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Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia
Royaume d'Araucanie et de Patagonië
Timeline: Emancipation (Map Game)
Flag Coat of Arms
Flag Coat of Arms
Location of Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia
Patagonia after the Chilean-Patagonian War
Motto
Indépendance et Liberté
("Independence and Liberty")
Capital
(and largest city)
Perquenco (1860-1861)

Viedma (since 1861)

Language
  official
 
French
  others Mapudungun, German, Hungarian, Croatian, Czech
Religion Catholic Christianity, Mapuche Religion
Ethnic Groups
  main
 
Mapuche
  others French, Austrian, Hungarian, Croatian, Czech
Demonym Patagonian
Government Absolute Monarchy
  Legislature Lonkos's Assembly
King Jean I
  Royal house: de Tounens
Independence from Chile and Argentina
  declared 1860
  recognized 1864

The Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia (Spanish: Reino de la Araucanía y de la Patagonia ; French: Royaume d'Araucanie et de Patagonië), also simply called Patagonia, is kingdom in South America founded by a French lawyer and adventurer named Orélie-Antoine de Tounens. The state lacked recognition from the international community until 1863, after which it gained international recognition from Austria and Argentina.

History[]

Creation and war with Chile[]

Orélie-Antoine was elected King by the Mapuche Lonkos (chiefs of tribe) in hope he could help their cause. Under the name of Antoine I, he claimed the regions of Araucania and of eastern Patagonia for his Kingdom. He then established his capital in Perquenco and created a Blue, white and green flag for his nation.

The creation of the Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia lead to the approval of the Occupation of Araucania by Chilean forces in 1861. Following the lost of the region, Antoine I decided to recognize the authority of Chile over Araucania, thus abandoning all pretensions over the region, in hope of stopping their advance in the region.

In early 1863, the lack of offensive from the Chileans lead the King to deal with internal issues. He invited many Frenchs to join his kingdom and gave them nobility titles, hoping to establish a true court in Viedma. He also produced his own money during those months. It was followed by another attack from the Chileans, who waited for the Patagonians to lower their guard.

However, support suddently came in late 1863 on the form of Austria, who sent 12,000 volunteers to help the Patagonians in the war. With their leader, Heiner von Kermann, the Patagonian forces were able to organize both offensives and defences of the territory against the Chilean. The following year, Austria renewed its support, and even recognize the claim of King Antoine I over both Patagonia and Araucania. In the following months, Argentina sent troops to help Patagonia to fight against Chile. This was followed by and offensive in Araucania, and in 1866 the capture of the Chilean capital. This allowed Patagonia to take half of Chile and get rid of his main enemy.

Creation of a State[]

Orélie Antoine de Tounens

King Antoine I of Patagonia

Following the end of the war, King Antoine named Heiner von Kermann Secretary of State. With his help, economy began to bloom in Patagonia, and Heiner began his plan to industrialize the country. Those attempts to industrialize the country were helped by Belgium, which sent experts to help. Te King being a lawyer, both him and von Kermann worked together to create the definitive laws of succession and to work a treaty with the Mapuche that garanted their rights over their lands. This last part was not appreciated by the conservatives of the kingdom, including Vincent Montessier.

During the war between Austria and Prussia (1866-68), Patagonia sent 8,000 troops under the command of General Antinanco Saqui. This lead to the necessity of modernizing the army. Between 1868 and 1870, Marshal Vincent Montessier organize massive recruitment and improved the military of the state.

The industrialization of the country was made possible with the help of the Secretary of State Heiner von Kermann, who rapidly became the most important man in the country after the King himself. He also helped the King write the rights of the Mapuches, which was opposed by the conservatives. The army was also improved under the leadership of Marshal Vincent Montessier, who trained the army into a true national force.

Reign of Jean I[]

Under the reign of Jean I, the general ideology of the government shifted from pseudo-libaralism to true conservatism as the Montessier family gained more power in the government. King Jean I was also noted to be a more active King than his predecessor.

Military[]

Vincent Montessier

Vincent Montessier

The army of Patagonia is mainly composed of Native Mapuche. Each of those troops are assembled by the local tribes, and then organized in a conform army by the officers. They have access to modern weaponry, although lack the training of other armies to use them. A smaller part of the army also include the Latino-Americans who are in Patagonia. They are sometime concidered veterans of the army, and often serve as low-ranks officers.

Since 1863, some French military officers came to Patagonia in hope of glory and titles. Many of them were given titles of nobility, including Vincent Montessier, who was made Duke of Confluencia. Montessier was an officer of the French Army before joining, and was made Marshal of Patagonia.

Economy[]

In 1863, King Antoine I decided to print his own money for his Kingdom, naming it the "Laurier". However, the money only became used my traders for common trades and economic deals by late 1864, when the country became to be recognized internationaly.

The economy of Patagonia is mainly based on agriculture, mining and whaling.

Since 1867, Secretary of State Heiner von Kermann began to work on the industrialization of Patagonia, which was helped by Belgium.

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