Alternative History

Atticus S and Heather J

WWII

What we know...
Before the United States involvement in the war, they created the Lend-Lease Act.
-

Provided military aid to Britain and any other country whose actions could defend and
benefit the United States.
Allowed the United States to have the resources necessary to pull ahead once they entered
the war.

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, leading to U.S. entering the war.

The United States is fighting for their last chance at saving the allied powers in Europe, from the
Axis powers.
The Allies are focused on stopping Germany from rising to power in Europe.
After Battle of Midway, U.S. pulls ahead as major power in Pacific.

What we Changed
In our scenario, the United States takes an early retirement from the war.
-

Economy and military werent prepared.

United States had to spend several months preparing, which resulted in a
minimal supply and put them behind.
Germany had already advanced too far into the surrounding European
countries.
The casualties become too great for America
They dropped out to pursue isolationist movements at home
Attacked Japan, leaving the Japanese powerless.
Soviet Union decided to take over, declaring a Communistic regime in Europe.

Effects on United States

Economy
-

Economic growth decreases and unemployment increases due to the lack of industrial work.
Escape debt at first, but it quickly accumulates when America is racing against time to enter the
war.

Political
-

United States is no longer a superpower in the world.

Americans lose trust in their government, and more importantly, president FDR.

Social
-

Social class gap grew -- wealthy could afford to buy luxuries, while the middle class and poor had
no employment.
Split between Isolationism (already enacted) and Imperialism.

Effects on Europe and Asia

Japan
-

Japan was basically put in the background and ignored while America
focused on Europe.
They used all of their built up resources during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
After the U.S. attacked them they were left with nothing.

Europe
-

European economies were shot, they were looking for ways to rebuild.
Communism had spread throughout all of Europe, and the power had gone
to the Soviet Unions head.

Arms-Race

What we know...
- America and the Soviets have been going through a period of intensity, both
taking aggressive political and militaristic leverage over each other.
- Although on the same side of the WWII effort, Soviet - American relations took a
violent turn when their nuclear arson became a competition.
- The cold war led to decades of tension between the
United States, peaking in the 50s and 60s with the
first soviet satellite, Sputnik, and eventually peaking in the Cuban
missile crisis.

What we Changed
In our scenario, we decided to give the Soviets the upper hand.
We flipped the statistics of the US nuclear arsenal, and that of the Soviets,
landing the Soviets a comfortable position.
By 1955, the USSR had three times the amount of nukes as the US with 750.
The Soviet nuclear peak will land at 30000 in 1990 (in actuality it was around
1985 but whos counting)
Americas nuclear peak landed at only 19000 in 1980.

Effects:
Economics
- Economic relations with the now dominantly communist Europe greatly
restricted prosperity amongst import/export businesses.
-

Military industrial organizations profit greatly.

Job opportunities tank as businesses who collaborate overseas go

bankrupt.

Larger income gap settled.

Effects:
Social
Communism caused paranoia greatly influences American politics, which
result in the enacting of highly anti-immigration legislation.

Communist witch hunt takes place in America.

A wave of nationalism sweeps over the nation. (Brings with it American

Identity. Suburbs, conformity of the 50s)

Immigration
-

Immigration from Europe blows out of the water for the first few years after the war
Communism and Capitalism become too great,
End of major immigration from either hemisphere.

Effects
Politics
Mccarthyism and anti-Communist intentions in politics led to antiimmigration policies.
Witch hunt of Communists takes place, huge numbers being banned and
exported from the US
Tensions between US, Soviet, and European tensions build with nuclear
capacity.
American self consciousness about Russian land mass leads to southern
expansion.

Bay of Pigs
Invasion

What we know...
-

Fidel Castro, Cuban, overthrew the American-backed government in Cuba.

The United States fought for a few years to get Castro out of power.
American forces launched an invasion to take over Cuba, using Cubans who
fled after Castro came into power.
The CIA, which basically ran the whole mission, convinced president
Kennedy to go through with it even though it wasnt looking very promising.
Knowing the plan was not foolproof, they sent the men in anyway.
Instead of helping the Cubans, the CIA wanted to keep the mission a
complete secret, but they couldnt because Cuba broadcasted it.
Led to America leaving Cuba out to dry with the Communists.

What we Changed
-

WIth a stronger requirement to conquer Latin American nations, America

funded more resources towards cuban rebels.
A stronger support for the rebels ends in a successful takeover of the Cuban
nation.
American influence dominates the country, setting up a capitalist
sympathizing government.
Allows America to set up various naval bases to easily conquer other latin
American and South American coastal countries.

Effects on United States

Economy
-

Gaining more territory in Latin America provided a source for importing and exporting goods. This allowed
the American economic growth to increase.
Employment would increase as a result of the input and output of products.
America is now the major power on the western hemisphere, while the Soviet Union rules the eastern half.

Politics
-

Tensions between Americans and Latin Americans could arise, putting the role of government to a test.
Possible segregation (Civil Rights)

Social
-

Expansionism takes over in the minds of some Americans, furthering the split between imperialists and
isolationists.
Increased competition for jobs and other resources, creating a divide. (Great Migration pt. 2)

Effects on Europe and Asia

Japan
-

Still a silent player in the world, weak and powerless.

They run their own government totally separate from America and Europe.
Unemployment and inflation is abundant

Europe
-

No longer only player in world affairs

Rules eastern half of the world