Alpine Confederation (1983: Doomsday)
From Alternative History
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| Capital: | Vaduz | ||||
| Largest city: | Zurich, Graz, Geneva, Lausanne, Innsbruck | ||||
| Other cities: | Vaduz | ||||
| Language: official: | German, Italian, Swiss, French, Ratoroman, | ||||
| Other languages: | Local Dialects | ||||
| Confederal President: | Charles Remond | ||||
| Federal Council- Chairman: | Antionne Le Asis | ||||
| Independence: | 1997 | ||||
| Currency: | Alpine Franc | ||||
The Alpine Confederation is a large multi-national country located in the Alpine Mountains. It was formed of a union between Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Despite its small population it remains one of the leading powers left in Europe.
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[edit] History
[edit] Pre-Doomsday Situation
[edit] Doomsday
Thanks to Switzerland's neutrality as well as its history of not participating in global conflict, it was fortunate enough to have not been targeted on September 26th. Liechtenstein was too small to ever be considered to be target in the Cold War. However Austria was shockingly attacked by the nuclear and conventional forces of the Soviet Union. Despite the fact the country was just as neutral as Switzerland, Soviet planers considered Austria too strategically important to avoid thanks to its position between eastern and western blocs. The Soviets also thought NATO forces would enter the country if World War 3 ever broke out.
Vienna was completely destroyed by two nuclear bombs estimated to have detonated at 500 kilotons. Later that night Soviet troops moved in from Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Although the nuclear strikes devastated Austria the nation was fortunate enough to have most of the radioactive fallout blow to the east. Given Vienna's easterly location only parts of Lower Austria and Burgenland became irradiated. Soviet forces, having allredy suffered numerous causalities from radiation and nuclear strikes, were defeated in battle after battle by the Austrian Defense Forces.
Just a few weeks after it started a joint Nato/Warsaw pact ceasefire brought histories most destructive conflict to an end. With its capital gone Austria had numerous problems with restoring order. Switzerland however sent aid and supplies to the country. It also sent in the Swiss army to help restore order. The surviving Austrian states began considering Swiss annexation in an attempt to further protect and restore the country. In February Switzerland formally annexed the remaining Austrian states and renamed the country the Austro-Schweiz Union.
[edit] Immediate Response
The Government of the Austro-Schweiz Union was facing a catastrophical scenario: it was virtually the only largely functioning governments on the European Continent surrounded by chaos, anarchy, nuclear fallout.
Immediately, the Swiss and Austrian armed forces declare their unconditional cooperation, martial law is declared, the long-trained-for Swiss Militia is fully mobilized in order to protect both the citizens and to secure and defend all borders. All border-crossing-traffic is immediately stopped and the borders closed in all directions (except for Swiss, Liechtenstein and Austrian citizens. As the military activation functions relatively smoothly the shortage in provisions, food, medicals proves extremely difficult. Everything is rationed, civil traffic is suspended and agricultural production put under state authority.
The nations did receive a large amount of radioactive fallout in the first few weeks after the nuclear war, blowing in mostly from the north and the west. All civilians were ordered to remain indoors and rely upon the food already stored there. Only the absolutely necessary activities were aloud to happen outside, in which one was required to cover-up as much of there body as possible. While tens of thousands of people died from radiation poising these methods saved millions. With the Alps acting as a natural barrier against most of the remaining fallout, radioactive levels had fallen to safe levels within less than two weeks.
The nations of the Alps had managed to keep order throughout this catastrophe, and returned to relatively normal conditions by the end of the year. The sounding nations however were far less lucky.
[edit] Refugee Tragedy - the darkest chapter
Today, the years from 1984-1986 are considered to be the darkest chapter in the Alpine Region's history. Fallen victim to another war around them, Swiss, Austrians and Liechtensteiners shut all borders to their neighbours, retreat to themselves.
Quickly, they are faced with an overwhelming refugee problem. Tens and hundreds of thousands of hungry, devastated people from France, Germany, Italy and the Warsaw Pact Nations of Hungary, Yugoslavia try to reach the (said) safe haven in the heart of Europe. At first the countries of Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein tried there best to help these people fleeing from neighboring lands and took on as many refugees as possible. They were soon overwhelmed however at the shear number of them. The once world class healthcare of these nations was already struggling to handle all of its native citizens. As the foreigners flooded in, many with horrific scars and burns on there bodies, hospitals and medical centers simply began to reject people.
Crime rates soared and food supplies and shelter quickly dwindled. As mass riots began throughout the region it became apparent that they would have to begin rejecting these refugees or face total social and economic collapse. The nations finally came to a difficult decision, Switzerland and Austria would annex as much of the surrounding territory as possible and completely close off the borders from there. Heart-breaking tragedies of starving and injured people risking there lives trying to escape via the High Alpine passes in mid-winter, only to later die after being forcibly sent back by the military today create shame in the hearts of many Alpine Citizens. Politics are thoroughly dominated by the question of having made the right choice.
[edit] 1987 - 1993
[edit] The 2000's and current situation, Problems and Conflicts
The Alpine Confederation represents today a considerable force on the European Continent, relying on its impressive military capabilities.
The declared continuous neutrality has put it -alongside Tonga, the R.T.F and Portugal, put into a mediation role on the geopolitical stage.
Remarkably, the Alpine Confederation has -despite deeply friendly relations- refused to become part of the Atlantic Defense Community as the above-all law of everlasting neutrality is strongly honoured by the Confed Government.
This is kind of weakened in the face of the actual rising tensions with the perilously expansionist Sicilian Republic. The Confed Government -especially the Social-Democrats- see themselves as the guardian of European Democracy and tend-despite the formal neutrality- to position the Alpine Confederation as a counterweight to the Neo-fascist Sicily Government.
Currently negotiations with the Grimaldi Royals of Monaco and the Venetians -the only Italian province openly opposing Sicily- to create an "Alpine Curtain" around the Italian Peninsula's northern borders- are advancing.
To the north, it has established aid stations and outposts along what had been Bavaria; with influence over the local survivor communities. It maintains "tentative" relations with the Kingdom of Prussia, although both states are becoming closer diplomatically.
Due to its position in Western/Central Europe, the government has offered the League of Nations the old U.N. facilities still operational in its territory.
[edit] Territory
The Alpine Confederation formally consists of the old states of Switzerland, Austria and the small Liechtenstein. Informally some neighbouring regions who have put themselves under Alpine protection are considered Alpine territory as well.
So the Alpine Militia controls and secures Southern Tirol and a few districts of former Northern Italy, the French Montblanc Massif (up to Grenoble), and a strip on the German side of the Rhine River stretching from the Bodensee to Freiburg and adjacent communities. The control of the Montblanc Massif has been contested in recent years by Monaco, who claims that as a successor to the French nation, they should have right to rule this land.
[edit] Economy
[edit] Government
The Alpine Confederation is governed by a newly constructed political system reflecting the unique Swiss history and the Austrian Federal System. Although Vaduz (Liechtenstein) is the official capital, authoritative duties are evenly distributed to Bern, Geneva (both Switzerland), and Graz (Austria).
So as pre-DD the main part of the political theatre today still takes place on the regional (Canton) or state stage. The denominations for the Swiss and Austrian Territories have been unchanged. The small Liechtenstein keeps up the monarchy and is otherwise integrated as a Canton (state) into the Confederate System.
The Confederate Government focuses its activities on military, national security, foreign affairs and population's supply. Switzerland's long-held stance of Neutrality has likewise been adopted in a modified form; diplomacy is still favored over military action "as much as possible."
The government consists of a joint Confederation Council which is elected by the 'Rat der Konfoederation" and is changed regularly on defined dates, through a rotation of representatives from the component states.
The Confederation President has merely only representational function.
[edit] Military
The Alpine Military (Militia Alpina) is -unique to most post-doomsday nations- a mainly land-based force. It follows the old Swiss Militia Structure which proved precious in maintaining order and defending the Core State from the ravaging chaos around it (refugees, on-the-loose military units and local warlords.
Today, the Militia virtually established an "Alpine Fortress" with heavy border garrisons and defense structures mainly following the Alps itself.
The Militia is considered to be the best-equipped and best trained land-based force in at least the northern Hemisphere.
The only maritime-naval base is currently operated in Nizza-Monaco, jointly with ADC garrisons, and was only recently authorized (2000) by the king of Monaco.
[edit] International relations
The Alpine Confederation is a member of the League of Nations.
[edit] External links
- [1] Article showing that Vienna was a top Soviet nuclear target.
- [2]Showing a map of how Austria would have been invaded.
[edit] See also
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