April 1937
Vichy
After nearly two years, France remained under allied occupation. However, the southern French zones controlled by America (and to a lesser extent Italy and Ireland) would move their administrative center (carefully NOT called a “Capital” as there was still expectation that France would be united) to the larger town of Bordeaux. This was intended to give the government more “space” in order to administer as well as draw from a larger workforce.
Some quietly whispered that the United States also did not desire her administrative center so close (within a few miles) of the border to the German-led coalition occupying northern France. This was publicly rejected as the two nations continued to work well together in supporting the rebuild of eastern Europe as well as lowering tariffs and encouraging direct trade between them.
Indeed, President Stuart would announce in April that he would make a grand tour of his European allies including Britain, Germany, Poland, the Ukraine and Finland. Italy was scratched off the tour as the Italian Prime Minister had just visited America that Spring.
Stuart and his counterparts had been strong supporters of the League of Nations and looked forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Germany. However, Stuart also wished to consult his ally regarding their movement on this “atomic bomb” project which the American had been hearing so much about. Rumor had it that the Germans were even importing something called Uranium from the Congo for experimental purposes. American scientists were prodding Stuart for money (who WASN’T these days) but the $60,000 he allocated to the study was reportedly not remotely enough to make any real progress. The President wanted to know if the investigation could be an allied effort.
Shanghai
Since the start of the 20th century, the Chinese people had been buying imported cars. Henry Ford…and later his son Edsel….had started the process of building new manufacturing plants in China but production was another year away (though training and working with suppliers was well along). However, China would see its first native volume manufacturer commence production in 1937.
The “Buffalo” Company was named after the heroic women who piloted the first fighter squadron against the Japanese in Manchuria. While touring the first Chinese aerospace company (only three hours away), General Eisenhower, fresh from being awarded a medal by the President of China, would be invited to see the automotive company as well. Supported heavily by Canadian parts company Dodge Brothers, the Chinese automotive industry had apparently been born.
In truth, Eisenhower saw that both the planes and automobiles were inferior to what was made in the west…even a decade ago. The vehicle itself was somewhat ugly. However, the fact that this was China’s FIRST attempt was nevertheless impressive. The American was uncertain how quickly it would happen but he was sure that American manufacturers would have more competition in the near future beyond just Britain and Germany.
But, as a soldier, that was not his business to worry about. He was pleased, however, that the Chinese were rebuilding their fleet. Indeed, with aid from the US Navy and her industrial partners, China was building two aircraft carriers, the first of their kind in the Republic. The expensive Chinese surface fleet had proven deficient against the Japanese Carriers and it was deemed necessary by the Republic to upgrade their navy once again.
Progress was coming to China and Eisenhower stated in a speech that the “sleeping giant” had awakened and promised that the 20th century would be the “Chinese century”.
May, 1937
Monaco
Perhaps aided by the massive $60,000,000,000 aid package to Europe and Asia, President Stuart’s nomination of Cordell Hull as Secretary-General of the League of Nations would be approved. Many found this surprising as Hull had been Stuart’s opponent in the previous election. However, the two had a measure of respect and both whole-heartedly supported the idea of a League of Nations. What was more, Stuart knew he could not nominate anyone viewed as likely to be a cipher for his home country’s government. Who better than his own opponent in the past election?
Hull would happily accept the nomination and would gain large numbers of votes despite numerous candidates (which largely prevented serious opposition).
The five permanent members of the Executive committee – the United States, China, Great Britain, Germany and the Union of African States – would seat their own members first and then the random draw for a two year term for the 10 rotating members would be held.
These would include Republic of Colombia (America’s closest ally in South America), Empire of Brazil (America’s most enduring enemy), Republic of El Salvador, Dominion of the Cape, Kingdom of Lithuania, Republic of Catalonia (much to the outrage of Spain who still viewed Catalonia as a rebel Kingdom), Dominion of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon, soon to be Republic of Sri Lanka), Republic of Gujarat, Kingdom of Vietnam and Republic of Korea.
By 1937 when the full League met, it comprised already of 97 nations. Within a decade, this would increase to 125.
Notable absences included France (both north and south remained under occupation), Japan (again, both north and south remained under occupation) and a number of the Arabian regional states which had not been formally recognized due to the rapidly changes in borders as tribes continued to raid one another.
June, 1937
Poland
The King of Poland would welcome the aid from America in rebuilding his nation’s infrastructure. Thousands of miles of railroad track had been rebuilt as had numerous bridges (some built in America, Britain or Italy in modules and shipped over for quick assembly).
School reopened and even some of the cultural treasures stolen by the Russians had been retrieved in the peace treaty.
CEMEA (Central European Military and Economic Alliance) was actively attempting to rebuild trade in Eastern Europe as well.
After centuries of foreign domination, the states of Eastern Europe were intent never again to allow an occupation by Russia or any other power (few Easterners opposed the German alliance as, without German help, the nations would still be under Russian occupation but many still remembered the German interference in the old Polish Commonwealth too).
After President Stuart’s visit to Poland months prior, the President would speak before in Congress of the devastation and gain support for another $40,000,000,000 in funds for global rebuilding (the “American” occupied Japanese islands were also included in this package. American foreign aid commitments were now approaching a hundred billion dollars). Large amounts of medication, construction materials, etc were also being shipped from America and other western nations.
The King was also somewhat embarrassed that anti-Jewish feeling remained so pervasive in the Kingdom. Over the past 37 years, the Jewish population had remained stagnant despite a healthy birthrate due to emigration. Still, 2,000,000 Jews remained in Poland (an estimated 4,000,000 had emigrated in the past half century, mostly to America). Unlike most European Jewry, the Polish Jews remained very segregated from their neighbors in culture and language as well as religion. Dismissed as “Yids”, the Poles, once the most tolerant people in Europe towards Jews, had become the most repressive.
It was this reason even more than the obvious economic distress following the war that caused yet another massive outbound migration of Jews at nearly 100,000 per year…..plus 100,000 Poles….plus another 50,000 Russians, Ukrainians and other minorities (the Russian population of Poland being particularly unpopular right now).
Like many of the nations of Eastern Europe, Poland would see an exodus of population as the nations struggled to get back on their feet. Nearly 500,000 Europeans a year would set sail for America alone. New Slavic neighborhoods would soon crop up throughout the Eastern cities.
For the first time, large numbers of immigrants would commence settling directly to the American west rather than simply settling wherever the ship dropped them off. San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Victoria, Salt Lake City and others would see influxes of Eastern Europeans beyond the old standbys of Brooklyn (and the “New York” area), Chicago and Detroit.
President Stuart, seeing the poor treatment of Jews abroad and at home, would offer Kamchatka and the rest of “American Siberia” for a “Jewish Homeland”.
The Jews politely declined.
American South
Combined with large-scale Italian and the first major wave of Mexican migration to the United States, the nation would see a disturbing 750,000 overall refugees and migrants per year (500,000 Europeans and 250,000 Latin Americans and Asians). Naturally, this provoked a level of anti-immigration feeling but Stuart would not give in to this.
Oddly, the most willing to accept these would be the Southerners who had seen large-scale population stagnation (or even decline) in some areas despite the nation as a whole vastly increasing in population over the past century. Where once the “South” accounted for 40% of the nation’s population, it was down to below 24% in 1937…and dropping.
Worse, the black population, which had once assumed the manual labor of the field work (which still accounted for much of the southern agriculture), had been migrating out to the rest of the country or to Africa for 75 years. Black and mulattos, 45% of the population at the commencement of the Civil War, now comprised less than 20%. Those that remained no longer aspired to migrant labor or perhaps working as a housekeeper. They had, over the decades, acquired property and often served as merchants.
Hiring “Freedmen” to pick cotton was simply no longer possible. Thus, the South would actively encourage Mexican, Puerto Rican, Portuguese and Southern Italian migrants to serve in these sectors. These tended to be the most desperate immigrants. Most immigrants from these areas tended to be overwhelmingly male and often would eventually return home after making money. However, the southerners wanted a “permanent class” of low-skilled, low-paid workers to work the fields and sweep the floors so large numbers of Southern families would post listings for desperate foreigners, both male and female, to work their plantations (even some black-owned plantations) would do this. Brazil had been particularly successful over the past 75 years in actively encouraging European migration.
So many of the orange plantations in Florida and Calusa (mostly black-owned) would hire Mexicans and Italians that English was hardly heard.
For the first time since the Ante-Bellum, there was a spark of the old South.
It was just speaking new languages.
Los Angeles Valley
One of the final territorial disputes between the Department of the Interior and an Indian Tribe would take place in the Los Angeles Valley. Here, several displaced tribes had been “relocated” in the previous century. Between the tribal lands and a large nature preserve (mostly containing the mountains), over 95% of the “Valley” was already claimed.
However, real estate moguls believed that the area could be developed for mass settlement while some industrialists bemoaned the “waste” of the fine Los Angeles Harbor, currently a heavily Mexican small town which used its one railroad link to serve as an modest outlet for international trade.
However, various lawsuits would fail and the Department of the Interior would back off its claims. Los Angeles would remain stagnant and most international freight continued through Victoria, Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego and Tijuana.
Vichy
After nearly two years, France remained under allied occupation. However, the southern French zones controlled by America (and to a lesser extent Italy and Ireland) would move their administrative center (carefully NOT called a “Capital” as there was still expectation that France would be united) to the larger town of Bordeaux. This was intended to give the government more “space” in order to administer as well as draw from a larger workforce.
Some quietly whispered that the United States also did not desire her administrative center so close (within a few miles) of the border to the German-led coalition occupying northern France. This was publicly rejected as the two nations continued to work well together in supporting the rebuild of eastern Europe as well as lowering tariffs and encouraging direct trade between them.
Indeed, President Stuart would announce in April that he would make a grand tour of his European allies including Britain, Germany, Poland, the Ukraine and Finland. Italy was scratched off the tour as the Italian Prime Minister had just visited America that Spring.
Stuart and his counterparts had been strong supporters of the League of Nations and looked forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Germany. However, Stuart also wished to consult his ally regarding their movement on this “atomic bomb” project which the American had been hearing so much about. Rumor had it that the Germans were even importing something called Uranium from the Congo for experimental purposes. American scientists were prodding Stuart for money (who WASN’T these days) but the $60,000 he allocated to the study was reportedly not remotely enough to make any real progress. The President wanted to know if the investigation could be an allied effort.
Shanghai
Since the start of the 20th century, the Chinese people had been buying imported cars. Henry Ford…and later his son Edsel….had started the process of building new manufacturing plants in China but production was another year away (though training and working with suppliers was well along). However, China would see its first native volume manufacturer commence production in 1937.
The “Buffalo” Company was named after the heroic women who piloted the first fighter squadron against the Japanese in Manchuria. While touring the first Chinese aerospace company (only three hours away), General Eisenhower, fresh from being awarded a medal by the President of China, would be invited to see the automotive company as well. Supported heavily by Canadian parts company Dodge Brothers, the Chinese automotive industry had apparently been born.
In truth, Eisenhower saw that both the planes and automobiles were inferior to what was made in the west…even a decade ago. The vehicle itself was somewhat ugly. However, the fact that this was China’s FIRST attempt was nevertheless impressive. The American was uncertain how quickly it would happen but he was sure that American manufacturers would have more competition in the near future beyond just Britain and Germany.
But, as a soldier, that was not his business to worry about. He was pleased, however, that the Chinese were rebuilding their fleet. Indeed, with aid from the US Navy and her industrial partners, China was building two aircraft carriers, the first of their kind in the Republic. The expensive Chinese surface fleet had proven deficient against the Japanese Carriers and it was deemed necessary by the Republic to upgrade their navy once again.
Progress was coming to China and Eisenhower stated in a speech that the “sleeping giant” had awakened and promised that the 20th century would be the “Chinese century”.
May, 1937
Monaco
Perhaps aided by the massive $60,000,000,000 aid package to Europe and Asia, President Stuart’s nomination of Cordell Hull as Secretary-General of the League of Nations would be approved. Many found this surprising as Hull had been Stuart’s opponent in the previous election. However, the two had a measure of respect and both whole-heartedly supported the idea of a League of Nations. What was more, Stuart knew he could not nominate anyone viewed as likely to be a cipher for his home country’s government. Who better than his own opponent in the past election?
Hull would happily accept the nomination and would gain large numbers of votes despite numerous candidates (which largely prevented serious opposition).
The five permanent members of the Executive committee – the United States, China, Great Britain, Germany and the Union of African States – would seat their own members first and then the random draw for a two year term for the 10 rotating members would be held.
These would include Republic of Colombia (America’s closest ally in South America), Empire of Brazil (America’s most enduring enemy), Republic of El Salvador, Dominion of the Cape, Kingdom of Lithuania, Republic of Catalonia (much to the outrage of Spain who still viewed Catalonia as a rebel Kingdom), Dominion of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon, soon to be Republic of Sri Lanka), Republic of Gujarat, Kingdom of Vietnam and Republic of Korea.
By 1937 when the full League met, it comprised already of 97 nations. Within a decade, this would increase to 125.
Notable absences included France (both north and south remained under occupation), Japan (again, both north and south remained under occupation) and a number of the Arabian regional states which had not been formally recognized due to the rapidly changes in borders as tribes continued to raid one another.
June, 1937
Poland
The King of Poland would welcome the aid from America in rebuilding his nation’s infrastructure. Thousands of miles of railroad track had been rebuilt as had numerous bridges (some built in America, Britain or Italy in modules and shipped over for quick assembly).
School reopened and even some of the cultural treasures stolen by the Russians had been retrieved in the peace treaty.
CEMEA (Central European Military and Economic Alliance) was actively attempting to rebuild trade in Eastern Europe as well.
After centuries of foreign domination, the states of Eastern Europe were intent never again to allow an occupation by Russia or any other power (few Easterners opposed the German alliance as, without German help, the nations would still be under Russian occupation but many still remembered the German interference in the old Polish Commonwealth too).
After President Stuart’s visit to Poland months prior, the President would speak before in Congress of the devastation and gain support for another $40,000,000,000 in funds for global rebuilding (the “American” occupied Japanese islands were also included in this package. American foreign aid commitments were now approaching a hundred billion dollars). Large amounts of medication, construction materials, etc were also being shipped from America and other western nations.
The King was also somewhat embarrassed that anti-Jewish feeling remained so pervasive in the Kingdom. Over the past 37 years, the Jewish population had remained stagnant despite a healthy birthrate due to emigration. Still, 2,000,000 Jews remained in Poland (an estimated 4,000,000 had emigrated in the past half century, mostly to America). Unlike most European Jewry, the Polish Jews remained very segregated from their neighbors in culture and language as well as religion. Dismissed as “Yids”, the Poles, once the most tolerant people in Europe towards Jews, had become the most repressive.
It was this reason even more than the obvious economic distress following the war that caused yet another massive outbound migration of Jews at nearly 100,000 per year…..plus 100,000 Poles….plus another 50,000 Russians, Ukrainians and other minorities (the Russian population of Poland being particularly unpopular right now).
Like many of the nations of Eastern Europe, Poland would see an exodus of population as the nations struggled to get back on their feet. Nearly 500,000 Europeans a year would set sail for America alone. New Slavic neighborhoods would soon crop up throughout the Eastern cities.
For the first time, large numbers of immigrants would commence settling directly to the American west rather than simply settling wherever the ship dropped them off. San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Victoria, Salt Lake City and others would see influxes of Eastern Europeans beyond the old standbys of Brooklyn (and the “New York” area), Chicago and Detroit.
President Stuart, seeing the poor treatment of Jews abroad and at home, would offer Kamchatka and the rest of “American Siberia” for a “Jewish Homeland”.
The Jews politely declined.
American South
Combined with large-scale Italian and the first major wave of Mexican migration to the United States, the nation would see a disturbing 750,000 overall refugees and migrants per year (500,000 Europeans and 250,000 Latin Americans and Asians). Naturally, this provoked a level of anti-immigration feeling but Stuart would not give in to this.
Oddly, the most willing to accept these would be the Southerners who had seen large-scale population stagnation (or even decline) in some areas despite the nation as a whole vastly increasing in population over the past century. Where once the “South” accounted for 40% of the nation’s population, it was down to below 24% in 1937…and dropping.
Worse, the black population, which had once assumed the manual labor of the field work (which still accounted for much of the southern agriculture), had been migrating out to the rest of the country or to Africa for 75 years. Black and mulattos, 45% of the population at the commencement of the Civil War, now comprised less than 20%. Those that remained no longer aspired to migrant labor or perhaps working as a housekeeper. They had, over the decades, acquired property and often served as merchants.
Hiring “Freedmen” to pick cotton was simply no longer possible. Thus, the South would actively encourage Mexican, Puerto Rican, Portuguese and Southern Italian migrants to serve in these sectors. These tended to be the most desperate immigrants. Most immigrants from these areas tended to be overwhelmingly male and often would eventually return home after making money. However, the southerners wanted a “permanent class” of low-skilled, low-paid workers to work the fields and sweep the floors so large numbers of Southern families would post listings for desperate foreigners, both male and female, to work their plantations (even some black-owned plantations) would do this. Brazil had been particularly successful over the past 75 years in actively encouraging European migration.
So many of the orange plantations in Florida and Calusa (mostly black-owned) would hire Mexicans and Italians that English was hardly heard.
For the first time since the Ante-Bellum, there was a spark of the old South.
It was just speaking new languages.
Los Angeles Valley
One of the final territorial disputes between the Department of the Interior and an Indian Tribe would take place in the Los Angeles Valley. Here, several displaced tribes had been “relocated” in the previous century. Between the tribal lands and a large nature preserve (mostly containing the mountains), over 95% of the “Valley” was already claimed.
However, real estate moguls believed that the area could be developed for mass settlement while some industrialists bemoaned the “waste” of the fine Los Angeles Harbor, currently a heavily Mexican small town which used its one railroad link to serve as an modest outlet for international trade.
However, various lawsuits would fail and the Department of the Interior would back off its claims. Los Angeles would remain stagnant and most international freight continued through Victoria, Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego and Tijuana.