The Awakening: 1936-1953, Chapter One
The transformation of the American political and cultural consciousness began the night of New Years Day in 1936. President Roosevelt was hosting a dinner party for various ambassadors to celebrate the beginning of the year, and the anticipated end of the long worldwide economic depression. The nephew of Panamanian Ambassador Salvatore Lombardo, a young man who was in Washington ostensibly as a tourist, attempted to assassinate President Roosevelt with a small single-shot firearm sewn into his suit. The bullet incapacitated Franklin Roosevelt, striking him in the ribs perilously close to his heart. The young man committed suicide in his cell, after withstanding several hours of strenuous interrogation.
Vice President Garner, after consultation with several doctors and the Senate, assumed the title of President of the United States and gave Panama an ultimatum: allow the US free reign to conduct an investigation into the motives of the assassin or face war. President Harmodio Madrid of Panama flatly refused, openly daring the "Yankees" to step into the jungles of Panama. After securing a declaration of war from Congress, President Garner ordered the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) and the US Navy to seal Panama off from the rest of the world. The blockade was effective, with naval commanders sealing both coasts of Panama from foreign shipping. The air campaign had a rougher beginning, but soon officers such as Henry Arnold gained enough experience that breaking up supply caravans and scattering formations of soldiers, often partially concealed under the tropical canopy, became routine.
During this term, several treaties were signed with the German Reich, securing training officers from the officially non-existent Luftwaffe, as well as some German technical plans. In return the Germans flew some of their pilots on these missions, and refined their theories of air combat.
After 137 days, Franklin Roosevelt was given a clean bill of health by nearly every prominent physician within the United States and John Nance Garner stepped down from his office of President, returning to Vice President, while Franklin Delano Roosevelt resumed the Presidency. The bombing campaign continued until early December 1936. On January 1st, 1936, the United States Army invaded Panama. The three American infantry divisions and one cavalry division easily overwhelmed the demoralized Panamanian defenders. On January 29th the United States formally annexed Panama and joined the once independent nation to the Panama Canal Zone to form the Panama Territory of the United States.
Investigations led by J. Edgar Hoover swiftly came to one conclusion regarding the assassination attempt: it was planned by a multinational conspiracy which involved at least all of the Central American states and Mexico. After giving his report before Congress, Hoover was placed in command of a new bureau of the government: Foreign Investigation Bureau. The joke to be told for years to come was that Hoover was a big fibber.
February 2nd of 1937 saw a declaration of war against Costa Rica. The United States military machine crushed Costa Rica, and soon after another declaration of war the remainder of the Central American states were annexed to the United States. FIB's continuing investigation produced evidence that the assassination plot flowed through the Soviet consulate in Mexico City. Eager to get any further information, the United States, with its now expanded and battle-hardened army invaded and occupied Mexico. By December of 1938 Mexico and Central America had been carved up into a number of states and territories.
Baja California became a territory under the name Baja. The area immediately adjacent to Texas became the Rio Grande territory. The remaining northwest areas became the Mexas territory. The south of Mexico became the Mexico territory. And the Yucatan peninsula became the Yucatan territory. Between the Mexican territories and Panama became the Latin Territory. Towards the end of 1938 a popular movement in Panama saw increased demands for the territory to be admitted to statehood. Abroad various territories of the United States had similar movements in them, resulting in the new states of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico being admitted to the Union during the summer of '38.
Economically the United States invested heavily in infrastructure and industry. These expenditures allowed the US to dig its way out of the Great Depression. New factories were often located in remote areas, and with the new highway system being built across the nation workers flooded to the new factories and instant cities sprang up across the nation, but especially in the American West.
The US military primarily worked on long-term projects, such as laying down the keels for new capital ships. Among the projects were twelve new aircraft carriers, ten battleships, five battlecruisers, another dozen smaller aircraft carriers meant as escort ships, and several score cruisers and destroyers. The old US submarine fleet was sold to other nations, such a Germany, the Philippines, and Liberia to make way for a larger and more modern force. Much of this production didn't get under way until '39, but the plans were laid and expenses were budgeted for the massive construction program. When it was finished, the United States moved beyond merely achieving naval superiority and into the realm of naval supremacy.
The Army was not idle either, and after a reorganization at the behest of Douglas MacArthur the air service was given its own separate under secretary in the Department of War. The Army grew rapidly in size, encompassing more then one hundred divisions of infantry by the end of the Mexican campaign. Most of these troops went into what would be considered second-line units, with the intent of the formations serving as both a training ground for new soldiers and also as a police force to pacify newly occupied territory.
In the end, the ultimate origin of the assassination plot against Roosevelt was never uncovered. This fueled increasing national paranoia among Americans, especially when late in 1938 Vice President Garner died in a mysterious car accident, his automobile having been forced off of a bridge. At President Roosevelt's behest, himself knowing how close he came to dying, Congress authorized a special national election to fill the Vice Presidency. The race was a close one, with Henry A. Wallace, the Secretary of Agriculture, narrowly edging out Governor Alf M. Landon. Landon was later confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture, replacing his electoral rival.
Vice President Garner, after consultation with several doctors and the Senate, assumed the title of President of the United States and gave Panama an ultimatum: allow the US free reign to conduct an investigation into the motives of the assassin or face war. President Harmodio Madrid of Panama flatly refused, openly daring the "Yankees" to step into the jungles of Panama. After securing a declaration of war from Congress, President Garner ordered the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) and the US Navy to seal Panama off from the rest of the world. The blockade was effective, with naval commanders sealing both coasts of Panama from foreign shipping. The air campaign had a rougher beginning, but soon officers such as Henry Arnold gained enough experience that breaking up supply caravans and scattering formations of soldiers, often partially concealed under the tropical canopy, became routine.
During this term, several treaties were signed with the German Reich, securing training officers from the officially non-existent Luftwaffe, as well as some German technical plans. In return the Germans flew some of their pilots on these missions, and refined their theories of air combat.
After 137 days, Franklin Roosevelt was given a clean bill of health by nearly every prominent physician within the United States and John Nance Garner stepped down from his office of President, returning to Vice President, while Franklin Delano Roosevelt resumed the Presidency. The bombing campaign continued until early December 1936. On January 1st, 1936, the United States Army invaded Panama. The three American infantry divisions and one cavalry division easily overwhelmed the demoralized Panamanian defenders. On January 29th the United States formally annexed Panama and joined the once independent nation to the Panama Canal Zone to form the Panama Territory of the United States.
Investigations led by J. Edgar Hoover swiftly came to one conclusion regarding the assassination attempt: it was planned by a multinational conspiracy which involved at least all of the Central American states and Mexico. After giving his report before Congress, Hoover was placed in command of a new bureau of the government: Foreign Investigation Bureau. The joke to be told for years to come was that Hoover was a big fibber.
February 2nd of 1937 saw a declaration of war against Costa Rica. The United States military machine crushed Costa Rica, and soon after another declaration of war the remainder of the Central American states were annexed to the United States. FIB's continuing investigation produced evidence that the assassination plot flowed through the Soviet consulate in Mexico City. Eager to get any further information, the United States, with its now expanded and battle-hardened army invaded and occupied Mexico. By December of 1938 Mexico and Central America had been carved up into a number of states and territories.
Baja California became a territory under the name Baja. The area immediately adjacent to Texas became the Rio Grande territory. The remaining northwest areas became the Mexas territory. The south of Mexico became the Mexico territory. And the Yucatan peninsula became the Yucatan territory. Between the Mexican territories and Panama became the Latin Territory. Towards the end of 1938 a popular movement in Panama saw increased demands for the territory to be admitted to statehood. Abroad various territories of the United States had similar movements in them, resulting in the new states of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico being admitted to the Union during the summer of '38.
Economically the United States invested heavily in infrastructure and industry. These expenditures allowed the US to dig its way out of the Great Depression. New factories were often located in remote areas, and with the new highway system being built across the nation workers flooded to the new factories and instant cities sprang up across the nation, but especially in the American West.
The US military primarily worked on long-term projects, such as laying down the keels for new capital ships. Among the projects were twelve new aircraft carriers, ten battleships, five battlecruisers, another dozen smaller aircraft carriers meant as escort ships, and several score cruisers and destroyers. The old US submarine fleet was sold to other nations, such a Germany, the Philippines, and Liberia to make way for a larger and more modern force. Much of this production didn't get under way until '39, but the plans were laid and expenses were budgeted for the massive construction program. When it was finished, the United States moved beyond merely achieving naval superiority and into the realm of naval supremacy.
The Army was not idle either, and after a reorganization at the behest of Douglas MacArthur the air service was given its own separate under secretary in the Department of War. The Army grew rapidly in size, encompassing more then one hundred divisions of infantry by the end of the Mexican campaign. Most of these troops went into what would be considered second-line units, with the intent of the formations serving as both a training ground for new soldiers and also as a police force to pacify newly occupied territory.
In the end, the ultimate origin of the assassination plot against Roosevelt was never uncovered. This fueled increasing national paranoia among Americans, especially when late in 1938 Vice President Garner died in a mysterious car accident, his automobile having been forced off of a bridge. At President Roosevelt's behest, himself knowing how close he came to dying, Congress authorized a special national election to fill the Vice Presidency. The race was a close one, with Henry A. Wallace, the Secretary of Agriculture, narrowly edging out Governor Alf M. Landon. Landon was later confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture, replacing his electoral rival.