Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno (Latin) ("One for all, all for one") | |||||
| Capital | Vaduz | ||||
| Largest city | Zürich | ||||
| Other cities | Bern, Graz, Geneva, Lausanne, Innsbruck, Salzburg | ||||
| Language official |
German, Italian, French, Romansh | ||||
| others | Local Dialects | ||||
| Confederal President | Corina Casanova | ||||
| Federal Council Chairman | |||||
| Population | Est. 11,850,000 | ||||
| Independence | 1997 | ||||
| Currency | Alpine Franc | ||||
The Alpine Confederation, often simply called Alpine, is a large multi-national country located in the Alpine Mountains. It was formed of an union between Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It's regarded as the leading power of Central Europe and is the most economically stable on mainland Europe.
History
Pre-Doomsday Situation
Before Doomsday, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland were three of the most wealthy nations in Europe. They were also neutral states, not being allies of either the USA or the USSR. This was to prove fortunate when Doomsday occurred.
Doomsday
Thanks to Switzerland's neutrality, as well as its history of not having participated in any 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 at Vienna. Despite the fact the country was just as neutral as Switzerland, Soviet planners 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 a World War 3 ever broke out.
Vienna was completely destroyed by two nuclear bombs estimated to have detonated at 500 kilotons, with another warhead aimed at Salzburg, as it was seen as a potential area where the Austrian government would flee to; similarly to Berlin. However, the warhead landed close to the city but never detonated. 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 eastern location only parts of Lower Austria and Burgenland became irradiated. Soviet forces, having already suffered numerous casualties from radiation and the nuclear strikes, were defeated in several battles by the Austrian Defense Forces, resulting in total defeat for the Soviets. This is believed to be the only major organized convention attack launched by Soviet forces in Central Europe, and is, indeed, the largest series of battles fought in its immediate aftermath.
Just a few weeks after it started a joint NATO/Warsaw Pact ceasefire brought history's most destructive conflict to an end. With its capital gone Austria had numerous problems with restoring order. After the Austrian states except for Vienna and Burgenland created a temporary confederation-type government, a provisional capital was designated in Lienz though it would later be established in Linz. 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. Later on in February of 1984 Switzerland formally annexed the remaining Austrian states and renamed the country the Austro-Swiss Union.
Immediate Response
What would become the Government of the Austro-Swiss-Union was facing a catastrophic scenario: it was the only known functioning government in Central Europe - surrounded by chaos, anarchy and nuclear fallout.
Immediately, the Swiss and Austrian armed forces declared their unconditional cooperation, martial law was declared, the long-trained but unused Swiss Militia was fully mobilized in order to protect both the citizens and to secure and defend all borders. All border-crossing-traffic was immediately stopped and the borders closed in all directions (except for Swiss, Liechtenstein and Austrian citizens.) As the military activation functioned without problems the shortage in provisions, food and medicals proved extremely difficult. Everything was rationed, civil traffic largely suspended and agricultural production was 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 urged to remain indoors and rely upon food already stored. Only the absolutely necessary activities were allowed to happen outside, in which one was required to cover-up as much of their body as possible. While thousands of people still died from radiation poisoning these measures saved millions. With the Alps acting as a natural barrier against most of the remaining fallout, radioactive levels had fallen back 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 surrounding nations, however, were far less lucky. .
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 almost immediately shut all borders to their neighbors.
Quickly, they were facing an overwhelming refugee problem. Tens and hundreds of thousands of hungry, injured, and devastated people from the surrounding nations tried to reach the said "safe haven" in the heart of Europe. At first, the countries of Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein took on as many of the refugees as possible, but soon the sheer number of them began to overstretch the Alpine Nations. As the world class health care system of these nations was already struggling to handle all of its native citizens, the horrific scars and burns on the bodies of the refugees caused hospitals and medical centers to simply began to reject people without identity cards.
Crime rates soared and food supplies and shelter quickly dwindled. As mass riots began throughout the region it became apparent - facing the situation, it was obvious that they would have to either reject the 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 the borders to anyone but those holding passports or having direct family ties to Switzerland, Austria or Liechtenstein. Heart-breaking tragedies of starving and injured people risking their 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.
1987-1993
These years were spent re-establishing contact with the world, as well as defending the nation against the remaining warlords and bandits the still roamed Europe. In 1988 they helped save Tuscany from being taken over by Sicily, although Tuscany did lose much of their land and was forced to divide Florence and Pisa and retreat their government to Prato. The Tuscan-Alpina-Genao cooperation here would later become the Italian Peninsula Alliance.
A New Nation
As time passed by things finally began to stabilize in the region. As conditions began to return to normal and the political system of the Austro-Swiss Union underwent large scale change. Having been completely surrounded by the Austro-Swiss Union for years and being completely integrated to the country, Liechtenstein finally accepted the inevitable and pressed for membership to formally join the country. Meanwhile, surrounding lands annexed by Austria and Switzerland began to press for greater autonomy within the country. Finally on the second of June, 1997 the Austro-Swiss Union was dissolved. The country was renamed the Alpine Confederation and a new constitution was passed into law after popular decision. After much debate the capital was moved from Bern to the more central Vaduz in order to give tiny Liechtenstein and the neighbouring Austrian cantons more representation in national affairs.
The 2000's and current situation, problems and conflicts
The Alpine Confederation represents today a considerable force on the European Continent, relying on its comparably impressive military capabilities.
The declared continuous neutrality has put it, alongside Tonga and the R.T.F, 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, the de facto successor organization of the NATO as the above-all law of everlasting neutrality is strongly honored by the Confederation Government since it has maintained its neutrality for over 100 years and does not want to stain their blood now.
This neutrality was weakened in the light of the conflict with the perilously expansionist Sicilian Republic in the South. The Confederation Government, especially the Social-Democrats see themselves as the guardian of European Democracy and see - 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, Tuscany, Genoa, and the Venetians - the only Italian provinces openly opposing Sicily - to create an "Alpine Curtain" around the Italian Peninsula's northern borders - are advancing. This eventually became the Italian Peninsula Alliance on January 2nd, 2010, though Monaco declined to join, and San Marino asked to take their place and was accepted by the other members. The Confederation, while declining to fight directly in any war, quickly agreed to send weapons and Italians that had been training in the north to join the armies of the various Italian states to the south.
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 and culturally.
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 to being used. The WCRB and the LoN are currently finishing moving into the old sites in Geneva. In September 2012, restoration and refurnishing work on the Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations) as the LoN's regional headquarters was completed, to coincide with the 29th anniversary of Doomsday.
Statelets
| Flag | Name | Type of Government | Capital | Population | Date Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Swiss Confederation | Federal Republic | Bern | 6,954,996 | 1997 |
|
Republic of Austria | Federal Republic | Linz | 4,577,292 | 1997 |
|
Principality of Liechtenstein | Constitutional Monarchy | Vaduz | 41,246 | 1997 |
Territories
The following neighboring regions who have put themselves under Alpine protection are considered Alpine territory as well:
| Flag | Name | Capital | Population | Protectorate Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Tirol | Bolzano | 252,421 |
2002 |
|
French Montblanc Massif & Grenoble | Grenoble | 542,114 | 2000 |
|
Rhine River of The Bodensee & Konstanz | Konstanz | 320,421 | 1999 |
|
Free State of Bavaria | Landshut | 750,000 | 2010 |
However, 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. By 2010, the Confederation's sphere of influence on former Bavaria has developed into reconstruction efforts, with a plebiscite to join the Confederation expected by 2020. The Hungarian and Czechoslovakian frontiers, outside the immediate environs of Bratislava/Pressburg and Sopron/Odenburg, remain largely closed off due to fallout and "security risks." In more recent years, however, Alpine control has gradually expanded across what had been western Hungary from Sopron/Odenburg as order continues to be consolidated there.
Government
The Alpine Confederation is governed by a newly constructed political system reflecting both the unique Swiss history in direct democracy and the Austrian Federal System. As before Doomsday, where the Swiss Confederation used cantons, the same is done, but an inclusion of "statelets" have been included. These are Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The statelets, although they are not represented in congressional meetings are mostly self-governing and administrative powers are evenly distributed to Bern, Linz, and Vaduz. From there, the statelets are divided into their constituent cantons and states. These make up the level with higher rights than the statelets in the federal scene. These cantons/states are also represented in the Confederate Government unlike the statelets. The denominations for the Swiss cantons and Austrian states have been unchanged. Liechtenstein, meanwhile, retains the monarchy and is otherwise integrated as a state into the Confederate System; the small realm thus uniquely serves as both a state and statelet.
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. This is done through a rotation of representatives from the component states and proportional to each statelet.
The Confederation President, continuing Swiss and Austrian customs, has only ceremonial functions and no real power. Due in part to the peculiar status of Liechtenstein, however, its Prince tends to be seen as a second, unofficial head of state, particularly by Liechtensteiners and local monarchists.
Economy
The economy of the Alpine Confederation relies on the financial sector for the most part, as the Swiss Banks were amongst the few to survive Doomsday. The Pilatus Aviation company is also a major exporter, supplying aircraft to various other nations, while the Austrian firms that comprised Steyr-Daimler-Puch prior to Doomsday continue to produce vehicles and weapons. Recently, tourism has again become a major earner as global travel has slowly increased in recent years.
Military
The Alpine Militia (Militia Alpina) is a mainly land-based force and follows the old Swiss Militia Structure which proved precious in maintaining order and defending the core state and statelets 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 one of the best-equipped and best trained militaries in Western Europe, along with the military of the Celtic Alliance and the military of the Nordic Union. The Alpine Militia operates the same equipment the pre-DD Swiss Army used, alongside NATO equipment salvaged from Italy and West Germany. SIG Arms AG is a major manufacturer of firearms, while Pilatus Aircraft is a major supplier of military aircraft. The Military is one of only two militaries in the world (the other being that of North Germany) to operate the formidable Leopard Two MBT, considered by many to be the best tank in the world. The Air Corp operates three types of combat aircraft, these being the Dassault Mirage III, the Northrop F-5E Tiger II and the Tornado IDS. Pilatus built PC-9s are also in service, as are Turbo-Porters built by the same company. The Navy, such as it is, operates a small number of corvettes and missile boats out the bases mentioned below.
One of the two naval bases is currently operated in Nizza-Monaco, jointly with ADC garrisons, and was only recently authorized in 2000 by the king of Monaco. The other major base is located in the city of Venice, another joint operation which in this case is undertaken with the Venetian Republic.
As with before the events of Doomsday, the Security of the Pope, now present in Rio de Janeiro, is provided by a Guard from the region. Composed of veterans of the Alpine Military and Police Forces, it has held the job once again since 1995. And, unlike before 1983, given the formation of the Alpine Confederation, recruits for the Alpine Guard may hail from any part of the Union, rather than just Switzerland.
International relations
The Alpine Confederation is a member of the League of Nations.
Since its contact with the Kingdom of Prussia, the relationship between the two lands has been described as tentative but cordial, which has grown warmer over time. More recently, an agreement was made with the Alpine Confederation to bring experienced officers to drill Prussian troops.
External links
- [1] Article showing that Vienna was a top Soviet nuclear target.
- [2] Showing a map of how Austria would have been invaded.
See also
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
