[DTF955]

I'll be very busy in the next few months, so I'm bumping this up a year ahead of the timeline as you're reading it, and posting what will be the end of the last of the tyrants' aggression. While Finland could have compromised, and avoided the war, possibly, this seemed more plausible...

Dec. 7, 1939 (that date should remain historical somehow, though it's a different year :-)

"This is Edward R. Murrow, reporting live from Switzerland. The so-called Winter War which Stalin and his forces launched on independent Finland and the Baltic Republics just a few weeks ago has been joined. As it was, the Finns were matching the Soviets,and then some, refusing to buckle under to Soviet demands for land. The League of Nations tried to sit this out and work diplomatically. Now, Stalin's forces have attacked Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, hoping that the League will continue its attitude of non-combat. And, it appears he has lost that gamble, as the League of Nations, in emergency session, has voted to request several leading European nations to send troops..."

(A/N: The Finns fought valiantly as it was, Stalin would likely attack the others early here because he's feeling bolder since there's no worry about Hitler.)

Jan. 19, 1940:
"Dateline, Helsinki. The British Expeditionary Forces, together with those of President von Lettow-Vorbeck in Germany, have forced the Soviets to a draw in Finland. Negotiations are underway. Meanwhile, though fighting rages in the Baltic Republics, the success of the League so far has sent Wendell Wilkie's stock soaring as the potential Democratic nominee..."

(Note: someone did a great AH about this man leading a centrist military dictatorship and defeating the Soviets in the 1930s, I figured, why not let him be the democratic leader of Germany; he was one of few with lasting success in WW I. Sorry if you'd used another name, I couldn't recall.)
From "Germany's Washington - The Career of Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck":
"...After Germany's defeat, he was inspired by the integration of baseball in the United States. Having fought in formerly german East Africa, he was inspired to work to bring all peoples together...He attained leadership in the middle 1930s, and instantly put Germany on the road to respectability. A former general, some have likened him to George Washington in the making of Germany into a modern demoracy...
"...But his greatest triumph, in his eyes, was bringing Germany into a leadership position in the League of Nations, during which time, germany helped defeat the italians and the Soviets in two League-led wars..."

May 30, 1940: Stalin Admits Defeat, Begins More Purges
This is Edward r. Murrow reporting. After this date, the Soviets plan to look inwardly. (Think OTL's North Korea today.) The League of Nations has assured the freedom of four nations, and Stalin is so incensed, it's a sure thing that he will begin more purges, those things so secret to the West, which we heard a glimpse of from captured soldiers in the Winter War..."

May 16, 1941:
EXTRA: AMERICA JOINS LEAGUE
Dateline, Washington:
"President Wilkie didn't get all he wanted, but he got the main thing.
"Such was the assessment of expert after the Untied States Congress approved U.S. entry into the League of Nations. President Wilkie was forced to give up on the notion of America's troops being called on to fight in any foreign wars - America is very isolationist yet. However, successful League oeprations against two dictators, one still in power, one out, has convinced enough voters that American will not be getting embroiled in too many international squabbles if it joins."

So, till I have a chance to post again...if I ever decide to...well, here, this is also important.

Feb. 19, 1944:
Dateline, London:
"In a shocking expose, defectors from the Soviet Union have revealed not only massive numbers of dead, killed by the Soviets, but also active pogroms such as were thought to have gone out with the most reactionary of czars..."

April 13, 1944:
"Vice President Harry Truman took office yesterday, after President Wilkie sudden death to a heart attack - no doubt related to the great stress he has been under since the United States entered the League of Nations, especially withthe recent Soviet turmoil. (Note: OTL he died late in '44, the stress of the office would probably take a few months off his life.)
"He was quoted as saying 'The anti-Semitism of the Soviets has shown there is no place for racism in the United States, or anywhere else. We not only support an independent Jewish homeland, as some have clamored for, but also, we will endeavor to integrate in this nation as much as can be done. Yes, I know I am now the one up for renominationa nd re-election. But, I am convinced that it is the right thing to do! If you can't stand the heat, I say get out of the kitchen. The heat's going to be turned up on this office, but I guarantee, it's going to be turned up a lot more on some others who insist that it should not be done!"

President Truman won a close election in 1944, then another term of his own in 1948 before rtiring. A Civil Rights bill was passed in 1950.

More improtantly, the United States' membership in the League of Nations was entirely peaceful, such that American didn't fight in any more wars.

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And with that, I'm off. thanks for the great fun in thsi thread.