QINQE

QINQE

Flag of QINQE
Motto: An adventure, not a mere destination
[1]
Region	caribbean
Capital	Qinqenacon
Official Language(s)	English (Official). Spanish, French and Taino also spoken by sizable minorities
Leader	Sharon Archer-Tilden, President of the Republic of Qinqe
Population	3,301,351
Currency	Aguqat
NS Sunset XML

HISTORY OF THE ISLES OF QINQE

'''OVERVIEW:''' Discovered by the Spanish in 1494, Qinqe was subsequently held by the French, British and The United States before independence was attained in 1995. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and is the source of one of the highest per capita GPS in the Caribbean. Qinqe has prospered through tourism, pharmaceutical production, and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US. Qinqe benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, mining ranging from coal and iron to gold and silver, pharmaceutical and electronic manufacturing, and a modern and highly developed agricultural system.

'''PRE-COLUMBIAN:''' The Arawak - Taino, Macorixes and Ciguayos peoples - had developed what is believed to be one of the most peaceful of the ancient American civilizations and were first to settle the Caribbean. The Caribs, after whom the area is named, constantly harassed the peaceful Arawak. According to current archeological evidence, the Caribbean islands supported large populations that had existed in an environment of Carib-Arawak conflict for 1,500 years prior to the arrival of the Spanish. Their sphere of influence was centered on the island known variously as Ayiti, Kiskeya, Bohio, Hispaniola and Dominica. The Carib and Arawak developed a civilization and administration that in many respects was of a high order, although different in very basic concepts from the civilizations that prevailed in the "Old World".

'''EUROPEAN DOMINANCE:''' The influence of the Carib-Arawak in the area ended with the conquest of Bohio (1493-1496) by the Spaniards under Christopher Columbus. Santo Domingo was founded in 1496 and soon became the centerpiece of the Caribbean. One island, Qinqe, managed to hold out against the European onslaught. This was through the influence of a remarkable Spaniard who was the lone survivor of the massacre of Navidad. Navidad was the colony Columbus left behind on his first voyage. For reasons not fully known, Antonio Salovega, chose to align himself with his Arawak captors and against the Spanish. Some say it was love, others revenge and some point to modern studies concerning the Stockholm Syndrome. Salovega, was exceptionally well educated and this knowledge was instrumental in repulsing the efforts of the Guamikena (The Covered People or Spanish) to take the island. This required that the natives to quickly accept, adopt and master the European technology and military tactics that Salovega offered. Salovega's future wife, Nimawi, an influential Cacike or tribal leader, installed Salovega as her Guazabara’guani' or war chief and persuaded her people to embrace this unexpected gift. After four costly, failed attempts and with other events in the world to occupy them, the Spanish decided this one island could be left alone. With the successful exploitation of European technology, Qinqeans were allowed - for a time - to determine their own fate.

'''FRENCH INFLUENCE:''' During the seventeenth century Qinqe was a very important producer of both gold and silver. For the first two decades of the century, Qinqe was the largest silver producer in the world. In spite of the abundant wealth, for generations the Qinqean militia had been under funded and the French with their presence just 200 miles away were well aware of the situation. This combination brought it to the attention of the highest levels of the French government. During the reign of King Louis XIII, Cardinal Richelieu was the most powerful person in France. Together, these two transformed the French feudal monarchy to an absolute monarchy, by controlling the opposition of the “Grands” or Lords and curbing the growing power of the Protestants. Richelieu’s dual role as head of the church in France and chief of state, allowed him to exploit nearly every facet of the French political spectrum from mundane court activities to foreign policy. Richelieu wanted to control French colonization as well. In 1627, Richelieu granted a charter to the “Compagnie des Cent Associes” or “Company of One Hundred Associates”. Under the charter, the Company was granted full title to all lands in North America from Florida to the Arctic Circle and from the Atlantic to the western source of the St. Lawrence River. The fur trade was to belong exclusively to them for all time, and for a term of fifteen years they were to control the trade of the colony. In addition, the Associates were granted an exemption from duties charged on goods exported to France from the colony.

In return, the Associates were required to settle 200-300 colonists in 1628 and an additional 4,000 over the next 15 years. Each colonist was to have the basic necessities of life provided for him. The charter dictated every detail of a colonist’s life. For example, every community was to be provided with a minimum of three priests. The colonists were not allowed to determine their own destiny. Richelieu’s charter controlled even the sacrament of marriage. Unfortunately for the Associates and ultimately for Qinqe, the British captured the first convoy of four ships, their cargo of supplies and 400 settlers in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This loss resulted in a very rough winter for the colonists already in the colony. It was also the cause of the bankruptcy of the Company of One Hundred Associates. France was forced to look at other means of funding its colonization efforts. The silver mines of Qinqe beckoned to Richelieu in this hour of near desperation. With Richelieu’s blessing, a French squadron under the command of Captain Jean Guillaume duBuyer sailed from Havre, France in total secrecy. The Qinqeans were caught unaware. Without the wisdom of the CacikeBo, Nimawi, and the guidance of her Nitayno’guazabara, Salovega, what the Spanish could not do, the French did. A punishing direct assault over ran Natiaguamique’s (now Settlerton) defenders and the island’s leadership capitulated. In 1631, the French tri-color flew over the Island, and Richelieu had acquired the financial means to colonize New France.

'''BRITISH INFLUENCE:''' What once can be done, can be done again. During the French and Indian war, France lost this prized possession to the British. A company of British Marines, landed in Baguamatun Bay, force marched to LeHaven and with only one life lost, conquered the islands defense forces made up of a small outpost of French soldiers and Qinqean volunteers. In 1713, the Treaty of Qinqe was signed between France and England, which contained the clause "the island called Qinqe, with the adjoining islands, shall from this time forward belong of right wholly to Britain".

But even mighty Britain could not keep this Crown Jewel of the Caribbean for what can be done twice, can be done thrice. In the two decades prior to 1812, the British navy had fought in over 200 single ship to ship conflicts and had lost only five. English captains and sailors had come to expect easy naval victories. The fledgling United States Navy humbled British arrogance in 1812 when the 38 gun HMS Guerre was destroyed by the 44 gun USS Constitution, the 49 gun HMS Macedon was taken by the 44 gun USS United States, the 44 gun HMS Java was captured by the USS Constitution and the 44 gun HMS Quire surrendered to the USS Senate. The Senate would tweak the English nose again a mere three months later and would play a very important role in wresting Qinqe from British control. The 44 gun, 1576 ton USS Senate was built in Norfolk in 1800 at a cost of $263,590 and was turned over to the command of Navy Captain Eugene Workman. Using a plan somewhat similar to the one used by the British to dislodge the French, the USS Senate set ashore a company of Marines, under the command of Lieutenant Rulon Archer, at Baguamatun Bay. Captain Workman then sailed the Senate around to other side of Qinqe to confront and sink the 38 gun HMS Griss. Having accomplished that, it bombarded Settlerton into submission. Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Archer's Marines routed the small English garrison stationed at LeHaven and then went on to capture Qinqenacan.

'''AMERICAN INFLUENCE:''' The Treaty of Ghent was signed on Christmas Eve of 1814. Article One of the treaty stipulated, “All territory, places, and possessions whatsoever, taken by either party from the other during the war, or which may be taken after the signing of this treaty, excepting only the islands hereinafter mentioned, shall be restored without delay, and without causing any destruction or carrying away any of the artillery or other public property originally captured in the said forts or places, and which shall remain therein upon the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, or any slaves or other private property.”

Qinqe was one of the excepted islands. Britain apparently did not make a deliberate attempt to regain possession through arbitration as stipulated in Article Four of the treaty for no mention is made of it in the “Decision of the Commissioners under Article 4 of the Treaty of Ghent, 24 November 1817.” There are several theories for this. The most probable theory is that it was a simple oversight. The British were otherwise occupied in Europe with Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. A small island off the coast of Florida and far away from the major battle grounds may have escaped notice.

However, other opposing scholars feel that this theory should be discounted because of the wealth that had been taken from Qinqe in the form of gold, silver, sugar and rum. Proponents counter with evidence that the British felt that the silver and gold production would shortly cease. They point out that the “Convention of 1818 Between the United States and Great Britain” also fails to mention Qinqe. Since both the “Decision” and the “Convention” occurred after Napoleon’s defeat by the British at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, they believe that the absence of any mention of Qinqe gives credence to their theory. Their detractors point out that the “Convention” deals solely with the borders of Canada and the United States. Whatever the cause, the United State of America retained ownership of the Island. Decades later, using techniques refined in the Californian and Alaskan Gold rushes, the Americans renewed the production of the precious metals at almost double the level as during the period of French and English occupation. If it was a British oversight to not include Qinqe in arbitration, it was a costly one.

In the latter-nineteenth century, construction of a railway connecting the mining centers of the highlands with the major cities and the Port, coupled with large foreign capital investments, brought extensive development to Qinqe. With economic development came a power struggle between the conservative upper class and certain progressive elements pressing for social and economic changes. On several occasions, the Qinqeans petitioned the Congress of the United State for their independence. It was not granted. The struggle for independence became violent on several occasions.

Governor William “The Coward” McMasters earned this less than distinctive title during the “Massacre of 1878.” Afraid that he would be assassinated like Governor Charles Ribbins, the governor and his family retreated to the sanctuary of Jackson Barracks leaving the citizenry of the island leaderless. Some say that he never emerged from beneath his desk until he was assured that the revolt was put down. The Qinqean Militia, officered by American Civil War veterans, was ordered to deal with the situation. For three days, without the Governor’s guidance or restraint, units of the militia rampaged through the streets of Qinqenacan, Settlerton and LeHaven. The revolt, reputedly organized and lead by the newspaper editor and former slave Randolph Bibae, was quickly put down. Five hundred eighty-six Qinqean citizens lay dead. Many were simple merchants, tradesmen, shopkeepers and farmers from outlying areas trying to sell their produce. Others were well known supporters of the United States. News of the atrocities committed by the militia quickly spread. Members of the United States Congress were sent to investigate. At the hearing, defenders of the militia testified that the militia could not distinguish between the ordinary citizen and the members of the revolutionary rabble. Opponents argued that in the case of males this may possibly have been factual. However, of those killed by the militia, more than fifty were women and about ninety were children under the age of eleven. Hundreds more women and children were wounded. It was also pointed out that the Qinqean Militia suffered less than a dozen casualties and only four deaths. To the credit of the United States, the Qinqean Militia was disbanded and replaced by detachments of marines. Governor McMasters was immediately replaced. Cowards Bay, Runaway Creek and McMaster’s Hideout owe their names to his disgraceful conduct.

'''RECENT HISTORY:''' Like the flags that flew over the island, the economy of Qinqe has changed many times. Precious metal mining was the economic lynchpin of major portions of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. During the latter half of the 18th century, all of the 19th century and through most of the early 20th century, the economy of Qinqe was heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production. In the 1930s, sizable oil and natural gas deposits were discovered within easy access of the north coast of Small Island by the petrochemical conglomerate Qinoco. In the 1970s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed both the sugar and the petroleum industries in economic importance. The last decade of the 20th century has witnessed the dramatic growth of gambling as a major industry.

The landscape has changed in the political arena as well. During the first half of the twentieth century, Qinqe had eighteen governors. Of these, Washington replaced six and four resigned. From 1902 to 1923 is known as the crazy decades. Of the nine governors appointed during those years, not one finished his four-year term. Even the worst of these, unlike their 19th century predecessors, did not assume dictatorial powers. Economically and socially, however there was no improvement and emotions flared up in the fall of 1942 in a conflict with the police over smuggling. The riots of 1942 and their bloody toll are still remembered by many older Qinqeans. The citizens of Qinqe continued to chafe under their foreign governors and lacking other sources of income, the smuggling continued.

Even in the 20th century, land grabs were attempted. In retaliation for the Bay of Pigs, Cuba revived an old territorial dispute over Small Island. Using an old Spanish claim as a basis, Cuba invaded Small Island hoping to obtain the oil resources that it offered. Governor William Johns called out the Qinqean National Guard. By the time the US Naval Force and the Marines arrived, the QNG had the Cuban invaders localized to the main Qinoco refinery. Colonel Juan Guevera – no relation to Che Guevera – threatened to blow it up if the American forces did not leave the territory of Cuba, meaning Small Island. At the urging of Qinoco, diplomatic means were set in motion. The dispute was settled in December of 1961 by the withdrawal of Cuban forces from Small Island. This peaceful solution was the result of international arbitration between Cuba, France, England, and the United States. The agreement allowed the United States to retain possession of Qinqe but with the understanding that the island would be given full independence before the year 2000. In return Cuba renounced all claims to Small Island. Within months Cuba and Qinqe would again be center stage because of the Cuban Missile Crisis. With the exception of the war scares of 1961 and 1962 with neighboring Cuba, and the hurricanes of 1950, 1960 and 1989, the last half of the twentieth century was relatively calm and benign.

Michael Delgapo, a progressive governor, was appointed in 1963. He introduced many reforms to improve the social and economic conditions of the ordinary islander. These brought about some fundamental changes in the Qinqean society. The main reforms, however, were instituted by his successor, Joanna Wharkat, the first native-born Qinqean to be chosen as Governor. Wharkat, appointed in 1968, initiated a far-reaching program of agrarian reform and encouraged mining companies, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturing industries, banking, and other vital enterprises to invest in the island. She served nearly seventeen years and as a final act of office oversaw the first free democratic elections for Governor in 1980. After her term of office, three governors were elected and finished their five-year terms of service.

'''INDEPENDENCE:''' In 1995, the Island was granted its full independence. A democratic form of government, loosely based on the British parliamentary system, was adopted. Governor Wharkat declined an offer by both parties to run as their candidate. She did serve for a several years prior to her death as the Ambassador to the United States under President Matilda “Janie” Janeway. The Settlerton Bay Marina was renamed the Wharkat Marina in her honor.

Janie served two full terms. Though the people of Qinqe loved her, the legacy she leaves is mixed. On the one hand, the republic is closely tied with its northern neighbor, the United States but since 9-11 relations have been strained because Janie did not close its borders as Thomas Ridge, the US security czar, wished it to.

President Matilda Janeway was succeeded by Sharon Archer-Tilden, the great-granddaughter of Governor Rulon Archer. Archer was governor of Qinqe from 1814 to 1818 and 1836 to 1858 who was best described as popular and benevolent dictator who served a total of 26 years and died in office.

The Republic of Qinqe, because of its geography and close proximity to the United States, is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US. It is also used for smuggling illegal migrants – primarily from Central America and the Caribbean – into the US.