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State of the World, 1936: The Socialist Republic of the Netherlands
I'll be moving through these in a semi-logical order. Today, we take a look at the Netherlands, aka the Dutch Union!
Near the end of Victoria 2, in 1920, an Italy preoccupied by internal unrest abandoned their Dutch allies to German invasion. The Netherlands took a beating and soon fell to a Communist uprising in 1924. In the decade after, it faced several invasions by France and Germany, the so-called Wars of Survival. The provinces of Flanders and northern Wallonia were ceded to the French Empire, while what remained of Dutch Hanover went to Germany.
The revolutionary government was left intact to serve as a mutually hostile buffer state, however. In 1928, the French satellite states carved out of Flanders and Wallonia became de facto independent with the beginning of the French Civil War, and Flanders soon fell to Communist revolutionaries and rejoined the Dutch Union. As the most industrialized and populous part of the Union, it's return was very welcome.
So how do the Netherlands look in 1936? The Netherlands is a Secondary Power, which means it gets a decent-sized focus tree, unique ideas (a whole lot of them, in this particular case), some events and so forth.
THE DUTCH UNION, 1936
Population: est. 13.65M (+3.23M from 1866)
Capital: Amsterdam
Government: Socialist Republic (Authoritarian Dictatorship)
Head of State: President Victor Hoensbroeck
Military Estimate: 14 divisions (est. 80,000 men), 7 warships, 40 aircraft
Industry Estimate: 16 Civilian Factories, 5 Military Factories, 3 Naval Dockyards
The Dutch Union, or more precisely the Socialist Republic of the Netherlands, remains in a dangerous position. It barely survived the bloody Wars of Survival of the last decade, when the great powers of Germany and France assaulted it one after the other, seizing much of the nation's territory. New winds are blowing, however. France has fallen to civil war, which has also allowed Flanders to rejoin the Union, while the German Federation has adopted firm isolationism after its humiliating and politically devastating failure to invade Italy in the Austrian War of 1927. The Netherlands thus has breathing room once more, and an ally in the Italian Union - if the Italians can be trusted.
Internally, things are relatively stable. The Communist Party of the Netherlands has adopted an authoritarian course, marginalizing rival parties and factions and consolidating power to itself in the name of national unity and survival. The new Constitution - to be unveiled in the coming months - is said to be an elaborate document legitimizing and justifying the leading role of the Party over that of council democracy. Unlike in Italy and France, no credible opposition exists to turn back the course. The new Party leader and President of the Socialist Republic, Victor Hoensbroeck, believes in the necessity of a strong, totalitarian state to forge the path towards a true communist society - the many sacrifices that have to be made on that path are only necessary.
The Dutch borders possess considerable fortifications constructed during the past five years, and indeed Dutch military strategy is built on the principle of stubborn defense until allied forces can rush to the nation's aid. As such, Dutch soldiers are provided with the training and equipment to dig in and fortify whatever piece of land they find themselves fighting upon. With hostile great powers on every side - France to the west, Britain to the north and Germany to the east - such a doctrine is perhaps a natural one.
The Dutch Red Army itself is small, made up of only some 80,000 men, with no motorized equipment or tanks to support them. The Dutch Navy has been essentially rebuilt from scratch after its destruction in the Wars of Survival and remains tiny - two cruisers and five destroyers. There is no air force to speak of, though 40 old Italian-made CR.32 fighters at least forms the foundation of one. As the economy grows and military recruitment expands, the Dutch can come to field a formidable force; but in 1936, it's military is in no shape to stand against its more powerful neighbors.
If the Dutch government bides its time and plays its cards right, it has the potential for greatness. The frequent and intense battles of the Wars of Survival have forged a generation of Dutch military thinkers who intend to revolutionize European military doctrine. They advocate for extensive reforms that would favor independence and initiative for leaders on the field, improved recon and intelligence usage, rapid, reactive tactics and strategic flexibility. If they succeed, such reforms might allow the Red Army to punch above its weight.
Economically, the State planners intend for a mix of local initiatives and workplace democracy supporting heavy-handed but potent state-directed industrial expansion. The Dutch economy is to be made rational, scientific and efficient like never before. At the same time, the Party seeks to consolidate ever more power and control into its own hands, and to transform Dutch society on every level. World-famous radical artists find themselves drafted as state propagandists, citizens are encouraged to inform on their friends and family and ideals of minimalism and self-sacrifice are encouraged in the hopes of cutting consumer production in favor of military needs.
A linchpin of the economy are the state companies - some of them nationalized pre-Revolution powerhouses, others novel inventions for the new age. Their factories and research wings are highly valued by the State. With luck, their expertise will allow the Netherlands to catch up with its more technologically advanced and wealthier foes.
In foreign policy, the Netherlands follows the line of the Italian Union and the Internationale at large. It has its own aspirations, however, which may indeed be the spark of the terrible Liberation War to come. The Dutch seek to reclaim their lost territories of Wallonia and Hannover-Nordrhein; a nationalist pursuit that no self-respecting socialist state should risk its fortunes chasing after, perhaps, but one which the Dutch are committed to. Should they succeed in occupying these regions and finding enough collaborators to legitimize their rule, integration back into the Netherlands will likely soon follow.
Feel free to ask questions and so forth. I'm not sure what things I should show in these little updates. Next up, probably either Sorbia or Finland, since they are Secondaries I've finished work on, but who knows! You can put in a vote for a nation you'd like to hear about next.
Near the end of Victoria 2, in 1920, an Italy preoccupied by internal unrest abandoned their Dutch allies to German invasion. The Netherlands took a beating and soon fell to a Communist uprising in 1924. In the decade after, it faced several invasions by France and Germany, the so-called Wars of Survival. The provinces of Flanders and northern Wallonia were ceded to the French Empire, while what remained of Dutch Hanover went to Germany.
The revolutionary government was left intact to serve as a mutually hostile buffer state, however. In 1928, the French satellite states carved out of Flanders and Wallonia became de facto independent with the beginning of the French Civil War, and Flanders soon fell to Communist revolutionaries and rejoined the Dutch Union. As the most industrialized and populous part of the Union, it's return was very welcome.
So how do the Netherlands look in 1936? The Netherlands is a Secondary Power, which means it gets a decent-sized focus tree, unique ideas (a whole lot of them, in this particular case), some events and so forth.
THE DUTCH UNION, 1936
Population: est. 13.65M (+3.23M from 1866)
Capital: Amsterdam
Government: Socialist Republic (Authoritarian Dictatorship)
Head of State: President Victor Hoensbroeck
Military Estimate: 14 divisions (est. 80,000 men), 7 warships, 40 aircraft
Industry Estimate: 16 Civilian Factories, 5 Military Factories, 3 Naval Dockyards
The Dutch Union, or more precisely the Socialist Republic of the Netherlands, remains in a dangerous position. It barely survived the bloody Wars of Survival of the last decade, when the great powers of Germany and France assaulted it one after the other, seizing much of the nation's territory. New winds are blowing, however. France has fallen to civil war, which has also allowed Flanders to rejoin the Union, while the German Federation has adopted firm isolationism after its humiliating and politically devastating failure to invade Italy in the Austrian War of 1927. The Netherlands thus has breathing room once more, and an ally in the Italian Union - if the Italians can be trusted.
Internally, things are relatively stable. The Communist Party of the Netherlands has adopted an authoritarian course, marginalizing rival parties and factions and consolidating power to itself in the name of national unity and survival. The new Constitution - to be unveiled in the coming months - is said to be an elaborate document legitimizing and justifying the leading role of the Party over that of council democracy. Unlike in Italy and France, no credible opposition exists to turn back the course. The new Party leader and President of the Socialist Republic, Victor Hoensbroeck, believes in the necessity of a strong, totalitarian state to forge the path towards a true communist society - the many sacrifices that have to be made on that path are only necessary.
The Dutch borders possess considerable fortifications constructed during the past five years, and indeed Dutch military strategy is built on the principle of stubborn defense until allied forces can rush to the nation's aid. As such, Dutch soldiers are provided with the training and equipment to dig in and fortify whatever piece of land they find themselves fighting upon. With hostile great powers on every side - France to the west, Britain to the north and Germany to the east - such a doctrine is perhaps a natural one.
The Dutch Red Army itself is small, made up of only some 80,000 men, with no motorized equipment or tanks to support them. The Dutch Navy has been essentially rebuilt from scratch after its destruction in the Wars of Survival and remains tiny - two cruisers and five destroyers. There is no air force to speak of, though 40 old Italian-made CR.32 fighters at least forms the foundation of one. As the economy grows and military recruitment expands, the Dutch can come to field a formidable force; but in 1936, it's military is in no shape to stand against its more powerful neighbors.
If the Dutch government bides its time and plays its cards right, it has the potential for greatness. The frequent and intense battles of the Wars of Survival have forged a generation of Dutch military thinkers who intend to revolutionize European military doctrine. They advocate for extensive reforms that would favor independence and initiative for leaders on the field, improved recon and intelligence usage, rapid, reactive tactics and strategic flexibility. If they succeed, such reforms might allow the Red Army to punch above its weight.
Economically, the State planners intend for a mix of local initiatives and workplace democracy supporting heavy-handed but potent state-directed industrial expansion. The Dutch economy is to be made rational, scientific and efficient like never before. At the same time, the Party seeks to consolidate ever more power and control into its own hands, and to transform Dutch society on every level. World-famous radical artists find themselves drafted as state propagandists, citizens are encouraged to inform on their friends and family and ideals of minimalism and self-sacrifice are encouraged in the hopes of cutting consumer production in favor of military needs.
A linchpin of the economy are the state companies - some of them nationalized pre-Revolution powerhouses, others novel inventions for the new age. Their factories and research wings are highly valued by the State. With luck, their expertise will allow the Netherlands to catch up with its more technologically advanced and wealthier foes.
In foreign policy, the Netherlands follows the line of the Italian Union and the Internationale at large. It has its own aspirations, however, which may indeed be the spark of the terrible Liberation War to come. The Dutch seek to reclaim their lost territories of Wallonia and Hannover-Nordrhein; a nationalist pursuit that no self-respecting socialist state should risk its fortunes chasing after, perhaps, but one which the Dutch are committed to. Should they succeed in occupying these regions and finding enough collaborators to legitimize their rule, integration back into the Netherlands will likely soon follow.
Feel free to ask questions and so forth. I'm not sure what things I should show in these little updates. Next up, probably either Sorbia or Finland, since they are Secondaries I've finished work on, but who knows! You can put in a vote for a nation you'd like to hear about next.
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For such a small country, the Dutch Union seems to have some big plans. Even in a best case scenario, it seems like any war they find themselves in will be a tremendous test of Dutch will. Hopefully they will prove useful allies to Italy when the time comes.
Why does Dutch leader has generic HoI portrait?
Sorbia would be good, but I would like to see Poland or Wallachia ^^
Sorbia would be good, but I would like to see Poland or Wallachia ^^
Why does Dutch leader has generic HoI portrait?
He looked appropriately grumpy for the job. Most countries that I make content for do get new portraits (as in, I take some other portrait from the game files for them, with some exceptions).
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I'd support China, I think they have a really interesting setup. Besides them, I'd like to see what's in store for Italy itself, given that it is the protagonist.
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Would it be possible for an ascendant France or Italy where councils or other generally libertarian strains of socialism (which have been implied to exist here) have prevailed internally to force the Netherlands to conform or at least boot them out of the Internationale? It would seem weird for them to tolerate a tin-pot dictator with revanchist dreams acting on behalf of their faction at that point.
Certainly, though like in the real world, socialists elsewhere are also likely to discount stories of the worst excesses as exaggerated or necessary evils. But eventually there is sure to be pushback.
I won't code in content for such developments for the HoI4 scenario. It's a time of conflict and extraordinary measures where the socialist bloc has other priorities. Things could surely start moving that way in any 'epilogue' after the game itself, of course.
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Yeah, you made it seem like it would be an inciting incident of some kind, so it being possible for that to be totally defused might kind of deflate a lot of the narrative you have going.
State of the World, 1936: The Kingdom of Finland
Apologies for the long absence. I've not given up on this, but I'm having some confounding issues with the post-NSB mod. It has broken in new and interesting ways. I have some nations I can show, though, so I will try to update more regularly from now on. Try being the operative word.
This is actually the first country I finished for the mod. I was originally going to show a great power (Persia or China) for the next State of the World, but my work on them has stalled, so I might as well show what I've actually got. This time, it's Finland!
THE KINGDOM OF FINLAND, 1936
Population: est. 10.06M
Capital: Helsinki
Government: Absolute Monarchy
Head of State: King Otso I Horn
Military Estimate: 11 divisions (est. 93,600 men), 16 warships, 100 aircraft
Industry Estimate: 11 Civilian Factories, 5 Military Factories, 5 Naval Dockyards
The Kingdom of Finland was created in the aftermath of the Great War as an absolutist satellite monarchy of the Italian Empire, carved out of the Swedish Republic after centuries of union. It governs some 10 million Finns, Karelians, Ingrians, Nenets, Sami, Komi and other Finno-Ugric peoples. A king has never sat quite right with the republican Finns, but decades of prosperity has kept discontent contained until now. Finland did well as an ally and protectorate of Italy, growing from agrarian backwater to slightly more industrialized backwater. When the Italian Empire collapsed, the bottom fell out of Finland's economy; subsequent unemployment has grown to dangerous levels, and worse, the King's popularity has plummeted with each new scandal of his hedonistic and callous ways.
The aristocratic establishment faces a dilemma. King Otso I is in disgrace and shows no interest in ruling. His disastrous mismanagement of the state treasury to fuel his extravagant lifestyle is exacerbating the economic crisis. Yet his successor is even worse. The popular Prince Valta is an avowed liberal and democrat, who has made his desire to reform Finland into a constitutional monarchy known. Some have begun to whisper that the nobility should form some manner of caretaker government to gently take the reins of power from their sovereign.
Finland is thus caught in a quiet war between the Prince and the aristocracy. Should the Prince succeed in outplaying his opponents, the King's abdication is to be expected - and widespread reforms afterwards.
Naturally, this is not enough for all Finns. Support for extremist movements is low in Finland, but their followers are well-organized and ambitious. For them, the King's abdication will never be enough. He must pay for his tyranny with blood, and the rest of the rotten monarchical structure with him. On the right, the fascists of the Pohjan Voima ('Might of the North') movement call for a new racial revitalization and forging of a Greater Finland encompassing all kindred peoples; on the left, the Communists of the SKKL seek to follow their Italian masters into a dictatorship of the proletariat. Both parties plot for the death of the King to destabilize the old-world forces standing in their path.
Whichever ideology comes out on top, they have a great deal of work before them. The economy demands immediate action. A thousand voices are calling for reforms after the long night of absolutist rule. They may disagree on what needs to be done, but all agree that things cannot go on as they are.
As the clouds grow darker over Europe, they must look to the defenses as well. The Finnish Army is modest, but well-trained and well-equipped even so. It consists of 6 infantry divisions, 2 elite Guards brigades and 3 cavalry divisions, a force coming up to nearly 100 000 men. With the collapse of Italy and the economic recession, however, it has become increasingly difficult to keep this army supplied and maintained. Expansion of Finnish materiel industries is necessary for any real conflict.
The Finnish Navy is a formidable regional force as well. It is built around the two modern Väinämöinen-class battleships, with a capable support fleet. Four new submarines also lurk in the icy waters off Archangel port. Of course, none of these ships will sail anywhere without fuel, and that Finland has little of. The government has faced criticism for these 'expensive paperweights', but they may prove their worth in any conflict to come.
Planned expansion of Finnish military capabilities rests on investments into new doctrines and infrastructure, as well as in government contracts for Finnish companies. Rather ambitiously, funds have even been set aside for research and development of carrier capabilities by forward-thinking if perhaps overeager admirals.
When it comes to foreign policy, Finnish leaders foresee three paths. The first is to negotiate a new defensive alliance with Sweden. The old union partner is seen as a natural ally of Finland's, but of course any pact with Sweden risk becoming drawn into a war if the Norwegians or another nation invades. The second path is to reinforce traditional ties with the British Empire and apply to join the Accord Royale, Britain's pact of kings and emperors. Though the British may frown on constitutionalism, a fellow king is welcome, whatever their form of government. The third and most radical path forward is that of a Greater Finland; a belligerent policy of expansion and dominion over Finland's neighbors. Under this approach, Finland would claim its place as supreme hegemon of the Finno-Ugric peoples and master of the East. War with Estonia and the Khanate of Ob seems almost inevitably in the pursuit of such aims.
Whatever Fate has in store for the Finnish nation, they may rely on their greatest weapon - sisu, the spirit of stubborn determination and defiance that fills the hearts of its people. They will be needing in the times to come.
***
Sorbia next, probably!
This is actually the first country I finished for the mod. I was originally going to show a great power (Persia or China) for the next State of the World, but my work on them has stalled, so I might as well show what I've actually got. This time, it's Finland!
THE KINGDOM OF FINLAND, 1936
Population: est. 10.06M
Capital: Helsinki
Government: Absolute Monarchy
Head of State: King Otso I Horn
Military Estimate: 11 divisions (est. 93,600 men), 16 warships, 100 aircraft
Industry Estimate: 11 Civilian Factories, 5 Military Factories, 5 Naval Dockyards
The Kingdom of Finland was created in the aftermath of the Great War as an absolutist satellite monarchy of the Italian Empire, carved out of the Swedish Republic after centuries of union. It governs some 10 million Finns, Karelians, Ingrians, Nenets, Sami, Komi and other Finno-Ugric peoples. A king has never sat quite right with the republican Finns, but decades of prosperity has kept discontent contained until now. Finland did well as an ally and protectorate of Italy, growing from agrarian backwater to slightly more industrialized backwater. When the Italian Empire collapsed, the bottom fell out of Finland's economy; subsequent unemployment has grown to dangerous levels, and worse, the King's popularity has plummeted with each new scandal of his hedonistic and callous ways.
The aristocratic establishment faces a dilemma. King Otso I is in disgrace and shows no interest in ruling. His disastrous mismanagement of the state treasury to fuel his extravagant lifestyle is exacerbating the economic crisis. Yet his successor is even worse. The popular Prince Valta is an avowed liberal and democrat, who has made his desire to reform Finland into a constitutional monarchy known. Some have begun to whisper that the nobility should form some manner of caretaker government to gently take the reins of power from their sovereign.
Finland is thus caught in a quiet war between the Prince and the aristocracy. Should the Prince succeed in outplaying his opponents, the King's abdication is to be expected - and widespread reforms afterwards.
Naturally, this is not enough for all Finns. Support for extremist movements is low in Finland, but their followers are well-organized and ambitious. For them, the King's abdication will never be enough. He must pay for his tyranny with blood, and the rest of the rotten monarchical structure with him. On the right, the fascists of the Pohjan Voima ('Might of the North') movement call for a new racial revitalization and forging of a Greater Finland encompassing all kindred peoples; on the left, the Communists of the SKKL seek to follow their Italian masters into a dictatorship of the proletariat. Both parties plot for the death of the King to destabilize the old-world forces standing in their path.
Whichever ideology comes out on top, they have a great deal of work before them. The economy demands immediate action. A thousand voices are calling for reforms after the long night of absolutist rule. They may disagree on what needs to be done, but all agree that things cannot go on as they are.
As the clouds grow darker over Europe, they must look to the defenses as well. The Finnish Army is modest, but well-trained and well-equipped even so. It consists of 6 infantry divisions, 2 elite Guards brigades and 3 cavalry divisions, a force coming up to nearly 100 000 men. With the collapse of Italy and the economic recession, however, it has become increasingly difficult to keep this army supplied and maintained. Expansion of Finnish materiel industries is necessary for any real conflict.
The Finnish Navy is a formidable regional force as well. It is built around the two modern Väinämöinen-class battleships, with a capable support fleet. Four new submarines also lurk in the icy waters off Archangel port. Of course, none of these ships will sail anywhere without fuel, and that Finland has little of. The government has faced criticism for these 'expensive paperweights', but they may prove their worth in any conflict to come.
Planned expansion of Finnish military capabilities rests on investments into new doctrines and infrastructure, as well as in government contracts for Finnish companies. Rather ambitiously, funds have even been set aside for research and development of carrier capabilities by forward-thinking if perhaps overeager admirals.
When it comes to foreign policy, Finnish leaders foresee three paths. The first is to negotiate a new defensive alliance with Sweden. The old union partner is seen as a natural ally of Finland's, but of course any pact with Sweden risk becoming drawn into a war if the Norwegians or another nation invades. The second path is to reinforce traditional ties with the British Empire and apply to join the Accord Royale, Britain's pact of kings and emperors. Though the British may frown on constitutionalism, a fellow king is welcome, whatever their form of government. The third and most radical path forward is that of a Greater Finland; a belligerent policy of expansion and dominion over Finland's neighbors. Under this approach, Finland would claim its place as supreme hegemon of the Finno-Ugric peoples and master of the East. War with Estonia and the Khanate of Ob seems almost inevitably in the pursuit of such aims.
Whatever Fate has in store for the Finnish nation, they may rely on their greatest weapon - sisu, the spirit of stubborn determination and defiance that fills the hearts of its people. They will be needing in the times to come.
***
Sorbia next, probably!
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Very much okay, especially with how long I've been waiting for Western Wing, Through Light and Shadow.
To begin with, only Britain and its puppets (Angola and Cumberland in South America). Of the Great Powers, Persia is a natural candidate for joining it, then possibly an absolutist China. Many lesser powers are absolutist and likely candidates for the alliance from Estonia to the Indian and Asian minors.
Hmm. Hmm hmm.
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State of the World, 1936: The Kingdom of Sorbia
Next up, the Kingdom of Sorbia. This plucky little state did not exist for much of EU4 and V2, but has returned stronger and fiercer than ever. The new leadership has big plans - too big for their shoes, perhaps.
THE KINGDOM OF SORBIA, 1936
Population: 18.70M
Capital: Kilonia (Kiel)
Government: Constitutional Monarchy (Authoritarian Democracy)
Head of State: King Czimislav II Gryzmala
Head of Government: Chancellor Jurij Skala
Military Estimate: 19 divisions (est. 163,800 men), 5 warships
Industry Estimate: 15 Civilian Factories, 11 Military Factories, 2 Naval Dockyards
The Kingdom of Sorbia has a complicated history. Its predecessor was the medieval Lusatian realm, which was extinguished in the early modern period. Sorbia returned as a satellite state of Bohemia/Czechoslovakia in 1859 and gained full independence in the final decades of the century. It was an Italian ally in the Great War and harnessed Italian backing into diplomatic victories several times in the period to grow into a formidable regional power. Its latest victory came in 1929, when Sorbian forces invaded Polish Bramborska and annexed the Sorb-majority region into the nation. Areas of Germany and Czechoslovakia are still claimed by Sorbia as ethnic regions of the state, however, and Sorbian martial ambitions appear to have only grown since 1929.
The reason for this is the election of far-right demagogue Jurij Skala into the Sorbian Chancellory. Skala's fascist Luzynska Strona (Lusatian Party) movement has ridden the back of economic downturn and revanchist feeling into a great deal of popular support during the past five years. Now they have a slim majority in Parliament and sympathizers filling the high seats of the administration and the military. Under Skala's tenure, democratic opposition parties in Sorbia have been marginalized and demonized by state propaganda. With the tacit blessing of the King, Skala and his party have began the work of transforming Sorbia into a fascist nation where racialism, eugenics and aggressive nationalism rule the day.
It is likely that Skala's authoritarian rule shall be cemented in the coming year. The Parliament prepares to vote on a controversial Austerity Powers Decree, which would grant unprecedented emergency powers to the Chancellor and allow for a total restructuring of Sorbia under the pretext of administrative and economic discipline. Yet Skala's authoritarian tactics have not entirely destroyed the democratic opposition or the rule of law yet. Democratic forces work to oppose Skala and are steadily regaining their lost popularity. New elections would threaten Skala's government - and so he is desperate to see the Decree pass before his enemies make their move.
Skala seeks the support of the conservative nationalist establishment, the King and the Church. Their support should allow this murder-suicide of the democratic rule of law to pass, and so despite his personal distaste for all three forces, Skala goes to them cap in hand to see his power furthered. And should the Decree pass, what are Skala's plans for the nation?
Skala's fascism originates from the same poisonous cauldron as that of the Jeune Nation and Latvianism, but with some differences. The alliance with the King and conservative elements of Sorbia have necessitated a moderation of the anti-clerical and anti-monarchist tendencies of the fascist doctrine, despite Skala's personal distaste for the 'slave morality' of Christianity and the stagnant reaction of hereditary rule.
In similar vein to fascists elsewhere, the LS believes in supremacy through eugenic development and racial regeneration; for Skala, the Wends were a great people, but miscenegation and foreign pollution of native bloodlines has led to widespread degeneration and weakness of character that allowed Lusatia to fall under foreign sway for so long. Only through the strict hand of the new fascist physician and the national fitness office may this situation be redeemed, and the Wendish heritage redeemed. His dreams are of new institutions to monitor marriages and births for 'the common good'; state physicians enjoying enormous freedoms in terminating and sterilizing 'undesirable elements'; children taken away from 'unsuitable' mothers and fathers; harsh and mandatory military service for national fitness; and discrimination of minority Danes, Germans, Jews and Romani as the Wendish race grows stronger.
In this intermediate phase, the Wends should strive to overcome their genetic weaknesses by emulating the heroes of the past. The state sponsors histories and art of an idealized warrior people from the past. A certain, state-approved kind of culture flourishes, while state censors aggressively attack anything that 'insults the national character', a crime that can be interpreted for any situation.
Once he has the reins of power tightly in hand, Skala aims to look outward. Only through war may the Wendish race be purified and the unnatural state of Europe set right. Sorbia's neighbors can only eye its growing militarization and Skala's belligerent rhetoric with concern. United, they should have nothing to fear. Czechoslovakia alone boasts an army nearly twice the size of Sorbia's, and the German Federation one far beyond that. But German politics are deadlocked by the trauma of devastating defeat in the Austrian War of 1927 and anti-war feeling dominates; and the Czechoslovaks will not make any move on their own. Their concerns lie in the south, in any case - where the Red hordes of the Italian Union wait for any sign of weakness to begin their Liberation War.
Sorbia thus has a historic chance to strike. Will its neighbors find allies in time, or will they fall one by one and allow Sorbia to forge the European empire dreamed of by its mad leaders?
Sorbia's military is modest compared to its southern neighbors, but far outclasses that of Denmark, Poland or Pommerania. It is made of 10 regular infantry divisions, 4 reserve divisions, 3 cavalry brigades and 2 new armored divisions - 163 000 men in total and growing. For now, it lacks an air arm entirely. Sorbia's armored units are paper tigers: the nation's old Ss.22s are slow and uncoordinated machines weighed down by two cannons. Then again, any armored might can decide the battle against forces with little counters or experience with tanks - and Sorbian factories are ready to roll out more advanced models as the nation's military establishment comes up with them.
The Sorbian Navy is even smaller and unlikely to play any real role in the conflicts to come. It consists of a single flotilla with a single battleship, a heavy cruiser and a few light cruisers. Sorbian naval manufacturing capabilities are modest, but may grow with conquests and construction.
Skala aims to sustain these military operations with an ambitious Ten-Year Plan to reform and reorganize the entire Sorbian economy and military establishment. It is already in its third year and has seen a major expansion of Sorbia's materiel industries. Going onwards and with the potential breakout of war, it strives for greater and greater sacrifices and changes of the Sorbian state. The nation's conquests shall fuel this expansion and guarantee Sorbia the industrial base it needs to make itself a world power - or so Skala claims.
Sorbia stands at a crossroads. Skala's policies will bring untold ruination and death whatever the case, but will the dream of Sorbian hegemony be stillborn, or shall the weakness of its neighbors empower it into a thousand-year empire?
There we have it. I always feel a bit dirty after writing about fascist content. You can probably identify the historical inspirations for Sorbia and Skala.
THE KINGDOM OF SORBIA, 1936
Population: 18.70M
Capital: Kilonia (Kiel)
Government: Constitutional Monarchy (Authoritarian Democracy)
Head of State: King Czimislav II Gryzmala
Head of Government: Chancellor Jurij Skala
Military Estimate: 19 divisions (est. 163,800 men), 5 warships
Industry Estimate: 15 Civilian Factories, 11 Military Factories, 2 Naval Dockyards
The Kingdom of Sorbia has a complicated history. Its predecessor was the medieval Lusatian realm, which was extinguished in the early modern period. Sorbia returned as a satellite state of Bohemia/Czechoslovakia in 1859 and gained full independence in the final decades of the century. It was an Italian ally in the Great War and harnessed Italian backing into diplomatic victories several times in the period to grow into a formidable regional power. Its latest victory came in 1929, when Sorbian forces invaded Polish Bramborska and annexed the Sorb-majority region into the nation. Areas of Germany and Czechoslovakia are still claimed by Sorbia as ethnic regions of the state, however, and Sorbian martial ambitions appear to have only grown since 1929.
The reason for this is the election of far-right demagogue Jurij Skala into the Sorbian Chancellory. Skala's fascist Luzynska Strona (Lusatian Party) movement has ridden the back of economic downturn and revanchist feeling into a great deal of popular support during the past five years. Now they have a slim majority in Parliament and sympathizers filling the high seats of the administration and the military. Under Skala's tenure, democratic opposition parties in Sorbia have been marginalized and demonized by state propaganda. With the tacit blessing of the King, Skala and his party have began the work of transforming Sorbia into a fascist nation where racialism, eugenics and aggressive nationalism rule the day.
It is likely that Skala's authoritarian rule shall be cemented in the coming year. The Parliament prepares to vote on a controversial Austerity Powers Decree, which would grant unprecedented emergency powers to the Chancellor and allow for a total restructuring of Sorbia under the pretext of administrative and economic discipline. Yet Skala's authoritarian tactics have not entirely destroyed the democratic opposition or the rule of law yet. Democratic forces work to oppose Skala and are steadily regaining their lost popularity. New elections would threaten Skala's government - and so he is desperate to see the Decree pass before his enemies make their move.
Skala seeks the support of the conservative nationalist establishment, the King and the Church. Their support should allow this murder-suicide of the democratic rule of law to pass, and so despite his personal distaste for all three forces, Skala goes to them cap in hand to see his power furthered. And should the Decree pass, what are Skala's plans for the nation?
Skala's fascism originates from the same poisonous cauldron as that of the Jeune Nation and Latvianism, but with some differences. The alliance with the King and conservative elements of Sorbia have necessitated a moderation of the anti-clerical and anti-monarchist tendencies of the fascist doctrine, despite Skala's personal distaste for the 'slave morality' of Christianity and the stagnant reaction of hereditary rule.
In similar vein to fascists elsewhere, the LS believes in supremacy through eugenic development and racial regeneration; for Skala, the Wends were a great people, but miscenegation and foreign pollution of native bloodlines has led to widespread degeneration and weakness of character that allowed Lusatia to fall under foreign sway for so long. Only through the strict hand of the new fascist physician and the national fitness office may this situation be redeemed, and the Wendish heritage redeemed. His dreams are of new institutions to monitor marriages and births for 'the common good'; state physicians enjoying enormous freedoms in terminating and sterilizing 'undesirable elements'; children taken away from 'unsuitable' mothers and fathers; harsh and mandatory military service for national fitness; and discrimination of minority Danes, Germans, Jews and Romani as the Wendish race grows stronger.
In this intermediate phase, the Wends should strive to overcome their genetic weaknesses by emulating the heroes of the past. The state sponsors histories and art of an idealized warrior people from the past. A certain, state-approved kind of culture flourishes, while state censors aggressively attack anything that 'insults the national character', a crime that can be interpreted for any situation.
Once he has the reins of power tightly in hand, Skala aims to look outward. Only through war may the Wendish race be purified and the unnatural state of Europe set right. Sorbia's neighbors can only eye its growing militarization and Skala's belligerent rhetoric with concern. United, they should have nothing to fear. Czechoslovakia alone boasts an army nearly twice the size of Sorbia's, and the German Federation one far beyond that. But German politics are deadlocked by the trauma of devastating defeat in the Austrian War of 1927 and anti-war feeling dominates; and the Czechoslovaks will not make any move on their own. Their concerns lie in the south, in any case - where the Red hordes of the Italian Union wait for any sign of weakness to begin their Liberation War.
Sorbia thus has a historic chance to strike. Will its neighbors find allies in time, or will they fall one by one and allow Sorbia to forge the European empire dreamed of by its mad leaders?
Sorbia's military is modest compared to its southern neighbors, but far outclasses that of Denmark, Poland or Pommerania. It is made of 10 regular infantry divisions, 4 reserve divisions, 3 cavalry brigades and 2 new armored divisions - 163 000 men in total and growing. For now, it lacks an air arm entirely. Sorbia's armored units are paper tigers: the nation's old Ss.22s are slow and uncoordinated machines weighed down by two cannons. Then again, any armored might can decide the battle against forces with little counters or experience with tanks - and Sorbian factories are ready to roll out more advanced models as the nation's military establishment comes up with them.
The Sorbian Navy is even smaller and unlikely to play any real role in the conflicts to come. It consists of a single flotilla with a single battleship, a heavy cruiser and a few light cruisers. Sorbian naval manufacturing capabilities are modest, but may grow with conquests and construction.
Skala aims to sustain these military operations with an ambitious Ten-Year Plan to reform and reorganize the entire Sorbian economy and military establishment. It is already in its third year and has seen a major expansion of Sorbia's materiel industries. Going onwards and with the potential breakout of war, it strives for greater and greater sacrifices and changes of the Sorbian state. The nation's conquests shall fuel this expansion and guarantee Sorbia the industrial base it needs to make itself a world power - or so Skala claims.
Sorbia stands at a crossroads. Skala's policies will bring untold ruination and death whatever the case, but will the dream of Sorbian hegemony be stillborn, or shall the weakness of its neighbors empower it into a thousand-year empire?
There we have it. I always feel a bit dirty after writing about fascist content. You can probably identify the historical inspirations for Sorbia and Skala.
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Interesting. I don't understand one thing tho. You wrote Sorbia is constitutional monarchy and authoritarian democracy how it can be both at the same time?
Will you do every nation by itself or only the most important ones and rest en mass?
Will you do every nation by itself or only the most important ones and rest en mass?
Constitutional monarchies are generally also parliamentary democracies. Democracy =/= Republic. In this case, Sorbia has a king with limited powers, with the true power resting in the democratically elected representative parliament. Like the UK in our world, for example. Of course, now that power has been seized by an autocratic ruler, though they did come to power democratically (thus 'authoritarian/flawed democracy').
I will do important nations individually and the rest en masse, yes.
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