Democratic Apollonian Republic of Kildare

Democratic Apollonian Republic of Kildare
Jingdaoese Community -- (1704 - 1707) -- Several Duchies
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: Sensible and Ruthless
Anthem: Harmonious Anthem
Map versions	As part of Shireroth (Kildare): 1.5.0 - 15.4.6
Capital	Daocheng
Largest city	Port Nevermore, Sizhecheng, Tianhoucheng, Xiacheng, Zhuaricheng
Official language(s)	Official language: Jingdaoese Other languages: South Batavian (Dutch), Audente, Istavinstani, Praeta
Official religion(s)	Secular State Tianchaodao
Demonym	Kildarian
- Adjective	Kildarian
Government	Federal parliamentary syndicalist republic
- General Secretary of the Republic	Wang Wei
- Diwang of the Council of Ministers	Theo Vannier
- Legislature	Gong Suweiai (Revolutionary Public Council)
Establishment	1704 AN
Area	NA
Population	~530.367.327 (01.01.1700)
Currency	Golden Kala
Abbreviation	DARK; KR
Mains electricity
Driving side	Right
Track gauge
Calendar
Time zone(s)	CMT-3
National website	jingdao.nl
National forum	Forum (2)
National animal	Zuxiangese dragon
National food	Safir wings with cabbage
National drink	Imperial white tea
National tree	Golden Lotus Flower

The Democratic Apollonian Republic of Kildare, abbreviated to DARK, was a syndicalist republic which was proclaimed in 1704 AN during the Second Kildarian Revolution and replaced the Jingdaoese Community. For the first time since the collapse of the Jierdai Dynasty, the region between the Antya River and Central Sea became free from Jingdaoese dominance in state affairs. It also meant the end of almost hundred year of absolute dominance of the Heavenly Court in government affairs.

The Kildarian republic saw the emergence of the Qyzyl People's Republic and Alrig as new, semi-independent states on territory formerly governed by the Great Jing. The new state, while heavily influenced by the Jing, saw a shift of power to politicians from other ethnicities. The Heavenly Light, the Xinshi Emperor, was put under house arrest and remained a prisoner within the Forbidden City of Daocheng.

The newly established nation, looking to break the shackles of its past, introduced a new political system in which local communes garnered influence over its national politics. The provincial assemblies, which played a role under the Great Jing as easy targets of public anger in case something went horribly wrong, transformed into hotbeds of serious political discussions. A shift to a more open and democratic system was well on its way, even though critics believe that certain organizations - like the Tegong and even the Heavenly Light - still retained a large share of power over the nation's institutions from the shadows. This power in the shadows would proof to be a danger to the existence and continuation of the nation.

The experiment of Kildare as democratic people's republic was short-lived, as it was brought down in a great domestic conspiracy only three years after its foundation. Nowadays, it's described as the final chapter in the nation's Decade of Inharmonious Regrets.

History

Birthplace of Modern Civilization

Kildare's history can be traced back to its mythical founding, with the Empire of the Glorious Sun (or Empire of Kagayaku) in the 15th century bAN. This empire successfully united the nomadic people living of Hondon and Zhongji Province and would play a pivotal role in the early urbanization of the region. Sources, while scarce, talk about a period of chaos as a result of a mysterious attack by a Great Evil. In an attempt to regain some grasp over its collapsing society, an enormous armada was sent to the Khaz Modan Empire in Benacia.

The invasion resulted in a terrible defeat, and the early Kildarian society collapsed onto its own. Centuries of infighting, attempts to unify the region and the rise and fall of warlords, kept the lands of Kildare divided. Between the third and early 15th century, the Wangzi Era and Youya Era marked a period of cultural and political expansion: city states like Audentior, Demesos, Hau'Oli'Ena, Automatica, Attera and Blackrock compete for domination and expand northwards along the Antya River and westwards along the coastline.

Its impressive feats in both linguistics, philosophy, warfare, literature and architecture, led historians to call these early civilizations by its present-day motto: the Birthplace of Modern Civilization. Apollo City (or also known as Airosamente, and later Xiacheng) became the first metropolis on Micras, with its wonders, like the Tetrapole and its libraries as an inspiring example.

The Shirerithian Era of Feudalism (1451 - 1617)

In 1451 AN, the last emperor of Airosamente, the Taiyang Emperor (Jingdao-ified name), was defeated by Kaiser Gaelen himself.

The 15th century, however, brought the inevitable collapse of those great nations: an attempt to unite the nations peacefully into an Union of Apollo States proved a success, but could not stop the decline of the newly born nation-state and its members. After a shortlived peace, the Union collapsed into feuding states.

1451 AN saw the conquest of the lands west of the Antya River by Kaiser Gaelen I of Shireroth. The town of Gaelen's Landing, where the Kaiser landed and started his subjugation of the feudal lords, in Zhaoqin is still a favorite holiday spot for many Kildarian - and Jing - households. Gaelen bribed and fought his way eastwards, with one last battle fought at Jasoniacheng.

It is sometimes said among Kildari that the ancient Apollonians brought civilization, while the Shirerithians brought unification. Nothing is more true, as the Shirerithian Kaiser gave the people living between the Central Sea and Antya River a feeling of belonging to the same identity, despite its many different local customs. Politically, the feudal system left Kildare in a patchwork of small states and squabling lords and ladies, who swore allegiance to the Dutch (the Duke of Kildare), who in turn swore allegiance to the Imperial Court in Shirekeep.

The Rise and Fall of the Great Jing

171 years of domination by Shireroth came to an abrupt end with the usurpation of power by the Haigui Emperor. First behind the scenes, but from 1623 AN publicly. The Myksos Dynasty which had governed the Kildarian Lands as Ducal family had slowly been brought to the side of the Jingdaoese. Inspired by its Elwynnese earlier successes in succession, a revolt against Shirerithian authorities began. The Kildari were free when the First Kildarian Revolution happened, but its successes were limited, as the newly established Apollonian Republic was heavily influenced by outside forces.

In 1623 AN, the Haigui Emperor was asked to lead the republic into a new era of prosperity. It would be the start of almost 80 years of domination from the political scene by the Jing and its Heavenly Light.

Second Kildarian Revolution (1704)

A war poster from during the Post-Chidao Troubles criticized the Heavenly Light for accepting the establishment of the Great Apollonian Empire. Both Kildari and Jing alike started doubting the decisions, and felt strengthened by critical voices among military officers. The poster, while originally banned during the Troubles and its aftermath, was reprinted in huge volumes in 1703 and 1704 AN. The lack of arrests by the Tegong for possession signaled that even among the secret police there were doubts about keeping the union with the Cakari alive.

The Post-Chidao Troubles, the integration of the Great Jing into the Great Apollonian Empire and a general feeling of discontent among the populace with the way the empire was changing (subservient to an emperor in Agra): many among the lower and higher echelons of the government had lost their trust in their leaders. The military was concerned about the integration of armed forces in a federal army, while the workers were angered by the cheap influx of goods and labor. Deteriorating relations between the ethnic groups, combined with a lack of funding for the military and secret service, made the nation in a powder keg, waiting to explode. Diwanf Hon Ben Erasmus, who was attempting to gain control over the situation and was rapidly reforming the Jingdaoese Community into his own dictatorship lacked the influence and prestige of the position of the Heavenly Light.

A request for more power for the local constituencies was brusquely rejected, while a series of strikes was violently opposed by government troops. The Diwang was called responsible for the nation's ongoing decline. By throwing his eggs into the same basket as the Great Apollonian Emperor - who was increasingly seen as a foreigner due to low-key but successful propaganda from dissatisfied military officers - Hon Ben Erasmus lost much of his power base.

Eventually, a new labor strike sparked a new revolution, which would end the Great Apollonian Empire's dominance over the nation.

Politics

Following the example of its sister nation and primary, the Sanaman Federation of People's Republics, the communes which were born in the fires of the Second Kildarian Revolution held to their power instead of relinquishing it to a higher authority.

Traditionally, autonomy and power of the local ruling classes and councils had varied. Kildare, as an agricultural society, had been dominated by nobles who strove to keep as much power in their own hands. Attempts to centralize administration through organisations as the Seanad had mixed results. During the Great Jing all power was centralized in the hands of the Heavenly Light and His Court, when the Heavenly Light was influential enough. From time to time, experiments with local representation (like the Imperial Yuan) had been attempted. Weaker Emperors sometimes relinquished authority to other officials, like during the Jingdaoese Spring, or used local councils as scapegoats for failures of their own policies, like the Chidao Emperor did.

With the Post-Chidao Troubles, local assemblies and warlords gained influence they didn't want to lose. This resulted in a strong power base for the communes and labor unions.

Structure of the government:

• Commune: each town or city has a worker's council with representatives of their labor unions.
• Soldier Council: composed of local military personnel. Holds authority over defensive matters within the Commune's borders. Does not interfere with the Commune's daily matters.
  • Districts: The district Council has a representative from each Commune's most influential unions. They elect among themselves representatives for the Assembly.
    • Provincial Assemblies: representatives of each District.
      • Gong Suweiai (Revolutionary Public Council): representatives of both the Provincial Assemblies, Soldier Councils and Confederation of Syndicalist Workers (CSW)
      • Federal government: elected by representatives

It's expected that once a law proposal passes the Commune, all its representatives join in defending the new bill in the higher councils. It's frowned upon to support the other side, as officially, no other parties exist and infighting is not allowed (or at least seen as going against the spirit of the Revolution).

Administration of the Republic

While the General Secretary acts as head of state and figurehead of the nation and its political institutions, its executive branch is headed by the Diwang or Chairman of the Council of Ministers.

The General Secretary is elected during nationwide elections across the nation's provinces. His powers are limited, but the office itself represents the power and unity of the nation. With the collapse of the reign of the Heavenly Light and Great Jing, the revolutionaries wanted to avoid that power was concentrated too much in hands of one public office. The revolutionary Wang Wei, despite being criticized by Marius Gallo who was also a part of the Society of the Friends of the Revolution, became the first head of state.

Administrative Divisions

Kildare is built around its townships, which since the revolution of 1704 AN, form Communes whom send representation to a District Council. The Districts are a collection of municipalities. Larger cities are often one District, depending on its size and population. These Districts have the ability to send representation to the Provincial Assemblies (remnants from the Chidao era) and eventually influence the federal government.

Provinces (also called zhou) are governed by the Governor and act as most important link between local and federal authorities.

The Democratic Apollonian Republic also recognizes autonomous republics, like Qyzyl and Alrigg. Those are nominally independent, but remain in the sphere of influence of Kildare. Certain foreign countries view them as puppet states, despite their far-going liberties.