Leonstein

Leonstein

Flag of Leonstein
Motto: Multilateralism is the Key to Peace and Prosperity
[MAP]
Region	Florianistan
Capital	Ahlen
Official Language(s)	Platt
Leader	Federal Chancellor Wolfgang von Bilgen
Population	100 million
Currency	Leonsteiner Mark (LM)
NS Sunset XML

Leonstein

The Federal Republic of Leonstein (the BRL) is a nation located on the eastern coast of Florianistan. In recent years, it has gained a reputation for developing peaceful and progressive policy alternatives, as well as its movie industry.

Florianistan

Florianistan is located in the deep sea of the Northern Atlantic, the climate is cold and wet, and the landscape is dominated by large forests and mountains. Politically, the locals have split into a number of nations, some dominated by socially progressive liberals, others by corrupt business representatives, and some are brutal military dictatorships that try to secure their position with military power. In recent years, the BRL has attempted to take a position of leadership in the region, but so far failed due to nationalistic and sometimes xenophobic feelings on the continent.

People

The population of Leonstein is ethnically homogenous, but has in recent years been exposed to increased immigration. Originally populated by Germanic tribes and Viking settlers in the first millennium AD, modern Leonsteiners see themselves as a unique culture, shaped by its past and its future aspirations. Only today, more than 18 years after the era of conflict and war ended in the country do immigrants become a more common sight on the streets of Leonstein.

Religion

First introduced to catholic Christian beliefs in 1123 AD, Leonstein has always been home to a variety of denominations. Today the dominant religion is Protestant Christianity, with Catholicism being more prevalent in the South. Other religious groups adhere to traditional Germanic heathen beliefs, Sunni-Islam and Orthodox Christianity. It must be noted however that the government has taken a strictly non-religious approach to politics in recent years, a move often criticised by lobby groups.

Government

The Federal Republic of Leonstein is, since its reunification in 1987, a democratic republic. It is formally a federation of 7 states and principalities, but various governments have reduced the power of state governments to near naught. The parliament (known as Bundestag) has 100 seats, with federal elections every four years determining the distribution. Furthermore the Bundesrat serves as upper house, with 50 seats. The Bundestag votes for the Federal Chancellor, who is the head of government and chooses his ministers. Wolfgang von Bilgen of the social-democratic SDL has been chancellor since 2004. Head of state is the President, who has some reserve powers, but traditionally refrains from using them. He or she is appointed by the Bundesrat. Current President is Volcker Mathusen, in office since 2002.

See also: Political Parties in Leonstein

National Anthem

The national anthem of the BRL is Schwarz-Rot-Gold. It has been criticised for what some see as too militaristic or violent lyrics, but suggested changes have been dismissed by all major political parties.

Lyrics:

In Kümmernis und Dunkelheit,
Da mußten wir sie bergen!
Nun haben wir sie doch befreit,
Befreit aus ihren Särgen!
Ha, wie das blitzt und rauscht und rollt!
Hurra, du Schwarz, du Rot, du Gold!
Pulver ist schwarz,
Blut ist rot,
Golden flackert die Flamme!
Das ist das alte Reichspanier,
Das sind die alten Farben!
Darunter haun und holen wir
Uns bald wohl junge Narben!
Denn erst der Anfang ist gemacht,
Noch steht bevor die letzte Schlacht!
Pulver ist schwarz,
Blut ist rot,
Golden flackert die Flamme!

History

Early Settlement

The earliest archaeological findings along the eastern coast and islands suggest that the first Germanic settlers (most likely originating from what is today England and France) landed in Florianistan in between 400 and 500 AD. Some recent finds suggest that there had been earlier populations, however their cultural roots could so far not be identified. Little is known about life in these early Germanic towns, but there is little to suggest that their culture changed much from its origins. This changed however when Vikings, likely originating from Norway, settled on Leonstein’s coast. Often violent conflict followed, with the battle of Hugenord (approx. 850AD) the most prominent confrontation. But until the first arrival of Catholic priests in the 12th century Florianistan remained unknown to European culture, such that written records from the time before this are sparse.

The Middle Ages

The introduction of Catholicism and its strict order of feudalism merely served to reinforce the power of local warlords, both Germanic and Nordic, who now took to assuming the grace of god as justification for hereditary rule. Feudalism thrived in these years, and indeed, the first mention of the name “Leonstein” (Leon’s Rock) was found in a 1345 edict by Leon I. as the name of his grand castle. This king defeated a number of Viking leaders, and crowned himself Emperor of an area which encompassed much of today’s Leonstein. His dynasty held on to most of the land over the next 400 years.

The End of the Leonide Dynasty

With the 18th century beginning to change the social landscape to a large extent, and revolutions threatening a number of European kingdoms, Leonstein too came to an end. Two sons, who were meant to share the kingdom after their father’s death, fought each other bitterly over more than twenty years, until a popular revolt overthrew the house of Leon and instead resulted in a large number of smaller provinces coexisting peacefully. Over time it became clear though that the Industrial Revolution and Imperial Power would bypass the nation. While never being claimed by a European nation, the Leonsteiner states nonetheless remained powerless.

The first Republic

This state of obscurity and disunity continued until 1889, when the treaty of Ahlen resulted in the first Republic being declared. Modelled after the earlier French republics, the nation did have a large noble class, but gave power to popular representation. Obviously, the large wealth disparities, and the relative power of local nobility resulted in the peasants being excluded from the political process, a phenomenon reinforced by the 1895 introduction of an income-contingent suffrage. The first Republic survived both WWI and WWII by staying neutral and not getting involved, although ties to the Anglo-Saxon Allies became a predominant pillar of the ruling classes up until 1951.

Revolution

After 62 years of no political representation and a continued status as servants, the poor finally had enough...<TO BE CONTINUED>