Rokhpin Revolution
The Rokhpin Revolution was the culminating event, spanning roughly half a year during 1688 (with main culmination during the month of Rokhpin), that led to the founding of the Union of the Republics of Zeed. Led by the All-Union Revolutionary Front, it overthrew the monarchy of of the former Tzjar - Radovan II.
Post-Nuclear Horror
The "Post-Nuclear Horror", as it came to be called, saw the rise of several formerly conquered ethnic groups on the continent of Eura - following the downfall of the Kingdom of Babkha. The power vacuum left behind saw the rise of the Empire of Zeed - encompassing much of south-western Eura. However, through the complete abuse of the people and natural resources of the realm this empire, consisting of several ethnic groups and language regions, would see multiple uprisings. The final, and successful, uprising was the Rokhpin Revolution as lead by the All-Union Revolutionary Front.
The Beginnings
The All-Union Revolutionary Front is a multi-ethnic group of freedom fighters who sought to overthrow the oppressive monarchy of the former Empire of Zeed. The Front is comprised of nearly a dozen ethnic groups - however - the most influential are the Ruthenians and the Osmanids. Vladim Vasyliovich Timoshenko is credited as the founding member of the Front, organizing nearly 850,000 workers, peasants and other members of society in an effort to overthrow the corrupt monarchy and establish a democratic state better suited for its diversity. This ultimately culminated into the Rokhpin Revolution, when the Front was finally forced to utilize paramilitary forces to overthrow the oppressive monarchy. However, it took nearly 8 years from the time the Front was initially organized, to the actual events of the revolution.
Organization in Ruthenia
Timoshenko initially organized the Front in his home province (as well as the capitol province of the Empire) of the Grand Duchy of Ruthenia. Sickened by the opulence of the monarchy and having traveled extensively throughout the empire, he saw first hand the suffering and poverty caused by the actions of the monarchy. This led to his secret meetings with like-minded friends to start a plan to eventually overthrow what he considered to be an aging, inadequate and detached ruling class. The Front would grow to nearly 2,000 strong by the end of the third year of its existence. This was, however, inadequate to realize the plans of a democratic Zeed. It was then that Timoshenko decided to expand his search for like-minded persons into the other provinces. This proved immensely effective as, within just another year, the numbers of the front over tripled to 8,200 registered members. Over the coming years the ranks of the Front would grow further, until the final number was somewhere between 832,000 and 850,000 people throughout the old Empire.
Insurrections
Serious insurrections began almost 2 years before the events known as the Rokhpin Revolution, with many other revolutionary groups struggling for power in an increasingly unstable Zeed. It was the Front, however, that managed to either eliminate or assimilate the other movements, drastically increasing its numbers and power. Pro-monarchy militias, government forces and other minor groups would continue to clash throughout the period leading up to the Rokhpin Revolution.
As the month of Rokhpin approached, the increasing amount of violent protests among the general citizens of Zeed steadily increased, calling for an end to the violent internal conflicts, the overthrowing of the monarchy and the installation of the Front to lead the nation into a more democratic form of government. The military of Zeed itself had almost totally defected, with only the Tzjar's personal guard - The Grey Guard - and some now-fringe military Generals' units remaining almost fanatically loyal to the monarchy.
Assassinations & Royal Family
The up-leading events to the Rokhpin Revolution were marked by the assassination of several pro-monarchy government officials, notably nearly half the Duma (the Empire's legislature) and the Minister of Defense, Amomali Rustamovich al-Hazaari. It was with the assassination of al-Hazaari that the loyalties of the military began to fall apart. These assassinations took place over the course of nearly two (2) months with poison, covert tactics and even very public assassinations claiming some 14 members of the Duma. Al-Hazaari himself was killed by a Vipian sniper from nearly 1,100 meters from a hilltop located near the former Minister's remote Dacha outside of Mizransk - the former Babkhan city of Mizrashahr.
The Night of the Torch
With all pro-monarchist members of the Duma dead or imprisoned for crimes against the people, the Front was able to take control of the government, following the violent occupation of the Great Hall of Zeed - the home of the legislature. With the building occupied by the Front and sympathetic freedom fighters, broadcasts were sent out on both radio and television using the studios available at the Great Hall. Broadcast at 22:05 hours, the following was heard throughout Zeed:
Today,The All-Union Revolutionary Front declared victory over the tyranny and opulence of the ancient monarchy (may they be cursed by eternal fire). Thousands of years of moral depravity, total disregard for the common peoples of the provinces and blatant self-serving actions at the near expense of the very fabric of our existence as a nation, has finally come to an end. The Union of the Republics of Zeed, as now installed by the All-Union Revolutionary Front, has taken command of the government to propagate the ideals and principles of the envisioned thoroughly democratic society. Through the struggle of the common people and the All-Union Revolutionary Front, a new era begins for the nation of Zeed!The formerly oppressed, abused people and the radically misused natural resources – so long done so by the Tzjar and his band of degenerate cronies (may they be cursed by unending hunger) – shall see a new era of peace, prosperity and a rise to glory THROUGH THE UNION! The newly envisioned Autonomous Republics shall be free to enjoy the form of governance which best suits their unique situation – all working towards the common glory of the people of the Union.
The All-Union Revolutionary Front wishes to see a new dawn rise upon the nation where Zeed and its people, as a whole, are regarded first and foremost. The Union of the Republics of Zeed is a new era where the common good, the common idea and the common growth of the people are the top priority of the government.
A new day dawns for Zeed! The All-Union Revolutionary Front carries the torch to bring light to the darkness!
This broadcast is brought to you by the 1st Revolutionary Council of the All-Union Revolutionary Front.
—Broadcast message by the All-Union Revolutionary Front, 23 Rokhpin 1688 at 22:05 Hours
The Revolutionary Constitutional Council
Following the occupation of the Great Hall by the freedom fighters of the Front, military units loyal to their cause and armed citizens of the general populace, by midnight that night, top officials of the Front - including Timoshenko himself - and the remaining members of the Duma formed what was to be called the Revolutionary Constitutional Council. Its purpose was to draft the new Constitution of the Union.
Wishing a much more democratic society, where the diverse groups of the people of Zeed would feel like they are a part of a greater and singular nation, the Council deliberated until 16 Aban 1688. A constitution befitting the needs of the Union was drafted, very carefully, recognizing both the troubles of the past with the dominant monarchy and the need to ensure all people of the Union were thoroughly represented.
Unfortunately, during this time The Interim Conflicts began - a result of ongoing monarchist violence and several rival factions emerging during the tumultuous interim period. Long delays, caused by the need of the leaders of the All-Union Revolutionary Front - now bolstered and aided by their allies the Nationalist & Humanist Party - to ensure the success and conclusion of the revolution, created a second and unintentional power vacuum. This atmosphere resulted in ongoing armed conflicts while the council deliberated.
Suspected foreign aid and collusion with anti-revolution forces in Zeed also played a large part in such delays - even the presence of moles in the Front itself. However, on 16 Aban, the new constitution was signed by all members of the Council and representatives of the new republics.
Elections of 1688
Main Article: The Elections of 1688
Despite the ongoing Interim Conflicts, on 13 Kanam 1688, Vladim Timoshenko was elected the first First Secretary of the Union by an overwhelming majority of the populace. Even as several internal conflicts raged on in many areas of the Union as the republics solidified themselves, there were reports of nearly a ninety-nine (99) percent voter turnout. With the election of the national and revolutionary hero, the hopes of the solidification of all the republics within a year was becoming more realistic.
Outside Observers
Several foreign observer organizations falsely reported the use of armed pro-Revolutionary militias as swaying and even intimidating Zeedic citizens. These accusations were directly contradicted by Timoshenko in a later press conference, reminding the international world that there were still many violent clashes between the new and legitimate government and factions which opposed the installment of a truly democratic society. Front militias were used solely as protection against potential violence that could have been done towards the people of the new democratic Zeed voting for their new First Secretary.
