1919-1922[]
National borders in 1919
The first January of peace after four years of war came and went uneventfully as all nations tried to get themselves back on their feet. The French government, exiled from a now German-held Paris, set up a de facto capital in Marseille. Germany organized Belgium and occupied France into the West European Occupation Zone (WEOZ), and Luxembourg was officially annexed. Meanwhile, debates were happening in the German government on what to do with the ceded Russian lands. Austria-Hungary completed annexing Serbia and Romania, although it was not all peaceful. Seeing this, in March 1920 they decide to make a puppet government out of their piece of Russia. Within a few weeks, its population will vote on who will be the leaders of the new Republic of Ukraine.
The Ottoman Empire experiences protests nationwide calling for more democracy. These are put down violently, resulting in large numbers of civilian dead and wounded, and earning the condemnation of Alliance and Entente countries alike. Calls to break up the Empire grow louder with each passing incident. In September 1921, the Ottoman Government releases a plan to disband the Imperial government and allow free elections, as well as letting territories decide if they should remain part of the new republic or become independent. Disturbances also spring up in Ireland in early 1922, again calling for independence. Knowing the potential backlash from seeing the Ottomans, the British Parliament offers to meet with the local Irish governments, but has no intentions of letting Ireland go.
1923-1926[]
The Ottoman Empire breaks up in 1923. The Republic of Turkey is formed in Anatolia and the tip of the Balkan Peninsula that includes the old Ottoman capital of Istanbul. South of it, the territories are reorganized into Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon. Germany takes over control until their government is on its feet. Turkey decides to join the Alliance.
The Ukraine gains "independence" but still plays host to Austria-Hungarian forces. The West European Occupation Zones is renamed the Commonwealth of France, though it is in reality a part of Germany. Germany's Russian lands are organized into two nations: Poland and Lithuania. The Netherlands reaffirm their neutrality.
In what remains of France, a young war veteran named Charles de Gaulle writes "Mon Combat" (My Struggle), a pamphlet detailing how he believed that the downfall of France was the fault of the countries minorities, namely blacks. It is a bestseller, and starts a "France for French" movement that grows thousands strong. The movement causes the formation of the National-Socialiste Party that runs for office. They are, however, too late to run in the 1925 elections, but their eyes are set for 1929.
The British talk with the Irish governments. Through mostly bribery, the Irish officials agree to stay a part of Britain. The public is outraged. Numerous protests erupt across Ireland, some turn violent. Calls for rebellion grow louder, and Germany and Austria announce their support for a free Ireland.
The American subduing of Canada finishes, as most Canadians felt betrayed by Britain and wanted to be separate from the US. As a result, pro-American governments are installed throughout. Some propose a path to statehood for the Canadian territories.
1927-1930[]
Borders in 1927
The Russian Civil War finally ends. The Communist rebels are defeated and their leader, Vladimir Lenin, is publicly executed. Those that remain flee into the countryside. When Nicholas II's successor, his daughter Anastasia, takes the throne, she announces that those rebels that give up and surrender will receive a pardon for rebelling against the czar. Those that don't, will be tried to the fullest extent of the law and will most likely hang.
Greece applies to join the Alliance in 1928. Germany, Austria-Hungary, and America approve, but Turkey disagrees, due to the long rivalry between the Greeks and Turks. But in a three to one vote, Greece is admitted, and Turkey leaves in protest. A "misunderstanding" happens a few days later, when a Turkish ship sinks a Greek ship. In response, Greek naval ships bombard the offending vessels home base, prompting a declaration of war.
By threatening Bulgaria, Turkey forces that country to cede its Aegean coast, opening a land front between Greece and Turkey. The war is a disaster for Turkey, its army is overran by the Greeks. Turkish forces are pushed back through former Bulgarian territory and into Turkey. A stand is made at Istanbul, but after three weeks, the last Turk retreats across the Bosporus Strait. Istanbul is renamed Constantinople by Greece, an insult to the mostly Muslim Turkey. The Treaty of Vienna ends the Greek-Turk War. Greece retains former Istanbul, and Turkey remains in control of Anatolia.
In the 1929 French elections, a booming economy hurts the National-Socialiste Party's chances of winning, they gain a few seats in the government, though. Mexico and Great Britain sign a mutual-defense pact, effectively making Mexico an Entente member. In response, America ceases all trade with its southern neighbor.
On October 29, 1929, the stock market crashes. People scramble to the banks to retrieve their money, only to find that most had been loaned away. Out of money to return, the banks close. Economies around the world free fall. As government's attempt to correct it, outrage among the populace grows. Food riots across Europe and North America become common. Charles de Gaulle uses the failing market to boost his political campaign, and he succeeds. French citizens blame their government leaders, and many of them decide to step down, and are replaced with NSP members.
1930-1933[]
Rebellion breaks out in Ireland. The British garrison is overwhelmed almost immediately, forcing the British to send troops in. Reports of massacres at the hands of them trickle out. A League of Nations inspection team goes in to check, and they return after two weeks finding "no evidence of such". In reality, they were there at the now infamous Dublin Massacre, where 1,500 men, women and children were executed, and were bought off by the British military.
A firefight on the Spanish-French Commonwealth border leads to a new war. The unprepared and ill equipped Spanish military is quickly routed. Madrid falls within days. The German army is only stopped in the west, from the Pyrenees to Gibraltar, everything east falls. The Treaty of Lisbon has Spain cede the captured territory to Germany, who incorporates it into the Commonwealth, now renamed the West European Commonwealth.
In 1931, fascist parties gain control of the British Parliament. They ousted Ramsey MacDonald and installed Sir Oswald Mosley. Mosley ordered more troops into Ireland to put down its rebellion. Germany and America begin running supply runs via u-boats and submarines. Britain accuses them of doing so, both deny it. The war in Ireland turns into a stalemate, both sides dig trenches to hold onto their gains, much to the dismay of the Great War participants.
Franklin D. Roosevelt defeats the incumbent Herbert Hoover for US president. He draws up plans for a "New Deal" to try to help the economy recover. Some are challenged by his political opponents, in response, FDR attempts to stack the Supreme Court in his favor. Not surprisingly, the Supreme Court blocks this. But his plans go into effect, putting people to work. But recovery is slow.
Charles de Gaulle bests Albert Lebrun in the French presidential elections. He comes into office making many promises, mostly to restore France to its former glory, and to exact revenge on Germany. At his inauguration he proclaims that when he leaves office, he will do so by walking out of the presidential building in Paris.