB Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (4/5) Poor, 0.19% of GDP
Administration: (2/5) Average, 0.20% of GDP
Education: (4/5) Poor, 0.07% of GDP, Mostly Private
Health & Welfare: (4/5) Failing, 0.07% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 0.18% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 3.49% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Failing, 1908 Technology
1 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 248,442
Navy: (3/5) Failing, 1905 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1900 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
President: Horacio Vasquez
Played by: Magister

Ethiopia
Overview: Absolute Monarchy, Regency under Ras Tafari
Population: 8.383 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 6,463 m.
Trade: $ 702 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Stagnation, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 21% Services, 1% Industry, 78% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 35.18 m.
Total Income: $ 369 m. 9.39% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 334 m.
National Treasury: $ -2,888 m. B Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (2/5) Poor, 0.18% of GDP
Administration: (1/5) Poor, 0.17% of GDP
Education: (1/5) Poor, 0.07% of GDP, Mostly Private
Health & Welfare: (4/5) Failing, 0.03% of GDP, Private
Miscellaneous: 0.49% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 1.33% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Failing, 1908 Technology
2 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 1,224,642
Navy: (3/5) Failing, 1905 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1900 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
Empress: Zewditu I
Played by: Duke of Britain

France
Overview: Parliamentary Republic
Population: 42.072 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 174,598 m.
Trade: $ 25,559 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Recession, Mixed Economy
Economic Sectors: 48% Services, 19% Industry, 33% Agriculture & Resources [Industry Standards 2]
Government
Total Balance: $ -3,249.72 m.
Total Income: $ 27,994 m. 17.28% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 31,244 m.
National Treasury: $ -296,012 m. AAA Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (4/5) Good, 2.70% of GDP [Private Dams 2]
Administration: (1/5) Excellent, 2.76% of GDP
Education: (2/5) Good, 3.10% of GDP, Mostly Public
Health & Welfare: (4/5) Average, 1.97% of GDP, Public & Private
Miscellaneous: 1.34% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 1.78% of GDP, Navy: 1.11% of GDP, Air Force: 0.58% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.53% of GDP
Army: (2/5) Excellent, 1924 Technology
62 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 1 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 1,111,514
Navy: (2/5) Good, 1922 Technology
1 Aircraft Carriers, 6 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 26 Cruisers, 42 Destroyers, 16 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Good, 1920 Technology
50 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 1 Bomber Wings
President: Gaston Doumergue
Played by: Harpsichord

Germany
Overview: Parliamentary Republic
Population: 66.446 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 292,344 m.
Trade: $ 23,883 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Boom, Mixed Economy
Economic Sectors: 47% Services, 16% Industry, 37% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 3,436.30 m.
Total Income: $ 40,812 m. 16.85% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 37,376 m.
National Treasury: $ -256,262 m. A Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (4/5) Average, 2.36% of GDP
Administration: (2/5) Good, 2.47% of GDP
Education: (4/5) Average, 2.36% of GDP, Semi-Public
Health & Welfare: (4/5) Poor, 1.28% of GDP, Semi-Private
Miscellaneous: 1.21% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 0.21% of GDP, Navy: 0.30% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (4/5) Good, 1920 Technology [Tech Increase 1]
10 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 3,853,911
Navy: (4/5) Average, 1918 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 6 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 6 Cruisers, 12 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (3/5) Average, 1920 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
President: Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck
Played by: Mathrim

Haiti
Overview: Presidential Dictatorship
Population: 2.388 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 1,725 m.
Trade: $ 172 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Stagnation, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 39% Services, 4% Industry, 57% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -2.50 m.
Total Income: $ 195 m. 17.89% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 198 m.
National Treasury: $ -2,097 m. BBB Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (3/5) Failing, 0.88% of GDP
Administration: (2/5) Poor, 0.96% of GDP
Education: (2/5) Failing, 0.34% of GDP, Mostly Private
Health & Welfare: (2/5) Failing, 0.34% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 0.55% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 4.80% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (2/5) Poor, 1920 Technology
0 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 189,940
Navy: (3/5) Failing, 1912 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1900 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
President: Louis Borno
Played by: Firelordsky

Hungary
Overview: Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 8.670 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 20,485 m.
Trade: $ 1,977 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Boom, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 45% Services, 7% Industry, 48% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 29.70 m.
Total Income: $ 2,458 m. 17.61% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 2,429 m.
National Treasury: $ -12,953 m. B Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (1/5) Average, 1.71% of GDP
Administration: (4/5) Poor, 1.67% of GDP
Education: (3/5) Poor, 0.65% of GDP, Mostly Private
Health & Welfare: (4/5) Failing, 0.30% of GDP, Private
Miscellaneous: 0.92% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 2.50% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Good, 1920 Technology
8 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 367,128
Navy: (3/5) Failing, 1918 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1918 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
King: Mátyás III
Played by: tyriet

Ireland
Overview: Republic
Population: 2.949 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 10,442 m.
Trade: $ 809 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Boom, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 42% Services, 5% Industry, 53% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 116.95 m.
Total Income: $ 1,182 m. 16.03% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 1,065 m.
National Treasury: $ -473 m. A Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (1/5) Good, 1.79% of GDP
Administration: (1/5) Average, 1.62% of GDP
Education: (2/5) Poor, 0.89% of GDP, Semi-Private
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Poor, 0.58% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 0.89% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 4.34% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (1/5) Good, 1922 Technology
6 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 291,250
Navy: (4/5) Poor, 1917 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1918 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
President: William T. Cosgrave
Played by: Dadarian

Italy
Overview: Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 41.150 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 140,245 m.
Trade: $ 13,643 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Expansion, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 56% Services, 14% Industry, 30% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 1,403.46 m.
Total Income: $ 16,569 m. 16.31% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 15,166 m.
National Treasury: $ -112,094 m. A Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (2/5) Good, 1.94% of GDP
Administration: (1/5) Average, 1.71% of GDP
Education: (2/5) Poor, 1.26% of GDP, Public & Private
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Poor, 0.61% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 0.93% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 1.30% of GDP, Navy: 1.01% of GDP, Air Force: 0.13% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.13% of GDP
Army: (1/5) Excellent, 1921 Technology
39 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 2,092,197
Navy: (4/5) Average, 1918 Technology
2 Aircraft Carriers, 3 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 18 Cruisers, 42 Destroyers, 7 Submarines
Air Force: (3/5) Average, 1918 Technology
2 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
Monarch: Victor Emmanuel III
Played by: Noco19

Japan
Overview: Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 61.143 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 127,841 m.
Trade: $ 14,079 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Depression, Mixed Economy
Economic Sectors: 53% Services, 23% Industry, 27% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -6,559.11 m.
Total Income: $ 16,695 m. 15.31% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 23,254 m.
National Treasury: $ -211,568 m. A Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (4/5) Good, 2.70% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Good, 2.64% of GDP
Education: (1/5) Good, 1.51% of GDP, Semi-Private
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Average, 0.96% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 1.23% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 1.18% of GDP, Navy: 3.48% of GDP, Air Force: 0.30% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.46% of GDP
Army: (1/5) Good, 1926
32 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 5,302,878
Navy: (4/5) Excellent, 1923 Technology
3 Aircraft Carriers, 9 Battleships, 6 Battlecruisers, 50 Cruisers, 144 Destroyers, 80 Submarines [ +1 Aircraft Carrier in 1 Year]
Air Force: (1/5) Average, 1927 Technology
5 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
Monarch: Emperor Taishō
Played by: etranger01

Lithuania
Overview: Presidential Republic
Population: 2.256 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 2,713 m.
Trade: $ 306 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Boom, Mixed Economy
Economic Sectors: 46% Services, 6% Industry, 48% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -439.92 m.
Total Income: $ 400 m. 18.92% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 840 m.
National Treasury: $ -2,350 m. BB Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (4/5) Poor, 2.22% of GDP
Administration: (4/5) Average, 2.46% of GDP
Education: (2/5) Poor, 1.26% of GDP, Semi-Private
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Poor, 1.30% of GDP, Semi-Private
Miscellaneous: 3.78% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 15.90% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.11% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Average, 1922
6 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 220,334
Navy: (2/5) Failing, 1919 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1918 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
President: Antanas Smetona
Played by: Ab Ovo

New Zealand
Overview: Parlimentary Democracy, Dominion of the United Kingdom
Population: 1.468 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 8,666 m.
Trade: $ 576 m.
Economy: Newly Industrial, Stagnation, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 42% Services, 11% Industry, 47% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 142.71 m.
Total Income: $ 1,158 m. 16.13% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 1015 m.
National Treasury: $ -6,234 m. A Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (3/5) Average, 1.60% of GDP [+1 in 1 years.]
Administration: (2/5) Good, 1.72% of GDP
Education: (1/5) Good, 1.68% of GDP, Semi-Public
Health & Welfare: (2/5) Average, 0.94% of GDP, Semi-Private
Miscellaneous: 0.87% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 3.29% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (2/5) Average, 1922 Technology
2 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 141,816
Navy: (3/5) Poor, 1916 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1912 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
Prime Minister: Gordon Coates
Played by: Julius Maximus

Persia
Overview: Military Dictatorship
Population: 13.482 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 14,293 m.
Trade: $ 1,641 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Expansion, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 45% Services, 3% Industry, 52% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -267.34 m.
Total Income: $ 1003 m. 9.51% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 1,270 m.
National Treasury: $ -12,445 m. BB Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (4/5) Poor, 0.83% of GDP
Administration: (2/5) Poor, 0.79% of GDP
Education: (3/5) Poor, 0.49% of GDP, Semi-Private
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Failing, 0.14% of GDP, Private
Miscellaneous: 0.49% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 2.18% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Poor, 1919 Technology
5 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 1,177,853
Navy: (1/5) Poor, 1910 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1905 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
Regent: Reza Pahlavi
Played by: Pirate

Poland
Overview: Presidential Republic
Population: 29.550 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 77,223 m.
Trade: $ 6,344 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Boom, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 57% Services, 15% Industry, 28% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -567.10 m.
Total Income: $ 9,457 m. 15.71% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 10,024 m.
National Treasury: $ -45,261 m. BBB Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (4/5) Average, 1.74% of GDP
Administration: (4/5) Average, 1.74% of GDP
Education: (4/5) Average, 1.39% of GDP, Public & Private
Health & Welfare: (2/5) Poor, 0.60% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 0.90% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 3.57% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.24% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 1.06% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Excellent, 1922 Technology
56 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 1,207,395
Navy: (3/5) Average, 1919 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (3/5) Average, 1919 Technology
1 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
President: Roman Dmowski
Played by: Shynka

Romania
Overview: Constitutional Monarchy/Fascist Dictatorship
Population: 12.660 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 12,039 m.
Trade: $ 1,609 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Stagnation, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 40% Services, 4% Industry, 56% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -1,826.20 m.
Total Income: $ 1,392 m. 15.31% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 3,218 m.
National Treasury: $ -20,670 m. B Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (2/5) Average, 1.66% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Average, 1.70% of GDP
Education: (3/5) Average, 2.04% of GDP, Mostly Public
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Average, 1.29% of GDP, Public & Private
Miscellaneous: 0.86% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 5.76% of GDP, Navy: 1.96% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.30% of GDP
Army: (2/5) Good, 1918 Technology
14 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 702,132
Navy: (2/5) Average, 1917 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 2 Cruisers, 6 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Poor, 1912 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
King: Ferdinand I/Iron Guard
Played by: Sealy300/PotatoMan

Sarawak
Overview: Monarchy, Protectorate of the United Kingdom
Population: 0.382 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 396 m.
Trade: $ 29 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Stagnation, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 51% Services, 1% Industry, 48% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 9.01 m.
Total Income: $ 26 m. 11.81% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 17 m.
National Treasury: $ -88 m. B Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (4/5) Failing, 0.74% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Failing, 0.72% of GDP
Education: (1/5) Failing, 0.14% of GDP, Private
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Failing, 0.14% of GDP, Private
Miscellaneous: 0.45% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 0.69% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Failing, 1903 Technology
0 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 36,709
Navy: (1/5) Failing, 1902 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1900 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
Rajah: Charles Vyner Brooke
Played by: Groogy

Soviet Union
Overview: Communist
Population: 149.909 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 144,192 m.
Trade: $ 5,271 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Boom, Planned Economy, Five-Year Plan (1/5)
Economic Sectors: 38% Services, 10% Industry, 52% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 5,996.55 m.
Total Income: $ 57,845 m. 61.06% Average Tax Rate [New Economic Policy]
Total Expenses: $ 51,848 m.
National Treasury: $ 5332 m., $ -33,793 m. in Tsarist Debt, Cannot Borrow
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (2/5) Average, 7.37% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Poor, 6.48% of GDP
Education: (1/5) Poor, 7.34% of GDP, Mostly Public
Health & Welfare: (2/5) Failing, 6.70% of GDP, Mostly Public
Miscellaneous: 4.29% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 2.94% of GDP, Navy: 0.51% of GDP, Air Force: 0.13% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.18% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Poor, 1919 Technology
148 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 2,818,232
Navy: (4/5) Poor, 1919 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 4 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 3 Cruisers, 25 Destroyers, 14 Submarines
Air Force: (4/5) Poor, 1918 Technology
3 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
Chairman: Joseph Stalin
Played by: KeldoniaSkylar

Spain
Overview: Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 23.306 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 68,149 m.
Trade: $ 6,867 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Boom, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 53% Services, 6% Industry, 41% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -0.63 m.
Total Income: $ 5,138 m. 10.32% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 5,138 m.
National Treasury: $ -28,036 m. A Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (3/5) Poor, 1.17% of GDP
Administration: (2/5) Average, 1.27% of GDP
Education: (1/5) Average, 0.99% of GDP, Public & Private
Health & Welfare: (4/5) Failing, 0.43% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 0.65% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 1.18% of GDP, Navy: 0.93% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (1/5) Good, 1917 Technology
18 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 1,769,798
Navy: (4/5) Poor, 1916 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 3 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 6 Cruisers, 14 Destroyers, 4 Submarines
Air Force: (3/5) Failing, 1915 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
King: Alfonso XIII
Played by: Kaiserohab

Sweden
Overview: Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 6.138 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 27,574 m.
Trade: $ 3,129 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Boom, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 52% Services, 10% Industry, 38% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ 279.38 m.
Total Income: $ 4,295 m. 18.26% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 4,015 m.
National Treasury: $ -19,671 m. AA Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (4/5) Average, 1.74% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Good, 1.87% of GDP
Education: (2/5) Average, 1.99% of GDP, Mostly Public
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Good, 1.43% of GDP, Public & Private
Miscellaneous: 0.86% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 1.04% of GDP, Navy: 3.39% of GDP, Air Force: 0.71% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.13% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Average, 1915 Technology
5 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 434,890
Navy: (1/5) Average, 1918 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 17 Cruisers, 28 Destroyers, 14 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Average, 1919 Technology
2 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
King: Gustaf V
Played by: Haresus

Syria
Overview: Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 2.655 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 3,903 m.
Trade: $ 343 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Expansion, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 45% Services, 3% Industry, 52% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -161.41 m.
Total Income: $ 196 m. 7.93% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 357 m.
National Treasury: $ -1489 m. B Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (4/5) Failing, 0.50% of GDP
Administration: (2/5) Poor, 0.53% of GDP
Education: (2/5) Failing, 0.09% of GDP, Private
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Failing, 0.09% of GDP, Private
Miscellaneous: 0.30% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 5.09% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.07% of GDP
Army: (2/5) Poor, 1913 Technology
4 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 197,683
Navy: (2/5) Failing, 1908 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1910 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
King: Faisal I
Played by: XVG

Turkey
Overview: Presidential Republic
Population: 14.022 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 13,405 m.
Trade: $ 1,412 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Boom, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 48% Services, 5% Industry, 47% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -198.45 m.
Total Income: $ 1,838 m. 20.12% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 2,037 m.
National Treasury: $ -16,148 m. BB Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (1/5) Poor, 1.36% of GDP
Administration: (4/5) Poor, 1.48% of GDP
Education: (1/5) Poor, 0.54% of GDP, Mostly Private
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Failing, 0.51% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 0.85% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 3.13% of GDP, Navy: 0.58% of GDP, Air Force: 0.00% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 1.26% of GDP
Army: (1/5) Average, 1919 Technology
8 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 1,277,947
Navy: (2/5) Poor, 1912 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 2 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Poor, 1915 Technology
0 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
President: Mustafa Kemal
Played by: Dutchbag

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Overview: Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 45.287 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 217,260 m.
Trade: $ 33,108 m.
Economy: Semi-Industrial, Expansion, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 61% Services, 14% Industry, 25% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -5,354.14 m.
Total Income: $ 30,199 m. 15.16% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 35,553 m.
National Treasury: $ -429,951 m. A Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (3/5) Excellent, 2.04% of GDP [Cape to Cairo Railway 1]
Administration: (1/5) Excellent, 1.94% of GDP
Education: (4/5) Good, 2.10% of GDP, Semi-Public
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Good, 0.71% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 1.00% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 0.80% of GDP, Navy: 2.86% of GDP, Air Force: 0.36% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.11% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Good, 1919 Technology
34 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 2 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 3,942,787
Navy: (1/5) Excellent, 1920 Technology
3 Aircraft Carriers, 20 Battleships, 11 Battlecruisers, 54 Cruisers, 183 Destroyers, 152 Submarines [+2 Aircraft Carriers in 3 turns.]
Air Force: (2/5) Good, 1919 Technology
36 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 1 Bomber Wings
King: George V
Played by: Sneakyflaps

United States of America
Overview: Presidential Republic
Population: 124.584 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 988,262 m.
Trade: $ 138,411 m.
Economy: Newly Industrial, Boom, Market Economy
Economic Sectors: 60% Services, 21% Industry, 19% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -5,248.57 m.
Total Income: $ 65,304 m. 6.91% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 70,552 m.
National Treasury: $ -444,458 m. AAA Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (2/5) Excellent, 1.53% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Excellent, 1.56% of GDP
Education: (4/5) Good, 1.17% of GDP, Public & Private
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Excellent, 0.94% of GDP, Semi-Private
Miscellaneous: 0.66% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 0.09% of GDP, Navy: 0.46% of GDP, Air Force: 0.08% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (2/5) Excellent, 1922 Technology
13 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 1 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 10,806,306
Navy: (3/5) Excellent, 1925 Technology
3 Aircraft Carriers, 21 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 37 Cruisers, 175 Destroyers, 57 Submarines [+1 Aircraft Carrier in 2 years. 1 Partially Completed Aircraft Carrier.]
Air Force: (2/5) Good, 1922 Technology [Technology 1]
35 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 2 Bomber Wings
President: Herbert Hoover
Played by: jacobl-Lundgren

Yugoslavia
Overview: Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 15.239 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 17,519 m.
Trade: $ 1,858 m.
Economy: Agrarian, Boom, Market Economy [Agriculture 2]
Economic Sectors: 47% Services, 5% Industry, 48% Agriculture & Resources
Government
Total Balance: $ -14.76 m.
Total Income: $ 1,749 m. 13.22% Average Tax Rate
Total Expenses: $ 1,763 m.
National Treasury: $ -8,647 m. A Credit Rating
Government Spending
Infrastructure: (3/5) Poor, 0.99% of GDP
Administration: (3/5) Average, 1.10% of GDP
Education: (3/5) Poor, 0.79% of GDP, Public & Private
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Poor, 0.37% of GDP, Mostly Private
Miscellaneous: 0.60% of GDP
National Defense: Army: 4.34% of GDP, Navy: 0.00% of GDP, Air Force: 0.76% of GDP | Total Military Deployments: 0.00% of GDP
Army: (3/5) Average, 1921 Technology
16 Infantry divisions, 0 Special divisions, 0 Armoured divisions
Manpower: 1,116,487
Navy: (1/5) Poor, 1916 Technology
0 Aircraft Carriers, 0 Battleships, 0 Battlecruisers, 0 Cruisers, 0 Destroyers, 0 Submarines
Air Force: (4/5) Failing, 1917 Technology
1 Fighter Wings, 0 Fighter-Bomber Wings, 0 Bomber Wings
King: Peter I
Played by: Ekon

Colonial Holdings

Spoiler

French Africa
Population: 37.797 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 25,222 m.
French Levant
Population: 0.463 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 0,611 m.
French Indochina
Population: 25.030 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 19,770 m. [Rubber Investment 2]
French Caribbean
Population: 1.313 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 1,313 m.
Italian Africa
Population: 1.239 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 1,290 m.
Italian Albania
Population: 0.978 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 885 m.
Japanese Korea
Population: 16.579 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 19,853 m.
British India & Asia
Population: 337.057 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 221,996 m.
British Africa
Population: 7.863 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 8,834 m.
American Philippines
Population: 11.299 m.
Gross Domestic Product: $ 15,342 m.

 

[Groogy]

(( Where's my update? I double checked to be sure but yes I have sent in my orders to the correct person. I even made a nice IC with handmade reference resources for the order that I also link to in the order ))

 

[PotatoMan]

People of Romania!

The last year has seen the Iron Guard triumph, with our military growing in size every day and our lines extending from Timișoara to Constanța! The Monarchy is on the verge of collapsing and our legion will soon rule over the entirety of Romania. But there is one more thing that we require.

The Legion requires more volunteers! We need doctors to bring aid to our soldiers, we need soldiers to defect from the Monarchy and join our cause, we need the people of Romania to support the Legion and its efforts to bring peace and prosperity to you, the people! For the Legion to bring prosperity to the people, the people must bring prosperity to the Legion.

Fight alongside us, be known as the people who brought peace and prosperity to the Romanian people and not those who stood against it.

For the Nation, for the People, for the Legion, and for God!

~Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, Leader of the Iron Guard.



​

 

[RedNomNoms]

SULTANATE OF NEJD
and House Saud​

Faithful of Muhammad! The Hashemite puppets have hid for two years behind Crusaders who prop up their false Caliphate! It is a disgrace for all of Islam for this to continue, and for pilgrims to visit the Holy Cities which have been desecrated by this false Caliph. For inviting Crusaders into his lands, for propagating a false Caliphate, and for disgracing Islam and the Holy Cities, a jihad for the liberation of the Hejaz has been declared. May the true believers rise up and march alongside our glorious forces to aid in their liberation. ALLAHU ACKBAR!

~Abdulaziz al Saud, Sultan of Nejd

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

OOC: Mmmm Bluff, needs more revolutionary action

 

[Mathrim]

OOC: My bad.

 

[Bonecracker(NL)]

State Visit to Germany​

This Week the Gazi has returned from his first foreign visit in the capacity as President of the Republic. The destination was Germany, where a fellow great commander-turned-president, Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, awaited him at Tempelhof airfield. The two shook hands and briefly conversed, before inspecting a guard of honor and entering the presidential limousine which brought them to the Presidential Palace. Here, the two men talked on their nations and became acquainted with each other, and later that day the Von Lettow-Vorbeck held a state dinner in honour of his guest.

The next day, President Mustafa Kemal held a longer, formal discussion with Chancellor Stresemann. The range of subjects were diverse: Most notably the President expressed his will to modernize, but most of all standardize his army's arsenal, and enlist German technical and financial support for building railroads and industry in Turkey. The chancellor replied favorably to closer economic ties, but cleverly dodged the first question as it would include breaching the Treaty of Versailles.

Turkey is a nation with a large rural population, but a rather low agricultural production. Mustafa Kemal was intent on changing this and went to the north of Germany to see the local agriculture at work. Whilst it had been in a better state, he encountered large, contiguous plots and mechanization, leading to a vast surplus of production. And if the benefits weren't enough, it would certainly look modern and western. Mustafa Kemal had a model farm of his own where he used these modern techniques, but seeing them all in action gave him yet another incentive to work on spreading it throughout the nation.

The Gazi was further guided to the Ruhr, where he was shown the wonders of German industry. Speaking German, he went beyond what was set out for him to see to find out how the machines worked and how the workers experienced their employment. All the while, he was taking mental notes on how to implement this in Turkey. As he did this, he was thinking. He had not taken a proper pulse of public opinion for a while, and he was nearly assassinated in Mosul earlier. Here the thought of a tour of his country started to become a serious idea.

He also spoke to the managers and owners on the ins and outs of running and maintaining such a factory as theirs. His grasp of economics was less than presidential, and he asked many simple questions, mainly revolving around the cost of running such an operation. It was costly to run, he was told multiple times, but profits were comfortable and the collective of industries in Germany put her in a position to be the dominant economic force in Europe. This spoke to Kemal. Maybe he could create a Turkey that could be a strong, if not the dominant economic force of Eastern Europe and the Near East.

More formalities, civil and military, were done, but Mustafa Kemal was to visit Bavaria later on a more private basis. As a lover of nature, he enjoyed the sights of Bavaria and played tourist in the countryside and Munich. In the city, he met his German counterpart again. Here they amicably went out for a night in the beer halls, drinking and conversing until the little hours. The Presidents woke up late that morning and made their way back to Berlin, where the two amicably said their goodbyes at the Tempelhof airfield, where the Gazi remarked that his visit to Germany and Berlin was vastly superior than his visit in 1917, in no small part due to the company. "Let us do this again sometime!", he said before boarding and flying back to Istanbul.

The visit, though short, was a success. A most pleasant experience for many, a delegation from the Turkish ministry of public works had secured German aid for the railways, the Gazi was enriched personally by seeing the modernity he wanted to bring to Turkey and discussing its ins and outs, and he had made a good friend, perhaps for life.

 

[Mathrim]

Der große Türke

Mustafa Kemal's interview

​

Berliner Tageblatt: Mister President, it is a heartfelt honour to meet you, and we wish to thank you for your time, on behalf of the lectorate of the Berliner Tageblatt. Let us begin and ask a simple question: how would you sum up your impressions of the new Germany?
Mustafa Kemal: Incredible, to use one word. I have visited Berlin before, in 1917, as part of a military mission with the then-crown prince, Vahid ed-Din. Needless to say, it wasn't a leisurely visit, which may impair my judgement. But otherwise I have the feeling that Germany has undergone an impressive cultural rebirth. Instead of seeing the spirit of the junkers and Old Prussia, so to say, have vanished and no longer cast their shadow over Germany. There is now a German Republic where individual liberty, in both thought and action, flourish. This is most certainly a good thing for everyone, and something Turkey as a nation can aspire to.

Cultural rebirth is an expression one would more easily use to describe Turkey. How wide is your influence, and how sweeping were the changes?
M.K.: My influence as a person? That is of course very difficult for me to say about myself. But from what I have seen is that in five short years, Turkey has made incredible strides. I think the clearest example of this was a few months ago, when the Turkish language officially adopted the Latin alphabet.

Many here see you as some sort of miraculous modernizer. Do you believe such a revolution in cultural and political practices would have been possible without you? Or do you believe Turkish society had reached a point where such changes were unavoidable?
M.K.:The Great war has been an incredible event, and at the Paris Peace Conference Turkey was to be divided amongst the victors like a cake at a banquet. However, the Ottoman Sultanate and its institutions were for all intents and purposes untouched in the rump Turkey that barely straddled Anatolia. I think that my main mark in history will be as a general, as the leader of the Turkish national movement that created the Turkish state. However, my final impact will remain for the generations to decide, both in action and historical perspective. Maybe the Turkish Republic will grow into an enlightened nation, like those of Europe. Maybe it will perpetually be a tinpot dictatorship. Only time can tell. And the same rings true for cultural practices. When one goes beyond Istanbul and Smyrna, the Turkish peasants are still largely medieval in practice, in some places even in dress. The Turkish peasantry still remains to be modernised, as superstition, religious fervour, and backwards customs need to be eradicated and replaced with education and progressive thought. But again, this is something that will unfold over the coming decades.

You brought up the subject of democracy, and lauded the Reich for its democratic changes over the past decade. However, opposition to your policies has been silenced in Turkey. How would you justify this wide difference between the ideas you defend and the situation in your homeland?
M.K.: The way I see it, the current dictatorship is a necessary evil. At the moment a strong hand is needed for the changes that we are trying to push through and spread throughout the country. I firmly believe in democracy, and my government is one for the people, but not by the people. But I wish for this to change, and I have for a few years been discussion the idea of allowing an opposition-party to exist on a legal basis. And in the coming years we shall authorise the formation of one. For now, we will control democracy -if that makes any sense- so that it can't be hijacked by the forces of reaction. Turkey and Germany are very different countries, but in neither I believe the government can function well if it not in touch with its people.

The population exchange between Turkey and Greece was deemed a humanitarian catastrophe by many observers when it took place; looking back upon it do you believe it was a necessity to ensure the creation of a nation-state and continued peace, or was a bad decision born out of the necessities of the war?
M.K.: I simply view the population exchange as a sound idea to strengthen both Greece and Turkey, but the execution of it was poor. If I knew the execution would be poor when deciding on it, I think I still would have done it. The large Greek population in the city of Izmir, for instance, would be a cause of constant concern put up by potential enemies and as such it could easily become an internal threat.

Our trickier questions are now over, we'll change the subject and ask something more pleasant: Turkey has made a stunning economic comeback, how would you describe it and for how long can such growth be sustained?
M.K.:I'd describe it as a miracle, only made possible by the hardworking and eager-to-learn attitude of the Turk. After the war, our entire country was ruined and the Greeks and Armenians, who formedmost of the Ottoman State's middle classes, were out of our territory. Against all expectations a new middle class appeared in one, two years' time. And how long can such growth be sustained? Well, I am no economist, but I think that as long as the wider world economy does well, as it has done in recent years, there's no reason why Turkey's economy should falter.

Lastly, what is your vision of the future, what do you think the Turkey will look like in a decade? And where will you be?
M.K.:In a decade, I hope to see Turkey at a level of development, at least materially, as that of an Eastern European country. Great strides will have to be made, but I believe that this is possible bearing the last five years in mind. But regardless of development level, I hope that I will have created a Turkish republic that can develop itself further. And where I shall be in 1938? I do not know. Maybe I will still be president, maybe I will have retired. I will lead my people by the hand along the road until their feet are sure and they know the way. Then they may choose for themselves and rule themselves. Then my work will be done.

Mr President I thank you for your honest answers and for your time and wish you and your country luck for the future.
M.K.: Thank you for having me, and I wish you and your country luck too.

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

Pravda​

Following two years of exploratory visits and negotiations, the Ford Motor Company of the United States of American has signed a revolutionary agreement to produce cars in the Soviet Union, in Dearborn, Michigan.

Though the Soviet Union only possessed about 20,000 cars and single truck factory in 1928, we are eager to join ranks of automobile producers around the world. The Ford Motor Company, with its expertise in engineering and manufacturing, will prove a useful ally in achieving this important goal.

Ford himself was strongly in favor of his free-market company doing business with the Soviet Union, stating: “No matter where industry prospers, whether in India or China, or Russia, all the world is bound to catch some good from it."

The contract between the Ford Motor Company and the Soviet Union stipulates that Ford will oversee the construction of a production plant in Gorky (Nizhni Novogrod), on the banks of the Volga, to manufacture Ford Model A cars and trucks, as well as, newer V-8s. This new factory is to be a clone of Ford’s famed River Rouge factory. Furthermore, an assembly plant would also be constructed in Moscow. In order to ensure the success of this endeavor the Ford Motor Company will send hundreds of engineers, technicians, and executives to the Soviet Union to ensure the successful development of these manufactories and the creation a new and modern transportation sector within the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union has agreed to, in return, to purchase some 72,000 unassembled Ford cars and trucks and all the spare parts required over the next nine years, a deal worth some $30 million to Ford.

The Soviet Union has also reported signed similar deals with companies such as International Harvester, General Electric, DuPont, US Steel, RCA, Union Carbide, Standard Oil, Westinghouse Electric, Wright Aeronautical, Bethlehem Steel, Michelin, Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques, Citroën, IG Farben, Siemens, AEG, Junkers, Fiat, Pirelli, Hispano-Suiza, Vickers-Armstrongs, Ltd., and Harland & Wolff, among others

~ Valery U. Meshlauk, vice chairman of the Supreme Council of National Economy

 

[Frymonmon]

NEW YORK - Thousands despair as stocks tumble during the day, as the market plunged over five hundred points, destroying billions of dollars and investors rushed to sell everything they could. Panic was the norm in New York as the trading floor resembled what could be gathered as a war zone, trying to get their stocks sold at any price they could imagine. In Washington, Senators have begun the debate of raising tariffs on foreign goods, demanding action be taken by the body, and urging President Hoover to react to this situation. Some have reported that the recent embargoes placed upon Soviet Russia by the Congress have had something to do with this, with Henry Ford having spoken out against the United States Government for their disregard of private interests, as he was barred from dealing economically with Soviet Russia. Our own sources report that he has established operations in Germany, and shall proceed with Soviet Russia regardless of the legislation from Washington. Given the current collapse of stock market, many now feel that the government will be having more issues to deal with than Henry Ford's investment into Soviet Russia, that is if he can still afford to following today's market upset.

 

[PotatoMan]

People of Romania!

Today, I speak to you on a very important topic, the current situation in Transylvania.

Over the years, the people of Transylvania have lived in the most horrible conditions, with constant fighting between the Kingdoms of Hungary and Romania over control and influence in the territory. The Iron Guard understands what the Transylvanians have gone through, we understand why you wish to separate yourselves from the decadent illegitimate Monarchy of Romania. Therefore, I ask the people of Transylvania, do you want to remain fighting a war that could drag on for years, or do you want to join the Iron Guard and bring an end to all this war whilst uniting Romania under the Cross of the Legion?

The decision is yours, the power to alter the fate of Romania is in your hands. Now take that power, take that power and use it to bring prosperity to the people of Romania and Romania itself, use it to take down the decadent Monarchy!

Join the Iron Guard! Take up arms wherever you reside, bear the Cross of the Legion and fight alongside those who know what is best for Romania!

For the Nation, for the People, for the Legion, and for God!

~Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, Leader of the Iron Guard.
​

 

[Noco19]

Kingdom of Italy
Regno d'Italia​

The Kingdom of Italy extends recognition of the Romanian State under the guidance of the Iron Guard and Corneliu Zelea Codreanu. Romania bleeds, and it is surely Codreanu and his leadership that will mend the wounds. Under the prior government, Romania has been invaded, humiliated, and battered by forces from nearly all sides. Transylvania was lost, Bessarabia was lost, and worse, the confidence and will of the people was lost. This is not how a state should function, it should embolden and uplift its people and become as one, not rend them to civil war.

It is our hope that through the policies and spirit of the Iron Guard, with assistance from Italy, Romania may again be rejuvenated and entered back into the international community with honor and the ability to prove themselves far flung from the same government that caused internal collapse. Then, the Transylvanian people can perhaps return to union with their brothers, upon seeing the end of crisis and a return of prosperity.

- Foreign Minister Dino Grandi

 

[Kaisersohaib]

Reino de España​

It has been announced that General Miguel Primo de Rivera has declared himself dictator with the help of protesters and police, King Alfonso XIII was exiled and offered our new leader the role of Primer Ministro.

With Primo de Rivera, we have a new opportunity to rebuild our country a new fate, which will hopefully be different to our current situation.

Madrid has now calmed down and the capital shall soon boost our economic and industrial ventures, while it saddens us that our northern friends, the French, are suffering major protests in their cities similar to ours the past year, we are happy to see French investors finding a safe haven in Spain and have realized that this nation is one of the safest and wealthiest to be investing in Europe. We encourage Spanish investors to follow the French lead and help us construct a productive trade hub and rely on factories instead of agriculture.​

Here are the first messages from General Miguel Primo de Rivera addressing the current internal and external affairs :

Romanian Question :

We shall not recognize any form of rebels roaming the lands of our fellow Latin Kingdom, including the rogue "Iron Guard",
we hope for a new future in this usually tense region. We are however happy to see that the Romanians have decided to resort to peace and stopped the disgusting Transylvania Genocide, and welcome Transylvania to the world with open arms.​

Mosul Referendum and Syria :

As much as we appreciate the new stability and the democratic referendum which recently occurred in the Mosul Region, we are sad to see the legacy of the Ottomans regain their territory in a mostly Arab and Kurdish area, however, Spain is in no position to protest against a decision taken by the LoN and wish that the Turks do a better job than the Irakis at maintaining peace.​

and finally, addressing the matter of future reforms and changes in the Government:

Without any surprises, Spain will see many reforms happen in the agricultural and political area, with both being completely outdated and unreliable, a census shall be done next year in both Spain and the colonies and a new and more modern railway connecting our nation will be a secondary goal for the near future. As we speak, the King and I will be soon discussing new ways of making our political scene more stable allowing a more libertarian and free Spain, giving our citizens a chance to stride and have a brighter future.​

 

[m.equitum]

REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA
Dios, Patria, Libertad​

PANIC IN NEW YORK
And the Dominican Sovereign Debt​

Having received news of the Wall Street Panic which has sent the New York Stock Exchange plummeting to record lows, the Dominican Foreign Ministry wishes to reiterate our determination to continue to service our sovereign debt in continued concert with American financial institutions.

Panic in New York​

While adjustments to bond yields and repayment may be necessary, the Vasquez Administration has no intention of abrogating our obligations to creditors and will stand alongside our American allies in weathering the financial storm that has landed upon our shores. We look forward to further discussing with the Department of State to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the emerging financial situation.

 

[Stormbringer]

Chapter XIV: Rulers of China

Since we have departed from following China’s politics in recent chapters, focusing instead on the Russian community, the Rural Reconstruction Movement, and the Army, we now revisit this important topic. Cao Kun is elected President in 1924 for a five-year term. Although he does not serve all of it, in 1929 China is to host its second Presidential election since the adoption of the new Constitution. Here we look back over those men who have recently held power in the country.

The first President of China is Sun Yat-sen. He establishes the provisional government in 1912, but he steps aside for Yuan Shikai in a compromise. In 1913 a provisional constitution is adopted and China holds its first elections for President.

Yuan Shikai is the first elected President of the country and he serves for three years from 1913 to 1916. He dies in 1916 without completing his term. His Vice President, Li Yuanhong, becomes President. Li serves for just about a year from 1916 to 1917. He loses power in the aftermath of the abortive Qing restoration and Feng Guozhang, Li’s Vice President, becomes President. Feng serves out the remainder of Yuan Shikai’s term from 1917 to 1918.

In 1918 Feng Guozhang agrees to not stand for the Presidency if his rival Duan Qirui relinquishes the Premiership. Xu Shichang is elected as a compromise figure. Xu is a civilian, but has close ties to the warlords running the country by this time. The compromise fails and in 1920 Duan Qirui and his enemies clash anyways.

Duan Qirui and his supporters are ousted from power in 1920 and Liang Shiyi become Premier while Wu Peifu, the man who orchestrated Duan’s fall, becomes War Minister. This arrangement continues for only a year, as in 1921 Wu Peifu pressures Xu Shichang to step down from the Presidency in favor of restoring Li Yuanhong in a gesture that is designed to reconcile the north and the south.

Li Yuanhong becomes President for the second time in 1921 and Cen Chunxuan, the nominal head of the southern government, becomes Vice President. Elections for a National Assembly are held and W. W. Yen becomes Premier. Two years later Li Yuanhong attempts to assert his own power by appointing an “able men” cabinet, replacing Yen with Wang Chonghui and bringing in V. K. Wellington Koo as Foreign Minister.

In 1924 the constitution is complete and elections are held for the National Assembly. At the same time disgruntled members of the Zhili clique led by Cao Kun and Feng Yuxiang move against their detractors. Although Li Yuanhong’s term as President has not expired Cao Kun is made President regardless and Feng Yuxiang takes over as War Minister for the disgraced Wu Peifu. Tang Jiyao becomes Vice President. Most of Li’s “able men” cabinet survives this change and outlives Li’s fall, as was intended.

Cao Kun’s Presidency is short. He rules between 1924 and 1927 and comes into conflict with powerful warlords. He is removed in 1927 along with his Vice President Tang Jiyao. Huang Fu becomes President, appointed by the victorious warlords, and Zhang Zongchang becomes the Vice President. The 1927 elections are disorderly and the “able men” cabinet is replaced by one headed by Chen Guofu with Wang Zhengting taking over the Foreign Ministry, though Feng Yuxiang stays on as War Minister.

In 1927 a new institution is created - the Supreme Military Council. Entirely extraconstitutional, the organization is a cabal of powerful military leaders and warlords who dictate policy to the weak President and the weaker government. Zhang Zuolin, the Manchurian warlord, is chairman of this council from 1927 to 1929.

In 1929 the Presidential term started by Cao Kun runs out and a new President and Vice President have to be chosen. Although the Supreme Military Council has functioned well it seems unlikely that “presidency by committee” can continue. The problem is lack of credible candidates - there is no obvious leader for China to turn to. The Senate, made up of regional governors and their representatives and which has to pick the President, is disorganized and fractious.

Roughly the Senate can be divided into three factions. The first is the old military governors descendant from the Beiyang Army. There are few of them left, as both the Zhili and the Anhui cliques have been largely destroyed, with Sun Chuanfang the leading “Beiyang” warlord. The second group are “military reformers” who support a centralized state, a large army, and a modernization program. The last group are the “model warlords” who advocate federalism, local development and have the support of many people in China’s growing civil society.

Some have been mentioned as potential candidates. Feng Yuxiang, the current Minister of War, would like the job. He has, however, never been governor of a province for more than a year and has repeatedly betrayed his allies for personal gain. Not a model warlord, nor a military reformer, he has no clear supporters, though he does command, perhaps, the largest army in China. But if the election comes down to who leads the largest army then the democratic experiment in China has clearly failed.

Another potential candidate is Yan Xishan. He is reluctant to accept the post, but he is the model “model warlord.” His province has prospered under his rule and he was instrumental in removing Cao Kun from power. He is respected and has allies in the south in Guangdong which will help him if he does decide to run.

Most other potential candidates are not widely known. Hu Weide is a respected diplomat and elder statesman, but would be little more than a figurehead. Lin Sen is a revolutionary leader and a federalist, though he also has no power base of his own and would be beholden to others. V. K. Wellington Koo is popular with China’s people, both at home and abroad, and he is respected in the business community, but, once again, its not clear how much power he could wield over China’s military leaders. Neither of the two reformist groups wants a powerless President, but one may yet be elected in order to achieve a compromise.

The other side of the coin are military leaders with little popular support. Jin Yunpeng has serves as Premier and Minister of War, but he has no inclination towards reforms. Zhang Jinghui may be marginally better as he has at least served in the government in a ministerial position. There is, of course, Wu Peifu, but while popular he is also not a reformer and the warlords in the Senate seem unlikely to resurrect the Zhili clique they spent so much time fighting.

The choices are nothing to write home about. Feng Yuxiang, the powerful but self-serving general. Yan Xishan, the capable but reluctant warlord. Hu Weide, Lin Sen, or V. K. Wellington Koo, the respected diplomats. Jin Yunpeng, Zhang Jinghui, or Wu Peifu, the generals with no vision. Or somebody entirely unknown, which at this point, may not be such a detriment.