Republic of Avalonia
Republic of Avalonia | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Seal of State
| |
| Motto: Nam Libertas et Felicitatem Omnium | |
| Location | Located within Chicago, Illinois |
| Capital | City of Avalon |
| Official languages | English |
| Religion | Secular |
| Demonym(s) | Avalonian |
| Government | Constitutional Autocracy |
• President | James Murray |
• First Minister | Chase I |
| Legislature | Presidential Cabinet |
| Council of State | |
| Avalonian Regional Assembly | |
| Establishment | |
• Founding of the Republic of Avalonia | 13 August 2021 |
• Founding of the Assembly of Chicagoland Micronations | 18 August 2021 |
• Declared Independence from the United States of America | 13 August 2021 |
| Population | |
• 2021 census | 13 |
| Currency | Lita (ɫ) |
| Time zone | Central Standard Time UTC-06:00 |
Website [1] | |
The Republic of Avalonia (Lithuanian: Avalonijos Respublika), more commonly known as Avalonia, is a sovereign micronation situated within the United States. Avalonia claims territory in the North Peninsula of Wisconsin, as well as having an enclave in Chicago, Illinois. The Republic of Avalonia was founded on 13 August 2021, by the current President and Commander in Chief of the Avalonian Armed Forces (AAF), President James II.
The Republic of Avalonia holds claim to a independently-owned area of over 2 acres, or around 90,000 ft² of territory, with the hopes of expansion within the near future. Avalonia also has an embassy within Lithuania. The main administrative office of Avalonia is located in downtown Chicago, with the Capital, City of Avalon, located within the Northern peninsula of Wisconsin. The Capital also hosts the AAF training facility, fit for advanced terrain infantry and naval training. The Republic of Avalonia is divided into two regions, the Central region, and the Northern region.
The Republic of Avalonia was initially established as an exercise of free and open political expression. The Republic of Avalonia is not only a sovereign micronation, but also an organization that strives to uphold ideals of free political, cultural, and creative expression. The Republic of Avalonia’s outreach project is active in Chicago, Illinois, where the organization works to inform high-school students on the importance and role of political science in daily life, involve students in local politics, and perform administrative tasks such as voter registration for the United States presidential election.
Etymology
The Republic of Avalonia derives its name from the word "Avalonia", a microcontinent in the Paleozoic era.
History
Pre-Establishment Era (2018-2021)
The Pre-Establishment Era of the Republic of Avalonia began in September 2018. This era of the nation did not have an established government, permanent population, or online presence. Plans were being created for establishing territorial control and establishing a democratic government. However, initial plans for a monetary system, a passport and immigration plan, an initial citizen base, and the creation of early versions of flags and arms were drafted. After three years of planning, the Republic of Avalonia was officially declared sovereign from the United States of America on 13 August 2021 by incumbent President, James II.
Establishment Era (2021-Present)
The Republic of Avalonia was formally established and declared independent from the continental United States on 13 August 2021. The declaration was written and signed by incumbent President, James II. The Government of the Republic of Avalonia is currently in the development stages and operates with a small ministry and Council of State. Incumbent President James II plays a large role in the day to day operations of the Republic and relies upon diplomatic relations to establish additional crucial pieces of legislature. The most active ministry during the Establishment Era is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conducting intermicronational talks and agreements. As of September 2021, Avalonia does not have a ratified constitution. Avalonia still maintains an active military and law enforcement presence, including the operation of the AAF (AIF, ANF, ACF, and ATAC), SIA, SCA, and PHG. On September 24, the Republic of Avalonia's Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Commerce and Office of the President released the Fisical Year Purchase Plan for the State.[1]
Declaration of Independence
ACT I - The Establishment of the Sovereign State of the Republic of Avalonia[2]
The President of the Republic of Avalonia, expressing the will of the nation, decrees and solemnly proclaims that the execution of the sovereign powers of the Republic of Avalonia is established, and henceforth the Republic of Avalonia is declared a sovereign and independent state.
The Act of Independence of 13 August 2021 of the President of the Republic of Avalonia and the Council of State of the Republic of Avalonia decrees that on the day of 13 August 2021, the Republic of Avalonia formally declares sovereignty from the United States of America to create a state built upon foundations of political, cultural, and creative expression to be protected fully and indivisibly under the Constitution of the Republic of Avalonia.
The Republic of Avalonia stresses its adherence to universally recognized principles of international law, recognizes the principle of inviolability of borders, and guarantees political, cultural, human, civil, and ethnic community rights.
The President of the Republic of Avalonia, expressing sovereign power, by this Act begins to realize the complete sovereignty of the state of the Republic of Avalonia.
Politics and government
Government Structure
The Republic of Avalonia is a Semi-Democratic Constitutional Autocracy. The Government of Avalonia consists of the President, First Minister, and the Council of State. The First Minister presides over the Council of State, which is composed of 7 Ministers from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Treasury and Finance, Interior, Commerce, Justice, and Culture. Ministers, as well as the First Minister, are elected officials. Elections take place once every 3 years for these positions. The President retains the position indefinitely, and has the power to autonomously rule the state and the government. On 26 November 2021, the Ministry of Culture was established, with James II appointing incumbent Ieva D., notable for her work as a Lithuanian diplomat and culture and foreign affairs ambassador in Chicago, to serve as Minister of Culture.
The Republic of Avalonia uses a Unitary System of governmental organization. All government and state decisions are made by the President and the Council of State. Ministers are given equal power to pass legislature in their respective fields, but the President has the ability to veto or pass a piece of legislature, law, or policy independently from the Council of State via an executive order. The President also retains the ability to appoint or remove ministers by personal discretion, regardless of election results.
| Name | Position | Term Served |
|---|---|---|
| James Murray | President | 2021–Present |
| Chase | First Minister and Interim Minister of Foreign Affairs | 2021–Present |
| Baker | Minister of Defense | 2021–Present |
| Jurate V. | Minister of the Interior | 2021–Present |
| Ieva D. | Minister of Culture | 2021–Present |
Liberal Autocracy
The Republic of Avalonia formally functions as a liberal autocracy. The Republic of Avalonia has a partially written and wholly uncodified constitution, meaning that the Avalonian government derives fundamental power from written legislation, previously passed bills and laws, and Presidential orders. This allows for a great amount of political flexibility and allows the President of the Republic of Avalonia to change government powers and pass legislation to the constitution in response to national issues.
Despite the fact that the Republic of Avalonia is formally known as a Constitutional Liberal Autocracy, the Republic of Avalonia uses a semi-democratic unitary system of government. The highest chamber of parliament, the Council of State, is comprised of elected ministers. Regions that are incorporated into the Republic of Avalonia are represented by the lower chamber of parliament, the Avalonian Regional Assembly, through which regional Representatives are also elected officials. This allows for greater representation and citizen involvement in the functions of the government. Avalonia also guarantees civil liberties, personal freedom, freedom of expression, and the creation of civil society, and is generally described as a politically progressive nation.
Regional Representation
The Republic of Avalonia is divided into distinct regions. Regions are governed by regional Representatives who are elected via a Single-Member District Plurality system to the regional legislative body, the Avalonian Regional Assembly. The Avalonian Regional Assembly does not include representatives from the Northern and Central Federal Regions. Federal regions are instead governed exclusively by the Federal government and are not subject to representation in the Regional Assembly.
The Avalonian Regional Assembly derives their power directly from the Avalonian Federal Government. Legislature passed by the President via an executive order or the Council of State must be adopted by regional governments, and all legislature passed by the Avalonian Regional Assembly must be additionally passed by the Council of State or the President via an executive in order to pass.
Law and order
The Avalonian judicial system is overseen and operated by the Ministry of Justice, headed by the Minister of Justice. Laws are enforced according to the Constitution of Avalonia. Despite this, the President has the final decision when enforcing or trying cases. There is no law enforcement organization within the Republic of Avalonia, and all peacekeeping and general law enforcement duties are carried out by Avalonia's paramilitary organization, the Avalonian Armed Forces. However, Avalonia has two law enforcement administrations that are separate entities from the AAF: the SIA and the SCA. These administrations are overseen by the Ministry of Defense.
The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Avalonia functions as the final and highest court of appeal for all civil cases in the country, as well as all criminal cases from across the representative regions. However, the Avalonian Ministry of Justice does not have the power to veto or strike down legislation passed by the President or the Council of State. Instead, the ministry’s role is to interpret the law and develop it where necessary, rather than formulate public policy. As a result, the Avalonian Ministry of Justice does not have the power of judicial review, but rather serves to advise the Council of State and the rest of the Presidential Cabinet on the constitutionality of laws and proposed public policy.
State Investigation Administration
The Republic of Avalonia's State Investigation Administration is the state-run and organized interior intelligence and security division for the Republic of Avalonia. The SIA is led by the President of the Republic of Avalonia, who serves as the AAF's Commander in Chief, and the Director of the State Investigation Administration. The primary function of the State Investigation Administration is to perform governmental investigations and expand upon inquiries of corruption in the Avalonian federal government, Council of State, Avalonian Regional Assembly, and the Avalonian Armed Forces. Much of the activities of the State Investigation Administration are not disclosed to the public. The organization acts under the command of the incumbent President, James II.
The SSA Executive Director and President of Avalonia has undergone a 2-year training course with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, regarding crime investigation, weapons training, suspect apprehension, bomb squad training, SWAT training, special terrain training, hostage and crisis negotiation, personnel leadership, and cybersecurity.
State Customs Administration
The Republic of Avalonia's State Customs Administration is the state-run and organized customs and border security agency. With heightened tensions on Avalonia's Eastern Border of the Northern Subdivision, the SCA regularly operates organized border patrol operations in conjunction with the AIF for land patrols and the ANF for water patrols on the costal Southern Border.
Presidential Honor Guard
The Avalonian Presidential Honor Guard was activated on 10 September 2021. The Presidential Honor Guard is a combined arms force, primarily serving as the guard to the President, First Minister, and Presidential Family. They do not fall under command of the AAF, Ministry of Defense, or any other state-run organizations. The Honor Guard is commanded and respond solely to the President, and has no state or government influences. Often, they are sent on special forces missions, usually to suppress rogue insurgent or revolutionary groups.
Foreign relations
Avalonia is friendly and open to all communications and discussions with other nations. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the President oversee all foreign relations matters.
The Republic of Avalonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs only recognizes the sovereignty of micronations, states, territories, and jurisdictions of micronations that have legal and physical ownership or access to their declared land. In order to recognize a land claim, micronations must have the legal freedom to develop, improve, and demolish infrastructure, operate on the land freely, and use the land legally without impediment. This classification excludes micronations who have a land claim of an unclaimed territory (such as sections of Antarctica or sections of planets), simulationist nations, and virtual micronations.
Recognized Nations
Formal Relations
State of Vishwamitra via Treaty of Mutual Recognition
Kingdom of Northwood-Oregon via Treaty of Mutual Recognition
Empire of Austenasia via mutual recognition
Informal Relations
Intermicronational Organizations
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Chair of the Assembly of Chicagoland Micronations
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Member of the Constantia Pact
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Member of the Cupertino Alliance
The Republic of Avalonia is the Founding Member and Head Executive Council Member of the Assembly of Chicagoland Micronations. President James Murray of Avalonia serves as the incumbent Chair of the ACM. The delegation of Avalonia serves as the Director of the Subcommittee of Economic Development and is also a member of the Subcommittee of Intermicronational Security.
The Republic of Avalonia became a member of the Constantia Pact on 27 October 2021, and was accepted as a member of the Cupertino Alliance on 24 November 2021.
Military
The paramilitary organization of the Republic of Avalonia is comprised of the Avalonian Armed Forces (AAF). The Avalonian Armed Forces is led by the Commander in Chief, the incumbent President, James II, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense. The AAF is divided into three subdivisions, the Infantry Force (AIF), the Naval Force (ANF), and the Cybersecurity Force (ACF). Both the AIF and ANF subdivisions are stationed at Fort Avalon, within the Capital, the City of Avalon. Fort Avalon also serves as the primary training facility for the AIF and the ANF, with advanced terrain infantry training capabilities, and naval training capabilities. The Avalonian Naval Division has one vessel currently in service and ready to deploy. The ACF operates out of the Administrative Office, an enclave located within Chicago. Plans for the Avalonian Tactical Air Command (ATAC) are in the works and are planning to acquire surveillance drone technology.
AAF Ranking Structure
| Designation | AIF | ANF |
|---|---|---|
| A-01 | Field Marshal | Admiral of the Fleet |
| A-02 | Brigade Commander | Vice Admiral |
| A-03 | Battalion Commander | Rear Admiral |
| A-04 | Colonel | Naval Captain |
| A-05 | Lieutenant Colonel | Naval Commander |
| B-01 | Major | Lieutenant Commander |
| B-02 | Captain | Lieutenant Captain |
| B-03 | Lieutenant | Senior Lieutenant |
| B-04 | Second Lieutenant | Junior Lieutenant |
| B-05 | Adjutant | Ensign |
| Designation | AIF | ANF |
|---|---|---|
| C-01 | Sergeant Major | Chief Petty Officer |
| C-02 | First Sergeant | Petty Officer 1st Class |
| C-03 | Staff Sergeant | Petty Officer 2nd Class |
| C-04 | First Sergeant | Petty Officer 3rd Class |
| C-05 | Sergeant | Sergeant |
| D-01 | Corporal | Corporal |
| D-02 | Private First Class | Seaman First Class |
| D-03 | Private | Seaman |
| D-04 | Junior Private | Junior Seaman |
| D-05 | Recruit | Recruit |
ACF - Cybersecurity Force
No designated ranking structure. Headed by the Department of Defense.
ATAC - Tactical Air Command
No designated ranking structure. Headed by the Department of Defense.
Geography and climate
Situated in both Illinois and Wisconsin, the Republic of Avalonia's climate consists of varied weather, from 15 °F in the winter, to over 85 °F in the summer. Avalonia has four seasons, similar to much of the continental United States. Natural disasters are rare. Despite this, the water level on the coast of the City of Avalon has been steadily rising.
Economy
The primary currency of Avalonia is the Avalonian Lita (ł). Similar to the no longer used currency of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Lita, the Avalonian Lita holds a fixed exchange rate of 1 US Dollar to 4 Avalonian Lita. The primary exports of Avalon are labor and graphic design services, through which the country operates a small economy.
Culture and media
Food
The National Dish of Avalonia is Šaltibarščiai, a cold beet soup. The National Drink of Avalonia is Non-Alcoholic Gira, or "Kvass", as referred to in Eastern Europe. Avalonia has additionally started the state-run production of Cream Soda.
Media
The Avalonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs established the Avalon Institute on 11 November 2021, an Avalonian state-sponsored political and policy research institute that was created to provide objective news coverage and in-depth reporting on intermicronational affairs. The Avalon Institute features the Avalon Foreign Policy Research Center, a micronational interdisciplinary government and social policy research organization.
Recognized National Holidays
| Date | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day | Celebrating the new year of the Gregorian Calendar. |
| 13 May | President's Day | Honoring the Presidents of the Republic of Avalonia |
| 13 June | Worker's Day | Celebrating the workers of the Republic of Avalonia. |
| 13 August | Avalonian Independence Day | Celebrating the independence of the Republic of Avalonia. |
| 24 December | Christmas Eve | Day before Christmas. |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Celebrating the birth of Christ. |
| 31 December | New Year’s Eve | Day before New Year’s Day. |
References and notes
- ↑ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1voU-EtdNL1lc6Lj7BWVhvynuWteLAKmv32qQMQBF-rE/edit?usp=sharing 2021-2022
- ↑ The Establishment of the Sovereign State of the Republic of Avalonia: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NXac5PAL34JaJUgXyJGxWxTaIORq8elqb66GukXpZUM/edit