German Free State

German Reich

Deutsches Reich

- Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck

- Erich Ludendorff

The **German Free State**, in German **Der Deutsche Freistaat**, commonly known as **East Prussia** or to some nations **Germany**, is a country in Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic region. It is unrecognised by the major powers, such as the United Kingdom, France and the United States, as well as socialist countries such as the German Socialist Republic and the Soviet Union, but is recognised by the likes of Southern and Eastern European states, such as Poland, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria to name some. While nowhere near the current military might of the DSR, the Freistaat has claims on its previous German lands and intends on restoring them in the near future, hopefully with Allied help. Much like Poland, the Freistaat feels threatened being trapped between the two colossal socialist powers in times where Roterkrieg is looking likely.

The Freistaat does not have a formal operational government; instead, power is bestowed to 'die Drei Generäle', or the Three Generals, specifically Paul von Hindenburg, Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and Erich Ludendorff. They have constantly bickered over how the Freistaat should be governed, but the upcoming 1932 Entscheidung will decide how the Freistaat operates.

## History

### The Revolution Takes Over

The Spartacist Revolution in 1920 left much of the German military and government in disarray; without much support in the mainland, the government split ways. Those who remained were eventually exiled to Austria, and those who fled early, seeing the potential danger, fled to East Prussia under Polish protection. The Freistaat was established, though the government held little control over its people.

With German Spartacism growing in East Prussia as well, the German military took action; with the help of the Poles, the German military secured absolute power over the weakened government, and declared that the Freistaat would be under martial law. The country was recognised by many Southern and Eastern European states as the one true legitimate Germany, cutting off relations with Berlin and establishing relations with Königsberg instead.

With the military in control, power fell onto a triumvirate of generals, specifically Paul von Hindenburg, Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and Erich Ludendorff. Using what was left of the German military industry in East Prussia, they began reindustrialising the area, fixing broken infrastructure from the Great War against the Russian Empire, and establishing formal control of the region and waving the Imperial Flag as their own.

### Disagreements

Unlike the security and stability of the DSR, the Freistaat struggled in its ability to agree with one another, despite their fairly similar aims. Paul von Hindenburg wanted to establish the Freistaat as a Germany that the United Kingdom and others could recognise as legitimate, by instating a formal democratic government. Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, a staunch monarchist, believed the only way forward would be to re-establish the monarchy, Kaiser Wilhelm II or his son, Kaiser Wilhelm III, to act as a symbol of freedom against socialism. Erich Ludendorff argued that a true German military state with appeals to the people, similar to the model in Italy, would be the best way forward for the new German state.

Hindenburg's democracy plan was shunned over the possibility of it welcoming Spartacist ideals into an elective government. Lettow-Vorbeck's monarchist plan was shunned over the possibility of riots for reinstating the most hated man in Germany, unless Wilhelm III was chosen instead. Ludendorff's pseudo-Fascist plan was shunned over the possibility of losing Allied support and turning the Freistaat into a broken and occult nation. Simply put, the military triumvirate has been unable, thus far, to make a decision on the country's future.

### Entscheidung

An agreement over the plans was established in 1931, in what the Three Generals called the 'Entscheidung', or Decision, for the German people, to be held in 1932. The generals agreed to uphold the decision, whatever it may be.

## Way Forward

The player can go down four different paths, as a result of the Entscheidung.

### Hindenburg

If the player goes with Hindenburg, the Freistaat will begin a path of democratisation. A new Reichstag building will be assembled in Königsberg, and elections can be held. In theory, the Hindenburg path can lead to the other routes if a monarchist or Fascist party is elected.

### Lettow-Vorbeck

If the player goes with Lettow-Vorbeck, they can choose to restore the monarchy to the Freistaat. If Wilhelm II is chosen, he will be a strong monarch for the military, but a weak monarch for the people and stability will be lower. If Wilhelm III is chosen, he will be an indecisive monarch, but can grow to be a strong monarch over time as he spreads his power and influence.

### Ludendorff

If the player goes with Ludendorff, the Freistaat will begin to mold itself into the Italian model of Fascism, with Ludendorff at its centre. However, should the player choose to, they can have Adolf Hitler coup Ludendorff's government and establish a Nazi ideology, should they so wish.

### Government Collapse

If there is a stalemate, and the Entscheidung is a gridlock or is refused, then the military government can collapse and the workers can move to establish a Spartacist or Stalinist government instead. Choosing Spartacist can incorporate a leader mentioned in the Volksführer election in the DSR, and if an agreement is made, can annex East Prussia into the country. Choosing Stalinist will incorporate Wilhelm Pieck as leader.

Either way, no matter Spartacist or Stalinist, the country will lose its protection of Poland.

### Other Potential Leaders

* Hermann Göring
* Kurt von Schleicher
* Franz von Papen