Steps to Fix Error Code 0x80070005
Windows updates are key components of the Windows operating system. These upgrades include much-needed security fixes, driver updates, new functionality, and improved system stability. While the Windows update procedure is usually smooth and simple for most users, there are times when you may get the error number 0x80070005 while installing Windows updates. Most customers who encounter this problem appear to be wondering how to fix Error Code 0x80070005.
The Windows update error code 0x80070005 indicates that the system user does not have the necessary permissions, or that the system update is missing some important files required for installation.
This could also suggest an underlying problem with your hard drive, such as a faulty sector that corrupts the system or updated data downloaded and stored to your storage media.

How To Fix Error Code 0x80070005

To resolve the Windows update issue 0x80070005 without losing any data or causing more complications, follow the instructions outlined below.
Step 1: Backup your Critical Files Immediately.
Back up your vital files before beginning to remedy the issue. If a file is not located, proceed to Step 2 to learn how to recover the missing files. After you've backed up all of your files, follow the instructions below to fix Windows update problem code 0x80070005.
Step 2: Recover files lost due to the error code.
If you were unable to generate a backup, BLR Data Recovery Software is your best option for a secure and speedy recovery of your information, documents, photos, movies, and other items lost due to error code 0x80070005. The software can recover data from any type of data loss situation and from any Windows storage device, including HDDs, SSDs, and USB drives.
Watch and follow this video method to retrieve files lost due to error 0x80070005 using BLR Data Recovery software. Then transfer or store the recovered files to your backup drive.
Once you've saved all of your key files, check for any corruption. If your photos or videos are corrupt, use this procedure to fix the drive corruption.
Step 3: Check Disk Space
Let us start with the basics. To effectively apply a Windows update, enough storage space is required. So, before downloading the updates, make sure your system has enough storage space to store them; otherwise, you may encounter troubles and need to resolve problems with Windows updates.
Also, the upcoming System Update requires roughly 7GB of free space for installation.
If your system is running out of space, move data from user-profile folders (Desktop, Documents, Music, etc.) to a separate volume or external storage media.
Step 4: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
Windows includes a specialized troubleshooter wizard to easily resolve all Windows update difficulties. Follow the instructions to use the Windows Update Troubleshooter to resolve the Windows issue 0x80070005.
For Windows 7 and 8.

• Open Control Panel.
• Click System and Security > Troubleshooting, and then click Fix issues with Windows Update.
• Click Advanced.
• Choose Apply Repair Automatically, and then click 'Run as Administrator.'
• Click Next and allow it to finish.

On a Windows 10 PC,

• Press Windows + X and select 'Settings.'
• Go to "Update & Security" and click on Troubleshoot.
• Click on Windows Update.
• Click 'Run the Troubleshooter'.
• Grant admin permission and follow the troubleshoot process to apply fixes.

Step 5: Run SFC
SFC, or System File Checker, is a built-in Windows program that allows you to scan and fix broken or corrupt system files that may be preventing update installation.
To run the SFC scan:
To open the command prompt on Windows, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Wait a time until the scan and repair process is complete.
Step 6: Scan for viruses & malware.
Run a malware scan with the built-in Windows Defender program. Make sure the app has been updated. However, if possible, obtain a premium subscription or trial edition of Malwarebytes, a famous malware scanner, to scan your machine for infection.
After the scan, simply restart your computer and then download and install the Windows Updates. If you still get the same issue, try manually installing the Windows updates.
Step 7: Manually Update Windows.
When all else fails to resolve the Windows update error number 0x80070005, follow these steps to manually update your Windows. The Windows Update Catalog is a repository from which you can obtain cumulative or significant updates and manually install them, just like any other software.

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Click 'View Update History' and take note of the Windows Update version code.
• Then visit Windows Update Catalog.
• In the search bar, insert your update version code and press the 'Enter' or 'Search' button.
• Select the 'Download' option.
• Download the update and install it on your Windows PC.

Restart the system.
If you encounter any errors or the update does not install successfully using the manual approach, reboot your PC.
Step 8: Reset Windows installation.
Please keep in mind that when you reset your PC, your personal files on the C: disk are wiped, so consider it a fresh Windows installation.
This option can undoubtedly resolve problem code 0x80070005. So, if you haven't previously done so, backup your data before proceeding!

• Press Windows + X and select 'Settings', then 'Update & Security.'
• Click the 'Get Started' button under 'Reset This PC' and then follow the on-screen directions to reset your Windows PC.

If you are still having problems, reinstall Windows using the Windows installation CD.

Conclusion

Always backup your files before updating Windows! While Windows update installs are generally error-free, there is a danger you will lose your file if the update does not install successfully. This could occur as a result of defective updates or an access denied error. The Windows update error code 0x80070005 indicates that the user does not have the necessary permissions, causing the installation to fail or abort.
Faulty updates may occasionally erase your files. It happened during the latest big Windows October 2018 update release, when the 'Document' folder was destroyed after installation. In all such cases, utilize specialized backup or windows data recovery software, such as BLR Data Recovery.

I know many like to collect entire collections, including myself once. But now I'm just trying to collect the games I loved throughout the years. Even those that I was forced to love as like many my parents could only afford a few games a year. So had no choice but to play again and again until I could play them in my sleep.
Currently upto 85 of my 100 list with just recently getting Sensible Soccer on the Amiga.

Best Restaurants in Round Rock Tx Looking for the tastiest eats in Round Rock, TX? Look no further, folks! Join us on a mouthwatering journey through this vibrant city, where we'll introduce you to the crème de la crème of dining establishments.From farm-to-table goodness to finger-lickin' BBQ, Round Rock has it all. Seafood lovers, Tex-Mex enthusiasts, and international cuisine connoisseurs, rejoice! We've got the insider scoop on the best spots to satisfy your cravings.Get ready to indulge in the flavors that make this city a foodie's paradise. Let's dive in!Key TakeawaysJack Allens Kitchen offers a farm-to-table dining experience with fresh and locally sourced ingredients.Salt Traders Coastal Cooking is the best seafood joint in town but has limited vegetarian or non-seafood options.Chuys is a fun and lively Tex-Mex restaurant with generous portion sizes, but there can be inconsistency in food quality and long wait times during peak hours.Salt Lick BBQ is well-loved for its amazing atmosphere, good service, and mouthwatering ribs, brisket, and sausages. However, there are often long waiting lines, so it is recommended to make a reservation.Jack Allens KitchenOne of the top-rated restaurants in Round Rock is Jack Allens Kitchen, known for its fresh and locally sourced ingredients. At Jack Allens Kitchen, you can expect a farm-to-table dining experience that celebrates the flavors of the region. The restaurant takes pride in supporting local farmers and producers, ensuring that every dish is made with the finest ingredients.When it comes to the menu, Jack Allens Kitchen offers a wide range of options to suit every palate. From savory starters like their famous smoked brisket nachos to mouthwatering entrees like the grilled Texas redfish with herb butter, there's something for everyone. Vegetarian and vegan diners will also find plenty of choices, such as the roasted vegetable enchiladas or the quinoa-stuffed bell peppers.One of the highlights of dining at Jack Allens Kitchen is the ever-changing seasonal menu. The chefs take inspiration from the freshest ingredients available, creating new and exciting dishes that showcase the best of what the local farmers have to offer. This commitment to using local ingredients not only ensures the highest quality but also supports the community and promotes sustainability.The ambiance at Jack Allens Kitchen is relaxed and inviting, perfect for a casual meal with friends or a special celebration. The staff is knowledgeable and attentive, providing excellent service that adds to the overall dining experience. While the restaurant can get busy during peak hours, the wait is worth it for the delicious food and warm atmosphere.Salt Traders Coastal CookingLet's explore the fresh seafood options and casual atmosphere at Salt Traders Coastal Cooking, one of the best restaurants in Round Rock, TX.The fresh seafood options at Salt Traders Coastal Cooking are a seafood lover's dream. From succulent oysters to mouthwatering shrimp, every dish is prepared with the utmost care and attention to detail. The menu features a variety of seafood dishes, including grilled fish, lobster rolls, and seafood pasta, all made with the freshest ingredients available. Whether you're in the mood for a light and refreshing ceviche or a hearty seafood stew, Salt Traders Coastal Cooking has something to satisfy every seafood craving.The casual atmosphere at Salt Traders Coastal Cooking adds to the overall dining experience. The restaurant's laid-back vibe allows you to relax and enjoy your meal without any pretension or formality. The coastal-inspired decor and open kitchen create a welcoming and inviting ambiance that makes you feel right at home. Whether you're dining with friends, family, or a significant other, Salt Traders Coastal Cooking provides the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience.However, it's important to note that some customers have reported inconsistent service at Salt Traders Coastal Cooking. While some diners have had exceptional experiences with friendly and attentive staff, others have encountered issues with slow service or unresponsive waitstaff. It's advisable to keep this in mind and be patient during peak hours when the restaurant is busiest.ChuysWhen we're in the mood for Tex-Mex with a side of fun and lively atmosphere, we head to Chuys in Round Rock, TX. Known as the best Tex-Mex restaurant in town, Chuys never fails to deliver delicious food and a great time.The moment you step inside, you can feel the vibrant energy and excitement in the air. The walls are adorned with colorful decor, creating a festive ambiance that instantly puts you in a party mood.One of the highlights at Chuys is their incredible Tex-Mex dishes. From sizzling fajitas to mouthwatering enchiladas, their menu offers a wide variety of options to satisfy any Tex-Mex craving. One dish that stands out is the Chuychanga, a deep-fried burrito filled with your choice of meat, cheese, and smothered in their famous Boom-Boom sauce. It's a flavor explosion that you won't soon forget.And let's not forget about Chuys' signature margaritas. They're the perfect complement to your Tex-Mex feast. Made with fresh ingredients and top-shelf tequila, these margaritas are simply irresistible. Whether you prefer the classic lime or want to try one of their creative flavors like watermelon or prickly pear, Chuys has a margarita for everyone.If you're looking to enjoy Chuys at a discounted price, make sure to check out their happy hour specials. During happy hour, you can indulge in discounted appetizers and drinks, making it the perfect time to gather with friends and unwind after a long day.Chuys is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. With its lively atmosphere, delicious Tex-Mex dishes, and signature margaritas, it's no wonder why it's considered the best Tex-Mex spot in town.Salt Lick BBQWe absolutely love Salt Lick BBQ in Round Rock, TX for its mouthwatering ribs, brisket, and sausages. When it comes to the best dishes at Salt Lick BBQ, there are a few that truly stand out:The ribs are a must-try. They're perfectly cooked, tender, and fall-off-the-bone delicious. The smoky flavor paired with the tangy barbecue sauce is a match made in heaven.The brisket is another fan favorite. It's slow-cooked to perfection, resulting in tender and juicy slices of meat. The rich, smoky flavor is simply irresistible.Don't forget to try the sausages. They're made with high-quality ingredients and are bursting with flavor. Whether you prefer spicy or mild, there's a sausage for everyone.Now, let's talk about the best time to visit Salt Lick BBQ. If you want to avoid the long waiting lines, it's best to visit during the weekdays or earlier in the day. The restaurant tends to get crowded during the evenings and weekends, especially on weekends. To ensure a table, it's recommended to make a reservation in advance.Salt Lick BBQ offers an amazing atmosphere and good service, making it a great place to enjoy a delicious Texas BBQ meal. So, if you're in Round Rock, TX and craving some mouthwatering ribs, brisket, and sausages, make sure to stop by Salt Lick BBQ. You won't be disappointed.Louisiana Longhorn CafeFor a taste of Louisiana in Round Rock, we highly recommend checking out Louisiana Longhorn Cafe, which offers Cajun food specialties and American favorites. This homey diner is the perfect place to satisfy your cravings for Cajun cuisine while enjoying a relaxed setting. The friendly and attentive service adds to the overall dining experience.At Louisiana Longhorn Cafe, you can expect a menu filled with mouthwatering Cajun dishes and classic American favorites. From jambalaya and gumbo to po'boys and fried catfish, there is something for everyone to enjoy. For those craving a taste of the South, the restaurant's Cajun specialties are a must-try.To give you a better idea of what to expect, here is a table highlighting some of the delicious dishes you can find at Louisiana Longhorn Cafe:Cajun SpecialtiesAmerican FavoritesJambalayaBurger and FriesGumboChicken Fried SteakPo'boysGrilled Chicken SaladFried CatfishClub SandwichCrawfish EtouffeeBacon CheeseburgerRed Beans and RiceFried ChickenThe restaurant's relaxed and welcoming atmosphere makes it a great spot for a casual lunch or dinner. Whether you're looking for a taste of Louisiana or simply craving some American classics, Louisiana Longhorn Cafe has you covered. So, gather your friends or family and head over to this fantastic eatery for a memorable dining experience filled with Cajun specialties and American favorites.Frequently Asked QuestionsAre Reservations Required at Jack Allens Kitchen, Salt Traders Coastal Cooking, Chuys, Salt Lick BBQ, and Louisiana Longhorn Cafe?Reservations aren't required at these restaurants:Jack Allen's KitchenSalt Traders Coastal CookingChuy'sSalt Lick BBQLouisiana Longhorn CafeHowever, it's recommended to make reservations at Salt Lick BBQ due to long waiting lines.Here are some additional details about each restaurant:Jack Allen's Kitchen: Expect busy peak hours and slightly higher prices.Chuy's: Has a fun atmosphere but long wait times.Salt Traders Coastal Cooking: Offers fresh seafood but inconsistent service.Louisiana Longhorn Cafe: Provides a relaxed setting with friendly service.Do Any of These Restaurants Offer Vegetarian or Vegan Options on Their Menus?Yes, some of these restaurants offer vegetarian or vegan options on their menus.Jack Allens Kitchen has a varied menu with fresh and locally sourced ingredients, so they've vegetarian options available.Salt Traders Coastal Cooking, on the other hand, has limited vegetarian or non-seafood options.Chuys is a Tex-Mex restaurant with generous portion sizes, but they may have limited options for vegans.It's always best to check with each restaurant to ensure they cater to your dietary preferences.Are There Any Gluten-Free Options Available at These Restaurants?There are gluten-free options available at many of the best restaurants in Round Rock, TX. These options cater to those with dietary restrictions and provide delicious alternatives.Some of the best gluten-free dishes to try include fresh seafood options at Salt Traders Coastal Cooking, mouthwatering ribs and brisket at Salt Lick BBQ, and flavorful Latin American dishes at Fuego Latino Gastropub.Whether you're in the mood for seafood, BBQ, or international cuisine, Round Rock has gluten-free options to satisfy your cravings.Are There Any Kid-Friendly Menu Options at These Restaurants?There are several Round Rock restaurants that offer kid-friendly menu options, making them great choices for families. These establishments prioritize creating a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience for both children and adults.From casual Texas-themed chains to eclectic eateries with international influences, there's a wide range of options available. Families can expect to find classic American comfort food, delicious burgers, flavorful Latin American dishes, and even authentic Texas BBQ.These family-friendly restaurants in Round Rock ensure that everyone can find something they love to eat.Do Any of These Restaurants Offer Catering Services for Special Events or Larger Groups?Some of these restaurants do offer catering services for special events or larger groups. They've catering options available to accommodate different needs and preferences. Whether you're hosting a business meeting, a wedding reception, or a family gathering, these restaurants can provide delicious food and professional service to make your event a success.Group dining options are also available, allowing you to enjoy a meal with your friends, family, or colleagues in a comfortable and spacious setting.ConclusionIn conclusion, Round Rock, TX offers a diverse dining scene that caters to all taste buds. With top-rated restaurants like Jack Allens Kitchen, Salt Traders Coastal Cooking, Chuys, Salt Lick BBQ, and Louisiana Longhorn Cafe, there's no shortage of delicious options to choose from.Here's an interesting statistic: Did you know that Round Rock has over 200 restaurants within its city limits? This impressive number showcases the city's commitment to providing a wide range of culinary experiences for both residents and visitors alike.So come and indulge in the flavors of Round Rock, where foodie dreams come true.

I played this game on PlayStation shortly after watching the movie in 1999. Did you have a similar experience?

Charles Edward Merriam, the 37th President of the United States, Official Presidential Portrait
The Poisoned Chalice
Upon taking the presidential oath of office after the resignation of President Alvin York, Charles Edward Merriam found himself at the helm of a rudderless ship. Civil unrest was at an all-time high due to mass protests against York’s preemptive nuclear strike and large-scale labor strikes, much of the cabinet had been left vacant by a wave of resignations following York’s controversial decision not to consult his own advisors on the decision, and an already uneasy economy had been thrown into chaos by the total obliteration of a major trading partner. Even the sky itself had visibly darkened while global temperatures dropped, bringing about cries of the end times being visited upon Earth for man’s folly. In this moment of national crisis, Merriam took to the airwaves with a radio address to the American people asking them to unite with him in a national effort for the first 100 days of his presidency to right the course of the country amidst the national crisis.
Moving with alacrity to fill the vacancies within his cabinet and bring his administration into full gear, Merriam leaned upon his network of academic contacts to appoint a ring of economic, industrial, and social science experts — Jacob Viner, Bessie Louise Pierce, George W. Taylor, and Leo Wolman — into several key cabinet positions. Similarly, rather than appoint a political operative as his Secretary of State or War, he instead chose to elevate career diplomat and acting Secretary of State Joseph Grew into his position permanently while promoting War Department General Counsel William Marbury Jr. to be Secretary of War. Finding both Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal and Secretary of Agriculture John Marvin Jones to be highly competent and sufficiently disentangled from the chaos of the York administration, Merriam requested that the pair remain in their positions. However, Postmaster General Thomas Perkins Henderson would not be so lucky, as Merriam distrusted his close ties to President York and felt the office was wracked by cronyism, thus requesting his immediate resignation to be replaced with former Louisiana Governor and highly regarded reformist Sam H. Jones. To round out his cabinet, Merriam appointed California Governor Earl Warren as his Attorney General due to Warren’s wealth of experience in suppressing syndicalist insurrectionists in his home state, as well as Delaware Senator and businessman J. Allen Frear to manage the Department of the Interior with an eye towards economizing a bloated department.
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Secretary of State Joseph Grew, a defining member of the Merriam administration with his foreign policy expertise during the world’s darkest hour.
Calming a Roiling Sea
Believing that anxiety surrounding a national economy plagued by boundless problems was at the root of the national malaise that might yet inspire a resurgence of syndicalism, Merriam quickly moved to restore confidence for both consumers and businesses. As a first step to move past the combative relationships that President Hughes and York held with organized labor, Merriam invited newly minted American Federation of Labor President George Meany for a symbolic meeting to discuss labor issues and establish an informal political alliance to raise wages and working standards as a means to settle the persistent labor unrest. Thus, President Merriam and his Secretary of Labor George W. Taylor began applying the National Labor Arbitration Act to settle hundreds of strikes across the country resulting in a moderate nationwide increase in wage levels and the proliferation of employer-provided healthcare as a commonly provided benefit. Taylor even proved successful in earning the begrudging respect of Congress of Industrial Organizations President Walter Reuther’s respect despite the organization’s more explicitly confrontational approach to industrial relations.
Despite this success in the application of labor arbitration, Merriam’s ambition of comprehensive legislation to establish a formal system of corporatist economic structures was repeatedly frustrated by the inability to secure enough bipartisan support in the House of Representatives to pass several successive iterations of his proposals. Yet as a longtime proponent of executive power, Merriam was not entirely thwarted by this setback and notably issued an Executive Order forming the Office of National Research headed by MIT President Karl T. Compton and complemented by a number of figures in both the natural and social sciences to direct national research efforts towards answering pressing questions of the new atomic age. Perhaps the most significant of its achievements were the pioneering of new sanitation, public health, and antibiotic techniques to finally stamp out the bubonic plague epidemic that had persisted since the initial Japanese bioweapon attack. Furthermore, Speaker of the House Wright Patman was successful in passing a budget through the House substantially scaling back wartime spending and taxation in light of the transition of the United States military from a combat force to an occupation force abroad. Anticipating a corresponding decrease in inflation, Merriam worked with his Secretary of Commerce Leo Wolman to begin the process of relieving wartime price controls that had remained in place throughout the York administration while encouraging the development of private industrial codes of conduct for businesses to self-regulate prices.
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A wartime propaganda poster supporting labor arbitration that continued distribution under the Merriam presidency.
Sewing A Tattered World
America was not the only country suffering in the aftermath of the Second World War. The decade-long war had wreaked havoc upon the entire world and left entire nations virtually leveled by bombs and depleted of their resources. American efforts at international reconstruction had been haphazard and largely left in the hands of private charities during the York administration, much to the consternation of its allies and the occupied peoples. Thus, out of a mixture of humanitarian reasons, a desire to restore America’s international reputation, and a calculation that such destruction could breed communist movements such as the syndicalist revolt that had embroiled the United States, Secretary of State Joseph Grew proposed a much more ambitious plan that would soon bear his name. With the strong support of President Merriam, Congress earmarked a staggering $15 billion with wide bipartisan support to be distributed to European governments for necessary imports of food and basic materials from the United States as well as for industrial investments to rebuild the European economy. An ancillary fund was likewise also established to support the reconstruction of China, which had been ravaged by brutal warfare with Imperial Japan. As a committed supporter of free trade, President Merriam also used the leverage of the Grew Plan to compel the recipients of the funding to lower trade barriers between one another and with the United States in order to stimulate international trade. The sole major holdout would be the United Kingdom, where Prime Minister Aneurin Bevan remained committed to an autarkic system of steep trade barriers outside the Imperial system since the country had suffered far less damage than its peers in the Second World War.
Another guiding principle of President Merriam’s approach to international reconstruction would be a wide-ranging program of technical assistance. With the country’s decades-long commitment to widely available public education and a sophisticated network of universities engaged in industrial research, the American economy had come to be regarded as the most technologically advanced in the entire world. Already under President Dewey, the United States had begun programs of sharing its technical expertise in production methods and industrial organization to China and the countries of Latin America. Thus, Merriam’s formalization of an Office for Technical Assistance under the Department of State was an extension of an already well-established practice. With support from personnel and agencies in the Departments of Labor and Commerce, the Office of Technical Assistance undertook a wide-ranging and sophisticated statistical analysis of European industries to identify weaknesses in productivity while arranging for large-scale observation visits by European industrial leaders as well as the collation and distribution of technical literature in order to disseminate best practices across continents. Following the initial success of the program in Europe over the first months of his term, Merriam proceeded with an extension of the program to developing nations in the Middle East and South Asia in order to modernize their economies as well.
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A meeting of Grew Plan information chiefs in the American Embassy in France.
Year Without Summer
While atomic weapons had been deployed several times throughout the Second World War to destroy French, Russian, and Japanese cities, they had never been used on the scale ordered by President Alvin York to destroy the German Empire. As a result of the simultaneous destruction of dozens of German cities in fiery infernos, the atmosphere of the planet itself became choked by a layer of ash and soot that demonstrably lowered global temperatures in the following months. With the effect coined as a “nuclear winter” by British chemist Samuel Glasstone, a world food supply already challenged by the disruptions of war experienced a dramatic shortfall in agricultural production sending many war-ravaged areas teetering into famine. However, this presented a unique opportunity for the United States, which had for decades struggled with chronic overproduction of agricultural products causing dim economic prospects for the nation’s farmers. Now, there was a ready market for the surplus in the United States that persisted even through the nuclear winter.
Though European governments were already using their Grew Plan funds to import American food products in large amounts, Secretary of Agriculture John Marvin Jones was determined to employ the powers of the federal government in assistance of this shift. Backed by a series of executive orders from President Merriam, Jones vastly expanded the neglected Populist-era Sub-Treasury system to grant easy credit and storage solutions to farmers who lacked sufficient capital to take advantage of the vastly increased demand for their product while also using wartime legislation to purchase eroded land for its rehabilitation and resale for food production by government experts. Much like the rest of the executive branch, at Merriam’s direction the Department of Agriculture also leaned into partnerships with dozens of agricultural colleges spread throughout the United States to collect and publish a corpus of literature on improved farming practices and fertilizer production techniques to further stimulate production.
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Electrical lines going up on a rural farm as part of a program pioneered by Secretary of Agriculture John Marvin Jones to further develop American agriculture.
New World Order
Having earned widespread popularity among the American public for his statesmanship at home and thus leaving the November elections with a decisive popular mandate, Merriam turned to the pressing issue of foreign affairs in the latter half of his term. In the chaos of the Second World War and its immediate aftermath, the powers of the Grand Alliance had failed to conclusively agree on the structures of the post-war world. Even after the destruction of the German Empire, which had been the largest obstacle in the effort to conclude new international agreements, debate raged on what form these would take as the world federalist movement took root across the globe. In order to lay the foundation of future global cooperation, Merriam began by reviving the institutions of the Hague Treaty that had been rendered inoperative by the withdrawal of participation by several countries and subsequent outbreak of the Second World War. While the Permanent Court of International Arbitration would be restored largely unchanged from its original construction, the International Monetary Fund would be greatly transformed due to President Merriam’s influential support for John Maynard Keynes’s proposal to formulate a supranational currency called “bancor” to be the unit of account for an International Clearing Union tasked with regulating international trade.
While many nationalists and isolationists decried Merriam’s move towards the internationalization of monetary policy, the circle of Atlanticists within the party led by Vice President Edward J. Meeman was urging him to go even further towards world government. Compelled by a promise made to the Atlanticist faction during his party’s National Convention, President Merriam authorized the summoning of an international conference to discuss the concept of an Atlantic Union between the western democratic countries of the world. However, where many expected that Merriam might appoint a coterie of apathetic diplomats to undermine the movement, the President instead shockingly sent a delegation filled with committed Atlanticists led by New York Senator Grenville Clark, Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver, and the proposal’s first author Clarence Streit to Brussels for the conference, much to the outrage of opponents of world federalism within his party. After weeks spent deliberating the minutiae of the Atlantic Union, the conference emerged just before the holiday season with a proposed constitution and hundreds of pages of documentation surrounding the historical precedents and contemporary reasoning behind the proposal to electrify the debate surrounding a world government.
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A Time Magazine feature of Clarence Streit, one of the leading theorists behind the Atlantic Union proposal.
God’s Instrument or War Criminal?
The most controversial question hanging over the term of President Charles Edward Merriam was the fate of former President Alvin York. To many Americans, York had committed a crime against humanity comparable to those against which they had fought against for a decade and the incident ignited a debate surrounding presidential authority to deploy nuclear weapons. Throughout the initial months of his presidency, Merriam dodged questions surrounding the President and declined to make substantial public comment aside from occasional suggestions that the President had sole command over the United States military. At Merriam’s private urging, Speaker of the House Wright Patman also squashed suggestions that a President could still be impeached after leaving office. Likewise, Merriam directed the Justice Department not to open a federal prosecution against York and thus leaving the ailing former President’s case in legal limbo. Speaking out more strongly after his successful reelection campaign, Merriam clarified that while he found the act personally abhorrent it remained a legal exercise of the President’s powers as commander-in-chief and that as the victims were nationals of another country there was no basis for either a prosecution or a pardon in the name of crimes against the United States.
Beyond just the conduct of the President himself, the atomic bombing of Germany brought with it new concern around the governance of nuclear weapons. Believing that tight-lipped military control over nuclear weapons under wartime authority was a large factor in York’s ability to unilaterally strike Germany, the Senate’s sole independent Brien McMahon led the charge to place nuclear weapons and energy development under the control of an independent civilian commission appointed by both the President and the legislative officers. Though his bill died in committee, it inspired the Federalist Reform Party to counter with their own bill introduced by Kentucky Senator Andrew J. May replacing McMahon’s proposed commission with a board to be dominated by military officers exclusively appointed by the President. While the Federalist Reform majority in the Senate quickly passed the May bill over an attempted filibuster by McMahon, the bill came to a screeching halt in the House of Representatives where the opposition parties unified to fiercely oppose its passage. With Congress at an impasse, President Merriam issued executive orders continuing the status quo of the wartime project board that had been initiated by President Howard Hughes.
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Independent Connecticut Senator Brien McMahon, who took leadership of the fight for civilian control over nuclear energy
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Note: Not strictly bound by Merriam’s term, the following sections are meant to summarize the state of the world after the conclusion of the Second World War.
The Red Stars of Europe
Throughout the decade-spanning Second World War, the United Kingdom had been under the leadership of Conservative Prime Minister Duff Cooper. In order to maintain control against the irascible anti-war opposition led by Labour’s Oswald Mosley, Cooper had resorted to the royal authority of King Edward VIII to unilaterally bring the country into the war and cancel elections throughout its duration. While he had been successful in prosecuting the war to victory and securing the downfall of Mosley’s control over the Labour Party, when Cooper was finally forced to call elections at the war’s end he found voters profoundly unsympathetic to his accomplishments and his Tory government was defeated in a staggering landslide by the Labour Party. Thus, King Edward was reluctantly forced to appoint the Labour Party leader, Aneurin “Nye” Bevan, as the Prime Minister of the country. As an ally to former party leader Oswald Mosley, Bevan quickly embarked on the domestic implementation of the “Mosley Memorandum” to nationalize wide stretches of the British economy while also pursuing a massive expansion of the British welfare state. Following the atomic bombing of the German Empire, Bevan forcefully attacked the wanton use of weapons of mass destruction in a surprise attack and relations remained frosty even after York’s resignation as President Merriam cut off the United Kingdom from any knowledge sharing regarding nuclear power and weaponry.
Yet even the radicalism of Nye Bevan paled in comparison to that of the Spanish Republic, where a blossoming social and economic revolution was years underway. Following the victory of the leftist Republic against Nationalist forces in the country’s civil war, thanks in no small part to the decisive support of President Frank J. Hayes, agriculture was rapidly collectivized by the Spanish government while a combination of state support and syndicalist initiative led to over 75% of the industrial economy being brought under worker control. Taking inspiration from the writings and political efforts of American President John Dewey, the Spanish also imported many of his principles of progressive child-centric education while undertaking the community construction of centers of adult learning woven into forums of political debate. However, standing in stark contrast to the system of government on the mainland would be the so-called “Spanish State” existing in Spain’s African colonies. With their heavy conservative military presence, the colonies had formed a powerbase for the Spanish Nationalists and thus served as a natural place of refuge after their defeat in the war, while the socialist Republican government held little interest in reconquering a system of colonies that it found morally repugnant. Thus, the colonies became the host of a rival government and ruthless colonial state that came under the leadership of Falangist Agustin Aznar after he successfully orchestrated the murder of his political rivals to become the Jefe Nacional.
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Prime Minister Aneurin Bevan of the United Kingdom, the sole power offering a serious challenge to American hegemony over the post-war world.
Integralism Lives?
After the surrenders of the Kingdoms of France and Italy during the Second World War, the Allied powers were too pressed for manpower in their colossal struggle against Russia and Japan in the East to administer a full military occupation. Thus, instead the administration of Howard Hughes accepted the continuation of their governments so long as they cooperated with American occupation authorities. As a result, Italian Integralism and its monarchy would continue under the auspices of General Pietro Badoglio who was vested by King Victor Emmanuel III and the Grand Council of Fascism as Italy’s new prime minister after the downfall of Benito Mussolini. However, Badoglio’s position would become increasingly unstable after the large-scale effort of the German Empire to fund and arm leftist Italian insurgents and increasingly dependent upon the United States occupation forces for support to avert their overthrow. While France would likewise retain its newly crowned King Henri VI, his political strategy would be markedly different from that of the Italians. Believing that the monarchist right would have no choice but to support him, Henri appointed socialist Vincent Auriol as his Prime Minister and issued a new liberal constitution to endear the political left to him as well. Final peace treaties with both countries, forced to be renegotiated after the destruction of the German Empire, would not yet be concluded by the end of President Merriam’s first term though the recognition of separatist movements in Brittany and Corsica was viewed as an implicit precondition by the American government.
As the political and military leadership of the German Empire had been devastated by the atomic bombings, the continuance of the Kaiserreich was not only seen as undesirable by President Alvin York but also simply impractical. Although York would not be able to oversee the country past its initial occupation, President Merriam held much the same opinion and negotiated the de jure abolition of the German Empire alongside the British and divided the country into two zones of occupation. Though relying on the expertise of the limited number of German experts who were both still alive and willing to cooperate with the occupation authorities, much of the day-to-day administration of the occupation zones would be carried out by the military forces of the occupying powers. Yet while the occupying forces made great strides in repairing the utterly destroyed nations and stabilizing its food supply, the occupation faced never before seen challenges with enormous incidence rates of cancer and a newly identified “atomic bomb disease” with poorly understood symptoms and little understanding of its treatment.
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King Henri and Queen Isabelle of France, wearing a more austere style in an appeal to the French working class.
Blood Tide of the East
After Russia’s humiliating defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1934-1935, the country slipped into a dark period of brutal dictatorship at the hands of Anastasy Vonsyatsky and Ivan Solonevich. Yet few could have imagined that the horror could grow worse. The employment of strategic bombing against its crucial oil supply, the nuclear bombing of several of its cities, and worst of all an enormous anthrax attack targeted at its food supply caused the disintegration of Russia into famine and anarchy. As the powers of the Grand Alliance had declared victory and withdrew their troops from active fighting upon the surrender of Andrew Vlasov’s warlord band to western forces, the turmoil in Russia remained raging throughout President Merriam’s term with little outside intervention. Forces ranged from the claimed Romanov regent Mikhail Drozdovsky to the classical Integralist Boris Savinkov to the bloodthirsty racialist Bronislav Kaminski and dozens more in between fighting for the desiccated scraps of the once mighty country.
Ever vigilant on the frontier of this anarchy was the Reichskommissariat Muskowien, the former German puppet state instated by the Kaiser to facilitate the colonization of occupied Russian lands by German settlers. After its Reichskommissar was killed during the nuclear attack while visiting Berlin, his secretary Erich Koch seized control alongside a junta of military officers proclaiming the Reichskommissariat as a haven for the German people and embarking on a program of ethnic cleansing of the local Slavic population. Fearing that a military response would not only require another costly and unpopular war in Europe but also embroil the United States in the Russian frontier, President Merriam opted to continue the York administration’s position of withholding recognition from the Reichskommissariat while instead extending American influence in Eastern Europe under the auspices of his newly formed Office of Strategic Services.
With the German puppet governments in the Baltics, Poland, and Ukraine deeply unpopular and dependent on German support, their governments quickly collapsed under American and British influence leading to the establishment of new governments in each of the nations. Taking inspiration from the British program to unify the three Baltic nations under a single Baltic Union, President Merriam undertook a nation-building program of his own to attempt to unify Poland, Ukraine, and Romania into a single federation. However, the project remained stalled throughout his term due to a lack of enthusiasm from the member countries. Meanwhile, in an accord with the countries of the Grand Alliance, President Merriam and Secretary of State Joseph Grew took to settling the geopolitical situation of the Balkans. With the restoration of the Tsardom of Bulgaria already settled and Greece still preoccupied by civil war, the chief question would be the status of the former Triune. Striving for a balance between the competing claims of Austria and Hungary which had spiraled the world into war ten long years before, Grew negotiated the formation of a Danubian Confederation to replace the former Triune with substantial autonomy granted to the Czech, Slovak, Slovene, Hungarian, Croatian, Triestine, and Austrian states composing it but unifying them with a common citizenship and foreign policy.
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The ruins of what was once a Russian home, a testament to the country’s seemingly interminable anarchy.
Self-Determination For Whom?
Over the course of the Second World War, British and American forces had come to occupy virtually all of the vast continent of Africa and with the end of the war it fell upon them to oversee its fate. With the recent independence of the United States of the Congo under President Alvin York serving as an example, both President Charles Edward Merriam and British Prime Minister Aneurin Bevan were committed to the eventual decolonization of the African continent but they also agreed that the bulk of the diverse African peoples needed further “instruction” on democratic governance and western culture before being granted independence. Thus, the colonial system of rule remained largely unchanged on the continent, though German colonies would be transferred to the United Kingdom as trust territories and French and Italian colonies remained occupied until the settlement of a final peace treaty. The sole exception came in the German colony of Tanganyika, where former German Ambassador to the United Kingdom Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck escaped the destruction of his home in Bremen through a chance visit to his former Askari soldiers and worked with a group of veterans to proclaim a biracial Republic of Tanganyika in the aftermath of the German Empire’s destruction. Recalling Lettow-Vorbeck’s famous guerilla warfare campaign in the First World War, both the United Kingdom and the United States begrudgingly recognized this new African Republic.
Though the British were slow to release their colonies in Africa, the immense pressure building up within India could not be contained any longer as the Indian National Congress refused to tolerate the continuation of the home rule status quo. Thanks in large part to the close personal relationship of Prime Minister Bevan and Indian nationalist leader Jawaharlal Nehru, negotiations proceeded smoothly albeit without significant consultation of Muslim authorities that Nehru had clashed with previously. In the final agreement, India was granted independent Dominion status within the British Empire as a united polity and quickly forced the remaining princely states to comply. Under pressure of a possibly violent revolt in Burma, Bevan also pressed for an act to give independence to the Union of Burma soon thereafter. Even less consent from the colonizing power was required for the Indochinese Federation under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh, which had already successfully cast off both French rule and a later Japanese invasion. Though cautious of Ho Chi Minh’s socialist principles, President Merriam and Secretary Grew remained concerned about the more dangerous Marxist-Hansenist opposition in the country and decided to recognize his leadership to bolster his position against the radicals. This anti-colonialist streak would also extend itself to Indonesia, where American troops were instructed not to turn the country over to the former Dutch colonial administrators and instead support the independence movement to foster a loyal American ally in Southeast Asia.
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An independence procession in the newly formed Dominion of India.
Democracy in the Far East
Ever since the fateful day in 1939 when the United States declared war upon Japan, the Tiger of the East had become entrenched in the minds of the American people as their mortal enemy. Yet even despite cries for the execution of Emperor Hirohito and the visitation of revenge upon the Japanese people among the public, cooler heads prevailed in the State Department. The initial stages of Japan’s occupation were overseen by President Alvin York, who magnanimously saw Japan as a country that ought to be reformed rather than punished. Pressing for the shattering of its culture of militarism, the installation of structures of democracy, and even the Christianization of the nation, York’s program for the occupation proved massively influential for the future state of the country. Yet it would be President Charles Edward Merriam, eager to draw down United States military commitments, who would finish the process and finalize the treaty with Japan. Among the provisions of the treaty were the independence of Hawaii as a republic under American influence, the annexation of several Pacific islands including the Ryukyu Islands to serve as American naval installations, the placement of the remaining Pacific islands into trust territories, and the total demilitarization of Japan under a democratic system.
The presidency of Tasker H. Bliss had ushered in a special relationship between the United States and China that had persisted for the next twenty years. Yet under President Charles Edward Merriam, it had begun to fray. Upon hearing reports of American aid dollars being embezzled by the Chiang Kai-Shek administration for lavish personal corruption and believing Chiang to be a fundamentally self-interested and unreliable ally, Merriam quickly soured upon the Chinese Premier. Yet with the death of Vice Premier Feng Yuxiang, the opposition to Chiang remained too scattered for there to be any viable alternative. Thus, Merriam began maneuvering to install a set of new East Asian allies to reduce the monolithic power of China in the region. Chief among these was the Republic of Manchuria, which had been declared by a multi-ethnic group of local leaders seeking to avoid Chinese domination and given patronage by both Presidents York and Merriam. A further spite to Chiang would come with President Merriam’s support of the declaration of Taiwanese independence by Lei Chen, as the island had remained occupied by United States Marines after the end of the war. Despite these affronts, tensions between China and the United States were somewhat assuaged by American support for the return of French Yunnan, British Canton, Japanese Fujian, and Japanese Shandong to the Chinese Republic.
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A woman voting in Japan’s first free and fair elections in decades.
World Revolution, of Two Sorts
During the Great Depression, the Dominion of Newfoundland found itself in total collapse and was forced to surrender its independence back to its colonial overlord in the United Kingdom. Yet the war years remained hard for the Dominion and its people remained deeply unsatisfied with its governmental arrangement. As the concept of the Atlantic Union spread through the world with the impending end of the Second World War, a local movement under the leadership of Chesley Crosbie began preaching for a declaration of independence and subsequent application for United States statehood as a demonstration of support for the Atlanticist concept. Though initially dismissed as a fringe movement, a rapid growth of support led the Atlantic Union Party to carry independence to victory in a 1948 referendum. A subsequent victory in the first elections of the Dominion brought the Atlantic Union Party into power and it made its application for American statehood shortly thereafter. Once again angering the anti-Atlanticist section of the party, President Merriam urged that statehood be introduced as a joint resolution of the House and Senate, which ensured its passage even despite the opposition of a critical bloc of Senators who may have made a regular treaty ratification impossible. Yet a similar attempt at statehood for the island of Sicily would be blocked by Merriam, who argued that the referendum used for its justification was illegitimate due to an opposition boycott.
Long suffering under the neo-colonialism of their former colonial masters in France and a newer clique of German elites dominating the local economy, the nation of Haiti became a hotbed for the ideology of Marxism-Hansenism, which preached a violent and permanent world revolution to secure control of the means of production under the democratic management of the workers. After succeeding in its own revolution to overthrow the capitalist class, Haiti became a haven for Hansenists across the Americas seeking to plot their own revolutions by supporting them with revolutionary praxis, arms, and propaganda. After the outbreak of a revolution in Cuba, President Merriam recognized the threat that Haiti posed to the stability of the Americas and ordered the imposition of trade sanctions to strangle the suspected flow of funds and materiel from American Hansenists to the island. Furthermore, Secretary of State Joseph Grew orchestrated a vote in the International Association of American States to expel revolutionary Haiti from the organization due to its support for world revolution and undermining the government of other member states.
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Map of the world by the end of President Charles Edward Merriam’s first term in 1949. Credit and many thanks to Some_Pole for helping create the map!
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