Aequinnia

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Aequinnia
micronesia--57.jpg
Flag of Aequinnia
Motto: Libertas Forem
No Map Available Yet
Region libertarian
Capital New Scotland
Official Language(s) (none)
Leader President Thomas Harrogate
Population 48,573,042 (RP) (1997 Census)
Currency Continental 
NS Sunset XML


General Overview

The Federal Republic of Aequinnia (formal title) is a federation of twenty-four states located on large islands in the Delian Ocean. The nation was originally settled by colonists from Aequitum in the mid-eighteenth century. The tropical islands were, at the time, inhabited by native peoples who generally have generally coexisted in peace with the white settlers since their arrival. The three main islands (Ossett, Sheppey and New Man) were covered with tropical forests, which today are mostly farm and grazing land. Rolling hills and sprawling plains characterize the landscape in the countryside. Aequinnia's natural resources include coal and iron deposits, along with offshore oil pockets, and limited levels of diamonds in the larger mountains. The population of the country today is overwhelmingly composed of those descended from the original settlers. A small but substantial minority are the native peoples, and a tiny (but rapidly expanding) group are immigrants from other nations of the world.

The country today is considered a first-world nation with a reliable democratic process. Since the overthrow of colonial rule in 1834, the nation has been a republic (with the exception of a few years in the 1930s). People are free to express themselves in just about any way they please, as any kind of government action in the area of speech is viewed with great distrust among the populace. Aequinnia faces multiple long-term challenges to its heritage and philosophy. The prospect of a globalized world and mass migrations of immigrants challenge the nation's long-held isolationist and small-government beliefs.


Government

The government of Aequinnia is structured according to a federalist model. The Federal (National) Government is the highest authority in the nation; however its powers are strictly limited by The Constitution. The Federal Government handles and coordinates National Defense policy, including the maintenance of the National Army and oversight of the individual State Militias. The Federal Government also oversees all international diplomatic relations, treaties, maintenance of the national currency, registration of trademarks, collection of import and excise duties, establishment of the postal system, and the protection of citizen's rights. State governments have a high degree of autonomy, and generally can legislate internal matters with a free hand. Local (county and city) governments operate on an even more local level.

The federal level is comprised of three branches: the Legislative (Congress), Executive (President) and Judicial (Supreme Court). Laws passed by the Congress can be vetoed by the President, and since the judicial system is independent, and any law passed by the Legislative branch has the potential for judicial review. Court decisions on the constitutionality of laws are not binding, however. Their findings are merely taken as advice, and combined with many other opinions to determine what should be done. Only the legislative branch has the power to make or repeal laws. That branch is further broken down into the Senate, whose members are elected by the Legislatures of their respective states, and the House of Delegates, whose members are directly elected by the citizens of their district. The House contains 404 members, and is renewed every 2 years. The Senate consists of 48 members (2 for each state) is renewed in thirds every 2 years. The President is elected by the College of Electors, a group of representatives of each state, every 4 years. The members of the College of Electors are chosen differently in each state---it is up to the states to decide how to delegate them. The next federal election will take place on August 3, 2008 for both Congress and the presidency. The 11 justices on the Supreme Court have lifetime appointments, and must be confirmed by the Senate. Many states have similar setups, although a few use unicameral legislatures or other variations for different reasons. All states use the common law system in criminal justice, and have appropriate protections for that process in their constitutions.

For more more information on the exact setup of the Aequin federal government, see the Constitution of Aequinnia.

Current Office Holders:
President - Andrew Croxley (succeeded previous president upon his July 16, 2006 death)
Vice President - Carl Pitt
Senate President - Timothy Barnwell
Speaker of the House - Richard Kiegwin
Secretary of State - Oliver Sharpe
Secretary of the Treasury- Phillip Nes
Secretary of War - John Mawkins
Attorney General - Edward Birnam
Postmaster General - Karen de la Fontaine
Secretary of Citizenship - Michael Horner
Secretary of Commerce - Martha Pell
Secretary of Patents - Fredric Vanaster


Congressional Makeup:

             Senate
                20 Pilgrim 
                14 Tory
                11 ULF
                1 Not Affiliated
              House of Delegates:
                147 Pilgrim
                134 Tory
                114 ULF
                5 Not Affiliated
                3 Elk
                1 Nationalist

History

Early and Colonial Era

Aequinnia has existed for millions of years as a physical place. The islands are thought to be pieces of a continent that broke away and floated to their present location due to tectonic plate shifting. After the islands settled, the current native population arrived via boat around 470 AD. Before this time, it is thought that the islands were unpopulated. The natives splintered across the island, and established small precursors to the modern nation-state in each place they settled. Recent re-examination by historians has revealed that not all the native tribes were peaceful and open, as once believed. The native's culture and history before whites arrived is currently a hot topic in Aequinnia, and thanks to a spark of public interest, much more research is currently being done on the topic. It is now known that there had been many wars between them by the time that whites first reached the island in 1732 under Aequitum's exiled naval captain Phillip Dorgan. Dorgan was banished from the Kingdom of Aequitum in 1729 for attempted treason (he and his followers had planned to storm Vauxhall Palace and execute the royal family in response to a tough crackdown on recently-attained liberty).

When his ship, the Persuer, ran aground at what is now the town of Thornhollow Landing, New Scotland, he and his fellow crew (which included many members of the public who had aided his plot) set up their first village. The site of the original village is now a National Historical Trust site, and features a re-creation of the settler's world. The villagers found natives who were willing to cooperate with them, and probably saved the infant colony on numerous occasions. Unlike most other white colonists, the citizens of Dorgan's town did not turn against the natives. They instead developed a mutual trust with them, and for the most part, the goodwill between the two cultures persists to this day.

When word spread back in Aequitum of Dorgan's survival and success in his endeavor, thousands of lower class and political prisoners began to seek passage to the new land. By 1740, with a rush of new migrants, the colonists had fanned out over 1000 square miles, mostly along major rivers and the coast.

From the beginning, the new nation treasured democratic ideals, and in 1742 it declared itself "the Republic of New Scotland", and named Phillip Dorgan, who was now in ailing health, as governor-for-life. Though largely autocratic in actuality, the "republic" gave even more hope to the tides of Aequitum citizens who were now pouring into the country to escape the repression back home under King Thomas IV. The royal officials' concerns about the new nation finally forced Thomas IV to declare that any more immigrants to the nation would be considered traitors. When this order was ignored, the royal government in Aequitum threatened to go to war with New Scotland because they were "harboring criminals".

In 1745, Thomas IV finally had enough with the "juvenile antics" of the colonists, and issued Phillip Dorgan a choice: surrender the colony to Aequitum's control or have it taken by force. Against popular pressure to fight for their new homeland, Dorgan reluctantly gave in. He died before the royal force came to take control of the colony.

Although Aequitum formally took control of the land in 1745, the colonists would not let their vision of independence die. While several underground groups such as the Guardians of Liberty worked to undermine colonial authority (even assassinating a highly unpopular royally-appointed governor of Warwick) the vast majority of citizens preferred to focus on their rapidly expanding economic and social life. Until about 1830, any quarrels the colonists had with Aequitum's rule were generally outweighed by the benefits of protection and stability the mother nation provided. In addition, the fact that the colonists were permitted to elect their respective assemblies and enjoy some level of autonomy was appreciated.

In 1829, the benevolent King Bard passed away and was succeeded by his nephew, an inexperienced and abrasive man. He soon ordered a tripling of taxes on Aequinnia, and when several colonial legislatures passed resolutions overriding his order, he responded by suspending them. While this outraged the colonists, many were still averse to the spreading calls for rebellion. The tipping point came when the new king sent a "pacification force" into New Scotland and gave them permission to use private property for their lodging as well as plunder crops from local farmers to feed themselves. Unaccustomed to such draconian measures, "shoot and flee" attacks began on the royal forces. At first unorganized and sparodic, these groups soon began to collaborate and plan a massive uprising.


From Revolution to Revolution

States and Political Subdivisions

Aequinnia is comprised of twenty-three states, and several Federally-administered territories.

States (In Order of Admission):

New Scotland (1835)* Bedford (1835)* Mayhew (1835)* New Surreyisle (1835)* Keycastle (1835)* Staffordshire (1836)* Warwick (1836)* Brolek Coast (1836)* Baysmouth (1838) Cornwall (1840) Otho D'Bepnea (1845) Pembroke (1848) Regentbuck (1849)+ Mooria (1853) Heraldon (1856) Blackersley (1867) Troubale (1872) Southwest Sheppey Isle (1885) Pimlico (1885) Nelson (1888) Upper Regentbuck (1901) Lower Regentbuck (1901) Saint James (1924) Eugene's Land (1946)

Note: (+) The original state of Regentbuck was divided into Upper Regentbuck and Lower Regentbuck in 1901 after years of quarreling between the two areas of the state. The Regentbuck Legislature consented to dissolve and divide the state on May 19, 1900. The Congress of Aequinnia consented on February 6, 1901.

(*) Indicates that this state was an original signer of the Constitution