Martinique (1983: Doomsday)

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Martinique Martinique (French) (Part of the RTFA) Timeline: 1983: Doomsday OTL equivalent: Martinique
Martinique shown in the Caribbean
Capital		Fort-de-France
Largest city		Fort de France
Official languages		French
Regional languages		Antillean Creole (Créole Martiniquais)
		1983
Government
-	President	Claude Lise
Area
-	Total	1,128 km2  436 sq mi

Martinique (French pronunciation: ​[maʁtinik]) is an island in the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of 1128 sq km (436 sq mi). The island of Martinique was once an overseas territory of France, and has since joined several other French-speaking former territories in the Republic of the French Southern Territories as a territory. One of the Windward Islands, it is directly north of St. Lucia, northwest of Barbados, and south of Dominica. The island of Martinique was one of the first French-speaking territories outside the Pacific or Indian Oceans to join the republic, and is the Republic's most populous territory in the Caribbean, leading to the creation of a regional capital in the Martinique city of Fort-de-France.

History

Pre-Doomsday

Martinique had long been a part of the French republic, but by the 1960's support for the republic was waning with the establishment of the pro-independence OJAM acting as a vehicle for independence supporters and resentment of France.

With growing tensions after Gendarms shot dead two striking banana workers and after a hurricane between 1979-80 the French Government eventually granted the islands further autonomy.

Post-Doomsday

The events of doomsday would hit the nation of Martinique incredibly hard with it's agriculturally, tourism and aid reliant economy quickly crumbling under the pressure of the loss of communication with the French Republic and the Doomsday fallout. The nation would fall into economic and social chaos, amidst intense economic fear, with members of the Beke community (descendants of historic French islanders) and White Martiniquans coming into conflict with the majority of African Martinicans. The island would experience intense violence after DD especially between seperatists and French expatriats, that would destabilise the nation completely.

In a state of regional disaster, French forces in the region would be forced to intervene with the remnants of the Les forces armées aux Antilles (FAA), quickly taking charge of the island in order to prevent it's complete and utter collapse. The forces would quickly take use of Martinique as their main base for operations amidst the collapse of communication with the Government of the Republic.The FAA would assume control of all fucntions of Government days after the events of DD, with the Leader of the Detachment effectively becoming head of the Government of Martinique and the Lesser Antilles.

The force of roughly 1,000 strong would have to keep the peace on an island of around 300,000 people. Whilst, at first chaos would continue to reign, with race related violence contributing to a number of deaths after DD alongside major property damage and looting (borne from the fear of wealth loss and a lack of food). The Military would be unable to effectively intervene orignially, but after further coordination with remaining French leadership on the island, they would be able to secure the capital. Upon securing Fort De France the FAA would declare a State of Emergency, putting the country under official Military administration, setting up a military police, military courts (to ratify laws and judgements) and a 'Military Government'.

Looting and violence would remain a major problem as fears of a major famine took hold, the FAA kept hold of the capital and continued to ration supplies but the rest of the islands fell into chaos. After nearly a year of continued economic and social strife, the FAA managed to secure effective communication with the Government of Brazil, who offered limited aid supplies before more could arrive in 1985.The Government accepted, desperate to secure some resources to keep the garrison and island running smoothly. Thousands had died without food, wealth pr medical supplies outside of the capital region, and so the situation was unimaginably dire.

Nevertheless, when Aid from the South American nation arrived in October, the country celebrated. The aid would help to ensure that the population would not starve until further aid arrrived, and many of the tools and equipment supplied would come in handy for agriculture and communication with Brazil. The main crops including Sugarcane, Pineapples and Bananas, had proved unessential in the middle of isolation and desperation for food. Yet after years of the soil being left alone and with new equipment and seeds, the population could grow more suitable crops.

More aid would arrive in late 1985, to support the renewal of the island's economy and to help end the food an medical crisis. Whilst, famine continued to hold a deathly grip on the nation, the new aid from Brazil and improved farming ability would help the nation immensely.

Over the coming years, new aid from Brazil and other Northern South American countries would prove essential to improve the nation's situation. It had suffered a complete disaster having been cut off from France and nealry all of it's support, yet by 1987 it was clear that a recovery was beggining. Many would die throughout the late 80's and racial violence woudl remain a major issue in the capital, but the food situation would improve.

With a stabilised situation, in 1989 the Government decided to move forces to secure the rest of the island (non-farming land etc.) . Whilst many communities had been ravaged and thousands were dead, the Army were still hailed as saviours by many who had seen the destruction without any Government or resources. Little would be supplied to the rest of the island, but it would be enough to keep it running.

Throughout the early 90's ,with the FAA securing communication with other Carribean nations and improving relations with South America, trade was renewed, with any remaining export crops such as pineapples once again being sold to well-off populations in the continent. This renewed trade and monetary inflow would help the Government to purchase more and improve the conditions of the island. Under the FAA all food had been distributed by th Army because with so little money coming in it would not have gone to those who needed it, but by 1993 the Government began to distribute some of the money to help re-establish some of the lost small businesses (some had survived in the capital).

This renewal of some wealth would help the population immensely, with new service industries helping to both improve moral, but also living conditions. While the economy would remain fragile and many Martinicans would claim elements of racism in distribution, the situation was under control. Martinique was not self-sufficient or a thriving economy in any way shape or form, but it had managed effective communication and was able to survive without support for periods of time.

By the late 90's the issue of interacial violence had been heavily reduced, nevertheless a larger issue of attacks against the Military Police developed. Many believed distribution of wealth from good's they were now suitably farming to be wrong, they also believed the police were more likely to arrest African Martinicans than White Martinicans. In order to solve this perceieved problem, some established small guerilla groups to attack Military Police units or raid military offices in the capital. These attacks would lead to major infrastructure damage and loss of life that would provoke questions over creating a civilian administration.

In 1999 amidst this growing issue of military rule and wealth distribution, Martinique was offered to join the Republic of French Southern Territories. While, the military were keen for support and to join this union many felt that Martinique should focus on it's own issues not those of a so called 'Global Republic'. With a lack of consensus among officials in the military or the developing civilian administration, the military organised a referendum for April 27th 1999. The referendum would be very hard fought, with many African Martinican pressure groups calling for a 'no' vote, whilst many in the FAA called for a 'yes' vote.

The Referendum on the 27th would come down to the wire but in the end it would be a hard-fought victory for the Yes-vote who won by roughly 60%. Whilst, many would celebrate joining the RTFA, radical groups of African Martinicans would thoroughly protest, with a number of Military administration buildings harmed by arson attacks or graffiti. Riots inspired by this destruction would break out across the capital, and whilst combated by many common Martinicans, would quickly spiral out of control. The Military Police and FAA would eventually control the riots and imprison the leadership, but it was a good signal for the FAA to finally relinquish power. The FAA had been slowly civilianizing and many votes by the martial law leadership had involved civilians, nevertheless on the 14th of July (Bastille Day) the FAA would officially hand power over to a civilian administration as the island joined the RTFA.

FAA forces would remain on the island, and would be essential in maintaining trade and aid pathways from South and Central America, nevertheless an election would be held to elect a new Government of Martinique. The 38 member Regional Assembly of Martinique would be established as the elective body of Martinique within the RTFA, and grant the island large-scale autonomy within the RTFA/ 6th French Republic. The Regional Assembly would be elected every 5 years to represent the island population.

The 1999 Election results;

The General Election to the Regional Assembly would consist of the Martinican Independence Movement (anti-RTFA), and the newly established; Martinican Democratic Progressive Party (centre-left, Pro RTFA) and Martincian Democratic Rally (centre-right, Pro RTFA).

Left- Martinican Independence Movement, Centre- Martincian Democratic Progressive Party, Right- Martinican Democratic Rally

Political Parties	Leader	Seats
Martinican Independence Movement	Alfred Marie-Jeanne	11
Martincian Democratic Progressive Party (And Miscellaneous Left)	Claude Lise	14
Martincian Democratic Rally (And Miscellaneous right)	Pierre Petit	13

After The Election

The results of the first Martincian Election would be a slight victory for the MDPP over the MDR , nevertheless they would still need 20 seats to form a majority. Unlike the MIM they both supported the RTFA, had influences from both local and French populations and advocated centrist policies. These factors tied the parties together and allowed them to form a Cabinet (called the General Council) led be Claude Lise, as President of the Assembly/General Council (and representative for Martinque to the RTFA), with Petit as Deputy-President (although they effectively shared the role).

1999-2004;

While the Military Government had set out a number of laws in military courts, there was no official civilian constitution and so the first job of the new Government was to establish an official constitution for the islands. Whilst, the process would take years the original aims were to Enshrine Democracy, Promise to play a role in the restoration of the Republic and ensure the Freedom to execute the law and hold essential human rights. By 2000 an investment in transport had been made, and a privatisation of agriculture had been developed, while first section of the constitution had also been written;

"The people of Martinique solemnly proclaim their attachment to the Rights of Man and the principles of national sovereignty, in alleigance to the French Republic. By virtue of these principles and that of the self-determination of peoples, the Island of Martinique believes itself to be a land enshrined in the new French Republic on the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity for the purpose of democratic development"

With a newly developing constitution and legal system, the Government was seen to be substantially benefitting the island. Whilst, the distribution of food and supplies continued, increased trade and growing tourism allowed money to flow around the newly encouraged/privatized elements of the economy (some farms and larger businesses). Nevertheless, medical supplies would remain in the hands of the Government who began setting up a National Health Care Service.

These advancements came alongside a number of meetings in French Polynesia to discuss the setup and structure of the RTFA. A pact was agreed to share military secrets, share military stockpiles and organise a trade zone with reduced tarrifs. These major advancements towards a new but free Socially Democratic Republic, were seen as a step in the right-direction by many islanders.

Over the next-few years whilst Crime remained a major issue, the development of trade with other developing Carribean islands and the new French Republic relationship helped the island to begin focussing elsewhere other than agriculture, which it had prioritized out of necessity. The new Government focussed on building new roads and developing the port of Fort De France in order to connect the economy and help business competition.

This continued advancement around the capital was detrimental to the efforts of the MIM in the region, nevertheless elsewhere were many farmers had been forced to change crop and hurt by changes to agricultural policy the MIM remained a strong force (many felt left out and neglected), with many believing they were treated as they backbone of the economy but not rewarded for it.

Yet, the Martnique election of 2004 would still prove a necessary victory for the current Government and General Council.

The 2004 Election Results;

Left- Martinican Independence Movement, Centre- Martincian Democratic Progressive Party, Right- Martinican Democratic Rally

Political Parties	Leader	Seats
Martinican Independence Movement	Alfred Marie-Jeanne	7
Martincian Democratic Progressive Party (And Miscellaneous Left)	Claude Lise	16
Martincian Democratic Rally (And Miscellaneous right)	Pierre Petit	15

2004 After Election;

Yet again it would be a victory for Claude Lise and the MDPP, who would go on to form a coalition with the MDR and Pierre Petit. Lise would yet again be President and Petit would be Vice-President (co-president). The MIV on the other hand would begin to splinter with a Right-wing offshoot called the Martinican Independence Alliance springing out soon after the election.