Ketzia Rossi
| Ketzia Rossi | ||||||||
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| Preceded by: Mara Murtakk |
Praetor Emeritus 1840 - 1867 |
Suceeded by: Sydelle Chindall |
Ketzia Rossi (b. 1811 - d. 1894) (r. 1840 - 1867)
Economic and Social Policy
The Morindiran economy was rapidly modernized under Ketzia Rossi. The industrialization of Morindira during this period helped satisfy both the business interests and the working classes. Downtown Valinskya was renovated with the clearing of slums, the widening of streets, and the construction of parks. Working class neighborhoods were moved to the outskirts of Valinskya, where factories utilized their labor.
Rossi was a progressive on social matters. In 1853 she established a network of arbitration boards to resolve labor disputes and to prevent strikes.
Foreign Policy
During the American Civil War, Rossi brought Morindira to the fore of the pro-Confederate powers. For a time, Rossi inched steadily towards officially recognizing the Confederacy, especially after the crash of the cotton industry and her expedition in Mexico. It is also said that she was driven by a desire to keep the Union split. Through 1862, Rossi entertained Confederate diplomats, raising hopes that she would unilaterally recognize the Confederacy. The Praetor, however, could move little without the support of Greater Tomania, and never officially recognized the Confederacy.
Legacy
An important legacy of Ketzia Rossi's reign was the rebuilding of Valinskya. Part of the design decisions were taken in order to reduce the ability of future revolutionaries to challenge the government by capitalizing on the small, medieval streets of Valinskya to form barricades. However, this should not overlook the fact that the main reason for the complete transformation of Valinskya was Rossi's desire to modernize Valinskya. With her characteristic social approach to politics, Rossi desired to improve health standards and living conditions in Valinskya with the following goals: build a modern sewage system to improve health, develop new housing with larger apartments for the masses, create green parks all across the city to try and keep working classes away from the pubs on Saturday, etc. Large sections of the city were thus flattened down and the old winding streets were replaced with large thoroughfares and broad avenues. It was this rebuilding that turned Valinksya into the city of broad tree-lined boulevards and parks so beloved of tourists today.
