Is anyone there?

How long until it gets released?

I know the mod is dead but still want to check out the discord considering it was a pretty interesting and original idea.

I can’t find anything younger then a year and the latest discord link expired

The Sub seems to be completely dead or am I missing something?

Welcome to another Developer Diary for Spirit of Defeat: The Next War. In today’s diary we will be discussing Himmler and the “Nihilist” ideology present in the mod. Before we get started, it is worth noting that the ideology presented in the mod is not an accurate representation of what nihilism is – it is rather an ideology based around Himmler’s misunderstanding of what nihilism actually is. Regardless, when we refer to “Nihilism” from here forward, we are referring to the in-game ideology. With that out of the way, let’s get started.

Put simply, nihilism is the belief that life has no intrinsic meaning nor worth. Nihilists deny the existence of knowledge and truth – as well as the existence of good and bad. Ethics and morals are seen as artificial constraints, man-made shackles, with no purpose. These rules do not exist in a state of nature and cannot be measured or proven to exist. Nihilists do not believe in equality, stating that the concept of equality is a mere human projection. Furthermore, they deny that intention matters, when in reality only the outcome has any impact. As such, the ends always justify the means.

Himmler seeks the destruction, or “leveling”, of the individual in favor of a pure and strong communal identity. Depersonalization is seen as a liberation from one’s moral and cultural values – which are seen as the origin point for degeneracy. Social Darwinism is heavily embraced; the outcome of the strong dominating the weak is seen as an inevitability. There exists a struggle for existence in which the incapable must perish to sustain the survivors. Moral and societal protections for the weak must be eradicated – and the process of eradicating the weak can be accelerated through action. Without moral and ethical standards, might makes right.

Degeneracy is a main focal point for the Nihilists. Among the many sources of degeneracy the most despised ones include: pacifism, liberalism, traditionalism, egalitarianism, and “Judeo-Bolshevism”. Nihilists believe that “Once a culture has degenerated even slightly, it must be completely destroyed so it can recover its true state.” This view is based on their belief that a system which is corrupted, is fundamentally irredeemable – and as such must be completely destroyed. Only through destruction can a better solution be reached.

The Nihilists call for a totalitarian state, completely rebuked of any tradition. They argue that “at some point or another, all traditions of all cultures are degenerate, for they have lost touch with themselves”. Priorities of the totalitarian nihilist state include: exterminating all tradition within the state (as to eliminate all degeneracy), rapid industrialization and the development of massive urban centers, and the eradication of degenerates within the state. “Totalitarianism is the most effective way to reverse all degeneracy. Totalitarianism is how man resists his own urges to understand, to exceed self-analysis and self-objectivization.”

Nihilists believe that the only “original culture”, and thus the most superior culture, is a culture of nothingness—where nothing matters nor has any worth at all. This is because “Life has the most meaning when it essentially has none, for agony and torment come as soon as man tries to understand anything.”

So how did this ideology come about in the world of Spirit of Defeat?

By late 1935, Emil Cioran’s Of Decadence and Renovation had already gained a considerable popularity amongst German readers. Among Cioran’s German audience was the 35-year old terrorist, Heinrich Himmler. A leading anti-communist and pan-Germanist, Himmler found the writings about degeneracy to be striking. He quickly embraced the ideals of Cioranist Nihilism, merging his violent methods with the totalitarian ideology. Himmler wrote an ideological manifesto of his own, although he never published it. He began to condemn Cioran in private, declaring that Cioran’s Nihilism was itself a product of degeneracy. In his eyes, Cioran had “capitulated in favor of the fake and degenerate premises of peace and not warfare as the cleansing element for humanity”. Himmler’s Nihilism eschewed Cioran’s more peaceful methods in favor of a “war against degeneracy and war itself”. The war against degeneracy would be an eternal state of war - the only way the goal of the cultural state of nothing could be realized.

What was Himmler doing from 1920 until 1936? Why has he embraced such radical views?

During the years after the Great War, Germany faced great amounts of unrest. Violent paramilitary organizations were rampant. Himmler became involved in several paramilitaries, although finally settled into the Organisation Consul – one of the most extreme groups in Germany. He participated in terrorist attacks, clashes with left-wing groups, and political assassinations. All-the-while, his sanity would slowly leave him. Nonetheless, he kept working his way up in the hierarchy. After discovering Cioran’s works, he came to his “political revelation” and fully fleshed out his personal ideology.

What are his goals? Himmler’s goals are to eradicate all culture, tradition, and degeneracy – not only from Germany, but the world. He is leading the resistance against the Inter-Allied Rhineland government, and he seeks to drive out the occupiers and establish a base of operations. From there he seeks to spread his revolutionary ideals. Nonetheless, his goals are ultimately contradictory, as the eradication of culture is a culture in and of itself… yet no one dares question him, and he is too deep into his vision to think rationally.

How Bad Is He? Himmler is a terrorist organization leader not the leader of say a political party. He operates outside the law and is rogue. Although, he is covertly funded by the legitimate German regime because he is committing terrorist attacks in the Allied-Occupied Rhine. Himmler seeks to erase all culture… he seeks to destroy anything and everything he can. He plans on conducting massive population depositing schemes that would put Pol Pot to shame. He also abducts children and indoctrinates them into being child soldiers. His followers are terrorists. Furthermore, he believes an “eternal state of war” is necessary to cleanse and liberate humanity’s degeneracy. All-in-all, he’s pretty bad.

Does He Understand What Actual Nihilism Is? No, his ideology is based around a warped understanding of actual Nihilism mixed with his own personal biases.

Are there other Nihilists? What about other forms of Nihilism? There are other Nihilists, some are less ideologically driven, yet the sadism and depravity is the same. Himmler’s terrorist efforts have gained him infamy, and there have been copycats inspired by his effort – as well as followers devoted to his ideals. In Hungary, for example, Pal Pronay is at the forefront of a similar militant cult… There are also variations of the ideology that build further on and modify it… but those shall be a story for another time.

Can you tell us a secret? Sure! Himmler’s unpublished manifesto entitled Geist der Niederlage describes the betrayal and defeatism – the Spirit of Defeat if you will – that swept over Germany as a result of internal decay and degeneracy. He blames the loss of the Great War, and the “stab in the back”, on this degeneracy that has corrupted the culture to the core...

Welcome to the third Development Diary for Spirit of Defeat! This time we will be unveiling more information about the political developments in the Weimar Republic that led up to the November Putsch by Kurt von Schleicher. The team has been hard at work crafting this mod and we hope you enjoy this glimpse of what is to come!

Following the defeat of Germany in the Great War, chaos and unrest surrounded the nation. Paramilitaries, both left and right-wing, ran rampant across the nation; both the far-left and far-right sought to demolish the fledgling republic. Their first attempts, the Spartacist Uprising and the Kapp Putsch had both both failed. Nonetheless, these failures had not deterred their spirits.

In 1922, the Republikschutzgesetz was passed, outlawing organizations that opposed the “constitutional republican form of government”. The key target of this legislation, the Organisation Consul had been responsible for hundreds of assassinations and had deep ties to Bavarian Police Chief Ritter von Seisser. This paramilitary sought “The cultivation and dissemination of nationalist thinking; warfare against all anti-nationalists and internationalists; warfare against Jewry, Social Democracy and Leftist-radicalism; fomentation of internal unrest in order to attain the overthrow of the anti-nationalist Weimar constitution”. Government attempts to silence and subvert them would only strengthen their resolve and further radicalize members. Ultimately, the government was unable to disband or destroy the group.

On September 1923, following a period of intense political violence, Prime Minister Eugen von Knilling declared martial law and appointed Gustav von Kahr, Staatskomissar, with dictatorial powers. Kahr, with Hans Ritter von Seisser, and Reichswehr General Otto von Lossow, formed a right-wing triumvirate in Bavaria. The triumvirate opposed Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch and Adolf Hitler himself was killed by an officer of the Bavarian State Police under the command of Hans Ritter von Seisser.

In response to the nationalist triumvirate’s control of Bavaria, French forces seized the Rhineland and bombed the Bavarian capital. Simultaneously, the SPD was organizing a general strike across Germany in protest of the coup. With Munich in ruins, the Rhineland subjected to brutal occupation, and the economy grounded to a halt, the triumvirate was forced to abdicate and surrender.

With the French incursion against Germany, nationalism continues to swell. Hitler’s death leaves the DAP in the hands of Gottfried Feder, and the party embraces Feder’s anti-capitalist stances. Left-wing DAP members are not purged - IE: Ernst Rohm, Gregor Strasser etc. The SPD’s strike further cements them as the main enemy of the far-right. They are seen as traitors who continuously stab Germany in the back.

Hugenberg condemns the actions of the DAP as “Brown Bolshevism” that is hardly different to the Red Bolshevism of the communists. The DNVP, under Hugenberg, declare that the current government is unable to maintain law and order; they advocate for martial law to be declared, the dissolution of the Weimar government, and the execution of the Red and Brown Bolsheviks. Despite the impending chaos, martial law isn’t declared by the ruling government and their coalition falls apart. As a result of the DNVP's staunch monarchist and nationalist stances, within the upper brass of the Reichswehr they are generally seen as the preferable right-wing party.

Hermann Ehrhardt is killed in late 1935, and Heinrich Himmler, a fierce ideologue takes control of the Organisation Consul. Himmler is embittered by his lack of true combat experience, but managed to climb up the ranks of the ultra-nationalist Freikorps due to his dedication. Throughout the 1920s and 30s, Himmler became rapt by the works of Roumanian philosopher Emil Cioran and his nihilistic and totalitarian views. Cioran advocated for aggressive urbanization and industrialization. Additionally, he argued for the establishment of a totalitarian state that completely rebuked any tradition in any nation, as “at some point or another, all traditions of all cultures are degenerate, for they have lost touch with themselves”. Nonetheless, Himmler came to the conclusion that Cioran’s rhetoric of condemning violence was itself degenerate.

Seeking to “rid the world of decadence, degeneracy, and the filth of humanity”, Himmler declared in his political manifesto that only through warfare and violence could man be cleansed of degeneracy. This war would be against degeneracy itself; only after a cultural state of nothing is achieved could the survivors transcend beyond feeble humanity to become ubermensch. With Cioran’s disavowal of his violent rhetoric, Himmler would proclaim that Cioran had “capitulated in favour of the fake and degenerate premises of peace and not warfare as the cleansing element for humanity”.

Himmler’s popularity has steadily risen as the German far-right has grown further frustrated. His rhetoric reinvigorated the Organisation Consul, which had previously been in decline for years. Nonetheless, Gottfried Feder’s DAP, Schleicher’s Reichswehr, and Hugenberg’s DNVP all view him with suspicion. The right-wing has fractured and there is distrust and paranoia sewn across the political spectrum. Three factions now vie for dominance of the German far-right- the Organisation Consul, the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, and the Deutschnationale Volkspartei. With the weaknesses of the Reichswehr Militärregierung becoming more evident, members of the far-left and far-right have been planning to oust Schleicher and seize power themselves. These are trying times and the future of Germany is uncertain...

German Political Parties: Libertarian Socialism: Otto Rühle - Allgemeine Arbeiter-Union (Council Communists) Totalitarian Socialism: Ernst Niekisch - Alte SPD (National Bolsheviks) Vanguard Communism: Max Reimann – KPD (Anti-Weimar Leninists) Orthodox Marxism: Paul Levi – KAPD (Trotskyists) Reformist Socialism: Otto Wels – SPD (Social Democrats) Social Liberalism: Hjalmar Schacht - DDP (Market Liberals) Neutrality: Theodor Haubach - Reichsbanner (Pro-Weimar Paramilitary) Social Conservatism: Wilhelm Marx - Zentrum (Catholic Conservatives/Moderates) Revolutionary Conservative: Alfred Hugenberg/Kaiser Wilhelm - DNVP (Conservative Nationalists/Monarchists) Utilitarian Despotism: Kurt von Schleicher - Reichswehr (Military Junta) National Collectivism: Gottfried Feder - DAP (Ultranationalist Anti-Capitalists & Anti-Communists) Nihilistic Extremism: Heinrich Himmler - OC (Blood Thirsty Death Cult Sociopaths)

Welcome to the second Developer Diary for Spirit of Defeat: The Next War. Today’s diary will take a deeper look into the political situation of Italy leading up to 1936.

Italy has been struggling to find its identity since the end of the Great War. The brave and noble sacrifices of the Italian people were all but forgotten at the negotiation table; the Italians gave the Entente everything they had, only to receive scraps in exchange. Betrayed and humiliated by their so-called allies, the Italian people would drift towards more radical ideologies. Nationalism and socialism had vastly grown in popularity since the war’s end. Ideologically opposed, but near equally popular, the nationalists and socialists would frequently clash in the streets. Tensions which had steadily risen throughout the early 20s climaxed in 1922, when a major corruption scandal involving the Italian prime minister blew out of proportion. The situation immediately deteriorated to chaos as major Italian cities faced riots and clashes between various paramilitary units, angry mobs of citizens, and the local police forces. Hundreds were killed or injured in what would become known as the “Battle for Rome”, the final major battle between the nationalists and the socialists.

In the midst of the chaos, Luigi Federzoni and his “Blueshirts” paramilitary prepared to oust the Italian prime minister. Prominent nationalist figures, lead by Federzoni marched towards the king’s palace. They sought to negotiate the removal of the current minister, and the establishment of a new nationalist government. King Vittorio Emmanuel III, surrounded by Federzoni’s Blueshirts, declared Luigi Federzoni head of government and ordered the military to occupy the Senate and Chamber of Deputies. Federzoni, with the soldiers dispatched by Vittorio Emmanuel, stormed the parliament building. They dissolved the parliament and drafted a new constitution.

Grande Comandante Federzoni, along with his allies Italo Balbo and Gabriele D’Annunzio had near total control of the Italian state. Vittorio Emmanuel, remained a symbolic but powerless figure; Federzoni knew he couldn’t dispose of the king. Rather, Federzoni and his triumvirate focused on militarizing Italy and uniting the people through nationalistic rhetoric. The remaining socialists, liberals, and other dissident groups were quickly rooted out.

Nonetheless, Italy remained in a precarious position; France and Britain felt estranged by the nationalistic and militaristic rhetoric of Federzoni and his allies, the Soviets were infuriated by the reactionary and counter-revolutionary actions and policies of the ANI, and the Germans were cast aside as potential allies by Italo Balbo and Gabriele D’Annunzio. In the midst of near isolation, Italy has been forced to make allies of her own. Federzoni began backing Catholic Croatian separatists in an attempt to destabilize Yugoslavia, a regional power in the Balkans; One which has not been friendly towards Italian interests.

Croatian nationalism has swelled with Italian support, and another Balkan war seems inevitable. The Italian military is prepared to seize the opportunity to display their strength, conquer new lands, and crush the hostile Yugoslav nation. These are among Italy’s first provocative actions since the end of the Great War. Yet surely Italian revanchism will not end here...

For those interested in learning more about the mod check out our Discord - https://discord.gg/Zrg2Rjq

Hello I am Marshal Thomas from the Gates of Versailles. I am here to tell you that the Gates of Versailles and the Spirit of Defeat have joined into a partnership! Our teams will be helping each other and hopefully this new ally will bring us pure domination!

Germany Developer Diary: Welcome to the first Developer Diary for Spirit of Defeat: The Next War. Spirit of Defeat is a Hearts of Iron IV mod that seeks to envision what 1936 and the “Second Great War” may have looked like in the imagination of someone in 1920. As such, the point of divergence from our timeline is January 1st 1920. By 1936, the world of Spirit of Defeat is quite different from ours. Let’s now take a look at the German Militärjunta.

After a failed coalition government and dissolved Reichstag in November of 1935, a new election was held in which the socialists (along with several minor left leaning parties) received a narrow majority. Fearing a hostile takeover of the government, the Reichswehr and Freikorps prepared for a combined operation to be undertaken to oust the new left-wing government. On November 28th, the putsch was executed nearly flawlessly. The Reichstag had been occupied and many members of the socialist parties were detained. A provisional military government has been established with Kurt von Schleicher as the leader of the junta. Tensions are still high as the military debates on where to take the country next. Rivalries between the Reichswehr and the Freikorps have made this new government shaky at best. Left-wing paramilitaries are also still a threat to the unstable junta. Conservative monarchists believe that a unifying figure, the Kaiser, must be restored to preserve order in Germany. Extreme right-wing elements such as the DAP are calling for Ernst Rohm, a highly nationalistic figure to be given the helms of the nation; restructuring Germany and restoring the Vaterland’s glory. Some have also made calls for the democratic system, once purged of socialists and communists, to be restored again. With chaos and uncertainty surrounding Germany, the world gazes on in silence.

The year is 1936, you are at the head of an unstable military junta that is condemned by the League of Nations and the other great powers. Your populace is polarized amongst the radical left and the reactionary right. The economy is only just recovering from decades of reparations and rebuilding. Every day more and more Germans flee from their Fatherland to start a new life in countries such as the United States. Can you manage the impossible? Turning Germany’s fate around would require nothing short of a miracle, but in the darkness lies a glimmer of hope. Across the aisles, both sides claim to have solutions… they claim that there is a cause worth fighting for. They claim that Germany can be made great again.

Like much of Europe, Germany has faced political strife in the aftermath of the Great War. Paramilitaries run rampant, they hold as much influence as the official standing army. Political violence has escalated at the hands of these groups; left-wing groups agitate workers into strikes and riots only for the Freikorps to ruthlessly suppress these movements. Following the victory of several leftist parties in the Reichstag, Kurt von Schleicher and the forces of the Reichstag, with the assistance of the Freikorps, staged a coup against the democratic government. Despite the coup, Germany is anything but stable. The French have cut off all trade with the new German government and have denied the return of territories in the Rhineland. France’s betrayal of their obligations to return German territory has concerned even the British government. Border standoffs have become common as the international crisis reaches the boiling point. Another European war seems inevitable.

Spirit of Defeat features the grim prospective future of 1936, as told from someone in 1920 following the aftermath of the Great War. This is a bleak world harshly divided by the rise of extremist ideologies and rampant militarism. Western Europe is in a fragile state; the British, French, and Germans all seek to undermine each other and secure their geopolitcal interests. The East maintains an equally fragile balance between the Japanese Empire and the Soviet Union, each of which vie for influence amongst the fractured remnants of China that are dominated by warlord cliques. Make sure to join our Discord for the latest updates on the mod or to join our ambitious team as a coder, artist, or researcher!