Entente Impériale

From Constructed Worlds Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 This article is a good article. It is written to a high standard. This article is part of Altverse II.
Entente Impériale

Imperial Agreement  (English)
帝國協定 (Chinese)
İmparatorluk İtilafı  (Turkish)
1932–1938
The Entente Impériale in 1932*:   Countries of the Entente Impériale   Colonies, protectorates, and territories of the Entente Impériale Quintipartite Pact: *  China *  France *  Ottoman Empire *  United Kingdom *  Kingdom of Sierra Other combatant states: *  Antilles *  Astoria *  Belgium *  Bulgaria *  Brazoria *  Bulgaria * Colombia *  Hungary *  Luxembourg * Patagonia *  Portugal *  Superior * Yugoslavia Client states and colonies of Quintipartite Pact members *  Algeria *  Australia * India *  Ceylon * French Equatorial Africa *  Manitoba *  New Zealand *  South Africa *  Tondo * Tunisia *  Syria
The Entente Impériale in 1932*:
  Countries of the Entente Impériale
  Colonies, protectorates, and territories of the Entente Impériale
Quintipartite Pact:
Other combatant states:
Client states and colonies of Quintipartite Pact members


Status Military alliance
Capital Paris (headquarters)
Historical era Great War I
8 April 1904
10 May 1928
• Established
16 April 1932
• Dissolved
25 May 1938
Preceded by
Entente Cordiale
Quintipartite Pact
*Map is currently inaccurate and will be updated

The Entente Impériale (English: Imperial Agreement, Bulgarian: Императорско споразумение, romanized: Imperatorsko sporazumenie, Chinese: 帝國協定, romanized: Dìguó xiédìng, Hungarian: Birodalmi megállapodás, Turkish: İmparatorluk Anlaşması) was one of the three main coalitions of Great War I that primarily consisted of Belgium, Bulgaria, China, France, Kingdom of Sierra, the Ottoman Empire, the United Kingdom, and Yugoslavia, along with their allies, client states, colonies, and dependencies.

It was formed in opposition to the German hegemony in Europe, Japanese colonialism in the Pacific, and the rise of Landonism in North America and Europe. The Entente traces its origins to the Entente Cordiale in 1904 and the Quintipartite Pact in 1929. The alliance was dissolved at the conclusion of the war, which ended in a military stalemate. It did not revive in Great War II as its main countries were split: the majority of the Entente powers joined the Allies, France joined the Axis, and the Ottoman Empire ceased to exist at the end of Great War I.

Member states

At the beginning of the war, the Entente Impériale consisted of the five signatories of the Quintipartite Pact: China, France, the Ottoman Empire, the Kingdom of Sierra, and the United Kingdom, as well as the countries of Belgium, Bulgaria, Portugal, and Yugoslavia. The name "Entente Impériale" referred to the Quintipartite Pact's composition of "empires"; three of them were monarchies and all five considered empires due to their sizes or colonial possessions.

Combatants

Quintipartite Pact

China

Main article: Second Sino-Japanese War
Chiang Kai-shek ruled China from 1928 to 1949

Following the Xinhai Revolution, China experienced a protracted state of warlordism that was exasperated following the death of Yuan Shikai. The start of the Second Sino-Japanese War were able to unite these warlords together, but this had been a losing war for the first three years. In 1929, China signed the Quintipartite Pact, gaining it some much needed support from Sierra and the UK. Chiang Kai-shek of the Nationalist faction was able to use this to secure his position as the official ruler of China. In spite of this, several warlords, most notably, Mao Zedong of the Communist faction, continued to claim the entire country behind his back.

By the 1930s, the Chinese were able to push back the Japanese to Manchukuo. Manchuria comprised three former provinces of the Qing Dynasty; the army had plans to retake the region and finally push the Japanese out of China. However, when the global conflict broke out in 1932, Sierra and the United Kingdom had to shift their focus elsewhere. This weakened the position of the Chinese, and by the end of the year, Beijing had been recaptured by the Japanese Imperial Army.

The war continued although China's path to victory became less and less clear as the Japanese slowly undid all progress towards fighting them off. It soon became apparent to many that the Japanese had plans to besiege Nanjing; soon many began defecting to the Japanese in an attempt to save their positions. The Battle of Nanjing would end in a decisive victory for the Japanese, forcing the Chinese government to surrender. This paved the way for the China–Japan Basic Treaty, China recognized the independence of Manchuria, gave Japan favored trade nation status within China (including access to natural resources), allowed Japanese troops access to Chinese territory, and invited Japanese advisors to assist the Chinese government and military.

A direct result of this treaty was the Chinese Civil War. Fought between the Kuomintang and the CCP for control over Mainland China, the war lasted from 1938 until 1949, when the Communists overthrew the KMT; nullifying the Basic Treaty. Chairman Mao Zedong would promise to defeat the Japanese Empire once and for all.

France

French soldiers during the battles in northern France, 1933.

The Entente Cordiale (Cordial Agreement) comprised a series of agreements signed on 8 April 1904 between the United Kingdom and the French Republic which saw a significant improvement in Anglo-French relations. Beyond the immediate concerns of colonial demarcation addressed by the agreement, the signing of the Entente Cordiale marked the end of almost a thousand years of intermittent conflict between the two states and their predecessors, and replaced the modus vivendi that had existed since the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 with a more formal agreement. The Entente Cordiale represented the culmination of the policy of Théophile Delcassé (France's foreign minister from 1898 to 1905), who believed that a Franco-British understanding would give France some security in Western Europe against any German system of alliances. Credit for the success of the negotiation of the Entente Cordiale belongs chiefly to Paul Cambon (France's ambassador in London from 1898 to 1920) and to the British Foreign Secretary, Lord Lansdowne.

France had gone to war against the Germans during the Franco-Prussian War. This war, which saw the defeat of the French, resulted in the annexation of Alsace Lorraine. Germany was also looking to expand into Africa, specifically the region they called Mittelafrika. This would entail annexing several of the French colonies in Africa, which the French would not stand for. Thus, the French aligned themselves with the British over the Germans. By 1929, the Anglo-French alliance would be cemented via the Quintipartite Pact, and France would stand, side by side with the United Kingdom, against the so-called Huns, and in 1932, as war broke out in North America between the major countries on that continent, Germany chose to launch an invasion of France, leading to the First Great War.

Germany attacked France by passing through Belgium, but their armies' movement became hindered in northern France as advancements in military technology led to stalemated trench warfare that dragged on for months. However, after the evacuation of British forces from the Low Countries, the concentration of armored and air forces utilized by Germany allowed them to break through French lines and capture Paris in May 1933. The Third Republic government fled the country, although a resistance continued to hinder the German occupation throughout France and a government-in-exile was established in London. France would remain occupied for the rest of the war until its end in 1938, and the signing of the Treaty of Berlin in 1939 granted substantial concessions to Germany. The region of Alsace-Lorraine was given to Germany, along with many of the French colonies in Africa, while limits were imposed on the size of the French military. The defeat was a national humiliation in France in the postwar years. The political system of the Third Republic was initially restored under its original constitution, but the country's politics became unstable as much of the public gravitated to either the far left or the far right in response to the events of the war. In 1944, the National Republican Movement gained a majority in the French National Assembly and instituted an authoritarian nationalistic government, becoming known as the French Fourth Republic.

Ottoman Empire

Abdulmejid II the last Ottoman Caliph and Sultan

By the turn of the 20th century, the Ottoman Empire was experiencing political and social decline. Having long since been dubbed, "the Sick Man of Europe", the Empire had entered into a state of stagnation. The military and political weakness of the Ottoman state led to the loss of Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya in North Africa, and in the Balkans, Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. The empire implemented some reforms starting from the second half of the 19th century, but these were mostly ineffective. The British Empire considered the existence of an intact but weakened Ottoman state preferable to it being divided into multiple states that could fall under the influence of its continental rivals, namely Germany and Russia. The Ottomans saw themselves increasingly drawn into the British sphere of influence, eventually becoming one of the members of the Quintipartite Pact.

The Ottoman Empire would stand behind the British as the world entered Great War I. Though initially eager to prove they could still wage war, the Ottomans became bogged down in the Caucuses against the Russians and in the Balkans against the Greeks, Bulgarians, and Romanians. Though the conflict entered a stalemate, this was quickly broken when a German-sponsored Arab uprising, dubbed the Great Arab Revolt, broke out. Soon, the Ottomans found themselves having to fight two fronts, one in the Balkans, and one in the Arabian Peninsula. It all became too much for the Sublime Porte to bear, and soon enough, Abdulmejid II would surrender.

This would lead to the abolition of the Ottoman sultanate, the Partition of the Ottoman Empire, the establishment of the Anatolian Republic, and the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence.

Kingdom of Sierra

The Sierran battleship HRMS Culloden burning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

By the time of the invasion of Brazoria, Sierra found itself significantly threatened by two competing powers: the United Commonwealth, which had underwent a Landonist revolution and exporting its ideology across the continent; and the Empire of Japan, a former ally-turned-rival, looking to expand its sphere of influence over the Pacific, in direct opposition to Sierran colonial ambitions. Though Sierra had several security alliances with nations throughout the New World, to compete with these strong enemies, the Kingdom of Sierra sought allies with the Old World powers. The United Kingdom had the naval and marshal might needed to help beat their enemies, and soon, the two worked on improving relations during the 1920s, which were historically strained. Soon, the Sierran and British became firm allies, leading to the signing of the Quintipartite Pact. When the UC began its invasion, the Kingdom was ready, and would intervene with their allies in North America.

Though Sierran intelligence initially thought Sierra could defeat the UC easily, at which point they would switch focus to the Pacific Theatre, it became quickly apparent that the Continentals were much tougher than they appeared. With the Sierran military spread between the Brazorian and Pacific theatres, it struggled to beat either of its enemies, enabling both to gain victory after victory. The Continental Army would begin a siege of the city of Austin, while the Japanese would take Tondo and launch a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, destroying much of Sierra's naval forces based there.

Though the military would protect the mainland from the Continental and Japanese forces, it became apparent to everyone that victory was no longer an option, and shifted to a purely defensive war on the North American continent. Thus, the Kingdom of Sierra would sue for peace on May 1938, giving up Brazoria, Tournesol, and their east Asian colonies. As a result, Sierra came out of the war relatively intact, with King Louis II proclaiming that the most important thing that happened was that they had survived the "Crimson Scourge".

United Kingdom

George V and Edward VIII served as Kings of Britain during Great War I

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland had established itself as a world power during the 19th and 20th centuries. The British Empire had become the largest in the world, and English became a lingua franca to many. It seemed as though the United Kingdom would continue to maintain its socio-political dominance in the 20th century. However, the rise of Germany threatened the balance of power in Europe. The United Kingdom would court allies throughout the world, in order to preserve the balance of power and curb the rising German Empire. The Quintipartite Pact was the latest in this series, meant to bring the most powerful nations Great Britain could find together, in order to face the Triple Alliance. This would form the core of the Entente, and bring about the Great War.

The UK faced various challenges during the Great War. In addition to the Franco-German front, the Kingdom also had to fend with attacks in the African colonies, and a rebellion in the British Raj. The British Military, once thought unstoppable, was now starting to lose momentum. The ascension of Edward VIII, known for his apparent German sympathies, did little to help morale. By the time the French capitulated, war exhaustion was at an all time high, and soon, parliament began talks of suing for peace. On May 25th, 1939, the United Kingdom would officially surrender, bringing an end to "the war to end all wars".

The British suffered comparatively less to France and China, however, they suffered some territorial loss. Many African colonies were transferred to Germany, and they were forced to acknowledge the independence of India. However, the Empire was left mostly intact, and the British Isles were left mostly untouched by the war. As a result, the British would celebrate the end of the war, as they began looking towards the future.

Co-belligerents, client states, and colonies

Antilles

A Great War I Antillean propaganda poster.

Officially known the the United Commonwealth of America, the Antilles was a claimant to the mainland United Commonwealth. Wishing to restore the old government, the Antilles eagerly aligned itself with the Quintipartite Pact. When war broke out, Amelia Abarough gave a speech though the radio, saying that through the Entente, the Great Return could be fulfilled. Unfortunately for them, that was not to be their fate.

The United Commonwealth Navy could not pierce the defenses of its Continental counterpart. This forced the Antilleans to rely on their allies in Sierra to break through, and with the Sierran Navy tied down in the Pacific, and the Army struggling in North America, the Antillean military was left sidelined. Many began to grow tired of the war, feeling that it was a mistake.

When the armistice came, the status of the Antilles remained largely unchanged. Many expressed their disappointment with Abarough, feeling as though she had acted too soon; the failure to retake the mainland would be a factor in the June 16 incident.

Aotearoa

Reinforcements for the Māori Battalion arrive in Sydney, Australia in November 1936

The state of war with the United Commonwealth was officially held to have existed since 9:30 pm on 16 April 1932 (local time), simultaneous with that of Britain, but in fact Aotearoa's declaration of war was not made until confirmation had been received from Britain that their ultimatum to the Continental States had expired. Diplomatically, Aotearoa had expressed vocal opposition to Communism in the New World, and national sentiment for a strong show of force met with general support. Economic and defensive considerations also motivated the Aotearoa involvement—reliance on Britain meant that threats to Britain became threats to Aotearoa too in terms of economic and defensive ties.

There was also a strong sentimental link between the former British colony and the United Kingdom, with many seeing Britain as the "mother country" or "Home", specifically among Pākehā. This was exacerbated by Aotearoa's status as a "white dominion" of the British Empire. Aotearoa provided personnel for service in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and in the Royal Navy and was prepared to have Aotearoaers serving under British command. There were, however, many instances of Aotearoaers commanding troops on their own, whether their own or a mixture of theirs and foreign ones; notable commanders include Lieutenant-General Bernard Freyberg and Lieutenant-Colonel Fred Baker. Their stationing in South Africa and Turkey, specifically during the First and Second Battles of Salisbury and the Freyburg-commanded Crete campaign, was generally well known on either side for its strength, effectiveness and "spiritual" connection. Royal Aotearoa Air Force (RNZAF) pilots, many trained in the Empire Air Training Scheme, were sent to Europe but, unlike the other dominions, Aotearoa did not insist on its aircrews serving with RNZAF squadrons, so speeding up the rate at which they entered service.

The Aotearoa government placed the Aotearoa Division of the Royal Navy at the Admiralty's disposal and made available to the RAF 30 new Wellington medium bombers waiting in the United Kingdom for shipping to Aotearoa. The Aotearoa Army contributed the 2nd Aotearoa Expeditionary Force (2NZEF).

Astoria

Bertrand Ruskin, President of Astoria during Great War I.

The Commonwealth of Astoria had long been an ally of Sierra, having aligned with it since independence. When the Kingdom of Sierra intervened in the Invasion of Brazoria, Astoria would support them, declaring war at around the same time. The government would stand by the side of the Quintipartite Pact as the intervention gave way to a world war.

However, it was not in a position to wage a full-scale war. It lacked the manpower, and Manitoba was unwilling to cooperate as a result of their seizure as British Columbia during the Crimson Spring. Instead, it sent support where it could, helping finance the effort and providing special forces during Sierran military operations. In the Pacific War, Astorian volunteers enlisted in the Sierran Royal Air Force and sent troops to aid Sierra during the Aleutian Islands campaign in Alaska against Japan.

Astoria would go through the end of the war without significant territorial changes or concessions. In addition, due to its relatively limited involvement, it incurred less human losses. As a result, historians tend to gloss over Astoria's role in the war.

Australia

An AIF recruiting poster

Australia entered Great War I on 25 April 1932, following the government's acceptance of the United Kingdom's declaration of war on the United Commonwealth of Continental States. Australia later entered into a state of war with other members of the Triple Alliance, including the Russian Republic in January 1 1933, and the German Empire on July 19 of the same year. By the end of the war, almost a million Australians had served in the armed forces, whose military units fought primarily in the European theatre, North African campaign, and the South West Pacific theatre. In addition, Australia came under direct attack for the first time in its post-colonial history. Its casualties from enemy action during the war were 27,073 killed and 23,477 wounded. Many more suffered from tropical disease, hunger, and harsh conditions in captivity: of the 21,467 Australian prisoners taken by the Japanese only 14,000 survived.

Australian Army units were gradually withdrawn from the Mediterranean and Europe following the outbreak of war with Japan. However, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy units and personnel continued to take part in the war against Germany and Russia. From 1934 until early 1936, Australian forces played a key role in the Pacific War, making up the majority of Allied strength throughout much of the fighting in the South West Pacific theatre. While the military was largely relegated to subsidiary fronts from mid-1937, it continued offensive operations against the Japanese until the war ended.

Great War I contributed to major changes in the nation's economy, military and foreign policy. The war accelerated the process of industrialisation, led to the development of a larger peacetime military and began the process with which Australia shifted the focus of its foreign policy from Britain to the Kingdom of Sierra. The final effects of the war also contributed to the development of a more diverse and cosmopolitan Australian society.

Belgium

Though Albert became a martyr during Great War I, Leopold III became a traitor in the eyes of the Belgians.

The Schlieffen Plan meant that Belgium was a prime target during the War, as it meant capturing Paris quickly by catching the French off guard by invading through neutral countries. The Netherlands also had eyes on the region of Flanders, as part of the Greater Netherlands. For this, and other reasons, the Dutch would side with the Germans during the invasion. The Belgians had previously been supported by the UK, so the Entente alignment was not all that shocking for them. King Albert addressed his Parliament on 4 August, saying "Never since 1830 has a graver hour sounded for Belgium. The strength of our right and the need of Europe for our autonomous existence make us still hope that the dreaded events will not occur." Albert would lead the fight against the German invaders.

In 1934, during a frontline inspection, Albert, King of the Belgians, was shot and killed by a Dutch assassin. Before his son, Leopold III, could receive a proper coronation, the Germans began to march towards Brussels. The surrender of 28 May was ordered by Leopold without the consultation of his government. Despite the capitulation, many Belgians managed to escape to the United Kingdom where they formed a government and army-in-exile. Flanders would be occupied by the Dutch, with the Germans occupying Wallonia. Fighting would continue in the Belgian Congo.

When the war came to an end, Belgium would be annexed in its entirety by the Netherlands, with Germany taking the Congo colony. Belgium nationalists would come to view Albert as a martyr, a savior of the nation killed in the line of fire. Leopold III, on the other hand, would become a pariah, viewed as a traitor who betrayed Belgian independence.

Brazoria

William Marx, the first and only President of Brazoria.

In 1931, the Republic of Brazoria was established after King Stephen III acceded to the demands of the May Revolution and relinquished the throne, following the great Depression. The new constitution empowered the Diet and the new president. However, many socialists were not pleased with President Marx's regime, viewing him as a centrist who was viewed as ignoring working class interests in order to preserve the capitalist class. Monarchists, on the other hand, sought to restore the pre-revolution monarchy. The unpopularity of the new regime led to the Brazorian Civil War between the Yellowrose Society, the White Government, and the Crimson Army. The United Commonwealth would intervene on behalf of the Crimsons, which resulted in Sierra and its North American allies declaring war, thus setting off the First Great War.

This three way battle would result in many deaths. The Entente supported the Whites, Portugal, however, supported the Yellowroses. This led to some friction; as the Yellowroses and the Whites did not get along. The Summer Offensive of 1932 saw a hard push by Continental and Crimson Army forces towards the political capital of Brazoria, Grand Llanos, where the Marx government was centering its defensive capacities. Much of the country's western territories were left completely undefended as the White Army sought to build a "Steel Wall" running along rail lines from Oklahoma through Dallas to San Antonio. The White Army used what little resources it had undevoted to the Steel Wall to secure key metropolitan areas in the west, otherwise leaving the sparsely populated rural areas in a state of near-anarchy. Banditry became extremely common in this period, as defecting soldiers harassed towns along rail lines and beyond. Many editorials from the period compared the phenomenon as a return to the days of the Wild West. By July, it became clear that the Steel Wall strategy was buckling, especially at its outer flanks, and that the line would soon collapse without external support. Brazoria's solely capable ally, Sierra, was busy managing the outbreak of war in the Pacific, and the logistics links between the two countries was hardly equipped to handle the transfer of manpower and supplies necessary to keep the front line in place.

When it came time to siege the last remaining territories, Brazoria was on its last legs. The White Government would flee to Sierra, becoming the White Brazorian Administration in Exile. The Crimson army would form the Confederation of Brazoria.

Bulgaria

Tsar Ferdinand's failure gave way to Boris III.

In the aftermath of the Balkan Wars, Bulgarian opinion turned against Russia and their allies, whom the Bulgarians felt had done nothing to help them. Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece were content to sit on the fence and observe the fortunes of war before deciding whether to declare their sympathies. The government of Nikola Mihov aligned Bulgaria with the Quintipartite Pact, even though this meant also becoming an ally of the Ottomans, Bulgaria's traditional enemy. But Bulgaria now had no claims against the Ottomans, whereas Greece and Romania (allies of Russia and Germany) were all in possession of lands perceived in Bulgaria as Bulgarian. Bulgaria, recuperating from a revolution attempt, sat out the first year, but when the UK promised to restore the boundaries of the Treaty of San Stefano (minus Yugoslavian territories), Bulgaria, which had the largest army in the Balkans, declared war on Romania and Greece in June 1934. Germany, Greece, and Russia then declared war on Bulgaria.

Bulgaria, in alliance with the UK, France, and the Ottomans, won military victories against Greece and Romania, advancing into Greek Macedonia, and taking Dobruja from the Romanians in September 1936. However, the war soon became unpopular with the majority of Bulgarian people, who suffered great economic hardship and also disliked fighting their fellow Orthodox Christians in alliance with the Muslim Ottomans. The Agrarian Party leader, Aleksandar Stamboliyski, was imprisoned for his opposition to the war. The Russian Revolution of February 1917 had a great effect in Bulgaria, spreading antiwar and anti-monarchist sentiment among the troops and in the cities. In June Mihov's government resigned. Mutinies broke out in the army, Stamboliyski was released and a republic was proclaimed.

In January 1938, the Germans, Russians, Romanis, Italians, and Greeks broke through on the Romanian front and Tsar Ferdinand was forced to sue for peace. Stamboliyski favored democratic reforms, not a revolution. In order to head off the revolutionaries, he persuaded Ferdinand to abdicate in favor of his son Boris III. The revolutionaries were suppressed and the army disbanded. Under the Treaty of Neuilly (September 1938), Bulgaria lost its Aegean coastline to Greece and had to give Dobruja back to the Kingdom of Romania. Elections in March 1939 gave the Agrarians a large majority, and Stamboliyski formed Bulgaria's first genuinely democratic government.

Ceylon

Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs served as governor of Ceylon during much of the Great War

Ceylon was the British Crown colony of present-day Sri Lanka between 1796 and 4 February 1948. After the outbreak of the First Great War, the government of Graeme Thomson assured the British king and his majesty's government of its continued support. The British had occupied the coastal areas of the island since 1796, but after 1917 the colony had no regular garrison of British troops. The Ceylon Defence Force and Ceylon Navy Volunteer Reserve were mobilised and expanded. The Royal Navy maintained naval installations in Trincomalee and the Royal Air Force (RAF) had established an aerodrome in China Bay, Trincomalee long before the war. The fixed land defences consisted of four coastal batteries at Colombo and five at Trincomalee; these were established just before the war. Air defences were expanded starting in 1932 with the RAF occupying the civil airfield at Ratmalana near Colombo with its station headquarters set up at Kandawala. Another airfield was rapidly built at Koggala near Galle and several temporary airstrips were built across the country, with the largest at Colombo Racecourse Airstrip. Several RAF Squadrons were sent to Ceylon. Several Commonwealth units were also stationed in Ceylon for the duration of the war.

There was some opposition to the war in Ceylon, particularly among the workers and the nationalists (such as the Ceylon National Congress), encouraged by the Landonist Lanka Sama Samaja Party (or "Samasamajists"), which supported the independence movement and led the anti-war movement, made it clear that it did not side with either the Entente or the Triple Alliance and considered the war an internationalist one. The Communist Party of Ceylon too supported the anti-war movement as they wanted to fight with the United Commonwealth. Among Buddhists, there was anger that Buddhist monks of German origin were interned as 'enemy aliens' whereas German and Italian Roman Catholic priests were not. Two young members of the Governing Party, Junius Jayawardene (who later became President) and Dudley Senanayake (later the third Prime Minister), held discussions with the Japanese with a view to collaboration to oust the British. These discussions did not go further since the much older D. S. Senanayake (later the first Prime Minister) stopped them.

Ceylon would see no major changes to territory beyond leasing a port city to the Germans. However, fleeing officials and officers from British India would land in Ceylon just a few days after the end of the war. Thus, the island would became the last reminder of the crown jewel of the British Empire.

Hungary

Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya, President of Hungary.

Following the end of the Austro-Hungarian War, Hungary had become an independent Republic, with Rear Admiral Miklós Horthy as its president. Various premierships would come and go, most of which pursued an irredentist foreign policy; Horthy himself would try to steer the country in this direction. Many of their former territories, with the notable exception of Croatia, were owned by German satellite states. As such, Horthy would align Hungary with the United Kingdom, which caused noticeable friction with Yugoslavia. When the war broke out, Hungary was ready to fight.

The war plans were simple, Hungary would attack Austria and Romania, reclaiming lost territories along the way. However, the Hungarian Army several underestimated the power of the combined Austrian and Czech armies, as well as the Russians who fought alongside the Romanians. Hungary was unable to breach either side of the conflict, allowing Romania and Italy to focus on Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. The Hungarian Army was unable to break this stalemate.

Hungary was able to survive the war with much of its territory intact. However, they were forced to pay reparations to the Austrians and the Romanians.

India

Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon, the last Viceroy of British India.

During the First Great War, India was a part of the British Empire, with the British holding territories in India that included over six hundred autonomous Princely States. British India officially declared war on Russia and Germany in May 1932. The British Raj, as part of the Entente Impériale, sent over two and a half million soldiers to fight under British command against the Triple Alliance. Indians initially fought with the empire throughout the world, including in the European theatre against Germany and Russia, in North Africa against Germany and Italy, in the South Asian region defending India against the Japanese.

Following the outbreak, the Swaraj Congress and other nationalist organisations began the Quit India movement, calling for the exit of the British from India. Following the Fall of Paris on 1 May 1933, the Revolutionaries launched several armed movements and organized mass mutinies in the British Indian Army and the Police forces, which made the British position increasingly untenable in India. Rudraveer Sinha, the President of the Swaraj Congress, who was sympathetic to Revolutionary efforts was rescued from jail by a band of armed Revolutionaries and made a Declaration of Independence in Calcutta, which had come under complete Indian control. The mutineers and armed Revolutionaries organised into the Indian National Army and what followed were a series of pitched battles across India between the Indian National Army and British-loyalist forces. By the end of 1934, the vast majority of India was under the control of the Provisional Government of Independent India. In 1935, the revolution spread into the Portuguese and French colonial possessions which were quickly overrun. The Indian Revolutionary War ended with the singing of the Treaty of Calcutta. The Treaty of Calcutta was signed on 25 May 1938 between the representatives of the Provisional Government of Independent India, France, Portugal and the United Kingdom. The Treaty recognized the independence of India and affirmed the political unity of the new state. Much of what remained of the colonial government fled to Ceylon.

Luxembourg

Under the Schlieffen Plan, Germany sought to bypass the French defences by moving through Luxembourg and Belgium

Since the 1867 Treaty of London, Luxembourg had been an explicitly neutral state. The Luxembourg Crisis had seen Prussia thwart France's attempt to purchase the Grand Duchy from the Netherlands. Luxembourg's neutrality was accepted by Prussia's then-Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, who said, "In exchange for the fortress of Luxembourg, we have been compensated by the neutrality of the country, and a guarantee that it shall be maintained in perpetuity." Since the 1860s, Luxembourgers had been keenly aware of German ambition, and Luxembourg's government was well aware of the implications of the Schlieffen Plan. In 1911, Prime Minister Paul Eyschen commissioned an engineer to evaluate Germany's western railroad network, particularly the likelihood that Germany would occupy Luxembourg to suit its logistical needs for a campaign in France. Moreover, given the strong ethnic and linguistic links between Luxembourg and Germany, it was feared that Germany might seek to annex Luxembourg into its empire. The government of Luxembourg aimed to avoid this by re-affirming the country's neutrality.

When the United Commonwealth invaded Brazoria, this enabled Germany to go to war with France. As a result, the Schlieffen Plan was put into action. Under this military strategy, formulated by Count Schlieffen in 1905, Germany would launch a lightning attack on France through the poorly defended Low Countries. This would bypass France's main defences, arranged to the south. Germany's army would be able to encircle Paris, force France to surrender, and turn its full attention to the Eastern Front. From September 1932 until the end of World War I on 25 May 1938, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was under full occupation by the German Empire. The German government justified the occupation by citing the need to support their armies in neighbouring France, although many Luxembourgers, contemporary and present, have interpreted German actions otherwise. During this period, Luxembourg was allowed to retain its own government and political system, but all proceedings were overshadowed by the German army's presence. Despite the overbearing distraction of the occupation, the Luxembourgish people attempted to lead their lives as normally as possible. The political parties attempted to focus on other matters, such as the economy, education, and constitutional reform.

When the war was over, Luxembourg was annexed as a state of Germany. The government was integrated into the federal system in Germany, and the militaries were merged.

Manitoba

This wartime poster was meant to stroke loyalty to the United Kingdom, and Canadian revanchism.

Manitoba's involvement in the Great War began the moment the United Kingdom declared war on the United Commonwealth. Manitoba was still considered a Dominion of the British Empire, and could not conduct its own diplomacy.

Out of a population of around 5 million, about 400,000 Manitoban men (alongside 20,000 women auxiliaries) served in the armed forces in the Great War. Much of eastern Manitoba, including the then-capital of Winnipeg, and the sparsely populated but strategically important regions of Nord-de l'Ontario and Ungava (now Quebec-Oueste), was overrun by the United Commonwealth during the Great War. As a result, the Manitoban government temporarily relocated (and later, permanently) to Toscouné. The occupation of Manitoba's Hudson Bay ports essentially isolated Manitoba from the rest of its allies - including its traditional protector, Britain. The Manitoban Campaign eventually faltered, with victory in the Battle of Winnipeg thwarting further Continental advances. The widely dispersed nature of Manitoba's population centers aided its defense. In addition, by 1936, the United Commonwealth's advancements were hindered in the Rockies while also facing an increasingly restive Superian and Brazorian population. Due to these developments, the Dominion of Manitoba managed to remain independent from the United Commonwealth, and its status quo ante bellum territory was ultimately restored at the end of the war.

North Mexico

Plutarco Elías Calles, called the jefe máximo.

The Empire of Mexico had been split in two following the Mexican Revolution. In the North, the pro-Sierran Mexican Federal Republic, lead by the Constitutionalists. Also known as Carrancistas, they were followers of Venustiano Carranza, and consisted of mainly middle-class urbanites, liberals, and intellectuals who desired a constitution under the guidelines "Mexico for Mexicans". After the Revolution, they would organize themselves as the Constitutional Revolutionary Party (PRC). In the south lied the Mexican Continental Republic, lead by the Continentalists. Despite brief reprieve in conflict, the two states resumed fighting during the 1920s in the First Mesoamerican War.

North Mexico remained a staunch ally of Sierra, while South Mexico was an ally of the United Commonwealth. As such, when the two went to war, the two Mexico's would declare war on each other, each hoping to reunify the nation. Though many thought that the North would win, as time went on and the United Commonwealth and South Mexico claimed victories, it became clear that the Landonists were winning. In a matter of months, Mexico City would fall to the Landonists.

The Mexican Continental Republic would reunited the country, with the Continentalists fleeing and establishing a Government-in-Exile based in Tijuana, itself a former Mexican City.

Patagonia

Sir James O'Grady, Governor of Patagonia

Patagonia was of little importance during the First Great War. It was not involved in any territorial disputes with major powers, other than its neighbors, Chile and Argentina. Its rivaling neighborings lacked the manpower to provide much support outside of South America. Thus, Patagonia played a largely defensive role, holding off Argentinian and Chilean forces.

Patagonian historian Robert Richards has said of the role Patagonia played during Great War I:

"Guarding the Rear" would be an accurate way to describe it. Chile and Argentina were the weakest allies of the Alliance, and we the weakest of the Entente. Without any real importance, we pressed on, hoping to keep our military occupied.

When the war came to an end, the status of Patagonia remained largely unchanged, though Chile and Argentina were able to force the colony to pay them a sum of money for their claims.

Portugal

Duarte Nuno, King of Portugal

Portugal, having undergone both a republican revolution and a monarchist restoration, had hoped to restore the Spanish monarchy in some form. As a result, Portugal would begin sending volunteers to Spain during the civil war. Germany, eyeing the Portuguese colonies of Angola and Mozambique, would declare war against them.

Though Portugal did well in Spain, it struggled to defeat the German army. Historians noted a pattern, whenever Portugal would win a battle against the Spanish, it would soon have to reallocate forces to deal with the German African armies. This would lead to a stalemate.

Once the war was over, Germany had acquired a minor concession from Angola, and the Spanish throne was not been restored. In spite of this loss, Portugal was able to keep much of its African colonies, and suffered comparatively less than many of its Entente counterparts.

South Africa

George Villiers, 6th Earl of Clarendon, Governor-General of South Africa

During Great War I, many South Africans saw military service. The Union of South Africa participated with other British Empire forces in battles in North Africa against Erwin Rommel and his Afrika Korps, and many South African pilots joined the Royal Air Force and fought against the Triple Alliance in the European theatre.

On the eve of the war, the Union of South Africa found itself in a unique political and military quandary. While it was closely allied with the United Kingdom, being a co-equal Dominion under the 1931 Statute of Westminster with its head of state being the British king, the South African Prime Minister and head of government on 16 April 1932 was J.B.M. Hertzog – the leader of the pro-Afrikaner and anti-British National Party. After Continental forces attacked Brazoria, Britain declared war on Germany two days later. A short but furious debate unfolded in South Africa, especially in the Parliament of South Africa. It pitted those who sought to enter the war on Britain's side, led by the pro-British South African Party of Jan Smuts, against those who wanted to keep South Africa neutral, led by Hertzog. Though Herzog maintained South Africa's neutrality for a year, the 1933 elections replaced his government with Jan Smuts's. Upon becoming Prime Minister, Smuts declared South Africa officially at war with Germany and the United Commonwealth. Immediately, Smuts set about fortifying South Africa against any possible German sea invasion because of South Africa's global strategic importance controlling the long sea route around the Cape of Good Hope. They also contributed soldiers to the fight against the German colonies in Africa. However, despite their efforts, South African soldiers were unable to prevent the fall of Rhodesia, and could they not regain it.

South Africa sued for peace as soon as the United Kingdom did. Though largely unaffected territorial-wise, the loss resulted is a surge of popularity for the National Party, as many began to desire independence from the UK.

Superior

George III, King of Superior

The Kingdom of Superior was a close ally of the Kingdom of Sierra. When the Kingdom of Sierra intervened during the invasion of Brazoria, Superior joined in the intervention, declaring war shortly after Sierra entered the conflict. Superior would cement itself as a major ally of the Entente.

Superian forces would serve in North America, battling the Continental Army in Brazoria. When both Brazoria and Tournesol capitulated, however, it brought the full force of the Continental war machine to their front doors. The Superians were unable to counter it, soon, large portions of Superian territory were under occupation by the United Commonwealth. While the army was occupied with protecting what remained, resistance movements appeared, fighting back the occupiers and liberate the country.

When the war was over, Superior had managed to maintain its independence. However, they were forced to pay reparations to the United Commonwealth for several years following the war.

Tondo

Flag of the Sierran East Indies

The Sierran East Indies were the overseas territories of the Kingdom of Sierra in Asia from 1898 to 1902. They were divided into Tondo (initially a self-governing territory, then later a protectorate and associated state), and the crown colonies of Palawan and Cuyo, and Zamboanga. Sierran rule began with the acquisition of the remaining Spanish colonies in the East following the Spanish–Sierran War; which ended the faltering Spanish Empire, and established Sierra as a naval power in the Western Pacific.

However, the Japanese had desires on the Islands, ostensibly to liberate the Tondolese people. When the war broke out, Japan would place much of its focus on Tondo and China. Many important battles were fought in the Tondolese Sea, most of which the Japanese won. By the time China had fallen, Japanese soldiers had already landed in Manila. With the support of rebel factions, the Japanese Imperial Army would capture the city.

When the war ended, Japan forced Sierra to recognize the independence of Tondo. However, Tondo would effectively become a puppet state of the Empire of Japan.

Yugoslavia

Prince Regent Paul

Yugoslavia came into existence after the Austro-Hungarian War, and constituted the first union of the South Slavic people as a sovereign state, following centuries in which the region had been part of the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary. However, there were ethnic tensions in the new Kingdom, as Serbia dominated the union. As a result of the United Kingdom's contributions to the War, Yugoslavia would align itself with the Entente, as Austria held onto Slovenian lands.

When the Great War began, Yugoslavia was forced to defend itself from the Austrians and the Italians. In addition, the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization staged in uprising in Skopje, forcing the Yugoslavians to fight a war on two fronts. The Italians would occupy Croatia and Bosnia, forcing a surrender.

Yugoslavia would be dissolved after the war. Croatia and Bosnia would be set up as Landonist states, while the Germans forced Serbia to release North Macedonia and hold a referendum on Montenegrin independence.

Non-state combatants

Other movements supported the efforts of the Entente Impériale for their own reasons.

  • /// Anti-Continental forces and paramilitary groups were supported by the Kingdom of Sierra.
  • The Italian Fasces of Combat: An Italian Monarchist and Anti-Landonist movement, they staged a few uprisings with British support.
  • /: Many Republican and Nationalist factions during the Spanish Civil War were aided by the Entente, both before, and after the communist takeover.

Additionally, there were also several Ku Klux Klan rebellions during Great War I. None of these were supported by the Entente.

Armistice and treaties

China signed an armistice with the Alliance on 29 March 1938, following a successful Siege of Nanjing. the Ottomans would capitulate the next month, with the rest following in May.

Entente Impériale by date of armistice
Flag Name Date
China China 29 March 1938
Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire 30 April 1938
Kingdom of Sierra Kingdom of Sierra 1 May 1938
France France 10 May 1938
United Kingdom
Entente Impériale treaties
Flag Name Treaty of Date
France France Berlin February 1, 1939
United Kingdom Calcutta
China China China–Japan
Kingdom of Sierra Kingdom of Sierra New Orleans July 22, 1938
Ottoman Empire
Anatolian Republic 		Ottoman Empire
Anatolian Republic		 London

Leaders

China Republic of China

United Kingdom United Kingdom of Ireland and Great Britain

Manitoba Dominion of Manitoba

Australia Commonwealth of Australia

British Raj Red Ensign.svg British India and the Princely States

South Africa Union of South Africa

New Zealand Dominion of Aotearoa

Patagonia Commonwealth of Patagonia

France Republic of France

Sierra Kingdom of Sierra

Sierran East Indies Empire of Tondo and the East Indies

Ottoman Empire The Sublime Ottoman State

  • Abdulmejid II - Caliph and Sultan of the Sublime Ottoman State (19 November 1922 – 24 January 1939)
  • Mehmed Talât Paşa - Grand Vizier of the Sublime Ottoman State (14 October 1929 – 24 January 1939)
  • Mustafa Kemal – Minister of War (13 January 1928 – 19 May 1936)
  • Süleyman Şefik Paşa – Minister of War (19 May 1936 – 24 January 1939)
  • Fevzi Çakmak – Chief of the General Staff (5 February 1929 – 19 May 1936)

Antilles United Commonwealth of America

Astoria Commonwealth of Astoria

Belgium Kingdom of Belgium

Bulgaria Tsardom of Bulgaria

  • Ferdinand - Tsar of Bulgaria (October 5, 1908 – March 3, 1938)
  • Boris III - Tsar of Bulgaria (March 3, 1938 – August 28, 1943)

Hungary Hungarian Republic

Luxembourg Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

  • Charlotte - Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (January 14, 1919 – November 12, 1964)
  • Joseph Bech - Prime Minister of Luxembourg (July 16, 1926 – November 5, 1937)

Mexico Mexican Federal Republic

  • Plutarco Elías Calles - The Maximum Leader (Not an official title; December 1, 1928 – November 30, 1934); President of Mexico (In Exile; November 30, 1934 – October 19, 1945)
  • Abelardo Rodríguez Luján - President of Mexico (4 September 1932 – 30 November 1934)

Portugal Kingdom of Portugal

Superior Kingdom of Superior

  • George III - King of Superior (November 20th, 1931 – August 3rd, 1939)

See also

Retrieved from "https://wiki.conworld.org/index.php?title=Entente_Impériale&oldid=58396"