Hi all, so I've been intrigued with the Kaiserreich mod for HOI4. Basically, Germany won World War 1, France and Britain fell to syndicalism, and the USA is in an even greater depression. Now with me being an animation fan and a HOI4 player, that got me thinking: What would've have to Walt Disney and possibly the rest of animation in such a scenario? That's what this TL will explore. Unfortunately, this is a side project so I'm not going to be posting daily unlike my Disney Canon TL. The first post will be about the world in modern day to explain what happened after the Second Weltkrieg (TTL's WW2) to today. After that we will explore what happened to a certain young artist and animator...
The Pacifican Apprentice - Disney in the world of Kaiserreich
- Thread starter MrCarioca
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- animation disney kaiserreich
The World in 2023
The World in 2023
In the past decades, the world had undergone many significant changes. The Pacific States of America and the Combined Syndicates of America agreed to sign a ceasefire along the Rocky Mountains, dubbed the "Rocky Mountain Ceasefire" in 1941. Macarthur and Huey Long were captured by Syndicalist forces in 1940 and were executed shortly after. Meanwhile in Europe, the German Empire plunged itself into a Second Weltkrieg against the Syndicalists and a Savinkov-led Russia. The British and French Empires in exile attacked the Syndicalists shortly after, resulting in a Entente/German victory. The Germans would continue their advances into Russia and eventually install a loyalist government. Italy would be reunified under a pro-Entente government and Japan would embrace democracy in 1944.
What followed was the Cold War (1945-1991). The Cold War was a war of ideology fought between the democratic Entente and the nationalist Reichpakt. The only major Syndicalist power left during the Cold War was the CSA, which was barely recognised by countries worldwide. The United Kingdom and France would reform into flourishing democracies within the late 1940s and would start a period of decolonization. King Edward passed away in 1972, but because he never had any children and his brother Albert having died in 1952, Princess Elizabeth assumed the role of Queen. Decolonization from the Entente was completed by the 1980s.
However, the Cold War almost went hot on multiple occasions. The Cuban Missile Crisis (1963) and the German Nuclear False Alarm (1982) amplified the dangers of nuclear weapons, while the Alsace-Lorraine Blockade in 1961 almost started a war. Eventually, Germany would give in and return Alsace-Lorraine to France, and would abolish the monarchy under popular demand shortly after, ending the Cold War. In America, the PSA and the CSA reunified in 1983 under the PSA and the country rebranded itself as the United States of America. The USA was back in action.
Today, the world is largely peaceful. While authoritarian powers still remain (The State of Korea is a good example), the world has largely embraced democracy and flourishes to this very day.
Anyways that's enough rambling let's get to Walt Disney.
In the past decades, the world had undergone many significant changes. The Pacific States of America and the Combined Syndicates of America agreed to sign a ceasefire along the Rocky Mountains, dubbed the "Rocky Mountain Ceasefire" in 1941. Macarthur and Huey Long were captured by Syndicalist forces in 1940 and were executed shortly after. Meanwhile in Europe, the German Empire plunged itself into a Second Weltkrieg against the Syndicalists and a Savinkov-led Russia. The British and French Empires in exile attacked the Syndicalists shortly after, resulting in a Entente/German victory. The Germans would continue their advances into Russia and eventually install a loyalist government. Italy would be reunified under a pro-Entente government and Japan would embrace democracy in 1944.
What followed was the Cold War (1945-1991). The Cold War was a war of ideology fought between the democratic Entente and the nationalist Reichpakt. The only major Syndicalist power left during the Cold War was the CSA, which was barely recognised by countries worldwide. The United Kingdom and France would reform into flourishing democracies within the late 1940s and would start a period of decolonization. King Edward passed away in 1972, but because he never had any children and his brother Albert having died in 1952, Princess Elizabeth assumed the role of Queen. Decolonization from the Entente was completed by the 1980s.
However, the Cold War almost went hot on multiple occasions. The Cuban Missile Crisis (1963) and the German Nuclear False Alarm (1982) amplified the dangers of nuclear weapons, while the Alsace-Lorraine Blockade in 1961 almost started a war. Eventually, Germany would give in and return Alsace-Lorraine to France, and would abolish the monarchy under popular demand shortly after, ending the Cold War. In America, the PSA and the CSA reunified in 1983 under the PSA and the country rebranded itself as the United States of America. The USA was back in action.
Today, the world is largely peaceful. While authoritarian powers still remain (The State of Korea is a good example), the world has largely embraced democracy and flourishes to this very day.
Anyways that's enough rambling let's get to Walt Disney.
This seems force to our otl. Like why would the germans ever give Alsace-Lorraine back? The french lost it during the franco-german war and were to acknowledge the lost. Germany bending to France is illogical when the country would have a war torn nation and political insurgents(socialists). Cuban missile really? That only happen in our otl when the usa sent nukes pointing at the ussr (turkey and Italy), so in return the ussr sent one to Cuba. Exactly how does csa threatens germany? Also, cuban having to be near the csa would be devastated for lost of American businesses and not wishing to antagonist the csa.
Walt Disney and the Laugh-O-Grams
Walt Disney and the Laugh-O-Grams
After the first Weltkrieg, Walt returned to America shortly before France fell the syndicalism. Walt would spend his early days as an apprentice at the Pesmen-Rubin Commercial Arts Studio, where they did cut-out animation for their commercials. It was there when Walt got interested in animation, he and his new friend Ub Iwerks began working on a series of silent shorts and were shown at the Newman Theater, titled "Newman's Laugh-O-Grams". The shorts were a success, and Walt and Ub opened up the Laugh-O-Gram Studio in 1921.
The Laugh-O-Grams weren't sufficient enough however, and Walt's last Laugh-O-Gram "Alice's Wonderland" didn't save the company. Walt moved back to Hollywood shortly after, and found a distributor who would distribute Walt's new "Alice Comedies". That distributor was Margaret Winkler, she was losing rights to the then popular Felix the Cat shorts and was more than happy to distribute Walt's shorts. It seemed like smooth sailing from here.
Unfortunately, the Great Depression would put an end to all that.
After the first Weltkrieg, Walt returned to America shortly before France fell the syndicalism. Walt would spend his early days as an apprentice at the Pesmen-Rubin Commercial Arts Studio, where they did cut-out animation for their commercials. It was there when Walt got interested in animation, he and his new friend Ub Iwerks began working on a series of silent shorts and were shown at the Newman Theater, titled "Newman's Laugh-O-Grams". The shorts were a success, and Walt and Ub opened up the Laugh-O-Gram Studio in 1921.
The Laugh-O-Grams weren't sufficient enough however, and Walt's last Laugh-O-Gram "Alice's Wonderland" didn't save the company. Walt moved back to Hollywood shortly after, and found a distributor who would distribute Walt's new "Alice Comedies". That distributor was Margaret Winkler, she was losing rights to the then popular Felix the Cat shorts and was more than happy to distribute Walt's shorts. It seemed like smooth sailing from here.
Unfortunately, the Great Depression would put an end to all that.
The Great Depression and a Lucky Rabbit
The Great Depression and a Lucky Rabbit
In Europe, Britain was undergoing a syndicalist revolution. This greatly affected the American stock market as their greatest trade partner was now in a potential civil war. And then, it happened. On April 20th 1925, the New York Stock Exchange plunges, starting a period which we call "The Great Depression".
The Great Depression had an almost instant effect on Walt Disney. As unemployment rates reached an all time high, this meant less people turning up to theaters to watch movies, let alone silent cartoons. Walt's "Alice Comedies" were no exception, the revenue generated by said shorts were not enough to keep Disney and Winkler afloat. That and Winkler giving her position to her husband Charles Mintz, Mintz was not a big fan of Disney and often made it clear that the Alice Comedies were abysmal. In 1927, Mintz requested a new character to distribute via Universal Pictures, Walt and his new colleague Ub Iwerks, whom he hired in 1924, created a new character. The character was a black inkspot rabbit, a happy go lucky rabbit by the name of Oswald.
The first Oswald cartoon, Poor Papa, was completed in 1927, Walt hoped for Oswald to be a success. Instead, Universal outright refused to distribute the short as Oswald was too old and the cartoon itself was deemed low quality. The next short "Trolley Troubles" ended up being the one Universal accepted, being the first Oswald short to be distributed and released.
It looked goof for Walt and Iwerks, but it wasn't enough for Walt. Walt's economic situation was looking dire, the depression had costed him half of his earnings, and Walt needed a solution. In February 1928, Walt went to Mintz with hopes on negotiating a higher salary. To Walt's surprise, not only did Mintz reject Walt's request, but also threatened to start his own studo and bring Walt's crew with him if he didn't accept a reduced salary. Walt was reluctant, but not wanting to risk his job, Walt accepted.
Things didn't look too good for Walt, and it certainly wouldn't improve...
In Europe, Britain was undergoing a syndicalist revolution. This greatly affected the American stock market as their greatest trade partner was now in a potential civil war. And then, it happened. On April 20th 1925, the New York Stock Exchange plunges, starting a period which we call "The Great Depression".
The Great Depression had an almost instant effect on Walt Disney. As unemployment rates reached an all time high, this meant less people turning up to theaters to watch movies, let alone silent cartoons. Walt's "Alice Comedies" were no exception, the revenue generated by said shorts were not enough to keep Disney and Winkler afloat. That and Winkler giving her position to her husband Charles Mintz, Mintz was not a big fan of Disney and often made it clear that the Alice Comedies were abysmal. In 1927, Mintz requested a new character to distribute via Universal Pictures, Walt and his new colleague Ub Iwerks, whom he hired in 1924, created a new character. The character was a black inkspot rabbit, a happy go lucky rabbit by the name of Oswald.
The first Oswald cartoon, Poor Papa, was completed in 1927, Walt hoped for Oswald to be a success. Instead, Universal outright refused to distribute the short as Oswald was too old and the cartoon itself was deemed low quality. The next short "Trolley Troubles" ended up being the one Universal accepted, being the first Oswald short to be distributed and released.
It looked goof for Walt and Iwerks, but it wasn't enough for Walt. Walt's economic situation was looking dire, the depression had costed him half of his earnings, and Walt needed a solution. In February 1928, Walt went to Mintz with hopes on negotiating a higher salary. To Walt's surprise, not only did Mintz reject Walt's request, but also threatened to start his own studo and bring Walt's crew with him if he didn't accept a reduced salary. Walt was reluctant, but not wanting to risk his job, Walt accepted.
Things didn't look too good for Walt, and it certainly wouldn't improve...
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Steamboat Bunny and the Silly Symphonies
Steamboat Bunny and the Silly Symphonies
By 1928, Oswald's popularity was skyrocketing. Beneath the surface however, Walt was struggling on all fronts. His demanding boss Charles Mintz wasn't a big fan of Oswald, and demanded a new antagonist for the rabbit to face up against. Walt and his team got to work on a short parodying the silent film "Steamboat Bill Jr", putting Oswald in the lead role and introducing his new nemesis Mortimer Mouse. Mortimer was a tall sleezy rat, a perfect foil to the small, happy-go-lucky Oswald. Walt took it a step further by introducing sound to his new short, now titled "Steamboat Bunny". It was a risky gamble considering sound film was at its infancy at the time, but if the short was successful, then Walt would be free from his economic slump. Despite Ub Iwerks and a few other co-workers warning Walt no to do it, Walt continued on with his risky gamble.
"Steamboat Bunny" released on November 18th 1928 to critical acclaim. Walt's gamble had indeed paid off as he had hoped for. Oswald was now a household name, and Mortimer Mouse would become a mainstay in the Oswald shorts. But the biggest praise came from the short's soundtrack, but Walt wanted to improve on it. Walt hired composer Carl Stalling to compose future Oswald shorts, and ultimately greenlit a suggestion by Stalling called "the Silly Symphonies". The Silly Symphony shorts were to be based around music, and when their first short "The Skeleton Dance" released on August 22nd 1929, it was a big hit.
Walt, Iwerks, Stalling and the boys at Universal's animation studio were content with their positions by now. This didn't stop people from leaving however, as after Carl Laemmle (then head of Universal) replaced Mintz himself with a young animator named Walter Lantz, Hugh Harman and Rudy Ising both left the animation studio. The duo started their own aniamtion studio, named "Harmonising Productions", and got to work on a short starring a talk-ink kid.
Walt Disney wanted more than just successful shorts however, he wanted to break the boundary with animation. Sure, "Steamboat Bunny" and "The Skeleton Dance" both revolutionised animation, but there was one glaring flaw: The shorts were in black and white, and according to Walt: looked ugly and bland. By 1930, Walt was headed to one direction:
Color.
By 1928, Oswald's popularity was skyrocketing. Beneath the surface however, Walt was struggling on all fronts. His demanding boss Charles Mintz wasn't a big fan of Oswald, and demanded a new antagonist for the rabbit to face up against. Walt and his team got to work on a short parodying the silent film "Steamboat Bill Jr", putting Oswald in the lead role and introducing his new nemesis Mortimer Mouse. Mortimer was a tall sleezy rat, a perfect foil to the small, happy-go-lucky Oswald. Walt took it a step further by introducing sound to his new short, now titled "Steamboat Bunny". It was a risky gamble considering sound film was at its infancy at the time, but if the short was successful, then Walt would be free from his economic slump. Despite Ub Iwerks and a few other co-workers warning Walt no to do it, Walt continued on with his risky gamble.
"Steamboat Bunny" released on November 18th 1928 to critical acclaim. Walt's gamble had indeed paid off as he had hoped for. Oswald was now a household name, and Mortimer Mouse would become a mainstay in the Oswald shorts. But the biggest praise came from the short's soundtrack, but Walt wanted to improve on it. Walt hired composer Carl Stalling to compose future Oswald shorts, and ultimately greenlit a suggestion by Stalling called "the Silly Symphonies". The Silly Symphony shorts were to be based around music, and when their first short "The Skeleton Dance" released on August 22nd 1929, it was a big hit.
Walt, Iwerks, Stalling and the boys at Universal's animation studio were content with their positions by now. This didn't stop people from leaving however, as after Carl Laemmle (then head of Universal) replaced Mintz himself with a young animator named Walter Lantz, Hugh Harman and Rudy Ising both left the animation studio. The duo started their own aniamtion studio, named "Harmonising Productions", and got to work on a short starring a talk-ink kid.
Walt Disney wanted more than just successful shorts however, he wanted to break the boundary with animation. Sure, "Steamboat Bunny" and "The Skeleton Dance" both revolutionised animation, but there was one glaring flaw: The shorts were in black and white, and according to Walt: looked ugly and bland. By 1930, Walt was headed to one direction:
Color.
A important factor is thinking about European competition to Disney. In OTL Germany was short of capital in the interbellum and later an unpleasant dictatorship whixh was hostile to animation took over Germany. Here there’s money to invest in entertaining there’s access to large markets in Europe.
Glad to see some immediate butterflies. I'm very interested in seeing how the Kaisereich universe starts to affect things.
I could see Germany ITTL having an animation industry. Maybe even a German Hollywood.
A few things before the next post:
1. "The Adventures of Prince Achmed" by Lotte Reiniger is released in America in 1927 following its Germany 1926 release. Because of the film's success, German animation is more prevelent in America. Lotte Reiniger would release two more films in 1928-1936: "Rapunzel" in 1930 and most notably, "Schneewittchen" in 1933. Both films would be hits worldwide.
2. The Fleischers would also release their first feature length film "Popeye the Sailor Man" in 1933. The film's success spawned a series of animated shorts revolving the titular sailor.
1. "The Adventures of Prince Achmed" by Lotte Reiniger is released in America in 1927 following its Germany 1926 release. Because of the film's success, German animation is more prevelent in America. Lotte Reiniger would release two more films in 1928-1936: "Rapunzel" in 1930 and most notably, "Schneewittchen" in 1933. Both films would be hits worldwide.
2. The Fleischers would also release their first feature length film "Popeye the Sailor Man" in 1933. The film's success spawned a series of animated shorts revolving the titular sailor.
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Technicolor
Technicolor (1932-1935)
Ever since Walt's cartoons acheived immense popularity after Steamboat Bunny, Walt had wanted to "show a rainbow on the screen". Walt would get the chance when the new 3-strip technicolor camera was completed in May 1932. To test this new process, Walt chose the then in-production Silly Symphony "Flowers and Trees". The short released on July 30th 1932 and became a huge success, ensuring that color would stay in Disney's shorts for a long period of time.
To eliminate or at least weaken competiton, Walter Lantz purchased exclusive rights to the 3-strip technicolor process and gave lots more creative freedom to Walt's team then Mintz ever did. In fact, both Walts became good friends later on. As for the shorts that came out, most if not all were superb in quality. Dippy Dawg, who was originally a mere background character in the 1932 short "Rabbit Revue", was upgraded to become the comedic foil to Oswald. With fears that Oswald was getting too bland and family-friendly, Walt Disney introduced the hot-tempered Donald Duck in the 1934 Silly Symphony "The Wise Little Hen". Oswald would have his first color short in 1935's "The Band Concert", and all Oswald shorts would be produced in color later on.
Walter Lantz and Walt Disney had stablised the animation division, and were now prepared to lift animation to an entirely different art form, and the only way to do it? A feature length animated film. Sure, the Fleischers had already released "Popeye the Sailor Man" in 1933 and Reiniger Studios was bringing European animation worldwide. But Walt Disney wanted to push the boundries of animation even further, he wanted to create an animated film with the most extravagant visuals and stunning animation possible. For that, he chose a well known French fairy tale...
Ever since Walt's cartoons acheived immense popularity after Steamboat Bunny, Walt had wanted to "show a rainbow on the screen". Walt would get the chance when the new 3-strip technicolor camera was completed in May 1932. To test this new process, Walt chose the then in-production Silly Symphony "Flowers and Trees". The short released on July 30th 1932 and became a huge success, ensuring that color would stay in Disney's shorts for a long period of time.
To eliminate or at least weaken competiton, Walter Lantz purchased exclusive rights to the 3-strip technicolor process and gave lots more creative freedom to Walt's team then Mintz ever did. In fact, both Walts became good friends later on. As for the shorts that came out, most if not all were superb in quality. Dippy Dawg, who was originally a mere background character in the 1932 short "Rabbit Revue", was upgraded to become the comedic foil to Oswald. With fears that Oswald was getting too bland and family-friendly, Walt Disney introduced the hot-tempered Donald Duck in the 1934 Silly Symphony "The Wise Little Hen". Oswald would have his first color short in 1935's "The Band Concert", and all Oswald shorts would be produced in color later on.
Walter Lantz and Walt Disney had stablised the animation division, and were now prepared to lift animation to an entirely different art form, and the only way to do it? A feature length animated film. Sure, the Fleischers had already released "Popeye the Sailor Man" in 1933 and Reiniger Studios was bringing European animation worldwide. But Walt Disney wanted to push the boundries of animation even further, he wanted to create an animated film with the most extravagant visuals and stunning animation possible. For that, he chose a well known French fairy tale...
So the Kaiserreich also results in a shuffled Disneyverse? Well then, since the first film was implied to be based off a French fairy tale, my top three guesses are:
1) Cinderella
2) Beauty and the Beast
3) Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Disney's Folly
Disney's Folly
One night in 1934, Walt Disney and Walter Lantz held a staff meeting. There, Walt revealed his plans of making a full length animated film in full color, that being an adaptation of the French fairy-tale "Beauty and the Beast". Walt had considered making an adaptation of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and even German fairy tales like "Snow White" (which Reiniger had already made in the 1930s).
Production officially started by late 1934 and the budget skyrocketed. The higher-ups at Universal told the two Walts that their animation division might risk shutdown if the film were to flop (keep in mind that the Great Depression was still happening), not only that but film critics and even Walt's own brother Roy called the film "Disney's Folly". Walt was persistent however, and continued production on "Beauty and the Beast", set for a Christmas 1937 release. Everything seemed to be going well despite the budget issues.
And then came the 1936 election, one which would later be known as "The Election Which Ruined Everything". Floyd Olson barely wins the election but fails to compromise with both Syndicalist revolutionary John "Jack" Reed and leader of the America First party Huey Long, sending America into uncertainty. The worst case scenario finally happened in February 1937 when Douglas MacArthur and the military coups Olson and removes him from office, declaring martial law. Soon after, the Combined Syndicates of America led by Reed, the American Union State led by Huey Long, and the Pacific States of America led by Frank Meriam would all secede from the Union. The Second American Civil War had started.
Universal Studios would be approached by the Pacifican Government to create propaganda against the three rival states, this included the animation division. Production on "Beauty and the Beast" was halted and Walt would be comissioned to make Pacifican Propaganda, thus earning him the wartime nickname "The Pacifican Apprentice".
One night in 1934, Walt Disney and Walter Lantz held a staff meeting. There, Walt revealed his plans of making a full length animated film in full color, that being an adaptation of the French fairy-tale "Beauty and the Beast". Walt had considered making an adaptation of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and even German fairy tales like "Snow White" (which Reiniger had already made in the 1930s).
Production officially started by late 1934 and the budget skyrocketed. The higher-ups at Universal told the two Walts that their animation division might risk shutdown if the film were to flop (keep in mind that the Great Depression was still happening), not only that but film critics and even Walt's own brother Roy called the film "Disney's Folly". Walt was persistent however, and continued production on "Beauty and the Beast", set for a Christmas 1937 release. Everything seemed to be going well despite the budget issues.
And then came the 1936 election, one which would later be known as "The Election Which Ruined Everything". Floyd Olson barely wins the election but fails to compromise with both Syndicalist revolutionary John "Jack" Reed and leader of the America First party Huey Long, sending America into uncertainty. The worst case scenario finally happened in February 1937 when Douglas MacArthur and the military coups Olson and removes him from office, declaring martial law. Soon after, the Combined Syndicates of America led by Reed, the American Union State led by Huey Long, and the Pacific States of America led by Frank Meriam would all secede from the Union. The Second American Civil War had started.
Universal Studios would be approached by the Pacifican Government to create propaganda against the three rival states, this included the animation division. Production on "Beauty and the Beast" was halted and Walt would be comissioned to make Pacifican Propaganda, thus earning him the wartime nickname "The Pacifican Apprentice".
No, I have not abandoned this TL. The problems lies on how the TL will actually progress during and past the 2ACW, and currently I am having writer's block regarding this.
As such, I have opened up a test thread to discuss ideas in:
As such, I have opened up a test thread to discuss ideas in: