History of Sancratosia

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The history of Sancratosia covers the period from the Emergence of the Principality of Sancratosia to the present day. The period before the Emergence is shared with the history of Canada.

Emergence

Rise of micronational interest

In the early 2000’s, Chloé Fortin Côté began to be interested with the phenomenon of micronations, especially the nations of Sealand and Molossia. From that moment, Chloé started some hobby worldbuilding projects.

Chloé went on to study political science at Université du Québec à Montréal and during that time she became a self-taught artist and graphic designer.

Many years later, the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns that resulted revived the interest in hobby worldbuilding. Chloé created many nations during that time and roleplayed especially on NationStates and its larger community.

Brainstorming for an identity

Since being elected in 2018, the Government of Québec, led by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), put forward a number of bills that were personally denounced by Chloé. The first major bill conflicting with Chloé's personal views is the Projet de loi no 21, Loi sur la laïcité de l'État (Bill no 21) which prevents people who wear religious symbols to be employed by the Government of Québec. According to Chloé and the movement opposed to this bill, it is mostly targeting women who wear hijabs or other islamic heacoverings and as such is a racist bill. With the presentation of new articles to the Projet de loi no 2, Loi portant sur la réforme du droit de la famille en matière de filiation et modifiant le Code civil en matière de droits de la personnalité et d'état civil (English: Bill 2, An Act to reform family law with respect to filiation and to amend the Civil Code with respect to personality rights and civil status) in the later weeks of October 2021 by the Government, articles that would threaten trans rights in the province, Chloé thought of an appropriate response to protest against the bill and the CAQ-led Government. The idea came to Chloé that the creation of a micronation could be a perfect way to achieve that goal. The hobby of worldbuilding thus turned to micronational creation and Chloé started the process of formally declaring independence.

Starting on 16 October 2021 (2021-10-16), Chloé began the brainstorming process for the formation of what would be called then, the Constitutional State of Sancratosia. On 21 October 2021 (2021-10-21), the name of "Sancratosia" was settled which is considered as the Emergence of Sancratosia. Emergence Day is celebrated, since then, annually on 21 October. It is also the date on which the first internet domain, "sancratosia.com" was purchased.[1] It was changed on 23 October 2021 (2021-10-23) for the non commercial one: "sancratosia.org".

The first form of government envisioned was one of a constitutional state, being influenced by the constitutions of lusophone countries such as Cabo Verde or Mozambique. However, the size of the governmental structure of such large states and the desire to be able to exercice some control on the direction of the nation in the long term prevented any of these influences to be applicable to Sancratosia. Other historical constitutions were studied, such as the Constitution of the July Monarchy or the Constitutional Charter of 1826 of Portugal. The Constitution of Luxembourg was also the basis of a first draft in Lingua Franca Nova. Chloé settled on the Constitution of Monaco and on the culture of Monaco has its main influences to guide its micronational formation.

Early development

Independence

On 24 November 2021 (2021-11-24), it was established that the form of government would be a principality, switching from the original Constitutional State, with Chloé has Sovereign Princess who would take on the regnal name of Princess Cloe of Sancratosia, dropping the "H" not present in Lingua Franca Nova.

After a week of writing, the Declaration of independence was officially signed by the Sovereign Princess, as her first act in office.

First years

Following the independence of Sancratosia, facing the challenges of establishing a functioning state, a Sovereign Ordinance giving temporary absolute power to the Sovereign Princess was promulgated on 2 December 2021.[2] This ordinance allowed the passing of laws, with the absence of an elected National Council, concerning mostly cultural elements such as the national symbols or the public holidays and most notably the Law on the provisions against discrimination which is considered to be the main legislative piece on LGBT rights in Sancratosia.[3]

On 11 January 2022 (2022-01-11), Cristian Neuton was appointed as the first Minister of State of Sancratosia.[4] His mandate was to help the continued development of the Principality, most notably the recruitment of ministers and other civil servants.

The virtual representation of the Municipality of Sancratosia was launched on 5 February 2022 (2022-02-05), in the form of a Discord server. This was made, at the suggestion of Cristian Neuton, to help gather the Sancratosians in one place where they could exchange on many different topics, as well as to allow foreign heads of states and diplomat to be informed about the Principality. In September, the Principality granted to states with diplomatic recognition, the rights to establish a virtual embassy in the Discord server.

The Sovereign Princess had her first official meeting with another micronationalist on 19 March 2022 (2022-03-19). Minister-President Dominic Desaintes of Saint-Castin met with Princess Cloe to discuss Québec politics and other micronational topics.[5] Both nations were member of the Conference of Santiago, their meeting marking the first physical meeting of members outside of Brazil. The relationship between Saint-Castin and Sancratosia continued throughout the year and one of its hallmark moment was the participation of both nations to MicroCon 2022.

For the 6 months anniversary of Sancratosia, ePorteta was officially launched on 1 June 2022 (2022-06-01). An online platform reserved for citizens, it gave the Principality one more way to reach directly its citizens and offer as special perk to its citizens. The platform was faced with problems early on while the official website was also facing problems simultaneously, some of which would only end in the beginning of October.

One year anniversary

One year anniversary logo.

Celebrations for the one year anniversary of Sancratosia began on 19 October 2022 (2022-10-19), when the Principality began its countdown to Emergence Day.[6] Celebrations also included the unveiling of the first permanent stamps series issued by Posta de Sancratosia, the first State of the Principality of Sancratosia and the registration of the first private business in the country.[7][8][9] The Principality also unveiled a special logo, which was also the basis of a special stamp series.[10]

Francophone development

In early 2023, the Principality of Sancratosia began a process of developing its francophone presence, especially in Quebec, but also with the international French-speaking community. The Principality formalized its relations with Saint-Castin and Aigues-Mortes, joined the regional Laurentian Micronational Cooperative Union and was admitted in the Organisation de la MicroFrancophonie.[11][12][13]

Symbolic territorial claim

On 1 December 2023 (2023-12-01), Sancratosia formalized its symbolic territorial claim, actually claiming the territory of the Beauharnois-Salaberry Regional County Municipality, a territory that has been inhabited by the House of Sancratosia for many generations. This symbolic claim was at the heart of the campaign to celebrate the second year of independence of Sancratosia.

See also

Notes and References

Notes

References

  1. CubDomain (22 October 2022), "Domains Registered By Date (2021-10-22) - Page 22", cubdomain.com
  2. Principality of Sancratosia (2 December 2021), "Sovereign Ordinance no 1 of 2 December 2021 on the temporary exercise of absolute power by the Sovereign Princess of Sancratosia", sancratosia.org
  3. Principality of Sancratosia (13 January 2022), "Law no 5 of 13 January 2022 on the provisions against discrimination", sancratosia.org
  4. Principality of Sancratosia (11 January 2022), "Sovereign Ordinance no 29 of 11 January 2022 on the nomination of the Minister of State", sancratosia.org
  5. Desaintes, Dominic (24 March 2022), "Le Ministre-president Desaintes rencontre la Princesse Cloe de Sancratosia.", L'Union de Saint-Castin
  6. Principality of Sancratosia (19 October 2022), "Countdown to Emergence Day.", Twitter
  7. Principality of Sancratosia (26 November 2022), "New permanent stamps! They will always remain valid even if mailing prices goes up.", Twitter
  8. Principality of Sancratosia (30 November 2022), "The Sovereign Princess gives her 2022 State of the Principality Speech", sancratosia.org
  9. Principality of Sancratosia. (2 December 2022), "Tonight, "Chez Chloé" will hold its opening night. This restaurant and bar is the first private business registered in Sancratosia", Twitter
  10. Principality of Sancratosia (1 December 2022), "New stamps for the one year anniversary of Sancratosia.", Twitter
  11. de Sancratosia, Cloe (28 January 2023), "Official diplomatic relations between Sancratosia and Saint-Castin.", sancratosia.org, La Ganso Coronada
  12. de Sancratosia, Cloe (12 March 2023), "Sancratosia joins the LMCU", sancratosia.org, La Ganso Coronada
  13. de Sancratosia, Cloe (4 April 2023), "Three new members join the MicroFrancophonie.", sancratosia.org, La Ganso Coronada

External links