Europa

Allenciza Italia

Capital: Rome
Population: 44 Million
Military Force:
Esercito Italiano
Regia Marina
Regia Aeronautica

The brief upsurge in pan-Italian nationalism spurred by the liberal revolutions of 1848 was insufficient to completely quell rivalries between the different monarchies scattered across the Italian peninsula. The large gap between the rich industrial north and the poor agricultural south, as well as differences in how the new Italian state should be structured continued to plague Italian nationalists for decades. Inspired by the formation of the CSA and the German Union, the nationalists succeeded in establishing the Compromise of Rome in 1872. The Rome Agreement managed to bring about a confederation (along the CSA model) between the different states of the Italian peninsula for the first time since Roman days, and with it the Allenciza Italia (Italian Alliance) was born. Over time, the central government managed to slowly build its power and exert control over the different states, but each region still is afforded a considerable degree of autonomy in the management of local affairs. To help the south develop, the Allenciza has emphasized the aggressive development of specialized local luxury goods and tourism. The adoption of a common currency and a unified military has also dramatically accelerated development and integration of the economies across the peninsula.



Austria, German Union

Capital: Vienna
Population: 7 Million
Military Force:
German Union Wermacht
-Heer
-Kriegsmarine
-Luftwaffe

Austria has had a tumultuous history, with fortunes rising and falling by the fortunes of the Hapsburg family and in more recent times the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1871, seeking to find stability in a whirlwind of self-determination and class politics, Austria chose to join the German Union. Austria is known as a musical nation, giving birth to many musical geniuses including Mozart and Schubert, as well as the waltz. Viennese cooking is also famous for its blend of central European cultures, coffee culture and fantastic desserts.



Bavaria, German Union

Capital: Munich
Population: 8 Million
Military Force:
German Union Wermacht
-Heer
-Kriegsmarine
-Luftwaffe

One of the richest regions of the German Union, Bavaria rivals Prussia as leader of the “Big 4.” Bavaria’s capital, Munich, might be most famous for beer, but Bavaria has a very developed industrial base including headquarters for companies such as MAN, Messerschmitt and BMW. Often seen as a foil and rival to Prussia,Bavarians are often characterized as lively. Despite this reputation, Bavarians often have a fairly conservative streak and love sticking to distinctinvely Bavarian traditions like drindl, lederhosen, Oktoberfest and beer brewed to the strict Rheinheitsgebot law.



Finland

Capital: Helsinki
Population: 4 Million
Military Force:
Maavoimat
Merivoimat
Ilmavoimat
Rajavartiolaitos

Long before Finland lost its independence in 1809 to Russia after the Finnish War between the Russian Empire and Sweden, Finnish nationalists sought to reclaim self-determination and the creation of a Finnish state that was separate from Sweden. With the outbreak of the Russian Revolution in 1917 and the chaos that followed, Finnish nationalists, with the backing of the German Union, managed to declare their independence. Both the Union of the People’s Soviets and the Russian Empire, distracted by the civil war and its aftermath only weakly protested in the newly formed League of Nations. Since that time there have been few conflicts between the UPS and Finland, although the UPS has repeatedly threatened military action.



Freeport Marseilles

Capital: Marseilles
Population: 620,000
Military Force:
Armee de Marseille
Marine Marseille
Aeronatique Marseille

The rise of left-leaning and socialist parties in France in the early 30s triggered an immediate conservative backlash resulting in the 6 February 1934 crisis. This spawned the Popular Front in France, an alliance of communist, socialist and social-democratic parties. The Popular Front, afraid of a Facist coup, preemptively seize power and declare the end of the Third Republic and establish France as a Socialist government known as the People’s French Republic (sometimes called “Red France”). Conservative forces respond by having southern France secede from the PFR, reinstating the French Empire and claiming all of the colonies of France to attempt to garner support from conservative voters. Amidst this chaos a growing left-leaning youth movement in Marseilles, taking its own cues from Hollywood, refuse to let Marseilles be a part of the new French Empire and demand that the port city withdraw from the French empire. Barely able to hold on to its colonial territories and fend off political attacks from Red France, The French Empire quietly negotiates to not contest the secession movement, but at the same time refuses to recognize Marseilles sovereignty. This has left the city-state in political limbo, with the League unable to officially recognize its political status. This has ironically resulted in a boon for local businesses willing to bend the law, as there are no clear rules for importation, tariffs, etc., making the port city a popular destination for smugglers, pirates and independent merchants looking to make it big.



Prussia, German Union

Capital: Berlin
Population: 20 Million
Military Force:
German Union Wermacht
-Heer
-Kriegsmarine
-Luftwaffe

Prussia is the most powerful state within the German Union. Prussia played a key role in the formation of the German Union in 1871. Due to its size and long history of military prowess, decisions made by the Prussian Defence Ministry are typically adopted by the other states in the German Union. The newly unified German Union Wermacht and Defence Procurement Agency are staffed predominantly by Prussian officers and bureaucrats. Although politically dominated by powerful landed Junker families, many entrepreneurs (some even Junkers) have built Prussia’s industrial base to rival the industrial areas of Hanover and Bavaria. Prussians have a bit of a reputation for being very rigid and proper, but the nightlife of Berlin (the capital of Prussia and the German Union), certainly suggests that this is a misplaced stereotype.



United Kingdom

Capital: London
Population: 47 Million
Military Force:
British Army
Royal Navy
Royal Air Force

The United Kingdom has been a force of stability in global affairs since the establishment of the League of Nations after the Russian Civil War. After helping guide the Confederate States of America away from slavery, it inspired a political movement promoting self-determination on the model of the CSA. Seeing itself as the elder statesman and a model of how states should behave, it considered its own handling of the separation of Ireland as a model for other nations to use in issues of self determination. In 1918 protests resulted in a national plebiscite in 1921 for the creation of the Free Irish State. By 1922 the UK had managed a successful transfer of power under the watchful eye of the League of Nations. While other colonies of the Empire watch the developments in Ireland with great interest, conservative forces in the country are still against wholesale decolonization, suggesting that the transformation should be “slow, gradual, and only with due cause.”



Union of the People’s Soviets (Red Russia)

Capital: Moscow
Population: 140 Million
Military Force:
Soviet Armed Forces
-Workers’ Peasants’ Red Army
-Air Forces
-Red Navy
-People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD)
-Border Troops
-Internal Troops

The Russian Civil War was the only significant international conflict for over a century. A crumbling central government and growing desire for self-determination caused the Russian Empire to begin cracking in 1905 when a general strike completely paralyzed the nation and gave birth to countless political parties and organizations demanding reform. Gradually, the pressure from local Dumas and political organizations began to weaken the authority of the central government, and the Russian Empire undertook haphazard reforms. The political situation deteriorated further, and finally, in 1917, well organized socialist and communists organizations across the country began a general strike that shut down the government. The Imperial Army moved against civilians, resulting in the massacre of thousands of civilians in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Enraged by the bloodshed, the Saint Petersburg Duma declared itself the provisional government of Russia. The Imperial Army, which was largely a conscripted army, began disintegrating as aristocratic officers either relented to the demands of the soldiers or faced mutiny. At first the Provisonal Government sought to create a constitutional monarchy under the Czar. What they did not plan for was a well orchestrated coup from within by Communists that in effect changed the goals from a constitutional monarchy to the formation of a communist government. A long confused civil war ensued involving all of the major powers and dozens of factions. Eventually two sides emerged from the struggle; a communist government west of the Urals, and a constitutional monarchy under the Czar east of the Urals. After 10 long years of war, a truce was signed between the Union of People’s Soviets and the Russian Empire in 1927, ending the war and establishing a border between the two nations.



North America

Confederate States of America

Capital: Richmond
Population: 45 Million
Military Force:
Confederate States Army
Confederate States Navy
Confederate States Air Force
Confederate States Marines

Hard-fought battles in 1863 during the War of Southern Succession (1861-1867) by Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia against the Union’s Army of the Potomac managed to convince England and France to recognize the Confederate States as an independent nation, which gave the Confederacy access to desperately needed weapons and funding. These concessions had a high price, and in exchange for recognition, the Southern states agreed to eliminate slavery by 1888. The Confederate States of America has a predominately agricultural economy organized around plantations using contract labor. The independence movement by Hollywood in the 1910’s sparked by the growth of the movie industry almost led to war as the US generously supplied weapons and “volunteers” to help. Years of peace between the countries has healed many wounds, even giving way to a fair amount of cross-border tourism. Still the occasional barb over “Yanks” and “Rebs” can still be heard. Confederate women are world famous for an odd hybrid of European manners mixed with North American attitudes, and are often sought after to “liven up” the Salons of the United Kingdon and the French Empire.



Free City of Hollywood

Capital: Hollywood
Population: 3 Million
Military Force:
Free Hollywood Militia
Free Hollywood Maritime Patrol
Free Hollywood Air Patrol

The rapid growth of the movie industry in Hollywood and increasing discontent with the restrictive cultural and censorship laws of the Confederacy caused the Studio oligarchs to demand independence from Richmond. At first the Confederacy resisted. In a contest of wills the United States helped to arm the Hollywood studios, and even formed an all volunteer air unit called the “Flying Angels” to help fly air patrols over the city. The United States also mobilized forces along the border, forcing the Confederacy to back down and grant Hollywood autonomous status. Hollywood has slowly built a very well respected militia, coastal patrol navy and air force. The strong presence of an aviation industry in Hollywood has also been an important secondary industry, but movies are still the city’s chief export. Beverly Hills, a rich neighborhood in Hollywood is always at the cutting edge of the latest trends in fashion and lifestyle.



United States of America

Capital: Washington, D.C.
Population: 84 Million
Military Force:
United States Armed Forces
U.S. Army
-US Army Air Corps
U.S. Navy
-U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Coast Guard

After suffering a stinging defeat in the War of Southern Succession (1861-1867) the United States lost considerable political and diplomatic influence. This setback was only temporary, as the United States economy recovered quickly, and industry expanded rapidly along the East coast and the Great Lakes. The long frontier with the Confederate States has forced the United States to maintain a fairly large and modern army, which in turn has spawned a large military industry with aggressive exports overseas. Famous for their almost childish can-do attitude and fanatical devotion to salesmanship, Americans remain somewhat of an awkward mystery to the rest of the world.



East Asia

League of the Rising Sun

Capital: Edo
Population: 73 Million
Military Force:
Nippon Teikoku Rikugun
-Teikoku Rikugun Kokutai
Nippon Teikoku Kaigun
-Nippon Teikoku Kaigun Koukuu Hombu
-Kaigun Tokubetsu Rikusentai

The collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate caused by the rebellion of Satsuma and Choshu brought anarchy to Japan. The effort to replace the Shogunate with a puppet emperor (Meiji Restoration) triggered a complex civil war. The resulting conflict transformed the territories of hundreds of Daimyo into six major states. Seeking to avoid further bloodshed, these six states adopted a Federal model, forming a national constitutional monarchy with considerable regional autonomy. By 1889 a formal constitution was adopted between the States of Northern Honshu (Touhoku), Central Honshu (Kanto-Chubu), Southern Honshu (Kansai-Chugoku), Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. Edo remained the capital and was considered a semi-autonomous region under the reinstated Emperor. There is a considerable degree of cultural homogeneity among the League, and most citizens consider themselves “Japanese first.” Despite all appearances, the Emperors of the League (Meiji, Taisho and currently Showa) have been fairly powerless, with most of the power being split between the Diet and the bureaucracy under the leadership of the Prime Minister.



New China

Capital: Nanking
Population: 520 Million
Military Force:
National Military Council
-National Revolutionary Army
-National Revolutionary Navy
-National Revolutionary Air Force

The collapse of the Qing empire in 1911 brought about the formation of New China in 1912. Although politically divided by regional interests and a very popular communist movement, by the mid 20s the Shanghai government managed to assert full authority over the former Chinese Empire. As China has regained it’s confidence it has also sought to play a greater role in international affairs. This has put them in direct conflict with the League of the Rising Sun for influence in the Asia region and in the League of Nations.