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Auvergne (1983: Doomsday)

From Alternative History

La République Auvergnat
The Auvergni Republic or The Republic of Auvergne
Timeline: 1983: Doomsday
Flag of Auvergne
Flag of Auvergne
Capital: Clermont-Ferrand
Language:
  official:
 
French
  Other languages: local dialects
Religion: Catholicism
State religion, freedom granted
Type of government: Parliamentary republic
Préfet: Patrick Stéfanini
Premier Ministre: Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Area: 85,500 km² (claimed), 16,013 km² (ruled) km²
Population: est. 1,541,000 inh.
Established: 1983
Currency: Franc Auvergnat


Contents

[edit] History

Auvergne's history is long and varied. It was among the first colonization efforts of Rome as it expanded into Gaul, with notable battles between Julius Caesar and Vercingetorix who won the battle, but ultimately lost the war. Auvergne has largely been a quiet part of France for much of modern history, notably holding the traitorous Pétain-government during World War II at Vichy.

[edit] Pre-Doomsday

Michelin's tire plant, located at Clermont-Ferrand brought some renewed prosperity to the region, and helped to increase the population of the area.

[edit] Post-Doomsday

Much of the devastated population that survived the nuclear attacks on Marseille and Lyon moved westward, quickly overwhelming the cities of St. Etienne. Clermont-Ferrand and its suburbs were able to set up some level of protection around the city through use of rail cars, semi-trucks and other vehicles to block the roads and overland routes.

For many years Clermont-Ferrand maintained little contact outside of its agglomeration which survived under strict martial law and a stridently maintained Guard Clermontois, where all able bodies men were recruited to serve in rotation protecting the region. Women and children over the age of 12 were pushed to maintain agricultural measures. This tight stricture was maintained until 1990.

[edit] Post-1990

Flag of Auvergne from 1983 to 1989, and proposed replacement.

Regional government was established around the Agglomération Clermontois and was soon established to take in much of the valley between Clermont-Ferrand and Thiers. Envoys to cities southward were sent, and as each city proved that it could at least maintain its own police force to prevent petty crimes and vangrancy, they were admitted to the Regional Council. Among the first edicts of the Regional Council was a change from the prior flag, that of France with the Auvergnat shield in Canton to a flag of Auvergne.

Actual control of the region is questionable as you move away from Clermont-Ferrand and Thiers, but local police forces are becoming more and more reliable.

Contact was made with La République Poitevine in 2006, and in early 2009 with Monaco and an envoy of the League of Nations. Many representatives of the region are pushing for a re-unification and reconstitution of France.

[edit] See also