Politics
A stern alarm echoed throughout the barracks. It was January 10, 1925, at the 1st Division of the Wehrmacht near Berlin, where soldiers hurriedly exited their quarters and swiftly aligned themselves at their designated spots. "One company has assembled!" a lieutenant announced as he observed his troops standing in precise formation, reporting loudly. "Three companies assembled!" "Two companies have assembled!" Different voices resonated, all equally robust. "Reporting, sir! The 1st Battalion is ready to gather!" The Battalion Commander, seeing his troops in order, relayed the status to his superior. In merely five minutes, thousands had formed a tidy square on the parade ground, and tranquility once again settled over the area, leaving no trace of prior disturbance.
"Minister, Minister Strathman!" I inquired, concerned about the early summons to the meeting room and wondering if there were urgent matters to address. Streisman, clutching a folder and observing a young diplomat from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, replied with a smile, "No more questions now; you will understand everything once we reach the meeting room." Trailing a short distance behind were a dozen staff members from the Foreign Ministry, dressed in suits. Among them were seasoned diplomats and junior employees, all equally eager to reach the meeting and learn of the developments.
Nearby, within a Krupp branch factory, workers clad in hard hats gathered under the watchful eyes of the factory manager who stood on an elevated platform. "Today, I have good news for everyone!" he exclaimed, "The factory has decided to grant a two-hour break every Tuesday afternoon to workers in shifts!" The announcement was met with cheers from the workforce—an unprecedented move by the management, as traditionally, any rest or benefits had to be fought for through strikes. "Thank you, Mr. Krupp!" an elderly worker shouted in gratitude. The manager, with a slight smile, gestured for silence before adding, "Hold your thanks! There's more—women will get an additional week of maternity leave, and men will receive three days of paternity leave!" Murmurs of approval spread, and a young worker whispered, "Mr. Krupp is truly a good man; I had him all wrong. My wife is expecting."
The manager continued, "Furthermore, any worker who makes technical contributions or excellent suggestions will receive a bonus of 100,000 marks and an extra month of vacation!" The crowd erupted once more, scarcely believing their ears. Amidst the renewed cheers, he revealed, "All this has been made possible because Mr. Krupp has joined a political party." Pausing for effect, he smiled, "Yes, the Great German Party!"
Meanwhile, at the National Defense Army headquarters, the atmosphere was serene, almost urging one to savor the calm morning. Inside, Captain Sceffen Dolek solemnly swore allegiance to the Great German Party, his hand pressed against the German flag, the other raised towards the sky. "I, Captain Sceffen Dolek, solemnly swear to renounce my previous beliefs, to join the Great German Party voluntarily, to serve and remain loyal to it, and to its Chairman, Akado Rudolph, for life. Long live the Great German Party!" Beside him, hundreds echoed the oath, their voices unified and resolute.
In the Ruhr industrial zone, the name of Gustav Krupp and the Great German Party was on everyone's lips. "Krupp! Krupp!" chanted the workers, their enthusiasm palpable. The factory manager, seizing the moment, rallied the crowd, "The Great German Party seeks benefits for all Germans, far surpassing those inept politicians! Who among you is ready to stand with this party?" The response was a thunderous "Yes!" from the crowd. "I have joined the Great German Party! Will you join me in brotherhood and trust?" he called out again. "We will!" they replied, their voices filled with fervent zeal.
As the pledge was recited by the crowd, the factory manager led the oath, "From this moment on, I renounce my previous beliefs and pledge my loyalty to the Great German Party, to serve it for life, loyal to Chairman Akado Rudolph! Long live the German Government!" The workers, in unison, repeated the oath, their commitment resonating through the air.
Back in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the atmosphere was tense. Streisman coldly questioned a diplomat who seemed reluctant. "So, you refuse to join the Great German Party?" The diplomat stood firm, "I am a member of the Social Democratic Party, sir. I cannot abandon my principles as easily as you." Streisman, visibly agitated, retorted, "You are aware of the consequences of your stubbornness." The diplomat, undeterred, accused, "Gustav Streisman, you have betrayed the German People's Party, which helped you rise, by merging it into the Great German Party. Have you no shame?"
As the diplomat exited, he was stunned by the sight of throngs marching towards the Presidential Palace, chanting in support of the Great German Party. Inside the palace, President Hindenburg, overwhelmed by frustration, demanded to see Major Akado Rudolph, questioning the ultimate goals of his ambitious political maneuvers.
"What do I want?" Akado mused to Rommel, his tone light yet determined, "I seek to forge a mighty German empire, to ascend to the zenith of power within this empire." The unfolding political drama hinted at turbulent times ahead, as the nation grappled with the rising influence of the Great German Party.
In the opulent office of the German President, Hindenburg paced restlessly around his desk. His voice boomed with irritation as he confronted Major General Rudolph Akkado, "Akkado? You are already the youngest general in Germany! What more do you want? And what is this Grand German Party?"
"The Great German Party is a political group I've established," Akkado explained, bending down to retrieve a pen Hindenburg had dropped in his agitation. He placed it carefully back on the stark desk, his smile faint and distant. "It aims to unify those who truly love Germany and to combat the injustices we face."
Hindenburg, still bristling with anger, shot back, "I know it's your party! I'm asking about your intentions! This morning, the streets were filled with your supporters, parading like a band of unruly brigands."
"The Social Democrats are already on edge! They won't allow a nascent party like yours to seize control of the government," he added sharply.
"That's precisely why I formed this party, Mr. President," Akkado replied with a calm smile. "I don't need opposition from within the government. What I seek is a government that operates under the full control of the National Defense Force, not one dominated by the Social Democratic Party."
Hindenburg stared at Akkado, his expression unreadable for a long moment before he finally spoke, "Are you attempting to establish a military government?"
"No, President Hindenburg. My aim is to remove any obstacles that weaken the IDF. Nothing can stand in our way," Akkado stated firmly.
"Can you assure your support for my continued leadership? Will you support me unconditionally?" Hindenburg questioned after a thoughtful pause, his tone revealing a willingness to negotiate.
"In the next parliamentary election, you will be re-elected. The German Party will support you wholeheartedly, positioning you as a national figurehead," Akkado confidently assured.
"How can you be so sure?" Hindenburg probed further.
"German entrepreneurs, bankers, conglomerates; the entire National Defense Forces; and most government officials are with you. You'll have significantly more campaign funds than your opponents, plus widespread public support. You'll be unbeatable," Akkado declared.
"So, this afternoon, I will recognize the German Party as a legitimate political entity in Germany. This will undoubtedly provoke the powerful Social Democratic Party. Do you have a plan to handle this?" Hindenburg asked, looking intently at Akkado.
"Please rest assured, Your Excellency. We have a trump card yet to be played," Akkado responded with a dismissive wave of his hand. "You won't need to involve yourself directly; we have means to secure the necessary votes in Congress. You'll just need to make a statement at the end."
This assurance seemed to satisfy Hindenburg, who nodded and concluded, "Then I await your good news."
Exiting the president's office, Akkado encountered his anxious associate, Streisman, who immediately inquired, "How did it go? Did President Hindenburg agree to support us?"
"Why should he support us?" Akkado retorted, challenging the premise of the question.
"What are we to do then?" Streisman asked, sweat beading on his forehead from the stress of their high-stakes gamble.
"He asked for our support. Remember, from today onward, no one supports us—we support them. We are the power brokers now, deciding who to back, rather than being chosen," Akkado explained, a smile playing on his lips.
Stunned, Streisman finally managed to say, "You really had me worried, Chairman."
"This afternoon, Congress will convene an emergency session to debate and vote on our party's legitimacy. Have you prepared everything?" Akkado asked as they walked on.
Streisman nodded, "It all hinges on this. I've given it everything I have. Success now depends on Krupp."
Eager to learn of Krupp's progress, Akkado drove from the presidential office to the headquarters of the National Defense Forces. There, he was greeted by the Krupp family steward, who had been waiting outside the command department.
"How did it go with Krupp? Did the businessmen agree to our terms?" Akkado inquired, his tone urgent despite his confident front in Hindenburg's office.
"Our lord arranged most of the necessary measures overnight, so please be assured," the steward replied, somewhat hesitantly.
Relieved, Akkado let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. His gamble, and that of his Great German Party, appeared to be paying off.
Later that afternoon, in the bustling lobby of the Capitol, parliamentarians from various parties mingled and discussed the sudden emergence of the German Party. Most were in disbelief that such a new and audacious entity could be stirring up so much attention.
"Why bother with them? Such a brazen and unlawful party should simply be investigated by the police," sneered a member of the Social Democratic Party.
A non-partisan parliamentarian responded dismissively, "If the police could manage such matters effectively, why would there be so many workers and citizens protesting outside with banners? Remember the National Socialist Workers' Party in Munich? Were they arrested immediately?"
In the corner, Streisman leaned towards Krupp, his anxiety palpable, "Are you sure about this? Chairman Akkado's absence is unsettling."
"Relax, we've planned this thoroughly. Chairman Akkado is overseeing everything from the headquarters, dealing with any contingencies and securing the support of the German armed forces," Krupp whispered back, trying to reassure him.
"Silence, please! Let us welcome our guest, Mr. Gustav Krupp, to explain the purpose of his visit," announced the Speaker as the room fell quiet.
"Good afternoon, esteemed deputies," Krupp began, standing confidently before the assembly. "In response to common political aspirations, and in collaboration with many like-minded individuals, we have established a new political party under the leadership of General Akkado Rudolph."
He concluded with the party's manifesto, "Our party will advocate for the welfare of workers, peasants, and citizens, striving for their happiness. We aim to foster capitalist development and technological advancements to boost profits. Our party is committed to the survival of the empire and to building a global powerhouse that embodies the Great German Will. The Great German Party pledges to fight for the freedom and equality of all people!"
Despite the compelling speech, a member of the Social Democratic Party retorted smugly, "While that sounds commendable, as a member of Congress, I regret to inform you that your so-called Great German Party's entry into Congress will have to wait until the next election."
"That may not be necessary," interjected another parliamentarian, raising his hand. "On behalf of the German People's Party, I welcome the Great German Party to Congress."
"How can they join? The Constitution doesn't permit the entry of minor parties at whim," scoffed the Social Democratic MP.
Streisman stood, his voice firm, "As the chairman of the German People's Party, I hereby announce our reorganization and merger into the Great German Party. According to the Constitution, our seats will automatically transfer to the Great German Party."
He turned to face the Social Democratic members, his tone icy, "The Great German Party has now entered Congress, fully in accordance with the Constitution. Do you have any objections?"
"Wait! Before they respond, we have something to say," declared a non-partisan parliamentarian, standing to address the assembly. "After careful consideration, we believe the Great German Party represents the majority of the German populace. We have decided to join them."
The chamber erupted into murmurs and whispers. The Social Democratic Party, caught off guard by these swift developments, had not yet launched their counterattack when the Great German Party made its bold moves.
Frustrated, a leader of the Social Democratic Party called for action, "Since the Great German Party refuses to play by the rules, let us vote to expel them from Congress!"
"Let's vote now!" echoed several members around him, rallying for immediate action.
However, in a quiet corner of the hall, a man slipped in through a side door. He approached a Social Democratic member, whispering something that caused the man's face to pale. He hurriedly excused himself from his colleagues and rushed to inform his party's leadership.
Reaching the vice-chairman, he relayed the troubling news, "Many of our members have been swayed by bribes and threats to support the Great German Party."
Stunned, the vice-chairman looked around at his colleagues, his dismay evident. As the call for a vote commenced, he fainted, his collapse causing a commotion and cries for medical assistance.
The assembly was left in disarray, the balance of power shifting dramatically as the Great German Party, through strategic maneuvers and alliances, began to reshape the political landscape of Germany.