The Union Forever: A TL

[Archangel]

Archangel good points regarding Portugal. I will say that the experience of the Asia-Pacific war has radicalized the Portuguese population more than OTL. However, there are still sizable conservative elements in Portugal who want to see the monarchy restored. I was not using the Carnation Revolution, as the TL's Portuguese Civil War will be far bloodier.

With a pod in the mid-XIX century there will always be limits to the far-left growth (although I can be sure that parts of the south with large absentee landlords and some urban dwellers with roots there are likely in support of the more left-wing elements in the civil war, with most people in the cities, the rest of the south and parts of the centre might be supporting more moderate elements).

 

[Mac Gregor]

Here is the flag used by the Federated States of West Africa. The seven pointed star naturally represents the dominion's seven constituent states but also harkens back to the flag used by Mandinka rebels against the French during the 1880s and 1890s. For the colors, green represents the dominion's fertile land, red the "same blood flowing through West Africa's various peoples", and blue the British Commonwealth as a whole. Uniquely the flag of the FSWA does not include the Union Jack like other dominions after various nationalist groups raised objections. Instead the flag features the wreathed globe as featured on the Flag of the British Commonwealth.

 

[Mac Gregor]

Flag used by rebels supporting the Democratic Socialist Republic of Portugal. Adopted mere days after seizing Lisbon, the flag was first flown in the Praça do Comércio on November 23, 1982 the day the republic was declared. While it maintained a modified Portuguese shield, the flag sported two oversized red stripes an unsubtle nod to the Communist League an important rebel constituency. Indeed, it has been rumored that the smaller blue central strip was only added to appease the more centrist rebels such as those from the Front for Democracy.

 

[Mac Gregor]

The Iberian Crisis ​

The January Revolution ​

January – March 1983 ​

The popular uprising against the Portuguese crown sent shockwaves across Europe. To the east, Spain’s deeply conservative Carlist government under King Juan IV vowed to help the now exiled Portuguese regime regain control of the country. Many Spaniards however sympathized with the revolutionaries and their grievances as they too chaffed under authoritarian monarchial rule. After a month of dithering, the Spanish government ordered a general mobilization to bolster the small Spanish Army for what they hoped would be a quick march on Lisbon. Unfortunately for King Juan, events soon spun out of his control.

On January 7, 1983 soldiers of a reserve unit mustering near Toledo mutinied against their officers, refusing to take up arms to suppress the Portuguese revolutionaries. News of the mutiny in Toledo only exasperated the various protests and strikes that were engulfing the country. Madrid quickly dispatched Colonel Vito Rolando Vazquez of the 64th Cataphract Brigade to bring the rebels to heel. Vazquez however proved to be a poor choice. As a member of the Phoenix Society, a secret brotherhood of reform minded army officers, Vazquez was deeply committed to political change. Seizing the initiative, Vazquez and most of his soldiers joined the mutineers and began marching north to Madrid. This sudden turn of events caught the Spanish government completely off guard and they panicked to assemble a hasty defense.

On February 11, Vazquez and his forces reached the capital. Civilian protests and improvised roadblocks prevented the government from receiving adequate reinforcements. Many of regime’s troops either deserted or defected to the rebels. Only the Spanish Royal Guard mounted a serious defense when it contested the Palacio Real de Madrid, which was heavily damaged during the fighting. On February 16, the Spanish court decamped by helicopter to Seville where troops loyal to the crown had already crushed an uprising. Two day’s latter, Vazquez and a number of political dissident groups including socialists, democrats, technocrats, and even some monarchists wishing for a Bourbon restoration announced the formation of the Second Spanish Republic in a televised address.

​

Flag of the Second Spanish Republic​

Over the next month and half, Royalist and Republican forces fought each other across Spain as both sides scrambled to secure key terrain and major population centers. The Republicans were aided by various Basque and Catalonian separatists who wished to craft a better position for themselves in a new Spain. By the end of March, the rebels had captured a swath of territory in the northeastern part of the country although sizable pockets of Royalist troops remained such as those in the army’s garrisons along the Pyrenees Mountains. Meanwhile, the Carlist government operating out of Seville, had brought reinforcements from Spanish Sahara and planned for a spring offensive to regain the capital in what it hoped would be a decisive victory.

Approximate territory controlled by rebels as of 1 April 1983​

 

[rick007]

The Iberian Crisis ​

The January Revolution ​

January – March 1983 ​

The popular uprising against the Portuguese crown sent shockwaves across Europe. To the east, Spain’s deeply conservative Carlist government under King Juan IV vowed to help the now exiled Portuguese regime regain control of the country. Many Spaniards however sympathized with the revolutionaries and their grievances as they too chaffed under authoritarian monarchial rule. After a month of dithering, the Spanish government ordered a general mobilization to bolster the small Spanish Army for what they hoped would be a quick march on Lisbon. Unfortunately for King Juan, events soon spun out of his control.

On January 7, 1983 soldiers of a reserve unit mustering near Toledo mutinied against their officers, refusing to take up arms to suppress the Portuguese revolutionaries. News of the mutiny in Toledo only exasperated the various protests and strikes that were engulfing the country. Madrid quickly dispatched Colonel Vito Rolando Vazquez of the 64th Cataphract Brigade to bring the rebels to heel. Vazquez however proved to be a poor choice. As a member of the Phoenix Society, a secret brotherhood of reform minded army officers, Vazquez was deeply committed to political change. Seizing the initiative, Vazquez and most of his soldiers joined the mutineers and began marching north to Madrid. This sudden turn of events caught the Spanish government completely off guard and they panicked to assemble a hasty defense.

On February 11, Vazquez and his forces reached the capital. Civilian protests and improvised roadblocks prevented the government from receiving adequate reinforcements. Many of regime’s troops either deserted or defected to the rebels. Only the Spanish Royal Guard mounted a serious defense when it contested the Palacio Real de Madrid, which was heavily damaged during the fighting. On February 16, the Spanish court decamped by helicopter to Seville where troops loyal to the crown had already crushed an uprising. Two day’s latter, Vazquez and a number of political dissident groups including socialists, democrats, technocrats, and even some monarchists wishing for a Bourbon restoration announced the formation of the Second Spanish Republic in a televised address.

​

Flag of the Second Spanish Republic​

Over the next month and half, Royalist and Republican forces fought each other across Spain as both sides scrambled to secure key terrain and major population centers. The Republicans were aided by various Basque and Catalonian separatists who wished to craft a better position for themselves in a new Spain. By the end of March, the rebels had captured a swath of territory in the northeastern part of the country although sizable pockets of Royalist troops remained such as those in the army’s garrisons along the Pyrenees Mountains. Meanwhile, the Carlist government operating out of Seville, had brought reinforcements from Spanish Sahara and planned for a spring offensive to regain the capital in what it hoped would be a decisive victory.

Approximate territory controlled by rebels as of 1 April 1983​

I just hope that, should the Republicans win, a Franco like figure doesn't emerge.

 

[HongCanucker]

And so it begins...

Are there any International Brigades made up of volunteers from Western nations like in the OTL Spanish Civil War?

 

[Archangel]

Flag used by rebels supporting the Democratic Socialist Republic of Portugal. Adopted mere days after seizing Lisbon, the flag was first flown in the Praça do Comércio on November 23, 1982 the day the republic was declared. While it maintained a modified Portuguese shield, the flag sported two oversized red stripes an unsubtle nod to the Communist League an important rebel constituency. Indeed, it has been rumored that the smaller blue central strip was only added to appease the more centrist rebels such as those from the Front for Democracy.

Good flag, Mac Gregor!

The area controlled by the left-wing Portuguese rebels doesn't make much sense. The North of the country is more conservative than the South, so I wouldn't expect the rebels do very well there (and not in the South, which has traditionally been more sympathetic to leftist movements)

Reagent is right, the north is much more conservative.

 

[metastasis_d]

I wonder if the troop withdrawal from Spanish Sahara will have any unintended consequences...

 

[Mac Gregor]

I just hope that, should the Republicans win, a Franco like figure doesn't emerge.

The area controlled by the left-wing Portuguese rebels doesn't make much sense. The North of the country is more conservative than the South, so I wouldn't expect the rebels do very well there (and not in the South, which has traditionally been more sympathetic to leftist movements)

And so it begins...

Are there any International Brigades made up of volunteers from Western nations like in the OTL Spanish Civil War?

Good flag, Mac Gregor!
Reagent is right, the north is much more conservative.

I wonder if the troop withdrawal from Spanish Sahara will have any unintended consequences...

Thanks guys for the comments. A few clarifications...

Reagent and Archangel are correct in that northern Portugal is more conservative than the southern parts of the country. I should have mentioned that Kingdom of Portugal troops under Prince Fernando made a landing in southern Portugal in early March of 1863. I will go into further detail about this later as the previous update dealt solely with Spain.

As for international brigades...I will discuss this more later but yes there will be a multitude of volunteers and mercenaries on both sides.

Cheers!

 

[Beedok]

Let's hope this doesn't get too ugly.

 

[DumbersTC]

Which other nations would support different sides in the Iberian Crisis?

 

[Lalli]

Which other nations would support different sides in the Iberian Crisis?

France and Italy might support Republicans, depending have them leftist or rightist government.

United Kingdom is probably neutral.

Germany, Russia and few other European monarchy support monarchists.

 

[rick007]

John Sedgwick (1813-1878)

Born on September 13th, 1813, in Cornwall, Connecticut, John Sedgwick joined the Military Academy at West Point in 1833. After graduating in the middle of his class in 1837, Sedgwick became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Artillery. He went to Mexico where he was brevetted twice. After Mexico, he transferred to the cavalry, where he served in Kansas, Utah and in various Indian conflicts.

When the Civil War started, Sedgwick was assistant Adjutant General for the Military District in Washington, D.C. Promoted to Brigadier General in August 1861, he started his service in the Army of the Potomac. Eventually, he commanded the II Corps and then became commander of the Army of the Potomac and finally General in Chief for the entire army.

After the Civil War ended, Sedgwick resigned his commission to run for the governorship of Connecticut, which he easily won. In 1868, after serving four successful terms (since this was in the days when Connecticut's governors served one year terms) Sedgwick was nominated for President of the United States by the Republicans, which he won.

Though his two terms in office brought much needed stability and healing (and in the case of Santo Domingo more land) President Sedgwick had numerous disagreements with many of the people that he worked with. When he left office in 1877, President Sedgwick was glad to have served his country.

However, that happiness was short lived as the war with Spain proved. While giving a speech in support of the war on January 5th, 1878, President Sedgwick collapsed of a heart attack and died. He was 64 years old.

Samantha Greenburg (1980-)

Born to Jewish parents in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 14th, 1980, Samantha Greenburg quickly became interested in film. After graduating from film school in 2002, Greenburg started to direct TV episodes including the pilot for The Casebook of Mabel Collins in 2005. Soon after that, Greenburg was hired to direct her first feature film, a biopic called: Soldier Blue about the life of John Sedgwick during his time in the army. When it was released in 2006, it received many awards including the Best Director Griffith for Greenburg.

Greenburg then made several more movies about historical figures including The Last Stand about Geronimo in 2008, To The Last! about Susan B. Anthony in 2010 and 2014's What Glitters about Sally Jones, a saloon keeper in Gold Rush era Yukon. Recently Greenburg made waves by coming out as a lesbian. In the same interview she revealed that her partner's name is Rachel Herschlag.

 

[Mac Gregor]

John Sedgwick (1813-1878)

Born on September 13th, 1813, in Cornwall, Connecticut, John Sedgwick joined the Military Academy at West Point in 1833. After graduating in the middle of his class in 1837, Sedgwick became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Artillery. He went to Mexico where he was brevetted twice. After Mexico, he transferred to the cavalry, where he served in Kansas, Utah and in various Indian conflicts.

When the Civil War started, Sedgwick was assistant Adjutant General for the Military District in Washington, D.C. Promoted to Brigadier General in August 1861, he started his service in the Army of the Potomac. Eventually, he commanded the II Corps and then commander of the Army of the Potomac and finally General in Chief for the entire army.

After the Civil War ended, Sedgwick resigned his commission to run for the governorship of Connecticut, which he easily won. In 1868, after serving four successful terms (since this was in the days when Connecticut's governors served one year terms) Sedgwick was nominated for President of the United States by the Republicans, which he won.

Though his two terms in office brought much needed stability and healing (and in the case of Santo Domingo more land) President Sedgwick had numerous disagreements with many of the people that he worked with. When he left office in 1877, President Sedgwick was glad to have served his country.

However, that happiness was short lived as the war with Spain proved. While giving a speech in support of the war on January 5th, 1878, President Sedgwick collapsed of a heart attack and died. He was 64 years old.

Samantha Greenburg (1980-)

Born to Jewish parents in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 14th, 1980, Samantha Greenburg quickly became interest in film. After graduating from film school in 2002, Greenburg started to direct TV episodes including the pilot for The Casebook of Mabel Collins in 2005. Soon after that, Greenburg was hired to direct her first feature film, a biopic called: Soldier Blue about the life of John Sedgwick during his time in the army. When it was released in 2006, it received many awards including the Best Director Griffith for Greenburg.

Greenburg then made several more movies about historical figures including The Last Stand about Geronimo in 2008, To The Last! about Susan B. Anthony in 2010 and 2014's What Glitters about Sally Jones, a saloon keeper in Gold Rush era Yukon. Recently Greenburg made waves by coming out as a lesbian. In the same interview she revealed that her partner's name is Rachel Herschlag.

Good posts as usual rick007 keep them coming. I would say interesting choice picking a woman who looks a lot like Scarlet Johansson to work behind the camera. Out of curiosity what is with the fascination with TV/film stars?

 

[rick007]

Good posts as usual rick007 keep them coming. I would say interesting choice picking a woman who looks a lot like Scarlet Johansson to work behind the camera. Out of curiosity what is with the fascination with TV/film stars?

I don't know. I just wanted to fill out the entertainment world a bit. Plus I don't know that many musicians.

 

[SuperFrog]

Let me just say this was one of the first timelines I ever read on this site and I'm glad to see its continuing

 

[HIM Dogson]

Out of curiosity, what's the perception of Napoleon I in TTL, what with Nappy IV making a Wilhelm II seem temperate.

 

[rick007]

First, happy belated fifth anniversary everybody!

George Armstrong Custer (1839-1905)


Born in New Rumley, Ohio, December 5th, 1839, George Armstrong Custer was raised in Michigan and Ohio. In 1858, he went to West Point where he proceeded to have one of the worst conduct records the academy had ever seen earning a total of 726 demerits. As a result he graduated last in his class and would have been posted to some obscure post had it not been for the Civil War.

During the War, Custer was promoted to Major. After the war, he started fighting Indians on the plains. One day, in 1873, he was hunting buffalo with some of his command and he was lining up the shot, pulled the trigger and accidently shot his horse in the head (that's not comedic writing, folks, that actually happened). Shortly after this incident, Custer was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

Four years later, Custer was at war again, this time with Spain in Cuba. In command of the 3rd U.S. Cavalry Regiment, Custer lead several charges, including the ill advised final charge into Havana. Though he was made Brigadier General after this he resigned from the army in November 1878.

Custer spent the next 14 years with his wife, Libby, and five children trying various business ventures and failing. Then in 1892, the Ohio Democratic machine contacted Custer about running for governor of the state. He agreed and won two terms. In 1896, taking advantage of President Hill's decision not to run again and Vice President Palmer's decision not to run at all Custer ran for the Democratic nomination for President, which he won as he did the Fall election.

President Custer's term in office is controversial to say the least. While admitting Mahetane and Sequoyah and the Military Reform Act of 1897 were good things, he also made the Depression of 1897 worse with his protective tariffs. As a result President Custer lost the 1900 election to Robert Todd Lincoln in a landslide.

In his later years, Custer became bitter often lashing out at everyone who disagreed with him. George Armstrong Custer died March 13th, 1905, at age 65.

Josefina Guzman (1970-)

Born in Santiago, Santo Domingo, February 13th, 1970, as Josefina Duarte, Guzman was born to a poor family. Raised a Catholic, she went to Catholic schools most of her life. Earning a scholarship to study law at Harvard in 1990, it was there that Josefina met her future husband Pablo Guzman, whom she married on March 7th, 1994.

Admitted to the bar soon after, she returned to Santo Domingo. Practicing Civil Law, she won several high profile cases. In 2000, Josefina decided to run for the Senate. A moderate Democrat, she managed to win with 66% of the vote. Now in her third term, Josefina Guzman has announced that she is running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016.

 

[Mac Gregor]

Which other nations would support different sides in the Iberian Crisis?

France and Italy might support Republicans, depending have them leftist or rightist government.

United Kingdom is probably neutral.

Germany, Russia and few other European monarchy support monarchists.

I will discuss this in more detail in future updates. Lalli is right though that the Turin Pact (France and Italy) would want the rebels to win. Germany would likely back the monarchists.

 

[Mac Gregor]

First, happy belated fifth anniversary everybody!

George Armstrong Custer (1839-1905)


Born in New Rumley, Ohio, December 5th, 1839, George Armstrong Custer was raised in Michigan and Ohio. In 1858, he went to West Point where he proceeded to have the worst conduct records the academy had ever seen earning a total of 726 demerits. As a result he graduated last in his class and would have been posted to some obscure post had it not been for the Civil War.

During the War, Custer was promoted to Major. After the war, he started fighting Indians on the plains. One day, in 1873, he was hunting buffalo with some of his command and he was lining up the shot, pulled the trigger and accidently shot his horse in the head (that's not comedic writing, folks, that actually happened). Shortly after this incident, Custer was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

Four years later, Custer was at war again, this time with Spain in Cuba. In command of the 3rd U.S. Cavalry Regiment, Custer lead several charges, including the ill advised final charge into Havana. Though he was made Brigadier General after this he resigned from the army in November 1878.

Custer spent the next 14 years with his wife, Libby, and five children trying various business ventures and failing. Then in 1892, the Ohio Democratic machine contacted Custer about running for governor of the state. He agreed and won two terms. In 1896, taking advantage of President Hill's decision not to run again and Vice President Palmer's decision not to run at all Custer ran for the Democratic nomination for President, which he won as he did the Fall election.

President Custer's term in office is controversial to say the least. While admitting Mahetane and Sequoyah and the Military Reform Act of 1897 were good things, he also made the Depression of 1897 worse with his protective tariffs. As a result President Custer lost the 1900 election to Robert Todd Lincoln in a landslide.

In his later years, Custer became bitter often lashing out at everyone who disagreed with him. George Armstrong Custer died March 13th, 1905, at age 65.

Josefina Guzman (1970-)


Born in Santiago, Santo Domingo, February 13th, 1970, as Josefina Duarte, Guzman was born at to a poor family. Raised a Catholic, she went to Catholic schools most of her life. Earning a scholarship to study law at Harvard in 1990, it was there that Josefina met her future husband Pablo Guzman, whom she married on March 7th, 1994.

Admitted to the bar soon after, she returned to Santo Domingo. Practicing Civil Law, she won several high profile cases. In 2000, Josefina decided to run for the Senate. A moderate Democrat, she managed to win with 66% of the vote. Now in her third term, Josefina Guzman has announced that she in running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016.

Nice installments. I was just thinking the other day that I should do one of these for President Custer.