How about literature? 
Surely writing about things like Narnia and whatnot are worth the attention?
Surely writing about things like Narnia and whatnot are worth the attention?- 1
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Dr. Gonzo It wasn't so much tedious, like you I do like a nice bit of econo-political skulduggery, more a case of 'How the hell do I make beef relevant to anything?' Grappling with that question took me quite a while.
Carlstadt Boy - That magnificence (thanks for the compliment) was not easy, I will need a break before attempting such a feat again.
GDP comparison is a little tricky as you will see, but I'll give it a go.
France - £4billion. A bit down in Franc terms but higher in Sterling terms as France is still on the gold standard when in OTL she devalued. Devaluing would help the economy but would also see the Sterling figure plummet even if the figure in Francs went up.
Germany - £3.5billion. I was somewhat surprised at this number but Germany didn't have an Empire and was running it's economy very, very hot with defence spending at ludicrous levels. About the same as OTL, though a bit tighter as no Spanish raw materials from Franco.
Japan - £2billion. Again a surprisingly low number but it is in fact better than OTL (I figure no 2:26 Incident can only help the economy) As with Germany only massive defence spending made them look tough, but at the cost of red lining the economy.
US - £6billion. Massively, massively down. OTL figure would be almost triple that, though of course the '37 mini-crash would drag it down again. TTL there was no recovery and its looking like a nasty death spiral.
Canada - £700million. Up on OTL due to British war spending and rearmament.
Australia and Britain you already know and their figures are also slightly up on OTL and very much on an upward slope. Anyone else?
KaiserMuffin - As any good chef will tell you, for a mixed group always aim for the medium end of medium-rare. You shouldn't overcook steak but too many people refuse to eat meat with even a hint of blood.
DonnieBaseball - With Mussolini's manic ideas on self sufficiency I think British access to Italian markets was never on the table. A shame as it might have solved a few economic problems. Glad you liked the title, I wondered if anyone would notice.
Zhuge Liang - Honestly I'm glad your impressed, it was damned hard work making beef actually relevant. I'm also pleased you liked the final outcome, the work was worth it.
merrick - I was surprised too, apparently it was only post-WW2 that Canada became a beef exporter, after Peronist Argentina tried to turn the screw on Britain over beef prices.
I think in any event the days of Dominions taking orders from London are long gone, the question is more if they can work together or feel they have to split up.
Tigey - Marvellous to see I've got that part of the system correct!
What I didn't know was that the Commonwealth Secretariat (or at least a similar idea) was proposed as early as the 1900s. What I'm trying to work out is how likely the idea was, I don't suppose you've any insights into the history of your employer?
Haarken - Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you think the updates are worth the sometimes long gaps between them!
C&D - If there's one thing I've learnt reading these comments it's not to under-estimate the large number of beef fans in these parts.
Davout - A break will be required, though as long as I steer clear of ideas that I've no idea how to use I should be OK.
You could give priority to Australian beef, but what about the vast number of British firms in Argentina? It's only the strong beef trade that is keeping those firms safe and the government stable, take away that and the Argentine government will fall and the opposition is very much anti-British, indeed it's anti-business and anti-foreigner in general.
Nathan Madien - The puns and tongue in cheek writing was a vital part of that update, helped to keep my morale up.
Le Jones - It wasn't tedious, just alarmingly similar to hard work. Given my actual (paying) job provides more than enough hard work I'm not keen on looking for more work!
Sir Humphrey - Give me a chance to recover first!
Duritz - I did like the title, nice to see it appreciated along side the rest of it.
Nathan Madien - Even I would struggle with linking book covers to a British AAR, though after the beef experience I'm not ruling it out as being theoretically possible.
Ciryandor - Literature? I'm an engineer so that subject is something of a closed book to me....
As has been guessed the US update next and already it's looking even stranger than I thought. Hopefully I can work those facts into the update somehow.
Carlstadt Boy - That magnificence (thanks for the compliment) was not easy, I will need a break before attempting such a feat again.
GDP comparison is a little tricky as you will see, but I'll give it a go.
France - £4billion. A bit down in Franc terms but higher in Sterling terms as France is still on the gold standard when in OTL she devalued. Devaluing would help the economy but would also see the Sterling figure plummet even if the figure in Francs went up.
Germany - £3.5billion. I was somewhat surprised at this number but Germany didn't have an Empire and was running it's economy very, very hot with defence spending at ludicrous levels. About the same as OTL, though a bit tighter as no Spanish raw materials from Franco.
Japan - £2billion. Again a surprisingly low number but it is in fact better than OTL (I figure no 2:26 Incident can only help the economy) As with Germany only massive defence spending made them look tough, but at the cost of red lining the economy.
US - £6billion. Massively, massively down. OTL figure would be almost triple that, though of course the '37 mini-crash would drag it down again. TTL there was no recovery and its looking like a nasty death spiral.
Canada - £700million. Up on OTL due to British war spending and rearmament.
Australia and Britain you already know and their figures are also slightly up on OTL and very much on an upward slope. Anyone else?
KaiserMuffin - As any good chef will tell you, for a mixed group always aim for the medium end of medium-rare. You shouldn't overcook steak but too many people refuse to eat meat with even a hint of blood.
DonnieBaseball - With Mussolini's manic ideas on self sufficiency I think British access to Italian markets was never on the table. A shame as it might have solved a few economic problems. Glad you liked the title, I wondered if anyone would notice.
Zhuge Liang - Honestly I'm glad your impressed, it was damned hard work making beef actually relevant. I'm also pleased you liked the final outcome, the work was worth it.
merrick - I was surprised too, apparently it was only post-WW2 that Canada became a beef exporter, after Peronist Argentina tried to turn the screw on Britain over beef prices.
I think in any event the days of Dominions taking orders from London are long gone, the question is more if they can work together or feel they have to split up.
Tigey - Marvellous to see I've got that part of the system correct!
What I didn't know was that the Commonwealth Secretariat (or at least a similar idea) was proposed as early as the 1900s. What I'm trying to work out is how likely the idea was, I don't suppose you've any insights into the history of your employer?
Haarken - Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you think the updates are worth the sometimes long gaps between them!
C&D - If there's one thing I've learnt reading these comments it's not to under-estimate the large number of beef fans in these parts.
Davout - A break will be required, though as long as I steer clear of ideas that I've no idea how to use I should be OK.
You could give priority to Australian beef, but what about the vast number of British firms in Argentina? It's only the strong beef trade that is keeping those firms safe and the government stable, take away that and the Argentine government will fall and the opposition is very much anti-British, indeed it's anti-business and anti-foreigner in general.
Nathan Madien - The puns and tongue in cheek writing was a vital part of that update, helped to keep my morale up.
Le Jones - It wasn't tedious, just alarmingly similar to hard work. Given my actual (paying) job provides more than enough hard work I'm not keen on looking for more work!
Sir Humphrey - Give me a chance to recover first!
Duritz - I did like the title, nice to see it appreciated along side the rest of it.
Nathan Madien - Even I would struggle with linking book covers to a British AAR, though after the beef experience I'm not ruling it out as being theoretically possible.
Ciryandor - Literature? I'm an engineer so that subject is something of a closed book to me....
As has been guessed the US update next and already it's looking even stranger than I thought. Hopefully I can work those facts into the update somehow.
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With America in such a screwed up state... Yes... Joseph P. Kennedy will end up President and God help us all.. Americans and Britons both...
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Luckily there is a speck of water and these funny boats with the White Ensign on them between them and Europe.
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Stupidity... like life... finds a way.
Besides... that spec of water.. seems you're forgetting Canada.
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KiMaSa - The new President is upset you don't believe he can turn things round.
He finds your lack of faith disturbing.trekaddict - Indeed. The Royal Navy has standing orders to shoot all Kennedys on sight. Or even suspicion.
He finds your lack of faith disturbing.
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An examination of the British chocolate industry perhaps?
Actually a very interesting topic might be to do an update about the British film industry, which at the time was producing some truly great films and documentaries.
Many of these have been restored and released on DVD by the BFI such as the British Transport Films Collection, The General Post Office Film Unit Collections and Land Of Promise: The British Documentary Movement 1930-1950.
Actually a very interesting topic might be to do an update about the British film industry, which at the time was producing some truly great films and documentaries.
Many of these have been restored and released on DVD by the BFI such as the British Transport Films Collection, The General Post Office Film Unit Collections and Land Of Promise: The British Documentary Movement 1930-1950.
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Kennedy...good gracious...someone kill me now. *starts gagging heavily*
Fortunately, El Pip, I was only kidding. I wouldn't do that to you.
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If colonies are counted, shouldnt Britain have larger GDP, especially compared to France? If French get so much from their empire, Britain should be much stronger, Indian economy was always very rich in total numbers, coupled with very large UK economy and other colonies Britain should be way ahead of France (unless them being on gold standard means really much for measuring). I assume colonies are counted because you included them in French totals.
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Why did I have the Oompa-Loompa song stuck in my head the moment I read this?
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I've read in more than one place that by the late-30s Britain had made so many concessions to Indian nationalism that she wasn't getting all that much economic benefit out of the subcontinent--the real benefit was the Indian Army.
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Sir Humphrey - I have actually seen a few of those, there was a BBC season focusing on those old documentaries. One of those times when the BBC justifies itself by genuinely educating, informing and entertaining in way no other British broadcaster does.
Nathan Madien - Some people unite the world in dislike, I find those moments of common humanity very reassuring.
Carlstadt Boy - Being on the Gold standard massively boosted the strength of the Franc (i.e. it brought more pounds). As those figures are all in sterling the exchange rate you use if very important. France left the gold standard OTL in 1936, by 1938 the Franc had collapsed to half it's previous value.
If I'd used the OTL exchange rate for 1937 French GDP would be only £2.5 billion (using the '38 exchange rate it's barely £1.5 billion ), but France hasn't devalued TTL. She is crucifying her economy to protect the strong Franc, the longer she does that the worse the fall will be.
C&D - Because it's a catchy tune?
DonnieBaseball - I've seen that argument as well, it always struck me as a bit suspect. While it may well be true in pure 'Cash into HM Treasury' terms I think it misses the point that most of the firms operating in India were British owned or controlled and British firms making money 'abroad' should be good for Britain. Plus as you say the Indian Army was a nice benefit, especially as it was paid for by India.
Nathan Madien - Some people unite the world in dislike, I find those moments of common humanity very reassuring.
Carlstadt Boy - Being on the Gold standard massively boosted the strength of the Franc (i.e. it brought more pounds). As those figures are all in sterling the exchange rate you use if very important. France left the gold standard OTL in 1936, by 1938 the Franc had collapsed to half it's previous value.
If I'd used the OTL exchange rate for 1937 French GDP would be only £2.5 billion (using the '38 exchange rate it's barely £1.5 billion
), but France hasn't devalued TTL. She is crucifying her economy to protect the strong Franc, the longer she does that the worse the fall will be.C&D - Because it's a catchy tune?
DonnieBaseball - I've seen that argument as well, it always struck me as a bit suspect. While it may well be true in pure 'Cash into HM Treasury' terms I think it misses the point that most of the firms operating in India were British owned or controlled and British firms making money 'abroad' should be good for Britain. Plus as you say the Indian Army was a nice benefit, especially as it was paid for by India.
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Chapter XCVI: Time For a Beer?
Chapter XCVI: Time For a Beer?
It is fair to say that Alfred Mossman Landon did not have a particularly strong mandate when he entered the White House as the 33rd President of the United States. Having fallen just short on Electoral College votes and a fair margin short in the symbolic (if in practice irrelevant) popular vote he had depended on the support of others and back room deals to win office. This lack of personal mandate, combined with the simple mathematics that had left no one party with control of Congress, was not considered by most commentators to be a recipe for a strong or decisive Presidency. And strictly speaking they would be correct, at least on the second point; the Landon Administration would be defined by it's dealing and compromising nature, very rarely would the President implement a scheme exactly as first proposed. Whether this was entirely down to the unfavourable legislative environment or if instead Landon's personality played a part is an interesting, but ultimately academic question. The simple facts were that as long as Congress remained fractious and divided, compromise was the only game in town.
The issues of the election campaign, which subsequently became the issues facing the political nation, could be boiled down to three areas; Foreign Policy, the Depression and Prohibition. We will deal first with Prohibition, an issue that from an outsider's perspective should have caused a far more problems than it did. Broadly speaking there was agreement on the need for repeal, indeed despite the Democratic holdouts from the Southern States there was even a majority in Congress, what there was not was any confidence the repeal would get past the states. As any change to prohibition would require an amendment to the Constitution (to repeal the Eighteenth Amendment that had introduced the system in the first place) ratification by state legislatures was also a requirement. With those bodies thought to be in the hands of the Temperance lobby ratification was seen as a major stumbling block to repeal, though interestingly that was as far as the thinking went. The fact that a relatively small group of lobbyist had such power over the levers of state government and could block the wishes of the vast majority was seemingly wilfully ignored, instead Washington busied itself with the smaller technical problem of bypassing the legislatures. This oversight seems extraordinary and the only obvious explanation is the deeply cynical theory that Washington had no desire to investigate state lobbying in case the investigation spread to Congress.
The Ambassador Bridge linking Detroit to Windsor. A key border crossing prior to the vast jump in US-Canadian tariffs the bridge had become one of the main channels for illicit alcohol importation into the United States. That this trade had flourished while Ontario (along with much of the rest of Canada) suffered under it's own unpopular prohibition experiment was due to a very lax definition of 'export' that allowed countless breweries and distillers to stay open. The trade's survival is also a testament to the extent of bribery and corruption within local, state and federal enforcement bodies, with only limited crossing points a concerted campaign could have killed the trade dead, yet barely 5% of Ontario 'exports' were ever seized.
In any event the Twenty-first Amendment was prepared and would duly pass in early 1938 when the final state held it's convention to ratify the amendment. This long lag in which prohibition was still in force gave the gangs that controlled the illicit alcohol trade more than enough time to 'go straight', the few pre-Prohibition brewers that had survived soon fell victim to the 'new' breweries the more far-sighted Mafia bosses established. With a potent combination of vast financial muscle, almost endless physical muscle on the ground and control of the Teamsters transport union the Mafia brewers soon dominated the post-Prohibition market. Theses organisations also ensured that even notionally 'dry' states had no shortage of alcohol, while transporting alcohol into a dry state was illegal (indeed it had the somewhat bizarre status of being unconstitutional) taking it through a 'dry' state on route to a 'wet' state was, after a Supreme court judgement, not only allowed but a constitutional right. As such some of the most circuitous and unlikely delivery routes evolved and whole fleets of lorries started 'losing' their cargo at the most convenient point. This cunning ruse, a blatant violation of the spirit of the law but almost impossible to prove as actually illegal, along with the breweries status as cash laundering but (mostly) legitimate businesses frustrated the FBI and Treasury investigators seeking to bring down the Mob.
While the public were delight at the return of alcohol the other overriding aim, the reduction in crime, must be judged at least a partial failure. Most of the worst excesses had in any event been dealt with, mobsters such as Al Capone had been weeded out through a brutally Darwinian process leaving only the more cunning bosses who hid their wealth, tried to avoid public violence (private violence was naturally another matter) and nurtured judicial and political connections. Thus while low level crime abated somewhat and the police and Treasury agencies could direct their efforts towards more serious crime, the problems of the prohibition era lingered on, not leas the corrosive culture of acceptance of non-violent Mob law breaking in the police and legal systems. There was however at least one significant but normally un-noticed positive to prohibition; a great deal of black market and otherwise illicit activities were suddenly legalised and thus became available for taxation, a boon for cash strapped state and federal budgets. And as we shall see those budgets were in need of such injections of cash as Landon's began to implement his economic programme.
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Notes;
A little short this one, but rest assured there will be another US update to follow, if only to annoy the Hispanophiles! More seriously it's been a couple of weeks and various other authors are updating so quickly I feel I have to make an effort to keep up, hence short but hopefully sweet. The economic and foreign policy of Landon is up next.
So Prohibition is repealed, four years late and the Mob is even more entrenched, an idea I just couldn't bring myself to drop. Somewhat to my surprise it is unconstitutional to take a beer from a 'wet' state into a 'dry' one, the only other way an individual can breach the US constitution is to enslave someone. There's something wrong there but I'm not sure what...
Equally the Temperance lobby was very strong but rather than solve the problem Washington ignored it and worked around it. As an outsider that seems odd but I'm sure it makes sense to someone.
Game effect? A dissent reducing event for the US seemed about right.
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Crap, it must be hell to live in America. The rotten Mafia is even more deeply entrenched in the legitimate brewing industry, and the temperance movement hasn't been confronted and debunked, allowing them a return. This can really come back to hurt the US in the 50's when the gangsters take over Cuba and Nevada. Who knows how much the extra windfall from prohibition will help them expand their grip on politics, foreign policy and economics?
To make matters worse, the temperance advocates may actually benefits from being ignored by crying 'unconstitutional' and 'states rights!' and generally insisting their lobby is the 'silent majority'. I know a fascist America under Lindbergh has been done dozens of times before, but would a polarized, crime-ridden, lobbyist controlled country lead to a bunch of isolationist America First-ers taking over?
In that case, I'd whole heartedly agree. Let the Yanks sit on their hands while Germany murders and Japan conquers, it's not like they can do anything a Brit can't. Besides, they're always late to the party.
To make matters worse, the temperance advocates may actually benefits from being ignored by crying 'unconstitutional' and 'states rights!' and generally insisting their lobby is the 'silent majority'. I know a fascist America under Lindbergh has been done dozens of times before, but would a polarized, crime-ridden, lobbyist controlled country lead to a bunch of isolationist America First-ers taking over?
In that case, I'd whole heartedly agree. Let the Yanks sit on their hands while Germany murders and Japan conquers, it's not like they can do anything a Brit can't. Besides, they're always late to the party.
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Have to agree with C&D above - on that note, time for a beer!
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Curiously I just recently watched an interesting documentary about the Mob of 1920s and 1930s. Time for a beer indeed.
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Ah, always entertaining to see El Pip work out his frustrations through AAR updates though the US does seem to deserve at least some of this- separation of powers is a wonderful principle but the US can take it to... extremes.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll inflict on the US next.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll inflict on the US next.
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I took two semesters of Constitutional Law in college--trust me when I say the law surrounding the Commerce Clause is some of the most Byzantine (not to mention boring) stuff out there.
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