Oh, Franklin Roosevelt. What potential he had: No FDR in politics

[Peter the Lefty]

      February 8th, 1946: Thomas gives a state of the Union address in which he says that "any option which can limit loss of lives must be used.  Why, some may ask?  Because we are Americans.  Because we are humane.  We will show the Japanese the mercy, the humanity, and the benevolence which they never showed to us.  We will demonstrate honor.  Not the false so-called "honor" of the samurai, but the true honor of the pioneer..."
      After the speech is finished, as Thomas is stepping off the podium, he faints and collapses from exhaustion.  He is rushed to a hospital immediately, causing a state of panic among the nation.  The next day, Vice-President Wallace arrives at the White House to lead a cabinet meeting, to give the impression to the Japanese (and, to a lesser extent the Soviets,) that the government is still fully functional, operational, and resolute.  

[Peter the Lefty]

February 13, 1946: Thomas awakens from his long, nonstop sleep, later revealing that it was filled with nightmares depicting the deaths of Japanese civilians.  He returns to the White House, with the dark circles under his eyes gone, but still very gaunt. 

[Peter the Lefty]

April 5, 1946: Thomas signs a bill that begins a paratrooper invasion of Hokkaido.  The plan is designed to take the island swiftly and to show to the rest of Japan how quickly the US can invade.

[Peter the Lefty]

      April 10, 1946: The paratrooper invasion of Hokkaido begins.  Thomas gives a radio broadcast to the nation before it begins:
      "We are embarking upon a mission to show Japan's rulers that defeat is imminent.  We will show them  how swiftly we can take their island of Hokkaido, to make it clear that the sooner they surrender, the more lives they save." A Gallup poll shows that 57% of Americans believe that it should be an invasion of all of Japan.  It also shows that while 55% still approve of President Thomas's work, 58% believe that his first term was better than his second. 

[Peter the Lefty]

April 17, 1946: A new report is published showing a slowdown in economic growth to less than 2%. 

[Peter the Lefty]

      May 17th, 1946: The invasion and takeover of Hokkaido becomes complete.  Thomas warns that "in a matter of months, the rest of Japan can also be invaded and conquered by the forces of freedom." He once again presents a terms of surrender to Hirohito, requiring the abdication of the monarchy, the military disarmament of Japan, and the compensation of all surviving victims of Japanese aggression.  As expected, Hirohito once again defies Thomas and declares that Japan will "fight to the last man standing, as according to the code of the samurai." 

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Rooting for U.S. forces. Wondering if the Dems will take the House in '46 like the Republicans did OTL, especially with the economic slowdown. Victory in WWII might bolster Socialist chances but I have a feeling that 1948 will bring a change in leadership.

[Peter the Lefty]

      June 6, 1946: Thomas authorizes a paratrooper invasion of Tokyo.  
      June 9, 1946: The paratrooper invasion of Tokyo begins, with most of the first boots to hit the ground landing around the perimeter of the city to prevent Emperor Hirohito from escaping.  

[Peter the Lefty]

Rooting for U.S. forces. Wondering if the Dems will take the House in '46 like the Republicans did OTL, especially with the economic slowdown. Victory in WWII might bolster Socialist chances but I have a feeling that 1948 will bring a change in leadership.

Thomas will loose the midterms, and 1948 will be a change in leadership.  But virtually all of the past Thomas supporters who abandon him will go to the Republicans, since they are the more liberal of the non-socialist parties.  So the Republicans and Democrats together will retake both Houses of Congress in '46.

[Peter the Lefty]

      June 10th: As of 14:46 local military time, the city of Tokyo is fully under American control.  In spite of a message from General Eisenhower urging President Thomas to use the atomic bomb on at least one Japanese city, Thomas refuses to do so, stating that such a move would trigger the Russians into attempting to build one themselves, potentially ending all mankind.  On that day, Generals MacArthur and Eisenhower are granted an audience with Emperor Hirohito on the condition that they pledge not to attack either the Emperor, his family, or anyone else in the Imperial Palace.  The Emperor himself also pledges that he will not order an attack on either of the generals.  They return from the meeting with the message that the Emperor and his government are willing to agree to a ceasefire, but not a surrender.  Any ceasefire which he would accept would require a withdrawal of Allied forces from Japan, and would not include any reductions in Japan's military size or arsenal, and would not guarantee the end of hostilities between the two nations at later dates.  After much personal agony, Thomas decides to reject these terms. 

[RogueBeaver]

An interesting twist would be guerrilla warfare, guess we'll see if that happens.

[Peter the Lefty]

      June 12th: Clusters of bombs are dropped on Osaka's government buildings to reinforce the idea that Osaka could be next for a paratrooper invasion.  Thomas decides to turn to the economy temporarily at this point, putting new money into infrastructure projects in an attempt to revive the seemingly-stagnant economy.  He rejects the advice of Abba Lerner that the nationalizations of the mining and steel industries caused the slowdown, and that they should be handed over to either worker co-operatives or private individuals.  

[Peter the Lefty]

      June 28th, 1946: A bitter confrontation with Stalin over the reunification of Korea causes the Soviet forces to withdraw military support to the United States in its battle over Japan.  Thomas sends both SoS Homer T. Bone and Vice-President Wallace (known for his suspicious relations with the USSR) to Moscow to attempt to persuade Stalin otherwise, but Stalin refuses to listen. 

[Peter the Lefty]

      August 12th, 1946: A paratrooper invasion of Osaka begins in the same manner as Tokyo.  As of 5:30 am the next day, the Allied control over the city is complete.  Privately, it becomes known among government circles that Emperor Hirohito is willing to sign a surrender agreement so long as he is not required to give up the throne. 

[Peter the Lefty]

      August 25th, 1946: Thomas passes a bill that gives statehood status to Washington D.C.  On the same day, he authorizes a paratrooper invasion of Kyoto.  The invasion is actually half-paratrooper.  The other half is comprised of marines who land on the city shores through submarines.  As of 11:37 that night, the city is under American control. 
      August 31st, 1946: The city of Hiroshima is paratrooper-invaded.  By 9:45 that night, the Americans have full control over the city. 
      September 5, 1946: A paratrooper invasion of Miyazaki begins, and is completed by 10:07 in the evening. 

[Peter the Lefty]

      October 7, 1946: Generals Eisenhower and MacArthur visit the Emperor once again.  He confides in them that he no longer wants war, and would be willing to surrender should he keep the throne.  However, he tells them that his military government ministers are unwilling to budge, and that for a supposed absolute monarch, he has little sway over his government.  When word of the meeting gets to President Thomas, he decides that should more cities fall to the Americans, he may be able to force the military rulers of Japan to surrender, though he also hopes that it will also convince Hirohito to give up the throne in a surrender agreement. 

[Peter the Lefty]

October 10, 1946: A paratrooper invasion of all un-occupied parts of the island of Kyushu begins. 
October 13, 1946: As of 9:34 am, the entire island of Kyushu is under American control. 
     

[Peter the Lefty]

      November 5, 1946: The Socialists take a major blow in the midterm elections, loosing their majorities in both houses of Congress.  Their number of seats in the House falls to 152 compared to 147 for the Republicans and 128 for the Democrats.  Their Senate count falls to 46, compared to 33 for the Democrats and 22 for the Republicans (Washington D.C. has only one Senate seat.)

[Peter the Lefty]

      Mid-October–December 1946: With an end to the war against Japan in sight, Thomas now realizes that the lame duck session of the current Congress is his last chance to accomplish anything substantial.  In addition to passing an education booster bill and a collective bargaining rights bill, he also passes more civil rights bills for women, African-Americans, and Native Americans.  Most notably, he passes a bill that redirects the vast majority of US Steel activities from military manufacturing to civilian products, due to his fear that the economy may become dependent upon military equipment if such a move is not taken.  It proves to be a fondly-remembered decision.  The Industrial-Military complex that killed JFK in RL never develops in such a powerful way thanks to Thomas's promotion of automobile manufacturing as an alternative to weapons-building. 

[Peter the Lefty]

      January 3, 1947: As the new Congress is called into session, the Democrats decide to back the Republican candidate, Joseph W. Martin, Jr., for House speaker.  He is elected, making it even clearer how difficult it will be for Thomas to get anything done. 

[Peter the Lefty]

      February 8, 1947: The city of Kobe is paratrooper-invaded and taken over quickly. 
      February 12, 1947: A paratrooper-invasion of the island of Shikoku begins. 
      February 14, 1947: As of 3:56 pm, the island of Shikoku is fully under Allied control. 
      February 23, 1947: Thomas vetoes a bill that privatizes US Steel, Wall Street banks, and the coal industry, and returns the Federal Reserve to its previous state of being independently operating within the government, but independent of it. 
      February 27, 1947: A Democratic-sponsored repeal of Thomas's anti-segregation laws fails to pass the House. 
      March 14, 1947: A simultaneous paratrooper invasion of Sendai, Yokohama, Nagoya, Akita, and Aomori begins.  Codenamed "Operation Liberty," it becomes clear to Japan's government that if this operation is lost, it signals the end of the war.  They fight in a more dedicated and brutal way than ever before.
      March 19, 1947: The invasions are all completed. 
      March 21, 1947: Emperor Hirohito signs the Treaty of Surrender, in which he agrees to abdicate the throne in favor of a provisional republic within 48 hours, with the understanding that the provisional republic is to be replaced by a democratic one. 
     

[RogueBeaver]

Republic of Japan... gulp. Apart from that, still very much enjoying this TL.

[Peter the Lefty]

      March 22, 1947: Hirohito announces his abdication in a radio address to his people.  

"To all of my subjects,
      Yesterday, as you all know, I signed an official surrender to the American and Allied forces, at 12:34 pm.  In signing it, I agreed that Japan would reduce the size of its military to that of one for crucial self defense.  I also agreed that within 48 hours of my signing of the treaty, I would step down as your Emperor and bring about the end of the Empire, and the monarchy.  It is to be replaced with a Republic in which elections are free, and opinions can be voiced clearly.  Signing it was not a decision which I made out of cowardice or dishonor.  I did it out of a desire to see our country thrive.  It would never have thrived again had the war continued.  I would have wanted to see the Empire live on and expand, and it was always my dream to see the rest of the world ruled by the Empire of the Sun.  But for us to continue to fight for it would be to destroy the future of this nation of the sun...."

[Peter the Lefty]

      Match 23rd, 1947: Mosaburo Suzuki takes over as the interim President of Japan.  Jotaro Kawakami takes the position of acting Prime Minister.  As Thomas would later explain, "they weren't chosen because they were socialists.  They were chosen because we needed people who were respected and capable, who hadn't supported the war, and weren't communists.  As it turns out, the socialists were the only ones who fit the job requirements."

[Peter the Lefty]

      April 15, 1947: The Ku Klux Klan is refounded by white Southern veterans returning home, angry due to finding the world which they once knew completely changed to something to which they are vehemently opposed.