2020s

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Next 2030s

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The 2020s were a decade which saw major changes in Europe, with the most disruption since the Second World War. It saw the start of what would eventually become the nations of Neo-Europe, Nordica and GUISS.

The following is an incomplete list of events.

### 2020

War is narrowly avoided between the United States and Iran after President Trump ordered the assassination of one of the theocracy's top generals, Qasem Soleimani.

The world comes to a standstill as news leaks from China over a new virus. Eventually it is named the Coronavirus and soon makes its way across the world. Heavy restrictions are placed in almost every country. Suspicion of China grows, with accusations that the virus was a laboratory creation, although nothing can be proven.

In the United Kingdom in April, Prime Minister **Boris Johnson** contracts the virus and subsequently dies after a month of suffering, forcing **Michael Gove** to step in as Prime Minister following a month of panic. He claimed that Johnson named Gove as his successor on his deathbed, although this claim is refuted by other senior Tories.

Wolfgang Von Stuttgart's father dies due to the virus and his mother kills herself, leaving him alone and isolated. He later meets Adam Bronstein and they formulate a plan for the future.

**Donald Trump** wins a second term as President. This follows his own diagnosis of coronavirus and an assassination attempt in the months leading to the election. This leads to riots across America; Trump orders troops to be deployed.

### 2021

The political divisions in America continue, with both major parties dividing after failing to agree on even basic issues. The Trump-supporting Republicans break off as the *Patriots,* while the others remain Republicans. The Democrats become the *Social Democrats* and *National Democrats.* National Democrats are more supporting of military intervention and include Democrats such as Biden, Pelosi and McNerney, who fear for the security of America, while the Social Democrats have people like Sanders, Cortez and Yang. Trump establishes himself as a Patriot, while his Vice President Pence remains a Republican, causing some minor tensions.

A vaccine produced by Oxford University which is 70% effective becomes available, though the production plants are ransacked by militant conspiracy theorists, delaying the supply.

A COVID Variant of concern, named the F-Variant, is identified in Denmark and quickly becomes the dominant strain in Europe, limiting the vaccine's success.

German leader **Angela Merkel** steps down as Chancellor following a COVID-secure election in September; she is replaced by [placeholder].

### 2022

The **Baltic States** become full members of the **Nordic Council**.

President Trump delays the midterm elections due to continued unrest. Several states refuse and carry them out anyway. There is a near four-way divide between the Republicans, Patriots, National Democrats and Social Democrats in both Houses, with the National Democrats gaining a narrow plurality in the Representatives and the Patriots in the Senate.

China and Russia enact an informal alliance, anachronistically referred to as the *Eurasian Treaty.* More supplies and contact occurs between the two nations, though this is short-lived.

Western Europe sees gas supplies at an all time low, and power outages become common in Germany, France and Austria.

French President Emmanuel Macron delays the Presidential election to the following year, beliieving it is 'not in the people's interest' to hold one. Protests follow.

### 2023

A group of militants march on the American Capitol. Trump flees and names Vice President Pence as President, going to the United Kingdom and living in exile. Pence remains in the White House as the Capitol is besieged, believing his staying there would instill hope. Shortly after, however, the revolutionaries march into the White House and drag Pence out of it. Pence is lynched soon afterwards by the mob. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Democrat **Jerry McNerney,** becomes President as the next in line. He immediately declares another State of Emergency and orders more troops into the city.

Spain's Socialist government carries out a referendum on the continuation of the monarchy; 61% vote for it to be abolished. King Felipe immediately steps down, leaving his 18 year-old daughter, Leonor, as Queen for several months before Spain formally becomes a republic on 12 October. Some protests occur, though Spain's government soon clamps down on resistance.

French President Emmanuel Macron is defeated in the delayed election, with a surprise victory for independent candidate Anais LeJaune, who has socialiast leanings.

British Prime Minister Michael Gove and US President McNerney hold a joint summit in Washington DC, where they announce 'COVID must be seen ignored for good.' With waves still occuring throughout the word, they receive criticism but they stand by it. Gove repeals the Coronavirus Act of 2020, though it is believed it is a publicity stunt: both nations' governments still have additional powers due to other emergencies. Furthermore, they declare the North Atlantic Treaty to be void, but promise a new era of cooperation in the Anglophone world.

### 2024

**Prime Minister Gove** is assassinated by a Marxist revolutionary, putting the kingdom in further crisis just before the scheduled General Election.

**Priti Patel** becomes Acting Prime Minister and delays the election indefinitely, declaring a State of Emergency.

McNerney very narrowly wins reelection due to his promises of stability and security in America.

### 2025

President of the Russian Federation **Vladimir Putin** enacts sweeping reforms over Russia when he feels his hold is weakening, making himself **Grand Holy Tsar of the Slavic People,** formalising the Putin Dynasty as the Royal House of Russia.

McNerney signs some very unpopular Executive Orders, including dramatic tax increases and military reorganisation.

The World Health Organisation officially declared the Coronavirus Pandemic 'is over,' but the disease remains endemic. A much weaker strain is prevalent, with many scientists believing it will continue to evolve into obscurity, but expect some 'isolated incidents' of reemergence.

### 2026

Due to protest across Russia, the Far East and Siberia break away and establish the **Siberian Republic.** Fearing further opposition, the Tsar accepts the nation and even establishes a demilitarised zone at the border. He formally states his daughter Mariya as his heir. Russia's anthem is changed to *God Save the Tsar.*

France sees its biggest strike yet, with even the police and other emergency services joining. For several weeks, France undergoes a state of anarchy. President LeJaune resigns and flees into neighbouring Switzerland.

The Eastern European nations of Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia annoucne they are leaving the EU with immediate effect. Current European President, Jean Castreaux, attempts to gain further powers in response but is prohibited by the European Parliament.

### 2027

**Jacob Rees-Mogg** becomes Prime Minister following Patel's resignation, he opts to relax some of the restrictions on the individual and the economy.

**Quebec** becomes independent from Canada, following a referendum.

Seeing the potential collapse of Canada, President McNerney passes sweeping constitutional reforms to America that would quickly allow the admission of new states**.**

### 2028

**Queen Elizabeth II** dies aged 102 and her son, Charles, inherits the British throne.

**The European Union Collapses,** leading to more chaos on the continent.

With the collapse of the EU, the **Nordic Council** keeps relations between its members open, encouraging co-operation between them.

**Canada's Atlantic Provinces** become involuntarily independent, with a split country proving untenable. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia agree to join America the following year. **Newfoundland and Labrador** remains independent.

Viktor Zhukov becomes Leader of the Communist party of Russia (Many believed he was the ‘next Lenin’).

A coup occurs in the People's Republic of China leading to the country becoming a Republic, inspired by the neighbouring Siberian Republic. The **Republic of China** takes a more cooperative stance with the **USA**. This convinces many communists in China that a **'new revolution'** is needed, inspired by the ideas of Viktor Zhukov.

Patriot **Ted Cruz** wins the US Presidential election in a close race with the Social Democrat **Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez** narrowly coming second. McNerney suffers one of the worst defeats of a sitting President, with less than 15 million votes.

### 2029

Ted Cruz is inaugurated as President in a private ceremony out of fear for his safety. Trump, who is still in the United Kingdom, becomes an informal advisor to him.

New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are formally admitted, becoming the 51st and 52nd states respectively.

Tsar Putin declares war on the Siberian Republic, feeling the economy has recovered enough for a successful invasion of the breakaway state.

The Japanese Civil war begins in January between the Democratic government and the Communist revolutionaries; peace was achieved by July (Though the war will resume). Japanese communists form the ‘Eastern pact’ with the Siberian republic though this never achieves anything

## Meta Note

2020 is the point of divergence for Map Lore, with anything after this point not relating to real world events.