The Empire of Chaumont
From SCJU Wiki
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| Motto: 'Ad Maiorem Imperator Gloriam' Latin: 'For the Greater Glory of the Emperor' | |||||
| Anthem: Long Live Chaumont | |||||
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| Capital | Mont Napoleon | ||||
| Largest city | Mont Napoleon | ||||
| Official language(s) | English/French | ||||
| Government Emperor
Imperial Chancellor | Constitutional Empire Napoleon VI Michel Durandeau | ||||
| Empire of Chaumont - Founding of Chaumont - Chaumont joins CSA - Chaumont surrenders - Britain recognizes Chaumont - Chaumont drawn into WWII - Napoleon VI becomes Emperor | October 5th, 1816 April 14th, 1861 April 9th, 1865 March 17th, 1901 May 10th, 1940 February 3rd, 1960 | ||||
| Area • Total • Water (%) | 21,040 km² (89th) 20.47% | ||||
| Population • December 2005 est. • census • Density | 8,184,691 (88th) 486/km² (15th) | ||||
| GDP (PPP) • Total • Per capita | 2003 estimate $250 Billion (19th) $30,544 (17th) | ||||
| HDI (2003|2005) | 0.944 10th – Density | ||||
| Currency | Chaumontian Livre (Ł)
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| Time zone • Summer (DST) | EST (UTC-5) +1 (UTC-4) | ||||
| Internet TLD | .cmt | ||||
| Calling code | +55
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The Greater United Empire of Chaumont is a constitutional empire situated on the east coast of North America. It is also referred to with varying formality as the Empire of Chaumont and Chaumont.
Since the early 19th century, following the Napoleonic Wars, Chaumont has made a name for itself as a small but powerful country.
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Background information
Chaumont is located on the eastern shores of North America and borders the
United States on all sides. The states of Virginia and North Carolina are located closest to the Empire. Since 1816, Chaumont has been an independent state, ruled primarily by a member of the Napoleonic dynasty, starting with Napoleon I, the former Emperor of France, up to Napoleon VI, the current Emperor of Chaumont.
Summary
- Full Name - The Greater United Empire of Chaumont
- Short Name - The Empire of Chaumont
- Conventional Name - Chaumont
- Government Orientation - Hardline conservative Imperialists
- Government Type - Constitutional Empire
- Monarchy - The Imperial Family of Chaumont
- Official Languages: English and French
- Religion: Imperial Church: 52%, Atheïst: 37%, Roman Catholic: 6%, Other: 5%
- Currency: Chaumontian Livre
- Capital: Mont Napoleon
- Largest cities: Mont Napoleon, Brumaire, Bastide
- Population: 8,184,691
- Area: 21,040 km²
History
- Main article: History of Chaumont
Post Napoleonic Wars
Jaques-Louis David, the best-known painter of Chaumont. It depicts Emperor Napoleon I standing aboard the frigate Bellerophon, watching the coast of North America rise out of the Atlantic Ocean.
Chaumontian history starts at Napoleon's defeat at the Belgian town of Waterloo. After having most of his army destroyed, Napoleon decides not to await death at the hands of the Prussians and Russian troops or exile at the hands of the Dutch and British soldiers and flees France aboard the frigate Bellerophon.
Chased by the entire British fleet, the French frigate managed to survive several confrontations and eventually reached the safe harbor of New York. The President of the United States, James Madison, harbored deep resentment against Great Britain for having defeaten his country during the War of 1812.
Because of this, Madison allowed the Emperor to land on American soil. For the first time ever, an Emperor of the Old World set foot in the New World..
After more than a year of parties, celebrations and speeches, Napoleon began to step back from public life and retreated more and more to his New York estate. Historical records indicate the Emperor had become dissappointed with his new life and desperately desired a chance to govern. As a result of this desire, he began to interfere with American politics so often that it began to become nuisance to Madison's presidency.
Annoyed and more than willing to get rid of Napoleon, President Madison contacted several friendly landowners in Virginia and North Carolina who agreed to give up their land for financial compensation. The purchased land, surrounding the former French colony of Bastide, was subsequently donated to Napoleon as an independent state with the understanding that he would never interfere in American politics again. The deal was settled in the so-called 'Chaumont accord'.
The newly founded Empire turned out to be a great beacon for many Europeans desiring to flee from
Royalist France or the re-established absolute monarchies in other parts of Europe and thus Chaumont's population numbers gradually began to rise. Unfortunately for these settlers, most of the area which had been donated to Napoleon had not yet been touched by man and thus every single building, farm and road had to be constructed from scratch. Since the majority of Napoleon's corps of Engineers had made it to Chaumont, state projects quickly began to take shape. In the middle of a flat plain, Napoleon ordered his Engineers to raise a small hill, upon which the first Imperial Palace was built. The town that grew around it quickly began to be known as 'Mont Napoleon', which roughly translates to 'Napoleon's Mountain'.
Months after Mont Napoleon was founded and growing, a contingent of British marines landed on Chaumont's soil with orders to apprehend the Emperor and escort him back to Great Britain for trial. When this news reached the palace, Napoleon's detachment of Imperial Guardsmen hurried to the scene, only to find themselves outnumbered. In the battle that ensued, the marines were driven back into the sea, but at a very high cost in lives. Historians generally see this event as a turning point in Napoleon's attitude towards his new country. Whereas his progress up to this point can only be characterized as slow, after the attack he began to work in extremely fast. Within a week, a new constitution had been written, a new flag had been designed to replace the French flag he had been using up to this point, and a national anthem had been composed. His earlier plans for an impressive fortress surrounding Mont Napoleon and a larger Imperial Guard also began to take shape. Many believe he did all these things to distuingish Chaumont more clearly from his former Empire in France and thus hopefully convince nations around the world that Chaumont was nothing like France used to be.
When the Industrial Revolution swooped across Chaumont, the Empire quickly managed to become one of the most vibrant industrial areas of the southern part of North America and almost instantly gained the reputation of being the 'Birmingham of the America's'. This development not only brought great riches to the country, but to it's people and it's Imperial Family as well. The Emperor, his followers and his subjects soon became able to build splendid palaces, beautiful estates, massive fortresses and wide roads..
On the 18th of August 1843, Napoleon I, 74 years of age, passed away peacefully in his palace in Mont Napoleon, almost thirty years after he arrived in the New World. Today, he lies entombed near his former palace and opposite the Imperial Military Academy to inspire the cadets.
Napoleon II, the oldest son from Bonaparte's third marriage (his first after coming to the United States) succeeded him to the throne, at the age of 27. He carried on his father’s legacy and the country continued to flourish. Mont Napoleon grew larger and larger and soon gained the nickname 'Pearl of the New World' due to its great beauty and splendor..
Civil War
Unfortunately, Chaumont's success did not sit well with it's larger neighbour. The 15th President of the United States, James Buchanan, promised that he would raise tariffs on Chaumont when he would be elected as president and as soon as he was, he did. The cheap Chaumontian goods could no longer be exported to the United States and Chaumont's economy stagnated, leading to mass unemployment, causing more and more people to grow resentful.
On April 14th, 1861, the powder keg that had been smouldering underneath the empire exploded.
Secession had spread through the United States like wildfire as more and more Southern states stepped out of the Union to form the so-called Confederate States of America. Even though Chaumont had abolished all forms of slavery in 1821, there was still great sympathy for the Confederacy, due to Chaumont’s proximity to Virginia and North Carolina. But there was an even larger motivation to join the Confederacy in the form of the tariffs that President Buchanan had put in place. As said, on April 14th, the day Fort Sumter was attacked, a turning point in Chaumont’s existence had been reached. In an unprecedented session of the Imperial Congress, there was an almost unanimous outcry for Chaumont to join the Confederacy.
As the American Civil War broke out in all it's fury, Emperor Napoleon II made himself very popular among the population and leaders of the other states in the Confederacy. So popular even, that many of the CSA's politicians became convinced that the presidency should be abolished in favor of a more Europe-minded monarchy. The Confederacy attempted to establish diplomatic contact with the major powers of Europe, but had been unsuccesful up to this point. It was believed that, if the Confederacy became a monarchy, the European powers would be more likely to recognize it as an independent nation. As a further incentive to turn the Confederacy into a monarchy, Napoleon II renamed the old Imperial Guard into the Confederate Guard. Unfortunately, the matter was never brought to a vote in the Confederate Congress and therefore did not come to fruitition.
In the mean time, the expanded and reorganised units of the Imperial Guard managed to make a name for itself as the bravest military units of the American continent as it fought it's way into notoriety. As the Confederacy piled victory upon victory, with the exception of the battle of Antietam, more and more people became convinced that the war was drawing to a close.
Chaumont's hope of gaining a leading position within the Confederacy was shattered on the 3rd of July 1863 when Crown Prince Napoleon III, the leader of Chaumont's armies and an exceptional tactical genuis, was killed by a sniper's bullet on the battlefield of Gettysburg. Left practically leaderless, a series of unfortunate decisions by Guisseppe Garibaldi, who had been brought to Chaumont, demoralized the Confederate Guard. After Gettysburg, the war quickly descended into chaos and the realization of fighting for a lost cause began to sink in among the general population. Chaumont's harbors, once prospering and vibrating with life had grown silent after the Union Naval blockade. The Confederate Guard began to suffer more and more losses, due to casualties as well as
desertions.
January 10th 1865 is a black day in Chaumont's history. It marks the day the Union armies first marched on Chaumontian soil since the country's independence. On the hills of the town of Montereau, the Confederate Guard and the Army of the Potomac clashed. The Chaumontian forces managed to win the ensuing battle, but not before more than half of the Army of the Potomac had entered the Empire. Broken and exhausted, the Confederate Guard was unable to confront this threat and retreated into Virginia, leaving the Empire at the hands of the Northern Armies. After a two month siege, the capital of Mont Napoleon fell.
On April 9th 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse, General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S. Grant. On the same day the Emperor surrendered the remainder of Chaumont's Army to the same man. Grant informed the Emperor that he was 'free to return home' and that all Union armies were under orders not to arrest or kill him. On the road to Chaumont, the Emperor and President Abraham Lincoln met. Lincoln assured the Emperor that Chaumont would be permitted to exist as long as it would never take up arms against the United States again.
A persistent rumor in Chaumont is that, upon hearing of Lincoln’s death, Napoleon II sank into his seat, weeping for the man that had saved his country from annihilation. His Empire was now at the mercy of those who would seek retribution for the assassination..
Post Civil War
Chaumont did not become a subject of the Reconstruction and was left alone by Union forces and the American government, just as Lincoln had promised.
Overcoming the devastation of the war was hard. The economy had been all but ruined by the blockade, substantial portions of the male population had been killed and large parts of the capital lay in ruins. It took the Empire more than twenty years before it would experience any sort of economic growth. In 1892, the 76 year old Emperor Napoleon II, who had lead his country through the greatest peril since it's formation, died, three years after his beloved wife. He remained in tight control till his death. His last will and testament revealed that the crown would pass to his third son, Julien II, instead of his second son Antoine, who was killed three years later during a military inspection when a cannon-salute went horribly wrong.
Most historians and most Chaumonts see Emperor Julien II as the 'unlucky Emperor', because his reign started and ended with economic devastation, despite the fact that his economic policies during his time as Emperor were highly succesful. He succesfully managed to get the Empire's economy running again and brought in a great host of foreign investors. Despite lots of difficulties and some opposition inside and outside the Empire, he strengthened the ties with the United States, Canada and many European nations. Great Britain did not recognize Chaumont until the 17th of March 1901, a few months after the death of Queen Victoria, who had staunchly opposed recognition during her reign.
Twentieth Century
On July 30th 1914 Napoleon IV, the son of Julien II, married Catharina Romanov, the niece of
Nicolas II, the last Tsar of Russia. Coincidentally, Russia mobilized for World War One on the same day. The first son out of their marriage, as tradition requires also named Napoleon, was born almost a year later. On the 23rd of July 1917, Catharina was informed that her uncle and his family had been killed by communist rebels. Heartbroken, she retreated from public life altogether. When the other members of the Imperial Family finally convinced her to return to the spotlight, the war was almost over. Though Chaumont remained neutral during World War One, the majority of the population supported the allied cause.
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 hit Chaumont hard. Having finally overcome the economic difficulties following the Civil War, but not having being able to have developed enough financial reserves during and after World War One, Chaumont was plunged into a deep crisis. Investors withdrew their money and unemployment started shooting through the roof. Emperor Julien II was so disheartened by this unforeseen development that he unexpectedly abdicated in favor of his son. Three years later, after a long battle with cancer, he died.
The rise of communism and national-socialism throughout Europe became an increasing concern to the Imperial Family, while similar minded parties were established in Chaumont. Soon, Emperor Napoleon IV declared that measures had to be taken to ensure the survival of the Imperial Government. Several of these rogue political parties were disbanded, their leaders were arrested and imprisoned and their followers were frightened into believing that the same could easily happen to them. The Communist Party of Chaumont was tackled particularly hard, most likely because of the personal involvement of the Empress. The National-Socialist Chaumontian Workers Party, directly affiliated with the German Nazi-party, was dismantled and all of its members were arrested as enemies of the state.
During World War Two, Chaumont participated on the Allied side. In the interest of good relations with the Soviet Union, now an ally of Chaumont, the Emperor agreed to release a number of Communist political prisoners, including the leader of Chaumont's Communist party, Alain du Barry.
The Imperial Guard fought alongside British, Canadian, American and Polish troops at D-Day and marched through Paris on the 27th of August, two days after the city had been liberated and more than 129 years after Napoleon I had escaped from it. Chaumont's war effort was minimal in comparison to that of the other Allied powers, but in recognition of Chaumont’s dedication to fighting Nazism and defending democracy, President
Franklin D. Roosevelt, a close personal friend of Emperor Napoleon IV, lifted all of the remaining tariffs against Chaumont.
Since World War Two, Chaumont has continued to develop as a prosperous nation on the east coast of North America. Napoleon IV died in 1952, leaving the throne to his 37 year old son Napoleon V, who ruled for a mere seven years before dying himself. The Empire was subsequently run by Empress Victoria as regent until her son Napoleon VI turned 18. In 1960 he ascended to the throne and has ruled ever since.
Chaumont has been reprimanded by the General Assembly of the United Nations and
Amnesty International for its unreliable democratic process, the influence of the military, the lack of press freedom and Emperor Napoleon VI's unwillingness to relinquish any form of power to the democratic institutions. Chaumont has been able to escape sanctions due to a strong Chaumontian
lobby near the highest political figures in the United States and Europe which ensures an everlasting friendship between America and Chaumont and Europe and Chaumont.
Following the near-war with Pakkusena, the assassination attempt by the CCU on Emperor Napoleon VI, the subsequent declaration of Martial Law and the establishment of an alliance between Chaumont and Dominea, the Empire has taken a radical U-turn from all of it's previous policies and has allowed for more press freedom and more democratisation. Furthermore, in a completely unexpected diplomatic move, Chaumont joined the SCJU. Having established high hopes for the future, it is expected the Empire will continue to flourish within this new family.
Geography and climate
The Imperial Family
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The Imperial Family of Chaumont currently consists of Emperor Napoleon VI, his wife Empress Margaretha Philippa II and his two children: Heir to the Throne of Chaumont Napoleon Lucien Antoine and Princess Victoria Juliana. The extended family also consists of the Emperor's two brothers, their wives and their children. Unlike the Emperor and his family, his brothers and their families rarely appear in the spotlight.
Napoleon VI was born as Napoleon Robert Julien Bonaparte, Prince of of Montereau, in 1942 as son to Emperor Napoleon V and Empress Victoria. When his father unexpectedly passed away in 1952 at only 44 years of age, his mother became regent of the Empire.
During her reign, she allowed for a great deal of press freedom and listened closely to the advice of top politicians of various parties when she had to make crucial decisions. When her son ascended to the throne at the age of 18 (the legal age of adulthood in Chaumont) to become Emperor Napoleon VI, he took the Empire on a radically different course. Press freedom was curbed dramatically and in most cases he decided not to bother with advice from different political figures. Instead, he usually relied on his own opinions and that of his closest military advisors.
Recently, the Emperor has made a remarkable turnaround in his policies. Press freedom has been restored to the level it had been at during his mother's reign, top politicians of multiple parties are involved in advisory roles and, following the visit of the King of New Rhodesia, he has lead the Empire from an Ambassadorship at the SCJU to a membership of the same organisation.
Demographics
Language
National symbols
National Anthem
History
Long live Chaumont (officially: Great Hymn of the Empire) is the first and to this date only national anthem of the Empire of Chaumont. Even though the phrase 'Long live Chaumont' is not directly used in the text and is not the official name of the anthem, it has gained popularity over the use of the more formal 'Great Hymn of the Empire'.
When Emperor Napoleon I received the lands that are now Chaumont, he continued to use the
Marseillaise as a national anthem. After the Imperial Guard drove back a landing party of British Marines and the need to distinguish Chaumont from Napoleon's former Empire in France became greater than before, the Emperor set about writing a national anthem. Interestingly, Eugène Pottier helped the Emperor write the lyrics. Later on, Pottier set about writing the world famous socialist song
L'Internationale.
Music
There are various versions of the music available on the internet, but the most frequently used version is this version, played by the Imperial Symphony Orchestra and the Imperial Guard's Marching Band.
Lyrics
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First Verse: Long live the Empire, the Empire of Chaumont, Long live the Empire, the Empire of Chaumont, Long live the Empire, the Empire of Chaumont, Long live the Empire, the Empire of Chaumont, |
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Flags of the Empire
- Main article: Flag of Chaumont
The French Tricolore - 1815-1817
The first flag of the Empire was nothing more than the original tricolore of France, with it's familiar blue, white and red surfaces. This flag originated in the French Revolution and has been a symbol of French unity ever since. When Napoleon fled his Empire in 1815 and arrived in the United States, he still cherished a wish to return to France one day and reinstate his Empire. Even when the chance of such an event ever taking place diminished, he still flew the French colors from the roof of his New York estate. In 1817, after Chaumont had been donated to him and he had barely escaped arrest, Napoleon set about designing a flag for his new Empire.
The Confederate Flag of Chaumont - 1861-1865
The Confederate Flag of Chaumont served the Empire for a mere four years before being replaced again by the flag that preceded it and which will be discussed in detail below. This flag bears great similarities to the first official flag of the Confederacy; the Stars and Bars. The big difference is that the Chaumontian version bears the official motto of the Empire: 'Ad Maiorem Imperator Gloriam' and a large 'N' surrounded by a wreath of laurels is included in the centre of the twelve stars of the Confederacy. Chaumontians had a hard time adjusting to this new flag and most considered it to be the 'Battle flag' as it was primarily used by units of the Imperial Guard. The previous flag, which is also the current flag of the Empire, was still frequently used alongside this particular flag.
The current Imperial Flag of Chaumont - 1817-1861 and 1865 onward
The Imperial Flag of Chaumont has it's origins after the Battle of Montereau Ridge, where the Imperial Guard defeated a force of British marines at a high cost in lives. Spurred by this unexpected development, Napoleon immediately took measures to distuingish Chaumont from his former Empire in France. He wrote a constitution, a national anthem and designed a new flag. In many ways, Chaumont's flag is similar to that of France, but there are several distinctly different elements included. The most significant differences are slightly darker tones of red and blue and ofcourse the Great Crest of the Empire which covers most of the white field.
See the link above for a more detailed description of the current Imperial flag.
National Animal and Flower
The National Animal
The Canis lupus, also known as the Grey Wolf (or Timberwolf) is the national animal of Chaumont. Although the animal had been extinct in the area that is now Chaumont long before the Empire had been founded, it was reintroduced to the National Parks in the 1960's and subsequently became a national symbol when the national football team of Chaumont nicknamed themselves 'Timberwolves'.
In many ancient myths, the wolf was portrayed as a brave, honorable and intelligent creature. The best example of these myths can be seen among Native Americans. The wolf was also a revered animal in ancient Rome, as it said that the founders of Rome were raised by one. In more recent western folklore, the attitude towards wolves changed from admiration and respect to fear.
Human fear of the wolf is the reason it was nearly hunted out of existence. However, in the 20th century, with a renewed interest in wolves and a growing respect for Native American folklore, the animal has been generally depicted much more positively.
The Chaumontian wolf represents wisdom, power, bravery, honor and intelligence.
The National Flower
The Bellis perennis is a common European species of daisy, often considered the archetypal species of that name, though many other related plants share the name. To distinguish it from other daisies, it is sometimes qualified as Common Daisy, or occasionally English daisy. It is native to western, central and northern Europe and has been exported to Chaumont by the first settlers of the area. Chaumont is currently one of the few areas in North America where the flower flourishes.
Because of it's presence in Chaumont's fields and it's beauty once present on a large scale, many people consider this flower to be the national flower of Chaumont, though no flower or tree has officially been labelled as such.
The Chaumontian Daisy represents beauty and, because of the fact that it's unaffected by mowing, also represents perseverance and steadfastness.
| The Empire of Chaumont Summary |
History |
Geography-Climate |
Imperial Family |
Government |
Military |
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| Counties |
Greater Mont Napoleon | Seloire Delta | Perignac Ridge | Great Lake | Vebron Ridge | Greater Montereau |
| Major Cities |
Mont Napoleon (capital) | Mont Napoleon (comparison) | Bastide | Brumaire | Cayenne | Chateaufort | Mirambeau | Montereau |
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