Got it. I imagine a lot of cultural dissemination the other way as well (in both Italy and France.)
The Union Forever: A TL
- Thread starter Mac Gregor
- Start date
Got it. I imagine a lot of cultural dissemination the other way as well (in both Italy and France.)
Asia-Pacific War: Road to War
War in Asia
After decades of simmering tensions, provocations, and military buildups the largest conflict since the Great War finally erupted in August of 1976. While some had thought it was only a matter of time before the Corporatist powers of India and Japan sought to right the perceived wrongs imposed on them by the Western world other experts were dumfounded by the sudden maelstrom that descended on Asia and the Pacific Ocean.
The Road to War
The root causes for the conflict between the Calcutta Compact and the British Commonwealth are complicated and differ from country to country. Many can be traced back to the beginning of the twentieth century if not earlier. Here is a list of the some of the most often sited reasons.
-Anticolonialism: One of the key ideological components of both Indian Leader Harshad Nanda’s National Unity Party (Rāṣṭrīya ēkatā pārṭī or REP) and Japanese Prime Minister Ryota Hayashi’s Kobushi Party was opposition to European colonialism in all its forms. Nanda had always asserted that the so called “sundering of India” during the Indian War of Independence (1949-1958) had been a tragedy of historical proportions and that all territories once part of the British Raj should be united under a single Indian government, no matter the cost. It was commonly believed in Kobushi Japan that it was Western meddling which prevented them from achieving an outright victory against Russia during the Great War stunting their destiny to be the undisputed masters of East Asia.
-Competition for natural resources: A definite factor for Japanese involvement in the war was their desire to acquire much needed natural resources. Having been industrialized for decades, the Japanese Empire sought to gain what it perceived as low hanging fruit from the oil fields of Northern Borneo to the rubber plantations of New Guinea.
-Relative decline of the British Empire: While the British Commonwealth remained a major powers its position it the world had been slipping since its midcentury peak. The loss of Egypt, Indochina, Sudan, and most of India along with the granting of dominion status to various territories was perceived by many in Japan and India as evidence of imperial decay. Furthermore, the lack of a substantial response to the Indian annexation of Bengal (1975) and Japanese aggression towards China (1954-1955) and Siam(1971-1972) led Nanda and Hayashi to believe that Britain had lost the will to seriously contest the Asia-Pacific.
-Advent of nuclear weapons: Before the war began many strategists had believed that because Britain possessed nuclear weapons no major power would dare challenger her in open warfare. With the outbreak of hostilities however, the opposite proved to be true. Britain had exploded its first atomic device in 1974 and now possessed a few dozen bombs. As it would be several years at least until the Indian and Japanese nuclear programs could produce weapons, Nanda and Hayashi believed that they couldn’t wait. By then Britain could have built hundreds if not thousands of bombs. Moreover, China was also known to be pursuing nuclear weapons and Japan wished to capture the desired British territory before turning to deal with the Technate.
The Hammer Falls
Harshad Nanda in military uniform
Leader of the United Republic of India
Harshad Nanda in military uniform
Leader of the United Republic of India
In early July, forces belonging to the REP backed Indian People’s Front captured Shillong the capital of the Republic of Assam after years of fighting with the pro-western government of President Sarat Hazarika. Within days, Harshad Nanda “accepted their request” to join the United Republic of India and sent elements of the 6th Indian Army to occupying the territory. Hazarika was granted asylum in neighboring Burma were he vowed to “continue fighting against this unwarranted and illegal power grab.” As with Bengal the previous year, this act of aggression sent shockwaves throughout the subcontinent. However, it wouldn’t be Assam that proved to be the spark to ignite the powder keg.
On August 2, a small group of pro-REP officers in the Hyderabad military, apparently taking their cues from Assam, attempted to storm the royal palace an overthrow Hyderabad’s ruler Nazim Asfar Jar VIII. After a three hour long gunfight, the palace guards were able to beat back the assault. Fleeing to the countryside, the coup plotters led by Major Siddharta Joshi demanded that the United Republic of India intervene. On August 7, after finally seeing the opportunity he had been waiting for, Nanda ordered the invasion of Hyderabad and its ally the neighboring Commonwealth of Madras. For the second time in as many decades, the Indian subcontinent found itself engulfed in war.
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So the war right now is basically India vs. Britain? But I'm guessing it'll spread, right? Be interesting to see which side of the Japan-China conflict takes whose side - while Japan and India are a logical combination, Japan had exceptionally good relations with Britain until 1931 IOTL, and the British and Chinese certainly aren't going to get on like a burning house.
This will be surely very difficult war for both side, speciality if UK declare war to India and Japan. Big question is, what China and United States will do. United States has territories near Asia, but it hardly is willingful doing much if anything when there is presidential election year. But this might be very important thing on presidential discussions. China is bigger question mark.
And how IEF reacts for its aggressive neighbour? Keep IEF Japan as threat for Manchuria?
And how IEF reacts for its aggressive neighbour? Keep IEF Japan as threat for Manchuria?
Well the next big war of the century erupts.
Now however we have to fear whether it could go nuclear, India provides a textbook case for the use of tactical nuclear weapons and the Japanese fleets are susceptible to nuclear torpedoes.
Unless of course the political will to use the weapons is non-existant or there is outcry against their potential use by Britain's allies.
Either way this will be an interesting war to say the least.
Now however we have to fear whether it could go nuclear, India provides a textbook case for the use of tactical nuclear weapons and the Japanese fleets are susceptible to nuclear torpedoes.
Unless of course the political will to use the weapons is non-existant or there is outcry against their potential use by Britain's allies.
Either way this will be an interesting war to say the least.
It has begun - the Asian war. Britain will likely have a difficult go at it in the initial months. It depends if Japan or India decides to attack another Western power, and cause a cascade effect.
Sounds like there will definitely be strange bedfellows all around. The way Mac alluded to Japan's attitude towards China makes me think they'll be fighting the British.
The US does have quite a bit of territory in the region, but Japan doesn't really have anything to gain from attacking them (assuming the US remains cordial.)
Wow. Looks like the stage is set for yet more bloodshed between the East (not just India, it seems) and Britain once more. It's just not their century, is it. Hopefully they can find some allies to back them up in the upcoming war that seems likely to happen, lest they find themselves biting off more than they can chew.
Great questions and comments everyone. More will be revealed in the coming updates.
Just to clarify as of August 7, the United Republic of India is at war with Hyderabad and Madras. Over the next few days most, but not all, of the British Commonwealth will come to their defense. Japan will move against the British in the Pacific. Cheers!
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We will have to see.
Does anybody know where to find some detailed yet alterable maps of India and the Pacific that I can use?
He's most likely busy in real life as well as probably trying to figure out how to plot this fairly unique war across the Pacific.
God knows I don't envy him mapping that out
God knows I don't envy him mapping that out
He's most likely busy in real life as well as probably trying to figure out how to plot this fairly unique war across the Pacific.
God knows I don't envy him mapping that out
Hey everyone, and happy Washington's Birthday! (OTL that is, ITTL its still celebrated on February 22nd)
No this timeline isn't dead. I have recently had to move across the country and have been very busy with work. I can't really say when the next update will be done. Any speculation or help with the war in the Pacific would be appreciated. Oh, and thanks to those who voted for TUF during the Turtledoves. I appreciated it. Cheers!
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Imperial Eurasian Federation Map 1976
Sorry for no update yet. I will try and get something posted this weekend. Here is (hopefully) the final map of the IEF. Enjoy!
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