Arvenia wrote:Arvenia wrote:Nation Application
NS Name: Arvenia
Nation Name: Dutch Commonwealth (Dutch: Nederlandse Gemenebest)
Government: The Dutch Commonwealth is a federal parliamentary republic with Stadtholder (Stadhouder) as head of state. From 1588 to 1740, it was more confederal and heavily dominated by the House of Orange, who held the title of Stadtholder. During that time, it was known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands or simply the Dutch Republic. Once 1740 rolled in, a new constitution, mostly inspired by British politics, was written down to change the political structure and turn the Netherlands into a more federal parliamentary republic, as well as formally renaming it to the Dutch Commonwealth. With this change, the relatively unimportant Grand Pensionary (Raadpensionaris) was replaced by a more powerful Prime Minister (Premier or Minister-President), who is accompanied by the Council of Ministers (Raad van Ministers), which had replaced the Council of State (Raad van State). As a result, the Stadtholder was relegated to a more ceremonial role (like a constitutional monarch or a ceremonial president), while still being technically the Commander-in-Chief of the Dutch military. On the other hand, more political power has been given to both the States-General (Staten-Generaal) and the newly-formed Council of Ministers. The States-General consists of the upper First Chamber (Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal), who represents the seven Dutch provinces, and the lower Second Chamber (Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal), which represents the general population. The First Chamber is headed by a President (Voorzitter van de Eerste Kamer), while the Second Chamber is headed by a Speaker (Voorzitter van de Tweede Kamer). The Dutch Commonwealth has currently two opposing parties, the conservative Orange Party (Oranje Partij) and the liberal Blue Party (Blauwe Partij). The former advocates for the Stadtholder to have more political power, as well as turn the Netherlands into a monarchy, while the latter advocates for the States-General to remain powerful, as well as make the Netherlands more republican. The Dutch Commonwealth is seemingly more liberal than the rest of Europe, which is evident by the legal use of cannabis and a relative lack of hostility towards Jews. The current Stadtholder is Prince William V of Orange, while the current Prime Minister is Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck, a member of the Blue Party.
Territory: Netherlands, Suriname, Panama, Netherlands Antilles, Northeast Brazil, Pará, Tocantins, Dutch Gold Coast, Eastern Cape, Maldives, Laccadives, Maluku Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands and Western New Guinea
Map Color: Orange
Population: 1,880,500 (homeland only)
Military: The Dutch military consists of the Dutch Army (Landmacht) and the Dutch Navy (Zeemacht). There are currently 200,000 military personnel in the Dutch Commonwealth, which would be 120,000 in the Army and 80,000 in the Navy. The Army is composed of Dutch troops and foreign mercenaries, who are usually armed with muskets, pistols, swords and bombs. The Army also has horses and cannons. The Navy is composed of Dutch sailors and foreign volunteers. Dutch naval vessels range from a few ships-of-the-line and frigates to many gunboats. The Navy is also currently working on "underwater vessels". The Dutch military operates both at home and overseas. Regardless, the Dutch military seems to have better equipment and quality following political reforms in 1740. Also, each Dutch city possesses a police-like guard force usually called "schutterij".
History: Same as IRL, albeit there were certain exceptions between 1588 and 1740. In 1610, the Netherlands, then known as the Dutch Republic, colonized parts of modern-day Indonesia through the Dutch East India Company, which led to conflict with the New Majaphit Sultanate. In 1648, the Netherlands were able to defeat Portuguese troops in the Battle of Guararapes. Six years later, after more Dutch victories, the Treaty of Mauritsstad was signed, which gave the Netherlands more territories in Brazil. These territories include the present-day states of Pará and Tocantins, as well as most of Northeast Brazil. The Netherlands later went on to colonize Panama, Maldives, Laccadives and parts of South Africa.
In 1740, due to political instability, the Netherlands went through a series of political reforms called the "Blue Revolution" (Blauwe Revolutie). These reforms changed Dutch politics forever. The Stadtholder now has less power, while the States-General became a powerful institution and set up two chambers within it. The Grand Pensionary was replaced by a new position called Prime Minister. Both the Dutch military and the Dutch economy improved, while the Dutch Republic was renamed to the Dutch Commonwealth. However, as a result, conflict brewed between the supporters of the Stadtholder and the supporters of the Blue Revolution, thus creating two political factions. These are the conservative "Orange Party" and the liberal "Blue Party". Ever since, power has shifted between both factions through election.
Now, it is 1800 and the Dutch Commonwealth is prepared for a brand new century, as there will be many challenges coming along the way.
Any further info: Nope
Do you acknowledge and understand the rules: Yes
BladeAndMusket (Do not remove)
Application finished!
Once again I reiterate that the British controls the Cape of Good Hope in it's entirety. Not just the Western part or province.
EDIT
So your claim on the Eastern Cape is a big no-no for me unfortunately