Cold War: 1949

The world is still reeling from the devastation and horrors of the German Reich, with little chance for respite. Tensions are rising as Western capitalist powers and Eastern communism move toward direct confrontation, each determined to prove that its ideology will shape the future of the world. The Chinese Civil War has escalated far beyond anyone’s expectations. The Communists have seized the most productive regions of the country and enjoy widespread popular support, while the Nationalists face mounting unrest as Communist forces gain ground by the day. In Indonesia, the Dutch cling bitterly to their last strongholds as the war for independence rages on. In French Indochina, Communist forces strike against French holdings, as colonial authorities scramble to maintain control before reinforcements from Europe can arrive.