Third World War (In the Presence of Mine Enemies)

The Third World War was an international conflict fought between the 1960s to 1970s by the Germanic Empire and the Empire of Japan against the United States which had remained neutral and isolated during the Second World War probably due to the influence of Charles Lynton and Henry Ford though this is unmentioned in the novel. There are hints that Canada may have joined the United States against the Reich and Japan though this is unknown.

Germany appears to be the first country to develop nuclear weapons. Using the same technology used to build V-1 and V-2 missiles in the Second World War, the Germans developed "robot bombs" and used these to attack and destroy key American cities Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. It is also hinted that the US may have launched attacks on the Reich which may have caused it significant damage. During the war, America lost a third of its population, probably mounting to several tens of millions.

After the war ended, the Reich began genociding the Jewish and Negro populations in the United States with large massacres taking place in New York City and Los Angeles. It is mentioned that some of the white American population may have assisted in these massacres since they hated Negros and Jews as well. It is unknown whether this genocide also extended to the Native American and Mexican populations.

With Washington, D.C. apparently being reduced to a nuclear wasteland, the American capital was moved to Omaha in the Mid West where a pro-Nazi American administration was established. Under the Reich, the United States was forced to pay war reparations in the form of an annual tribute which is an important source of income for the Reich's economy. When the United States is either unable to pay this tribute or is late doing so, the Wehrmacht uses terror tactics like destroying a city or plundering the countryside to speed up the process. The Americans often attempt to cheat or trick their German overlords into thinking that they have less than they truly have. It is mentioned that the Wehrmacht maintains bases in New York, Chicago, St. Louis and Omaha itself.