Republic of Westreich
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Westreich Social Republic | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of Arms
| |
| Motto: Einheit, Brüderlichkeit, Sozialismus (German: Unity, Brotherhood, Socialism.) | |
| Anthem: Worker's Marseillaise | |
| Capital and largest city | New Brandenburg |
| Official languages | English |
| Ethnic groups (2019) | White |
| Religion | State atheism |
| Demonym(s) | Westreicher |
| Government | Fascism |
• Reichsführer | Vacant |
• Reichsmarschall of North America | Jenna Lynn |
| Legislature | State Diet |
| Senate | |
| House of Representatives | |
| Establishment | |
• Independence from United States | 2 February 2020 |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.14164 km2 (0.05469 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Estimate | 7 (with one non-citizen resident) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2019 estimate |
• Total | $200,000 ▲ High [citation needed] |
| HDI | 0.924 ▲ Very High Error: Invalid HDI value |
| Currency | United States Dollar |
| Time zone | EST |
| Date format | dd/mm/yy yyyy-mm-dd (AD) |
| Driving side | right |
The Republic of Westreich, officially the Westreich Social Republic, is a self-described independent fascist republic existing as an enclave within the United States. At 0.054 square miles (.14 square kilometers), roughly being the size of 25 football fields, it is one of the larger micronations which actively maintains jurisdiction over its claimed territory. The country is entirely landlocked within the state of California. With a population of only seven, with another non-citizen resident, it is not a populous country. Founded by Jenna Lynn on February 2, 2020, after much consideration, a declaration of independence was issued, announcing the creation of the new state. The country describes itself as a self-reliant socialist state, though does participate in the United States economy, particularly through shareholding. The capital and most populous city is New Brandenburg.
A relatively underdeveloped country, given the total area controlled by the republic relative to the amount of industry, it has made pushes to be involved in various micronational organizations, and has sought to be involved in various disputes as a mediating force, with ongoing efforts to join the Grand Unified Micronational.
History
Pre-Columbian History
The area of what makes up modern day Southern California is is regarded by historians to have been one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse in North America. While California as a whole was inhabited by more than 70 distinct ethnic and linguistic groups, southern California made up nearly a third of these groups, giving rise to various tribes, villages, and chiefdoms, which continued to dominate the area until the arrival of the Spanish in the 1500's and 1600's, though interference in native life was somewhat limited until the 1800's, with the vast majority of outposts in the region being missions, set up with the intent to convert the native population to Christianity.
California under Spanish rule
While there were various pushes from Spanish-owned Mexico into the American southwest and California over the decades following the arrival of Christopher Columbus, one of the most well-documented expiditions was led by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, pushing as far north as the Russian River in northern California in 1542. Some 37 years later, English explorer and renowned pirate Sir Francis Drake claimed an undefined portion of the Californian coast in 1579. Various trips to the area were made by Manilla galleons, trading ships that were on their way from the then-owned Spanish Philipines. This led to the first Asians setting foot on North America in the year 1587.
California under Mexican rule
Following the Mexican War of Independence, Mexico was granted independence from Spain, taking with it much of the interior of North America, as well as much of what would become the west coast of the United states, including California, which remained sparsely populated. The missions, which controlled most of Alta California's best land, were secularized in 1834, and placed under the control of the government. This led to much of the land being granted to the rich and influential politicians by the governor. These massive ranchos, or cattle ranches, became the dominant institutions in Mexican California. The early government of the newly independent Mexico was highly unstable, and in a reflection of this, from 1831 onwards, California also experienced a series of armed disputes, both internal and with the central Mexican government. During this tumultuous political period Juan Bautista Alvarado was able to secure the governorship during 1836–1842. The military action which first brought Alvarado to power had momentarily declared California to be an independent state, and had been aided by American and British residents of California, including Isaac Graham. In 1840, one hundred of those residents who did not have passports were arrested, leading to the Graham affair.
One of the largest ranchers in California was John Marsh. After failing to obtain justice against squatters on his land from the Mexican courts, he determined that California should become part of the United States. Marsh conducted a letter-writing campaign espousing the California climate, the soil, and other reasons to settle there, as well as the best route to follow, which became known as "Marsh's route". His letters were read, reread, passed around, and printed in newspapers throughout the country, and started the first wagon trains rolling to California. He invited immigrants to stay on his ranch until they could get settled, and assisted in their obtaining passports.
After ushering in the period of organized emigration to California, Marsh helped end the rule of the last Mexican governor of California, thereby paving the way to California's ultimate acquisition by the United States.
Independence and American invasion
During the 1840's numerous groups of American and British settlers entered the territory. One of these groups settles near the town of Sanoma in 1846, rebelling against Mexican rule in what is know as the Bear Flag revolt. Soon after the revolt, the settlers raised the Bear Flag (featuring a bear, a star, a red stripe and the words "California Republic") at Sanoma. The republic's single president was William B. Ide, who was instrumental in the Bear Flag revolt. Being conducted in close coordination with American military commanders, the revolt served as a prelude to the future American invasion of the area. The California Republic was short lived, lasting less than a year, as 1846 also marked the outbreak of the Mexican-American War, lasting until 1848. The American occupation of California began with Commodore John D. Sloat of the United States Navy sailed into Monteray Bay. Northern California fell to the United States in less than a month. After a series of defensive battles in Southern California, the Treaty of Cahuenga was signed by the Californians on January 13, 1847, securing American control in California.
Early Californian statehood
Following the conclusion of the Mexican-American War, Alta California was divided among among what would become the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Utah. The population of California at the time is estimated to have been mo more than 8,000 settlers, as well as 100,000 Native Americans, down from about 300,000 before Spanish settlement proper in 1769. Only a week before the territory was officially annexed to become part of the United States, gold was discovered in California. This event was to forever alter both the state's demographics and its finances. Soon afterward, a massive influx of immigration into the area resulted, as prospectors and miners arrived by the thousands. The population burgeoned with United States citizens, Europeans, Chinese and other immigrants during the great California Gold Rush. By the time of California's application for statehood in 1850, the settler population of California had multiplied to 100,000. By 1854, more than 300,000 settlers had come. Between 1847 and 1870, the population of San Francisco increased from 500 to 150,000. California was suddenly no longer a sparsely populated backwater, but seemingly overnight it had grown into a major population center. The seat of government for California under Spanish and later Mexican rule had been located in Monterey from 1777 until 1845. Pio Pico, last Mexican governor of Alta California, had briefly moved the capital to Los Angeles in 1845. The United States consulate had also been located in Monterey, under consul Thomas O. Larkin.
In 1849, a state Constitutional Convention was first held in Monterey. Among the first tasks of the Convention was a decision on a location for the new state capital. The first full legislative sessions were held in San Jose (1850–1851). Subsequent locations included Vallejo (1852–1853), and nearby Benicia (1853–1854); these locations eventually proved to be inadequate as well. The capital has been located in Sacramento since 1854[63] with only a short break in 1862 when legislative sessions were held in San Francisco due to flooding in Sacramento.
Once the state's Constitutional Convention had finalized its state constitution, it applied to the U.S. Congress for admission to the Union. On September 9, 1850, as part of the Compromise of 1850, California became a free state and September 9 a state holiday.
During the American Civil War (1861–1865), California was able to send gold shipments eastwards to Washington in support of the Union cause; however, due to the existence of a large contingent of pro-South sympathizers within the state, the state was not able to muster any full military regiments to send eastwards to officially serve in the Union war effort. Still, several smaller military units within the Union army were unofficially associated with the state of California, such as the "California 100 Company", due to a majority of their members being from California.
At the time of California's admission into the Union, travel between California and the rest of the continental United States had been a time consuming and dangerous feat. Nineteen years afterwards, in 1869, shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War, a more direct connection was developed with the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. California was then easy to reach.
Much of the state was extremely well suited to fruit cultivation and agriculture in general. Vast expanses of wheat, other cereal crops, vegetable crops, cotton, and nut and fruit trees were grown (including oranges in Southern California), and the foundation was laid for the state's prodigious agricultural production in the Central Valley and elsewhere.
Contemporary history
Migration to California was massively accelerated by the creation of various highway systems, the most significant being the Lincoln Highway and Route 66. In the period between 1900 and 1965, California went from having a population of around one million to being the most populous state in the Union. Hollywood, the major studio system located in Los Angeles, was established in the 1920's, as the Mediterranean climate was attractive to wealthy producers and directors in the nation.
Rallying behind New York and Michigan, California ranked third in overall military production during the Second World War, however, California easily outclassed states such as Virginia in ship production at dry dock facilities located in and around San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Following World War II, the economy of California rapidly expanded, spurred by new innovations in aerospace and defense, as well as being fueled by the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Stanford University and its Dean of Engineering Frederick Terman began encouraging faculty and graduates to stay in California instead of leaving the state, and develop a high-tech region in the area now known as Silicon Valley. As a result of these efforts, California is regarded as a world center of the entertainment and music industries, of technology, engineering, and the aerospace industry, and as the United States center of agricultural production. Despite these efforts, California has, since the late 1980's, seen a net loss in migration, commonly referred to as the California Exodus.
During the 20th century, two great disasters happened in California. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake and 1928 St. Francis Dam flood remain the deadliest in U.S history.
Although air pollution problems have been reduced, health problems associated with pollution have continued. The brown haze known as "smog" has been substantially abated after the passage of federal and state restrictions on automobile exhaust.
An energy crisis in 2001 led to rolling blackouts, soaring power rates, and the importation of electricity from neighboring states. Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric Company came under heavy criticism.
Housing prices in urban areas continued to increase; a modest home which in the 1960s cost $25,000 would cost half a million dollars or more in urban areas by 2005. More people commuted longer hours to afford a home in more rural areas while earning larger salaries in the urban areas. Speculators bought houses they never intended to live in, expecting to make a huge profit in a matter of months, then rolling it over by buying more properties. Mortgage companies were compliant, as everyone assumed the prices would keep rising. The bubble burst in 2007-8 as housing prices began to crash and the boom years ended. Hundreds of billions in property values vanished and foreclosures soared as many financial institutions and investors were badly hurt.
Independence of Westreich
On February 2, 2020, Westreich declared independence from the United States, issuing the Declaration of Independence of the Westreich Social Republic, outlining a list of grievances Reichsmarschall Lynn had regarding the current political atmosphere of California, and the United States as a whole, including the stalling of legislation in legislative houses, especially regarding welfare and local security, as well as conflicts between both state and national governments. Soon after, Jenna made the statement that Westreich, "...has taken its first step to becoming an active and beneficial member of the micronational community", and would work with other members to further international cooperation and security.
Geography
Westreich controls an area of .054 sq. miles, making it roughly 27 times the size of the Republic of Molossia, and is made of three districts; New Brandenburg, New Baden, and New Hesse. Westreich also contains one special administrative district in the form of a national park, being made of a single trail and the surrounding area stretching for about one third of a mile (half a km.) stretching to a nearby river, giving the nation access to the sea via the Santa Monica Bay.
Westreich Nature Preserve
The northernmost region of Westreich is the aforementioned Westreich Nature Preserve. Seriously damaged by successive hurricanes during the 2010's, an extensive cleanup effort has been undertaken with the intent of restoring the trail and fauna to their original state. The park contains a thriving population of Mountain Laurel, not native to the area, but introduced in the 1970's.
New Brandenburg
To the south is New Brandenburg, the capital of the country. with only a population of two, it is tied with New Baden as the least populated area of the nation, housing only the head of state, Jenna Lynn, and her grandmother. With a thriving population of red, white, and yellow roses, planted by the late husband of Jenna Lynn's grandmother, the district is well kept and clean.Many of the rose bushed were eaten by deer and other animals in the early 2010's, however, efforts were made to revive the plants, wish red roses since being declared the national flower of Westreich.
New Baden
Farther south lies New Baden. With only two residents, it is one of the least populated, but most densely populated districts in the country. Being the smallest area, it consists of a single home with a modest yard. Created after the conversion of a large garage into a home, it houses the aunt and uncle of the head of state. Another large garage was part of the property, however, after repeated attempts to restrict access to this garage by the inhabitants of New Baden, locks were changed, and access was limited to short, supervised entrances, and the territory was severely diminished in size. Arguments against this have since been made, but have made no headway among the population.
New Hesse
The southernmost area of Westreich is New Hesse, which is the largest district in the nation. Having a population of three,with one non-citizen permanent resident, as well as many animals, it has the highest population of any district in the republic. Containing the majority of farmland in the nation, much of it is leased for farm use, with a portion being reserved for Westreichers in the event of emergency, or to subsidize food during the winter and fall, when most crops begin to fail. Attempt have been made over the years to purchase more land nearby, which would inclease the district's size by nearly a fifth, but these have stalled, the owners of the property not wishing to relinquish the property, despite showing little interest in development.
Climate
The location of the republic in southern California gives it a subtropical climate. Fog is common, asthe California Current is nearby, often pushing large fog banks a significant distance inland. Being significantly inland, relative to major metropolitcan area, such as Los Angeles, Westreich experiences cold winters and hot summers. In 2013, New Brandenburg recorded a temperature of -15 °F, while summers have been noted to reach temperatures in excess of 120 °F, especially during the draught of the early and mid 2010's.
Ecology
California is described as being one of the most ecologically diverse regions int he world, with the area around Westreich being no exception. Varios relict species are endemic to the area, which have died out elsewhere. The Westreich Nature Preserve was declared in response to various loging and burning operations by corporations, which lead to various species in the region becoming endangered. With the threat of extinction looming, it has been declared that, "...the Westreich Nature Preserve shall continue to protect the diversity and beauty of life in this nation", as well as other species in the area, should they be pushed into it.
Rivers
A single river provides Westreich with access to both the Santa Moniica Bay, as well as the Pacific Ocean. Formerly housing a dock, as well as an area for fishing, flooding from 2012's Hurrican Patricia destroyed portions of the nature preserve as well as the dock and fishing area. No plans have been made to replace it, as it had fallen into disuse, as well as greater efforts being made to preserve the local flora in the nature preserve itself.
Demographics
According to the Westreich Census Bureau, the nation has a permanent population of seven citizens, as well as one permanent non-citizen resident, being the illegitimate daughter of the Reichfuuhrer's sister. There have been no plans to increase the population size, although citizenship may be granted under special circumstances to allies of the state who have contributed to national defense, welfare, and the like. As of 2000, the population remained stagnant at two, down from six during the early to mod 1990's. Until the arrival of Jenna Lynn's family to the area, as of January 2020, the population of the area numbered only a single person, resulting in a population growth of 800% in only a month, however, the sudden population boom is likely not to last, as the sister of Jenna Lynn has actively stated her intent to leave Westreich, and California, altogether.
National origins
According to the Westreich Census Bureau in 2020 the population self-identifies as (alone or in combination):
84.4% White 16.6% Black or African-American
Languages
English serves as both the de facto and de jure national language of the republic, however, in some government documents, German is used, and is the official language of government proceedings during both opening and closing of government sessions, as well as during speeches on national holidays or during state-organized events, such as parades or public addresses. In total, three languages are spoken by Westreichers, the third being Spanish, spoken by Jenna Lynn, and making up the smallest linguistic minority in the nation, as the language is spoken by 16.6% of the population.
Culture
The culture of Westreich is a Western culture and clearly has roots in modern American and contemporary German culture, as shown through use of English and German being the primary languages in use in government documentation, as well as in public life. The republic describes itself as a socialist state with emphasis on national identity. Foreigners are permitted to visit the republic, but permanent residence is strictly controlled. As of February 2, 2020, all citizens of the state are ethnically German. Much criticism has been directed at Westreich for this, with many describing the approach racist or bigoted. Describing the criticism, Reichsfuuhrer Lynn said:
"[...]We do not involve ourselves in the internal policy of other states. We ask that the same respect be offered to our nation. It is the responsibility of every king and emperor, every president and duke, every chancellor and prince, and every voter and elected representative to influence their nation in the direction they deem most fit. In Westreich, racism of any kind is not tolerated, and will never be."
Religion
While citizens of the republic do enjoy freedom of religious disposition, open displays of religious affiliation are strictly controlled. Churches, preaching, public sermon, public prayer and the like are unlawful. Officially, the nation espouses a policy of state atheism, with no reference to any divine or supernatural being in any of the founding documents, legislation, or language by members of government. While religion is effectively banned in public life, privately, citizens of the nation are affiliated with various religions, including Islam and Christianity, with a minority of atheists.
Clothing and attire
Relatively conservative clothing is encouraged by the government. Various more modern and revealing articles of clothing, especially for women, are actively discouraged or banned, including shorts, crop tops, and bikinis. Business clothing is encouraged for men when attending work. Dresses and appropriate work clothing is encouraged for women. There are no regulations for what is and is not appropriate to wear while in the home, these laws generally only applying to public display or when interacting with others outside of the home.
Government
The government of Westreich is composed of three, coequal branches of government, being the Chancellory, serving as the executive, headed by the Chancellor, with a cabinet comprised on ministers appointed by the Chancellor, the People’s Assembly, comprised of the Senate and House of Representatives, which is tasked with proposing and passing legislation, and the Supreme Court, comprised of 15 Justices, including a Chief Justice, who oversees procedure, maintains order, and consider which cases the court will hear, and at what time.
Chancellory
The executive branch of the government is headed by the Chancellor.
Senate
The upper house of the People’s Assembly, or Senate, is comprised of a number of representatives double that of the number of districts of the republic, as each district is represented by two Senators, elected by democratic vote. The Senate is headed by the President Pro Tempore, who concurrently serves as the Vice-Chancellor. They are tasked with bringing motions to the floor of the Senate which have been adopted by the House of Representatives. Members of the Senate may not propose legislation themselves, aside from the President Pro Tempore, as the Chancellory may propose bills or motions for consideration. Adoption of such bills or motions passes them to the House, where they will be voted on. Tasked with the confirmation of ministers and Justices for the Supreme Court, they serve as the filter to ensure those in positions of power are in line with the state’s ideology.
House of Representatives
The lower house, or House of Representatives, is comprised of a number of representatives according to what population of the republic the district they represent makes up. Not only tasked with the passage of legislation, the House holds the sole power of impeachment. Should it be deemed necessary, the House may vote to impeach any member of government in either an elected or appointed position, and will appoint representatives to make arguments before the Supreme Court.