December Anarchy
December Anarchy (Gerenian: Nekstattät Bilnoddeyes) was a 34-day period in Gerenian history, during which the state of the country was absent.
Background and causes
Since the establishment of the Gerenian State in Micras, the infrastructure of the nation could only be built thanks to the aid from Meeredres (Gerenians' planet of origin), due to the lack of commercial ties with other nations, and the fact that Gerenia was not yet ready for self-sufficience. Nevertheless, by the end of 2013, a profound economic and political crisis broke out in Meeredres. The government declared itself uncapable of exporting goods to Gerenia, and announced the cessation of exportations to begin in November.
The crisis was the perfect excuse for the Meeredrians to decree the end of the exportations: the government –led by Adolf Näveler– advocated the separatism (the separation of Meeredres and Gerenia in all aspects, also referred to as a type of isolationism). Gerald Ruze, Gerenia's leader, protested the measure, and compared Meeredres with "a mother wanting to get rid of her son". Ruze then travelled to Meeredres, however, he was thwarted from meeting the local authorities. Facing an inevitable crisis in his own country, and under threats of Meeredrian invasion, Ruze declared the dissolution of the Gerenian State on 27 November 2013.
The Anarchy
As soon as the fall of the State was announced, some Governors (including Ruze, who requested asylum in Neo Patrova, Hamland) fled the country, or went to far-off places in the inland. Many people of the biggest cities (Port Isherwood, Klämen, Tawlkar, Ramez City, et cetera, more dependent on the Meeredrian imports) did the same.
Pacification of cities
As Ruze's leave was known, the then Governor of Adarma, Ims Algare, requested help to the 5th Regiment of the Gerenian Army, so they could mantain order in the province's capital, Tawlkar, and other minor towns. (Subsequently, he escaped to Palasia.) A part of the forces also occupied Gentóul, Sängeran.
Other provisional Governors followed Algare's example, and thus peace was ensured in most of Gerenia, especially in the south and the east. In Port Isherwood, Klämen, and Ramez, some riots (which included diverse episodes of looting, and vandalism) occurred during the first week of December, and ceased once the Army intervened.
Whilst the Army occupied the main cities of Gerenia, both the national Air Force and the Navy restricted themselves to defend their respective bases. In the latter's case, they had a brief participation in the period, as they had to fend off an attack from the Maremedrian rebels (see next section).
Maremedres and Alĵis
- See also: Maremedres Free State, Republic of Alĵis
In Maremedres, the local Communist Party quickly deposed Governor Valentîn Heraiz, who had taken office after Bastidas's leave, on the 5th. The communists declared then the Maremedres Free State. The Revolutionary Communist Movement (RCM) took Modasan, in the north, on the 10th.
These incidents stimulated the foundation of the Republic of Alĵis in the west of Barzat, more precisely in Kadine Vanst and surrounding areas. The Republic had in a beginning quite a great popular support, as it was generally seen as a possible succesor state to Gerenia. On the contrary, in Maremedres, the people's opinion was divided regarding the existence of the Free State, as their leaders were as well divided in those who wanted the "succession", and those who preferred full independence. These factors would later result in the failure of the Free State, determined by their military defeat at the hands of the Gerenian Army.
Negotiations
In Meeredres, Näveler soon became very impopular due to his relation with Gerenia. He was so much repudiated, so that between the 9th and the 15th of December, he had to bear a number of civil demonstrations. Under the people's pressure, and about to be abandoned by his political allies, and having heard the rumours of a coup d'état against him, Näveler resigned, and the power was taken by Joseph Ruze, Gerald's cousin. Immediately afterwards, Joseph invited Gerald to begin talks about Gerenia's future.
In 21 December, it was signed the Pitul Tarik Pact, by which the Meeredrian government committed to (gradually) resume exports to Gerenia, although with two conditions:
- Gerenia had to be pacified first, so their development could be continued;
- Gerenia promised to aim their efforts to achieve self-sufficiency.
As an act of goodwill, Joseph Ruze ordered 5,000 troops to help the Gerenian Army, which was fragmented into various factions and lacking on authority, keep order in the country (which of course included to defeat the movements of Maremedres and Alĵis).
Reestablishment of the State
The Army had a late response to the establishment of the Maremedres Free State because while some of its personnel were ready to "crush" the Movement, some others declared themselves to be unwilling to make war against their own compatriot. The latter, being a minority in the Selä Military Base, were imprisoned (once finished the conflict, they were liberated). The rest of the Army then began a campaign against the Free State, although it suffered a considerable delay due to harsh climatic conditions.
Modasan fell on the 22nd without resistence from the RCM. Three days later, the CPM surrendered in Mergeazes. The same day, the first contingent from Meeredres arrived at the Mežan Military Base.
On 27 December 2014, the Free State was officially disestablished. On the 28th, Gerald Ruze travelled to Port Isherwood in order to declare the return of the Gerenian State the following day, when the Republic of Alĵis was defeated.
After the Anarchy
The events of December - January helped the Independent Party to gain support from vast sectors of the Gerenian society. This was clearly reflected in the 2014 election. In contrast, the CPM lost much of their support, in part thanks to an aggresive propaganda campaign against them and especially the RCM. They were labelled as traitors. The leaders of the RCM were imprisoned, as the CPM leaders who did not flee after the disbandment of the Free State. The CPM was banned for an indefinite period of time, and most of their remaining adepts began supporting the Socialist Party or the Popular Party.
In the economic aspect, the crisis that gave origin to the anarchy accelerated the projects of development, mainly through industrialisation. A number of new companies were created, and the ones that already existed were reformed in order to increase their productivity. Special focus was made in the development of shipbuilding, mining, metallurgy, and road and communications infrastructure.
The armed forces were benefited from the outcome of the conflicts between the government forces and the states of Maremedres and Aljhis. After the campaign in Helfrich Island and the Army's vital role in the restoration of the State, it became evident that the Armed Forces needed assistance, not only to defend the country from foreign threats, but also internal ones. However, the professionalisation of the Armed Forces would take almost three years to begin, and it was possible because of the alliance between the industrial sector and the military.
The events of the anarchy were mentioned in several publications and films, the most known being the novel Man On Charge.
See also
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