SUPERIMPERIALIST AMERICA ERA TWO: Two Paths

[Platypus]

Shangri-La La?

[7,052,770]

well since I now have 4 days off of school (yay!), I'll really have time to work on this.  I'm gonna try to knock out 40 years or so.

[MasterJedi]

Hurray! Yay! Lots more of this!

[Horus]

It's great that there'll be more of this soon!

[7,052,770]

2.2:

1997—The House meets in January, having to decide between Gephardt, Berlusconi, and Mugabe.  With each state getting one vote, and the winner having to get a majority, it is deadlocked for quite a while, with sides refusing to budge.  On the 13th vote (117 required to win) it’s Berlusconi 102, Mugabe 48, Gephardt 72, and 10 deadlocked.
The Senate also has to choose a vice-president, between Clinton and Nader.  The conservatives in the Senate are so disgusted that they don’t even go to the sessions, and the Senate can’t get anyone elected.
So on January 21, there’s no one to install as president or VP.  Gephardt and Mugabe have to leave office, leaving the speaker of the house…Strom Thurmond, age 95, is inauguarated as the first American Party president.  And Strom Thurmond appoints John Ashcroft as his vice-president, which only applies until the Senate can pick one.  And no one in the House or Senate will budge.
Seeing no prospect of Congress solving the presidential election anytime soon, Strom begins to appoint his cabinet and setting out his agenda, such as making English the official language of all of the United States.  When the Senate finally comes into a quorum, Bill Clinton makes a speech asking the Republicans and Americans to make him the VP.  But they’re so irritated, that they agree that they’ll vote for Nader as VP to spite him, also knowing that Nader’s so crazy he’ll get less done than Clinton.
Strom Thurmond is so shocked when he learns that Nader is going to become VP that he has a major heart attack and has to resign.  So John Ashcroft becomes president for a few days until Nader officially becomes vice-president.  And with still no president, Nader is installed as president, according to the 24th amendment, until the House can make a decision.
Nader recognizes that Mugabe and Gephardt together could defeat Berlusconi, and begs one to drop out and endorse the other, but there’s so much bad blood between them now, that neither will.  Eventually in June, some moderates change their vote to Berlusconi, Nader returns to the VP position, and Berlusconi is installed as president.
Right away, a poll shows that 78% of people are skeptical about Berlusconi and Nader being together, but both promise to work together to improve the USA.  (Interestingly, one of Nader’s campaign points was to change the name of the USA to something less American-centric.)
The IOC officially becomes part of the US on July 4, at a ceremony in Columbo with Berlusconi and Nader present.  However their first dispute happens there when Nader tours a manufacturing plant and starts complaining about how badly it’s harming the environment.  Berlusconi and IOC president Chandrika Kumaratunga think they’re telling him privately when they tell him to shut up, but a news camera catches it all.  The New York Times headline reads “PRESIDENT TELLS VEEP TO SHUT UP”
Anyhow, two new states join, Sri Lanka, and Indian East Africa, which includes the Maldives, Reunion, Comoros, Seychelles, Diego Garcia, Mayoette, and Mauritius.

1998—The USSR and China collectively decide to start their own space program and begin working on their own shuttle, Buran.
The UESPA space shuttle Challenger sends up the first piece of the International Space Station.
VP Ralph Nader makes a speech asking China and the USSR to participate and help build the ISS.  President Berlusconi is videoed rolling his eyes during Nader’s speech.
Arabia descends into anarchy as fundamentalists assassinate the president, and the UAR, though it holds together, begins to look shaky.
Berlusconi announces that the US will have to become independent of Arab oil.
Arabia is expelled on the CFR.  Berlusconi sends 15,000 American (or Earthly, as the VP would rather call them) soldiers to the UAR to help keep the peace.  They help tremendously, though journalists who accompany them notice that its president Saddam Hussein has not exactly treated every citizen fairly.
Greece, Bulgaria, and Istanbul agree to join the US on July 4, 1999.

1999—Communist Turkey announces that it will not allow Istanbul to become part of the US.  It threatens to send troops into Istanbul if the US tries to take it.  This creates an international crisis, and the US decides to not annex Istanbul at this time.  Greece and Bulgaria, however, do join on July 4.
The Arctic National Wildlife Reserve is opened for oil drilling in an elaborate ceremony with President Berlusconi attending.  However, as the first trucks are entering the reserve, a mob of protestors runs and tries to stop them.  Among the protestors is VP Nader.  The president and VP share a harsh look, but the protestors are eventually rounded up and drilling begins.
Later that year, Berlusconi is present at a ceremony of the founding of a new timber company, which is going to cut down some trees in an area that once, but no longer is, a part of a national forest in Meta.  The company is creating jobs for thousands of Metans.  The first tree is ready to be cut, when it is announced that some nut has climbed the tree and refuses to come down.  Berlusconi shouts “remove him!”  The worker responds, “Um, sir, the protestor has secret service protection.  We cannot remove him.”  The horror slowly comes over the president’s face when he realizes that the protestor can be none other than Ralph Nader.  He tells them to cut down the other trees, and leave that one standing.

2000—Ross Perot decides not to run again for president, and the Reform Party suffers much.  It decides to go ahead and endorse the American nominees Pat Buchanan and Ezola Foster.
The Progressive Party has a bleak field of nominees, but finally settles on Sen. Al Gore of Tennessee for president and Helen Clark of New Zealand as VP.
The Republican Party easily renominates President Berlusconi and unanimously agrees that he needs a new VP.  They eventually settle on dark horse Denis Burke, the governor District of Northern Australia.
Ralph Nader is able to take the Socialist Party nomination in a cakewalk, and chooses Antonio Guterres of Portugal for his vice-presidential nominee.
The presidential debates are somewhat boring, except for Nader and Berlusconi going at it.

On Election Night, Pat Buchanan fails to really inspire anyone, and the American Party wins only 3 states.  Party leader Jesse Helms comments:  “We once decided not to run presidential candidates anymore, and only concentrate on Congress and state level politics.  We ought to go back to that.”  The American Party falls to 12 senators, and 98 representatives.
President Berlusconi is elected in a somewhat convincing victory, including impressive sweeps in Latin America, Europe, and Northern Africa.  Gore does disappointingly, while Nader comes in a strong second.  Neither Republicans nor Socialists manage to take control of Congress, but a Socialist-Progressive coalition secures it.

[7,052,770]

2001—Berlusconi is reinauguarated, and Guterres becomes vice-president.
At the end of the month DC representative Marion Berry resigns, and in a special election, none other than Ralph Nader is elected to replace him.  In a surprising move, Nader becomes the House Minority Whip.
On March 2, the UAR falls apart.  US troops can do nothing; by the end of the month, Arabia, Persia, the former UAR, and Afghanistan have united to form The Caliphate.  Istanbul, in fear for its existence pleads Congress for annexation, and Congress accepts.  In an ironic move, it is Nader who makes sure that most Socialists vote to annex; without his swaying ability, Istanbul would have likely not been annexed.  Berlusconi is reportedly quoted as saying “The nut is a thorn in my side for four years, and when I finally get rid of him, he turns around and helps me!  Why couldn’t he have started helping me four years ago?”
Istanbul becomes a state on March 13.
Socialists, Progressives, Reformists, and moderate Republicans in Congress agree that it’s time to get the US troops out—now, and they do by March 17.
Some hawks in Congress want the US to make a preemptive strike on The Caliphate, especially after reports of human rights violations by the leader, Osama bin Laden, who was thought to have been killed 20 years before—the reports were wrong!
On September 11, 6 planes are hijacked, two of them crashing into and destroying the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, two into the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the world’s tallest freestanding structure, the AN Tower in Toronto, and one crashes into a field in rural Mercia.  The world is utterly shocked.
In a groundbreaking show of unity, Soviet Premier Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji meet US President Silvio Berlusconi in Safe Haven {the capital of the state of Siberia}, and express a common goal to bring those responsible to justice.
By the end of the year, it seems apparent that Osama bin Laden is in fact responsible, and plans are made to take him out.  The plans are careful, though, and an exit strategy is also planned.
Turkey is put in a weird position—go against the USSR, or go against the great Muslim state pushing Turkey to join?
The CFR, USSR, and China officially from the “Coalition Against Evil”

2002—On January 8, Cyprus rebels, and American troops land on the island and secure it.  Cyprus asked to be made “occupied territory,” so that America will have an obligation to protect it.  Soviet troops push down into northern Persia, while Pakistani and Chinese troops head into Afghanistan.
Turks living in Istanbul {now a state of the US} sneak into communist Turkey and begin to spread leaflets.  President Berlusconi covers up his knowledge of this, in order to keep the USSR and China in the coalition.
The war is hard, but supported by Americans across the political spectrum.
The midterm elections are an awkward matter for all parties, and all parties agree not to campaign on the war.
In both houses of Congress, the Socialists take away from the Progressives, and Reformists are phased out into Republicans.
By the year’s end, the CAE has made little apparent progress in the War, but they claim that they’ve made strategic operations and weakened morale, and the war will break open in 2003.

2003—American troops move into Palestine, and head south toward the capital at Mecca, the capital of the Caliphate.  They’re in a tough position knowing that Mecca is such a holy city to Islam, and about 15% of Americans are Muslims.  An official resistance begins in Turkey, and the USSR sends in troops to help put it down, putting Berlusconi in an extremely difficult position.  With the war strategy so dependent on the USSR’s help, he has no choice but to ignore the Turkish resistors.  He draws some criticism from Socialists in the US Congress, but nothing major.
~to be continued~

[MasterJedi]

That was great! So now we have a war on terror but you made it easy for the US by making all the muslim countries form an empire!

Nader was a blast in there, I still hate him but he was a blast!

[M]

See, you said it yourself, Harry. The work is hard. It's hard work. A lot of... Meetin's, readin' documents... it's hard work.

[Huckleberry Finn]

Great work Harry. Only thing what I wonder is numbers of electoral votes. For example Finland has 9 votes and Netherlands only 6. In the "real world" Finland has 5,3 million inhabitants and Netherlands over 15 million. There are also a lot of other strange numbers of EV. What has happened? Massacres? Or massive transfers of population?

[7,052,770]

Great work Harry. Only thing what I wonder is numbers of electoral votes. For example Finland has 9 votes and Netherlands only 6. In the "real world" Finland has 5,3 million inhabitants and Netherlands over 15 million. There are also a lot of other strange numbers of EV. What has happened? Massacres? Or massive transfers of population?

Nethlerlands probably has less because of the world wars (?).
One could probably come up with explanations for each state's population that fit nicely with the timeline.

[ATFFL]

Harry, you will have to make mention of Eli Manning's brilliant NFL career.

He's killing you man!  Don't be an absentee coach.

[Horus]

Just read this chapter.

It's AMAZING.

[Colin]

I have to say that this is the best Alternate History timeline that I have read. It is well done and accurate. Your incorporation of Real World leaders into this alternate timeline is also nice and gives it a good base to work off of. The one thing that I have to say is that Electoral counts are off. I think that if the United States did grow that larger than Electoral votes would be given out differently. The EV's of the actual 50 states are the same but when you have states that have 50 or 60 EVs then you know that you will have to change the way the EVs are destributed in the actual United States. I don't know maybe I'm crazy. Well anyway very nicely done and continue the good work.

[7,052,770]

I have to say that this is the best Alternate History timeline that I have read. It is well done and accurate. Your incorporation of Real World leaders into this alternate timeline is also nice and gives it a good base to work off of. The one thing that I have to say is that Electoral counts are off. I think that if the United States did grow that larger than Electoral votes would be given out differently. The EV's of the actual 50 states are the same but when you have states that have 50 or 60 EVs then you know that you will have to change the way the EVs are destributed in the actual United States. I don't know maybe I'm crazy. Well anyway very nicely done and continue the good work.

did you read era one?

[Colin]

Yes I did.

[MasterJedi]

That sure was 40 years that you got done!


But we need more, it's been too long!

[M]

So then what happened?

[ilikeverin]

Then Timor Leste rebels and takes over the world.  The end.

[M]

But what about the ongoing war on terrorism? This caliphate thing worries me to death. Especially since the DPRT (East Turkey) is using the opportunity to continue it's nuclear brinkmanship.

[ilikeverin]

But what about the ongoing war on terrorism? This caliphate thing worries me to death. Especially since the DPRT (East Turkey) is using the opportunity to continue it's nuclear brinkmanship.

Everyone loves Timor Leste.  There is no terrorism under Gusmao!

[M]

Todo der lestes in einem mundo!

[M]

That's Timorese for "your mother was a hamster, and your mother smelled of elderberries".

[ilikeverin]

LOL, I'm sure... nothing involving the world...

[7,052,770]

time for an update; more to come over Christmas holidays since I'm home!


2003 continued—Jerusalem is officially liberated and placed under control of Abdullah II, with free elections under the UAR scheduled for July 2004.  Soviet armies move on Tehran, and lay siege to the city.  In Kabul, warlords are able to secure the city with the help of Chinese troops.  American troops from Australia and SE Asia arrive in Chabahar in southern Persia, and also land in Dubai.  The people of Dubai rise up and help the troops defeat the oppressors, and the Trucial States officially ask to be “occupied territory.”
American troops approach Mecca and bin Laden from two directions.  When they reach the city, bin Laden is not to be found.

2004—Mecca surrenders, though the government of the Caliphate cannot be found.  This makes the American government start to scratch their heads a good bit.
MA Senator John Kerry enters the Progressive primary on a “war was justified but handled badly” platform and gains enough traction to gain the nomination over prowar candidates Joe Lieberman (CT), Tony Blair (Anglia), and antiwar candidate Jacques Chirac (AQ).  Ralph Nader convinces the Socialist Party to endorse Kerry, as he is the best hope for bringing down Berlusconi.  Berlusconi runs for a third term and receives the Republican nomination easily, though it puts a damper on the American Party’s plan to endorse the Republican candidate.  In the end, the American Party does not nominate a candidate, which causes people to view them as less of a “real” party.
The war on the Caliphate goes well in other parts, and Communist Turkey descends into civil war.
US troops pour down the Arabian peninsula into Yemen and hear only rumors of bin Laden.  American troops set up Democratic governments in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, and officially annex Cyprus and the Trucial States as “occupied territory.”  On August 8, American troops learn that bin Laden was in Muscat of June 28, and it is later revealed that American intelligence was aware at the time and didn’t get the message out.  John Kerry uses this information to seriously attack Berlusconi and what he feels is an inefficient handling on the war, though Republicans counter that Kerry has never served in a war, though Berlusconi was an officer in World War III, and knows a good bit about the military.
Kerry chooses Jamaican representative Percival J. Patterson as his runningmate.  The Progressive convention is held in Toronto across the street from “ground zero” of the AN Tower, in the process of being rebuilt.  The Republican convention is held in New York City across the street from “ground zero” of the World Trade Center.  Kerry begins to pull ahead of Berlusconi, until three days before the election a tape of Osama bin Laden promising death to America appears.  The race is incredibly divided, and on the last state for polls to close, East Pacifica, gives its votes to Berlusconi in the closest election in US History, with Berlusconi winning 2206-2205.  A dejected Kerry concedes the election the next day.


2005—Berlusconi is inaugurated on his third term, and promises to end the war soon.  American troops install democracy in Oman, which chooses to join Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Qatar in joining the United Arab Republic.  The USSR tries to set up a Communist government in Iran, but it doesn’t stick.  The USSR sends troops into Turkey to help prop up the failing Communist government, and Berlusconi calls them down on it.  Premier Putin withdraws troops from Turkey, but also from the Middle East altogether, and encourages China to do the same.  This causes the USA-USSR relations which were looking up to all of a sudden look down quickly.  China withdraws its forces from Afghanistan, but waits for American troops to get there first, and makes an effort to be friendly to the US.  Iran gets its act together and reestablishes a democracy.
In August, Operation WYRD invades Bahrain, the island nation where many speculate bin Laden must be.  Islamic terrorists have taken much refuge, and the battle is tougher than many imagine.  American troops secure Manama in October but by Christmas do not have entire island secured, and bin Laden is not found.

2006—American troops trudge through Bahrain and eliminate terrorist cells, but no sign of bin Laden is found.  Socialists embark on a plan to take over the House of Representatives in their own right, while Republicans plan on campaigning during the midterms hard on the war and keeping America safe.  The Progressive Party also has vast plans, though they’re being cut in by both directions, and Socialists are reaching out to the center-left, and Republicans are moving toward the center.  The Caliphate sets up a governmental office on the island of Socotra, the last bit of land they control.  Progressive Party chairman Howard Dean announces his opposition to an invasion of the island, saying that it would be better to confine the terrorists there (the island has no airport), and not risk the extreme loss of life that the invasion would cause.  The American Party makes an official position agreeing with this argument.  Berlusconi and the Republican Party condemn this position and begin drawing up plans for an invasion, which is supported by the Socialist Party.
The invasion gets through Congress and is begun on July 17, with slow progress due to the lack of electricity and paved roads on the island.  Much of the island is secure by September 1, and on September 18, a young solider by the name of Paul Robert King shoots a tall Arab man sneaking through some undergrowth.  He walks up and finds that the man, now dead, is in fact none other than Osama bin Laden.  This launches him to celebrity status.
In the states, the Republican Party starts an extensive ad campaign for the midterm elections, as do the pro-invasion Socialists, while Progressives and Americans scramble.  Republicans and Socialists make huge gains in the midterm elections.  The Progressives fail miserably, as many Progressive politicians switch to the Socialist Party, which in turn makes the party more moderate and more appealing to the average American, which snowballs the Progressive Party away.
Composition of the New House:
Republican—1939
Socialist—1906
American—81
Progressive—11
Demoralized, the remaining terrorists on Socotra are mopped up, and Berlusconi declares the Arabian War over.

2007—More moderate members of the Socialist Party meet in Tulsa, Belvin, to discuss forming a new political party that is socially center-left and economically centrist.  The name they choose is the Democratic Party.  The new Democratic Party attracts several prominent politicians, including John Kerry and Al Gore, and over 800 members of the House, who switch to the Democratic Party all on one day.  The Progressive Party officially ceases operations and merges into the new party, though with an unprominent role.  Pro-invasion people are all that is chosen for the leadership.  This new development is a relief to millions of Americans, as it is looking like Nader is almost a lock for the Socialist nomination in ’08.
~to be continued~

[King]

on September 18, a young solider by the name of Paul Robert King shoots a tall Arab man sneaking through some undergrowth.  He walks up and finds that the man, now dead, is in fact none other than Osama bin Laden.  This launches him to celebrity status.

Wooohoo, I shall use my celebrity power to run for Congress!