1936 MG: The Frailty of Peace Sign-Up Thread

[Master of Oblivion]

Nation Name: Community of Spanish States
OTL Area: Mexico, Spain, Guatemala, Belize.
Rough population 85 million
Summary: The 1500's was considered the zenith of the Spanish Empire. The union of Castile and Aragon had success across the globe. In the New world a relatively small bands of adventurers conquered Islands and smaller Geographic communities. The most successful conquest was that of the Aztec Empire. Using superior technology and exploiting Aztec divisions, the Spanish were able to subjugate this might Empire. In the Mediterranean a combine Spanish-Italian fleet crushed the Ottomans in several battles. This allowed the Catholics to take back the Holy Land in a glorious crusade. The Sun, and God's Love, shined on the Holy Spanish Empire.

Winning an Empire is easier than keeping it, though. The Spanish had to put down several rebellions in their American possessions throughout the 1600's and 1700's. Likewise they had to combat native forces that had acquired weapons and technology from wildcat traders. Though Spain won more wars than it lost, this acted as attrition on its empires. Struggling to maintain its hold on the American colonies, Spain let others play the main role in the struggle for mastery in Europe. Spain would join alliances, but rarely did it take the main role.

Boosted by economic growth from tenant farmers in the Americas and manufacturing in Spain, the contradiction between Spain's political institutions and its economic realities grew. The local nobles of the corteses, the king, the bourgeious, and the subjects in the American Empire all fought to shape Spain's future. The economic success of the late 1700s and early 1800's gave rise to the time of "Tears and Toil". Strikes, protest, and political intrigue eventually gave way to a full civil war and a political revolution. When the dust settled a united Spain was no more, replaced by the Community of Spanish States, a mishmash of political institutions and localities. Major questions of state, like defense and relations with other nations are handled by the King, the Prime Minister, and the Grand Cortes. All other matters are handled locally.

Within the community are the following local communities:
Spanish Republic: Mostly consisting of the Western Part of Spain. Ruled by a democratically elected parliament, its citizens have liberties that rival the most progressive states of Europe.
Royal Dominion of Aragon, Valencia and Catalonia: Though called a Royal dominion, in fact most power resides in the hands of the local nobility. Political and economic rights are restricted. Political uncertainty is common as Anarchists and other groups plot the liberation of Spain.
Chiefdom of Tlaxcala: Spain's steadfast allies across the Southern Part of New Spain. The Confederation of Chiefs rule as agents of the Spanish Crown. While Tlaxcalans and Spanish citizens enjoy great rights and economic opportunities other minority groups complain about their second class stats.
Royal Protectorate of New Spain: While technically under the rule of the Spanish crown, New Spain enjoys great autonomy. A hybrid culture of Native and Spanish elements has emerged. Many of its political leaders have questioned if they should remain apart of the community.

[Master of Oblivion]

Nation Name: Sokoto Caliphate
OLT: Nigeria, Niger, Chad
population: 19 million
Summary: Established by Fulani crusaders, the Caliphate was originally a lose collection of Hausa and Fulani Kingdoms. Ruled by the Sultan of Sokoto, each emir pledged allegiance to Caliph. Through its war of conquest a massive number of slaves were collected. The continued encroachment of European and African powers caused a political shift in the Sultanate. Officially proclaiming himself as the successor to Muhammad (PBUH), a Sultan reformed the political order. Emirates lost much of their autonomy and simply functioned as governors for the Caliph. They could be fired and appointed at will. Likewise a system of regular taxation was implemented to support a standing army. Fueled by religious fervor and the trappings of a modern state, the Caliphate was able to conquer Yorubaland and approach the border of the Portuguese Kingdom's domain. Likewise raids to the North established tributaries among the many Tuareg and Berbers of the North.

While a force to be reckoned with in Africa, the Sokoto Caliphate is beset by internal troubles. Its southern territory is in a state of constant rebellion, as nationalistic Yorubsa and Igbos, Christians, and escaped slaves launch insurgencies and rebellions. Likewise diplomatic pressure is mounting for the Caliphate to end its practice of slavery. Some fear that Europeans will utilize this as an excuse to launch a rebellion. Finally, its plantation and chattel slavery based economy is struggling to modernize.

[acecipher]

So, people have been giving me questions on what the most prominent ideologies are. And before this crushes anyone's dreams for Anarchist Chile, let me just say that nothing will be ruled out by these. However, the dominant ideologies will definitely nudge or affect the wider view of such ideologies (Such as the existence of the USSR pushing people to be tankies as per OTL Cold War).

With that said, there's three notable pillars:

Aristocratic/Oligarchic Repiublicanism is seen as the beginning of the "Free World," with examples such as the Serene Republic of Venice and the Dutch Republic taking an outsized role in the development of liberalism--and its ultimate curtailment, tending away from more extreme democratization and towards traditional authority structures and the like. As such, there is an increased likelihood that a Republic has a monarch or other vestiges of traditional/semi-feudal authority, and societies will be more open--and normalized--to the aristocratic ideas of modern Capitalist "Democracy." While this may restrict political freedoms more than OTL 1936, it has at least increased some Civil Liberties--of course, mostly for the most privileged classes, and only limited trickling down.
Examples: Serene Republic of Venice, Dutch Republic, Switzerland* (All of which are seen as "The birthplaces of Republicanism"), and have influenced Ireland, Spain (mostly its dominions), and Sardinia-Tuscany, Morocco, Theodoro; Republic of Portugal (though Portugal has left this category to align itself with Germany), Argentum (on the conservative/dictatorial side).

Monarchism never was challenged as strongly as it was by OTL's vibrant Liberalism, allowing it to survive into the present day. It never quite got as bad as Absolutism due to the decreased challenge from early/radical liberalism, and the lack of any major/blood revolutionary movement also saw the Monarchs sitting safely on their thrones. These largely see the need of a reaction against the liberal tenancies of the Republics, Democracies and Communal states, and forge strong ties with Theocracies and fascist states.
Examples: Kingdom of France, Kingdom of Kongo, Qing Empire, Kingdom of Two-Sicilies, GREATER RYUKU*, Kingdom of Magsalay (Madagascar)*.

Indigenous/Religious Communalism has seen an upsurge on the left as well, with the Plagues never being able to completely challenge the Native ideas of the Americas through colonialist subjugation, and the Diggers taking over England and creating the Commonwealth. These usually prize libertarian communal relations as the basis of society and economy, and tend towards radical democratization. While many have industrialized, they did not fall sway to capitalistic greed, instead integrating factory production with their longstanding communal ideas about property being for the common good.
Examples: Metis Confederation, Indigenous Federation, Commonwealth of England, Floridian Commonwealth, Democratic Confederation of Patagonia, Australian Aboriginal Anarchist Confederation*

So, those are what are seen as the primary ideas in this time period (akin to HoI's Democracy, Fascism, and Communism). However, that list certainly isn't exhaustive, as there's also a few more minor ideologies as well:

Popular Democracy was embraced by the Germans, not being satisfied with the conservative Republicanism of the nations surrounding it. This commitment makes it more Democratic than even modern-day Germany, with strongly devolved local power. It stands more alone than together, and while it does not go as hardline anti-capitalist as the English or Indigenous, it is largely still aligned with them in its extreme commitment to political freedom, with only Portugal considered a longstanding friend.

Theocracies are still around, same as the monarchies, and for similar reasons.
Examples: The Holy See, Jesuit Uruguay, Tibet, Sokoto Caliphate, Kingdom of Ethiopia*, Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen*

Fascism: Yes, good old high-grade authoritarianism is still around, and even with its added emphasis on purges and ethnic superiority! Thankfully it's been much more marginalized.... for the most part.
Examples: the Arab State, Cuba, Argentum

Communism: The Democratic People's Republic of Minnesota* (formerly St. Paul, OTL Sao Paulo and surrounding areas of Brazil) was settled by Metis from Quebec, and they took their Communist ideas with them. Of course, they went a bit.... further than their northerly neighbors, dipping into heavy-handed authoritarianism and strict hierarchical control, though they do fully integrate indigenous rights into their politics.

Nota Bene: Any nations marked with a * have no official author and are up for adoption (IE I made them up)

[Huojin]

>no Republic of China
>no Sun Yat-sen
>no 三民主义

EXPEL TARTARS, REVIVE ZHONGHUA

[Orago]

As far as my nations go in regards to your ideological pillars and relations...

Kingdom of Two Sicilies is definitely of the Monarchism pillar. I think they would have great relations with France.

Republic of Florence (or Sardinia-Tuscany is what I really want to call it, but its changed on the map. My bad, I was gone for a while) is strongly of the Aristocratic/Oligarchic Republicanism pillar. Quite a bit of tension with Venice but would probably side with them in a world war scenario.

Morocco would also be of the Monarchism pillar, and would side with France quickly. However, they do hold some reservations about helping France if France wants to help the Two Sicilies, a rival / enemy of Morocco.

It should be interesting!

[Orago]

People should make nation threads (I think?)

Would help to organize things, and would be nice to read.

Also, I don't want to make any new regional threads since they're so far created by the GM, but I think a Western Europe thread and Americas thread would be nice, just so people can discuss history of their nations, interactions, relations, etc