Republic of the Union of Sonora

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Republic of the Union of Sonora
República de la Unión de Sonora" (Español)

Flag
Flag

State emblem
Coat of arms
Motto: Sun, Prosperity, and Democracy Shall Forever Shine On The Bear
Anthem: "I Love You, Sonora"
California, Oregon, Salt Lake City, Utah,
CapitalShaoshan/Marxia (2016-2018, 2018-2019)
Columbia (2018) Clackamas (2019, de facto)
Largest cityPawtucket, Animalia
Official languagesNone, English(de facto)
Religion
Secular
Demonym(s)Sonoran
GovernmentSemi-presidential Constitutional republic comprising a Confederation of nation states.
• President
Vice President
Titus Smith
Cali Bear
• Prime Minister
Cookie the Cat
• Chancellor
Julia Smith
LegislatureConfederation Congress
EstablishmentJune 1, 2018 (restored)
December 4, 2016 (independence from Shaoshan)*
May 5, 2016 (as Shaoshanian state)
April 6, 2012 (official)
Population
• Census
80 (2019 est.)
CurrencyState Credit
Time zoneSonoran Standard Time (UTC -8)
This nation is a member of the Union Against Micronational War and signatory of the Treaty of Universal Non-Aggression
*The Sonora was a state but was also the name of an alliance that reorganized into the Empire of Sonora


Sonora, officially the Republic of the Union of Sonora (Spanish: República de la Unión de Sonora) and, informally, the "Sonoran Confederacy" or "Sonoran Confederation", was a secessionist micronation founded in northern California in the San Francisco Bay Area and with territory in California, Oregon and Salt Lake City, Utah.

It was governed on the practice of being independent of the United States and the states to which they were located while also being very prideful in its origins. Sonora is a semi-presidential confederation with a non-partisan democracy with power being derived from the local councils who are directly responsible for the necessary guidance and direct policy to the national government who dictates blanket policies at the national level if necessary. The Confederation Congress is the unicameral legislative body, comprising the Premiers and elected members of several states, cities and towns. The executive cabinet, the Federal Council, meet upon the request of the President, the de jure head of state. The city councils are direct democracies while the state and federal governments are more representative, with individuals directly elected by the people of Sonora, which has a history of practice with participatory democracy. Sonora believes in a strong sense of community. It was formed immediately following an assembly vote to dissolve its predecessor, Shaoshan, which it decrees is the legal successor and upholder of its treaties and laws.

Originally created as the Kingdom of Sonora in April 2012 after the fall of Starland, the nation quickly folded a few months later. It was reborn as a Shaoshanian state in May 2016, after feeling disillusioned and disenfranchised by the state of Dorada. It too soon fell into inactivity and de facto dissolved. The idea of Sonora continued to exist from October to December 2016 as an alliance of Shaoshan, Marxia and the Olaf Empire. Following the dissolution of Shaoshan, Sonora was revived as a micronation on December 4, 2016, with the former alliance being established as an empire. During the summer of 2017, the empire fell into political turmoil and a Theodorist Revolution occurred on August 5. Over the coming days, several defections from various political parties to the Theodorist party spurred the elections for state and municipal leaders and councils and the Constituent Assembly in which 24 of 29 seats of the Imperial Diet were controlled by the Theodorists. The Theodorists then reorganized as the Worker's Party of Sonora with the WPS, Feline Party, K9 Party, and Stuffy Unity Party forming the People's Liberation Front and bringing about the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a democratic socialist state. The socialist state fared well at first, but a planned move out of California soon caused political chaos and division amongst the California nationalists in the Party. By the end of October, the country was in disarray and a referendum saw two nations declare independence and another seeing Sonorans voting to become a Molossia look-alike, an autocratic dictatorship. On December 6, 2017, Smith declared the nation would return to its imperial and Roman-style roots, with an infusion of Californian nationalism and Pacific bioregionalism. During the days of February 2–3, 2018, Smith led a state coup abolishing the monarchy and declaring yet another socialist state. However, he failed to keep control of his power and the February 28th elections were deemed "unfair" by many opponents. Confidence in Smith quickly dwindled and on March 16, the Worker's Party dismissed him from the Central Committee, along with his wife and Edward Morton, Governor of the Utah Governorate. They were all dismissed from their positions and arrested and indicted. Smith was removed from the Presidency by a vote of no confidence by the legislature and was replaced by Buster McCovey. Despite McCovey's attempts to reform and save Sonora, a movement of California nationalists and mass resignations left political parties defunct or weakened and the government collapsed. The state failed on April 10, 2018, when the remaining cities declared independence and joined a self-declared, independent California Republic. The loyalists to the Sonoran government formed a new state with the Feline Republic and the Olaf Kingdom to create Stuffistan. However, on June 1, 2018, Smith and others agreed to return and form a new Sonoran state. Sonora entered a period of Theodorism before abolishing the monarchy in favor of a short-lived republic. This would end two weeks later in the September Revolution when a Smithist one-party socialist dictatorship took over the country. After three months of corruption, totalitarian rule, and a costly civil war, the socialist state was abolished in favor of returning to a democracy with a decentralized government. Government restructuring began in February 2019 when several cities and states left and were completed before the March General Election.

Etmology

Sonora is named after and, in essence, a rebirth of the nation that preceded the days of Shaoshan or its predecessor, Costa Dorada. It should not be confused with Shaoshan's territory of Sonora. Sonora is derived from the city of Sonora in California, a historic mining town, which itself is derived from the Sonoran State in Mexico.

History

Pre-Micronationalism

For 13,000 to 15,000 years, Native American Tribes inhabited the areas of what is now the Western United States. It wasn't until the 1500s that Spanish conquerors laid claim to the lands of what is now modern-day California and the American southwest. In 1602, Spanish explorer, Sebastián Vizcaíno mapped the region as New Spain. From 1769-1821, California was ruled by the Spanish Empire. Following the Mexican War of Independece, California entered a brief period under Mexican rule (1821-1846) under the regimes of the Mexican Empire (1821-1823), the First Mexican Republic (1824-1835), and finally the autocratic Centralist Republic (1835-1846). In 1846, citizens and new settlers in the area revolted against the regime in a movement that became known as the Bear Flag Revolt. California declared independence from Mexico on June 14, 1846, setting up its capital in Sonoma. The California Republic lasted for less than a month before being occupied by American forces. Following the ensuing war with Mexico, California and the American southwest were seized. During the years of 1849 and 1850, eastern and European settlers began swarming to California with the discovery of gold. California was granted statehood in 1850 and for the next one hundred and fifty years, it continued to grow and thrive with the building and continuous expansion of cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Two significant earthquakes ravaged the region in 1906 and 1989, causing significant damage and loss of life, mostly due to fires, infrastructure collapse, and liquefaction. Major construction to reinforce and strengthen buildings have been in place since the early 1990s. Coupled with the technology boom, the business sector turned towards the digital age. Innovations such as social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Internet groups such as Google took on a role of importance in the 21st century. Further development including alternative energy and green technology has led to a slight resurgence in California's economy following the economic downturn of 2008.

Starland and First Sonora Era

In 2008, within the East Bay, an interest in micronationalism began to grow. Finally, on August 28, 2009, what became the nation of Starland declared its sovereignty and independence from California and from the United States. The nation was essentially a 3-year micronational experiment that went through many stages: a kingdom, a federal republic, an empire, a short-lived socialist state, a social democratic republic, and a democratic republic. Starland dissolved in early April 2012 following the truth about the micronational experiment and was later replaced by the short-lived Kingdom of Sonora which dissolved in August 2012. Sonora was later replaced by the state of Costa Dorada under the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Oasis Islands.

Oasis Islands Era

Following a brief retirement from micronationalism, Titus Smith returned to the micronational community, albeit quietly and more reserved. His intent was to build his micronational experience and professionalism and to base his territory on fact, not fiction. He teamed up with his old friend and ally, Casey Hamlin, after Hamlin created a new micronation. From December 2012-April 2014, Smith administered Costa Dorada as its Governor and represented it in the Oasis Islands Senate. During which time, he co-founded the Oasis People's Party with Hamlin, with whom he served for one year. In June 2013, Smith was appointed Vice President of the Oasis Islands following Daniel Stefanko's resignation. With Hamlin's Presidential reelection in November 2013, Vice President Smith maintained his position as well. However, when he decided to leave the ruling People's Party on November 11, his position as Senate Majority Leader was transferred to former Vice President Stefanko. With the onset of 2014, the Oasis Islands began to fall into inactivity, coupled with its leader's personal lives outside micronationalism. On April 19, 2014, Casey Hamlin resigned as President, retired from micronationalism, and dissolved the Republic of the Oasis Islands. In a sense of maintaining and carrying on this legacy and wishing to remain in micronationalism, Titus Smith declared Costa Dorada to be an independent socialist state on April 28, 2014.

Costa Dorada Era and Return to Self-Rule

Following the April 28th declaration, Smith quickly set to work to build the foundations of a legitimate and functioning state. Just days after forming the nation, Costa Dorada's launched an official website, complete with a news agency. In the weeks that followed, a new set of laws of government, foreign policy, social policy and business began to develop. In June 2014, a new set of guiding laws, setting up the duties of the Chairman and the Provisional Revolutionary Council was set up. Within the months that followed, Costa Dorada entered a state of semi-inactivity. On August 30, 2014, Doradan state media announced that the government seat would move from Sonora to the new Shaoshan City (formerly Mao Zedong City).

New Capital, New Era

On 3 September 2014, the Provisional Revolutionary Council passed the "Seat of Government Dissolution and Replacement Act", effectively disestablishing its largest city, Sonora, as the capital city and transferring all executive, judicial, and legislative duties of the government to Shaoshan City at noon on September 15. During the transitional process, several measures were entered into effect including a beautification project of the surrounding area. This project included the establishment of "Red Square" just outside the Assembly Chamber. Shortly after, Smith enacted an executive order and called for a meeting of the Provisional Revolutionary Council, who stood by the act, which would lay the groundwork for a more permanent government for Costa Dorada, a constitutional convention, and a potential elected governing body. On 15 September 2014, the Provisional Revolutionary Council voted to dissolve and placed all authority in the hands of Titus Smith. The title of Chairman was abolished and Smith was appointed to the title of Consul, leaving him the responsibility of setting up elections, establishing a committee to help draft a constitution, and set up a permanent and stable government. An election was called for September 30 to vote on whether the nation would be autocratic, a soviet democracy, or if the people had any faith in the government at all. Results from the election showed that Doradans preferred an autocratic government while rejecting socialist-style principles. Future elections were originally planned for late 2014 or 2015 to elect the leader of the nation and to potentially vote on ratifying a constitution.

Dissolution and Shaoshan Era

Following a breakdown in talks and scheduling conflicts outside of micronationalism, an emergency meeting was called in mid-November to discuss the nation's future. It was decided that Costa Dorada should dissolve, a suggestion that was ultimately agreed upon. On November 30, Costa Dorada returned its territories to California and the United States and dissolved. During this time, which has become to be referred to as "The Age of Darkness", the area was subjected to the reintroduction to life under the macronational rule to which it had once been before. However, on February 8, 2015, following much consideration, former Doradan leader, Titus Smith established the then-People's Commune in hope of creating a more decentralized, participatory environment with socialist aspects and to govern more effectively while being able to be more time-flexible. On March 6, however, the community voted in favor of focusing on the nation as a community and abandoning revolutionary ideology. On March 18, the National Assembly approved a measure establishing an official paramilitary force, tasked with national defence and community policing. The Shaoshan Navy over the next several weeks engaged in several military drills and helped quickly add territory.

April 2015 Coup d'etat and First Monarchy

Following the rapid expansion of lands under the jurisdiction of Shaoshan, resentment began to grow from certain members who believed that the state had outgrown the term "community" and was more of a union of townships and colonies. As monarchism and republicanism began to divide the nation, Shaoshan continue to expand throughout the region, establishing fortresses and military bases, territory, and beautification of the capitol. A short-lived inactive period caused a small crisis that would later be resolved in the passing of Assembly reform on April 10. On April 15, however, a coup d'etat overthrew the communal government and established a constitutional imperial monarchy, while maintaining the state's direct democracy, which the people had become accustomed to. The coup was carried out through its Sovereign's former military rank and considerable support from the Naval officers and certain members of the community who viewed the community government as weak and obsolete for a state with so much territory, comparing it to the fall of the Roman Republic. The Navy captured several territories that they had recently acquired for the state and seized control of the fortresses around the nation. At 2 pm on April 15, the Navy forced the surrender of the Chief Minister, Titus Smith, who also held the title of "Grand Admiral". Smith signed an executive decree that evening, reorganizing the government into a constitutional monarchy in exchange for keeping his position as Chief Minister, his title of Grand Admiral of the Navy, and remaining in charge of leading the government and assembly gatherings. The leader of the coup agreed to resign her commission in order to take the role of Sovereign. This transition was short-lived. Shortly afterwards, a National Assembly meeting broke out into argument and within a half-hour of its call to order, it was forced to make a motion to adjourn. This was followed by a plot by the nation's Chief Minister (Smith) and several others to arm themselves and march against the new-Sovereign and her control on the Navy. After a day of hostilities and seizures by Smith's forces, the Sovereign called a cease-fire and a truce was reached, ending her weeklong reign and restoring Shaoshan to its elected, republican form of governance.

First Republic

Following the April 24th hostilities and truce, Shaoshan had returned to its elected, republican-style of government. On May 1, the leader of the April 15th Coup was tried and convicted of all her crimes and sentenced while most of the others were acquitted and absolved of their crimes. With the ratification and adoption of its constitution on April 28, one year after its predecessor, Costa Dorada declared independence, Shaoshan officially adopted a strong republican government with a President. Its direct democracy and participatory politics still remained, although political parties are no longer banned and are more or less allowed to participate with the consent of the voting public who participate in the National Assembly meetings. On May 8, 2015, the people voted, in assembly, to elect Titus Smith as the first President of the Republic. In addition, Shaoshan adopted a bicameral legislature with a Representative Council, which partisan politics, and the People's Council (the gathering of the citizens to the Assembly forum), which would not. In keeping with a form of direct democracy, the Representative Council was established as the lower house and with the People's Council comprising the upper house, with any bills that pass the lower house having to have the approval of the People. In June, the nation began to suffer from crippling inactivity coupled with resignations and loss in participation in the political and social aspects of the state. By July 1, a state of distress was declared and the National Assembly merged the two houses into a unicameral provisional body and granted the President emergency powers. When Smith went on weekend leave to Los Angeles, the National Assembly granted him even further powers and declared him Emperor. Despite his earlier protests, Smith reluctantly accepted the crown.

Second Monarchy

Following the Palace coup on July 9, Smith returned to a nation that had granted him nobility, a title he fervently refused and opposed from Shaoshan's inception. When he arrived home to Shaoshan City, those that had declared him Emperor were faced with his angry opposition and a call to return the nation back to its rightful place as a republic. However, the National Assembly soon convinced him that it was a request from the will of the people. Reluctantly, Smith accepted and was coronated on July 13, with a job of reforming his new empire. However, an ardent opponent of monarchism, Smith put great effort in trying to reestablish the republic. On July 28, after three weeks on the throne, Smith formed a palace coup himself and declared the "New Californian Republic of Shaoshan" and named himself President, while refusing to abdicate the throne. A crisis arose leading to the July 30th Skirmish of Shaoshan Road and the division of the capital. The following day after the skirmish, it was agreed Shaoshan would downsize its territorial claims and become a republic yet again.

Second Republic

After the July 31st agreement, Titus Smith abdicated his role as Emperor and it fell to his infant sister, Juno. The following morning, on August 1, the mother of Titus and Juno Smith, Julia, acting as regent, signed an imperial decree stating the abdication of Juno and herself and the respect for the Treaty of Shaoshan Road. With Smith's grandmother, Diana, failing to protest, did not claim the throne, leading the line of succession to end and the Second Imperial Era to come to an end. At noon on August 1, the Second Republic was declared, this time under a federal republic with a bicameral legislature. Elections were held from August 4 through 9th for states to elect their Premiers who will also be their representatives in the Federal Council, and Presidential elections were held on September 8 with Titus Smith being reelected. The National Assembly worked tirelessly through September to pass several new reforms securing Shaoshanian sovereignty and citizens' rights against government tyranny and international intrusion. This was never more effective than the passing of the Freedom of Information and Knowledge Act (FIKA), the Renunciation of the Erroneous Passed Enacted American Legislation Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (REPEALUSAPATRIOT) Act and the Denouncing of Oppressive American Legislative Act (DOALA) which all stated that no government, foreign or domestic had a right to invade people's privacy. The National Assembly was also responsible for the passing of the controversial Treaty of Non-Aggression and Mutual Recognition with the Holy Empire of New Israel, which secured a new friendship with Shaoshan's predecessors' adversary.

Third Republic

On September 23, 2015, a Palace Coup was executed by President Smith and members of the government, community, and military. Given the shared beliefs of members of the nation, the Navy was instructed to execute a tactical liberation of the capitals of the three states under Shaoshan jurisdiction. With no resistance, the coup was largely quiet and entirely peaceful. By the late afternoon, Smith declared the state and federal government had undergone a slight political shift known as the "Mabon Revolution", named after the polytheistic celebration of the autumn equinox and the fact it took place on the first day of Autumn. In addition, Smith declared that Shaoshan had transformed into a "social democratic republic based on progressive principles and idealism." The Revolution has also become known as the "Third Republic" as this is the third democracy that Shaoshan has undergone. Unlike most coups, Shaoshan's system and laws remain relatively the same, however, a new constitution was issued to be written and the legislature downsized to a unicameral body, ridding itself of the hybrid bureaucracy, but one based on direct democracy where the people are allowed to come in open forum and make policy. In October 2015, the legislature moved to Dorada City and the Seat of Government Act was passed decreeing it the legislative and judicial capital while Shaoshan City would remain the administrative capital. On November 9, following the reestablishment of Marxia as a city-state and incorporation of Shaoshan City as its own state entity, elections were held for state Premiers and the Supreme People's Assembly electing their Presidium members. The 9th also marked 100 days since the Restoration of the Republic. On December 5, 2015, the Third Republic surpassed the First Republic as the longest reigning government in Shaoshanian history at 73 days; the First Republic reigning only 72 days before being replaced by the Second Empire. On January 1, 2016, the Third Republic celebrated 100 days of stability. On January 8, a new President was elected to succeed Titus Smith after his intention not to seek another term. On January 15, a new President (Lindsay Claire) was inaugurated. Smith was elected to replace Edward Morton as President of the Presidium and thus became the country's Prime Minister the same day. On February 9, the legislature voted in its new Presidium, with Smith maintaining his position and renaming itself as the National Assembly. Following a period of inactivity, Claire resigned as President on March 14 and was succeeded by Laura Patterson who was granted emergency powers and used them to declare a state of inactivity and emergency. The Assembly voted to dissolve with new elections to occur the following week. Subsequently, Titus Smith resigned as Prime Minister and stepped down as President of the Presidium. A referendum was called to decide the future of the Shaoshanian state and a provisional interregnum government was declared. On Tuesday, March 15, President Patterson declared the official end of the Third Republic and the declaration of the transition to a new government with Titus Smith stating "The [Mabon] Revolution is over."

Interregnum

The Interregnum began on Monday, March 14, 2016 following the dissolution of the Assembly by Assembly vote and the resignation of the nation's President and Prime Minister. The Vice President, Laura Patterson was sworn in as the 5th President of the Republic and used the emergency powers granted to her by the Assembly to declare a "state of inactivity and emergency", according to the state media. On Tuesday, March 15, she signed an executive order authorizing the creation of a provisional military junta, the Provisional Council for Democracy, made up of the Presidential Cabinet, military leaders and the Presidium of the National Assembly, to guide the nation during the days leading up to a nationwide referendum on March 17 and its transition into a new government and elections. Patterson declared an end to the Third Republic and Smith an end of the Mabon Revolution. On March 17, the Shaoshanian citizens voted to become a constitutional monarchy.

Third Monarchy

On March 17, 2016, the Shaoshanian people held a referendum and voted on their future and forming a new government. It was officially announced by the state media that evening that a constitutional monarchy had been the choice with Titus Smith as its monarch. That evening, the Kingdom of Shaoshan and its associated realms was officially declared and Smith resigning as Chairman of the Provisional Council for Democracy and handing power over to Grand Admiral Edward Morton. Laura Patterson resigned as President and the office abolished. The Presidium also was voted on to be dis-associated with the Assembly and reformed into the Constitutional Court. On March 18, Titus officially signed an edict and imperial decree confirming and giving legal standing to the referendum results and renaming the national the Imperial Kingdom of Shaoshan and Her Associated Realms and paving the way for elections and the end of the military junta. On March 22, elections were held for the members of the Constitutional Court and for the National Assembly to elect its President, the nation's Prime Minister. The elect were sworn in on March 24 and the military junta was dissolved and power was once again placed in the hands of the people. After only two and a half weeks on the throne, Smith abdicated in favor of his sister and reestablished the office of President, to which he claimed as well as ruling as his sister's regent.

April 2016 Coup d'etat and Fourth Republic

On April 4, 2016, just weeks after the referendum that chose a monarchy, Smith formed a coup in which he abdicated the throne of Emperor in favor of his sister, Juno. As Juno was only a toddler, Smith took on the role of her regent and as such retained the powers of the throne he had given up, serving instead as President of Shaoshan. The following day, Smith signed a decree abolishing the monarchy and declaring himself "Eternal President" while declaring the 2nd Republican Restoration to be the beginning of a Fourth Republic and a "Revolution for the People". As Smith was his sister's regent and she herself a toddler unable to speak for herself or exercise real power, Smith's decree still had the force of law as if Juno herself had signed it. The decision was met with opposition from the monarchist and Theodorist factions, loyal to the monarchy and towards Juno. Vocal opposition later presented itself in the form of demonstrations against the republican coup in mid-April. The Constitutional Court ruled that the coup was legal despite going against the people's will. This ruling, coupled with the declaration of President Smith of a "Bolivarian Revolution for Shaoshan", the National Assembly voted to dissolve again on April 18 with hopes the May 2016 General Election would provide some form of resolution to the conflict.

Fifth Republic

On April 24, on the anniversary of the return to the community run government from the hands of the monarchists, Smith announced that Shaoshan would enter an era as the Fifth Republic. He declared Shaoshan to be a Bolivarian Republic and began to consolidate power into a nationalization project. Referendum elections on April 27 and 28 reformed Shaoshan into a autocratic form of governance with the National Assembly becoming an advisory body. State elections were held in May which saw the split of the State of Sonora from the State of Dorada and the election of new Premiers. On May 12, legislative reform was passed that would consolidate power more into the hands of the people-led state and local councils and a representative-led national advisory body. In addition, the Seat of Government Act of May 2016, was signed, bringing supreme government power back to Shaoshan City. On May 27, 2016, Shaoshan officially became a member of the Union Against Micronational War with the signing of the Treaty of Universal Non-Aggression.

Sixth Republic and the reestablishment of a Socialist State

After having gone through a summer of inactivity and loss of citizens due to a failure to set up a proper functioning government, a step was taken on August 3 by the Shaoshanian military on order of Titus Smith. The military carried out exercises across the micronation to seize control of Shaoshanian industry and land for the purpose of redistribution. Smith declared all land and industry nationalized and now under the leadership of the state and the ownership of the working class. He declared that another coup had been carried out and the a sixth republic had begun. Smith declared Shaoshan to be a Democratic People's Republic and formed a new government committed to building socialism and executing socialist reforms throughout the country. On August 31, 2016, a stuffed toy uprising forced a new referendum that began a new election process that concluded on September 15, when Titus Smith was voted out of office. The election was heavily favored by the majority of stuffed toys which were found to have been oppressed and suppressed by an apartheid-like regime under Smtih's autocratic government.

Seventh and Final Republic and Return to Democracy

On September 15, Pusheen the Cat was elected the new President of Shaoshan, the first stuffy to hold the position and the third female to hold the position, which she cited as the Second Mabon Revolution. In response, she declared the Smith regime over and announced a seventh and final republic and that the new Republic of Shaoshan would be one of democracy and national reconciliation. She called for Smith's prosecution as well as for a Truth and Dignity Commission to carry out the new government. She dissolved the People's Council in order for new elections to be held in October and placed legislative powers in the hands of a five member panel, called the National Transitional Council. She also dissolved the Constitutional Court until elections could be held for the successors, and for a Constitutional Convention to be held after elections, criminal proceedings, and a Truth and Dignity report to be carried out in order for the country to move forward. A Constitution was passed on November 27, 2016, Smith was found guilty of his crimes, and elections were carried out in October with little opposition. However, faced with the potential move of the capital in 2017 and fear of an impending destabilization with upcoming elections, Shaoshan's People's Council voted to dissolve.

Second Sonora Era

Following the People's Council vote on dissolving Shaoshan, effective immediate, Titus Smith made his first address to the people since his removal from power. He called for the recration of the old Kingdom of Sonora, which he founded in 2012. Smith called for an empire with an electoral monarchy which would take the role of the executive with the role of the Vice President being occupied by the Prime Minister. Smith decreed that Sonora would be the legal successor of Shaoshan and all laws and treaties would be honored and upheld by the new nation and government including its foreign relations. In this aspect, the former People's Council of Shaoshan was immediately activated as the official legislature of Sonora with Olaf Gustafsen, Sr, who served as Vice President of the Republic of Shaoshan and Chairman of the Council, was named Prime Minister of Sonora. Pusheen the Cat, who served as Shaoshan's President, was named acting Empress with elections for the Imperator and People's Council taking place in January 2017. Smith retroactively took control as President of the Imperial Council, which will act as the Imperial cabinet. Buster McCovey won the election twice but abdicated in July 2017. Smith took over as Emperor and decentralized the government, giving devolution and more autonomy to the states and city governments in an act considered to be a "home rule decree". In addition, the Imperial Council was dissolved and the federal government became a decentralized, absolute monarchy.

Socialist Sonora

Following the abdication of McCovey, the constitution was suspended and Smith seized control. The Theodorists soon seized power and a socialist revolution took place quickly "de-imperializing" Sonora and abolishing the monarchy. In doing so, Smith declared a Democratic People's Republic as the Theodorists regrouped into the Worker's Party, consisting of former Feline, Kanine, and Stuffy Unity party members. The Worker's Party seized 24 of 29 seats in the newly established Supreme People's Assembly. The Council of Ministers was renamed the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, the Council of States as the State Council of the Supreme People's Assembly, the Council of Municipalities as the Soviet Council of the Supreme People's Assembly and the Constituent Assembly as the Worker's Council of the Supreme People's Assembly. This made the legislature somewhat more legislative but still more advisory with the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Sonora remaining the paramount leader.

October 2017 Fire

In October 2017, Sonora was threatened by the Atlas Fire and several other October 2017 Northern California wildfires. The fires have burned over 100,000 acres combined and the death toll of the firestorms has reached 40, making it one of the worst in California's history. On the night of October 8, winds as high as 35 mph (56 km/h) and Diablo Winds as high as 70 mph (110 km/h) caused the fires to swell from 1,000 to 20,000 acres by morning. States of Emergency and Distress were immediately put into place by the Sonoran President Smith, following a state of emergency declared by Californian leader Jerry Brown. Smith met with Presidium members to discuss further action. By the following evening on October 9, Smith had suspended Supreme People's Assembly activities and by October 10, he had suspended the Presidium with emergency powers being granted to him which he used to declare states of urgency (the highest alert level in the DPRS) in the states of Yulyul and Abernathy (formerly Dorada), put an 8pm curfew in force, and declared Martial Law. The law was particulalry strict in the evacuation zones under Sonoran urgency status where presence there was tantamount to trespassing with necessary force being allowed to remove individuals, if necessary. The biggest threat to the nation was the City of YulYul (pop. 6) which had just been established for two weeks and had just held elections for its leaders and representatives. The fire had closed in on the city by just over 1 mile (1.69 km). By October 13, however, the tide had changed and containment of the fire began to succeed. On October 14, most evacuation orders had been lifted and President Smith responded by lifting curfews, with states of distress or emergency still lingering in territories closer to the blaze. On October 15, advisory warnings were still in effect but citizens were allowed to return home. President Smith lifted the nationwide state of emergency, along with Martial Law and the suspension of Assembly activities. He described the unharmed nature of Sonoran land as "a phoenix rising from the ashes" in a speech that also paid homage to the first responders and called California "the weeping bear being embraced by another bear."

"The End of the Revolution" and return to Imperial Rule

While the nation fared through fire and political unrest during October, division soon turned to inner-party dissent when a planned move by the Smith's to Oregon drew criticism. California nationalists in the Worker's Party, coupled with separatist sentiment in the Olaf People's Republic and the Feline populace, spurred a referendum on November 1. The OPR declared independence and one day later, Feline Nationalists from in and outside the party broke to create the Feline Republic. On November 9, another referendum was held with low turnout but a high result calling for the nation to become a autocratic dictatorship with citizen advisory. Smith then took full control of the government and dissolved the Supreme People's Assembly. On November 10, Smith dissolved his cabinet in attempt to rebuild while announcing "the end of the Revolution". The Worker's Party of Sonora held its last meeting on November 12, 2017 in which Smith effectively called for the dissolution of an all other political parties. On December 5, 2017, Smith returned from Oregon, having successfully found a place for the new capital, Columbia. The following day, he declared that the autocratic state would return to its imperial rule with an emphasis on Roman stylings, California nationalism, and Pacific bioregionalism. He established a Pacific Roman Senate and consolidated power into the hands of the executive branch. He reestablished the ability for political parties to form, establishing the Popular Patriotic Front which later became the 2nd generation of the Worker's Party of Sonora.

Imbolc Revolution

On February 1, 2018, Smith called to order a Party Congress of the Popular Patriotic Front where, despite some opposition, the party voted to slant further to the left, to organize the party more effectively, and establishment of a Central Committee and Politburo. Smith, his wife, and Mark Olsen retained their positions while Buster McCovey returned to his position as President of the Central Committee. The following day, Smith orchestrated a coup against the monarchy, rescinded the Line of Succession Act, abolished any and all noble titles, and abdicated and abolished the monarchy. He then resumed his powers of President that he abolished in December and declared Sonora a People's Republic, reorganized the ministries into Commissions under the Authority of the Central Committee, which would also be oversaw as part of the Presidium of the National People's Congress, and renamed the Popular Patriotic Front as the Worker's Party of Sonora. In addition, Smith split the military and police (renamed the People's Army and People's Armed Police) into two organs independent of each other under the authority of the Central Military Commission with himself as Chairman. A provisional government was set up with the National People's Congress elected in a special election on February 9 and sworn in on February 15th. The coup has been called by Smith and his supporteds as the Imbolc Revolution, as the events leading up to and during the cpup happened right after the ancient Pagan Imbolc (first day if Spring) holiday. Some observeds have referred to it as the Sonoran Spring or the February Revolution. The coup also happened days before the anniversary of the establishment of Sonora's predecessor, Shaoshan, which was first established as a socialist state. Prior to the coup, Smith had declared the anniversary, Independence Day, with December 6 (Sonora's establishment as a nation from alliance) to be Sonora Day. On February 28, elections took place that opponents called "rigged" due to closed-door meetings with other candidates of the party's umbrella group the Progressive Front in which candidates quietly conceded and their votes, which still appeared on the ballot, went to the Worker's Party, giving Smith a landslide 80% victory. Losing confidence from his party and the public, Smith was dismissed from his partisan duties and ousted as President by the government. Before his overthrow, however, Smith had recognized the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic as independent and stood in solidarity with separatists, mainly the Communists in the two disputed regions. The new Sonoran government has not yet clarified its stance since ousting Smith.

Post-Smith Era and Collapse

After Smith was ousted, he, his wife and Utah Governorate and Salt Lake town leader, Edward Morton were all dismissed from all national and local activities and placed under house arrest. Buster McCovey succeeded Smith and quickly began dismantling the socialist regime and bettering ties with other states such as the Feline Republic and the Olaf Empire. On March 19, Smith, his wife, Amy, and Morton were indicted by the Constitutional Court on charges of abuse of power, treason, and corruption. New elections were called for during the already-scheduled May 2018 legislative elections. The trial began on March 22. All three were convicted with Titus being indefinitely barred from office, Amy was given a year, and Morton suspended for 6 months. However, further corruption was found on Mark Olsen, who was removed as Prime Minister and replaced with Cali the Bear. Despite attempts to reform the Sonoran government, California nationalist sentiment began growing in New Reno, Yulyul, and Shaoshan. A planned moved back to California with the capital moving from Columbia back to Shaoshan began to see cracks in stability. Towns and cities began dissolving and resignations of most government officials left the government broken. Just hours after Shaoshan became the de jure capital once more, it was overtaken by California nationalists who declared it, Yulyul and New Reno to be independent before joining as a self declared independent California Republic. This left the government collapsed and the Sonoran state dissolved with the Sonoran loyalists joining with the Feline Republic and Olaf Empire to form Stuffistan.

Revival and Third Sonoran Empire

On June 1, 2018, nearly two months after being dissolved, Sonora was reestablished in its imperial form by Titus Smith, with himself as Emperor, recrowning himself Titus II. Within weeks, he has reestablished dominance over his former territories (mainly family and associates) and expanded Sonoran territory into the northern and northeastern United States. On June 27, the Empire met with leaders of Stuffistan to formally annex the autonomous state of Stufflandia, including the Stuffistani capital, Stuffopolis, which effectively caused the collapse and dissolution of the short-lived stuffed animal state. The empire agreed to make the state a provisional protectorate until it could be functionally governed autonomously. Titus II granted Buster McCovey the title of Earl of Stufflandia and Duke of Stuffopolis. Cali Bear was named Sonoran Minister of Culture.

Third Republic

On July 29, 2018, after meeting the night before with advisors, Smith launched a coup against his own government and established a new Republic. He created the Provisional National Assembly and announced a plan for a multi-party parliamentary democracy with proportional representation and elected leaders, courts, and lawmakers. The plan called for a bicameral National Assembly made up of a Senate and People's Council with respective leaders with the whole body electing a Prime Minister to represent the legislative branch in an equally bicameral executive branch. The executive branch would be made up of the elected President of the Republic, the Chancellery of Regions, made up of elected officials, and appointed government ministers. Along with the elected Justices of the Constitutional Court, the Sonoran government would be completely democratic. Elections were called for August 9–12, with the new government taking power on August 15. However, only 14 days later, Smith launched another coup, caused largely due to spillover from the Feline Civil War] and growing tensions between Nationalists and Socialists, and installed the first official Marxist-Leninist government.

Sonoran Soviet Union

Following the August 29th coup (referred to as the "September Revolution" or "Final Revolution"), Smith formed the Provisional Revolutionary Council, and began moves to cracking down on opposition forces. Many resigned themselves from political activity or repatriated back to the United States. By September 3, all opposition had been reduced or eliminated. On September 9, elections for the Supreme Soviet were conducted with the Communist Party (formerly the Sonoran Patriotic Party) gaining 75% of the seats in the new legislature. Smith was elected by 80% of the vote as President and united the Feline Soviet Socialist Republic (formerly the Feline Republic) and Sonora under a new "Sonoran Soviet Union". After spending two months in power, Smith was removed for a third time from office over disagreements of peace to end the Great Patriotic War. He was replaced by Buster McCovey.

The Confederation and Breakup

Following the signing of the Marxian Accord, the civil war was ended and a confederation was established. Each state would elect a Premier who would represent each individual sovereign state in the Confederation Congress, which would be required to meet at least once during its three-month constitutional session. Elections were held on December 6–9, on the second anniversary of Sonora's foundation, with the new government being sworn in on December 15. The Confederation Congress met a handful of times but only to approve measures already being imposed in other states by their assemblies. In February 2019, the Confederation lost three states and seven towns and cities over continued disagreement between a stronger government and a continued confederal government. These arguments were largely due to the growing ineffecticeness of the Confederation and the growing desire of national sovereignty amongst the states. These factors saw the McCovey government lose favor and a growing call for non-partisan democracy began. New changes to the government also caused friction as the confederation and the nation itself nearly collapsed. Titus Smith, having renounced his autocratic and Marxist ideals, began leading this non-partisan movement and a popular national sovereignty bloc. After several days of protest, the President of the Confederation pardoned Smith and the Constitutional Court expunged his record, allowing him to run in the March general election. Many partisans left their positions to join the movement beforehand, gaining 6 seats in the Confederation Congress and Smith gaining 40% of the popular vote to win the Presidency. Despite initial success at reforms including national sovereignty pushes, economic problems plagued the state in late March and early April as the State Credit's value plummeted. Calls for Smith's resignation quickly rose over the course of the 15th-18th culminating in a coup d'etat against Smith that removed him from the Presidency. A National Transitional Council replaced the Confederation Congress as several nations declared their withdrawal from the Confederation or dissolved, the first being Animalian. On April 19, the Confederation was officially dissolved by the NTC and reorganized as the Sonoran Alliance, reviving the pre-nation-state organization. The Cascadian People's Republic, Animalia, Yulyul, New Reno, and Dorada announced their membership of the new alliance.

Foreign relations

Sonora seeks relations with any friendly micronation open to diplomatic relations. All activity is conducted through email or MicroWiki and is approved by the Imperator on advice of the People's Council. As a member of the Union Against Micronational War, it does not recognize conflicts declared by other nations and has pledged itself to peace and armed neutrality unless directly attacked.

Recognition

In respect, Sonora extends diplomatic recognition of several nations and automatically recognized many nations upon establishment.

Informal Relations

Formal Relations

Unrecognized/Sanctioned Nations

  • United States of America (In July 2017, the Imperial government declared a diplomatic and military embargo on the United States, having declared its government a fascist state. In addition, the Imperial government became the 1st nation to officially recognize the State of California as an independent and sovereign country.)
  • Kingdom of Spain (On October 2, 2017, the People's government blacklisted the Spanish government for violating human rights, freedom of speech, the Montevideo Convention of 1933, and sovereignty of the Catalon people declaring its government a "return to fascist Francoism".)

Geography

Sonora is situated in the northern San Francisco Bay Area in the inland lying areas, just a short drive from the scenic Napa Valley and just an hour away from Sacramento, San Francisco and the San Joaquin valleys.

Territory

Sonora comprises several territories, townships, and cities, governed by states or by the government itself. Townships are typically residences or territories with one person occupying them or representing them. This does not mean that there cannot be more residents occupying the town but those residents are not Sonoran citizens. A city is a residence or territory with a population of 2 or more. A territory is an entity that has no representation but is not directly represented by the national government, with the potential to become a town. A colony is simply an entity with no representation that is directly controlled by the government that has no realistic outcome of settlement. Most cities and towns are governed by a practice of direct democracy with their own legislatures and self-government, leaving the empire nominally democratic at the local level. Above the cities are regional Provincial leaders. The People's Palace is the home of several citizens of Columbia. It also serves as the official home of the President and the de facto meeting place of the National People's Congress and the Presidium. The Confederation is divided into three Provinces: California, Oregonia, and Utah. It also holds various territories with1 Special Administrative Region and 3 Direct Dependencies.

  • City of Yulyul; Pop. 6. Mayor: Victoria Wilde
  • City of Shaoshan: Pop. 8. Mayor: Julia Smith
  • Town of Dorada: Pop. 1. Governor: Antonia Morrison

City of Joaquin; Pop. 4 Mayor: Minerva Smith

  • Town of Nuevo Angeles: Pop. 1. Mayor: Hercules Smith
  • Territory of Titusville
  • Territory of Harmony
  • Territory of Sonora
  • Territory of Berryessa
  • Territory of Mare Island
  • Territory of Aquinas
  • Territory of Herman
  • Territory of Donnor Vista
  • Territory of Sierra
  • Territory of Courtright
  • Territory of Wishon

Oregonia
Capital: Willamette
Governor: TBA

  • Town of Clackamas: Pop. 1. Mayor: Mary Graceson
  • City of New Salem; Pop. 2. Mayor: Jim Hindenburg
  • City of Willamette: Pop. 2. Administrator: Jackson Eugenus
  • City of Klamath; Pop. 2. Administrator: Martha Richardson
  • Town of Arroyo: Pop. 1. Administrator: Joan Wilde
  • Territory of La Pine
  • Territory of Mazama

Utah
Capital: Salt Lake
Governor: Vacant

  • Town of Salt Lake; Pop. 1. Mayor: Vacant
  • Territory of Bonneville


Climate

The climate is that of a Mediterranean climate with cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The cool California Current offshore often creates summer fog near the coast with colder winters and hotter summers inland. Rainfall is more persistent in the region than its southern counterpart. Temperatures range from 32 °F (0 °C) in winter to up to 110 °F (43 °C) in the summer. Due to hot, dry summers and sometimes windy conditions, wildfires are commonplace. In winter, moderate rainfall is a common occurrence, sometimes resulting in flooding, especially in areas near rivers and streams. However, it is also not unusual to experience drought, some lasting 1–3 years, some lasting longer. Warm and cold air sometimes producing spectacular thunderstorms in the spring and autumn, some producing rain or hail, others can spark wildfires in dry conditions. These same warm and cold air collisions occasionally produce tornado-like clouds, often called "funnel clouds", although rarely do they touch down and those that do rarely last for longer than a few minutes and cause little to no damage.

Government

Sonora is a confederation with a semi-presidential, constitutional republic according to its constitution with the people all living together with common goals and similar beliefs and work for the collective good. The people participate in the political system and advise the President on domestic policy and the day to day functions of the nation. The President is the executive with the power to appoint cabinet members and serves as the official leader of the nation, serving and speaking on behalf of the people. Foreign policy and foreign relations and other aspects of national and international dealings are powers vested in the President, the nation's head of state, through the Ministry of State Affairs. The Confederation Congress is also the official legislative arm of the state, with the power to propose and pass legislation. The President has the power of veto and can enact legislation by Executive Order, however, this can be overruled by the Congress, the individual states or city councils, or the Constitutional Court. The Confederation Congress is a unicameral legislature comprised of the Premiers of each state and an elected representative of each town or city. Currently, there are 27 seats in the Confederation Congress consisting of 8 Socialists, 6 Pagans, 4 Liberals, 4 Nationals, 4 Christian Democrats, and 1 Animalian National. The Socialists, Pagans, and Liberals currently form a government coalition while the Nationals and Christian Democrats form a opposition. The Animalian National Union is a cross-bench group and its member is currently the President of the Confederation Congress. The President of the Confederation can dissolve the Congress on grounds of inactivity, crisis, or constitutional violations. Any legislation passed must gain the approval of the President who must sign the bill into law. If vetoed, the bill is either amended or the Confederation Congress can call for an overturn of the veto or a national referendum, in which the people can vote on the legislation. The veto can also be overturned by the Constitutional Court or by individual states.

Military

Sonora is defended by the Sonoran Navy, which includes its Naval Ground Force, Naval Maritime Force and Naval Space Force. It is responsible for military operations, protecting maritime borders and national defense while the Sonoran Police Force is committed to community policing. During peacetime, the Navy is tasked with scientific expedition and explorations, military drills, and core policing practices. During wartime, they are tasked with combat operations, special operations missions, and border protection. The President of the Confederation is the Commander-in-Chief.

Law and Order

Judicial power is held in a three-man bench, known as the Constitutional Court. The head of the Constitutional Court is the Chief Justice. Under Sonoran law, the Sonoran Police Force has the power of policing and the Constitutional Court has the power to hold judicial proceedings with the People acting as the jury and judgement and sentencing carried out by the Chief Justice. The Sonoran Police Force is therefore empowered with all powers of law enforcement handed down by the Confederation Congress, the President, state Premiers, the Constitution, or from the Constitutional Court. The President of Sonora has the power of pardon and may grant official reprieves at any time with reasonable consideration. Sonora follows typical English common law with American exceptions and its own characteristics but adhering to its own standards. Crime rate is extremely low to non-existent, something the nation prides itself on. Punishments often include house arrest or minimal detention and often follow primitive standards and often influenced by ancient Greek society and philosophy. Currently, Sonoran legalism falls under the Ministry of Justice.

Demographics

Languages

English is the most commonly spoken language, although Spanish is also spoken by some. English is the only language used for government, business, and other endeavors. However, while English is spoken regularly, there is no official state language.

Culture

Media

As of its foundation, the main source of media is the state sponsored "People's News" organization which routinely posts updates and and ongoings within the republic and abroad.

Religion

Religion is defined as being part of a "democratic and progressive society" and thus freedom of religion is guaranteed and discrimination and hate speech is not tolerated and punishable by fine. Atheists and Agnostics are thought to make up the majority with Christianity and Catholicism thought to making up the 2nd largest religious group with Wiccan, polytheistic, and other various religions being observed, however, most religious denominations are protected as sentiment towards freedom of religious expression is high and it is the policy of the state to fight for religious freedom and fight against intolerance.

External links

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