The General Election
I attacked the SPD through the newspapers from behind the scenes while pretending to be a gentleman up front, slowly building my power. At the same time, I sowed discord between parties allied with the SPD, like the German Democratic Party and the National People's Party, laying the groundwork for division.
"My Führer, I've brought Dr. Haber as you requested."
"Well done. Bring him in."
At the same time, I decided to form a new organization called the German Scientists Union to pull scientists to my side. The calculation was simple: support from scientists would bring support from intellectuals as well.
The starting point was Dr. Fritz Haber. Ever since the Treaty of Versailles, he'd been researching ways to extract gold from the sea out of pure patriotism for Germany. But there was one issue—he was Jewish.
Ironically, in the original timeline, the poison gas he invented had killed his own relatives, who were also Jewish. But this time would be different. Shedding antisemitism had opened the door to utilizing Jewish patriots.
"Pleased to meet you, Dr. Falkenrain."
"Pleased to meet you, Dr. Fritz Haber. Though... I'm not actually a doctor?"
"Why not? To me, 'doctor' means the highest honor. You're saving Germany, aren't you? Why not publish a paper with me later under joint authorship in the social sciences?"
His first impression? Lighter than expected. During World War I, he'd developed poison gas and invented nitrogen fixation, smashing the British blockade head-on. Yet this giant of a man had a disarmingly casual personality. I'd imagined someone more dignified and grave.
"I'll pass on papers. I have no talent for academia. You've heard why I invited you, I assume?"
"Of course. To found and lead the German Scientists Union?"
"Exactly. Germany has no colonies, no resources. In a country like ours, science that creates something from nothing is essential for survival, wouldn't you say?"
"Few politicians say that. You're one of them, Dr. Falkenrain. You're right—science is key to Germany's survival."
"That's why our party intends to fund research for patriotic scientists. What do you think?"
"Just give me the support, and I won't disappoint."
"Then... one request. Instead of gold from the sea, how about finding and drilling for crude oil?"
"Crude oil? Does that make money?"
"It will. Definitely. Say, prospecting off Norway's coast."
"Coal liquefaction might be better."
"We'll fund that too."
At my words, Dr. Fritz Haber chuckled. It meant I'd support whatever he wanted. Anyway, that was enough talk. I offered my hand, and he shook it.
The beginning wasn't just Dr. Fritz Haber. Werner Heisenberg, the father of quantum mechanics and a nuclear physicist for Nazi Germany. Robert Oppenheimer, who formalized Heisenberg's theories and contributed his own research and hypotheses to quantum mechanics. Even Albert Einstein, still a middle-aged professor at a German university. A diverse array of scientists were invited to the German Scientists Union, a subsidiary organization of the DDRAP.
Antisemitism really is garbage. We almost missed out on these talents...
"Scientists of the Union, first, my deepest thanks for joining. You are the patriots saving Germany from the abyss of defeat, the vanguard of our nation. I'm here to support your achievements."
I gathered them and confirmed I was on their side. I also assured them protection from the rampant antisemitism after the defeat.
Not just German nationals joined. Some foreign scientists signed contracts for funding and relocated to Germany. The world's scientists and engineers flocked to us, thanks to the German Scientists Union.
John von Neumann, the world-class genius then teaching mathematics at Berlin University, acquired German citizenship and joined. I tied most scientists who would have gone to America to Germany with the leashes of "funding" and "institutional support."
This wasn't just political—it was genuine for Germany's future.
Germany needs nuclear weapons to win.
The perceptive would guess why I was recruiting scientists. Oppenheimer, Heisenberg, Einstein, von Neumann—none in the original timeline had avoided nuclear weapons development.
And I didn't stop there. I used it as propaganda too, promoting the DDRAP.
After founding the German Scientists Union, time passed. I turned their research results into so-called ‘national pride’ news, then folded that into DDRAP propaganda. Support for DDRAP rose, benefiting us—and the funded scientists. A perfect win-win cycle.
Regardless of the Scientists Union, political operations for the election continued. The SPD was swiftly framed as a pro-Poland party. Annoying, bulky oaf—perfect image. Support plummeted daily. They weren't even pro-Poland, but they lost big because of it.
Simultaneously, I severed SPD ties with the German Democratic Party and National People's Party by spreading lies that SPD was trying to absorb them. They didn't believe at first, but consistent rumors bred suspicion. Stoke suspicion, and the rest crumbles. SPD acts for SPD, not the others. Tiny differences erode trust. SPD suddenly lost allies' faith. Once doubt sets in, no need to touch it. The loose coalition shattered.
Max Amann reported it.
"My Führer, it's borne fruit. SPD and German Democratic Party alliance broken. Democrats declared it first."
"Democrats and SPD split isn't key. The National People's Party and SPD link matters. Status?"
"In progress. I'll report methods and details."
Max Amann returned to his office. Democrats first, but days later, the German Center Party attacked SPD over the "pro-Poland" label. Naturally, we weren't the only ones using it. Parties piled on, tearing into SPD.
Days after, Max Amann brought news of National People's Party and SPD split.
"SPD's done. No allies left."
"Yes. Being SPD-friendly is political suicide now."
SPD weakened overnight. Their late hardline Poland stance couldn't shake the frame. Then the day came.
May 20, 1928. The general election began. Crowds headed to polls with their precious votes. A week later, May 27, results emerged.
"My Führer..."
"I've seen it, Amann. Good work."
Weimar Republic's 5th Reichstag election results. SPD scraped just 21 seats. A massive fall from 100 before.
German Center Party's Heinrich Brüning won most support, becoming next chancellor.
What? DDRAP lost.
"SPD's gone, but Center and People's combined. Opposition stronger than government—watch closely."
"This is enough. The point was our growth."
DDRAP secured 73 seats. Center and People's over 200 combined, but from 15 last time, ours was explosive growth.
"Next election changes everything."
The old order collapsed. 5th election scrambled power again. The future raced into unknown territory.