A Destiny Made Manifest - Part 23: The Lost Generation

As William Randolph Hearst is easily reelected, war rages Europe. The People's Republic of Austria and their Dutch allies stand united in the face of the overwhelming power of the Entente. The old powers of the world will not tolerate communism, it would seem.

Hearst, coming of age in a period of unrest sparked by a great communist revolution, is supportive of the Entente, though he has no interest in intervening in European affairs.

Even though France should almost certainly be more occupied with more important things, they have banned our ambassadors from Mexico City. Our attempts to ensure Mexican neutrality, it seems, could be doomed to fail.

All across the nation, men enlist in the Army. Whether they be Dixie men from Tennessee or African-Americans from Joplin, men with to fight under our ugly flag.

News from Europe early on is as many expected; the Russians overran Austrian holdings in Galicia-Lodomeria, with many of the people there treating the invaders as liberators. The Austrian hold over their vast empire seems doomed to finally collapse.

The brighter minds in the Free States Armed Forces begin to conceptualize an armored vehicle used for warfare. The invention and popularity of the car had already made military minds consider what effect such vehicles could have on the battlefield. While the tank was a long way from being a reliable weapon of war, experiments began to take place.

Thanks to the near ceaseless war of the last twenty years or so, new officers can be trained in the field. As such, they end up more hardened, experience, and capable than officers of the past.

Just months into Hearst's second term, a major scandal takes place. Free State agents had been operating across Colorado and other middle states in order to raise a rebellion against the Western Republic's government. Joseph M. Dixon, the president of that vile rump state, denounces FSA meddling within his borders.

The government in the West cracks down on the independence movement in Colorado. With the failure of this, Hearst begins to prepare the nation for war.

Shockingly, a special delegation from London arrives. British diplomats - led by Prince George himself, to the shock and surprise of the American people - arrive in our capital city of Philadelphia. Soon, the delegation reveals their purpose to Hearst's administration: an alliance with the Brits against "the forces of Communism (but also the Dutch I guess)." The leader of the delegation, Ambassador James Bruce, 1st Viscount, drives constantly at the fact that America knows firsthand the horrors of such anarchy.

While Hearst stops short of accusing the British of funding the Red Vanguard's activity in the continent, the insinuation is enough. The British delegation leaves in disgust.

We wouldn't make such a deal with the rotten-toothed devils anyway.

The introduction of industrial retail stores into American society begins. Weeeeee

Russia quickly occupies the Slavic lands in the east of the PRA, while the Germans are so put off by the notion of communists on their southern border that they ALLOW THE FRENCH TO USE THEIR TERRITORY TO INVADE. Seriously!

Polish-American Russell Kucharek, who had served in the New English War before being sent home from sustained injuries in the Battle of the Gas, wrote a novella set in the battle titled "A War Between Brothers," following fictional characters based on men in his company. The work of fiction got a huge amount of attention in both America and Europe, where the stark description of the new and horrifying type of war made many people realize that war was not always honorable and good.

However, the Democrats under William Randolph Hearst were in control of the government. On August 26th, 1909, Congress declares war on the Western Republic, calling for the liberation of an independent Colorado Republic.

California, ever a nation of people flipping sides, has joined us in the war. Annoyingly, the Mexicans have declared their intention to prop up the false republic. Once Free State armies sweep across the Plains, we'll drive south and force a surrender from Mexico.

Diplomats from the Russian Federation arrive in Philadelphia, asking for Free State entry into the Entente in order to show that America is willing to work with the forces of democracy in Europe. While Hearst holds nothing in particular against the Russians, he truly did not care for the idea of becoming entangled in European alliance.

As the Entente sweeps over Austria, rumors of atrocities committed begin to swirl. From Russians gassing native Germans in Hungary to the French rounding up militant civilians in Tyrol and putting them in work camps, Austria sounds like hell on earth.

In the Netherlands, the Dutch put up a valiant and desperate defense. Trenches criss-cross the Dutch countryside as both sides become desperate to find purchase. While the Dutch are brave, there are simply not enough of them.

The small armies in the Plains are quickly destroyed. While the Western capital in Sitka, Alaska was safe from the Free States because they lacked a Pacific port, the lower states were toast.

Largely thanks to the constant state of war and high taxes imposed by the Democratic Party, a small economic recession leads to rising unemployment, which leads to an increased push from the Left to institute unemployment subsidies on a federal level. The biggest push occurs in Ohio, where efforts are cracked down on by Governor Judson Harmon, a Democrat who was emerging to be one of the favorites for the Presidential Nomination in 1912.

Try it again, lads! We'll make it there if we die trying!

As the war against the Western Republic rages, the Red Vanguard have chosen their opportunity to rise again. However, the movement is quite small, and Black Legion militias fight back against the Communists with vigor.

The newly-formed 7th, still not yet complete, marches to put put down the insurrection. Good target practice, at any rate.

Furnaces that used electric arcs to heat the materials being forged began to be introduced in Upstate New York by French scientist Paul Héroult.

While California is certainly not a weak republic, that blasted rump state certainly has the advantage in terms of manpower. While the Californians capture Carson City, a larger expeditionary force has been sent by the Westerners to the Sierra Nevada. The 3rd Army is dispatched to California to take care of them.

Plans are changed at the last second, however, when it is learned that Mexican armies crosses the border into California, officially joining the war. While Free State armies had avoiding using chlorine gas thus far in the war, intelligence suggests that the Mexicans do not have the weapon. The 3rd is sent to Tucson.

In Tucson, Arizona, gas is deployed against the Mexican forces under the command of Valeriano de Iturbide, a descendant of the first Mexican Emperor. While the Mexican forces had heard the horror stories from the Battle of the Gas, there was no effective defense against the weapon.

Despite superior Mexican numbers and entrenched defense, the 3rd Army drives back the Mexicans at Tucson.

Meanwhile, back in Europe, the Austrian state is almost entirely occupied, along with the Netherlands. Already, squabbling between the Entente breaks out over what would be done with the nation.

On February 20th, after a few weeks of negotiation, the Treaty of Vienna is signed, instantly changing the landscape of Europe.

- The liberation of Lombardia, San Marco, Slovenia, Trieste, Croatia, Fiume, Czechoslovakia, Galicia-Lodomeria, and Hungary from the former Austrian state.
- Romania shall gain territory in Transylvania that is inhabited by native Romanians.
- Russia shall annex the state of Galicia
- Italy shall be given the region of South Tyrol
- The Kingdom of the Netherlands and the People's Republic of Austria shall pay war debts

Almost immediately after the signing the treaty, the Entente falls apart. Instantly, the Kingdom of Italy protests the agreement, believing that they should be the rightful owners of Lombardy and Venice. Britain had pushed for this action, but France, eager to keep their neighbors weak, forced through the independence of the Italian states and quickly established influence in them, along with Czechoslovakia.

Back home, the Free States once again establish their military superiority over Mexico in the Battle of Albuquerque. The Mexicans simply cannot compete with chlorine gas.

In the Battle of Hermosillo, the Mexican will to fight is finally broken. With both Mexico City and Sitka willing to discuss a peace treaty, a meeting is arranged in Los Angeles.

On April 22nd, 1910, the Treaty of Los Angeles is agreed to by all powers in the war. The Colorado Republic was to be established, encompassing the states of Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. In addition to this, the Free States would annex North and South Dakota. With the military superiority of the Free States on Mexico, the Emperor was quick to agree to the hefty demands of the treaty. While the Western Republic initially resisted the terms, arguing that the Free States had no claim to the Dakotas, Hearst essentially threatened assaulting Sitka with gas attacks targeted at civillians. Eventually, the fledgling republic agreed, on the American delegation's promise that the Free States would not annex Colorado.

Just three days after the Colorado Republic was reborn, the nascent Denver Congress petitions for annexation to Colorado. Hearst gleefully accepts. While the Western Republic hurls insults at the Free States for being dishonorable and for violating the treaty, there was not much they could do to stop the annexation.

The slow crawl to reunification continues. While the popularity of Hearst was through the roof, he revealed less than halfway through his second term that he had no intention of running for reelection.

huh.

Interesting news from Argentina arrived. Fascists have seized the government there, installing a brutal dictatorship on the people. Careful not to stir the pot, the Silver Legion Party stays mostly mute on the issue.

In order to counteract the massive network of labor unions under the influence of the Workingmen's Party, the Silver Legion starts several trade unions in the new state of South Dakota. While the establishment parties (the Workingmen in particular) are not fond with the movement, it is comepletely legal. Democratic members of the government keep their eyes on the Legion.

In a movement that was largely multi-partisan and included the support of the Legion in both houses of Congress, the Twentieth Amendment officially declares child labor to be illegal in the United States, barring those under the age of sixteen from working unless special conditions are met.

At the urging of American businessmen eager to get in on Hawaiian business, Hearst's administration begins to improve relations with the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Europe once again erupts into war. Italy, propped up by Britain, declares war on France for Savoy and the rest of their core territory. The Brits are joined by the Ottoman Empire, Russia, and other smaller nations. The French are joined by Czechoslovakia, Mexico, Norway, Brazil, and several other minor nations.

Germany wisely sits out another big war. As a result, the Second Reich's industry and military surpasses the overworked and outstretched British.

Also, this being the flag of Norway is... weird.

American psychologists begin to embrace the theory of behaviorism - that every behavior that a human or animal might have is either the reflex of an external stimuli or a consequence of history. While this is an impressive breakthrough for the field itself, the practical uses of the research becomes useful in fields like advertising and radio.

With the Midterm Elections of 1910, the Anti-Socialist Bloc collapses due to the influx of Western states being given seats, many of whom still had populist leanings that caused them to lean moderate. The Progressive Bloc, composed of all twenty-one Workingmen, Theodore Roosevelt, and Democrat Senator Woodrow Wilson from New Jersey, holds a slim plurality. The Democrats and Republicans arrange themselves in Moderate and Conservative blocs, with the Republicans generally leaning towards the middle while Democrats tended to lean towards the right. Most of the old populists made up the Moderate Bloc and came from the Western states.

Meanwhile, the Silver Legion continues to do its thing. Lloyd Patterson from Arkansas, the leader of the party, aligned the organization. loosely with the Conservatives, though he was willing to work with whatever party furthered his ends.

French armies sweep across Northern Italy, and some even begin to invade the Ottoman Empire through Hungary. The war quickly devolves into a stalemate as Britain found itself too overextended to attempt an invasion on France itself.

The carnage of modern warfare seen across the world causes many people to feel a certain sense of despair. Many war veterans become existentialist writers. In America, where the war seemed to have no end in sight, the term "The Lost Generation" is coined by author Gertrude Stein to describe the emptiness felt by veterans.

The Progressives, aided by certain moderates as well as the Silver Legion, manage to pass a bill increasing minimum wage in the spring of 1911.

I'm playing through all the Metal Gear Solid games right now for the first time (halfway through 2) and I want y'all to know how hard it is to not make MGS jokes this entire goddamn time. I'm taking the time to tell you this now during the army construction screen. Please know how hard this is for me.

While the Germans had maintained diplomatic presence in Hawaii for some time, American-born plantation owners managed to pressure the Germans out. While Hearst had nothing against the nation (he considered them preferable to the rest of Europe), he saw opportunity in the small chain of islands.

Europe remained largely carved up into spheres of influence between the Germans, the French, and the British. The standoff between these three powers would characterize the first half of the Twentieth Century in that continent.

Just a quick check-in on the Great Powers. Sweden, I'm very proud of you! Also, you can see here that my massive industrial score inflates my ranking all the way up to 3.

The second attempt at finding the South Pole, led by American icon Frederick Cook, disappears without a trace in the summer of 1911. While many people across the nation demand a rescue party go and try to find the missing party, a new mission headed by Robert Peary is created instead.

oh great

I'm no economy person, but economic responsibility seems like a good thing to me, yeah?

The FSS Philadelphia, a small military steamer, mysteriously sank in the British port of Alexandria. Many figures in the press blamed the sinking of the ship on British sabotage. While Hearst himself had been a part of the yellow journalism machine for many years, as president, he had learned the cost of such accusations; kicking the Empire so directly would be suicide until the American people were united again. He made a few speeches defending Free State sovereignty, but ultimately he decides to do nothing.

Incredible news from Hawaii. A group of American business led by Lorrin A. Thurston have revolted in the islands, backed by native mercenaries, effectively overthrowing the monarchy and creating an American-led republic. Thurston writes a letter of intent to President Hearst, declaring that the new Republic of Hawaii would petition for American annexation as soon as the islands could be effectively controlled.

While the chain of islands is not officially ours quite yet, it will be soon. Finally, the Free States shall gain a port in the Pacific.

Cinema, still nascent in its development, had sprung up primarily in Chicago, where a silent movie industry had started. As filmmakers began to experiment with adding sound to the movies, the Free States were on the edge of a major cultural phenomenon.

The 1912 Olympics, hosted in Stockholm, are announced, and the Free States receive their first official Olympic invitation. Of course, we accept.

The 8th Army is constructed in Chicago. The military capability of the FSA is ever growing.

Just a week before Christmas of 1911, the Californians, still a bit shaken by the San Francisco Earthquake, signed a trade deal with the Free States. While many in the FSA government hoped they would petition for annexation, Hearst guessed (correctly) that the Californians would be too proud and stubborn to do so.

Advancements in the field of metallurgy result in the discovery of stainless steel. By mixing in chromium with steel, the metal became far more resistant to corrosion. Within a few years, stainless steel replaced old steel in almost everything.

and the libertarians cry

As 1912 comes around, Hearst makes good on his promise and indeed agrees to step down, opening the path to the presidency up for new Democrats. The party was effectively split into three factions - the progressives, the smallest group, pushed for Woodrow Wilson. The moderates, who found themselves with a slim plurality in terms of numbers, looked to Champ Clark, who had Populist roots. The conservatives pushed forth Judson Harmon, the aged Governor of Ohio.

After more than 40 ballots, the convention finally settled on Harmon, on the provision that he took Champ Clark as his running mate. While Harmon lacked the youthful vigor and charisma of Hearst, he had a brilliant political mind. He campaigned on the idea of "aggressive" Manifest Destiny, agreeing with Hearst that the Free States, naturally, should span the continent.

The Republicans, struggling to find an identity, nominate the moderate James S. Sherman, a representative from New York. While Theodore Roosevelt had once been the face of the party, his progressive faction had largely failed, buckling under the weight of the moderates.

Sherman's candidacy from the beginning was weak, but future events torpedoed whatever chance he had of winning the presidency.

The Workingmen's Party initially wished to nominate Eugene V. Debs again, but the iconic senator's bout with the flu caused him to declare that he would not run. Instead, the party turned to Wisconsin Senator Robert La Follette, who had quickly risen to prominence in the party. La Follette was popular in the Midwest, where his progressive politics won him support amongst the former Populists.

Rioting in the Arkansas is caused by men who are determined to have connections to the Red Vanguard. The local police in Little Rock is brutal in their suppression of the rioters.

In Massachusetts, a state that had firmly swung under Democratic influence since Debs won it in 1912, protectionist economic thought becomes a bit more prominent.

The radical socialists in the South are once again dealing with a communist revolt. Socialists fighting each other, to the surprise of no one!

American industry, shaped by war and loss, is hardier and more experimental than in the more traditional industrial powers of Britain and Germany. It's a testament to the American will.

In Tennessee, one of the poorest states in the nation, popularity of La Follette's social progressivism is on the rise.

Okay, let me explain my thought process here. Up until this point, I had been able to take all the provinces with the Cultural Union wargoal, and I though I could keep doing so here. So my plan was to justify a Humiliation CB and then add Union goals. Nope, couldn't do that.

Just two months before the election, a shocking scandal is revealed by the New York American. It accused Republican nominee James Sherman of accepting bribes from businesses, alleged connections between him and several criminal organizations in New York City, and highlighted several affairs he had with lady dancers in illicit clubs. While many of the claims were not backed up, Sherman admitted to some of the allegations, and announced that he would drop out of the election. This caused the presidential race to once again be a fight between two candidates, and marked the last time in American history that the Republicans stood a chance at winning the executive branch.

Also, perhaps it's just a coincidence, but the New York American was once owned by William Randolph Hearst, before passing it on to his nephew Clarence when he assumed office.

As a result of the scandal, many Republicans change their party loyalties overnight.

As psychologists begin to figure out the nature of human compulsions and reflexes, these theories are put into practice in the field of marketing and advertising.

The last breath of the Old South is gasped. In response to the sweep progressivism across the Southern states, a small contingent of the Ku Klux Klan rises in Arkansas and Tennessee, targeting African-American voters. Troops quickly deal with the situation.

c r y, l i b e r t a r i a n s

As the election approaches, it becomes clear to many that this election would change the election of American politics. For the first time in quite a while, the fight was between just two parties. In order to establish themselves as serious contenders to the Democrats and ensure that the party didn't achieve political hegemony, the Workingmen prayed that La Follette showed well.

Despite a valiant effort from La Follette, the Democrats capture the presidency again. Despite the relatively low popularity of Judson Harmon, endorsements from Hearst and the now aged Robert Pattison ensure that the Democrats remain in control of the executive branch.

While La Follette loses, he meets up with Eugene V. Debs in Indiana, who was recovering from his illness. Debs assured the man that they would campaign hard in 1916. Debs believed that the party was inches away from a breakthrough.

Thanks for clicking! Next time, we'll examine the presidency of Judson Harmon!