Alternative History
Register
Tags: Visual edit apiedit
m (format)
 
(94 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
  +
'''From Sea to Shining Sea''' is the name for an alternate timeline in which the [[United States]] becomes a [[United States (From Sea to Shining Sea)|socialist state]] during the early 20th century along the [[Soviet Union (From Sea to Shining Sea)|Soviet Union]].
{{Under Construction}}
 
   
  +
==Introduction==
'''Communist-Controlled America '''is the name for an alternate timeline in which the United States transformed into a communist state in the early-20th century.
 
  +
[[File:FDR in 1933.jpg|200px|thumbnail|Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), the president that never was.]]
  +
In 1932, among the suppression of the {{W|Bonus Army}} and the crisis of {{W|Great Depression}}, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was elected president with a reformist platform.
   
  +
However, the elected FDR was prevent from swearing into office<ref>The inauguration into office was programmed to be in March 4, 1933.</ref> due to the coup d'état of {{W|Business Plot}}<ref>The {{W|Business Plot}} in this ATL occurs earlier and is successful in overthrowing the elected president FDR.</ref> throwing America into chaos and the [[Second American Civil War (From Sea to Shining Sea)|Second American Civil War]] (1932-1936) erupts. The victorious revolutionaries establish the [[United States (Communist-Controlled America)|United Socialist Republics of America]].
== Points of Divergence ==
 
Multiple points in this timeline diverge from our own. However, the history of most countries in this timeline is identical to that of our timeline, even after the timeline first diverges.
 
   
  +
[[File:Iww.jpg|thumb|200px|The historical Industrial Workers of the World (IWW, or Wobblies), one of the leading forces for a revolutionary America in the time of ''From Sea to Shining Sea''.]]
=== China ===
 
  +
From this POD in 1932 that multiple points and events in this timeline diverge from our own
The first point at which this alternate timeline diverges from our timeline is in 19th century China. The Guangxu Emperor drafted a reform plan, named the Hundred Days' Reform, to transform China into a constitutional monarchy. In our timeline, opposition to this reform was intense, with conservatives condemning it as too radical. This lead to the 1898 coup, in which Empress Dowager Cixi thwarted these plans and took control of the government. This, however, only further weakened the government, leading to the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. In this timeline, Yuan Shikai gave up support of the empress. He saw her actions as a disgrace to the honor of China and more extreme than the emperor's, and lead a new conservative movement against the empress. The opposition to the reform was much less intense than in our timeline as a result of Shikai's actions. With little support, the coup engineered by the empress was a failure, and Cixi was put under house arrest instead of Guangxu. The coup lead to a distrust for conservatives, making any further attempt to stop the reform practically impossible. On September 22, 1899, the reform was completed, and China had transformed into a modern constitutional monarchy. On December 9, 1899, the first annual election was held in China, with Yuan Shikai being voted into office as Prime Minister of China that same day. The Warlord Era never occurred, instead China was divided among local militias into partially self-governing "provinces" and the "[[China (Communist-Controlled America)|United Provinces of China]]" was formed, which was later renamed the "Chinese Federation" by Mao. Without the fall of the Qing dynasty, Mongolia became independent peacefully through negotiations rather than through a revolution. The rise of nationalist movements in Mongolia lead to its independence in 1914; Mongolia continued to recognize the Chinese emperor as its monarchy, despite its independence, until 1976 when it left the Chinese Commonwealth.
 
   
  +
For questions and concerns check out the FAQ and [[Disclaimer (From Sea to Shining Sea)|Disclaimer]].
=== Russia ===
 
 
==Point of Divergence==
In December of 1904, in the Russian Empire, a strike occurred at the Putilov plant, starting what is known as the Russian Revolution of 1905. A workers' procession preceded to the Winter Palace to deliver to a petition to the Tsar. Troops guarding the palace opened fire on demonstrators in an event known as "Bloody Sunday". Workers went on strike throughout the empire and thousands of protesters died. This lead Nicholas II to create the State Duma of the Russian Empire on February 18 in 1905. On our timeline, this Duma would posses consultative powers only, which only caused civil unrest to increase and the revolution continued, ultimately ended in a victory for the Imperial Army as the revolution was ended. The Imperial Army's victory only highlighted tensions, eventually leading to the Russian Revolution and the creation of the Soviet Union. In this timeline, however, Nicholas II took inspiration from the Hundred Days' Reform when creating the Duma. The Russian Revolution of 1905 was simply known as the Russian Revolution, and spanned from January 22 to February 25 of 1905, and in a victory for the Revolutionaries instead of the Imperial Government. He drafted and ratified the Articles of Democracy, a document that turned Russia into a constitutional monarchy. A federal government structured after that of that of the United States' and of China's would take control. The Tsar would still own the territory of the Russian Empire, but would give all profits of and control over it to the Russian government. In exchange, the royal family would receive a free annual salary from the government that would allow them to continue their life of luxury in the Winter Palace. The Russian Provisional Government was set up to govern the Russian Empire's territory, with the capital moved from Saint Petersburg (which was never renamed to Petrograd) to Moscow. On June 18, Vladimir Lenin was elected as the first prime minister of Russia. Russia was renamed the "[[Russia (Communist-Controlled America)|Republic of Russia]]", later renamed the "Democratic Republic of Russia" by Trotsky. Lenin implied socialist policies intended to help the working class. Russia industrialized, but millions did not die under the soviet polices of our timeline. The Russo-Japanese War ended much earlier than our timeline, with Lenin negotiating a cease-fire with the Japanese Emperor. Without his arrest and escape to Europe, Trotsky's relationship with Lenin never improved. Trotsky lead the Mensheviks against the Bolsheviks, leading to the rise of the Mensheviks and''' '''right-wing groups. Without the Tsar in power and the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks fighting each other for popularity, the February and October Revolutions never occurred and the Soviet Union never existed. Russia became socialist, but not communist, and was only briefly involved and World War 1. Casualties of the war were blamed on Lenin instead of Nicholas II.
 
  +
===The [[United States (From Sea to Shining Sea)|United States]]- Communists and the Labor Movement===
   
  +
As the Old World embraced reform in the ashes of world wide war the United States found itself increasingly scarred by class war. In the Early 20th century economic cycles took an even greater toll on America's industrial working class and still large agricultural work force. Increasingly defined by its own divisions America's people began to turn on each other. The working class continued to face hardship and the middle-class felt abandoned and betrayed by ever larger cooperate blocs and a minimalist government that took little action to intervene for the plight of the people.
=== United States ===
 
  +
''to be added''
 
  +
Americans, though focused on their own problems, took some inspirations from foreign events. The media campaign against Germany waged by the government and private businesses had the intention of securing support for the war, but had unintended consequences. In the long term, America's people drew parallels between the Conservative German Empire and the upper class of the United States. As Germany's workforce was exploited for profits of a market economy and mobilized to attack other countries Americans came to believe their home front was no different from Germany. President at the time Woodrow Wilson was even called by his opponents as 'Papa Kaiser'. Wilson's suppression of war time dissent entrenched more resentment of America's people in the years to come.
[[Category:Communist-Controlled America]]
 
  +
  +
By contrast some foreign influences on the United States were seen as positive. The withdrawal of Russian from World War I and the October Revolution of 1917, though criticized in the media, struck of a cord with American dissenters. The sight of a newly created socialist state exiting a War on behalf of its people was a positive example. Some Americans visited the Soviet Union and witnessed successful socialist reforms. Returning home America's leftists had a model to follow and convictions to pursue in reconstructing the country.
  +
  +
=== Road to Revolution ===
  +
The aftermath of World War I saw the flaring of tensions across the old United States. Though physically unscathed the war was the groundwork for future tensions. High casualties and expense sowed distrust toward existing institutions. The growth of America's middle-class in the post-war era increased dissent as a more educated people questioned the fundamentals of their society. Meanwhile, American officials became more paranoid perceiving an international Communist attack on the verge of threatening their shores.
  +
  +
General strikes of steel and coal workers were declared in 1919 and 1920 being forcibly suppressed by government soldiers. The organized labor movement, radicalized previously moderate organizations such as the American Federation of Labor saw little room of compromise with management in the workplace. The suppression of left-leaning votes in the infamous 1924 election convinced many that the existing structure of the government would not permit reforms from elected officials.
  +
  +
The failed [[1925 American Revolution (From Sea to Shining Sea)|1925 revolution]] broke out as a Pullman's strike before becoming a large general strike across the United States and put the United States into a year of disorder, though relatively little blood was shed compared to later events. Brutal suppression of demonstrators in Baltimore worsened perceptions of the government.
  +
  +
Importantly, however, Sarah Leslie's reputation as a revolutionary for mobilizing urban workers nationwide for the general strike.
  +
  +
=== Rebirth of the nation ===
  +
After the failure of 1925, tensions dissipated below the surface and for a time there was a return to normalcy. Americans returned to work and the government increased laws on sanctioning left leaning activities. A developing consumer economy detracted many from unlawful political activities and some Americans returned to their lives content at conveniences provided by the consumer economy.
  +
[[File:New York in Chaos.jpg|thumb|200px|New York in Chaos.]]
  +
The Wall Street of Crash of 1929 was the turning point that led to the revolutions of 1932 and the following Civil War. In a single day - Black Thursday - millions of ordinary people lost their fortunes as speculators confidence in the economy collapsed. Poverty and hunger became widespread across the country. This was also coupled with natural disasters such as the Dust Bowl in the Central States.
  +
  +
The American Workers Party (AWP) led by Sarah Leslie discredited the traditional parties of the United States and promoted radical revolution as the only solution to America's corrupt society. In July 1932, the Revolution began when the police and soldiers refused to suppress the protests against the the coup d'état of the {{W|Business Plot}} prevented Franklin Delano Roosevelt from swearing into office in Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Detroit and Pittsburgh.
  +
  +
The US Army in some areas across the country refused to accept the revolution and attempted to preserve the old United States. Over the course of four years the nation experienced destruction that exceeded the first American Civil War. Public discontent and the seizure of state governments by workers councils assured the victory of the revolutionary forces. The Proclamation of the [[United States (From Sea to Shining Sea)|United Socialist Republics of America]] - recreated from the old United States - started a new era in North American History.
  +
  +
----
  +
{{From Sea to Shining Sea}}
  +
{{Reflist}}
  +
[[Category:Timelines]]
  +
[[Category:From Sea to Shining Sea|*]]

Latest revision as of 00:59, 8 August 2020

From Sea to Shining Sea is the name for an alternate timeline in which the United States becomes a socialist state during the early 20th century along the Soviet Union.

Introduction

FDR in 1933

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), the president that never was.

In 1932, among the suppression of the Bonus Army and the crisis of Great Depression, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was elected president with a reformist platform.

However, the elected FDR was prevent from swearing into office[1] due to the coup d'état of Business Plot[2] throwing America into chaos and the Second American Civil War (1932-1936) erupts. The victorious revolutionaries establish the United Socialist Republics of America.

Iww

The historical Industrial Workers of the World (IWW, or Wobblies), one of the leading forces for a revolutionary America in the time of From Sea to Shining Sea.

From this POD in 1932 that multiple points and events in this timeline diverge from our own

For questions and concerns check out the FAQ and Disclaimer.

Point of Divergence

The United States- Communists and the Labor Movement

As the Old World embraced reform in the ashes of world wide war the United States found itself increasingly scarred by class war. In the Early 20th century economic cycles took an even greater toll on America's industrial working class and still large agricultural work force. Increasingly defined by its own divisions America's people began to turn on each other. The working class continued to face hardship and the middle-class felt abandoned and betrayed by ever larger cooperate blocs and a minimalist government that took little action to intervene for the plight of the people.

Americans, though focused on their own problems, took some inspirations from foreign events. The media campaign against Germany waged by the government and private businesses had the intention of securing support for the war, but had unintended consequences. In the long term, America's people drew parallels between the Conservative German Empire and the upper class of the United States. As Germany's workforce was exploited for profits of a market economy and mobilized to attack other countries Americans came to believe their home front was no different from Germany. President at the time Woodrow Wilson was even called by his opponents as 'Papa Kaiser'. Wilson's suppression of war time dissent entrenched more resentment of America's people in the years to come.

By contrast some foreign influences on the United States were seen as positive. The withdrawal of Russian from World War I and the October Revolution of 1917, though criticized in the media, struck of a cord with American dissenters. The sight of a newly created socialist state exiting a War on behalf of its people was a positive example. Some Americans visited the Soviet Union and witnessed successful socialist reforms. Returning home America's leftists had a model to follow and convictions to pursue in reconstructing the country.

Road to Revolution

The aftermath of World War I saw the flaring of tensions across the old United States. Though physically unscathed the war was the groundwork for future tensions. High casualties and expense sowed distrust toward existing institutions. The growth of America's middle-class in the post-war era increased dissent as a more educated people questioned the fundamentals of their society. Meanwhile, American officials became more paranoid perceiving an international Communist attack on the verge of threatening their shores.

General strikes of steel and coal workers were declared in 1919 and 1920 being forcibly suppressed by government soldiers. The organized labor movement, radicalized previously moderate organizations such as the American Federation of Labor saw little room of compromise with management in the workplace. The suppression of left-leaning votes in the infamous 1924 election convinced many that the existing structure of the government would not permit reforms from elected officials.

The failed 1925 revolution broke out as a Pullman's strike before becoming a large general strike across the United States and put the United States into a year of disorder, though relatively little blood was shed compared to later events. Brutal suppression of demonstrators in Baltimore worsened perceptions of the government.

Importantly, however, Sarah Leslie's reputation as a revolutionary for mobilizing urban workers nationwide for the general strike.

Rebirth of the nation

After the failure of 1925, tensions dissipated below the surface and for a time there was a return to normalcy. Americans returned to work and the government increased laws on sanctioning left leaning activities. A developing consumer economy detracted many from unlawful political activities and some Americans returned to their lives content at conveniences provided by the consumer economy.

New York in Chaos

New York in Chaos.

The Wall Street of Crash of 1929 was the turning point that led to the revolutions of 1932 and the following Civil War. In a single day - Black Thursday - millions of ordinary people lost their fortunes as speculators confidence in the economy collapsed. Poverty and hunger became widespread across the country. This was also coupled with natural disasters such as the Dust Bowl in the Central States.

The American Workers Party (AWP) led by Sarah Leslie discredited the traditional parties of the United States and promoted radical revolution as the only solution to America's corrupt society. In July 1932, the Revolution began when the police and soldiers refused to suppress the protests against the the coup d'état of the Business Plot prevented Franklin Delano Roosevelt from swearing into office in Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Detroit and Pittsburgh.

The US Army in some areas across the country refused to accept the revolution and attempted to preserve the old United States. Over the course of four years the nation experienced destruction that exceeded the first American Civil War. Public discontent and the seizure of state governments by workers councils assured the victory of the revolutionary forces. The Proclamation of the United Socialist Republics of America - recreated from the old United States - started a new era in North American History.


  1. The inauguration into office was programmed to be in March 4, 1933.
  2. The Business Plot in this ATL occurs earlier and is successful in overthrowing the elected president FDR.