Revolutionary period of Empherias

The Revolutionary period was the era of Empherias history between 2395 and 2448. The period came to an end because of Empherias' unification with the High Kingdoms of Alaxia, beginning the Alaxian period of Empherias.

History by premiership

2395 Revolution

See also: 2395 Revolution of Empherias

Felix D'laminet's Tenure

See also: Provisional Government of Empherias, 52nd Government of Empherias, and 53rd Government of Empherias.

Following the formation of the Provisional Government, there were a lot of objectives on the agenda of the ruling party to bring Empherias back into a functioning state and one that could modernise. The biggest threat to the power of the newfound democracy with the faction of Frankists which had congregated around restoring the monarchy to power. It had been supported by rich and upper class people, lords and nobles and those who had to work for these nobles. They wished to return Rijkse James VII to power, although many are doubtful on how much he would want to return and fight his daughter, if at all. To combat their influence, D'laminet introduced the End of Serfdom Act 2397 which freed all working serfs (although not many) and made the practice illegal. Furthermore, he would send royal guards to large estates often to check that no serf-like practices were being used. The court would also give extended punishments to nobles who would continue to use serfdom such as seizure of lands, wealth and possible imprisonment.

Wishing to gain as much support from the working class, Felix D'laminet would expand the ability to vote to a universal franchise of any person of any background over 18 years of age with Empher citizenship. Seeking the vote of immigrants, he would also make Empher citizenship much easier to get requiring holding a permanent habitation visa for at least two years; spending at least forty-six weeks of the year in Empherias for the past two years; holding at least eighty percent of assets in Empherias; and having a job in Empherias, or be on the Register of Work if they are unemployed. Wanting to set a democratic precedent, the government introduced the Fixed Term Parliament Act 2397 which set elections to take every 2000 days (around 5 and a half years) with the PM able to hold an election early, but not later, than that date. Furthermore, parliament would have the ability to pass a motion to hold an early election without the approval of government with a majority of votes in favour. He also required parliament be formed via proportional representation.

In May 2397, Alice Rettels and Harry Redworks would travel to the Hveden Federation hoping to stop the idea of intervention on the side of the monarchists. They would also ask for aid in legitimising their government through recognition. Similar diplomatic trips were made to Ahitereira, Koresa and Karkuss. Amelia Rattsenburg was tasked with showing off the new government's pro-people policies with the use of frequently updated news articles in both privately owned papers, and a new public paper, the "Eye in Esthullen" managed by the Ministry of Information, headed by Rattsenburg. There would also be an appeal to help gain the support of the nobility to persuade them to change side from the Frankists.

Noble Insurgency

Henry Alark, the newly appointed Minister of Defence, would be tasked with turning the military into a formidable force able to fend off against a noble insurgency if it happened. General William Weslington was made Chief of the Armed Forces and would begin rigorous army officer training with appointments based on a meritocracy rather than birth-right. The National Army of Empherias would be reformatted from the previous monarchist rule and would be indoctrinated into new democratic values and taught at their military schools the negatives of monarchist rule. Elite troops would be inducted into the Royal Guards which would hold permanent standings in major cities and train lower ranked troops and officers. Various militia would be made up of volunteers and would begin training of two years - although there was fear in government that they didn't have that time.

The Battle of Priscei Cathedral broke out as noblemen rose up in the city of Priscei on 7 September 2397 and capture the city without resistance. Using local farms and food stores, they held in the town for two weeks as they were surrounded by the Empherias Army. Henry Alark personally. The noblemen, Lord Peter Rindelburg, had around 5000 militia although they were poorly trained and armed following restrictions on gun usage. The army surrounding the city was made up of 600 royal guards, and 15,000 national army troops. They laid a blockade which lowered the supplies of the nobles until 14 September. The following day, Alark ordered a siege and barraged the city from all sides. Due to superior training and morale, the Populist suffered just 800 casualties while the poor morale of the noblemen troops (because they fought out of obligation not genuine agreement) led to 4300 casualties, wiping out nearly the whole army from injuries, death or prisoners of war. Henry Alark had won the battle within just a week. Lord Peter was captured, had his titles stripped and was put on trial as a regular man in the Court of Wynnoa where he was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death.

The embarrassing defeat of the insurgency saw monarchist support dwindle. Many local lords still in power were forced to support the government or be moved from their posts by force from the people. The former Rijkse's disappearance and apparent happiness to live in a country estate in Hvede also led to the idea that the change to government was supported by the God as the new Rijkdottir supported the change. Many placed trust in the new government, especially the working class, who were able to vote for the first time. Some monarchist supporting nobles were stripped of their titles and lands to scare other lords from supporting monarchism. Rijkdottir Abigail released a statement on 1 December 2397 which essentially announced her decision to remove all her proper power and give it to the Prime Minister via royal prerogative, making her fundamentally a figurehead.

D'laminet's First Term

One of the things that D'laminet wanted to normalise was the delivery of a biannual budget by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Robert Webber every February and August with review to scrutiny by parliament. This made it clear that government spending could be criticised and be held accountable to opposition MPs outside of an election. A majority of MPs, if against the budget, could hold a vote to delay the budget to ask for amendments, but the executive would ultimately have final say when the budget becomes official in mid March or mid September. Robert Webber would work with First Lord of the Treasury Henry Watford often and this shifted their bond closer together outside of cabinet meetings with D'laminet, developing the Double W Relationship.

Laws launched in 2398 included the Protection of Ancient Artefacts Act 2398 which legally protected ancient artefacts and monuments under government ownership to be delegated to public museums or private museums holding a licence. These protections would often be delegated to private monument protection agencies or local councils and authorities. In 2398, there were small changes to the terms and conditions for enlisting soldiers and there was a small reform to the prison system which made political punishments much less severe. The year also saw the official coronation of Rijkdottir Abigail on Empherias National Day (21 December) where she made an incredibly powerful speech to the House of Parliament swearing to never by a tyrant.

There were less no laws in 2399 and more looking for stability. Investment was handed out to businesses in order to increase aggregate demand and grow the economy.

Henry Alark would found the Navy of Empherias officially holding a massive ceremony on the Ewynn River. Following countless months of negotiations, Alice Rettels announced that a deal with the government of Ahitereira-Koresa had been signed on 1 July 2400, the Treaty of Nieuwbourg was ratified by both parties by 8 July 2400. This treaty would see a huge uptick in support for Ahitereira-Koresa as allies within the nation and would also see international trade being done with the world for the first time - however it would take time to create. Nieuwbourg became a 'political' exclave of Empherias on the mouth of the river to the ocean. Empherias workers imported would work alongside local workers to fill local unemployment to build a new port although this would be done with cheap materials in a quick time by November 2403. The port would have tariffs set directly by the Empherias government but the land the port is on would be rented, with $1,200,000 paid annually to Ahitereira-Koresa. Furthermore, 50% of all profits earned by the port would be given to Ahitereira-Koresa. Empherias and Koresan workers would also build three railways connecting the port to Vreimer for processing trade. Two would be cargo while one would be a passenger route and all would be owned by the Empherias government under several different small government-owned firms. Several other terms were signed but the governments were happy with the deal and led to an explosion in population for Vreimer.

Welfare State

Following pending legislation, the Empherias Healthcare Service (EHCS) was established as a government body. Early government reports suggested paying for the service via an increase in traditional income taxes, but after consideration this idea was dropped in favour of a new national insurance system. National Insurance would cost 7% of your total earnings between 150 krones and 1100 krones per week, and then 0.5% on any earnings after 1100 krones per week.