Equatannia: Difference between revisions

A majority of Equatannia's recent history was spent in a period of isolation that was brought about through administrative policy by Olympia Starr, the nation's first and longest-serving Head of State (1918-1940). This policy was introduced as The Foreign Affairs Neutrality Resolution (FANR) due to fear of conflict from surrounding nations during the foundational years of the fledgling federal state, and was in place from 1937 until 2019. The Foreign Affairs Neutrality Resolution forbid the Federal Government of Equatannia from directly interacting with any foreign national state, while allowing near-open immigration from all Urth nations. The policy was repealed after The Federal Reveal Act (FERA) was passed by Congress and signed by current President Melinde Roswuud on December 21, 2019.

January 1, 1937 marked the Third People's Inauguration as the third People's Assembly and first Regional were sworn in by President Olympia Starr. In the early months of 1937 that followed, regional tensions rose as natives from the eastern portion of Irnac attacked the northern capital Nuuvari from the shore using canoes and simple weapons on several occasions. These attacks, along with separate rising tensions from nearby nations, lead President Starr to propose The Foreign Affairs Neutrality Resolution (FANR) to Congress on April 29, 1937. This proposed resolution would forbid Equatannia's federal government from directly contacting any foreign national state, making any declarations of war, and conducting federalized trade. With strict guidelines for the President, Cabinet members, and Congresspeople to abide by, the resolution gave much more power to the Regional governments when it came to foreign trade, but still forbade the regional governments from initiating any trade deals with foreign nations.

The FANR was approved by both branches of Congress on May 10 and was signed the following day by President Starr and the second Speaker of the People, Cristofer Benyne, who won his reelection bid. As no foreign embassies had been established by the federal government by this time, the only relocation of government officials after the resolution was passed was the retreat of ambassadors that had been traveling between the Meagharian capital and the southern capital Canora. The FANR contained legislation that redirected foreign affairs funds toward urbanization of infrastructure, education, and welfare. The resolution also contained guidelines on how the Head of State needs to respond when contacted by a foreign government, which includes thanking them for making contact while also explaining that Equatannia is currently focusing on internal development. The federal government began working on initiating the legislation of the new resolution while distributing funds to different departments, especially expanding the Citizen Welfare Department, over the course of the next three years leading up to the first presidential elections in Equatannia. President Olympia Starr announced that she would not be seeking a reelection campaign on January 3, 1940. She explained in a public speech in downtown Equaa that she felt she has accomplished everything she has set out to do for the people of Equatannia, and that she knows it is time for new leadership to begin leading the country forward with "effects of unimaginable progression." The general election came down between former Speaker of the People, Cristofer Benyne, and Representative Dulan Guraun from Nuuvari. The election was held on the Federal Holiday December 5, 1940 and Speaker Benyne was announced as the victor the following morning across national news outlets. President-elect Benyne received open endorsements from many Representatives during his campaign, and won with 78% of the vote. Madame Starr spoke of her disfavor of endorsing any candidate, as she stated she entrusted the people of Equatannia to "vote with their mind and heart." President Benyne was sworn in as the second President of Equatannia on January 1, 1941.

Over the next few decades, Equatannia's four major metropolitan areas went under intense urbanization and modernization under President Benyne's leadership. Roadways were expanded and paved, railroads were expanded to connect communities, and skylines began to grow year by year. The national economy initially shrunk, but eventually stabilized to where it has remained since around 1964. Internal trade among regions, cities, and villages was at an all-time high as separate regions imported and exported various goods that were unique to the region. The Equatannian culture encountered a renaissance that brought new light and internal appreciation to Equatannian arts. Museums and education centers containing various Equatannian artifacts, art, and performance venues were funded by the regional and federal governments while enrollment in primary school, secondary school, and higher education became the national norm by 1949. The Equatannian Armed Forces surprisingly continued to grow during the next few decades as career benefits and competitive salary allowed for many young Equatannians to enlist after attending higher education. <br />