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Updated Sunday 15 May, 2011 12:18 PM |
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This Day in Alternate History Blog
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An Empire Reborn Part 2 By Vincent Longobardi
April 17th 1965 An anti-war march in Washington D.C. attracts over 20,000 protesters. A counter-protest organized by a local Fascist organization attracts roughly 2,000. No violence is reported. April 20th 1965 Paid off by Rome, local Greek leaders begin calling for unity with the New Roman Empire. The movement is unpopular but the Medici government is prepared to use all means possible to convince the Greeks it is in their best interest. May 3rd 1965 The first Italian missile submarine begins sea trials. If all goes well it shall enter service within the next year. Four more ballistic missile submarines are scheduled for construction. May 17th 1965 Pro-Fascist riots rock Monaco. Hundreds take to the streets demanding power be given to the Fascist party and that closer ties be established with the New Roman Empire. Prince Rainier III, a public supporter of France, orders the police to suppress the rioters before a repeat of San Marino can occur. May 18th 1965 Prince Rainier requests French troops enter the country to prevent Blackshirt intervention by the NRE. May 20th 1965 A regiment of French paratroopers arrive in Monaco. May 22nd 1965 The riots in Monaco are largely put down in Monaco. June 3rd 1965 Rhodesian-Roman pact is signed. The pact promises that Rhodesia will break all ties with England and declare unilateral independence and join the Lira Block. In return, the NRE will provide Rhodesia with weapons and soldiers to assist them in putting down the native uprising. Rhodesia will officially declare independence from Britain on October 28th. June 11th 1965 Medici travels to Spain to meet with Franco to discuss Spanish nuclear ambitions and other topics. June 13th 1965 Talks between the two leaders are cordial but icy. Franco does not appreciate being talked to as if he was a lesser statesman by a man who has only been in power for a few months and still requires Grand Council approval on laws. And, Medici views Franco as an appeaser and flip flopper who is incapable of settling on the right course of action. No decision can be reached about the main purpose of the meeting, which was securing additional aid for the Spanish nuclear program. Medici demanded too many concessions from the Spanish state. Franco brings up the possibility of restoring the Spanish Monarchy and making the king the next in the line of succession. Medici voices his opposition to this saying that while one monarch may be a supporter of Fascism there is no guarantee that his successor will be. Medici recommends that if the monarchy is restored that a council, similar to the Grand Council be established to regulate anything that the king does. *Note: According to Italian law, the Grand Council of Fascism has to approve of any successor to the throne.* June 15th 1965 The business/industrial tours to the United States and the other industrialized nations are concluded and the teams submit their reports to the Grand Council. It is well known that the United States holds significant leads in industrial development and technology but there are a few areas in which the US is slipping and that the New Roman Empire would be able to take advantage of. While Medici would very much like to challenge the United States on the electronics front he accepts the fact that the US is years ahead of the NRE and at this time it is not practical to compete on that front, however, the American steel industry has become lax and outdated due to its dominance of the worldwide industry. With a few improvements to the NRE’s steel industry they would be able to offer a high quality product to a growing market at a lesser cost than the United States. June 17th 1965 The plan to promote the expansion of the steel industry is accepted by the Grand Council with very discourse on the matter. Most council members accept the argument of the former industrial minister. June 20th 1965 French troops are removed from Monaco at the request of the Prince. July 3rd 1965 Even months after the death of Mussolini, tens of thousands still flock to his tomb. While this outpouring of emotion and support for the late, great leader is extremely appreciated it has become difficult to control the flow of so many pilgrims. To slow down this tide of visitors Minister Evola proposes the establishment of Fascist shrines throughout the Empire. These shrines would be constructed in locations that were important to the Fascist cause and would each contain a relic from Mussolini’s life, much like the holy relics found in Roman Catholic Churches’ throughout the world. This way, if someone wished to pay their respects to Il Duce they would not need to travel all the way to Rome, instead they could visit their local shrine. While many of the Grand Council are hesitant to refer to these sites as shrines, the plan is largely approved as each location in of itself is an important historical site. Medici pushes the idea as an excellent way to keep the people in touch with the history of Fascism and the rebirth of the Roman Empire, where every site would serve as a whole in a "Grand Tour of Fascism." Of course, everyone one of the sites approved would be one visited by him months before in his initial grand tour. July 10th 1965 In a secret and unpublicized vote the Lira Block votes to grant admission to Rhodesia as a junior member. The only dissenting vote comes from Cuba, with the Cuban representative calling the Rhodesian regime oppressive for it’s treatment of native Africans. July 11th 1965 In a speech President Johnson calls the YFM an assortment of criminals and terrorists who seek to destroy the American way of life. July 20th 1965 Communicating through a rudimentary network of regional and a few national newsletters, YFM groups discuss the need to improve the image of the movement and encourage various groups to hold charity events and perform public services. July 28th 1965 The war in Vietnam escalates as President Johnson orders additional troops be sent to Asia and doubles the amount of soldiers drafted monthly. July 29th 1965 Medici declares that July 29th is an official holiday in remembrance of Mussolini. August 6th 1965 The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is signed into law by Johnson. August 9th 1965 Singapore becomes an independent nation after being expelled from the Federation of Malaysia. August 17th 1965 Evola submits his thesis on Fascism to the Grand Council. Medici having already seen the document ordered that certain aspects be taken out to make it more acceptable to the Italian people. Most notably are many passages in which Evola praises Nazism and the German spirit. While the writings still held Italians above Germans, Medici felt that such open praise of Germany would turn off the majority of the book’s readers. The edited version takes on a much more neutral approach to Nazism and the Germans, occasional minor praise and also the occassional derogatory comment. Also, parts of the book which severely limited enlightenment to just Italians and a few select "Roman touched people" were revised to allow Fascist enlightenment to a larger number of people. The direction of Fascism proposed by Evola is as follows. Fascism is not just politics, it is beyond politics, it is a spiritual endeavor to change the way people live. Fascism was the true state of the civilized ancients which shined most brightly within the Roman people. It is through Fascism that one is able to tap into the Roman spirit that is possessed by all people who were within the ancient Empire’s land. It is obvious that those who are closer to a Roman lineage are much more likely to unlock their inner Roman spirit, it is therefore clear why Italians were the first rediscover Fascism and reconnect with their Roman roots. To awaken the Roman spirit within, one must submit himself to service to the state, take the moral and spiritual course and contemplate what it truly means to be a fascist and a roman. The Grand Council shows itself to be hostile to many of the changes to the nature of Fascism and feel it is going to far. Medici counters that Fascism must take on a new world outlook if they expect the Empire to prosper and last a thousand years. No consensus is reached at this time and it is agreed that renewed debates will open up again in a few months following a more careful review of the material. September 7th 1965
A subtitled version of "The Stand In The East" is released in the United States. The only changes made from the original version is the removal of the raid on the convent which was regarded as too disturbing by the American producers. Reviewers note that if one can ignore the blatant propaganda of the film it is an excellent film. Moviegoers agree and flock to see it in droves. In the coming weeks and months American film companies will fight to buy the rights for other movies set in the "Wild East." September 20th 1965 The first shipment of Italian weapons arrive in Rhodesia, they are smuggled in through Portugese controlled Mozambique. September 28th 1965 Fidel Castro announces that anyone who wants to emigrate to the United States is allowed to do so. October 12th 1965 The UN recommends that the United Kingdom take any action necessary in order to prevent an all out rebellion in Rhodesia. October 22nd 1965 The free nations of Africa demand that the British use force to prevent Rhodesia from declaring independence. October 25th 1965 The Soviet Union gives it support to the African countries fighting against Rhodesian independence. October 28th 1965 For the first time, the anniversary of the March on Rome and the declaration of the New Roman Empire isn’t a joyous occasion. The lack of Mussolini has put a damper on the ceremonies with the adoption of a more somber mood. Medici vows to himself that next year he will make sure that the people are celebrating again and he’ll be one they are praising. Rhodesia, at exactly 12:00 PM, the government of Ian Smith declares its independence from the United Kingdom. In a choreographed move this is followed a minute late by a request to Rome for admission in the Lira Block. This is quickly followed by a public response from Rome officially recognizing the government of Rhodesia and accepting the nation into the Lira Block with all the rights and privileges it implies. Over the next 30 minutes every nation in the Lira Block release statements announcing the recognition of Rhodesia as an independent nation. *Note: Unlike in our timeline, the Rhodesian UDI does not claim to remain loyal to Queen Elizabeth II.* End of Part 2.
Please visit my forum for discussion and access to new parts as they become available. http://z11.invisionfree.com/LongVinsWritingDen/index.php?
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