History of Fortuna: Difference between revisions
→The Great War and Revolutions
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Entering into the 20th century saw the start of the global conflict known as [[The Great War]], known as well as the Great Catastrophe in modern day Fortuna. Due to the Aspirian Isles' geographical location being between the fighting powers, the islands inevitably was brought into the war. In order to remain having access to the Pacific Ocean, Packilvania quickly gained control of the islands of Toscani and most of Emili in the first few months. Fearing occupation as well, nobility and state leaders of Ancona agreed to allow military access for the anti-Morstopackia alliance which also included the occupation of Eridani Theta. The Medium Sea would become the center of naval conflict with the first major battle between an Asendavian-Vekaiyun-Valokchian fleet and a Packilvanian fleet of pre-dreadnought battleships. As the war drew on, the native population became discontent with the foreign occupation, leading to numerous factions and rebel groups to form, playing an important role in the early formation of Fortunan nationalism. Occupation of the Aspirian Isles would continue until the end of the war in 1917 following an agreement to end the war by both sides. Preferring to set up a buffer state instead of continuing their occupation, participants of the war agreed to return sovereignty to the Aspirian Isles. A proposal was made to unite the islands under a single government, but the idea was quickly dropped due to disagreements and protests by the native nobility.
Inspired by the communist uprising in Packilvania following the end of the Great War, communist sentiment picked up on the isles, especially on the island of Toscani which gained the most contact with the mainland. This period saw immense suppression attempts by state leaders and the nobility as dissent continued to grow amongst the general population. It all came to a head on 2 April 1924 when during a strike of shipbuilders and port workers, law enforcement fired upon protesters, killing dozens. Known as the Shipbuilders Massacre, the protest in the city turned into an uprising as citizens of the city overthrew the city leaders after a week of bloody conflict. Inspired by the actions in Terine, uprisings across the island began to spread. Delfino Pane, an officer of the Toscanan Army, denounced his allegiance to the sitting prince and began using his forces to assist revolutionaries and push back loyalist troops. On 17 October 1924, revolutionary troops overran the Royal Palace of Toscani, forcing the royal family to flee to Ancona. Elsewhere on the Fortunan Archipelago, attempts at uprising were made, however state leaders were fully prepared and crushing dissent with an immediate crackdown. By 1925, the People's Republic of Toscani was formed as Delfino Pane serving as
During Pane's years in office, he made immense changes to the political and social system of Toscani. The most impactful action was the immediate dissolution of the nobility on the island and the distribution of former noble land to peasants.
Fearing a larger uprisings in the future, the states of Emili and Ancona made a few concessions and reforms to please the general population. In Emili, Prince Aristeo agreed to limitations of his power as head of state, handing over most administrative duties to the Prime Minister. The Reforms Act and Elections Act 1934 also allowed for better representation by the people and further limitations on the aristocracy, along with making the legislative body bicameral with the formation of the Noble Chamber and the Common Chamber. Meanwhile in Ancona, reforms and changes would occur at a slower pace with the state remaining an absolute monarchy until the adoption of a constitution in 1938, turning the state into something similar to that of a semi-constitutional monarchy. To prevent communist and socialist parties to overtake their governments, the state leaders of Ancona and Emili heavily promoted capitalism and nationalism through extensive propaganda campaigns.
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