Difference between revisions of "Guffingford"

From NSwiki, the NationStates encyclopedia.
Jump to: navigation, search
(Independence)
(The 20th Century)
Line 95: Line 95:
  
 
===The 20th Century===
 
===The 20th Century===
The 20th century was marked with the [[Independence from Knootoss]], [[The 2nd Oil War]] and some other minor conflicts that dominated the first half of this tumultuous century. The second half was marked with steady social progress and the rise of the living standard of many citizens. The capital became [[Hoogenbosch]] 10 years after the independence, when [[Redmound]] was the capital. Many foreign wars passed by unnoticed, causing no damage since everyone was too busy sorting out their own mess. The British were busy trying to create something called "law and order" in their new creation [[North Western Quarter]], the Spanish were busy trying to catch the notorious desperado [[Xaviero Guerra]], [[Ed Rappen]] was banished from Guffingford and the Germans were trying to bring back their colonial monarchy.{{Image|http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/fruityloops/Pretoria_arch_front.jpg |left|old|The last Knootian governor of Hoogenbosch announces the unconditional retreat of all Knootian soldiers in Guffingford. Photo is dated September 29th, 1902.}}
+
The 20th century was marked with the [[Independence from Knootoss]], [[The 2nd Oil War]] and some other minor conflicts that dominated the first half of this tumultuous century. The second half was marked with steady social progress and the rise of the living standard of many citizens. The capital became [[Hoogenbosch]] 10 years after the independence, when [[Redmound]] was the capital. Many foreign wars passed by unnoticed, causing no damage since everyone was too busy sorting out their own mess. The British were busy trying to create something called "law and order" in their new creation [[North Western Quarter]], the Spanish were busy trying to catch the notorious desperado [[Xaviero Guerra]], [[Ed Rappen]] was banished from Guffingford and the Germans were trying to bring back their colonial monarchy.{{Image|http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/fruityloops/Pretoria_arch_front.jpg |left|old|The last Knootian governor of Hoogenbosch announces the withdrawal of all Knootian soldiers in Guffingford. Photo is dated September 29th, 1902.}}
  
 
====Independence====
 
====Independence====

Revision as of 22:22, 2 January 2006

Vote_stub.png This article has been nominated as a featured article candidate.
Please comment on this article's talk page to second or contest the nomination, or share your comments.

Hanseatic League of Guffingford
Die Hanse Liga van Guffingsfort
guffingford.jpg coatofarms.jpg
Flag and Coat of Arms of Guffingford
Official Languages Dutch aka Hoogs, German aka Neuïsh, French, Spanish
Capital Hoogenbosch, 1.2 million
National Map National Map
Prime Minister Christopher Watermont
Head of State Maximillian Kalba
Foreign Affairs Kellus Constantine
Defence Leonard Ynsson
Economic Affairs Rudyard Sweet
Health & Education Otto Galloway
Population 5.1 billion
Independence September 29th 1902, from Knootoss
Government Type Dictatorship
Nation Type Authoritarian Democracy
National Animal Burrick
Currency 1 Gulden (Guilder) (ÐG) = 100 Cents

1 Ðukaat Gulden (Ðucat Guilder) = State Gold Value

Time Zone
 - in summer
GMT 11
GMT 11
Naval Craft Classification HMS - Hanseatic Merchant Shipping

HMS - Hanseatic Marine Shipping

Official/Predominant Religion Official Religion is Deism; native religions (polynesian)
National/Most popular sports Knife throwing, archery, football (soccer) and baseball.
Patron Saint Saint Christopher
Calling Code +288

OOC Preamble
Where would the world be without Guffingford? Still on the same place, but to aliens a more friendly place. You see, the things you are reading here aren't the nicest things. Some entries of this online encyclopedia only give you insight in wars written by the victor. In Guffingford, shamefully, there are no winners. From wherever you go, to wherever you want to go, you will see them. Drunk miners, whores, white power parades. This is a nation that does not know the word "winner". The characters you read about in my stories - as well as these entries - are of the lowest social calibre. Addicted to booze, living from day to day to make ends meet Guffingford is the prime example of a true anti-nation. The rest of this entry and all other entries in the Guffingford category can be used for IC and OOC information. Henceforth, Future Tech entries are marked FT in its title, to make reading/navigation even easier. So far, there are no FT entries, I'm still in the process of writing my first FT story.

So far this and many other pages contain basic or elaborate information on the subject Guffingford and many associated subjects. If you think something's wrong, missing or a subject hasn't been quite as in-dept as you'd want to see, or just want to have more information on a certain subject - do not hesitate to contact me. Drop me a message here or through telegram on NationStates.

General Information

Guffingford as a whole

Guffingford is a very large, dry nation that closely resembles present day South Africa and Namibia. The central highlands are dry, rocky regions where rivers only flow during the rain season. The coastal regions are green, lush mountainous regions where most of the argicultural activities take place. The utmost northern provinces of the Bundesstaat Neuland-Grüneberg-Gooshen is the prime diamond and gold mining center, while the processing plants are mostly located in Rooi-Nassau, the most south-western freestate. The only state is the North Western Quarter, consisting of four semi-independent provinces. These are mainly Spanish. Guffingford is very rich in minerals and all sorts of ore, and this is the primary industrial sector. Other low-tech industries are increasingly sighted in Guffingford, namely synethetic materials processing, plastic injection molding, plastic extrusion, metal workshops, wood workshops, furniture building industry and various other true labor professions. Since Guffingford is such a massively huge nation, there's plenty of space for natural beauty. Some sites have been ruined by the mining industry, but that's less than 1% of the landscape - while providing more than 50% of the national GDP. The economy of Guffingford is a story in its own, and can be read by clicking this link Guffingfordian Economy.

History of Guffingford

Some nations have a rich, florishing and peaceful history. Some don't, and some have a history tainted with blood of innocent people. In the relatively short history of Guffingford, starting at around 1500 when the first European eyes began to see Guffingford, the quest for this resource rich land began. Some countries know these kinds of war. Some don't, the rest reads about it in history books or the news paper. Guffingford still feels it daily. From the corporations set up in the early 20th century or the late 19th century it has always been a battle of whom controls the ore. Some see a resource rich nation as a blessing, Guffingfordians more and more begin to see it as a curse upon them. If nations were books, then some might contain a few black pages. Others are tainted with blood. Guffingford's book is one bloody mass, dripping from all of its pages. Only a few years were quite calm, others were mostly restless. While America's years of the wild west were between 1840-1900, Guffingford's wild years were between 1780 and 1930. A long period of war, rape, genocide and crime. And not much has changed since.

The 19th Century

The 19th century in colonial Guffingford was marked by many bloody conflicts, but The First Oil War, The Masapa Tensions and The Luambo Wars are the best known to outsiders. A short description follows on what happened when, where and most importantly, why. The 19th Century ended with the Luambo wars which lasted from 1895 till 1901. As you know, Knootoss granted Guffingford independence in 1902 mainly because of that war. Although the impact of the Luambo War isn't as big as the Masapa Tensions, the only logical conclusion was that the situation didn't look like resolving any time soon without bloodshed so Knootoss had to drop probably her most precious colonial treasure. The year 1902 of the independence might have easily been 1899, 1903 or 1896. Altogether it doesn't make much difference.
<div" class="plainlinksneverexpand">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/fruityloops/set.jpg
A collection of colonial flags of Guffingford, 1901.
</div>
First Oil War

The First Oil War was the first major conflict outside Guffingford involving colonial powers present in Guffingford. This conflict bears many similarities with present day affairs in NationStates, especially the Stevid-Guffingford tensions. This was the first of two fairly large wars. The political impact by far outweighs the human aspects. This may not have been fought on Guffingfordian soil, but the outcome of this war marked the beginning of some big changes in Guffingford itself.

Masapa

Masapa was the theatre of the first major genocide in Guffingford before the first world war. Compared to today's standards it appears to be insignificant, unimportant but back then it was a most dramatic happening. Over sixty innocent people were slaughtered in one night and even word about this massacre reached the Knootian motherland, they did not gave up their precious resource rich colony. Tragedy people said afterwards. But the very same people who said it was a tragedy looked the other way when the topic slavery was brought up, or the enduring lawlessness outside the governed areas. This, and some other factors created The Masapa Tensions.

The Luambo Wars

The Luambo Wars were mostly fuelled by hatred and jealousy. Neglect caused this war, and if people in Guffingford were a little more open minded towards other cultures, and a dark skin then most of this wouldn't have happened. What triggered it? The killing of John Adelba? Or the ruthless raids led by Edmund Rappen? Nobody knows. Here is a presentation of the story written from an eye witness, whether it is biased is up for the reader to decide. It's hard to believe but many people consider the times when that happened better than 2005. The outcome of the war? Racism is socially accepted. Think of the media's role in this war as "Pre-WW2 Propaganda".

A Story Set in the Past; the wars of the Dutch, Germans and Spanish against the people of Luambo

The 20th Century

The 20th century was marked with the Independence from Knootoss, The 2nd Oil War and some other minor conflicts that dominated the first half of this tumultuous century. The second half was marked with steady social progress and the rise of the living standard of many citizens. The capital became Hoogenbosch 10 years after the independence, when Redmound was the capital. Many foreign wars passed by unnoticed, causing no damage since everyone was too busy sorting out their own mess. The British were busy trying to create something called "law and order" in their new creation North Western Quarter, the Spanish were busy trying to catch the notorious desperado Xaviero Guerra, Ed Rappen was banished from Guffingford and the Germans were trying to bring back their colonial monarchy.
<div" class="plainlinksneverexpand">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/fruityloops/Pretoria_arch_front.jpg
The last Knootian governor of Hoogenbosch announces the withdrawal of all Knootian soldiers in Guffingford. Photo is dated September 29th, 1902.
</div>

Independence

Independence from Knootoss was to be expected, and the only question was 'when'. In 1902 this questioned was answered as the Knootian presence withdrew its military presence, leaving the territories they had occupied to other colonial powers. But through the blood of many fighters they achieved freedom of thought and the freedom to live on their lands. And here comes a part conspiracy theorists in both Knootoss and Guffingford love: the largest and most richest mines were opened only weeks after Knootians left.

Second Oil War

The Second Oil War was a contiuation of the first. Like WW1 and WW2, the unsatisfied British and French who were sent away from Theohuanacu by the Colonial Consortium of Guffingford, abandoned by their leaders felt that they could go on on their own. This resulted in heavy casulties on both sides, but in the end the Germans held the upper hand in this proxy war. The French suffered the most casulties in the field, but most political damage was done to the British.

Restructuring the Nation

On the origins of the name Guffingford

The name Guffingford originates from the Scot Ian McGuff who first settled on the south eastern shores of Guffingford, present day Rooi-Nassau. There he ordered his men and women to build a collossal fortress, a marvel of the ages and called the town, which soon grew into a city, Scotsborough. Several other little (mainly Scottish) villages were built, and parts of the land were cultivated. The fort of Ian McGuff stood for at least two hundred years until a catastrophic earthquake partially destroyed it. Rendered unsafe and unfit for men, the building was demolished. By then the massive land became mainly Knootian/German, and the Anglo-Saxon elements were driven to the Freestate of Gloucterbury, and shrunk to its present size in roughly hundred years. However, the name Guffingford came from McGuffsfort when all names by then were taken in Australia, Canada and America. Early suggestions were "New Oceania", "New British Territories", "Knootian Caledonia", "Deutsch Ost Solomon" and many more. In the end the name of Ian McGuff was taken. The Mc part was removed and Guffsfort was turned into Guffingsfort. These names were all unofficial until one bright mind changed the name to its current form: Guffingford.

The Guffingfordian Freestates

Freestate Cerfonlande
Capital city: Cerfontaine
The only French speaking freestate, and also the most independent. Isolated from the non French speaking outside, they have developed a unique - yet very close - community and very rarely they go to other states. Cerfonlande is almost one hundred percent self supportive. This region closely resembles Quebec in present-day Canada. Although Cerfonlande is part of Guffingford, they rather be independent and just live on they way they have done for the past 400 years. The only factors that bind them with Guffingford are purely of economic nature.

Freestate Nord Neuland (Bundesstaat Neuland-Grüneberg-Gooshen)
Capital city: Änglenbach

The largest and most productive state in Guffingford, The Bundesstaat Neuland-Grüneberg-Gooshen (New Land in English) is the dominant German part of Guffingford. Situated from the northern island bordering on Liberated America to the east and Zarbia to the west, Nord-Neuland is the main base of military operations in Guffingford. Port Kramer is the most important harbor city in Guffingford, and the cities of Änglenbach and Windhoek the mining capitals of the Imperial Armies region. The northern island is also a very important wine area, and is one of the most environmentally spectacular area. Several voices on the Northern Island want to create their own Freestate, since it is not as German as the mainland. The Bundesstaat also disputes the Cerfonlandian city of Zalmebaai, an important trade hub in the fishing industry.
<div" class="plainlinksneverexpand">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/fruityloops/JanVanRiebeckArrival.jpg
The Knootian settler and explorer Arnoldus Jacobsz. DeVrient comes ashore in future Rooi-Nassau, and is greeted by friendly natives.
</div>

Freestate Rooi-Nassau
Capital city: Hoogenbosch
The oldest freestate where Ian McGuff landed and built a massive fortress to protect him and his settlers against natives. Contrary to what everybody thinks, Guffingford was discovered by that Scotsman. He founded the small town known as St Jacob's now, but its real name is Scotsborough. This name passed into obscurity when the first Knootian settlers arrived. The name of Ian McGuff still lives on in the name Guffingford. In Rooi-Nassau the language Hoogs was made official. Some thirty years later the Knootian explorer and settler Arnoldus Jacobsz. DeVrient landed on these shores, founding several fortresses and trade posts what was later called "Rooi-Nassau".

Freestate Gloucterbury
Capital city: Brittenborough/Brittenburg
The only English majority state in Guffingford. After the Neulanders and Hooglanders took over, the British took refuge in that small part of Guffingford. They do not have a large say in national politics, but English is recognized as an official language even though only 12.3% of the national population speaks it as their first language. Nevertheless, Gloucterbury is a popular place for British in Europe who are fed up of Europe but want to be in a society and generally British environment. Among other non-British Guffingfordians, Gloucterbury isn't a very popular place to be.

Freestate Oos Seeland
Capital city: Redmound
The second largest freestate of Guffingford, and also the most potent one. Oos Seeland means literally "East Sealand", the inhabitants of Oos Seeland came from the Knootian province of Zeeland (Sealand) in the early 19th century to escape wars and poverty in Europe. The main reason was Napoleon, and the idea France was controlling their homelands. Luckily for them, Guffingford was welcoming them with open arms. They settled on the southern shores of Guffingford, naming it after their beloved home, hoping they could return there some day. Economically the most powerful, Oos Seeland ejoys flexing its muscles in the direction of Cerfonlande, but wars between the two bickering neighboring states are a thing of the past. Small border disputes endure, however but the chance of that growing into a real war is unlikely. Oos Seeland holds many undiscovered areas to outsiders and unknown reserves of natural gas and oil.

Freestate Suidelike Kaap Vrystaat
Capital city: Doornenbosch
Hoogs for Southern Cape Freestate. A very easy-going state, waving palms and a Caribean feel, this is the prime tourist area of Guffingford. The population here is mainly Hoogs, but these citizens rather call themselves just Knootian. Their language closely resembles Flemish, instead of the Afrikaans/Dutch combination predominant in the rest of Guffingford. Suidelike Kaap Vrystaat has the closest ties to the Knootian motherland, although other citizens see this as somewhat treacherous, since loyalty to Guffingford is an unquestioned emotion every citizen must have.

North Western Quarter
Capital city: n/a. Largest city is Del Monte Pelado.
Can be described as the only "non freestate" province in Guffingford. Mainly populated by people of Spanish and Italian decent, the North Western Quarter is the lest remnant of the British colonies in Guffingford. Because the Italians and Spanish couldn't reach an agreement of the name given to their combined freestate, the British intervened and just called it the North Western Quarter. Both parties were satisfied, and the name issue was dismissed. From there the NWQ just went its own way, without interference from any other state.

Old Freestates

These no longer exist, but have played an important role in Guffingford's history, so are worth to be added in this category.

Freestate Gooshen
Capital city: Gooshen, now known as LeSalle
A historic freestate. Gooshen was the most liberal freestate of Guffingford. Retief Gooshen is the leader there, and he allowes his people to engage in homosexual marriage, conduct abortion and euthenasia without an accompanying government. This makes them quite unpopular among other states, especially Oos Seeland, a generally more conservative state. After internal fueds and disintegration, Gooshen collapsed and the German states of Nord Neuland and Neu Bayern and Grüneberg and many citizens of the former Gooshenite territories created a Bündestate and adopted the old Gooshenite flag. When Gooshen was no more, Cerfonlande and Oos Seeland took the chance to expand their territory. Cerfonlande took the old Gooshenite capital Gooshen and renamed it after the current governor of their freestate, LeSalle.

Freestate Neu-Bayern
Capital city: Bloupaarl
Former German freestate in the eastern sectors of Guffingford. A dry and barren land with scattered forests, Neu-Bayern has large but underdeveloped industrial areas. After Gooshen collapsed, a Bundesstate was created and Neu-Bayern ceased to exist. Neu-Bayern was created after several treaties to satisfy Lutheran Germans who wished to have their own state. Neu-Bayern was a popular safehaven of many criminals, including the legendary Ed Rappen. Some people say he hid his treasure in this freestate. This adds to the tourist value of the Neu-Bayern region.

Freestate Grüneberg
Capital city: Saint Julien
A combined Dutch and German state, Grüneberg reminded many Knootians of their home in the south of Knootoss, the province Limburg. Lush green hills, sparkling and fresh water wells, this is the most naturally stunning area of Guffingford. Only to the south dry steppes meet the vast dry central plains and highlands, but the rest of this friendly state is green and laden with rolling hills. Saint Julien is the capital, a small city that hasn't played a significant part in Guffingford's history. The state however was (and still is) the breadbasket of Guffingford and during The Luambo Wars and both Oil Wars Grüneberg was repeaditly raided for its rich food supplies.

Political Spectrum

Allies, Enemies, Pacts, Agreements & Alliances

Individual Alliances

Alliances, Pacts & Accords

Formerly member of

  • n/a.

Indifferent/Friendly

Hostile/Aggressive

  • Stevid
  • Zarbia
  • Independent Hitmen

Guffingfordian Politics

At present, there are 151 seats in the Imperial Parliament of Guffingford, seated in Hoogenbosch. This political system is a relic left behind by the colonial powers of Guffingford, in an attempt to create more stability in the country. Every colony had its say, and often the heated debates decended into verbal abuse. A few times there was also fighting, mainly between British and French members of the parliament, who cooled their tantrum on other members of the parliament.

Even back then Guffingford was a dictatorship. Before WW1, Germany ruled the parliament. After WW1, the British became the most influential. Since then the balance of power occasionally shifts between the Germans and the Dutch. Both can get along just fine, and the love-hate relation is a thing of the past. Apart from this, there's not much to write about the politics in Guffingford. Ministers reign supreme over their departments with an iron fist, the President overlooks the current happenings of the nation but has very little power on his own. He can issue decrees and make statements, and in the event of war he is the only one with the authority to declare war. The Parliament makes laws and approves them as well after debate on what the content should be, clauses and other relevant articles.

(Legal) Political Parties in Guffingford

Party Leader Description Percentage of Seats Seats in the Parliament.
Eigen Volksparty Maximillian Kalba The Eigen Volksparty (Own People's Party) (EVP - OPP) is beyond any doubt the most influential party in the Guffingfordian political system. Nobody really opposes the Eigen Volksparty because their thugs are omnipresent, they hold ultimate authority over who's allowed to be opposition and who is allowed to run for presidency or mayer. 55% 83 seats
Liberale Party Jack Lee The Liberale Party (Liberal Party) A centrist and political apathic party. Though they have seats in the parliament they never take part in policy making, discussions or any other political debates. The leader of the party, Mr. Jack Lee is also a high ranked figure in the corporate world of the extensive mining industry of Guffingford. He rarely shows himself and many foreign analysts of Guffingford's "democracy" claim this party nothing but a farce. 32% 48 seats
Left Alliance Workers Ivan Potgietersdrif The only left wing party of Guffingford, the Left Alliance Workers (LAW) usually reach the national headlines by making all sorts pro-left statements, praise of the unions and the funding and actual promotion of a peaceful revolution of the workers. No media group is allowed to print articles applauding or even showing the slightest bit of compassion towards this party, and the only media group allowed to report on them is Truth Media, the state media group. The LAW is repeaditly made fun of, their works plagiarized, leaders threatened and all sorts of "undemocratic" ways to try to silence them. If the government wanted to silence them once and for all, they would have done it a lot sooner but it is good to have a scapegoat - and a party where people can vent their anger at the system. Since no one else listens to them. 13% 20 seats


Imperial Armies Nations
Nations: Adaptus Astrates | Aust | Barretta | Bob-Bob | CommunismRevisited- | Guerrillistan | Guffingford | Hailandkill | Holy panooly | Huzen Hagen | Malatose | McLeod03 | Moleland | Moronyicka | NB Forrest | New Empire | Oologah | Riptide Monzarc | Tadjikistan | Tir | The Macabees | The Merchant Guilds | The parthians | Theohuanacu | SafeHaven2 | Scodson | Skibereen | Stevid | Umbrella Corp Inc | Uzb3kistan | Vermin | Yallak | Zarbia