I never expected these two to be sponsoring the same side of the oil crisis but here we fucking are lol, happened in my latest run as Komi Soviet
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In Defense of Free France('s Strategic Value)
I decided to make this in response to [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/TNOmod/comments/1b9gmsp/the_end_of_free_france/), which was very well written. I found, however, that it was not particularly effective in analyzing the strategic value of West Africa and its use. I believe that Free France is quite the useful foothold for the United States, especially in a world where it has a limited global presence. I will be arguing that America should support Free France from a purely strategic and economic perspective while doing my best to acknowledge Free France's colonialism. **There is no moral argument for supporting de Gaulle and his regime.**
**It is important to remember that Free France is a colonial entity that uses Reclamation as a ruse to perpetuate its colonial domination of millions of people over an entire region. Under no circumstances is Free France a morally good entity. Colonialism is bad.**
I will not be discussing colonialism in this post because I believe that it is not relevant to the strategic aims of the United States. In terms of public appeal in the US, supporting Free France is made infinitely more difficult because of colonialism, however that is not the topic of this post. Whether or not supporting Free France is appealing to the American public is not something I will be looking at. **Colonialism is still bad.**
[I wonder what he's up to?](https://preview.redd.it/h3vv6xkzw3vc1.png?width=520&format=png&auto=webp&s=2783aca690d62e1f9de089beac79f10aea644ae0)
First, it's important to analyze what Free France is at the start of the game, and what happens to them during and after the West African War.
**1. Starting Situation**
Free France starts off controlling the Gold Coast, and it is a colonial regime run by the military "[occupying](https://www.reddit.com/r/TNOmod/comments/1b9ueqd/france_leak/)" the republic. This colonial regime is highly personalistic and relies on interpersonal connections between generals and tribal leaders to maintain its influence. The government also earns a significant amount of wealth through the export of precious metals. France has many opportunities to expand its influence between the end of the Luftwaffe Terror Bombing and the start of the West African War. In addition, France has a minor naval presence as they are able to fight pirates on behalf of Brazil. This situation is not particularly attractive for potential backers, and the US does not get seriously involved with West Africa outside of Liberia.
**2. West African War**
The West African War is a significant turning point in the region. The PALF, backed by Japan, launches an invasion of West Africa with the stated goal of liberating the region from its various warlords. Free France, however, serves as a natural enemy to the PALF. With the aid of the United States, France's military can improve significantly, and they can defeat the PALF. Noticeably, the French leave Cameroon to cannibalization while they exert their influence over the rest of the region. Should France be defeated, they will retreat to Quebec (this was changed because of ODF).
It is important to understand the role that greater geopolitics plays in the West African War. The United States does not have easy access through major bodies of water like in OTL. Without the Pacific Islands, the US has a far harder time exerting its power in East Asia and the Indian Ocean. The Japanese have a massive naval presence all throughout the Pacific, and it has boats (mostly fishermen) even reaching as far as Japanese Antarctica. Supporting the Malayan Emergency is extremely challenging in terms of logistics for Uncle Sam, as is the Balintawak Blitz and, to a lesser extent, the Indonesian Civil War. Simply put, the Pacific route, from California to Australia, is too risky for the strategic aims of the US.
[America's strategic priority in regard to the Cape of Good Hope route is East Asia, where it has major allies and
I decided to make this in response to [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/TNOmod/comments/1b9gmsp/the_end_of_free_france/), which was very well written. I found, however, that it was not particularly effective in analyzing the strategic value of West Africa and its use. I believe that Free France is quite the useful foothold for the United States, especially in a world where it has a limited global presence. I will be arguing that America should support Free France from a purely strategic and economic perspective while doing my best to acknowledge Free France's colonialism. **There is no moral argument for supporting de Gaulle and his regime.**
**It is important to remember that Free France is a colonial entity that uses Reclamation as a ruse to perpetuate its colonial domination of millions of people over an entire region. Under no circumstances is Free France a morally good entity. Colonialism is bad.**
I will not be discussing colonialism in this post because I believe that it is not relevant to the strategic aims of the United States. In terms of public appeal in the US, supporting Free France is made infinitely more difficult because of colonialism, however that is not the topic of this post. Whether or not supporting Free France is appealing to the American public is not something I will be looking at. **Colonialism is still bad.**
[I wonder what he's up to?](https://preview.redd.it/h3vv6xkzw3vc1.png?width=520&format=png&auto=webp&s=2783aca690d62e1f9de089beac79f10aea644ae0)
First, it's important to analyze what Free France is at the start of the game, and what happens to them during and after the West African War.
**1. Starting Situation**
Free France starts off controlling the Gold Coast, and it is a colonial regime run by the military "[occupying](https://www.reddit.com/r/TNOmod/comments/1b9ueqd/france_leak/)" the republic. This colonial regime is highly personalistic and relies on interpersonal connections between generals and tribal leaders to maintain its influence. The government also earns a significant amount of wealth through the export of precious metals. France has many opportunities to expand its influence between the end of the Luftwaffe Terror Bombing and the start of the West African War. In addition, France has a minor naval presence as they are able to fight pirates on behalf of Brazil. This situation is not particularly attractive for potential backers, and the US does not get seriously involved with West Africa outside of Liberia.
**2. West African War**
The West African War is a significant turning point in the region. The PALF, backed by Japan, launches an invasion of West Africa with the stated goal of liberating the region from its various warlords. Free France, however, serves as a natural enemy to the PALF. With the aid of the United States, France's military can improve significantly, and they can defeat the PALF. Noticeably, the French leave Cameroon to cannibalization while they exert their influence over the rest of the region. Should France be defeated, they will retreat to Quebec (this was changed because of ODF).
It is important to understand the role that greater geopolitics plays in the West African War. The United States does not have easy access through major bodies of water like in OTL. Without the Pacific Islands, the US has a far harder time exerting its power in East Asia and the Indian Ocean. The Japanese have a massive naval presence all throughout the Pacific, and it has boats (mostly fishermen) even reaching as far as Japanese Antarctica. Supporting the Malayan Emergency is extremely challenging in terms of logistics for Uncle Sam, as is the Balintawak Blitz and, to a lesser extent, the Indonesian Civil War. Simply put, the Pacific route, from California to Australia, is too risky for the strategic aims of the US.
[America's strategic priority in regard to the Cape of Good Hope route is East Asia, where it has major allies and
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enemies.](https://preview.redd.it/iytvvvpup3vc1.png?width=3840&format=png&auto=webp&s=1482e5ba8a80ec3be7add437cb9b1a14377666c0)
Without the Pacific route to the Indian Ocean, the best route for the United States is the Cape of Good Hope. Brazil, Liberia, South Africa, India, and Australia are all US allies that can be reached along the Cape of Good Hope route.
**Why is access to the Indian Ocean so important?** America has both major and minor strategic interests and partners in the region, including Australia, New Zealand, Malaya, Free Indonesia, Madagascar, India, and Antarctica. It is, in my opinion, the most important region outside of the Americas for the United States (keep in mind Free Britain is not a given).
Free France is not important strategically up until the conclusion of the South African War. A loss in both the WAW and the SAW would severely weaken American efforts to influence East Asia. While the SAW plays a far greater role strategically in terms of naval access, Free France is likewise important. Should America lose the SAW, they cannot get enough naval range from Brazil alone to access the Indian Ocean. Liberia, although a good option for naval access, is not secure enough following a loss in the WAW. Simply put, Free France's survival is a must for the US if they were to lose the SAW, as win in the WAW would give America enough influence in the Gulf of Guinea to make its naval route through the Cape of Good Hope at least somewhat feasible.
**What if America won the SAW?**
This would make Free France become comparatively unimportant in terms of American strategy. It is important then, to understand the other aspects by which Free France makes itself useful to America.
Free France, after winning the West African War, relies upon American aid to rebuild West Africa. This is a great opportunity for American businesses to infect the region, and it serves to integrate FF's colonial apparatus within the OFN (and most importantly America). This integration, while costly, is effective as it establishes long-term control over the region. This long-term control, while not immediately important, could perhaps play a role in the future (TNO2/TNO3) More importantly (for the US), reconstruction allows American businesses access to cheap materials with next to no labor cost. The economic argument is by far the weakest for Free France, as the influence, while useful, isn't particularly important for America.
The scenario where America would need to support FF the most is one in which they have totally lost the SAW, because a loss in both would effectively destroy their naval routes to East Asia.
**But what about a victory in the SAW?**
A total and minor victory, as well as a stalemate and minor loss, results in the possibility of proxy wars in the Congo, Angola, and Mozambique. The PALF, while not providing any direct influence, can expand into Africa should the Reichstaat/OFN mandates collapse. This expansion would force out American influence, reminding America of its tenuous influence in Africa. This particular argument is weak; however I would not be surprised if Cameroon is given opportunities to expand beyond West Africa when it gets playable content (Soon + 2 weeks). In that scenario, the WAW serves as a way to prevent the PALF from expanding into potential American allies elsewhere in Africa. While there is an argument to be made against American intervention in the Congo and Angola should those proxy wars erupt, for the sake of this argument let us assume that it is in America's best interest to do so. This argument is inherently weak, however it is important to note that America does not want to just give up its hard-fought influence for nothing.
**Conclusion**
Overall, Free France has the potential to serve as a major strategic location for the United States. A Free French victory is important for America no matter the outcome of the SAW, as, at minimum, it protects American influence elsewhere in the continent while reinforcing its most vital naval route. At its most important, Free France
Without the Pacific route to the Indian Ocean, the best route for the United States is the Cape of Good Hope. Brazil, Liberia, South Africa, India, and Australia are all US allies that can be reached along the Cape of Good Hope route.
**Why is access to the Indian Ocean so important?** America has both major and minor strategic interests and partners in the region, including Australia, New Zealand, Malaya, Free Indonesia, Madagascar, India, and Antarctica. It is, in my opinion, the most important region outside of the Americas for the United States (keep in mind Free Britain is not a given).
Free France is not important strategically up until the conclusion of the South African War. A loss in both the WAW and the SAW would severely weaken American efforts to influence East Asia. While the SAW plays a far greater role strategically in terms of naval access, Free France is likewise important. Should America lose the SAW, they cannot get enough naval range from Brazil alone to access the Indian Ocean. Liberia, although a good option for naval access, is not secure enough following a loss in the WAW. Simply put, Free France's survival is a must for the US if they were to lose the SAW, as win in the WAW would give America enough influence in the Gulf of Guinea to make its naval route through the Cape of Good Hope at least somewhat feasible.
**What if America won the SAW?**
This would make Free France become comparatively unimportant in terms of American strategy. It is important then, to understand the other aspects by which Free France makes itself useful to America.
Free France, after winning the West African War, relies upon American aid to rebuild West Africa. This is a great opportunity for American businesses to infect the region, and it serves to integrate FF's colonial apparatus within the OFN (and most importantly America). This integration, while costly, is effective as it establishes long-term control over the region. This long-term control, while not immediately important, could perhaps play a role in the future (TNO2/TNO3) More importantly (for the US), reconstruction allows American businesses access to cheap materials with next to no labor cost. The economic argument is by far the weakest for Free France, as the influence, while useful, isn't particularly important for America.
The scenario where America would need to support FF the most is one in which they have totally lost the SAW, because a loss in both would effectively destroy their naval routes to East Asia.
**But what about a victory in the SAW?**
A total and minor victory, as well as a stalemate and minor loss, results in the possibility of proxy wars in the Congo, Angola, and Mozambique. The PALF, while not providing any direct influence, can expand into Africa should the Reichstaat/OFN mandates collapse. This expansion would force out American influence, reminding America of its tenuous influence in Africa. This particular argument is weak; however I would not be surprised if Cameroon is given opportunities to expand beyond West Africa when it gets playable content (Soon + 2 weeks). In that scenario, the WAW serves as a way to prevent the PALF from expanding into potential American allies elsewhere in Africa. While there is an argument to be made against American intervention in the Congo and Angola should those proxy wars erupt, for the sake of this argument let us assume that it is in America's best interest to do so. This argument is inherently weak, however it is important to note that America does not want to just give up its hard-fought influence for nothing.
**Conclusion**
Overall, Free France has the potential to serve as a major strategic location for the United States. A Free French victory is important for America no matter the outcome of the SAW, as, at minimum, it protects American influence elsewhere in the continent while reinforcing its most vital naval route. At its most important, Free France
protects the vital naval route along the Cape of Good Hope to America's most important strategic partners in the Indian Ocean. American economic influence is just an added (albeit minor) benefit to supporting the de Gaulle.
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