Combined Syndicates of America

The Syndicalist America

The **Combined Syndicates of America** (**CSA** or **C.S.A.** [Don't mistake it for the Confederate States]) is a coalition of American labor unions, socialists and syndicalists alike from the Hearts of Iron 4 mod, Kaiserreich. It is formed from three different parties such as the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), the American Federation of Labor (AFL), and the Socialist Party of America (SPA).

## History

### Original History

When the Centralist Powers won in an alternate World War 1, much of the United States fell apart as syndicalists and various ideological parties try to take control. The Great Depression hit hard as worker unions weren't paid well that many ended up striking. The IWW, the AFL and the SPA tried to win elections for president with the AFL being the oldest starting from 1886, which sadly never went nowhere. Around 1920, many heard about the downfall of communist Russian revolution and the success of the French syndicalist revolution that some of their more radical members such as Alfred Wagenknecht, Benjamin Gitlow, C.E. Ruthenberg, William Bross Lloyd, and John Reed had an intense debate over whether or not to support the new Communard government lasted for nearly an hour, with Gitlow arguing in favor and Ruthenburg arguing in opposition. Ultimately, a compelling speech by Reed and rare intra-party dispute appearance from Debs led the party to vote not only to support the syndicalist revolution in France, but also to rescind the 1911 expulsions and amendments condemning direct action.

On 12 July 1925 a special Pan-Union Congress was called in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania featuring delegates from both the IWW and the AFL. At the Congress, Reed and several other leaders of the IWW presented a plan for the creation of a large umbrella organization designed to coordinate union activity and policy for the purpose of bringing about a syndicalist revolution in the United States, tentatively named the Combined Syndicates of America. Although the plan was met with general approval by the assembled delegates, several representatives from some of the constituent unions of the AFL objected to the stated goal of revolution. Reed formulated a compromise whereby the anti-revolution unions would be organized into a uniquely autonomous branch of the CSA headed by Norman Thomas, a Presbyterian minister and anti-war activist.

### Psyche Multiverse

When the Kaiserreich mod launched, many played it and things got a bit...messy, for lack of a better word. There are times when the Combined Syndicalists win, they lose, make alliances, took different paths, whatever the players do on their game play that make the canon history of Kaiserreich a bit more confusing. So, every nation of Kaiserreich that broke themselves off from the other complicated affairs and became primary versions of these nations.

### The UN&C Booting and New Galaxy

Around the final months of 2020, the United Nations & Creations was formed. An alliance of multiple nations and the creations of humanity working together side by side. But only the official works. Anything that is considered modded, fan-made, or anything along there, are to be removed...by force. Because of this, the UN&C forced many non-official nations, including the Combined Syndicates, from planets that other nations "officially" claim. This also included the United Nation States of America that kicked out many unofficial Americans. Even though there was a novel published in 2019 called, The People's Flag: The Union of Britain and the Kaiserreich, but the UN&C claimed that it is based-on a fan game and not a real work.

The Combined Syndicates of America arrived on the planet named, Usonia, in the Cascadia Galaxy. While establishing their new home in states that use the same names, they came across some old enemies. This include the American Union State, the Pacific States of America, and the Federalist States of America. They also came across a few new ones that are made of either micronations or other modded or villainous versions of the United States. In a desperate attempt to ensure their survival, they became affiliated of the United Confederacy of Exiles.

### Joining the Exiles

In a desperate attempt to maintain their legitimacy and power in the states they are in, Jack Reed made an agreement with the United Confederacy of Exiles. A confederacy that is open to many diverse governments and nations that support progressive ideas as everyone is treated as equals. They would've gone with the Great Workers' Unity, but they are more focus on war that progression against the Grand Axis Alliance in the Ideological War. Plus, going to war is against their ideology as Norman Thomas advocate anti-war despite being surrounded by many enemies of Usonia. Instead, they require help from other nations in the defense against their enemies and their backers.

Some of their former enemies even join in with the United Confederacy of Exiles and make peace with them despite difference in ideologies. Other than that, they managed to achieve some form of peace. To a certain extent.

## Government

The government of the Combined Syndicates is made up of labor unions working together because that's how syndicalism works. There is the local labor unions that make up the legislative branch, the regional labor unions that make up the lower part of the executive branch as national labor unions are the upper part of the executive branch. The entire government is headed by the General Secretary. However, it is democratic as it practice social democracy that is made for securing the needs of its citizens its mission, and its generous welfare state affords its citizens financial security and more free time. It is better that being totalitarian like before due to some disputes between the labor unions and the citizens.

There are three political parties that keep things organized among the labor unions such as the American Federation of Labor, Industrial Workers of the World, and the Socialist Party of America.

### American Federation of Labor

The **American Federation of Labor** is one of the oldest parties in the Combined Syndicates of America. This particular party wants to support the idea of craft unionism. Craft unionism is a model of trade unionism in which workers are organized based on the particular trade or craft which they work (i.e. skilled vs. unskilled laborers). It also ensure the minimum wages are good and agreeable for all workers along with protections from scab workers, workers who refuse to join a labor union. They also wish to conserve matters pertaining to wages and working conditions, relegating political goals to its allies in the political sphere. They also oppose unrestricted immigration out of fear that an influx of new workers would flood the labor market and lower wages.

Yet much of the party suffered a steady declined in members and slowly losing power. As of now, they continue trying to support "pure and simple trade unionism", "a fair day's pay for a fair day's work" slogans, rejection of capitalism, and business-friendly *modus operandi* (a particular way or method of doing something, especially one that is characteristic or well-established). Their primary seat of power rest in Ohio.

### Industrial Workers of the World

The **Industrial Workers of the World** are a revolutionary industrial labor union that are more accepting of capitalism than the AFL and its refusal to admit unskilled workers into craft unions. Aiming to promote worker solidarity in the struggle to overthrow the employer class, its motto is “an injury to one is an injury to all” and its members are known as “Wobblies”. They promote industrial unionism, a model of trade unionism in which all workers in one industry are organized into the same union regardless of skill or craft. They also promote direct action in the form of sabotage, strikes, propaganda, and boycotts to accomplish its goals as opposed to political action in the form of electoral politics. It emphasizes rank-and-file organization as opposed to empowering leaders to bargain with employers on behalf of workers. One of the IWW's most important contributions to the labor movement and broader push towards social justice was that, when founded, it was the only American union to welcome all workers, including women, immigrants, and people of all races, into the same organization. It even expanded towards aliens and mythical beings as well once they joined the United Confederacy of Exiles.

Unlike the AFL or SPA, it prefers to accomplish things in the form of short term goals rather lengthy ones that would take a long time. Their main seat of power lies in Illinois at the capital of the CSA, Chicago.

### Socialist Party of America

The **Socialist Party of America** is a socialist political party that focuses on radical socialism and social democracy. It also focuses on agrarian utopian-leaning radicalism, trade unionism, unrestricted immigration, and intellectualism. It is in favor of "equal rights for all human beings without distinction of color, race or sex", specifically highlighting African Americans as particularly oppressed and exploited and calling for them to be organized by the socialist and labor movements. It even highlights oppressed and exploited aliens and creatures such as Mudokons, Ood, and many others that were slaves that needed help after being accepted into the United Confederacy of Exiles. Yet it is divided between moderates and radicals within this party.

It is right now the current party in office lead by Jack Reed. Its base of operation is in Indiana.

## Economy

The economy of the Combined Syndicates is mostly focus around mass production of goods. Consumer goods to be specific. Not to mention that thanks to some trading in technology, they also make advance technology in their factories as well as creating heavy machines for farming, industry, transportation, and various others. All factories are used for civilian uses and are in the control of collective labor unions along with farms and mines. The Combined Syndicates only have a small number of factories that make military weapons for the Red Guard for defense.

Even though much of the economy is focus on mass manufacturing, they also make good use of the farmlands they have with crops such as blueberries, strawberries, sweet corn, chestnuts, sunflowers and many more. They also include other crops from alien and magical worlds such as Phraig, Lantern Fruit, Jazbay Grapes and more. As for livestock; they have poultry, cattle, and pork along with a few other creatures such as Banthas. They also make various dairy products from both cattle and Banthas, including Blue Milk Cheese and Bantha Yogurt. They also trade in America's Dream cereal, which is a cereal made from Phraig flour in the shape of corn flakes, have Jazbay Grape raisins, and dried berries such as blueberries covered in Bantha Yogurt. A lot of children love it and is surprisingly healthy. Although the largest import is beer, whiskey, mead and a variety of other alcoholic drinks since the prohibition is no longer in effect.

As for mining, practically any form of earthly resources they can find. This includes: coal, shale, copper, iron, uranium, and a few others that are collectively mined by labor unions. They use special drills made of an alloy of mithril and steel in order to mine their way through bedrock for deeper resources.

## Culture & Society

The Combined Syndicates of America is a very progressive, accepting and hard working society. All mines, farms, factories and docks of all shape and sizes are owned by a collection of labor unions where all work together for thirty hours a week so they can spend time with their families or friends after five hours a day. Four days to be exact. Family is very important in the Combined Syndicates of America as couples get to enjoy the other three days off or spending time with their children.

As a progressive society, they are very accepting of every race there is, including aliens and mythical beings. Everyone is a valued worker and friend as they all work together to create the "workers' paradise". All are equal in this nation as they stand together. Although many are split between craft unionism and industrial unionism because of the IWW want to support industrial unionism while the AFL want to promote craft unionism. Despite that, they do go to the Confederate States of America to liberate the African slaves in order to weaken them.

They also have a social welfare program called **International Red Aid** to provide for struggling workers and their families. Not to mention free universal healthcare and education.

The architecture is futuristic with American art deco. Unlike the other forms of the United States in Kaiserreich, you can drink alcohol in a public place because everyone need something for the weekends.

## Military

The main military force of the Combined Syndicates of America is the Red Guard, which is a decentralized militia that mostly defend their homeland from invaders as well as the police force. They do not invade due to many being anti-war. Although, they do have artillery cannons and a few tanks to protect themselves made from futuristic and alien technology.