History of Andonia

Calonia
Circa 440 BCE, a group of Caloni nomads traveled west, settling in what is now southern Andonia. As their settlements grew, this region came to be Calonia, a tribal society which until 890 AD had no contact with any other peoples.

Settlers establish the First Kingdom
After the ravaging of their Kingdom of Island, a group of about 300 explorers sailed across the Andic Ocean in search of a new home. They settled in the Bay of Andonia, establishing the village of Sundesberg (Old Islandic: Bay town). These Islandic colonists interacted with aboriginals of the Caloni tribe, most of whom were friendly toward them.

Indrex the Black was leader of the voyage. In 890, he was crowned King of Sundeslunden (Old Islandic: Land of the bay). Indrex ruled as leader of the colony for 15 years until abdicating at the age of 53. Indrex lived another 6 years before becoming bedridden in his age. He died 3 days after his 60th birthday, succeeded by his 18-year-old son, Ander. Indrex's wife of 52 survived him for 4 years until succumbing to a heart attack, probably from stress over her husband's death.

Age of Ander
Prince Ander, as successor to Indrex the Black was much more authoritative in rule than his father. Though never harsh, he did as much as he could to formally organize and manage the activities of Sundeslunden, including farming, labor, and trade with the recovering nation of Island. To assist in governing, Ander possessed over 200 messengers who would be assigned to each observe a small section of the kingdom and report to him. These were trained in rudimentary Caloni language in order to obtain information from and issue orders to villagers. Ander is best known for his introduction of money into Sundeslunden. For this, currency in the modern Republic of Andonia is known as the Ander, in honor of Prince Ander. Ander only lived to be 40 before what most rule to be a fatal hunting accident. On the other hand, some scholars believe that the arrow that pierced his chest belonged to a rogue native who opposed the Islandic colonists.

Islandic Empire
After Island had completed its economic and infrastructural recovery, it believed that Sundeslunden should rightly be considered one of its territories. To declare Sundeslunden as a separate nation would be treason. As Ander had had no children that would succeed him, Indrex, Duke of Island, more commonly known as Indrex II, was sent to serve as viceroy of Sundeslunden. In his sixth year of ruling, Indrex II began what came to be known as the Millennial Campaign. Starting in the year 1000, a fierce movement of expansion stretched the viceroy's influence over one hundred miles from the Sundeslunden. Spanning 18,000 square miles, complete management by Indrex II was not possible. For this reason Indrex created a Council of Elders, each Elder representing a province of the Islandic Empire. This was a precursor to the modern parliamentary system of Andonia. Indrex and the Council came to disagree more and more as their years of rule progressed. Constantly they had quarrels over the centralization of power in the empire. In 1003, Indrex dismissed the Council, taking complete power over the Empire.

Civil War
In 1004, the western states of Parsony, Muscia, and Axony declared secession from the Empire. The eastern states, Burusia, Sommerstrip, and Sundeslunden remained allied with Indrex. Upon receiving notice of the secession, Indrex declared war on Parsony, Muscia, and Axony.

In the first month of attack, the well-trained Sundesberg Army met startling defeats by the tactical Caloni militia along the mountains of Central Front. A soldier of the Sundesberg Army records in a preserved journal:


 * So we marched, line by line, each section eighteen [men] across and fifty long, to the height of the mountain. And very quickly dropped, from a high place somewhere, a burning branch was thrown. Almost instantly a man was pinned under the branch with his coat in flames. A few others were also burnt. Thus the formations were dispersed. And as this chaos ensued, a whipping noise came through the air and struck a man in the side. Another was hit and another. Men rushed to find the natives who were targeting them, but they lay hidden somewhere unknown. I only saw three of them killed, them perhaps overexcited and so they attempted a charge toward the soldiers with swords drawn. Our casualties greatly outnumbered theirs, with some six thousand reported killed.

Indrex was informed that a blockade was to be formed to prevent military and economic support from Island. Taking a new strategy, Indrex decided on a naval siege of the port city of Armstaad, placed at the tip of the western Armstaad Peninsula. The April 6th attack was an enormously successful preemptive strike for the East, known to Andonians as the Siege of the Harbor. Further gains were made along the Andonian coast though eventually halted.

It was decided that a reorganization of the Western Empire was necessary in order to defend from the East. Chieftain Talagnos was chosen as Leader of the Western States, while Andrex, an Islandic officer who defected following the declaration of war, was made General of the Western States. Andrex lead the West with military insight not before seen by the Caloni. Within six years Andrex pushed Islandic forces out of the West and back from the Central mountains. However, there was still deadlock in an attempt to liberate the city of Armstaad and also in mobilizing beyond the eastern border of Sommerstrip.

In July of 1013, a barbarian horde invaded and overran Sundesberg, said to be in support of the Western Empire though Andrex denied any affiliation with the attack. An offer was made, however, to withdraw the invader horde from Sundesberg in exchange for a treaty with the East. The treaty specified that the East was to drastically decrease the size of its military, the new borders for the empires, and that Sundesberg be made a holy site where neither side could station troops. The offer was accepted.

In honor of the general Andrex who led the fight against the Eastern Empire, and for the Caloni people who inhabited the West, the empire was rechristened Andrex-Calonia, or Andonia. The peace treaty signed was violated 6 years later as a small regiment of Eastern cavalry were found riding across the Eurasian mountains, led by Indrex himself. Indrex was killed in crossing the mountains by an arrow shot in his heart by a defending tribesman. By this time the Eastern Empire had lost support of Island and so was without a political authority for some time.

A Unified Empire
Andrex suggested that he take control of the Eastern Empire while Talagnos would rule the West.

Andrex's federative philosophy of governing is apparent as Professor Quincy W. Nalls translates the following letter from Andrex to Talagnos dated 12 April 1010:

Everything should be two. Nowhere should one man be alone in rule, but he should have another. Their overseer as well should be one of two men, and those which be under the second man shall be two alike those of the first... Archaeological Journal, Sept. 1994

First Constitution
Toward the end of Talagnos and Andrex's lives and rule as emperors, they, together with a council of two hundred public representatives, drafted a constitution for the Andonian Empire. This constitution, known as the First Constitution, was finalized in 1069. It formally went into effect in 1102, but is usually referred to by its year of finalization.

New Emperors
One of the reforms to the political system adopted by Talagnos and Andrex was citizens' election of public officials. In 1102, several candidates campaigned for each position. Julian Estux and Dracht Hiller were appointed as Emperors of the Western and Eastern Empires respectively. While Estux was a son in a long line of rich merchants descending from Illius Estux, Hiller was raised in poverty and as a teenager sought to uplift his family from their economic disposition through his entrepeneurship.

Andonian Rebirth
The Andonian Rebirth was a period of economic prosperity and cultural growth following the unification of the Andonian empire. During this time, many people began to be involved in business. The merchant class greatly grew as new roads facilitated trade within the empire. Culture flourished as city-dwellers attended plays, went to various festivals, and read the writings of various philosophers and poets. The more cultured of the two rulers, Julian Estux is seen as an icon of this era.

Stagnation
The prosperity of the Andonian Rebirth did not last forever. Around 1122, economic growth came to a halt. What followed is known as the Stagnation. In the time immediately preceding this event, people began to cut down on unnecessary purchases and reduced their attendance of festivities, largely due to the influence of the religious sect known as Abstinentism, which de-emphasized the importance of worldly things. Monetary mismanagement led to the bankruptcy of many businesses and banks, which were left unable to repay those funds which were deposited therein. It was now that Hiller took charge of Andonia.

A Rational Age
In contrast to the romantic Estux, Hiller was a cold and calculating thinker. He believed that all things are governed by logic, and to properly master things, one must act logically. People found comfort in the rational philosophy of Hiller, knowing that the outcome of things were predictable and that if they acted wisely, no such disasters as the Stagnation should happen again. The ideal consumer, as it were, would be one who would consider all variables in a market, and make his purchase based on that calculation. Importantly, a consumer should be one who acts not only to benefit himself, but the economy as a whole. Foreseeing the consequences of irresponsible saving of money, Abstinents relaxed their religious restrictions on spendings. Andonia's economy made a gradual recovery in the years of the Rational Age.

While people previously people thought the physical world to be governed by arbitrary, almost magical forces, the consensus now was that mathematical laws affected the universe, the laws able to be induced from experimentation in controlled conditions. Much scientific advance was made during Hiller's rule, which lasted up to 1140. He was succeeded by Emperors Daedik and Ertman, Eschvik and Destat, and finally Estux II and Oerber.

The Rational Age, a period of intense scientific development, had its later years also marked by intense economic and scientific rivalry. Frauxbon had become a major power on the continent and was Andonia's primary rival in the period between 1136 and 1240. The two each strived to produce and export the most goods. Tremendous technological innovation happened in both countries. However much tension there was between Andonia and Frauxbon, it never turned to military aggression until 1240.

William I seizes power
The Imperial Council, an advisory executive and legislative body of about 50 men, was one of the few political institutions which served to connect the Western and Eastern Empires. The single man presiding over the Imperial Council was the Chief Imperial Councillor, a position which had limited influence de jure, but was with such prestige that it had potential for huge political influence. William I was an emigrant from the kingdom of Sudenland to Andonia's south and a Sudenian prince by blood. As a great orator who played on the public's enormous sentiment toward expansion, William won the office of Chief Imperial Councillor by a landslide.

On 5 August 1238, William was inaugurated as Chief Imperial Councillor. In his first month of councillorship, he announced his plan for an Andonian Empire spanning the entire continent, a monument of human development. Constitutionally, Estux II and Oerber were bound to the will of the Andonian people. Thus, they were powerless in opposing the designs of William.

The Andonian military was mobilized and sent to conquer various places. In this period of imperialism, Andonia acquired numerous colonies, including the island of Manas in the Eastern Sea.

Although many nations expressed concern over Andonia's aggression, there was no effort to actually stop it. Finally, Andonia without a declaration of war, invaded a section of northern Frauxbon. The next day, on 14 October 1240, Frauxbon and its allies declared war on Andonia, starting the First Imperial War.

First Imperial War (1240-1246)
The First Imperial War was one of the deadliest conflicts in history. It was also known as the War of Allies, due to the two alliances that were belligerent in the war. The first of the alliances was that between Andonia, Sudenland, and Molotia. On 02 August 1239, Andonia and Sudenland signed the Waldten Pact, which declared they would support each other in case of a military conflict. What exactly support meant was not stipulated. Seven days later, representatives from Andonia and Sudenland were sent to Molotia to discuss a possible alliance. After two days of consideration, Molotia signed onto the pact as well. Because of their expansionist tendencies, the three were known as the Imperial Powers. The three, because of What support entailed was not stipulated. The second alliance was between Frauxbon, Indorati, and Penland. Their treaty, the Central Alliance, was as vaguely worded as the Waldten Pact. However, unlike the Imperial Powers, the three countries had had an economic union since the Werstaule Agreement in 1236.

The First Imperial War was the first major war in several years. The two sides had accumulated new weapons and the technology which never before used in an actual conflict. Some new weapons of the war included tanks, airships, submarines, machine guns, long-distance artillery, exploding shells, flame throwers, and poison gas. Soldiers did not receive any training in these new technologies except after the war had already begun.

1246-1256 Andonian First Republic
Following its defeat in the First Imperial War, the northeastern territory of Winterland was annexed to Frauxbon and Andonia was a temporary subject of Frauxbon. Most of Andonia's numerous colonies were also severed from its control. On 04 July 1246, the monarchy was placed by a provisional government and a new constitution written based on democratic principles. The Second Republic lasted for only ten years, its shortness of life largely stemming from popular discontent with the conditions of the Winter Treaty.

Civil Unrest
Civil unrest becoming high, a strong leader was seeming the best solution to pull Andonia out of its post-war disposition. Rallies were held on the streets calling for a taking-back of the Andonian land. Nationalist groups, both secret and public, called for the liberation of Andonia. The largest of such groups was the Andonian Nationalist Organization, or the ANO. The unrest climaxed in the summer of 1256, when the ANO launched a coup, deposing the Frauxbonian administration in Sundesberg. Louis Valdemar, the ANO's greatest orator, was appointed as Consul of the Andonian Sovereignty.

The first major action of Valdemar was the expulsion of all Frauxbonian people from Andonia, facilitated by the military branch of the ANO. Anyone caught speaking or writing in the Frauxbonian language would be arrested. As the amount of apprehended Frauxbonians increased, the ANO still had no plans on how exactly they should be removed from the country. The Austerian Federation, a country neither allies or enemies with Andonia, accepted what amounted to about 3 million Frauxbonians by 1260. Frauxbon was notified of this by various officers of the former Frauxbonian administration, but did nothing to respond to the deportation.

The second major action was the strengthening and glorification of the new Andonian military. Starting with 1,159 members in 1256, the number swelled to 428,571 by 1260, comprising nearly one-seventh of the population. Young men were encouraged to enlist, and thus gain respect and honor in the defense of their country.

In the late weeks of May of 1260, Consul Valdemar made calls for a second Andonian empire, so that Andonia may once again be the greatest power of the continent. The ANO kept a close watch for spies, as they wished for their reexpansion to be as sudden and unexpected as possible. This concept was known as Quikvart, Andonian for "war of quickness."

Quikvart begins
In a 06 June 1260 raid at midnight across the Strait of Osmo, Andonia annexed the Sultanate of Arabb, facing under 200 losses to the Andonian Army. Belonati was annexed the following day. Upon hearing of this attack, defenses were strengthened by neighboring country of Turaz. Despite this, within two weeks, Turaz fell to Andonia. In the following summer of 1261, Andonia regained the territory of Winterland. Frauxbon and Indorati declared war on Andonia. Andonia continued its advances eastward, and by September annexed Indorati's territory west of the Dellip Mountains.

Second Imperial War
The most resistance to the Andonian Quikvart was faced along the northwest border of Frauxbon, in a heavily fortified area known as "The Ridge." Expected to be taken by October, the army remained there, without advance, in February 1262.

In exchange for raw materials it was deficient in, the island nation of Japonia aided Andonia in the fight on the Eastern Front. In August, the Republic of Molotia had invaded the eastern region of Frauxbon. It signed the Dual Imperial Treaty with Andonia on 06 December. By mid-April, Frauxbon had exhausted most of its military personnel. Only some 1104 soldiers remained, 1000 of them being new recruits. The recruits had no experience, received little training, and were nearly useless on the battlefield. On 26 April, the Andonians finally broke through, meeting the Molotians in Northern Frauxbon.

Fearing they too might exhaust their military, the Andonian Empire officially stopped its advances on 27 April 1262. Molotia made a similar announcement the following day.

The Consul strengthens his grip
Desiring not to have the empire falter again, Valdemar attempted to remove all possibility of espionage. Police monitored the streets constantly for suspicious activity. Any person could be asked for their papers and even have their homes searched without probable cause. Military parades were held every month throughout Andonia, and it was mandatory to recite the Oath of Alliance to the empire once every day in a person's school or workplace. All private educational institutions were put under government control and eradicated of any democratic or liberal viewpoints that could pose a threat to the state.

The Great Famine of 1270-1271
Between the winter of 1270 and the spring of 1271, the Andonian Empire experienced the greatest famine in its history. Over 85% of the population was affected in some way by the Great Famine, and 20% died as a result of it. The 15% not affected were composed of those with the highest income and those living on the outlying parts of the empire. Two main factors are believed to have contributed to the famine. The first factor is thought to be the massive outbreak of black smut among wheat crops in the empire. Wheat constituted 40% of the content of all food in the empire, most of it in the form of bread. The second factor is thought to be two consecutive droughts that affected not only wheat, but also maize and rice output in the empire.

The Great Famine not only had immediate effects but also had long-lasting ones. A significant amount of Andonia's workforce was depleted, including some important positions in the government and in businesses. Also, despite efforts to prevent emigration, thousands left the empire in the years following the famine.

The Consul is assassinated
On 04 August 1273, Consul Valdemar was assassinated. During a speech dealing with the effects of the famine, he was shot from a window on the fourth floor of the Sundesberg Grand Library that at the time faced the city hall. The sniper was arrested four hours after the shot was made, after a lockdown and lengthy search of the expansive library. A public funeral was held the following week.

Valdemar having named no successor, the position of Consul was empty. Thus, turmoil erupted as numerous figures attempted to seize power in the empire.

The Losing War
Taking advantage of the loss of 50% of Andonia's army to the Great Famine and Andonia's political instability, Frauxbon declared war. Aside from its long-time allies of Indorati and Penland, Frauxbon now had on its side the small but quickly developing socialist country of Slotvinia and the Western Eurasian power of Iraz. The newly acquired allies of Frauxbon, compounded by the loss of the colony of Manas and alliance with Japonia, turned the tables against the empire.

The first object for the Alliance of Eurasia was to liberate northern Frauxbon and thereby split apart Andonia and Molotia. This was accomplished by a joint force of Frauxbonian, Indori, and Pennish soldiers who first attacked at the border between the two empires, then pushed in opposite directions towards each empire's capital.

The second object was to capture Mosot City, the capital of Molotia. An attack on two fronts by Frauxbon and Slotvinia proved successful at dividing the Molotian forces. Slotvinia soon gained control of the capital.

Third, Western Indorati, Belonati, Arabb, and Turaz, in that order, were to be liberated. Within four months this had happened.

Fourth, Sudenland was to be attacked while the coast of Andonia was simultaneously hit by the Frauxbonian naval force. Being less industrialized, Sudenland was quickly taken.

The final stage of the operation was to strike at Sundesberg itself. Enormously outnumbered, there was no choice but to surrender. Following its crushing defeat, Andonia was placed under a republican government and a new constitution was written, including the clause that Andonia was not allowed to attack nor annex any other country, though it was to keep a moderately-sized military for its own defense.

This war was known thereafter as the Losing War for Andonia, also referred to as the War for Freedom.