November Revolution
| November Revolution | |
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| Date: November and December 2011 | |
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The November Revolution refers to the series of events in Überstadti history, mostly occurring in November 2011, during which the nation reformed from a kritarchy into a constitutional monarchy. Überstadt had suffered in the preceding months a crippling lack of activity and development, which Adam von Friedech attempted to rectify through reforms instituted by absolute rule. This failed, and he resigned, with British actor Daniel Radcliffe being elected by popular demand the second Chief Judge. Adam, cooperating with a group of dedicated Überstadti royalists, instituted a new system of constitutional monarchy, overthrowing the old system and using Radcliffe as a symbol of past failures that were to be abandoned.
Background
Due to the center of Überstadt's public and political life being a school, activity was known to decrease sharply in the summer months. The dip in activity was especially concerning to national leaders during the summer of 2011, as the citizens had over the last several months become less interested in development and progress was stalled by Chief Judge von Friedech's overwhelming academic activities. Freedom from educational pressures did not bring a chance for development as was expected, owing to the apathy of most Überstadtis, which rendered the democratic legislative process dormant and useless. Knowing that the people would not fix the problem themselves and believing that changes in the kritarchial government would renew interest, von Friedech claimed absolute power over the nation in August. Most citizens ignored this move toward autocracy. The Chief Judge then instituted a new legal code and designed a modified government involving a stronger executive, but this was again ignored.
School resumed in September, but Überstadt remained effectively a one-man nation. Von Friedech resigned in late October, and an election for his replacement was held. Only three people participated in this ballot, and Daniel Radcliffe, renowned for his role in the Harry Potter films, was chosen by the voters as the second Chief Judge of Überstadt. Von Friedech began to find new people interested in his micronation, however, and he knew that Radcliffe would provide a conveniently unresisting symbol of the past against which reforms could be made. The number of supporters of the idea of the founder as king of a smaller, more dedicated citizenry increased daily.
Events
Acclamation from the army
The revolution broke out publicly on one of the earliest days of November. Von Friedech was in Hawk City, speaking with two of his supporters in a public corridor. They began to discuss the idea of a Kingdom of Überstadt, with the two eagerly listening to the founder's speech. He described the changes that should occur to revive Überstadt and help it to develop. One of the supporters, who was a major military official under von Friedech, declared that he would lead an army in support of his leader. The other listener gave his oath to serve in the Royal Army as well, and the two officers acclaimed the founder as King Adam of Überstadt on the spot.
Constitutional writing and ratification
Shortly after he was first acclaimed, Adam began to draft a new constitution by which his kingdom would be governed. He had recently begun to extensively research the Westminster system of parliamentary government, and decided that a political model based in part off Westminster but heavily adapted to suit domestic politics would be best for Überstadt. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Überstadt was longer than the previous constitution and granted all ordinary legislative power to Parliament, with the courts being able to form case law and the monarch being empowered to oversee foreign affairs and appoint many officials. The constitution was well-received by supporters of the revolutionary movement, and it was signed by ten Überstadti nationals, thus entering into effect, on 14 November 2011.
Political organization
Political parties had historically never existed in Überstadt, and no elected legislature had ever been assembled. Under the new parliamentary system, political factions began to emerge for the first time. The first party founded was the conservative Cat Party, in early December. This was followed by the establishment of the Centrist Party, which sought to represent the international political center, and the Contractors' Democratic Party, a conservative liberal party that placed emphasis on direct elections of officials. Two parties were also founded by Überstadtis who opposed the reign of King Adam, namely the Communist Party (later the Partying Communist Party), which was not in fact communist, and the Fascist Party, which was not in fact fascist. The multi-party system that emerged from the revolution was to have a lasting impact on domestic politics.
Legacy
The political framework established by monarchist constitution still exists today, with minimal amendment having taken place. The multi-party system that developed was maintained in every subsequent election, with no party ever controlling Parliament by itself, leading to a legislative culture of compromise. The smaller citizen pool that emerged consisted mostly of newer supporters, all more dedicated than those in the past had been. The November Revolution is understood by historians to have set Überstadt up for further development, and is today as having been necessary to build a nation that would last.