All hail Liberia, hail!

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Ricent1
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All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ricent1 »

Default settings without enhanced spotting. As close to reality as possible.

March, 1936:

As the newly elected president of Liberia, I am tasked with protecting my humble country from the horrors we all see looming on the horizon. Surrounded by French and British colonies, many rich in natural resources, I must find a way to help this semi-isolated nation survive the storm clouds of fascism. Adversity is nothing new to us. We are a proud melting pot of many tribes and descendants of rescued slaves.

Thanks to the American, James Monroe, the namesake of our capital, many of our ancestors came here from slave ships liberated by British and Union naval forces. We have forged a life of freedom and democracy reflecting the ideals that helped form the U.S. constitution, government branches, and even our flag are similar to the great nation across the Atlantic.

But even among friends there has been trouble. Nearly a century ago, France and England diplomatically stole some of our best land and annexed it to Sierra Leone and Guinea colonies. We have not forgotten.

As the world gears up for another war to end all wars, we will sit quietly. Like the Hurricanes that start subtly off our coast and slowly build into behemoths which cross the seas and lay waste all in its path, we shall sell our soon-to-be over-inflated rubber to anyone who will pay.

With a war chest in hand we will reclaim our former lands, replete with petroleum and coal deposits.

We will then set our sights for the submission of the continent to our will.

If we succeed, we shall payback the Europeans who ripped our livelihood and relatives' homes from us. This must be slow and methodical. But we too know a dish best served cold.

Screenshots and commentary to come. Stay tuned...
Ater
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ater »

Nice! Can't wait to read more!
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. -Albert Einstein
Ricent1
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ricent1 »

June 27th 1936:

We have created and agricultural center and now have stopped importing food. This allows for greater saving of revenue, as approval has plateaued at 34%. Taxes are 56% and public spending is enough to keep immigration slightly outpacing emigration.

Still, our economy is dragging by at a snail's pace. Rubber has increased to $107 USD from $100 3months ago, but it is yet to bring the cash we so desperately need. We have halted research to grow our treasury in hopes to purchase another rubber plantation in expectation of global conflict.

No declarations of war as of yet, but Britain is ramping up naval production. A good sign for us.
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Ricent1
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ricent1 »

A year has passed. We have constructed an ore mine in the midst of our plantations to save revenue on constructing an industrial complex. We now have another key component to supply a military goods or industrial goods compound. If this ensuing war becomes global, military goods will become over-inflated as well. We hope conflict will hold off until we are positioned to reap the windfall...
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Ricent1
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ricent1 »

Tourism is at 38%. With beautiful mangroves on our coastal beaches, I am trying to explore building a 5 star hotel to up our influx of dollars. Tourists have been vacationing here from all over the world. News stories reach us primarily from these world travelers. We were told of a young woman trying to circumnavigate the globe in a plane, but has been lost. I am sure she will be found soon. These things have a way of being solved quickly.

Also, some German tourists, whose English is poor, tried to tell us of a disaster in the States involving their homeland and their technology. They don't speak Vas or any of our other tribal languages, so this is the best we could make of their story. Strange. I am sure something was lost in translation?
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Ater
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ater »

Nice!
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. -Albert Einstein
Ricent1
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ricent1 »

August 1937:

I drove to the presidential palace this morning to find 3 men waiting in the lobby. My personal secretary looked bewildered and quietly told me they had no appointment. Adani seemed frightened which is unlike her. She is kpelle, like myself, and we are a tribe known for fierceness and resolve.

I introduce myself and offer all the pleasantries and hospitalities of a good host. Upon conversing with them, I detect the telltale mistake a German makes when trying to hide his accent within English. The pronunciation of "God" by a German is abnormally long and drawn out and carries an exaggerated "awww" vowel. I ask if they are German and they seem startled like a child with his hands in the proverbial cookie jar. They confess they are and so I take the opportunity to clear up the news story I had heard earlier. A Zeppelin makes much more sense than an obese, aquatic mammal.

Anyway, the men are infatuated with the rubber plantations and are asking all sorts of questions. I offer them a ride in the presidential limo out to the nearest plantation. While there, they barage me with many technical questions. I ask my assistant to head back to the offices and get specifics on the plantations themselves. All as a good host, of course. But I hope to find out the real reason for their curiosity. I tell them rubber trees only grow in certain locales. They brush this aside.

Surely Hitler would not venture militarily into Africa? Petroleum and other raw materials are plentiful on the dark continent, but certainly Europe must be his focus.

My assistant returns with production specs and mechanical schematics, but one of them simply tosses it into his briefcase as they say their goodbyes. It almost seems the schematics were an annoyance and waiting for them was a burden. I could have put a primary school textbook in that folder and they wouldn't have even noticed.

I am beginning to get the same feeling as Adani, kpelle or not.

I had her cancel all my appointments for the afternoon and I sat at my desk trying to put the pieces together in my mind. Why build plantations when you can simply take them. I have to do something. But what? We have a dozen plantations spread out across the country. Tons of machinery and skilled workers at risk. Each plantation alone contains over 9000 tons of industrial goods, completely unprotected. Then it dawns on me...
I order the dismantling of one of our production plants along with its corresponding plantation. My army corps of engineers tell me a medium sized industrial plant and military goods facility requires about 11000 tons, give or take.

I will propose to the legislature a bill. Though our congress has only 73 members and they are all from different backgrounds, they all know firsthand the terror of tribal warfare. I can pitch the idea of developing military goods as a precaution to keep our small military armed against a possible coup from a power hungry chieftain either within or near our borders. I can be most eloquent and convincing when I have to be. I also have photos of the minority leader in a compromised position with a visiting female attaché. Regardless, I have some time. We don't have the funds in treasury to purchase the labor, $10 million cash. As our treasury grows at a pace of 200k a day, I have a month or so to find the votes necessary. Time to make a few meetings. Some public and some behind closed doors.
Ricent1
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ricent1 »

August 1938:

A full year has gone by. But finally, after fending off pacifist objections, as well as shoring up a dipping approval rating from the constituency, we have constructed not only a second industrial goods plant, but a mid-sized military one as well. It produces a modest 2 tons of military goods a day, but we are storing it all for future use and/or sale.

Our treasury continues to slowly build, although painfully so. I see Europe and now the Far East as becoming volcanic on the geo-political front. Japan is expanding and Germany, though negotiating with Chamberlain in Britain, seems to find new reasons to annex land. I hope none of our populace has distant, German heritage and ties to the "Motherland". As black as our skin is, and as elitist those 3 Germans were a year ago, even with a head-of-state before them, I doubt they would be inclined to share genetic makeup with the likes of us.

As I sit and wait for our war chest to grow, I find myself remembering bits of my childhood. My father told me stories that his father told him, and that grandfather's father told him, about how the white man use to come and take our people away in chains to God-knows-where. Rounded up and used for their own devices. Just because of the color of their skin and because they were different. They were never seen from again. I hope these Germans are different from those men centuries ago. Certainly centuries of technology and learning has caused man to evolve to a more humane, decent creature.

However, it seems there was this man from Germany, named Nietzche. He died a generation ago. According to him, man would eventually evolve to the point that he would throw off the shackles of religion and its encumbrances of guilt and morals. This "uber-mensch" or superman, would not be constrained by such pettiness as mercy and compassion. I understand Adolf has studied the German philosopher, who's last years were spent in severe insanity while his sister sold tickets for the public to view her hysterical brother and "phenom" of the modern age. I guess she was able to throw off those chains quite easily. No shame if there is a profit to be made.

Let us hope the chancellor finds Nietzche as lacking as the rest of us...
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Ater
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ater »

This is the most interesting and detailed AAR I have ever read, good work.
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. -Albert Einstein
Ricent1
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ricent1 »

(Thanks, Ater, for the encouragement.)

September, 1938:

Italy is attacking Ethiopia. While they are on the other side of the continemt, it is still our continent. The Ethiopians are holding their own, but what concerns me is they are members of a very small group in Africa of which we are members: non-colony, autonomous nations. We will watch what happens with Egypt in the months to come.

Speaking of Egypt, I visited Al Qazirah last month. Americans call it Cairo, and I must admit it's easy to pronounce. I use it almost exclusively now, as Americans are about the only tourists these days. They see war as a world away and that it will never reach them. The few Europeans to frequent our beaches spend more time reading newspapers than watching our sunsets. They talk, argue, and shake their heads. They're afraid. War is on their doorstep. They come to escape, but their fears make the trip with them. I pity them. But in the back of my mind I wonder how long before our people are doing the same.

Anyway, Egypt. King Farouk was most gracious and accommodating. I visited his land unit fabrication plant there in Cairo. The price tag and industrial goods drain just to build the facility was astronomical. Then there is the military complex itself. It alone requires 10,000 tons of industrial goods AND 10,000 tons of MILITARY goods. We can horde our industrial goods at 60+ tons a day if we build a few more, but our military plant yields a mere 2 tons a day. It would take 15 years to have enough just to build the complex. Then barracks and the fabrication plant on top of that. My heart sunk.

As his majesty escorted me back to the airport, I confided in him about the 3 Germans that visited a while back. His joyful, hospitable demeanor swiftly vanished and he stared blankly at the floorboards of his 36 Cadillac long car. Quietly, almost breathing it, he whispered, "A group of Germans and Italians had me show them our oil fields in the Sinai. They... just stood there... Staring... Smiling." Looking up, he turned to me. It is a dreadful thing to see fear in the eyes of a king. It was the last thing he said before I climbed out of his vehicle. "My friend. Africa is not safe." I stared back. I couldn't find words that would reassure him. I merely nodded, told him "Shukalan, eh sadiki" for the hospitality, and "Ma Salamah" to him and his family.

I have created a state radio station. I told the public it was to join the more affluent nations of the West in their quest to make the world a smaller place and to promote the brotherhood of man. I think the people feel a sense of pride that they are more "cosmopolitan", despite the fact many have never traveled more than 50 km from their homes. I, however, have a more grim and watchful reason...

I cannot put all my cards into the hope that one of the larger, military powerhouses will offer me out-dated armor and artillery. I have decided to scrap 2 more rubber plantations and 2 mid-sized industrial plants. This will garner me enough industrial goods to build a full-scale industrial goods plant. With it, I can then store up goods rapidly enough to build a large-scale military goods plant. It will take at least until 1941, but 3 years are better than 15 or more. All the while I must have money in the treasury just in case obsolete units, collecting dust in some hanger, are made part of some national fire sale somewhere.
Ricent1
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

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July 1940:

Nearly 2 years have passed since I returned from Egypt. After work stoppages, arguments with contractors, weather delays, and a hundred other grievances, our large-scale industrial plant is finished.

Not a moment too soon. Reports from our new radio station are rolling in. In unbelievable speed, Germany is rolling across Europe. Unlikely bedfellows, USSR and Hitler's Germany have signed a non-aggression pact. Incredible. Polar opposites in political ideology are watching each others' flanks. Stalin has rolled into the Ukraine for the vast fields of grain. Hitler...well... he's just hungry for more of... everything. He blames the Jews in his own country for the collapse of their ideals. Blames the U.K. and the rest of Europe for the settlement and crushing demands enforced in 1918. And blames anyone that opposes him as unreasonable and a threat to German "safety".

Poland will not last long. They have riders on horses going up against mechanized vehicles and tanks, for God's sake. A proud people they are. But their numbers are shrinking.

I have publicly denounced all the Fuehrer's encroachments, along with Hirohito's in Tokyo, and Benito's in Rome. I have been branded a "blue circle" and an ally of the nations that so far are being steamrolled by the Nazi war machine. I have infuriated the side that is winning. French West Africa stands between us and the Italian incursion into Ethiopia. I pray Paris stands firm. My friend, King Farouk, does not have share the benefit of real estate between his people and this spreading menace. I send telegrams wishing him well. Few return with response. I fear he is being watched.
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Ricent1
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ricent1 »

August 1940:

It's unthinkable. Impossible.

In the last week of this month, both Poland and France have fallen. Other smaller nations are buckling as well. Some without a fight. The Nazi and Italian flag is now draped over nearly all of Europe. Spain is now fascist and as good as an ally to Hitler. Hungary has joined the Axis nations. Now fear is everywhere. Even among my own fields and plantations. Whispers. Somber tones and looks from the voters. Oh, did I mention? Elections are soon. The one saving grace is that the socialist party and right-wing party are under suspicion no different than Stalin and Hitler in the eyes of Liberians. I will allow that ignorance to work in favor of my reelection efforts. We should win in a landslide. I am glad to be a moderate at this time in my country's history.

I am running railroads along the coast to increase supply of goods for sale and transport. It kills time until I can break ground for my first military complex. Besides, I want to let the election pass before I introduce a war-like stance to my constituents as they read the daily headlines of tank assaults and air raids.
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Ricent1
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ricent1 »

September 1940:

Well, with German and Italian forces racking up victories, it took only a month after the falll of Warsaw and Paris for the Japanese to throw their hats in with Germany and Italy. It all seems like a funny story. Like a Marx brothers flicker show I saw when I visited New York. 2 fascists, an emperor, and a communist walk into a bar together... I would laugh if it weren't for the footage of burned-out buildings, cities in ruins, women and children half-naked trudging through mud and snow headed to God knows where. Relocation, internment, and human beings forced into rail cars departing train stations packed so tight that it reminds me of the stories of slave ships centuries ago.

I won reelection, by the way. Liberian presidents can serve 2 6-year terms if they are popular enough. My first was a special election, mid-term. So I will be able to run again in '46. If I am lucky, I shall see 1952 as president and what the world, as well as my homeland, have become...
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Ricent1
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ricent1 »

June 1941:

Well, I have good news and I have bad news... which do you want to hear first.

Let's start with the bad and end on a high note, shall we? In April, Ethiopia capitulated and no longer exists formally. Mussolini is definitely targeting raw materials for the 3rd Reich. He's no more than a lap dog to the Fuehrer, everyone knows it. His people no longer respect him, but are too afraid to do anything. All they need is a glimpse of hope and fortunes could turn. We crowd around the radio in my ready room and wait for the morning news. None of us say it, but we all think it... Will Italy move west through jungle or desert to stockpile rubber and attack us? Or will they go south towards Johannesburg and the gold being mined there. Perhaps both.

Now for the good news. I have a new favorite word. The mention of it brings a smile to all who hear it down here...Barbarossa. You hear it in the schools, taverns, and storefronts. For some inexplicable reason, Hitler has turned east and blindsided Moscow by rolling division after division into the USSR. Why? Who cares. I'm no graduate from the American military academies, but I know a blunder when I see one. Britain has held on and repulsed German airborne attempts to subdue the Isles. If Hitler had forced Churchill to his knees in surrender, I could understand a trek toward the Urals, but not while the English continue to fight! A 2-front war, enemies balanced on either side. I guess the name "axis" is fitting. I say balanced, but Britain is weak. They're only significant allies geographically are the French partisans. The U.S. is sending supplies and money, sure. What the U-boats don't sink helps Buckingham Palace, but the Yanks still refuse to join the war. The public just doesn't want it enough. I wonder what it will take, or even if there is a scenario that would bring the US into the fray.

Continuing to build railway to get supply percentages up. Need more money and goods to start a military compound. I will reassess in a year. No communiques from other nations wanting to unload out-of-date weaponry. I guess everyone is doing what we are: clinging to every scrap of defense they can get moving down a road or through a minefield in a moment's notice.
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Ater
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Re: All hail Liberia, hail!

Post by Ater »

Excited to read more! Glad I could encourage you!
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. -Albert Einstein
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