The point of this timeline is to explore (at least what I think) the world would be like if Franklin Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, Winston Churchill, and Josef Stalin were killed before they became who we knew them as. I present my new version of the 20th Century
Point of Divergences (1905 - 1940)[]
1905
Josef Stalin is killed during the 1905 Russian Revolution while participating in guerrilla activities against Czarist forces.
1914
The Great War breaks out in Europe. On one side are the forces of the Entente Powers (France, Great Britain, and the Russian Empire) against the Central Powers (German Empire, Austro-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.
1917
After three years of bitter war and increasing hardships the Russian Revolution of 1917 breaks out. Admist adoring crowds the Vladimir Lenin arrives in St Petersburg. By the end of the year the October Revolution has taken place leading to the Russian Civil War.
1918
Lenin and Leon Trotsky successfully negotiate Russia's exit from the Great War. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is harsh upon Russia, forcing them to give independence to Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine. However states such as Armenia, Ukraine, and Belarus would be quickly re-annexed by the USSR
Like Russia in 1917 the German populace grows tired of war and the German Revolution begins and from the revolution results in the abdication the Kaiser and the formation of the Weimar Republic.
1919
The Treaty of Versailles brings an end to the Great War placing harsh reparations upon Germany. Forcing them to give 13% of its territory, reducing its armed forces to a handful, and forcing them to pay massive war reparations.
1922
Benito Mussolini, after his infamous March on Rome, is named Prime Minister of Italy
1923
The Russian Civil War ends with a Communist triumph
The Bear Hall Putsch takes place in Germany, led by Great War veteran Adolf Hitler. The plot fails and Hitler is sentenced to five-years of prison. He is released after nine months due to political pressure.
Chairman Trotsky would gradually turn the USSR from a backwater country into one of the world's Great Powers by the end of his reign
1924
Vladimir Lenin dies from a stroke while attempting to recover from a series of them. In accordance with his will Leon Trotsky is named Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of the Soviet Union.
Trotsky begins a policy of gradually turning the Soviet Union into an industrial powerhouse
1927
Chinese Civil War begins between Communist and Nationalist forces. Trotsky sends massive aid to the Communists, including advisors and volunteers
1929
The Great Depression occurs. The world is plunged into economic chaos, the hardest hit are the United States and Germany
1931
Imperial Japan invades China, quickly taking oil-rich Manchuria
Winston Churchill dies in car crash
1933
Political pressure and growing chaos forces President Paul von Hindenburg to make Adolf Hitler Chancellor of Germany
The Reichstag Fire Decree is passed in response to the burning the Reichstag. The act greatly
Many wonder what a true Roosevelt presidency would have turned out to be.
suppresses the activities of other political parties mainly Communists and Socialists.
President-elect Franklin Roosevelt is killed in Miami by Giuseppe Zangara.
Vice-President-elect John Garner is sworn in as president. In his inaugural address Ganer makes it clear that he will enact the "New Deal" policies of Roosevelt.
The Enabling Act is passed giving full legislative and executive authority to President Hindenburg and Chancellor Hitler
1934
President Hindenburg dies, Hitler and his puppet Congress abolish the office of the Presidency and its powers are merged with that of Chancellor, making Hitler both the Head of State and Government.
President Garnar attempts to try some "Rooseveltian Reforms" but very few are passed as opposed the dozens that were passed in OTL.
1935
Italy invades Ethiopia
Hitler begins rearming the German Army
1936
Hitler re-militarizes the Rhineland
Hitler is killed by Helmet Hulsh in a suicide bombing
Herman Göring. Führer and Chancellor of Germany from 1936 to 1957
After some brief civil disorder Herman Göring is named Hitler's successor.
Spanish Civil War breaks out. Trotsky sends massive aid to the Republican sides. Göring sends some aide to the Nationalists but not as much as Hitler did in OTL
1937
President Garner wins election over the the Republicans, mostly thanks to his "Rooseveltian Reforms". However as memories of the deceased President-elect fade so to does support for the President in Congress
The Sino-Japanese War is grounded to a halt when Trotsky threatens to intervene on the side of the Chinese. Japan agrees to ceasefire but is permitted control of much of the Chinese coastline
1938
Germany annexes Austria in what is called the Anschluss.
Göring invites Neville Chamberlain (Britain) and Edourd Daladier (France) to Munich where he demands Germany is permitted to annex the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. The two don't take Göring as seriously as the did Hitler in our OTL and refuse.
Less than two hours after the conference Germany declares war on Czechoslovakia.
