TheLizardKing
Let's talk Michelle.
BT 3: 2170-2199
North American Events
Alaska - Land of the Grizzly Economics
Juneau, The Republic of Alaska
Alaska, finally on it's feet, after it's revolt from the 'Cascadian Hippies', has fully embraced the Union of Unfederated Pacific States Co-Prosperity Agreement, and all of it's economic benefits. Utilizing increased Pan-Pacific Trade to its advantage, Alaska has began massive importations of cheaply made Asian goods, and attempted to sell them to the various nations of North America, hoping to make the middle-man's cut. While this has worked, at least to an extent, the over flow of cheap East-Asian goods hasn't exactly been great for the Alaskan industry.
The Missouri Compromise of 2180
St. Louis, The Atlantic States
After the dissolution of the Missouri Confederacy, much of what was Missouri came to be controlled by the Atlantic States. The Dixie Confederacy, always looking for new lands to rule, similar set a goal to take over what remained of Missouri. While the two sides did not come nearly close enough to consider war over this land as a possibility, the tensions were there. The Atlantic States, viewing itself as the obviously successor to the United States claimed the entirety of Missouri on that basis. The Confederacy, instead looked at the cultural history the two regions shared. All the while, the people of Missouri flocked to one side or another. To avoid conflict, representatives from both the Dixie Republic and the Atlantic States met in Quebec City to discuss a possible peaceful partition of the region.
The resulting Missouri Compromise of 2180, designated the land north of the Missouri River, and the lands around St. Louis to be under the supervision of the Atlantic States, while the southern region, fell to the Dixie Republic. This partition will then be put under review once more in 2205, 25 years in the future. Past that, non-renewable clauses highlighted Atlantic and Dixie borders along the Ohio and the previous borders between Maryland and the Virginias, and a few maritime fishing borders that were previously under question. While some Dixie's are complaining about losing the entirety of St. Louis under the agreement, the Atlantic States did offer to recognize the Dixie Republic's claim to Oklahoma, though many are doubting if it could do anything else.
Mexicali Blues
Hermosillo, The Sonoran Republic
The growing military dictatorship in Sonora has fully rejected all Californian and Mexican influence that had been growing in the nation over the past few decades. Californian and Mexican citizens were deported, businesses seized, and their respective embassy's were closed. Sonoran dictator Javier Arteche has called these actions a 'necessary step in securing Sonoran independence'. Mexico has thus far turned the other cheek, viewing possible re-unification with the rogue nation a lost cause. California on the other hand, has taken a highly aggressive stance with the republic, claiming that Californian property damaged in the seizures should be paid back in full, along with more diplomatic respect being delivered to the Industrial Democracy.
Javier Arteche in turn called California's demands that of a paper tiger. The entirety of North America seems to be watching the situation, and it's assumed ending very closely.
Dixie Filibustering
San Juan, The Carib League
The Antillean Confederation and Carib League experienced some minor internal unrest this year, widely believed to be at the hands of Dixie filibusters, if not that of the Dixie government itself. The rather ad hoc Confederacies had their fair share of historical and culture differences, something that became a rather large issue in 2180, as minor rebellions began appearing in Hispanoila, while several islands seceded from the Carib League.
Both governments attempted to restore order in said regions, while Dixie military units quickly occupied the Virgin islands. The rebellions were mostly small and localized, and helped point out several imperfections in how the Confederacy's ruled their member states, and organized their military units.
Socialism, And Panama
Colon, The People's Republic of Panama
After a few decades of what many are calling 'systematic government abuse', the people of Panama have finally stood up enough to allow their voices to be heard. The result was 'systematic government abuse' of several dozen protestors. The Panamanian government's attempt to strangle this would-be revolution in the cradle, only stirred things up to a maximum fervor.
'Communisto' Revolutionaries began taking the fight to government forces throughout Panama's dense and underdeveloped jungles. Before long, and with a lot of suspected Californian support, the Revolutionaries had enough strength and weapons to force the Panamanian government into exile somewhere in South America, while a new Communist government was established. Among it's first moves was closer trading ties with California.
Socialism, as a whole seemed to be on the move in the Americas and Europe, with minor revolts breaking out in Argentina, Acre, Silesia, Galicia, Occitania and Gran Colombia. Panamanian, or Californian influence on this is suspected, but without much support.
The Mormon Trail, Revisited
Salt Lake City, Deseret
Since the collapse, the American west has largely been void of any major centralized government. That is, until a rejuvenated Church of the Latter Day Saints began sending settlers and missionaries across the plains, en-masse, in a sort of reverse Mormon trail.
This generosity, and sense of order, has allowed for the CLDS to experience un-precedented growth, as the Church's influence, and by extension, Deseret's influence expanded from Utah to Missouri. High birthrates, and almost fanatical citizenry have reserved Deseret a place in the standings of North American powers. And the Church's influence hasn't just stopped where Deseret's borders have. Sizable groups of Mormons have began appearing in Cascadia, Northern Mexico and the Atlantic States, especially in the St. Louis area.
European Events
Europe's Greener Future
London, The Republic of England
Since the end of the Old-Times, and start of the New-Times, it seems many European nations are attempting to reinstate the older idea of 'Green Technologies'. England has attempted to set up massive wind turbines across the country side, for power, while Spain has begun to utilize massive Solar Arrays in North Africa. Portugal, Ireland and Hungary all set about attempting to research some possible alternative fuel resources, and the like as well. The Fourth Reich was no exception either, with it obvious to many European nations that Berlin was jockeying to be Europe's pre-eminent technological leader. It's new university system, ensured it had some of the best education institutions in Europe, if not the world.
A Democratic Monarchy?
Warsaw, Poland
A series of political reforms in Poland has given many Polish citizens rights that they are more then happy to be entitled to. Things such as Habeas Corpus, freedom of religion, and other stereotypical modern Republican ideals have began to be assured by the new Polish standardized justice system. But among the newest, if not most unusual of the changes, is the ability of the average Polish citizen to vote on the Polish King. Wether or not this leaves hereditary ascension out of the equation or not has still yet to be seen, though many are wondering.
Hail to the Junta
Berlin, The Franco-Germanic Empire
Force feeding it's people propaganda has proven to be successful for the Franco-German Empire. After years of reluctant support, (at best) the people of the Fourth Reich seem to be genuinely enjoying where they are at. Almost 100 years with a steady, and stable government has led to some feelings of good-will towards the higher-ups in the Franco-Germanic military. And previous political reforms have made it arguably tolerable to live in what is otherwise considered a dictatorship. My young German (and French) citizens have taken to flying the flag of the Fourth Reich with pride. After all, it's all they've known.
..The Great Game?
Amsterdam, The Lowland's Union
For the better part of the last 50 years, both the Franco-Germanic Empire, and the Norse Imperium have attempted to seduce the Lowland's Union into further cooperation with one side, at the expense of the other. The Fourth Reich, has taken a mostly economic, and slightly cultural approach, flooding the Lowland's Union market's with German goods, causing a slight degree of economic reliance.
The Norse Imperium, has instead, taken to the spread the world of God, as ordained through the Norse Church. So much so, that three out of every four Lowlander is an active member of the Church, (if you will believe what his Highness The Norse Emperor says, at least.) despite German attempts to call it an 'extremist Cult'. The result is a highly propped up, muddled Lowland's Union, with German and Norse influences highly prevalent. The Northern part of the Union, classically the Netherlands, is leaning more towards economic and political cooperation with the Franco-Germanic Empire, while the south, or Belgium, is being drawn more and more into the Norse sphere of influence.
The Berlin Summit
Berlin, The Franco-German Empire
A Toledo Conference style summit was held in 2189, to help promote a ban on weapons of mass destruction. Many nations showed up, to support the cause, or at least see what it was all about, including, obviously the Franco-Germanic Empire, along with Siam, Occitania, Brittany, Galicia, Silesia, The Hellenistic Empire, Zealand, Westralia, Australia, Quebec, Rio Grande, Brazil, Argentina, Sul and Gran Colombia. Nothing too much happened at the talks, with most sides hesitant to really commit their nations to anything, without another nation doing it first.
This lack of want to take the first plunge into the pool that is WMD caps, has stifled what many were hoping to be an important meeting among world powers.
The Steppe War
Kiev, The Republic of Kiev
The New Russian Federation hasn't made many friends since it started after the collapse. Burning down entire towns and communities in Siberia, cost it much of the land it once called it's own, while its raiders in Daghestan were repelled when trying to force the locals into submitting to Moscow's rule. The pinnacle of Russian aggression, however, was the invasion of the small nation of Ossetia in 2172.
Russian authorities began to claim that Russian citizens had been mistreated in the young republic. Citizens who apparently moved there before the nation's founding in 2144. Regardless of the plausbility of 50 year old Russian's being mistreated, a question arouse in the international community in regards to how they were being mistreated. And how the NRF government even knew about it. No real answer was given, and before long, the entirety of the Russian military over ran the tiny nation, despite calls from Daghestan, Georgia and the Republic of Kiev to cease it's military operations.
The real kick in the face came, however, when the Russian government, finished with 'making Ossetia safe for Russians', annexed the entirety of the nation, rather then installing a more favorable government, or taking some sort of monetary repayment for their apparently abused nationals. This wanton, aggressive act, of course put it at odds with the very nations that were so critical of the Russian mission from the get go. It didn't take long for the Republic of Kiev to issue an ultimatum to the NRF government, backed by Daghestan, with silent approval from the Baltic Union, Lithuania, and the Norse Imperium. No response was made, and Kievan soldiers began an advance into NRF territory, to force the Russian's into leaving Ossetia. Daghestani soldiers attempted to cross into Ossetia, but were summarily repulsed. Russian calls for German help, as per their alliance, led to a German support squadron bombarding Crimea, before an overall cease-fire could be agreed too, after several minor Kievan victories on the Steppe.
The terms were simply, minor territorial concessions were to be made to Daghestan and Ossetia, while the Russian Federation agreed to acknowledge Ossetia's independence.
The Russian Invasion of Finland
St. Petersburg, The New Russian Federation
Despite losses in the Steppe War, the New Russian Federation decided to once again try it's hand at an invasion of Finland this time. The Russian military blitzed Finish positions, astounded by unwarranted attack. The Finnish military was initially bombed heavily, followed by a massive ground assault, which they had little hope in defending themselves against. The 'war' was over, within several weeks of fighting. Russian soldiers paraded victoriously through Finnish towns and cities, and 'The War Is Over' was the headline of most major Russian newspapers.
But, the war, was in fact not over. The Finnish military dispersed into the forests, and tried their hand at guerilla warfare. It took some heavy Russian closer air-support to make them think about simply surrendering. The Finnish guerilla leaders viewed any further fighting to be simply a waste of life, and promptly surrendered. The part of the Finnish Karelian Peninsula that was classically Russian was ceded to the Federation, and the rest of Finland had a pro-Moscow government installed.
While, on paper all things look well for the New Russian Federation, a growing underground movement of disgruntled Finnish youth have been causing trouble for the current Finnish government, and the necessary Russian officials.
A Rival Appears!
Milan, Padania
The growing influence of many state-sponsored religions, such as the Norse Church, the Church of the Latter Day Saints, and Kentyism in Senegambia, have led to mass followings in their respective countries, and surrounding nations, by force, or choice. Yet, the Catholic Church, so long a power in the world's political and religious scene, has thus far been un-represented. Until now at least.
The Catholic Church has been without a Pope since before the collapse, until of late, when several clergymen from Milan have gotten together to re-establish the Church, and elected the Bishop of Milan, Giuliano Magistris as Pope. A few Catholics are questioning the validity of this appointment, but all the while Pope Magistris has set about attempting to restore the Church to it's former glory, petitioning the Franco-German empire for land to establish itself as an independent nation.
African Events
The Second Scramble For Africa
Brazzaville, The Norse Imperium
In the mid 19th century, until the late 20th century, industrialized European powers utilized their 'advanced' technologies to subjugate almost the entirety of Africa. Not-surprisingly enough, a similar scene has already started occurring. Western European nations, as whole, are arguably far better off in the post collapse war, then African states, many of which are still reliant on old technology, and disunited along cultural and political lines.
This new Scramble started with the early Portuguese claim of Gibraltar, with the Hellenistic Empire quickly claiming Cyrenaica. Minor colonies by Spain and England soon came, though it wasn't until now that European powers began actively competing to gain land and new populations for their own glory, and of course, economic benefit. The Norse Imperium, England, Spain, and surprisingly the New Russian Federation, with Portugal to a lesser extent, attempted to dis-assemble and 'colonize' parts of Africa, either under control from a central authority, or otherwise untouched by the 'saving grace of civilization'. The tactics of submission varied, with nations such as Britain and Russia using their superior militaries, while the Norse instead appealed to the native's more pious side, using the Norse Church as a way to gain local support, and more importantly land.
As the powers gobbled up various minor locations, several situations almost led to armed confrontation between the powers. Not wishing to fight a general war in Europe, over some far-flung colonies, the Norse Emperor invited representatives from Portugal, Spain, England and Russia to Stockholm, for the Stockholm Conference of 2185. Several land claims were made by said nations, and it appears, for better or worse, it has worked out thus far.
Results of the Conference
Britain - British North Madagascar, British Congoalese Enclave, British South-West Africa, The Maldive Islands, Chagos Archipelgo
Portugal - Portuguese Cameroon, Portuguese Gibralter, The Comoros Islands, Mauritius
The Norse Imperium - The Norse Congo, Norse Mozambique, Norse Madagascar, Zanzibar
Spain - Spanish Saharan Territory, Spanish North Africa, Spanish Madagascar, Rodrigues, Mahe
The New Russian Federation - Russian Mozambique
With British and Norse advances elsewhere, many European leaders are hoping a Second Stockholm Conference will take place.
Off to Cape Town!
Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa has been forced to deal with an English invasion, taking place in late 2199. An English armed force moved south, from English South West Africa, and began 'liberating' South African villages and towns. Some white South Africans view the English as just that, while many Black South Africans view them as nothing but a continuous wave of imperialist conquerors. Needless to say, the already low stability in South Africa, just got that much lower.
Senegambian Gun-boat Diplomacy
Dakar, Grand Senegambia
Almost ignoring the European carving up of Africa, Senegambia itself began to partake in a similar practice, taking advantage of it's weaker neighbor to the East, the Union of Cameroon. The islands of Sao Tome, Bioko and Principe found themselves blockaded, when the Union of Cameroon refused to negotiate with the Senegambian government about ceding them to the West African nation.
Unable to really counter the Senegambian navy, especially with the growing Portuguese threat, Cameroon had little it could do, save for giving in to Senegambian demands. Condemnations from the international community, and Nigeria in particular seemed to effect the current Senegambian regime relatively little.
The Norse Gold Coast Conflict
Tome, The Norse Imperium
The Norse Emperor decided to reclaim what was previously the Swedish Gold Coast in 2198. For the past two years, Senegambian and Norse forces have battled it out in West Africa. Initial Senegambian defenses provided much stronger then the Norse initially though, though, Norse tenacity, and, in large part, the rather chaotic Social situation the Matriarchal religion Kentyism introduced proved to be its undoing, luckily enough for the Norse.
Despite that, Grand Senegambia has proven to be the most technologically advanced African nation. It certainly seems the Norse Emperor has more on his hands then he bargained for. Though many are questioning how long Senegambia can keep the Norse at bay. The Nigerian's have also been looking at this situation as an ideal time to reclaim some of what it views to be lost land.
Asian Events
The Project's Project
Komsomolsk-on-Amur, The Project
Despite initial hesitance, many East Asian nations jumped fully onto the Project's ITER band wagon this year, with Japan, Siam, Korea, Manchuria and China sending scientists, and in some cases, monetary aid to the project. The end result was several fusion powered-generators that apparently made the need for oil, at least in any large amounts a thing of the past. Many believe the entirety of the Project is now running solely on power from it's generators. Meanwhile, the Scientists of various other nations that have helped, or at least attempted to help, have scurried back to their home nations, and attempted to create their own generators. Thus far, they are believed to be successful.
MASA
Sargon Space Center, Mesopotamia
After several decades of research, and tech gathering, Mesopotamian (and Siamese) scientists launched the first-post collapse manned satellite mission into space. Jalal as-Said was the lucky pilot, who made the trip around Earth's orbit, and quickly became not only a Mesopotamian, but an international hero over-night. More flights are expected of MASA in the coming years, though many specialists said a possible Moon-landing is a realistic, but distant dream.
Who Ordered The Coup?
Cairo, The Socialist Republic of Egypt
Growing anger in Egypt, over the nation's relatively backward living standards, and weak international presence has led to a increased growth of radical Socialist elements in Egyptian politics. The Egyptian monarchy, created in the questionable times of the Collapse maintained but a lackadaisical interest in the growing anti-Monarch sentiment in the people. After all, the Egyptian people, especially the Socialists, were fairly disorganized, and without weapons.
Or so the Monarchy thought. Which explains why the Royal Forces guarding the Emperor's palace in Cairo were so taken aback when armed Socialist militia's began firing at their positions. The result was an attempted Coup gone wrong, with Royal Forces maintaining strategic positions throughout Egypt, and Socialist forces attempting to dislodge them. Cities and towns changed hands several times, often within hours of the last swap. To add to the confusion, Mesopotamian forces barged into Suez, claiming it for Mesopotamia, all while citing Egypt's evident inability to run such an important location. Several attacks against Mesopotamian forces, by both Royal and Socialist forces left an air of bad blood between the two nations.
This Egyptian Civil War continued on for several months, before public support for the Socialists fully swung the war in their favor.
Plebescite, You Say?
Tomsk, The Siber Confederacy
The Steppe War, coupled with propaganda efforts on behalf of the Project, have led to many citizens of the Siber Confederacy to regret ever been mentioned in the same breath as the New Russian Federation. A steady stream of vocal, and seemingly mindless supporters of a union with the Project stormed into Tomsk, demanding a plebiscite. One, which was summarily held.
The entirety the Siber Confederacy's northern regions broke off, to join with the Project, along with significant portions of the East. The regions that remained part of the Confederacy seem content to stay that way, with government reforms in the process make a stronger central authority.
You Only Like Me For My Cosmodrome
Khiva, The Khivan Khanate
The Khivan Khanate, while generally closed to the outside world, has been forced into the limelight, by the Project, and it's interests in the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Financial deals were hammered out, giving the Project a lease on the base until, at it's earliest, 2215, where the deal will be reviewed. The Khivan government isn't happy about it, but there wasn't much they could do to prevent them from taking it.
Get Off Of My Cloud
Hanoi, Indochina
Siamese culture has been blossoming in recent years, creating a large stir in the South Pacific. Siamese bands, and movie stars from 'Bangwood', have began appearing on Indochinese radio stations and movie screens respectively. This of course, has led to a growing youth movement in Indochina, in which many Siamese stars are revered, and looked up to, in a similar vein to the British Cultural Invasion of America in the 1960's. For a short while, almost the entirety of Indochina's youth looked up to Siamese cultural as the pinnacle of civilization. However, fads can be rather fickle things, and their came a point, where it seemed the more of it's culture Siam tried to force down the throats of Indochinese kids, the larger the backlash was. After all, to every cultural movement, their is an almost equally large counter-cultural movement.
With that, it is fair to note that, being culturally similar to one another, Siam and Indochina have began to experience a lot better relations of recent, then of days past.
Oceanic Events
South Island 'Souther' Movement
Christchurch, South Island
A growing Nationalistic movement has begun to develop in South Island. A party, known as the 'Southers', had began a long ascension to become South Island's pre-eminent political party. Running on a platform of nationalism, and expansionism, the 'Southers' have managed to retain complete control of the government of South Island, since 2173, and it's not looking like that's going to change any time soon.
South Island expansionism, has led to the acquisition of the islands Auckland, Campbell, and the south part of Tasmania, leading it into direct confrontation with Australia.
Antarctic Events
We Like Our Russians Chilled
Camp Dzensky, Russian Antarctica
The Russian government, when not invading sovereign nations, or 'stealing' land from Canadians and Alaskans, has dedicated itself to extracting oil deposits from Antarctica. A Russian camp around the Wendell Sea has appeared, and attempts at harvesting oil deposits have been somewhat fruitful. The miserable weather, lack of people who actually want to live and work in Antarctica, and the sheer distance of the 'colony' from the motherland has led many experts to believe the colony is worth less then the amount of money being put into it.
To: The Franco-Germanic Empire
From: Pope Magistris I
We request land in, or preferably around Rome, to assure the Church's independence. The more land, the better, as you can gather. May God's Will be heard.
From: Naples
To: The World
We would like to inform the entirety of the world, that we have delivered an ultimatum to the Tripolitan government, in regards to their continuing presence on what is to be considered Italian, and more notably our soil. If by the end of the year, these African knaves are not back in Libya where they belong, our military shall, and will act accordingly.
From: Bokhara
To: The Project
Khiva is Khiva. We care not what you do there. But your little 'Projectilytes' or whatever you wish to call yourselves, are certainly not welcome here.
From: The Socialist Republic of Egypt
To: Mesopotamia
Your land is that of thieves. Return the Suez to us.
From: The Socialist Republic of Egypt
To: The Hellenistic Empire
While we would say yes, we're not the owners of it any more. It seems that somebody stole it from us.
From: South Africa
To: England
It's not 1880. Leave us be. We have a right to exist, in the same manner you do!
@All - The next person who mentions annexation, or union, I'm going to kill. I swear to you.
@All - If it wasn't mentioned and it was a economic project, assume it worked. That's going to be the rule for the upcoming NES.
@All - I have a lot of work upcoming for this NES. Stats, front page, I would like a picture/sig thing for the front page, minor descriptions of nations, population data etc. So if anyone wants to find me a good opening picture, or write some descriptions, I'd be happy for it!
@All - As I said above, population date in the form of a census and a rather poorly made religious spread map will be present among the start of the normal NES. Until that thread is opened, you can feel encouraged to diplo here.
You may now yell, and othewise complain about this BT.
