November 4th, 1936. The results of the most controversial American Presidential Election were in. It was announced across the nation, that the next 32nd president of the United States will be John Reed, leader of the Combined Syndicates of America. The results were close, with John Reed getting around 40% of the vote, and Huey Long with a close 38%. While the Socialists rejoiced across the nation, members of the America First Union in the south-east were infuriated and protested John Reed getting elected. The primary claim that the America First Union made was that Syndicalist Militias prevent many voters who planned on voting for Huey Long from voting. Although this was true, it was disputed whether or not the results would of changed due to this. On top of that, they believed that John Reed and the CSA rigged the election and demanded a recount immediately.
American First Union members protesting the results of the election.That recount never came, and a few days later the America First Union under authorization from Huey Long established the “Minutemen” in the south-eastern states of America. This paramilitary force was largely a collection of former soldiers of the United States of America, and a collection of everyday men picking up arms to fight for their party. John Reed quickly sent a division of infantry into the south-east to prevent the America First Union from doing any damage.
The industrial area of St. Louis, set ablaze by America First Union minutemen.John Reed entered office in a rather precarious position, he promised to provide a job for every man in the United States during his coronation speech, although it seemed he would be pre-occupied with the America First Union as they were quickly forming militias in the south-east. During his first month, he was unable to do much as all parties were hostile to him. Herbert Hoover himself said that John Reed and the CSA were unfit to lead, and encouraged both Democrats and Republicans to unify to prevent any changes he tried to bring forth.
December went by plagued by protests from the American First Union, and by the dawn of 1937 John Reed and the CSA was largely unable to pass any laws through the American legal system. Things only got worse when on January 10th of the new year, Huey Long held a large rally in support of the America First Union. He mocked the CSA during his speeches, claiming that they were “Un-American, and were funded by the Union of Britain and the Commune of France to spread their flawed ideology to another innocent nation of the world.”
Huey Long during his speech against the CSA.At this point in America, the two-party system has completely broken down. The Democratic and Republican parties are largely unpopular, with the American people choosing the more radical options in these turbulent times. The current dilemma the new president Jack Reed faces on January 21, is who he will choose to be his vice-president. He choose Max Shachtman, who largely believed that a complete reform and nationalization of the United States industry was needed. Although John Reed was largely unsure if he could actually reform the industry, with the fierce resistance from the America First Union and the remaining Republicans and Democrats.
Max Shachtman, the new Vice-President of the United States.Immediately after his decision to appoint Max Schactman to vice-president, and after a speech where he announced his plans to nationalize the countries industry, a large riot broke out in St. Louis. America First Union militias clashed with CSA officials in the city, the rioting and fighting nearly breaking out throughout the entire city. Seven people died during the fighting, and it was found out that the local law enforcement officials were completely unwilling to help the CSA supporters some even joining the America First Union during the fighting. John Reed immediately sent a newly formed Militia to serve as peace-keeping units in St. Louis until the rioting ceased.
A CSA militia, moving through the aftermath of the St. Louis Riot.On January 28th, John Reed officially started his attempts to nationalize some of the countries industry. He decided that it would be best to start with the resource industry, and it proved to be tougher than Reed anticipated. He was able to nationalize some parts of the industry that the CSA already controlled, but one of the major industries that resisted was the Oil Industry. Largely located in California, this industry actively refused to hand over control of the industry to the CSA and most Californians also rejected this as a large portion of Californian citizens worked in this industry. Despite California’s threats and resistance, Reed insisted that control of the industry was handed over to the government. The Oil Industry using its large amount of influence in congress and in state legislature had the Governor of California outright refuse to hand over the oil to Reed. Upon hearing this, Reed immediately authorized a blockade on California to put pressure on the Californian Governor to force him to give into his parties demands.
Frank Merriam, Governor of California seen next to two representatives from the oil industry.Next, John Reed wanted to focus on removing power from the American First Union. He planned on doing so by transferring more power to the Southern Trade Unions, as the America First Union was rallying support against the CSA and causing chaos wherever Long went. With the southern trade unions being threatened by the America First Union, Reed sent in militiamen to protect the trade unions and to assure they wouldn’t be harassed by any minutemen. A few days later it was clear that this wasn’t going to work, as Long openly encouraged his men to harass the militiamen and after a few days of abuse the militia sent to the south opened fire upon a group of civilians protesting the CSA. Long used this event as an excuse to mobilize the Minutemen, and he forced the CSA Militiamen out of the south after a few days. John Reed was extremely frustrated, and approved the orders to send in the army to get rid of the America First Union presence in the south once and for all. Along with the failure of his militia, Reed discovered that California was largely unaffected by the land blockade he enforced as they largely kept themselves sustained by trade with Pacific Nations. Reed immediately approved a naval blockade, he wanted California to submit within the next month so he’d be able to focus primarily on the America First Union.
A U.S. ship, preparing to move to California along with the rest of the navy to blockade California.On February 29th, the orders to send an army into the south was denied. General MacArthur opposed John Reed’s plan, and refused to deploy his forces. He was unwilling to stop the minutemen, and he stated “I do not wish to risk the lives of my men, just to further President Reed’s own political agenda.” John Reed then removed General MacArthur as head the military, and demanded that the army was to be sent in anyways. Although this order largely went unheard, as MacArthur mobilized his own troops to instead march upon the White House. A battle ensued between the CSA militia and MacArthur’s forces, but due to his men being better trained and better equipped the CSA militias were defeated and President Reed was forced to evacuate to Chicago and mobilize CSA troops. MacArthur now had control of the White House, and appointed himself as Head of the United States. He promised the American people on a nation-wide broadcast that he would establish order to the United States, and re-enact the American Democratic system as soon as the rebels were subverted.
General MacArthur and some of his men preparing to march on Washington D.C.March 2nd, a day that will be known forever as the start of the American Civil War. John Reed after being thrown out of the White House, retreated to Chicago. He quickly mobilized CSA Militiamen, and declared the independence of the Combined Syndicates of America, and the rise of the workers state. Reed, along with a few of his forces has barricaded themselves in Washington D.C. waiting for help to arrive from Chicago and MacArthur sends orders to his men to re-take Washington at any cost. A day after this, the Californian people revolt and declare independence as the Pacific States of America. Long himself, sensing weakness in the new United States declares that the United States of America is dead, and the America First Party declares independence forming the American Union States. To make things worse for the new United States, Canada mobilizes their troops and quickly takes New England. MacArthur unwilling to enter a four front war, released control of New England to Canada in promise they won’t declare war on them.
Canadian Mobilized Infantrymen riding through a town in New England.The Second American Civil War has begun.
The United States, at the beginning of the Civil War.
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Topic: The Disunited States of America (Darkest Hour: Kaiserreich) (Read 40935 times)