1906: Alternative Divergence [AH][OOC-DEAD]

[Finland SSR]

Government Description : The 8 historical provinces of the Spanish Netherlands each elect 4 people to represent them in parliament. Where motions and laws are voted on, and argued about. When an agreement has been reached, the Queen will stamp her approval on the law or motion (this is more ceremonial). And it is sent to the Supreme Court, where they judge whether the law is constitutionally legal. If it is, a second vote is held for the people to vote on it. And if the majority agrees, it goes into effect.

Pretty sure Spain never acquired the Low Countries in this timeline.

How is a Republic led by a Queen?

Orangism presumably. Though she wouldn't be called a "Queen" then, but Stadtholder instead (I dunno what's the feminine equivalent)

[Tracian Empire]

Government Description : The 8 historical provinces of the Spanish Netherlands each elect 4 people to represent them in parliament. Where motions and laws are voted on, and argued about. When an agreement has been reached, the Queen will stamp her approval on the law or motion (this is more ceremonial). And it is sent to the Supreme Court, where they judge whether the law is constitutionally legal. If it is, a second vote is held for the people to vote on it. And if the majority agrees, it goes into effect.

Pretty sure Spain never acquired the Low Countries in this timeline.

How is a Republic led by a Queen?

Orangism presumably. Though she wouldn't be called a "Queen" then, but Stadtholder instead (I dunno what's the feminine equivalent)

Well, titles are pretty important things. Stadtholder would be translated as steward I think, or something along those lines, as far as I remember. I know that the office became pretty much hereditary at some point, and it did evolve into a proper monarchy, but when that happened, the title of the country also changed to that of a Kingdom.

[The Felan Federation]

Full Nation Name : Swedish Kingdom
Majority/Official Culture : Swedish
Territorial Core : Sweden, Norway, Denmark; Ghana-Togo/Gustavia, Venezuela/New Sweden(colonies).
Territorial Claim : Finland
Capital City : Stockholm
Population : ~12 million (core), ~4 million (colonies)

Government Type : Semi-Constitutional Monarchy
Government Ideology/Policies : Protectionist, Conservative
Government Focus : The policy of the Swedish Empire is to expand both the possibility of trade and potential markets.
Head of State : King Adolph V, House Vasa

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Head of Government : Speaker Albert Martinson

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Government Description :The Riksdag is the national legislature and the decision-making body of the Swedish Empire - divided between two chambers, the House of Nobility and the House of Commons. The House of Nobility is in charge of scrutinizing the bills that have been approved by the House of Commons - while also regulating and amending Bills written by the House of Commons. It also acts as an advisory body to the Emperor, whom has the power to appoint members into the House of Nobility and the power to veto the House of Commons and also dismiss the House of Commons into a new election. The House of Commons is in charge of the day-to-day acts of the Empire.

The House of Commons itself has several political committees that handle to aspects of the Empire, key of them being - the Committee of Trade and Finance, the Committee of War, the Committee of Civil Affairs, the Committee of Foreign Affairs, the Committee of Colonial Affairs and so on.

Majority/State Religion : Catholicism (Franciscan/Capuchin)
Religious Description : Catholicism is the main religion of the Empire, although one heavily influenced and dominated by the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin sect. Most lands operated by the Church are owned by the state, as are the responsibilities for maintaining and repairing them - while the appointment of the various bishops and archbishops are under the authority of the Vatican. Most priests are provided an 'official' state alms to help maintain their congregation and provide support for the community and themselves.

Economic Ideologies : Swedish Mercantilism.
Major Production : Iron ore, steel, agriculture, manufactured goods (core); colonies: oil, mining(phosphate, gold, diamond, aluminum), agriculture(cocoa, coffee, tobacco, sugar, rubber).
Economic Description : Sweden has maintained the old theory of mercantilism, although adapted over the years to add a few characteristics and ideas to it - culminating in the idea of Swedish Mercantilism/New Mercantilism or Neo-Mercantilism. As the Swedish Empire couldn't compete either in manpower or resources - it has been advocated, that Sweden strengthens it's own position on the home-front and in the colonies, trading only in goods and services that it is dominant in. This has resulted in a mixed system of free market, protectionist tariffs and government investment/intervention in certain areas of the economy. While it doesn't maintain the high tariffs on the olden mercantilist ideals - it does make sure, that they are enough to ensure domestic dominance at home and in the colonies.

Development: Modern(core); semi-primitive/semi-industrial(colonies)
Development Description : While not an industrial giant like the American Empire, the Romans or the French - the Swedish Kingdom has kept up domestic progress ever since the reforms started by Gustavus Adolphus the Great. The Swedish Mercantilism has especially emphasized making use of every meter of Swedish soil in agriculture or manufacturing - leaving Sweden with a decent level of industrial strength able to match other growing industrial powers.

The Swedish Colonial System is unique - in the regard, that while the Empire maintains lucrative trade-agreements with the local natives - it has also built numerous centers of learning, built roads and also brought over machinery to aid in developing their colonial holdings. The idea a mixture of 'White Man' Burden' and a sense of a happy and educated local being a loyal and productive one at that.

Army Description : The Royal Army maintains a strong presence - as the main defenders of the Empire, thus they have been always granted the expenses necessary to keep-up and match the other European powers. A strong officers corps mixed in with numerous lessons learned from studying the French tactics and formations. The Empire' strategy is of 'superior firepower' - meant to emphasize both quality and a defensive nature; while providing the individual soldier the best equipment available, as well as ensuring regiments have both artillery, medical, recon and engineer support built into them itself. The Royal Army has around 80,000 active members with around 300,000 people ready in reserve. While in case of total war, they are prepared to enact mandatory conscription across the Empire.
Army Weakness : Despite being well-funded and crewed by both competent officers and eager volunteers - they lack experience and have mostly engaged in border conflicts and policing actions in the colonies.

Naval Description : Similar to the Royal Army, the Royal Navy has for awhile worried and trained against a naval invasion of Sweden and thus have been trained around a more defensive nature - emphasizing both coastal artillery support and also mining potential routes into the homeland. While also making sure to protect maritime trade with the homeland and the colonies. This combined has meant the Royal Navy operates two battleships, four light cruisers, twenty destroyers half of them operating as minelayers.
Naval Weakness : Similar to the Royal Army, the naval force has mostly engaged in patrolling their own trade routes and running naval exercises in the Baltic Sea - although beyond that they don't have many Admirals or officers much experienced in any combat in Atlantic Theater.
Further Military Description : The Royal Navy has started experimenting with the idea of submarines - in an effort to gain some sort of advantage of their Rus and French rivals.

National Goals : Maintain the status quo, continue developing colonial holdings, increase exports.
National Issues : Increase population, increase domestic production.
National Figures of Interest : Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, Gustav I of Sweden.
National Ambition/Aspirations : Have Sweden return to a position as Great Power in Europe and the Baltic Sea.

History : Gustav's election as King on 6 June 1523 and his triumphant entry into Stockholm eleven days later marked Sweden's final secession from the Kalmar Union and the start of the Kingdom of Sweden - being responsible for starting many of the early reformations and the head of House Vasa that turned Sweden from an elective monarchy into a hereditary one. Reworking the taxes and bring about a reformation in Sweden, replacing the prerogatives of local landowners and noblemen with centrally appointed governors. One of the biggest issue that arose was the Catholic Church' position in Sweden - as the King had issues with the impractical organisation, perceived stagnation within the Church, a will toward independence from Rome, the financial needs of the state, as well as new ideas. As well as the King' personal grudge against the previous Archbishop, Gustav Trolle, who at the time held the post of a sort of chancellor and had been considered aiding Denmark against Sweden.

While numerous letters were exchanged between the Vatican and Stockholm - growing more heated, the Reformation was stopped before it was begun in Sweden. As the then Pope agreed to certain positions, in fear of having a secondary Protestant nation forming in the North and providing the French an ally against Catholic supremacy. Concessions were made an in the end, Sweden remained a Catholic state under the Stockholm Agreements: the Vatican was allowed to maintain the self-appointment of archbishops although most of them would hail from the Franciscan or Capuchin sect, most of the Church lands were 'turned over' to the control of the Crown, the Crown would maintain and provide state alms to the Church officials and be in-charge of maintaining Church property.

Following these events - the Kingdom of Sweden would focus on building itself up as a regional power in the Baltic Sea. It would be during the reign of Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden that Sweden would become a regional power. During his reign, Sweden rose from the status of a Baltic Sea basin regional power to one of the great powers of Europe and a model of early modern era government, easily matching the Protestant French. Under his tutelage, Sweden and the Catholic cause developed a number of excellent commanders, called "The Golden King" and "The Lion of the North", he made Sweden one of the great powers of Europe, in part by reforming the administrative structure. In addition to his numerous other achievements in the field of economic reform, trade, modernization, and the creation of the modern bureaucratic autocracy. His domestic reforms, which transformed a backward, almost medieval economy and society, setting the foundations for his victories in Norway, but also absolutely crucial for the creation and survival of the Kingdom of Sweden.

Sweden would expand it's territory by annexing Norway from Denmark and putting an end to the Kalmar Union - conquer Denmark completely, following the latter' humiliating defeat against the French and through some bribery and promises completely turned the tables on Danish dominance in the Baltic Sea. Queen Christina would aid the Germans and the Catholic cause against the Protestants - ensuring that the French wouldn't be able to expand and completely conquer the Central Empire although, following the few victories they would eventually loose Finland to the Rus - a territory that has been the cause of numerous border conflicts and several failed attempts at reconquest.

Following the rule of Queen Christina in the 17th Century and the victory of stopping the French Protestant Wars in Germany, the Sweden Army attempted to try this with the Rus Commonwealth as well - initiating several border conflicts in an attempt to justify a war against them. While Sweden had expected victory over the 'barbarian horde' - granted the Swedish Army had been exhausted and the coffers dry after the campaigns in Germany and with the much larger manpower and with most of Swedens best leaders retired, the Rus Commonwealth was able to completely push the Kingdom back, occupying several towns and cities in Finland, before the Peace of Helsinki was forced to be signed. A national humiliation that would foster a sense of bitterness within the Queen, and one she would pass onto her own son and his heirs. Sweden would attempt to reassert it's authority in the Baltic Sea during the 18th Century - when during the division of the Rus Commonwealth, Sweden would attempt to muster another invasion to re-take Finland and regain their glory. However this would put them into conflict with the Polish-Lithuanian union - due to the tense situation in the Baltic between the three powers at the time, as many had remembered the times when Sweden lost control of the Baltic region to the PLC.

A short diplomatic skirmish would result in war between the two Kingdoms when Sweden attempted to 'restore sovereignty' over Dagö and Ösel - both to increase Swedish dominance over the Baltic yet also serve as a potential launch for future skirmishes into Estonia. Although what had been assumed as a quick victory turned into a rout - as the Battle of the Baltic Sea had ended with in stalemate, with Swedish soldiers upon the islands, while the Polish-Lithuanians had occupied Gotland in return. Sweden dominating the sea later in the war, while the Polish had the military advantage. Although Sweden would break first, as the state was on the verge of bankruptcy through years of incompetent absolutist rule and corruption. Thus what followed was the Treaty of Reval - where Sweden was forced to return the islands it took in the war, including the island of Gotland - which was to act as a trip-wire in case of any future wars with the Polish-Lithuanian union. Although Sweden was spared the cost of being war reparations in return.

Following these events, the Kingdom eventually turned inward, both to prevent the collapse of the state and also economic exhaustion - as following the disaster that was the Baltic War - the reigning King was forced to relinquish authority in the newly drafted Constitution of 1720 - that would turn the Kingdom of Sweden more into a parlamentarian monarchy, putting an end to the Absolutist rule in Sweden and giving the rise to the Age of Liberty. This would eventually develop into the Swedish Neutrality - as the Empire focused more on internal than foreign matters, many times refusing to engage into combat with the French - a situation that saved them from complete destruction and ensured their economy could take advantage of the numerous reconstructions and arms exports necessary to combat the French Commonwealth. Following the failure of Europe against Guerrin - these ideals were cemented and Sweden maintained this policy for the next upcoming years.

The Kingdom would end up purchasing Venezuela from the Spanish, when the Spanish Crown started infighting between those in America and those in Europe - and renaming it to New Sweden, granted conflicts with Guyana would be a major thorn for their development. Ensuring the Swedes had also a slice of pie in the New World, despite the troubles in addition to their newly-founded colony of Gustavia, in light of the Scramble for Africa that had begun at around ten years before the turn of the 20th Century. For most of their history, the Swedes has maintained their policy of armed neutrality - remaining favorable to the Catholic cause, although decades of French supremacy, Rus determination and Polish cunning having demonstrated the need to avoid stepping into any unnecessary conflict with the French or any other European powers. Still this has been tempered by the noted pragmatism - that the Swedish wouldn't mind an alliance against any side if victory or great prizes are ensured - as many still yearn for the return of the times of Gustav the Great when Sweden dominated the Baltic Sea and was considered a Great Power alongside Rome and the French Commonwealth.

RP Sample: https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=461342

#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)

ACCEPTED.

Yay.

[The Fascist Waffle Empire]

It is a similar thing to the United Kingdom, where the Queen is technically the head of state. But she has no real power.

[Tracian Empire]

It is a similar thing to the United Kingdom, where the Queen is technically the head of state. But she has no real power.

And yet the state is called the United Kingdom, not the United Republic. A nation where a monarch with the title of Queen is technically the head of state but has no real power would be a constitutional monarchy.

[The Fascist Waffle Empire]

It is a similar thing to the United Kingdom, where the Queen is technically the head of state. But she has no real power.

And yet the state is called the United Kingdom, not the United Republic. A nation where a monarch with the title of Queen is technically the head of state but has no real power would be a constitutional monarchy.

Fair enough, I’ll fix it

[Danceria]

Now...for a slightly uncomfortable topic. How was slavery handled?

[Finland SSR]

Now...for a slightly uncomfortable topic. How was slavery handled?

Where specifically?

[Danceria]

Now...for a slightly uncomfortable topic. How was slavery handled?

Where specifically?

Well...Specifically in the Americas.

[Finland SSR]

Where specifically?

Well...Specifically in the Americas.

Spain abolished slavery before America broke off, so there was no American civil war over slavery. Dunno about others.

[SCP Institution]

Now...for a slightly uncomfortable topic. How was slavery handled?

Slavery came to an end because of the Industrial Revolution. Machines has proved to be more productive and less costly than an enslaved workforce.

[Danceria]

Well...Specifically in the Americas.

Spain abolished slavery before America broke off, so there was no American civil war over slavery. Dunno about others.

To paraphrase Bill Wurtz's "History of the entire world (i guess)" "[Bresil] may have needed a little more time to think about that."

Well...Specifically in the Americas.

Spain abolished slavery before America broke off, so there was no American civil war over slavery. Dunno about others.

Interesting.

[Finland SSR]

Now...for a slightly uncomfortable topic. How was slavery handled?

Slavery came to an end because of the Industrial Revolution. Machines has proved to be more productive and less costly than an enslaved workforce.

But that's not how it happened in OTL. Machines easing agricultural production, which is where the absolute majority of slaves and serfs were employed, such as the cotton gin, actually strengthened the institution of slavery in the countries where it had still remained by the 19th century. Easier agricultural production meant that a plantation based economy built upon slaves became profitable again.

[Theyra]

Full Nation Name : Bengal Empire

You said that it's finished, but I personally don't consider it to be - just look at that sentence that ends abruptly in your army description. The Bengal Empire can be quite a power even due to its size alone, so I'd appreciate it if you could add some more details. I won't ask for paragraphs, but try to write a few sentences for each field of the army description.

I'd also personally appreciate if you could add a few words in terms of aspirations and ideology, I believe that a nation of this size would deserve them, but they are indeed optional, up to you.

I forgot about the army section and now it should be done and I have made some edits to my app as well.

[Reverend Norv]

France experimented with slavery for much of the 17th century, but it never sat well with the French public: like the English and New England Puritans in our timeline, the French were happier to profit by the slave trade than to involve themselves directly. After annexing Hispaniola from Spain shortly before 1700, France manumitted the island’s slaves in order to secure the loyalty of the population. Thereafter, slavery was gradually abolished in most of the French Empire, except Bresil - where the colonial elite was wealthy and powerful enough to carve out an exception for themselves. Tensions over slavery likely contributed to the eventual separation of the two countries.

That, at least, seems the most plausible timeline to me. How does it work for you?

[Tracian Empire]

It's going to be an interesting situation in the East. Slavery was never quite the same thing in the Byzantine Empire compared to ancient Rome. The core of the Eastern Roman power after all was in the themata system and in the free soldier/peasants. Slavery was an urban thing, and it was generally restricted to foreigners. The Church also theoretically opposed it, even if it never directly intervened against it.

So I'm probably going with a similar decline of slavery, with a possible failed flareup after the liberation of the Levant and of Egypt. Slavery, if still a thing, would be very limited.

[Kazarogkai]

How is a Republic led by a Queen?

Maybe its a "Crowned Republic" so to speak. Similar to OTLs Netherlands arguably.

[Tracian Empire]

How is a Republic led by a Queen?

Maybe its a "Crowned Republic" so to speak. Similar to OTLs Netherlands arguably.

If so it wasn't specified. Something as unique as that would deserve a proper explanation, instead of a combination of terms which could cause confusion.

[Kazarogkai]

Well...Specifically in the Americas.

Spain abolished slavery before America broke off, so there was no American civil war over slavery. Dunno about others.

It got abolished in Guyana as a result of independence being caused by a mass slave rebellion which in part spurred the abolition of Slavery by Spain to prevent a similar occurrence. At least that's what I believed we more or less agreed on.

[Danceria]

France experimented with slavery for much of the 17th century, but it never sat well with the French public: like the English and New England Puritans in our timeline, the French were happier to profit by the slave trade than to involve themselves directly. After annexing Hispaniola from Spain shortly before 1700, France manumitted the island’s slaves in order to secure the loyalty of the population. Thereafter, slavery was gradually abolished in most of the French Empire, except Bresil - where the colonial elite was wealthy and powerful enough to carve out an exception for themselves. Tensions over slavery likely contributed to the eventual separation of the two countries.

That, at least, seems the most plausible timeline to me. How does it work for you?

Great minds think alike.
Of course Guyana would probably dislike Bresil for us having only recently (like fifty-ish years ago?) abolished slavery...Though definitely interesting seeing how the old Themata system evolved over the centuries Trace.
If there was an African Center of Modernization, things would be different indeed

[Oscalantine]

Hmmm... so it seems that I am at a minority.

Slavery for Korea is vital to the country, but not because of economic reasons (although it has a lot to do with it). The main reason why slavery was never outright ousted despite its tax-dodging characteristiscs (you don't pay taxes as slaves in Korea, so the wealth of labor is completely exploited by the slave owners at the expense of the government) because it helps control its colonies. This is because of technicality between Korea and her colonies, as technically the colonies are in a state of enforce anarchy, and Korean legal system has no de jure authority in the region.

However and what the Ministry of Justice DO have authority over is to catalogue and record all ownership of servitudes in Korea. Therefore, it becomes very important for Merchants of Chuk-Jae-Do (colonial authority in Korea) to obey Korean law and appease the Minsitry of Justice whenever possible to keep their slaves in their ownership. Compared to this, the Korean government only receives "taxation" from the colonies in a flat tribute, and not taxation from population in the colonies. And this tribute is adjusted by the colonies' economic activities and production, not taxable population.

I am sure you can see where this is going: a major moral hazard, if you consider government's role as working for the people (which Korea does not, the nation works for her Most Serene Imperial Majesty, after all). The Korean government, for the most part, maintains absolute number of total slaves allowed in the mainland to maintain taxation rates, but allows complete freedom in slavery in the colonies. This is beneficial for the government to keep hold of its colonies and its Merchants in line, and the colonies need slaves to keep its production costs low. I would surmise that roughly 50~60% of the colonial population contributes to its economy as slaves.

As of currently, Chaebolism (sorry, not the same as Chaebolism IRL) forbids mistreatment of lessers by the Merchant Class, which leads to improved livelihood for slaves and all men and women are born free as a result of continued petition in the colonial "court of law," but this does not fix the problem that slaves are still slaves and men and women are still treated as properties in Korea. And certainly it isn't expected that this will disappear anytime soon.

[The Brand New Salvatagard Republic]

Possibly Bermuda and/or Alaska, perhaps?

As long as you can explain it. Iceland doesn't strike me as the type of country which could sustain a navy and colonies, but something as small as that might work.

Alright, sounds good!

[Oscalantine]

Full Nation Name : Kingdom of KwaZulu (Alternate: Kingdom of Zululand, isiZulu: UMbeso weKwaZulu). Sometimes referred to as the Kingdom of Zulu or the Zulu Empire.

Sorry that this took so long. I wanted to do some brief research on the Zulus to help understand some historical context.

Ultimately, the application is ACCEPTED. However, I do wonder what the country did with the encroaching Europeans, as the history doesn't necessarily cover this area. Having said that, I don't think that takes away from the application as a whole to warrant me delaying your acceptance. Looking forward to your posts!

[Intermountain States]

Where specifically?

Well...Specifically in the Americas.

Slavery would be peacefully abolished in Busang, including both the common Western view of slavery and the Korean view of slavery as summarized by Oscalantine. The institution of slavery (at least the Korean view) was just not as integrated to Busang's society compared to Korea's.

[Kazarogkai]

France experimented with slavery for much of the 17th century, but it never sat well with the French public: like the English and New England Puritans in our timeline, the French were happier to profit by the slave trade than to involve themselves directly. After annexing Hispaniola from Spain shortly before 1700, France manumitted the island’s slaves in order to secure the loyalty of the population. Thereafter, slavery was gradually abolished in most of the French Empire, except Bresil - where the colonial elite was wealthy and powerful enough to carve out an exception for themselves. Tensions over slavery likely contributed to the eventual separation of the two countries.

That, at least, seems the most plausible timeline to me. How does it work for you?

Great minds think alike.
Of course Guyana would probably dislike Bresil for us having only recently (like fifty-ish years ago?) abolished slavery...Though definitely interesting seeing how the old Themata system evolved over the centuries Trace.
If there was an African Center of Modernization, things would be different indeed

I can only Imagine Bresil in turn not liking Guyana in turn due in no small part to Guyana technically being in control of what is in effect rightfully Brazilian territory in the form of Amapa. We should work it out in the IC but I can only Imagine this would have lead to a history of conflict at the minimum. Guyana smuggling arms to various slave revolutionaries, Bresil launching expeditions to get Amapa back but never quite being successful in part due to the terrain, etc. Could be fun if your interested.I was thinking for my 3rd-4th post about screwing with Sweden in Venezuela. Something to do with trying to cross a small group(say 500 guerrillas) into their territory via Gran Columbia to bypass the normally extremely militarized Guyana-Venezuela border while getting caught in the process leading to a minor border clash and some international tension along the way. I could amend that though.

Gotta wait and see, still waiting for Osca to approve of my app and all.

Just thinking about the mischief I could get into is so much fun though