Vancouver Island Soviet Socialist Republic
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This article refers to a micronation which is defunct and no longer exists. You can help make the article reflect that or ask on the talk page for further information. |
| Vancouver Island Soviet Socialist Republic | ||||
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| Motto "Worker's of the island, unite!" | ||||
| Anthem Be Free, Our Glorious Motherland | ||||
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| Capital city | Dustingrad | |||
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| Official language(s) | English,French | |||
| Official religion(s) | Secular state | |||
| Demonym | Soviet | |||
| Government | Marxist-Leninist one-party republic | |||
| - General Secretary | Comrade Dustinov | |||
| Legislature | Supreme Soviet | |||
| Established | 1 January 2019 (as Courtica) 15 July 2019 (as the VISSR) | |||
| Area claimed | 0.405 hectares (1 acre) | |||
| Population | 7 | |||
| Currency | VISSR Ruble (VIR) | |||
| Time zone | PT (Pacific Standard Time) | |||
| National sport | Ice hockey | |||
| National animal | Black Bear | |||
The Vancouver Island Soviet Socialist Republic, commonly known as the VISSR, is a North American micronation that was established in 2019. Located on Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia, the VISSR is a small self-declared country founded by Dustin Carlson, more commonly known by his pseudonym; "Comrade Dustinov".
The VISSR claims to be the 16th Republic of the Soviet Union, created in the form of a historically themed micronation. The country is located completely within the sovereign territory of Canada, making it an enclave similar to the Vatican City in Rome. In addition to it's claims of legitimate statehood, the VISSR is also a platform for promoting social activism such as community building and workers rights. The state maintains a highly centralized planned economy, functioning banking system, post office, and an active armed forces. The VISSR is not currently recognized by any sovereign nation, but has established diplomatic relationships with many other micronations around the world.
Contents
History
Foundation
The history of the VISSR can be traced back to January 2019, when Dustin Carlson established the People's Republic of Courtica with his close friend Marcus Salsbury. The physical territory of the new nation was, and still is, Carlson's property - a small parcel of farmland located on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island. Although located close to the Pacific Ocean via the Strait of Georgia, the nation was located completely within Canadian borders. As the tiny nation grew in population, it eventually developed into a larger union state with another nearby political project, the Democratic People's Republic of Lerwick (DPRL). This new unified state was renamed the Vancouver Island Soviet Socialist Republic, or VISSR in July 2019. The VISSR soon became one of the leading communist micronations, with Carlson adopting the pseudonym "Comrade Dustinov" and assuming the office of the nation's first General Secretary. The VISSR has since garnered a large social media presence with thousands of followers on Twitter and Instagram. It is no stranger to controversy, however, with many outspoken critics having voiced their disapproval of the nation's promotion of Soviet communism
August War
On August 5th 2019, the Kingdom of Frelands declared war on the VISSR. Although no active conflict ever took place, the two nations remain in a technical state of war due to no armistice or peace treaty ever being signed.
Collapse of DPRL
In September 2019, family and work obligations led to the leaders of the DPRL dissolving their nation and eventually leaving micronationalism altogether. They remain close friends of Dustin to this day, and the former DPRL Minister of Defense chose to remain a part of the VISSR in continuing the journey towards statehood.
Expansion
Dustinov ultimately made the decision to continue without the DPRL. Despite initial setbacks, the VISSR entered a period of drastic growth and prosperity. A banking system was established and currency printed and issued for the first time. Diplomatic relations and mutual recognition treaties were signed with many other micronations during this period, as well as the expansion of the countries social media presence onto Reddit, Facebook and Youtube.
Change was soon to take place once again however, as the other former DPRL officials entered into high level negotiations with Dustin about an offer to cede the former DPRL assets to the VISSR. A diplomatic transfer was completed, and the VISSR in it's current state exists to this day.
Overview
National symbols
State Flag
State Emblem
National Anthem
Be Free, Our Glorious Motherland is the official national anthem of the VISSR. The music was written and composed by Alexander Alexandrov in 1938, with lyrics written by Comrade Dustinov in 2019. The music was originally used for the State Anthem of the Soviet Union from 1944 to 1991.
Lyrics:
An invincible nation, build by our hands
Under a flowing red banner, united we stand
Forward comrades! March on towards victory
The day of our great revolution has come!
Workers and peasants together in the suns golden light
Join soldiers and sailors in unbreakable might
From the Strait of Georgia to the vast Pacific
Our crimson flag flies in the west's endless skies!
Be free, our glorious motherland
Our great nation was welded forever to stand
Party of Dustin, strength of the people
Leads us to the triumph of communism!
Our people's paradise, to glory it leads
Through selfless labor and heroic deeds
Long live our great Soviet socialist republic
Workers of the island, unite!
Culture
The culture of the VISSR reflects it's ethnically diverse population and features an eclectic assortment of art, music and cuisine. As the de facto 16th Republic of the Soviet Union, the VISSR invests significant time and public resources into carrying on the traditions and legacy of the USSR. Lenin's vision of a Soviet society has been adapted to suit the modern age in terms of human rights, tolerance and diversity. Like it's host nation Canada, English and French are the two official languages. There is no official religion at the national level, and the VISSR guarantees universal equal rights to citizens and visitors of all faiths. Animal welfare is an important aspect of the country, with several dogs, birds, and fish making the VISSR their home. Bird conservation is a major priority, with a high level of dedication put into protecting the various species of wild birds whose habitats are found within the nation's borders
Politics and Government
The Vancouver Island Soviet Socialist Republic functions as a communist one-party republic. It's legislative branch is called the Supreme Soviet, which convenes to write laws and govern the nation under the leadership of the General Secretary. The Supreme Court of the VISSR serves at the country's judicial system. The General Secretary is also the head of the Communist Party of the VISSR (CPVR), the ruling political party in the country, and ultimate governing authority over all matters of state. The ideology of the CPVR is a mix of Marxism-Leninism and Dustinism, the political theories and teachings of Dustinov himself. Dustinov is also Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, holding the military rank of Marshal of the Republic. Dustinov maintains absolute ruling authority over the party, military and state.
Foreign Policy
The VISSR does not interfere with, or express opinions on, "macronational" affairs. The VISSR peacefully coexists with its host nation of Canada, and its entire population is comprised of tax paying duel citizens who obey all Canadian provincial and federal laws at all times. The foreign policy of the VISSR focuses exclusively on fellow micronations, and generally follows a protocol of friendly diplomatic relations and mutual recognition agreements. The VISSR maintains diplomatic relations with several other well established micronations worldwide.
Diplomatic Relations
The Vancouver Island Soviet Socialist Republic has established formal diplomatic relations with the following countries:
- Union of Cascadian Socialist Republics
- Republic of Scoria
- Kingdom of Damora
- People's Republic of Adonia
- Republic of Ashukovo
- Union of Nova-Occitania
- Commonwealth of Naveria
- Grand Duchy of Pikeland
- Kingdom of Macalos
- Republic of Aswington
- Snagovian Federal Republic
- Republic of Jailavera
- The Peoples Republic of Liberacia
Military
The Island Liberation Army and Island Liberation Navy make up the national armed forces of the VISSR, founded on August 5th 2019, in response to a declaration of war from the Kingdom of Frelands. There is currently no active air force. Both the army and naval force have a standing troop strength of 7. All citizens of the VISSR, including the General Secretary, are citizen soldiers who proudly wear the uniform of the armed forces in times of peril. The primary responsibilities of both branches are emergency response, disaster relief, environmental protection and national defence.
Economy
The VISSR has a highly centralized, command economy with full state control over property and the means of production being 100% owned and controlled by the proletariat. Canada is the nations largest trading partner, with the United States and China coming in second and third respectively. The VISSR is largely an import economy, obtaining most goods and services from nearby Canada. The national currency is the VISSR Ruble, with the Canadian Dollar being used as well. The VISSR Ruble is printed and issued by the State Bank of the VISSR, and issued in standard denominations of $1-$100, with coins (Kopeks) minted as well. The VISSR Ruble is not backed by hard assets, but simply a promise to pay the bearer upon the prospect of the nation obtaining diplomatic recognition by the United Nations Security Council.
Geography and Climate
The territorial claim of the VISSR is approximately 0.405 hectares (1 acre) of land on central Vancouver Island. The nation is located in, and completely surrounded by, Canadian territory. Vancouver Island, as a whole, is a temperate coastal rain forest with lots of annual precipitation. The VISSR had hot, dry summers with winters being typically mild with lots of rain and occasional snow. The nation is a largely agrarian society, with the terrain being comprised of arable farmland, a forested area, and a long creek that runs through the middle of the country.
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