Chapter Summaries

Joseph secured German agreement to the Bolshevik Party’s trade request, including payment in grain, timber, and mineral resources. Oscar then proposed helping Russia build industry and transportation so Germany could exploit the new routes in a future war, leaving Bülow to pursue the plan with the Russians.

• Joseph and his party left Berlin for Moscow after Germany accepted the Bolshevik Party’s trade request, requiring half the payment in grain and the rest in timber and mineral resources.
• Prime Minister Bülow questioned why Russia had accepted terms that could starve its people, and Oscar said the Bolshevik leaders did not care about ordinary Russians’ lives.
• Oscar explained that Germany would trade with Russia rather than let the United States profit, while using the deal to secretly impose greater costs on the Russians.
• Oscar told Bülow to ask Russia to cooperate in expanding its industry, economy, railways, and highways so German forces could use those routes in a future war.
• Bülow agreed to have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pursue the plan, and Oscar later reflected on Russia’s vast territory and poor logistics as he hoped the Russians would develop transportation.

Oscar rejected Finland and Ukraine’s proposal that his descendants could succeed him as king, insisting that only the German Emperor could rule both countries. Meanwhile, Ukrainian farmers celebrated a harvest and welcomed their improved lives under low taxes, leaving the people supportive of the German Emperor becoming their king.

• Prime Minister Bülow told Oscar that Finland and Ukraine had agreed to make him their king but wanted his descendants to be eligible successors.
• Oscar ordered Bülow to reject the succession condition and to send officials to guide both new governments toward policies that benefited their people.
• Ukrainian farmers in Irpin celebrated a plentiful harvest and the low taxes imposed by their own government.
• Old Karl and a neighbor praised the end of Russian rule and said they would support whoever kept Ukrainians from going hungry.
• Ukrainians across the country welcomed the German Emperor as their prospective king because their improved lives gave them hope.

President Woodrow Wilson and his Cabinet discussed the economic crisis caused by America’s unsold wartime goods and rising unemployment. They left the meeting committed to expanding the military, especially the navy, and using infrastructure work to keep unemployed people occupied as they prepared for possible conflict with Germany.

• Secretary of Commerce Redfield warned Wilson that factory closures and unemployment were worsening the economy.
• Garrison, McAdoo, and Bryan discussed how America’s hopes of profiting from a prolonged European war had been ruined by Germany’s rapid victories.
• Bryan reported that Germany had protested America’s sale of twelve battleships to Britain, and Garrison warned that Germany could threaten the United States after recovering its strength.
• Daniels urged the government to accelerate naval development, citing the strong performance of the Nevada-class battleships.
• Wilson ordered the Cabinet to protect military funding and create infrastructure jobs for unemployed workers.

President Wilson reviewed the United States’ naval and army armament plans as officials warned that Germany’s powerful Battleships, aircraft carriers, and tanks threatened American security. He approved greater investment in naval guns, aircraft carriers, and independently developed tanks, leaving the military poised to prepare for a future German invasion.

• Minister Daniels told President Wilson that ten American Battleships would soon be in service and described plans for North Carolina-class and South Dakota-class Battleships with 406mm guns.
• Daniels warned that German aircraft carriers had sunk Battleships and said the United States lacked useful intelligence, prompting Wilson to order more research funding for American carriers.
• President Wilson ordered the army to develop its strength after German tanks had broken through Allied defenses.
• Secretary of War Garrison said the Americans had obtained British tank blueprints but planned to develop better tanks independently.

Churchill and his Cabinet prepared London and expanded Britain’s army to resist an expected German invasion, while weighing a retreat to Canada if the defense failed. Churchill sent Sir Edward Grey to seek American approval for the escape route.

• London’s citizens were mobilized to build defensive works as Britain prepared the capital for a German attack.
• Richard Haldane reported that the Army had grown to three million and could soon reach five million, though weapons were available for only two million men.
• Richard Haldane estimated that four German corps, totaling about one million troops, would attack Britain, while four other German corps were tied down in Eastern Europe.
• Sir Edward Grey urged Churchill to prepare a retreat to Canada if Britain could not stop the Germans.
• Churchill ordered Sir Edward Grey to go secretly to Canada and negotiate with the Americans, offering them benefits in exchange for temporary refuge.

Churchill sent Sir Edward Grey to arrange a fallback in Canada and seek American help in case Britain fell to Germany. Grey secured Canadian agreement to host the British government temporarily and then met Secretary of State Bryan in Washington, where the United States offered to mediate a possible British surrender.

• Churchill told Sir Edward Grey that Canada was Britain’s best retreat if the mainland could not be defended, and Grey agreed to make arrangements with the Americans.
• Sir Edward Grey traveled secretly to Canada and met Governor General Albert and Prime Minister Robert Laird Borden, who opposed the relocation but agreed on condition that Britain leave after the war and try to keep fighting away from Canada.
• Sir Edward Grey traveled to Washington and told Bryan that Britain might be unable to withstand Germany’s coming attack.
• Bryan offered American mediation if Britain chose to end the war and warned that Germany would demand an enormous price.

Sir Edward Gray told Secretary of State Bryan that Britain would continue fighting Germany from Canada if its mainland fell, and proposed an alliance with the United States. President Wilson agreed to cooperate with Britain and acquire its technology to strengthen the United States against Germany.

• Sir Edward Gray told Bryan that Britain would move its government to Canada and keep resisting if Germany conquered the British mainland.
• Bryan warned that German advances into Canada could bring war to the Americas, while Gray argued that Germany would target the United States regardless.
• Gray offered British technology and cooperation to strengthen the United States against Germany, and Bryan agreed to report the proposal to President Wilson.
• President Wilson agreed to cooperate with Britain and use the opportunity to obtain British technology before Germany attacked.

President Woodrow Wilson and his cabinet planned demands for Britain in exchange for American support, including military technology and colonial territory. They agreed to seek the Middle East colonies for their suspected oil reserves, leaving the demands ready for negotiations with Britain.

• Secretary of the Navy Daniels asked for British aircraft carrier, aircraft, and Aero Engines documentation, and Wilson added the request to the negotiations.
• Secretary of War Garrison requested British tank blueprints and engine documentation, which Wilson also approved.
• McAdoo proposed demanding British colonies as compensation, and Wilson argued Britain might concede territories to secure help against Germany.
• Bryan identified India, Canada, South Africa, and Australia as Britain's most important colonies, while McAdoo suggested seeking other possessions, including Malaya, Burma, and African colonies.
• Redfield urged Wilson to demand the Middle East colonies because of their potential oil reserves, and Wilson agreed.

US Secretary of State Bryan and British Foreign Minister Sir Edward Grey negotiated a secret alliance against Germany. Britain agreed to share military technology and transfer its Middle Eastern colonies to the United States in exchange for American support if Britain lost its mainland.

• Bryan told Sir Edward Grey that the United States would not oppose the British government relocating to Canada if the British mainland fell.
• Bryan said the President was reluctant to ally with a weakened Britain, but the US military wanted British aircraft carrier, aircraft, engine, and tank technologies.
• Sir Edward Grey agreed to share Britain's cutting-edge military technologies if the United States allied with Britain.
• Bryan demanded that Britain transfer its Middle Eastern colonies to the United States after Germany's defeat, and Sir Edward Grey accepted.
• Bryan and Sir Edward Grey shook hands, officially forming an alliance between the United States and Britain.

Britain and the United States secretly allied against Germany, while Britain’s Pacific ally, Island Nation, argued over whether to keep the German colonies it had seized. As France and Italy surrendered and Britain stood alone, Island Nation realized Germany was close to victory and time was running out.

• Britain and the United States secretly agreed to join forces against Germany without keeping written records of their alliance.
• The British Foreign Minister left Washington for Canada, and the United States anticipated gaining British technology and access to Middle Eastern oil if Germany was defeated.
• Island Nation had seized Germany’s Pacific colonies after declaring war on Germany, but feared Germany would retaliate if it won the European war.
• Island Nation split between those who wanted to keep the colonies and those who wanted to return them and avoid provoking Germany.
• After France and Italy surrendered, Island Nation realized Germany was close to winning and that it had little time to decide what to do.

The Island Nation Cabinet debated how to respond to Germany’s likely victory in Europe and the danger it posed to their Pacific colonies. After hearing how badly the German Navy outmatched theirs, Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu left the meeting wary of provoking Germany.

• Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu warned that Germany could target the Island Nation after defeating Britain.
• Army Minister Oka Ichinosuke argued that Germany’s forces would be spread across its expanding empire and that the Island Nation should keep its colonies.
• Foreign Minister Kato Takaaki questioned whether the Imperial Navy could withstand a German attack.
• Navy Minister Yashiro Rokuro listed the German fleet’s overwhelming strength and said the Island Nation Navy could not stop even part of it.
• Oka Ichinosuke accused Yashiro Rokuro of lacking courage and refused to surrender the colonies, while Yashiro Rokuro condemned the Army’s recklessness.
• Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu ended their argument and cautioned that provoking Germany would be unwise.

Okuma Shigenobu brought the Cabinet’s dispute over whether to return Germany’s Pacific colonies or risk war to the Elder Statesmen. Yamagata Aritomo began weighing the threat by asking whether the navy could repeat its victory at Tsushima.

• Okashi no Suke and Oka Ichinosuke argued for keeping the German territories, while Okuma Shigenobu and Yashiro Rokuro warned of German naval retaliation.
• Okuma Shigenobu ended the Cabinet meeting and said he would ask the Elder Statesmen to decide the issue.
• Okuma Shigenobu visited Yamagata Aritomo’s residence, where the five Elder Statesmen held their meeting and heard the Cabinet’s dilemma.
• Yamagata Aritomo asked whether the Island Nation Navy could recreate its victory at the Battle of Tsushima if Germany attacked.

Japanese elder statesmen debated whether to keep Germany’s Pacific colonies or restore relations with Germany. Saionji Kinmochi proposed returning the colonies and joining Germany against Britain to seize British possessions, and the others embraced the enticing plan.

• Okuma Shigenobu, Yamagata Aritomo, and Matsukata Masayoshi discussed Germany’s naval superiority and the risks of confronting it.
• Oyama Iwao argued that the Japanese Army could hold its positions against any limited German land attack, and Yamagata Aritomo supported retaining the German colonies.
• Saionji Kinmochi proposed returning the colonies and apologizing to Germany rather than risking war over them.
• Saionji Kinmochi urged Japan to restore relations with Germany, join the Allied Powers, and declare war on Britain to capture its colonies.
• Matsukata Masayoshi questioned whether Germany would accept the plan, and Saionji Kinmochi argued that Japan’s help against Britain would benefit Germany.
• Yamagata Aritomo praised Saionji Kinmochi’s strategy as the elder statesmen considered its promise.

The Island Nation's Elder Statesmen and Okuma Shigenobu decided to abandon the Anglo-Japanese Alliance and seek an alliance with Germany in exchange for returning German Pacific islands and protecting German interests in Asia. Kato Takaaki informed British Ambassador Edward that the alliance was terminated, and Edward stormed out in anger.

• Saionji Kinmochi persuaded the Elder Statesmen that betraying Britain could win the Island Nation British colonies and improve relations with Germany.
• Yamagata Aritomo ordered Okuma Shigenobu to end the alliance with Britain, seek an alliance with Germany, and prepare to seize British colonies.
• Okuma Shigenobu told Kato Takaaki, Yashiro Rokuro, and Oka Ichinosuke to offer Germany the return of its Pacific islands and protection for its Asian interests, while preparing the military for war against Britain.
• Kato Takaaki summoned British Ambassador Edward and announced that the Island Nation was terminating the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
• Edward denounced the Island Nation's decision as betrayal and stormed out of Kato Takaaki's office.

Churchill ordered British forces in Malaya and Burma to retreat if the Island Nation attacked, hoping it would clash with Germany. In Switzerland, Uchida Kosai warned that the Island Nation’s plan to ally with Germany and seize British colonies was unrealistic, but Kato Takaaki ordered him to pursue the alliance anyway.

• Churchill ordered Malaya Colony and Burma Colony to surrender ground to an Island Nation attack, hoping to provoke conflict between the Island Nation and Germany.
• Uchida Kosai received a Telegram from home proposing an alliance with Germany and was stunned by the decision.
• Uchida Kosai concluded that Germany would not welcome the Island Nation after its declaration of war and seizure of German Pacific colonies.
• Uchida Kosai sent a Telegram urging the Island Nation to abandon its plan and return Germany’s colonies to repair relations.
• Kato Takaaki ordered Uchida Kosai to do everything he could to secure an alliance with Germany.

Jacob met with Uchida Kosai, who offered to return Germany’s Pacific colonies and asked for the Island Nation to join the Allied Powers. Jacob suspected the Island Nation meant to seize Britain’s Far Eastern colonies and rejected its proposal as a shameless attempt to take Germany’s spoils.

• Jacob agreed to meet the Island Nation’s ambassador after the secretary arranged the meeting.
• Uchida Kosai told Jacob that the Island Nation had declared war on Germany under pressure from its alliance with Britain and offered to return Germany’s Pacific colonies.
• Jacob demanded compensation for the damage the Island Nation had caused, and Uchida Kosai said he would report the request to his government.
• Uchida Kosai asked Germany to accept the Island Nation into the Allied Powers and promised it would declare war on Britain.
• Jacob realized the Island Nation intended to seize Britain’s Far Eastern colonies and accused Uchida Kosai of trying to snatch Germany’s spoils.

Jacob rejected Uchida Kosai’s proposal to make the Island Nation a German ally in exchange for the Far Eastern colonies, and Oscar’s council decided to refuse the demands and warn of punishment. The Empire also demanded the return of its Pacific colonies and compensation, while ruling out the Island Nation joining the Allied Powers.

• Uchida Kosai urged Jacob to accept the Island Nation as an ally and let it attack British colonies, but Jacob refused the demands.
• Jacob reported the meeting to Germany, and Wachth told Oscar that the Island Nation had made an astonishing claim to the colonies.
• At the Imperial Council, Falkenhayn proposed an expedition, while Bülow urged caution and Oscar warned that the Island Nation might attack German colonies.
• Oscar instructed the ambassador in Switzerland to reject the Island Nation’s coercion and threaten punishment if it attacked German colonies.
• Oscar ordered Germany to demand the return of its Pacific colonies and compensation, and rejected the Island Nation’s wish to join the Allied Powers.

After Germany humiliated the Island Nation by rejecting its request to join the Allied Powers and demanding its colonies and compensation, the Island Nation’s leaders debated whether to defy Germany. The chapter ended with Oka Ichinosuke arguing that the Island Nation should refuse the demands and risk war.

• Jacob delivered Germany’s rejection, demand for the return of its colonies and 100 million marks, and warning against attacking British colonies to Uchida Kosai.
• Uchida Kosai sent a Telegram home describing Germany’s response, and Kato Takaaki reacted furiously before reporting to Okuma Shigenobu.
• Okuma Shigenobu called a meeting of Cabinet ministers and Elder Statesmen at Yamagata Aritomo’s residence.
• Kato Takaaki briefed the assembled leaders, who cursed Germany and discussed the risks of their plan to seize British colonies.
• Oka Ichinosuke urged the Island Nation to reject Germany’s demands and trust its home-field advantage if war broke out.

The Island Nation's leaders debated how to respond after Germany rejected their demands, weighing the danger of war against the prospect of seizing colonies and expanding the Empire. Yamagata Aritomo and the others chose to gamble on attacking British and German holdings in the Far East, leaving the nation committed to a high-stakes confrontation.

• Inoue Kaoru worried that the Island Nation might not be able to defeat Germany, but Oka Ichinosuke insisted that the Imperial Army could win on its home ground.
• Saionji Kinmochi argued that retreat would cost the Island Nation its Pacific colonies and require unaffordable compensation, while expansion could provide land and resources for the Empire.
• Oyama Iwao claimed that Germany would struggle to send a large force to the Far East and that the Island Nation could mobilize two million troops, though Yashiro Rokuro warned that its navy could not match the Germans.
• Saionji Kinmochi proposed attacking French Indochina as well as British colonies, despite the risk of provoking Germany into war.
• Yamagata Aritomo asked whether they should gamble the nation's future on a first victory against Germany, and Oyama Iwao, Matsukata Masayoshi, and Inoue Kaoru supported the gamble.

Island Nation leaders decided to gamble the nation’s fate on war with Germany and ordered rapid military expansion and mobilization. They approved a three-stage plan to seize Southeast Asian colonies, defeat the German forces, and then attack Australia and India, while the Navy avoided a decisive battle.

• Yamagata Aritomo and the other leaders agreed to pursue war with Germany, and Oka Ichinosuke and Oyama Iwao called for expanding the Army.
• The Island Nation mobilized its Army and Navy and completed preparations for the expedition in half a month.
• Hasegawa Yoshimichi presented a plan to seize Southeast Asian colonies, resist Germany, and later attack Australia and India.
• Yamagata Aritomo approved Hasegawa Yoshimichi’s plan, including a second mobilization of twenty to twenty-five divisions if the German offensive proved difficult to stop.
• Ijūin Gorō said the Navy would escort the Army and preserve its strength rather than fight the German Navy in a decisive battle.