A Destiny Made Manifest - Part 25: A Progressive Age

Eugene V. Debs made history in 1916, becoming the first socialist president of the Third Republic. While the man was 60 and was only a few years removed from a nasty bout with the flu, he assumed the office with vigor, refusing to allow his age to show.

With that being said, his health was not the best. Some in the Workingmen's Party feared that he wouldn't be able to make it to 1920. Jim Maurer, the VP, was already prepared to assume the office if necessary.

The Free States of America, 1916. Just a few days before the election, Congress declared war on the fascist Western Republic; while Debs wanted to make good on his anti-military promise to the American people, he also knew that signing a white peace with the fascists would earn him the consternation of his party and the America.

Also, there's border gore to fix.

In response to rapid changed in American politics and way of life, a new style of art develops - the "avant-garde." Borrowing the word from French, where the movement had begun in Paris, it focused on abstract designs and nonsensical images. It was a strike back against the realist movement.

In addition to this, one of the first movements of what many called "mass culture" developed. With the invention of the radio and telephone, people became more connected than ever before; a teenager in Portland and a teenager in New York might listen to the same syndicated radio program and have overlapping interests, while that would almost certainly not have been the case before.

(THE SILVER LEGION IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE 8 SEATS)

The Workingmen maintain their stranglehold on Congress. Since they didn't hold a majority in either house, it became necessary for them to ally with other parties in order to get things done.

For the first time since the party's inception, the extremist Silver Legion loses some ground.

Debs, upon formally assuming office, announces that he plans on persecuting the war against the Western Republic as planned. His famous inauguration address outlines his vision for America, focusing mostly on improving the lives of the American laborer and farmer. However, he ended his speech on a grave note, expresses his belief that "fascism and other such despicable forms of tyranny are a threat to the common man everywhere, and it is my belief that we, the Sons of Washington, have a duty to free men from tyrannical regimes around the world."

(Before someone corrects me, I know that the inauguration date before FDR was March 4th. I also do not give two shits.)

The Battle of Baker City, infamous in Oregon for its bloodiness, was a victory for the Third Republic only in name. While the fascists had been put on the run, the inept commanding of General Samuel Hatch led to a high death toll for the Free States.

While the war was clearly going the Free States' way, many who voted for Debs on his promise of peace already turned against him. His popularity outside of the Workingmen's Party itself began to slip away.

>Beatty commanding a fascist army

TRIGGERED

In the Second Battle of Baker City, things go much better for Hatch. With General Eugene Blair attacking the well dug-in Free State army, Hatch managed to put up a respectable defense and force a retreat.

Fascist troops engage the famous General Augustus Ford in Walla Walla. With both sides making use of gas masks, the battle becomes a brutal tug-of-war, with countless men charging into machine gun fire.

While the original aim of the war was the annexation of Washington, Debs privately aims to annex Wyoming as well. While he wished for the war to end as soon as possible, he also HATED border gore.

(What, that seems out of character? No, don't pay any attention to the insane Empress of America pulling the levers behind the curtain.)

Free State troops smash through Olympia, suffering significant losses.

*Shakes fist in the general direction of Ottawa* I thought we were cool, Canada! Damn you!

In the first major piece of legislation signed under the fully united socialist government, more funding is allocated to the Department of Welfare.

In a controversial decision, longtime officer Randolph Sickles decides to attack the fascist army attempting to seize a mountainous region in Montana. The terrain led to many men on both sides suffering deaths due to cold and other environmental hazards.

Despite the reactionary government on the island, Debs believed the Cuban and American people to be brothers, not forgetting the time when Cuba bailed out the Second Republic. A trade deal is signed with the island republic, bringing it under the Free States' wing.

While we ultimately win the Battle of Missoula and the fascist army disintegrates, the losses sustained are double the Western's.

With the advent of national radio, mass culture truly begins to take shape.

In response to the failing war effort, President Patrick Barnes using his personal paramilitary group to overthrow whatever shreds of democracy still remained. Barnes declares his nation to be the official United States of America. However, it's pretty hard to hear him all the way up in Alaska. While we have Washington and almost everything else.

The last bit of Western resistance is destroyed in Bozeman. We offer peace terms to President Barnes, hoping to use his new administration's shaky foundation in order to squeeze a peace deal out of him.

Barnes agrees to the terms, knowing that a continued war might be harmful to his rule. The Treaty of Walla Walla is signed on July 25th, 1917.

Continuing their progression reforms, the Native Protection Act, officially giving full citizenship and rights to the Native Americans living in the Free States, is proposed and signed into law by the Workingmen's Party, alongside the Treaty of Walla Walla.

The annexation of Washington and Montana greatly smooths out Free State borders, while "United States" control basically only applied in Alaska. While Nevada and Utah are technically under fascist rule, the state governments there actually run the show.

More naval construction was initiated by Secretary Roosevelt, who had officially ditched the Democratic Party for the Workingmen's when Debs was elected.

Unrest in British Africa leads to the liberation of the formerly American colony of Biafra, which reverts to the Communist government established there by Jack Quinlan in 1890.

Biafra is not the only former British colony to have gained independence. A small sliver of Sudan managed to secure independence, as well as Zanzibar (which humorously didn't control Zanzibar), and Luba. The cracks in the British Empire's armor were beginning to show.

The election of Debs ended up disillusioning many working people in the Free States. They expected society to quickly transform into a worker's paradise, but the limitations of federalism and the slow integration of socialist reforms began to sour many of the people on democracy as a whole. This lead to a bit of a surge for the underground communist movement in the nation, as well as increased interest in fascism.

this is a thing

Communism has once again cropped in Europe with the Establishment of the Greek Proletarian Republic. While President Debs was nowhere near as anti-communist as his Democratic predecessors, he feared the growth of communist sentiment in the Free States. The Red Revolution in 1890 had led to the dissolution of the Union, which had only resulted in millions of Americans dying. He was tepid in his approach to dealing with these nations.

On March 24th, 1918, Free State troops cross into the fascist states of Nevada and Utah, intent on annexing them. In addition to this, the fleet was moved to the Pacific Ocean to facilitate a possible landing on Sitka in order to enforce a peace.

Workingmen alignment on the military action was split. While some abhorred fascism enough to support the movement (nicknamed in the press as the "hawks"), some were more hardline pacifists, or "doves." The men and women that were Republicans or Democrats and had voted for Debs based on his promise of peace abandoned their support of him almost to a man.

Debs was similarly split on the issue, ultimately agreeing on the action in order to please the warhawks in Congress.

As part of the bargain, the Democrats supported the Workingmen on the passage of a massive voting reform bill.

36,000 American soldiers embark on transport fleets in Seattle. The target is Sitka itself, in order to force the fascists off the continent once and for all.

While the Free State troops had an easy enough time landing in Alaska, the fascists had time to prepare, The naval landing onto the rocky and freezing terrain of the Alaskan islands only made things worse for the expeditionary force.

Despite the relatively tough defense put up by the fascists, things began to go General Eugene Abbott's way.

The rest of the 5th Army was sent in as soon as it was able, commanded by Augustus Ford.

A militia drafted in Utah is quickly crushed by a Free State army led by Benjamin Buell.

In the Battle of the Archipelago, the 5th managed to force a fascist retreat, establishing itself on Baranof Island. Thanks to the many rocky islands that made up the Alexander Archipelago, "capturing" Alaskan land proved to be quite difficult. Tactics had to be modified as well, with smaller companies breaking off to take the various islands.

Resistance from the local populace in Nevada and Utah is nonexistent, with most citizens welcoming the troops as liberators.

The remnants of the fascist army routs to the mainland Alaskan panhandle, pursed by Third Republic troops. They're crushed.

Good use of your troops, AI.

Organization is important!

On August 19th, 1918, President Barnes agrees to cede Utah and Nevada. While warhawks pushed for the annexation of the entire fascist state, Debs refused, for a war fought entirely on Alaskan soil would result in massive loss of life. He was content to let the fascists languish in Alaska, where they could be Outer Heaven all they wanted without anyone bugging them.

Finally, the Free States of America had forced the "United States" into a cold, bitter exile. Only California and the Confederacy shared the Continental 48 with the Third Republic.

In the afterglow of the war, Hawaii (along with the Guano Islands) are given official statehood. The state elects a Democrat to be their first official governor.

The collapse of British Africa continues, bringing the American people a great sense of schadenfreude.

The Workingmen continue to slowly progress the nation. The Department of Health receives another sizable allotment of funds, putting it on par with most of Western Europe in terms of coverage and efficiency.

A new and highly-advanced type of ship, the "dreadnought" (named after the HMS Dreadnought, developed in 1906 by the Brits) class of ships is introduced into the Free State Navy.

In addition to this, a formal Pacific Fleet is created. Most of the rest of the navy are docked on the East Coast.

By the winter of 1918, airplanes had been approved by the Free States Navy. Despite this, mass production of the vehicle does not take place immediately.

The Midterms of 1918 showed a disturbing trend arising in the West. Nevada, Utah, and Oregon all elect two Silver Legion senators each. While the popularity of the party that fed off of the some of the residual populism of the Midwest was mostly gone, its power base shifted to the West.

Military lobbying leads to plans to construct a state-owned airplane factory in Syracuse.

Similar ordinances are planned in Wisconsin and Wyoming, where armored vehicles called "tanks" by the military are to be produced.

In the Spring of 1919, Debs attempted to smooth things over with his Southern neighbor. He went on a state visit to Richmond in order to see if relations between the two republics could be improved, as the Brothers of the Revolution Party in power in the South was also socialist.

Things, however, do not go particularly well. The Brothers of the Revolution were a bit too communist for the taste of Debs; their strict state atheism and jingoistic foreign policy meant that the state would not be likely to supplicate to Philadelphia for annexation. Debs's meeting with President Eustace Tyler was largely unsuccessful.

The experience of the Wars of Unification weighed heavily on the men who had experienced it, but it also helped develop military tactics a great deal. While the work was not yet done,

1919, among other things, is a significant and interesting thing for literature. James Joyce's "Ulysses" is in the middle of its run in the American journal "The Little Review." This leads to a million young American men and women attempting to emulate the work of Joyce, with experimental literature becoming the main movement of the time.

The massive Atlantic Fleet is docked in New Jersey. Top of the line, the navy could easily contend with either the Canadian or Confederate fleets.

Here's a look at the Great Powers, if that's the sort of thing. Interestingly, only four of them are European.

As the military begins to test the airplane, they realize the immense value of having dedicated bomber planes, separate from the fighters.

The Seventh Olympic Games are announced by the IOC to be held in Toronto. While the American people are grumbly that they were passed over for the stupid Canadians, we agree to attend.

As aircraft doctrine continues to develop, fighter groups are set up.

In an attempt to further improve relations with the Confederates (as well as deny the Canadians and Japanese of another ally), a trading deal that brings the South under our influence is signed in early 1920.

The Italians are once again attempting to do something... ANYTHING. Also, while California remains influenced by the Canadians, their socialist party is in power.

As the Election of 1920 approaches, the Workingmen are at a crossroads. While Debs had managed to make it to 1920 and was hellbent on remaining in office, there were genuine concerns that the man had lost his popularity due to his failures to ensure peace. While Robert La Follette is offered the job behind closed doors, he refuses to replace Debs as the nominee unless the man himself wished to step down. So the party unanimously renominates their most iconic figure.

The Democrats, upon seeing the failure of the conservative platform of Judson Harmon to resonate with the American people, go in a radically different direction. The Progressive Democrats in the party are resurgent in the Democratic National Convention, with Woodrow Wilson securing a hard-fought nomination.

Wilson, the first Southerner to run for president in a serious capacity since James K. Polk (please don't correct me on this, I'm pretty sure this is true but I'm not certain), championed progressive reforms. By nominating Wilson, the higher-ups of the party hoped that he could connect with disillusioned Workingmen and Democrats alike.

Thomas R. Marshall from Indiana was chosen as his running mate.

The Republicans once again run James Brady, but no one notices.

The Silver Legion, believing it finally had enough broad appeal to field a candidate, put forth Rev. Reuben H. Sawyer, who had quite a reputation in the Pacific Northwest. Sawyer had unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Oregon in 1918, and didn't really have much of a political platform. He was famous for his ties to the Klan, giving speeches in Portland and other cities about the virtues of the organization.

(Yes, that lecture advertisement is real. If you ever want to go down the fucking rabbit hole, read about how the Klan had an insane amount of power in Oregon in the early 1920s.)

In response to logistical difficulties experienced in the Battle of the Archipelago, new divisional structures are created by the army in order to make the military more efficient.

In Massachusetts, an important swing state, Wilson debates Debs on economic policy and is generally thought of as the "winner" of the debate.

Canadian influence in California and Mexico is unacceptable! Also, these two colors do not pair well with each other. At all.

Wilson continued to impress in debates across the country, including in Maryland.

The Social Security Act of 1920 was passed in the summer, the crowning achievement of Debs's first term. It created a program designed to give pensions to those who were unable to work, whether they be disabled, elderly, or otherwise incapable.

Just before the Election of 1920, a massive scandal implicating the higherups of the Workingmen's Party is leaked by the Chicago Tribune. The allegations included voter fraud, illegal activity involving meatpacker unions, and the blackmailing of several Democrats in the state government.

The Rossberg Scandal (named after Mayor of Chicago Michael Rossberg, implicated in many of the allegations) damaged the reputation of the party as a whole, while this isn't nearly as damaging as the Sherman Scandal eight years ago.

The election approaches. While the socialist ideology is quite popular in industrial areas of the Third Republic, many had grown to see President Debs as dishonest, and evidence of his rapidly failing health were also being seen.

(Thank God no one realized that Wilson was dying as well.)

The Electoral College votes, and the result is clear: the Democrats are back in power. With his strength in New York and Massachusetts, Woodrow Wilson is able to claim the presidency.

Interestingly, the Silver Legion manages to win the states of Oregon, Montana, Nevada, and Utah. Many politicians in Philadelphia worried that these states had bought into the fascist ideology a bit *too* much while they were part of The Republic That Shall Not Be Named.

By, the way, this episode isn't over. You'll see why in a hot second.

As Wilson slowly begins his transition into power, plans are made to entirely phase cavalry out of the army in favor of tank and airplane divisions.

The Election of 1920 also saw the Workingmen's Party lose its overwhelming stranglehold on both houses, with the Republicans making some ground. Progressives in both the Democrat and Republican Parties ally with the Workingmen in order to ensure progressive reform, led by Wilson himself.

Early on in Wilson's administration, an effort is made to side with France instead of Germany, breaking with the precedent put forth by President Harmon. France, being a more liberal state, seems more in line with the new bloc in control of the country.

Maybe not the best ally, now that I think of it.

Early on, the Progressives manage to force through the American Workplace Standards Act of 1921, improving conditions for factory workers. So far, President Wilson has impressed the Workingmen, who are more than willing to work with him.

New artillery designs are introduced in the 1920s, coinciding with the massive modernization seen in both land and sea forces that occurred as well. The Free State military would truly be the envy of the world.

A crisis erupts in the Balkans (shocking), involving the sovereignty of Bulgaria. The Japanese and the Brits stand off over the issue, while Wilson attempted to stand in as a mediator, a third party without a bias.

Privately, Wilson backs Britannia, sending letters to London ensuring them that the Free States would help contain Japan if a war did break out.

The first tank division is formally created in Washington.

More progressive reform is introduced in August, putting severe restrictions on the death penalty. While the policy is unpopular in conservative circles, it manages to pass through Congress.

Sudan is anarcho-liberal. Poor guys.

All out war is avoided in the Balkans, thanks in part to Wilson's efforts to mediate the two parties at odds. The new president's approval rating is rather high.

However, word gets out to certain members of the government that Wilson had promised Britain aid in a possible war.

The country is stunned on November 13th, 1921. Wilson, an automobile enthusiast, was driving his 1921 Pierce-Arrow through Philadelphia, waving to cheering crowds. The weather was unseasonably warm, reaching 70 Degrees fahrenheit. So when a man in a full-length brown trench coat jumped out in front of the President's car, it was a bit of a surprise. It was even more surprising when the man cried out "FOR DIXIELAND!" and drew out a pistol from his pocket. He shot three times; the first missed, the second struck Wilson in the temple, and the third clipped his wife, Edith, who survived the ordeal.

Woodrow Wilson was dead instantly. The assassin, after being tackled to the ground, was revealed to be Ferdinand Vance, a man born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. Upon intense interrogation from the Secret Service, Vance revealed that he was a member of the Brothers of the Revolution Party (which was checked and approved by record offices in Alabama), and, perhaps most damning, that he had served in the Japanese Foreign Corps from 1919 to 1920. Immediately, people placed the assassination on the heads of the Confederacy, while many additionally pointed the figure at the Rising Sun across the Pacific.

Newly-minted President Thomas R. Marshall, being sworn in on the steps of Philadelphia City Hall, delivered his intense and famous "Pit of Vipers Address." While he stopped short of wholesale accusing the Confederate government of arranging for Wilson's death, he famously declared, "It has become time for America to be whole again. Division and Southern nationalism led to the death of our president, and my close friend. This is unacceptable. As your president, I will do what is necessary in order to ensure reunification."

With that, troops move to the Confederate border, but also up to Canada, where the Conservative government in power there declared its intention to protect Confederate sovereignty. The Great American War would soon begin.

Thanks for clicking. Join me next time as we tread on the path to war, and then finally fight our last War of Unification.