Shifted Axis

[MadmanMotley]

EXPLOSIONS ROCK WASHINGTON D.C.



Jan. 1939: Explosions rocked Washington D.C. as a rogue German Nationalist influtrated the White House with a bomb strapped to his body. The terrorist created a large explosion, tearing apart part of the White House severely injuring President Roosevelt and Vice-President Garner as well as several cabinet members. As a result House Speaker William Bankhead of Alabama is acting president until the situation is resolved.


William Bankhead (D-AL), Acting President of the United States of America

[MadmanMotley]

One Week Later:

After a week in the Hospital, both President Roosevelt and Vice-President Garner have died from their injuries, along with cabinet members Cordell Hull and Henry Wallace. As a result, William Bankhead is now the 33rd President of the United States. The president has announced a month of morning, and a state funeral will be held in early February with leaders from across the world coming to pay their respects. President Bankhead also announced that congress will be bringing up an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to allow for the appointment of a Vice-President. President Bankhead also said that he will not run for president in 1940, saying "I have never desired to be president, I only desired to serve my country in any way that I could. Just a week ago it was serving as Speaker of the House, now it is as president. I am honored with the position, and I will do my best, but a new leader must emerge to guide America through these troubled times.


Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States (1882-1939)

[retromike22]

OOOOOO continue

[Bigby]

Oh God.

[MadmanMotley]

The Funeral of Franklin Roosevelt:

Feb. 1939: After making the arrangements, President Roosevelt's funeral would be broadcast across all radio networks in America, the funeral itself was massive and national figures from across the globe met and spoke in honor of FDR. Most notable of these was the German Chancellor, Adolph Hitler, who renounced the actions of the terrorist, and called for a united front against evil, an alliance with the United States. He called for the American people to be strong in the face of this great tragedy. This speech was well received by the American public, who believed that the USA had a strong ally in this new German Chancellor. President Bankhead gave the final eulogy, and announced that the presidential succession and appointment amendment had passed both houses of congress and would be sent to the states.


German Chancellor Adolph Hitler addressing America at Franklin Roosevelt's Funeral

[Consciously Unconscious]

Oh god, wow.  You've got to continue.

[MadmanMotley]

The Constitution Amended, and other political developments:

Mar. 1939: The states quickly ratified the amendment to the Constitution, and with a democratic majority, all president Bankhead had to do was appoint someone to do the job. However this person would automatically become a frontrunner for the democratic nomination in 1940. While this is going on, a new party has been formed, the American Party, a nationalist front in favor with allying with Germany. It was led in the Senate by former Democrat Robert Wagner of New York. President Bankhead wished to appeal to American wishes and this new pro-German attitude, so he appointed Ambassador Joesph P. Kennedy as Vice-President. Kennedy announced that he would run for president in 1940.


Joseph P. Kennedy, 33rd Vice-President of the United States.

[MadmanMotley]

Race for the Republican Nomination:

After the announcement that Joesph Kennedy would run for president, there was only token opposition among the democratic party. Kennedy offered a continuation of Roosevelt's legacy, though there were democrats, many from the south that were wary of Kennedy. On the Republican side, there was a battle to be won for the party. The battle was between Sen. Robert Taft (R-OH), District Attorney Thomas Dewey (R-NY), Sen. Arthur Vandenberg, Businessman Wendell Willkie, Sen. Charles McNary, and Businessman Prescott Bush. What surprised many was Prescott Bush, who garnered much support with his Nationalist views, but was ultimately defeated with the Republicans fielding a McNary/Taft ticket.

After this, Bush began negotiations with the southern democrats to form a new, more nationalist party. Among his early supporters was Harry Byrd. Together they formed the new, American Party. A socially conservative, economically moderate, and very protectionist, and very "pro-America." Together Harry Byrd and Prescott Bush would lead the American Party in the 1940 election, with Bush using much of his funds to help support the party.

With Southern Democrats heading towards the American Party, Kennedy chose Senator Alben Barkley of Kentucky in order to stop the bleeding.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Wasn't Wagner one of the most outspoken critics of Nazism?

[MadmanMotley]

Wasn't Wagner one of the most outspoken critics of Nazism?

He was, but Nationalism is sweeping the nation. He isn't as extreme as most of the American party either, but still is in favor of more nationalist policies.

[MadmanMotley]

Alliance Struck! President Bankhead Dies In Office!

As tensions grow high in Europe between Germany and Russia, Germany and the USA engage in a military and trade alliance. The UK and France are skeptical, but are in no position to argue. A few weeks after the deal is struck, President Bankhead passes away of old age. Vice-President Kennedy takes over and becomes the 34th President. As the election is nearing, he announces that he will wait for the American people to vote on the next President and Vice-President.

1940 Election Polls:

McNary/Taft 112EV
Kennedy/Barkley 93EV
Byrd/Bush 83EV
Tossup: 243EV

[Prince of Salem]

I got excited from the moment I saw a Southern Democrat becoming President. Great! Keep on!

[MadmanMotley]

It returns!

Kennedy Elected in a Close Race! Poland Annexed by Germany!

After a close race, and a taking a isolationist foreign policy approach by refusing to intervene in any way in European affairs, picking up key swing states from the American Party. Meanwhile, shortly after Kennedy was elected, Germany invaded and Annexed Poland. This caused a chain reaction and now both France and the United Kingdom have declared war on Germany. The United States has remained out of the war, but has ramped up production of war machines and has started selling them to the Germans. The American propaganda machine has started full force in supporting Germany, and America's patriotic duty to remaining "American." Dissenters, mainly Anarcho-Liberals, and non-german immigrants are being arrested due to "disruptive behavior." Though because of the American nationalization of the media, this is only considered rumors by most Americans.

1940 Election:

McNary/Taft 186EV
Kennedy/Barkley 270EV
Byrd/Bush 75EV

[Brewer]

Very interesting.