WW2 without FDR

The year is 1940. World War II rages on in Europe. In America, the economy is still recovering from disaster. Franklin Roosevelt, president since 1933 faces a tough choice on whether or not to run for a third term as president. In the end, he decides not to. Without his leadership, Nazi Germany overruns Europe, the Pacific turns into an imperialist's dream, and by the end of the 1940's, yet another disaster will be inflicted upon the United States of America.

The Decision not to run
At the Democratic convention in 1940, the delegates are screaming Roosevelt's name. They want him to run for President of the United States for a third time. However, Roosevelt does not want to become a dictator, and sticks to the tradition of a two term president. He feels he has done a good enough job helping the American economy recover. Acutely aware of the situation in Europe, he feels his successor will do a fair enough job to keep the Allies from losing. He retires to his humble abode in New York.

The election of 1940
The election of 1940 pits Secretary of State Cordell Hull of Tennessee against Senator Robert Taft of Ohio, who has managed to secure the Republican nomination for President. Running on a hardline isolationist stance, Robert Taft manages to sneak a win into the White House, grabbing most of the Northern and Western States while his opponent Hull grabs the Southern States.

Fall Gelb
Beginning with the invasion of Poland in September of 1939, Europe is plunged into warfare. In the east, Poland falls quickly as it is invaded on both sides by Germany and the Soviet Union. In the west, Britain and France have begun to mobilize their armies. In the middle of 1940, Hitler and Nazi Germany initiate Fall Gelb, the invasion of Western Europe. Within months, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, and France fall to the Wehrmacht. Britain is going to attempt to hold out.

The Fall of Britain
The air war known as the Battle of Britain begins over British skies. Needing a quick end



to the war on the Western Front, Wehrmacht generals and Kriegsmarine admirals boldly initiate Operation Sea Lion, the German invasion of Britain. On September 17,1940, Germany manages to invade Britain, with tremendous success. The British Army is obliterated, and by New Year's Day, 1941, all major British cities have fallen. There is no more Western Front. America is shocked by the news, but FDR does nothing about it as he does not want to plague his successor with a war.

The Pacific
Robert Taft, seeking cordial relations with the world, does not punish Japan with an embargo for its actions in China. In an attempt to return such cordiality, Japan promises not to attack the Philippines or any other American holdings in the Pacific. There is a somewhat strong peace between the United States and Japan, although Japan continues to takes chunks and pieces of China, and takes over French Indochina, Malaysia, and the Dutch East Indies.

Opening Moves (1941)
Fresh off his victory in Western Europe, Hitler orders the preparations for the invasion of the Soviet Union. In May 1941, a combined German, Romanian, and Italian Army invade the USSR. The initial invasion is very successful, with eastern Poland, the Baltic States, major cities such as Kiev and Kursk, falling quickly. The Red Army is not defeated however, and stubbornly stops the Wehrmacht at the gates of Leningrad and Moscow. Winter soon sets in, and the Axis offensive is stalled.

Renewed offensive (1942-3)
Hitler renews the offensive, this time aimed at the Caucasus. This offensive is halted too by the Red Army, as it continues to hold on to Moscow, Leningrad, and Stalingrad, which has turned into a bloody fiasco. The Battle of Stalingrad itself leaves well over a combined million dead and wounded, resulting in a defeat of the Axis Army.

Peace in Europe
Both realizing they cannot defeat one another, and that the Red Army could not hold off another offensive, Hitler and Stalin agree to a peace treaty in Riga, Latvia. In it the Soviet Union cedes the Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltic States to Germany. In exchange, Hitler agrees to at least a 20 year peace. Both sides know peace will not last that long, and Stalin immediately begins rebuilding the Red Army. There is finally peace in Europe. However, Hitler begins preparing the German armed forces for another campaign. He begins preparing them for the trans-atlantic invasion of the United States.