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Description
It's been over one hundred years since Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon I, died whilst attempting to escape imprisonment in 1846; falling down a flight of stairs due to his poor eye-sight and breaking his neck. In another time he would have successfully escaped and taken power in France, ushering in a new age of prosperity and prestige unseen since the days of the Bourbons. But that is another time, in this one he died an ignominious death with few mourning his passing.

With the death of the last Bonaparte, only the Bourbons remained as the family with any claim to the throne of France, however as in OTL they were disposed during the 1848 Revolutions and a new republic was established.

History happens.

************************************

With the continuation of a republic instead of the benevolent dictatorship of Louis, France faired the trials of the late 19th century with better grace than OTL. Regular elections to flush out the dead wood keep policies fresh and the populace happy, aside from the time military rule was established in Paris to crush the Marxist rioters in 1886, but this is seen as nothing more than a slight hiccup in an otherwise uninterrupted democratic cycle. Nationalist Presidents encouraged colonial expansion and military intervention, such as the military missions to Japan and Korea in the 1860’s, the intervention in Egypt in 1878, and the intervention in the War of Italian Unification against Austria in 1883 (Venetia and Napoli remained autonomous under the final treaty and remain so to this day). Liberal Presidents encouraged major reform, attempting to copy Bismarck and the British Liberals in pacifying the radical-left, which worked to varying degrees.

French support for the Union during the American Civil War brought about a faster victory, not least because it also encouraged Britain to drop any ideas of supporting the Confederacy. With a larger population and the survival of President Lincoln the rebuilding of the South was carried out successfully, with slave populations moved out and carpet-baggers moved in. The frontier advanced rapidly, to the anger of the Native Americans, however Lincolns intervention on behalf of the Santee Sioux and their Plains cousins (he had made assurances during the Civil War to protect and maintain the boundaries of their reservations) ensured the creation of a northern Indian state, the Territory of Lincoln (originally Wahpeton, the name was changed in 1902). Not only this but the arrival of Maximilian in the wake of the Franco-British-Spanish invasion force in 1862, and his prolonged stay after their withdrawal, encouraged American intervention in Mexico. The following Civil Wars would lead to a repeat process, encouraging the implementation of the Monroe Doctrine until nearly all of the Mexican state was under American dominance to some degree or another.

French interests in Asia were guarded by strong influence over the courts of Kyoto and Pyongyang, making up for numerous set-backs in Indochina, but also bringing them into conflict with Russia for influence in Manchuria. Numerous instances of skirmishes between Russian and French forces in the Far East (known by British historians as “The Eastern Game” in relation to Britain’s own conflict with Russia in Central Asia) set back any chances of improving relations in the face of growing British and German power.

Despite Britain’s attempts to remain aloof from European conflicts disagreement in France was inevitable. French support for the Union in the American Civil War dragged Britain out of their fiercely anti-American stance to take a stand against slavery. China and Africa proved to be similarly tricky areas, with Britain and France occupying similar areas of influence. Eventually compromises were drawn to allow France control over most of North and West Africa whilst Britain dominated the South. China however was trickier, but borders soon defined themselves as merchants, missionaries and expeditions came to natural boundaries which prevented further penetration into the heart of China. However the ambiguity which these issues created was not soon forgotten.

By 1900 France was still the second most powerful nation in Europe, and the third in the world. However not all was well. Germany had unified, defeating Austria in the Schleswig War in 1866 and ensuring their dominance of the German states. This victory however was not without its cost, sensing the vulnerability of the mainly German Alsace region France quickly set about fortifying the region in anticipation of a German attack. Bismarck did not wish to draw France into a conflict, especially one that Germany was not likely to win, so he and his compatriots within the German government began to plot. After all, France had no defense against a purely political move. Agitation of German nationals through the 1860’s and 70’s prompted the French government to hold a referendum on the Alsace region, with much German prompting. After a long fought campaign of many months (and no shortage of vote rigging and slander on both sides) the German vote won the majority of provincial councils, with the vast majority of German-speaking Alsace joining the Reich in 1872.

The stage was set for a major conflict, one which would rearrange the global order permanently. But in 1921 something completely unexpected happened, something which hadn’t happened in Europe for over fifty years, a revolution. Russia fell to the forces of a coalition of Socialists, Anarchists and Marxists attempting to overthrow the Tsar and bring reform to their country. Naturally this didn’t go down at all well with the major powers of Europe, who remembered what happened the last time the peasants started executing the nobility and shouting about freedom. A temporary alliance between Britain, France, Germany and Austria-Hungary (Japan and Korea naturally siding with France) invaded in the summer of 1922, hoping to make considerable advances before the autumn set in making travel hazardous.

The campaign was disastrous, with the Allied forces not only contending with the new People’s Army and the elements, but with countless other separatist movements and ethnic conflicts. By 1924 only Germany and Austria-Hungary remained in the conflict, slowly grinding towards Moscow with the pledge to not rest until the Red Menace had been crushed.

************************************

The world is on the brink of conflict and has been for decades now. Tanks the size of houses rumble along the banks of the Rhine, bases house hundreds of rocket-propelled planes which sit idly until the day they are released to deliver their deadly pay-loads; hordes of horsemen armed with spears, bows and submachine guns rule the steppes of Eurasia and the deserts of Arabia, deep underground in bunkers reinforced with concrete and steel generals discuss in hushed tones how best to sacrifice their men, and everywhere the people live with the ever present knowledge that today could be the day they are plunged into the greatest conflict in human history.

Despite recent setbacks Britain maintains their lead as the predominant power on the planet, but these days that lead is very much statistical. The German, American and French armies surpass them in numbers, if not quality, and the German air force is regarded as the finest in the world, whilst French artillery can allegedly demolish a building five miles away (which explains no-man’s land along the border). However the navy is still the finest in the world and one of the few to maintain aircraft carriers, so there’s still a silver-lining. Not only this but Britain still maintains the support of the Dominions, the glorious backbone of the empire since the gilded age of British dominance. Each one maintains their own armed forces, which when combined under the Commonwealth High Command in war time gives them a numerical advantage only surpassed by China. But the quality of several of the newer additions to the Commonwealth is severely lacking when compared with the forces of the “white Dominions”. The East African Union for example still issues Enfield’s from 1920, and the Industan Free State has no air force to speak of save the British bases within their borders, and don’t even get me started on how the High Command actually works or we’ll be here all night! It is a mixed bag, but the common identity of the Dominion’s forces and regular cooperative exercises ensures that some level of cohesion exists, and considering how many threats to the Empire still exist, working together is probably the best bet.

India collapsed into civil war as Britain’s attempts to split the country up into several dominions in the 1940’s fell through. German leaning Hindu nationalists control most of the country with much pomp and grandeur, surrounded by several British dominions and protectorates, a semi-democratic alliance of states to the south and a Collectivist state in Bengal, biting the pillow as China invades.

France took a few notes from Britain’s book re. Federal Imperialism. Meaning they saw how trying to unify the Dominions failed and sought to improve the system. Not giving them independence in the first place has been helpful so far, with Algeria, Senegal and the French Congo all answering to Paris on issues of importance but otherwise running their own civil and economic affairs; however for much of Africa there still remains a fair way to go before “independence” is achieved. Militarily France is committed to the notion of Static Defense and their German border defenses are testament to this. Containing some of the strongest fortifications, most powerful guns and deepest bunkers in the world, it is literally the only reason Germany has not turned their full might west. The French see themselves as the last hope for all of Europe against brutish German militarism and alleged racial superiority.

Helping Paris in their fight to keep the world safe for wine-lovers are their Far Eastern allies, Japan, Korea and the most recent edition, the Russian Republic! Japan and Korea go way back, with their modern states owing much too French assistance in the middle of the 19th century. The fact that they are considered major powers is testament to the sterling work of the French officers who first helped develop their backwards armed forces. Russia however is simply the exiled remnants of an attempted government of compromise taken under the wings of a sympathetic French government. Considering how cold past relations between Paris and St Petersburg have been this has been nothing short of begging on hands and knees. However any groveling has paid off now, with the shattered remnants of their armed forces rebuilt for the long distance war they intend to wage across the continent.

How proud Bismarck would be of his descendants if he could see them now is a subject for debate amongst modern Germans. In private of course, otherwise they run the risk of being arrested, tried and shot for sedition. The twelve year long campaign across Russia scarred the German people; the military strongmen who took control of the government at the time led the country to the very brink of financial ruin. Fortunately hope appeared upon the horizon in the form of Colonel Johann Heidler [1] and the German Worker’s Front. Though perhaps that name is something of a misnomer, “Party of Nationalist Thugs and Crooks” might be more accurate. Seizing power from the clique of Conservatives and officers who had monopolized it for decades and distributing it amongst conservatives and officers who were willing to tow the party line, the Heidlerists have been working non-stop espousing their agenda of German settlement of the Eastern European puppets, German dominance of Europe (and the world in general). However the Great Leader’s health is failing of late; and he still refuses to name his successor, though you can be sure that whoever he picks will have to kill every other candidate if he wants to sleep safely.

They also found a spare Romanov to stick in Moscow after the city was rebuilt. There are probably a few original ones still running around though since not all of the kids were accounted for. Some say the Tsar’s youngest daughter was adopted by a Red army officer who couldn’t bring himself to kill the girl, and later fled east with her to Vladivostok when the Germans reached Moscow. The wife of the commanding officer of the current French attaché does look strangely like the old Tsarina…

China, dear lord…what a mess. Modernization attempts began in earnest in the 1920’s with substantial western backing due to fears of Red invasion of the fractious Chinese state. Money kept pouring in even after the various separatist movements cut off the Marxists from the rest of Asia. By 1941 many economists claimed that within fifty years the Chinese economy would surpass that of Germany and the United States judging from the rate of growth. And that was when the nationalists came to power. Descent from traditional values, smelly westerners free to walk the streets of Sacred China! Thank Buddha those lovely Germans come over to help us kick them out and restore the honor of our ancestors! Because that makes perfect sense. Currently trying to be the Germany of Asia, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery of course…

Finally America. The United States is just as cruel to the Indians, Latinos, Blacks and Catholics as OTL, fortunately the shortened Civil War led to a greater degree of isolationism, feeling less threatened by the European powers that help them win the damn thing. The Mormons however are a recent problem, a series of protests against increasingly centralized government and the illegalization of monogamy, the current referendum is between continued statehood and increased autonomy to the level of the Indian Reserves, except hopefully with less unemployment and alcoholism. However the relocation of slaves, slave owners and northern carpet-baggers after the war has set a precedent for the US government when it comes to population transfers, one that is unlikely to disappear any time soon.

[1] Yes, it's the Great Dictator. His dad's surname was kept in it's original form and his parents didn't like the sound of Adolf. His moustache is more conventional in this world and he's got better people skills. All round not a bad guy, aside from all those partisans he executed in Ukraine of course.

Description
It's been over one hundred years since Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon I, died whilst attempting to escape imprisonment in 1846; falling down a flight of stairs due to his poor eye-sight and breaking his neck. In another time he would have successfully escaped and taken power in France, ushering in a new age of prosperity and prestige unseen since the days of the Bourbons. But that is another time, in this one he died an ignominious death with few mourning his passing.

With the death of the last Bonaparte, only the Bourbons remained as the family with any claim to the throne of France, however as in OTL they were disposed during the 1848 Revolutions and a new republic was established.

History happens.

************************************

With the continuation of a republic instead of the benevolent dictatorship of Louis, France faired the trials of the late 19th century with better grace than OTL. Regular elections to flush out the dead wood keep policies fresh and the populace happy, aside from the time military rule was established in Paris to crush the Marxist rioters in 1886, but this is seen as nothing more than a slight hiccup in an otherwise uninterrupted democratic cycle. Nationalist Presidents encouraged colonial expansion and military intervention, such as the military missions to Japan and Korea in the 1860’s, the intervention in Egypt in 1878, and the intervention in the War of Italian Unification against Austria in 1883 (Venetia and Napoli remained autonomous under the final treaty and remain so to this day). Liberal Presidents encouraged major reform, attempting to copy Bismarck and the British Liberals in pacifying the radical-left, which worked to varying degrees.

French support for the Union during the American Civil War brought about a faster victory, not least because it also encouraged Britain to drop any ideas of supporting the Confederacy. With a larger population and the survival of President Lincoln the rebuilding of the South was carried out successfully, with slave populations moved out and carpet-baggers moved in. The frontier advanced rapidly, to the anger of the Native Americans, however Lincolns intervention on behalf of the Santee Sioux and their Plains cousins (he had made assurances during the Civil War to protect and maintain the boundaries of their reservations) ensured the creation of a northern Indian state, the Territory of Lincoln (originally Wahpeton, the name was changed in 1902). Not only this but the arrival of Maximilian in the wake of the Franco-British-Spanish invasion force in 1862, and his prolonged stay after their withdrawal, encouraged American intervention in Mexico. The following Civil Wars would lead to a repeat process, encouraging the implementation of the Monroe Doctrine until nearly all of the Mexican state was under American dominance to some degree or another.

French interests in Asia were guarded by strong influence over the courts of Kyoto and Pyongyang, making up for numerous set-backs in Indochina, but also bringing them into conflict with Russia for influence in Manchuria. Numerous instances of skirmishes between Russian and French forces in the Far East (known by British historians as “The Eastern Game” in relation to Britain’s own conflict with Russia in Central Asia) set back any chances of improving relations in the face of growing British and German power.

Despite Britain’s attempts to remain aloof from European conflicts disagreement in France was inevitable. French support for the Union in the American Civil War dragged Britain out of their fiercely anti-American stance to take a stand against slavery. China and Africa proved to be similarly tricky areas, with Britain and France occupying similar areas of influence. Eventually compromises were drawn to allow France control over most of North and West Africa whilst Britain dominated the South. China however was trickier, but borders soon defined themselves as merchants, missionaries and expeditions came to natural boundaries which prevented further penetration into the heart of China. However the ambiguity which these issues created was not soon forgotten.

By 1900 France was still the second most powerful nation in Europe, and the third in the world. However not all was well. Germany had unified, defeating Austria in the Schleswig War in 1866 and ensuring their dominance of the German states. This victory however was not without its cost, sensing the vulnerability of the mainly German Alsace region France quickly set about fortifying the region in anticipation of a German attack. Bismarck did not wish to draw France into a conflict, especially one that Germany was not likely to win, so he and his compatriots within the German government began to plot. After all, France had no defense against a purely political move. Agitation of German nationals through the 1860’s and 70’s prompted the French government to hold a referendum on the Alsace region, with much German prompting. After a long fought campaign of many months (and no shortage of vote rigging and slander on both sides) the German vote won the majority of provincial councils, with the vast majority of German-speaking Alsace joining the Reich in 1872.

The stage was set for a major conflict, one which would rearrange the global order permanently. But in 1921 something completely unexpected happened, something which hadn’t happened in Europe for over fifty years, a revolution. Russia fell to the forces of a coalition of Socialists, Anarchists and Marxists attempting to overthrow the Tsar and bring reform to their country. Naturally this didn’t go down at all well with the major powers of Europe, who remembered what happened the last time the peasants started executing the nobility and shouting about freedom. A temporary alliance between Britain, France, Germany and Austria-Hungary (Japan and Korea naturally siding with France) invaded in the summer of 1922, hoping to make considerable advances before the autumn set in making travel hazardous.

The campaign was disastrous, with the Allied forces not only contending with the new People’s Army and the elements, but with countless other separatist movements and ethnic conflicts. By 1924 only Germany and Austria-Hungary remained in the conflict, slowly grinding towards Moscow with the pledge to not rest until the Red Menace had been crushed.

************************************

The world is on the brink of conflict and has been for decades now. Tanks the size of houses rumble along the banks of the Rhine, bases house hundreds of rocket-propelled planes which sit idly until the day they are released to deliver their deadly pay-loads; hordes of horsemen armed with spears, bows and submachine guns rule the steppes of Eurasia and the deserts of Arabia, deep underground in bunkers reinforced with concrete and steel generals discuss in hushed tones how best to sacrifice their men, and everywhere the people live with the ever present knowledge that today could be the day they are plunged into the greatest conflict in human history.

Despite recent setbacks Britain maintains their lead as the predominant power on the planet, but these days that lead is very much statistical. The German, American and French armies surpass them in numbers, if not quality, and the German air force is regarded as the finest in the world, whilst French artillery can allegedly demolish a building five miles away (which explains no-man’s land along the border). However the navy is still the finest in the world and one of the few to maintain aircraft carriers, so there’s still a silver-lining. Not only this but Britain still maintains the support of the Dominions, the glorious backbone of the empire since the gilded age of British dominance. Each one maintains their own armed forces, which when combined under the Commonwealth High Command in war time gives them a numerical advantage only surpassed by China. But the quality of several of the newer additions to the Commonwealth is severely lacking when compared with the forces of the “white Dominions”. The East African Union for example still issues Enfield’s from 1920, and the Industan Free State has no air force to speak of save the British bases within their borders, and don’t even get me started on how the High Command actually works or we’ll be here all night! It is a mixed bag, but the common identity of the Dominion’s forces and regular cooperative exercises ensures that some level of cohesion exists, and considering how many threats to the Empire still exist, working together is probably the best bet.

India collapsed into civil war as Britain’s attempts to split the country up into several dominions in the 1940’s fell through. German leaning Hindu nationalists control most of the country with much pomp and grandeur, surrounded by several British dominions and protectorates, a semi-democratic alliance of states to the south and a Collectivist state in Bengal, biting the pillow as China invades.

France took a few notes from Britain’s book re. Federal Imperialism. Meaning they saw how trying to unify the Dominions failed and sought to improve the system. Not giving them independence in the first place has been helpful so far, with Algeria, Senegal and the French Congo all answering to Paris on issues of importance but otherwise running their own civil and economic affairs; however for much of Africa there still remains a fair way to go before “independence” is achieved. Militarily France is committed to the notion of Static Defense and their German border defenses are testament to this. Containing some of the strongest fortifications, most powerful guns and deepest bunkers in the world, it is literally the only reason Germany has not turned their full might west. The French see themselves as the last hope for all of Europe against brutish German militarism and alleged racial superiority.

Helping Paris in their fight to keep the world safe for wine-lovers are their Far Eastern allies, Japan, Korea and the most recent edition, the Russian Republic! Japan and Korea go way back, with their modern states owing much too French assistance in the middle of the 19th century. The fact that they are considered major powers is testament to the sterling work of the French officers who first helped develop their backwards armed forces. Russia however is simply the exiled remnants of an attempted government of compromise taken under the wings of a sympathetic French government. Considering how cold past relations between Paris and St Petersburg have been this has been nothing short of begging on hands and knees. However any groveling has paid off now, with the shattered remnants of their armed forces rebuilt for the long distance war they intend to wage across the continent.

How proud Bismarck would be of his descendants if he could see them now is a subject for debate amongst modern Germans. In private of course, otherwise they run the risk of being arrested, tried and shot for sedition. The twelve year long campaign across Russia scarred the German people; the military strongmen who took control of the government at the time led the country to the very brink of financial ruin. Fortunately hope appeared upon the horizon in the form of Colonel Johann Heidler [1] and the German Worker’s Front. Though perhaps that name is something of a misnomer, “Party of Nationalist Thugs and Crooks” might be more accurate. Seizing power from the clique of Conservatives and officers who had monopolized it for decades and distributing it amongst conservatives and officers who were willing to tow the party line, the Heidlerists have been working non-stop espousing their agenda of German settlement of the Eastern European puppets, German dominance of Europe (and the world in general). However the Great Leader’s health is failing of late; and he still refuses to name his successor, though you can be sure that whoever he picks will have to kill every other candidate if he wants to sleep safely.

They also found a spare Romanov to stick in Moscow after the city was rebuilt. There are probably a few original ones still running around though since not all of the kids were accounted for. Some say the Tsar’s youngest daughter was adopted by a Red army officer who couldn’t bring himself to kill the girl, and later fled east with her to Vladivostok when the Germans reached Moscow. The wife of the commanding officer of the current French attaché does look strangely like the old Tsarina…

China, dear lord…what a mess. Modernization attempts began in earnest in the 1920’s with substantial western backing due to fears of Red invasion of the fractious Chinese state. Money kept pouring in even after the various separatist movements cut off the Marxists from the rest of Asia. By 1941 many economists claimed that within fifty years the Chinese economy would surpass that of Germany and the United States judging from the rate of growth. And that was when the nationalists came to power. Descent from traditional values, smelly westerners free to walk the streets of Sacred China! Thank Buddha those lovely Germans come over to help us kick them out and restore the honor of our ancestors! Because that makes perfect sense. Currently trying to be the Germany of Asia, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery of course…

Finally America. The United States is just as cruel to the Indians, Latinos, Blacks and Catholics as OTL, fortunately the shortened Civil War led to a greater degree of isolationism, feeling less threatened by the European powers that help them win the damn thing. The Mormons however are a recent problem, a series of protests against increasingly centralized government and the illegalization of monogamy, the current referendum is between continued statehood and increased autonomy to the level of the Indian Reserves, except hopefully with less unemployment and alcoholism. However the relocation of slaves, slave owners and northern carpet-baggers after the war has set a precedent for the US government when it comes to population transfers, one that is unlikely to disappear any time soon.

[1] Yes, it's the Great Dictator. His dad's surname was kept in it's original form and his parents didn't like the sound of Adolf. His moustache is more conventional in this world and he's got better people skills. All round not a bad guy, aside from all those partisans he executed in Ukraine of course.