I’d put New Austria, the bulk of the New World and the United African States as unique. If it helps
The RDNA-verse: A Strange, Worldbuilding TL
- Thread starter mdc_1957
- Start date
ED: "The Ladies of the New World" (c.2024)
Not sure if it technically counts, but just in time for Christmas, here's a little surprise for the RDNA-verse to end 2020 on a better note: commissioned portraits for the major female Nations-Personifications of the New World. Namely New Austria/Francesca and Gran Patagonia/Priscilla themselves, representing the Royalist and Republican powers respectively. The DeviantArt version can be found here.
Both of them have been around since the very beginnings of the timeline's creations, when they were just OCs. Remarkably, however, more than a few elements, such as their general descriptions, personalities, and identities as "Nation-Personifications" have remained relatively consistent over the years, even putting into account the retcons and changes. That being said, if you can read through the "redacted" text, you may find a few extra surprises.
While the background maps are based on my recently-posted The Long Cold War-A Paralyzed World, the art was also done by the talented Warrior Desu (who can also be found on Pixiv). So, kudos to him for an excellent job!
At any rate, hope you enjoy this present. Happy Holidays and see you in better times. 2021, here we come!
Both of them have been around since the very beginnings of the timeline's creations, when they were just OCs. Remarkably, however, more than a few elements, such as their general descriptions, personalities, and identities as "Nation-Personifications" have remained relatively consistent over the years, even putting into account the retcons and changes. That being said, if you can read through the "redacted" text, you may find a few extra surprises.
While the background maps are based on my recently-posted The Long Cold War-A Paralyzed World, the art was also done by the talented Warrior Desu (who can also be found on Pixiv). So, kudos to him for an excellent job!
At any rate, hope you enjoy this present. Happy Holidays and see you in better times. 2021, here we come!
----
The Ladies of the New World (AD 2024): RDNA-verse
The Ladies of the New World (AD 2024): RDNA-verse
The Long Cold War - A Digital Snapshot (c.2020-24)
Having recently finished the experimental TNO: The Burgundian Crisis, it seemed fitting that I'd do something similar for the RDNA-verse! So using some spare time, here's a stylized GIF rendition/compilation of the in-universe "digital"/"vidscreen" Long Cold War entries. The DeviantArt version is here.
Though these specific images highlight the aesthetic influences of the Thousand Week Reich and The New Order mods for Hearts of Iron IV, they've nonetheless been molded to be in line with the overall Dieselpunk/Atompunk a̵̠̳͋n̶̨͉̏̉d̵̞̼̈́ ̴͇͐͠M̵̨͔̉ả̷̹ğ̴̗̺̓ì̷̪c̵̱̾̒a̴̟̋l̶̡͋͝ ̸̰̗̏̃R̸̠̈̍e̷̮͇͒͠a̴͇͝͝l̷͎̬̿i̵͍̕s̶̢͙̿͝m̸̨̐̓ atmosphere of the setting itself. All the while, hinting to just how fragile the seemingly interminable standoff really is, as it could potentially devolve into something like 1984 or Pre-War Fallout if something goes horribly wrong.
Also, a special nod once more to
once more, for being a major influence, especially with a couple of details in the "redacted" texts. As for the "National Question"? Well, I can neither confirm nor deny, though it's not exactly a conspiracy theory...
And as a precaution, this is a work of fiction. This is not a political, ideological or propaganda screed.
Anyway, hope you enjoy! And once more, welcome...to the RDNA-verse. Enjoy your stay.
The maps and images used are from the following:
The Long Cold War-The Free World: RDNA-verse
The Long Cold War-Britannia: RDNA-verse
The Long Cold War-Italia: RDNA-verse
The Long Cold War - The New Great Game: RDNA-verse
The Long Cold War-New Austria's Sphere: RDNA-verse
The Long Cold War-A Paralyzed World: RDNA-verse
The glitching effects were done through Photomosh.
GIF Cover:
Though these specific images highlight the aesthetic influences of the Thousand Week Reich and The New Order mods for Hearts of Iron IV, they've nonetheless been molded to be in line with the overall Dieselpunk/Atompunk a̵̠̳͋n̶̨͉̏̉d̵̞̼̈́ ̴͇͐͠M̵̨͔̉ả̷̹ğ̴̗̺̓ì̷̪c̵̱̾̒a̴̟̋l̶̡͋͝ ̸̰̗̏̃R̸̠̈̍e̷̮͇͒͠a̴͇͝͝l̷͎̬̿i̵͍̕s̶̢͙̿͝m̸̨̐̓ atmosphere of the setting itself. All the while, hinting to just how fragile the seemingly interminable standoff really is, as it could potentially devolve into something like 1984 or Pre-War Fallout if something goes horribly wrong.
Also, a special nod once more to
once more, for being a major influence, especially with a couple of details in the "redacted" texts. As for the "National Question"? Well, I can neither confirm nor deny, though it's not exactly a conspiracy theory...And as a precaution, this is a work of fiction. This is not a political, ideological or propaganda screed.
Anyway, hope you enjoy! And once more, welcome...to the RDNA-verse. Enjoy your stay.
----
The maps and images used are from the following:
The Long Cold War-The Free World: RDNA-verse
The Long Cold War-Britannia: RDNA-verse
The Long Cold War-Italia: RDNA-verse
The Long Cold War - The New Great Game: RDNA-verse
The Long Cold War-New Austria's Sphere: RDNA-verse
The Long Cold War-A Paralyzed World: RDNA-verse
The glitching effects were done through Photomosh.
----
GIF Cover:
Eternal Will: The Collectivist Internationale (c.2024)
It's been a very long time, and after much false states and various other things to deal with, here's a new entry for the RDNA-verse. This time, featuring none other than the giant elephant in the room: the Collectivist Internationale itself. And this time, it's a lot more than just a blot of red on a map.
The Collectivist Internationale in general has existed in one form or another ever since the setting's earliest incarnations. While there've been hints and foreshadowing in much more recent material, there much more attention put on what it actually is, and how it's managed to remain relatively stable after a century. All the while, still leaving more than enough room for ambiguity and mystery, as even in-universe, the Free World only has some tantalizing glimpses into their adversaries. Granted, inevitably, the Orwellian and 1984 elements are much more out in force. That being said, I also made a point to add more nuance and depth, as well as have them make sense in the context of the 'verse. Which isn't to downplay the sly incorporation some of the more Magical Realism elements into the lore, pointing to something bigger. What that is, I'll leave up to you.
Part of the reason why it took long was also due to wanting to experiment with large, moving GIF formats for the map to further add immersion. While not the first time to feature video and GIF editing, hopefully the end result's worth it.
And lastly, and just to be safe, this is a work of fiction. This is not meant to be a political or ideological screed. Depiction is not endorsement, and all.
With all that said, hope you enjoy.
The DeviantArt version is here.
Legacy of the Terror - The Collectivist Internationale:
Even with the best available data, whether from the Free World's libraries and leading intelligence agencies, or from those extracted across the Red Corridor, much remains uncertain regarding the polity known as the Collectivist Internationale, as well as the circumstances that spawned its creation. Nonetheless, there's much on hand to not only make reasonable conjecture, but also provide a general overview of this immense globe-spanning power.
One has to go back in time. While Collectivism as an ideology emerged in the 19th Century, much of that period being very analogous to what another world calls "Socialism", by 1914 it had begun taking on more organized and publicly visible forms. The nascent Collectivist groups' efforts to gain political clout and exploit the injustices of the Old World's "Indian Summer", however, coincided with a growing sense of zeal that went beyond revolutionary fervor. It is also suspected that the mysterious deaths of various figureheads during this period may have further contributed to the movement's increasing radicalism. Though with much of records from around the time of the Terror being spotty at best, it could only be speculated what these individuals - including the Brothers Ulyanov - would have done to foil or exasperate the madness that ensued from the crumbling Russian Empire.
By 1925, the various militant factions active in Continental Europe - such as the Union of People's Collectives, German Workers' Assembly and All-Union Collectivist Party - were coalescing under an "Internationale", then understood as a united front. As Russia burned, and before long, much of the former great powers, the constituent groups felt confident enough to lay down the groundwork for a more permanent entity to spearhead their vaunted "Will of the Workers". Ostensibly a more formalized form of various socialist precepts, in practice it espoused not only a radical break from the past, with a zeal comparable only to the fundamentalist, but also the wholesale destruction of anything that bound the working classes to their oppressors. While the specifics remain unknown, what's comparatively certain is that by 1931, the coalition's transformation into a new government had been formalized. Though even before then, as testimonies from that period could attest, it wasted little time pushing for the destruction of as much of the old order as possible. Indeed, the new regime would go beyond toppling monuments or killing perceived enemies.
Under the rule of the nascent Supreme Politburo, the sought to expand its influence, but also hold steadfast to its creed of fulfilling its "Global Revolution." In an effort to foster unity among the first Collective Member-states (soon shortened to ColMems), a constructed language derived from Slavic tongues and various Eurasian languages - known in all its variations as ColStandard - was enforced, soon becoming a tool to reshape what could be discussed. All existing organizations, including their own ruling parties, were abolished, leaving only "The Party" and its institutions. Society itself was restructured accordingly, with the Workers ostensibly being liberated from the shackles that bound them, though a new hierarchy based on Party membership, patronage by those in the "Inner Party", and allegiance to the Will took hold in practice. Anything that was deemed part of that now-disavowed past were systematically purged, along with those who disagreed. Granted, this didn't stop the first generation of "Unpersons" - nationalists, military remnants, ordinary citizens and other dissidents - from staging revolts, or rival Party members from seeking greater power at the expense of their rivals. These only became more pronounced as the Internationale expanded into the anarchic chaos of Eurasia, especially by the time Alexander Knöpfer - the man said to be responsible for bringing down the Austro-Hungarian Crownlands once and for all - became Chairman in 1940.
In spite of such difficulties, the Internationale not only adapted, but evolved to meet its leaders' diktats. Beginning with former Russia, large ColMems were dismembered, whether as a means of greater ease in administration, or a method of preventing any single constituent from being too powerful. Though a "Doctrinaire Collectivism" would remain the predominant ideology to various degrees - ranging from conditions comparable to another timeline's Warsaw Pact to inhumane surveillance states or worse - more divergent offshoots such as the South America-based Equatorial and more zealous Eurasian strains were tolerated in a remarkable act of raw pragmatism. Even the comparatively recent "Pan-Africanism", with its strong emphasis on anti-colonial and appropriated ethnic-based polemics, is treated with relative leniency, though its adherents are following a trend towards orthodoxy. Meanwhile, the growing penchant for infighting over "heretical views" or more petty grievances was exploited as a means of further control, maintaining industrial output, and propaganda. So long as such conflicts were relatively contained to those ever-shifting internal borders, it's been observed, the powers that be seem to be all too happy to let these be if it meant instilling the notion that they have always being at war with the enemy.
Such measures have certainly helped in both freeing and producing enough resources for the Party to support its other ventures. Whether it be local ColMem guard divisions, the floating naval bastions, or the millions-strong personnel, mechanized walkers, and large stockpiles of atomics under the Workers' Liberation Front, the Internationale's armed forces are as vast as these are sophisticated. While last deployed in an offensive role during the "New Great Game" over Africa, their presence along the Red Corridor and sporadic, at times covert, skirmishes along the myriad, desolate "No Man's Lands" have only reinforced how they're by no means the unorganized hordes often caricatured during the Terror. Then, there's StateOrd: a perverse combination of secret police, intelligence service, ministry, and ideological censor that's believed to be an even greater asset for the Supreme Politburo. Given how its network has not only been connected with various proxies spearheading the polity's expansion, the destruction of priceless artifacts, and the deployment of sleeper agents to the Free Nations (to name a few), one could only imagine the true extent of this vital apparatus in upholding the Will.
Yet despite a century of study and struggle, barring certain locations like the historically tumultuous Central Plains Collective in the former Danubian realms, much still eludes the Free World as to what is transpiring behind the Red Curtain. The number of Unperson revolts and genuine defectors have dwindled over the decades, while growing security has made espionage operations within Collectivist soil increasingly untenable. After generations of rule and social engineering, it seems as though there is no one left alive who can remember anything from before the Party's ascension to prominence, or anything outside of the Will. With various countries, even in the Reactionary-run League of Neutral Defiance growing more concerned with domestic strife - possibly stemming from StateOrd machinations - there's a heightened sense of vigilance, if not paranoia. While none could say with certainty, and few openly say outright, there are fears that the Long Cold War that has defined this world may cross the point of no return.
With the Supreme Politburo, currently headed by Chairman Bravalenev Solara, seen as having garnered more internal solidarity among ColMems to itself in over a generation, and reports of above-average activity from Internationale forces, perhaps that much-vaunted Global Revolution could finally be put into motion, atomic fires notwithstanding. Yet by that very same token, such tenuous moments have happened multiple times, from the fallout of the failed Red invasion of Britain in the 1940s well into the Belem Incident of 1992 and beyond. The status quo, tenuous and fragile as it seems, may still hold indefinitely, however much some would wish for a way out or for the enduring reminder of the Terror to finally collapse on itself. As a few American and New Austrian pundits would remark cynically, this war might well be peace.
All isn't quite so bleak, however. Even as the embers of resistance have faded, it's still believed that many Unperson factions persist in secret, passing on their struggle and heritage to their own successors. Echoes of Collectivism's original pre-Terror forms have endured among a number of political parties in the Free World, evolving into various positions comparable to "Social Democracy" and more moderate forms of Socialism that are at the very least, tolerated. Meanwhile, there are rumors of another heretical reformist strain - one that reinterprets the Will as something that should serve and respect the Workers, and by extension the freedoms of all men - that's followed by a number of younger Party members, said to have originated from a man known only as "Valery Mikhailovich." If such hearsay is to be believed, not only is this "Storozhevoyism" seen almost as much of a threat by the powers that be as nationalists and religious practictioners, but it also opens the dim possibility that it could someday break the regime's grip from within.
However long this actually lasts, it is more imperative that the Collectivist Internationale be understood. More so, its deeper secrets involving StateOrd's persecution of not only Unpersons and would-be dissidents, but also anything to do with the enigmatic references in official propaganda to "Abominations", their relation to the so-called "National Question" that's emerged across the Free World, and the uncanny comparisons to a certain dystopian vision. There may be much more to learn before it all boils over...
- Recovered fragment from "An Introductory Primer to Other Worlds." Unknown. 2022 Edition.
For some trivia, the emblems and coats of arms seen on the map have all shown up, in one form or another, in earlier maps.
The "live feed" footage, in addition to snippets from Maoist China and the Soviet Union, include snippets from sources as varied as the Red Scare in America, the 1920s turmoil of Weimar Germany, African revolutionary militias from the '60s, the hunt for Che Guevara and the 1984 film.
"Storozhevoyism" is basically a reference to the real Valery Sablin's idealized rendition of a reformist Leninism, which given the nature of Collectivism is still a massive improvement. Coincidentally, Storozhevoy is the name of the Soviet frigate that Sablin used to stage his infamous mutiny, which in turn inspired The Hunt for Red October.
Alexander Knöpfer, the first "ColMemsec" of the Central Plains Collective, is a sly reference to the antagonistic Alex Knöpfer from the Axis Powers Hetalia fanfic Human Curiosity by Super Sister. That particular story involves an organization going after the Nations for secretive ends...though to say more may betray hints as to what the Collectivists have in mind in response to the "National Question."
The insignias and coat-of-arms used to represent the various strains of Collectivism are based on various Socialist insignia from across the globe. In addition to the ones seen previously, there's a modified Pan-African emblem, a "Eurasian" one based on the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and that of the Supreme Politburo being inspired by the Soviet Comecon, the OTL Communist version of NATO.
And yes, the comparisons to George Orwell's 1984 are deliberate, which may hint to something more going on behind the scenes that may not be entirely natural.
The retro TV overlay is an edited version of this: forums.libretro.com/t/post-you…
The Collectivist Internationale in general has existed in one form or another ever since the setting's earliest incarnations. While there've been hints and foreshadowing in much more recent material, there much more attention put on what it actually is, and how it's managed to remain relatively stable after a century. All the while, still leaving more than enough room for ambiguity and mystery, as even in-universe, the Free World only has some tantalizing glimpses into their adversaries. Granted, inevitably, the Orwellian and 1984 elements are much more out in force. That being said, I also made a point to add more nuance and depth, as well as have them make sense in the context of the 'verse. Which isn't to downplay the sly incorporation some of the more Magical Realism elements into the lore, pointing to something bigger. What that is, I'll leave up to you.
Part of the reason why it took long was also due to wanting to experiment with large, moving GIF formats for the map to further add immersion. While not the first time to feature video and GIF editing, hopefully the end result's worth it.
And lastly, and just to be safe, this is a work of fiction. This is not meant to be a political or ideological screed. Depiction is not endorsement, and all.
With all that said, hope you enjoy.
The DeviantArt version is here.
Legacy of the Terror - The Collectivist Internationale:
Even with the best available data, whether from the Free World's libraries and leading intelligence agencies, or from those extracted across the Red Corridor, much remains uncertain regarding the polity known as the Collectivist Internationale, as well as the circumstances that spawned its creation. Nonetheless, there's much on hand to not only make reasonable conjecture, but also provide a general overview of this immense globe-spanning power.
One has to go back in time. While Collectivism as an ideology emerged in the 19th Century, much of that period being very analogous to what another world calls "Socialism", by 1914 it had begun taking on more organized and publicly visible forms. The nascent Collectivist groups' efforts to gain political clout and exploit the injustices of the Old World's "Indian Summer", however, coincided with a growing sense of zeal that went beyond revolutionary fervor. It is also suspected that the mysterious deaths of various figureheads during this period may have further contributed to the movement's increasing radicalism. Though with much of records from around the time of the Terror being spotty at best, it could only be speculated what these individuals - including the Brothers Ulyanov - would have done to foil or exasperate the madness that ensued from the crumbling Russian Empire.
By 1925, the various militant factions active in Continental Europe - such as the Union of People's Collectives, German Workers' Assembly and All-Union Collectivist Party - were coalescing under an "Internationale", then understood as a united front. As Russia burned, and before long, much of the former great powers, the constituent groups felt confident enough to lay down the groundwork for a more permanent entity to spearhead their vaunted "Will of the Workers". Ostensibly a more formalized form of various socialist precepts, in practice it espoused not only a radical break from the past, with a zeal comparable only to the fundamentalist, but also the wholesale destruction of anything that bound the working classes to their oppressors. While the specifics remain unknown, what's comparatively certain is that by 1931, the coalition's transformation into a new government had been formalized. Though even before then, as testimonies from that period could attest, it wasted little time pushing for the destruction of as much of the old order as possible. Indeed, the new regime would go beyond toppling monuments or killing perceived enemies.
Under the rule of the nascent Supreme Politburo, the sought to expand its influence, but also hold steadfast to its creed of fulfilling its "Global Revolution." In an effort to foster unity among the first Collective Member-states (soon shortened to ColMems), a constructed language derived from Slavic tongues and various Eurasian languages - known in all its variations as ColStandard - was enforced, soon becoming a tool to reshape what could be discussed. All existing organizations, including their own ruling parties, were abolished, leaving only "The Party" and its institutions. Society itself was restructured accordingly, with the Workers ostensibly being liberated from the shackles that bound them, though a new hierarchy based on Party membership, patronage by those in the "Inner Party", and allegiance to the Will took hold in practice. Anything that was deemed part of that now-disavowed past were systematically purged, along with those who disagreed. Granted, this didn't stop the first generation of "Unpersons" - nationalists, military remnants, ordinary citizens and other dissidents - from staging revolts, or rival Party members from seeking greater power at the expense of their rivals. These only became more pronounced as the Internationale expanded into the anarchic chaos of Eurasia, especially by the time Alexander Knöpfer - the man said to be responsible for bringing down the Austro-Hungarian Crownlands once and for all - became Chairman in 1940.
In spite of such difficulties, the Internationale not only adapted, but evolved to meet its leaders' diktats. Beginning with former Russia, large ColMems were dismembered, whether as a means of greater ease in administration, or a method of preventing any single constituent from being too powerful. Though a "Doctrinaire Collectivism" would remain the predominant ideology to various degrees - ranging from conditions comparable to another timeline's Warsaw Pact to inhumane surveillance states or worse - more divergent offshoots such as the South America-based Equatorial and more zealous Eurasian strains were tolerated in a remarkable act of raw pragmatism. Even the comparatively recent "Pan-Africanism", with its strong emphasis on anti-colonial and appropriated ethnic-based polemics, is treated with relative leniency, though its adherents are following a trend towards orthodoxy. Meanwhile, the growing penchant for infighting over "heretical views" or more petty grievances was exploited as a means of further control, maintaining industrial output, and propaganda. So long as such conflicts were relatively contained to those ever-shifting internal borders, it's been observed, the powers that be seem to be all too happy to let these be if it meant instilling the notion that they have always being at war with the enemy.
Such measures have certainly helped in both freeing and producing enough resources for the Party to support its other ventures. Whether it be local ColMem guard divisions, the floating naval bastions, or the millions-strong personnel, mechanized walkers, and large stockpiles of atomics under the Workers' Liberation Front, the Internationale's armed forces are as vast as these are sophisticated. While last deployed in an offensive role during the "New Great Game" over Africa, their presence along the Red Corridor and sporadic, at times covert, skirmishes along the myriad, desolate "No Man's Lands" have only reinforced how they're by no means the unorganized hordes often caricatured during the Terror. Then, there's StateOrd: a perverse combination of secret police, intelligence service, ministry, and ideological censor that's believed to be an even greater asset for the Supreme Politburo. Given how its network has not only been connected with various proxies spearheading the polity's expansion, the destruction of priceless artifacts, and the deployment of sleeper agents to the Free Nations (to name a few), one could only imagine the true extent of this vital apparatus in upholding the Will.
Yet despite a century of study and struggle, barring certain locations like the historically tumultuous Central Plains Collective in the former Danubian realms, much still eludes the Free World as to what is transpiring behind the Red Curtain. The number of Unperson revolts and genuine defectors have dwindled over the decades, while growing security has made espionage operations within Collectivist soil increasingly untenable. After generations of rule and social engineering, it seems as though there is no one left alive who can remember anything from before the Party's ascension to prominence, or anything outside of the Will. With various countries, even in the Reactionary-run League of Neutral Defiance growing more concerned with domestic strife - possibly stemming from StateOrd machinations - there's a heightened sense of vigilance, if not paranoia. While none could say with certainty, and few openly say outright, there are fears that the Long Cold War that has defined this world may cross the point of no return.
With the Supreme Politburo, currently headed by Chairman Bravalenev Solara, seen as having garnered more internal solidarity among ColMems to itself in over a generation, and reports of above-average activity from Internationale forces, perhaps that much-vaunted Global Revolution could finally be put into motion, atomic fires notwithstanding. Yet by that very same token, such tenuous moments have happened multiple times, from the fallout of the failed Red invasion of Britain in the 1940s well into the Belem Incident of 1992 and beyond. The status quo, tenuous and fragile as it seems, may still hold indefinitely, however much some would wish for a way out or for the enduring reminder of the Terror to finally collapse on itself. As a few American and New Austrian pundits would remark cynically, this war might well be peace.
All isn't quite so bleak, however. Even as the embers of resistance have faded, it's still believed that many Unperson factions persist in secret, passing on their struggle and heritage to their own successors. Echoes of Collectivism's original pre-Terror forms have endured among a number of political parties in the Free World, evolving into various positions comparable to "Social Democracy" and more moderate forms of Socialism that are at the very least, tolerated. Meanwhile, there are rumors of another heretical reformist strain - one that reinterprets the Will as something that should serve and respect the Workers, and by extension the freedoms of all men - that's followed by a number of younger Party members, said to have originated from a man known only as "Valery Mikhailovich." If such hearsay is to be believed, not only is this "Storozhevoyism" seen almost as much of a threat by the powers that be as nationalists and religious practictioners, but it also opens the dim possibility that it could someday break the regime's grip from within.
However long this actually lasts, it is more imperative that the Collectivist Internationale be understood. More so, its deeper secrets involving StateOrd's persecution of not only Unpersons and would-be dissidents, but also anything to do with the enigmatic references in official propaganda to "Abominations", their relation to the so-called "National Question" that's emerged across the Free World, and the uncanny comparisons to a certain dystopian vision. There may be much more to learn before it all boils over...
- Recovered fragment from "An Introductory Primer to Other Worlds." Unknown. 2022 Edition.
----
For some trivia, the emblems and coats of arms seen on the map have all shown up, in one form or another, in earlier maps.
The "live feed" footage, in addition to snippets from Maoist China and the Soviet Union, include snippets from sources as varied as the Red Scare in America, the 1920s turmoil of Weimar Germany, African revolutionary militias from the '60s, the hunt for Che Guevara and the 1984 film.
"Storozhevoyism" is basically a reference to the real Valery Sablin's idealized rendition of a reformist Leninism, which given the nature of Collectivism is still a massive improvement. Coincidentally, Storozhevoy is the name of the Soviet frigate that Sablin used to stage his infamous mutiny, which in turn inspired The Hunt for Red October.
Alexander Knöpfer, the first "ColMemsec" of the Central Plains Collective, is a sly reference to the antagonistic Alex Knöpfer from the Axis Powers Hetalia fanfic Human Curiosity by Super Sister. That particular story involves an organization going after the Nations for secretive ends...though to say more may betray hints as to what the Collectivists have in mind in response to the "National Question."
The insignias and coat-of-arms used to represent the various strains of Collectivism are based on various Socialist insignia from across the globe. In addition to the ones seen previously, there's a modified Pan-African emblem, a "Eurasian" one based on the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and that of the Supreme Politburo being inspired by the Soviet Comecon, the OTL Communist version of NATO.
And yes, the comparisons to George Orwell's 1984 are deliberate, which may hint to something more going on behind the scenes that may not be entirely natural.
The retro TV overlay is an edited version of this: forums.libretro.com/t/post-you…
Unfiltered Version:
Spreading Wings: North America (c.1554-2024)
Using NASA's G.Projector program as a foundation, while still keeping to the overall Dieselpunk/Atompunk aesthetic, this one spotlights the timeline's overall history leading up to the Terror rather than around that time. As the setting diverges from real life/OTL around the 16th Century, it would make sense that much would change, while others would remain relatively consistent, even if the fine print differs. The Age of Exploration, Colonization and Imperialism, as well as the expansionism that defined things such as "Manifest Destiny", would still have occurred. As seen with how Native Americans/First Nation peoples/etc. fare in-universe and diverging settlement patterns, however, the outcomes of such events need not be inevitable, nor doomed to follow the same paths due to those changes.
Also, a very special nod to
once again, for being a major influence, especially with the enigmatic "Agency" that's been monitoring the timeline, and certain other details in the map and description. As for what "Director L. Herz" is referring to, I can neither confirm nor deny. ̶T̶h̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶d̶o̶e̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶v̶o̶l̶v̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶N̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶a̶l̶ ̶Q̶u̶e̶s̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶e̶r̶t̶a̶i̶n̶ ̶N̶e̶w̶ ̶A̶u̶s̶t̶r̶i̶a̶n̶ ̶l̶a̶d̶y̶.̶
And lastly, and just to be safe, this is a work of fiction. This is not meant to be a political or ideological screed. Depiction is not endorsement, and all.
With all that said, hope you enjoy. And welcome back.
Opinion - Spreading Wings: Introspective on Colonial and Territorial Expansion in North America
By John Kennedy III, Editor-in-Chief
It seems taken for granted how permanent the three powers that traverse North America appear to be, barring the ever-present threat of Collectivism. Yet these immense behemoths of the Free World did not emerge from the ether, fully formed. Neither was their rise a foregone conclusion, preordained by divine right, nor confined to the machinations of greedy adventurers. The truth is one a tale stretching back generations, well before the Terror and the emergence of the current global order, to the Age of Exploration. Americans, Canadians, and New Austrians alike arose from comparatively humble beginnings, in one form or another. Whether one points to the Viking discovery of Newfoundland, the voyages of Christopher Columbus, or the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the early 16th Century, those fledgling seeds were being laid by our ancestors.
In the wake of what had been called "New Spain" being handed over to the Austrian Habsburgs in 1554, nobles, missionaries, adventurers, and other aspiring colonists from across the Holy Roman Empire began flocking across the Atlantic. Even as these started leaving indelible imprints on the embryonic colony, however, they were largely confined to where earlier Spanish colonists had tread, though not for long. Over the next few centuries, the various fiefs professing fealty to their Imperial sovereign expanded outward, with new margraviates, duchies, and baronies being established with growing speed. Despite such an unwieldy patchwork, echoing the feudal system of old, its citizens not only retained a sense of unity as "New Austrians" but came to identify themselves with their homeland even as they remained loyal to that of their forefathers. Such paradoxical cohesion has transcended class, ethnic, and cultural lines, both providing a glue with which to consolidate the varied lands under one banner, and fostering a peculiar state of mind that holds firm to this day.
The French, English, and even Russians, too, made their claims over subsequent generations. Whether it was in the name of their monarchs, seeking shelter from religious persecution, or simply in search of a better life, these colonial ventures soon began expanding into the uncharted wilderness, forever reshaping the landscape. By the 18th Century, the nascent United Kingdom had apparent control over the Eastern Seaboard, from the frigid waters off Newfoundland down to the coasts of Florida. Yet this would forever change, when the Thirteen Colonies rebelled against the British Crown, forging the American Federation. In pursuit of a "Continental Destiny", be it through purchases, exploration, or conflict, American pioneers and immigrants alike would stretch the reach of their brand of rugged freedom from sea to shining sea. Meanwhile, the colonists in what became Canada not only made the most out of their loyalty to distant London. They also forged with quiet, industrious vigor a dignified nation that, in spite of the chaos of the Terror, came to surpass Britannia itself as master of the British Imperial Commonwealth.
Through the combined efforts of both the great figures of history, and the throngs of craftsmen, soldiers, laborers and humble farmers alike, these great powers have not only spread their wings over the continent but have in many respects made it their own: filling the land and subduing it, in their own image. It has not been entirely peaceful, as that saga of colonization has also been marked by wars and Old World politics. The conquistadors' legacy in North America endures still in the autonomous Duchy of Kuba, which was ceded to New Austria in 1726 and remains a bastion of Spanish culture, albeit with significant German and Central European influence. The infamous Anglo-French rivalry had extended to jostling over their respective colonies, while the America's Civil War of 1842-48, the subsequent War of the Western Frontiers from 1859-66, and Loyalist Canada's internal Dominion Conflict amidst the Terror, among others, were as much crucial in the development of those Free Nations as they were consequential in redrawing the map.
Then, there are the original, indigenous inhabitants of this continent. It would be foolish to presume that they have been pushed aside, or rendered little more than suffering strangers in their forefathers' domains. Be they Indian, First Nation, or Mesoamerikaner, they have remarkably survived the great march of colonial expansion. Though not without strife, forced relocation, or bloodshed against the pioneers, many nonetheless came to make peaceful compromises, if not coexistence, with the newcomers over the generations. It manifests in the Mayan nobility holding a place of honor among New Austrian aristocracy, the enterprising traders among the Diné, the esteemed Lakota who have served with distinction in America's armies, and the hardy Inuit tycoon in the far north. Despite hardships, many have found a dignified place for themselves as equals with those who've long become as native as they are. For this land is their land, as well as our own.
Even as these soaring eagles among the Free World remain strong, however, it is worth remembering how it all came from such fledgling beginnings, when it could have all too easily been changed if not snuffed. In the face of the Collectivist threat to our way of life, such lessons remain more crucial than ever.
"...In my own experience, this version of Canada and America are similar to the contemporary world my family are currently resided in, perhaps not in geographical layouts of shared borders but in their culture and peoples.... Especially America, or the American Federation. It almost reminds me of my heydays...[laughs]"
Aide: "Director, perhaps focus on the task at hand."
D. Herz: "Right right... [short sigh] ...where was I... Oh yes- [clears voice] ...That being said, in comparison of these two familiar country names to the modern-era person's ears, there is the presence of the Royal Dominion of New Austria. A peculiar sovereign state that is just as culturally diverse and vibrant as their Spanish-speaking mirrors and yet just as alien with its foundation based on Central European customs and traditions, Particularly of the Hapsburg. Even down to its name, New Austria. This makes the country stand out in the limitless list of parallel nations from other worlds in this particular part of the North American continent, let alone the world."
"...Perhaps this and our timeline analysis of this world's history, makes it fitting that this world received its designation code..."
The overall pattern of expansion and colonization is based more or less on how it proceeded in OTL, which extends somewhat to how earlier encounters with Native Americans parallel the Trail of Tears and, to a degree, the Spanish conquest of the Yucatan (and thus, the Maya).
Borinquen is the old Hispanized Taino name for Puerto Rico. Unlike real life, however, the term remains in use both informally and officially even under American rule.
The "War of the Western Frontiers" is based on both the Mexican-American War and Second Franco-Mexican War, complete with intervention from the European great powers, with shades as well of the Texas Revolution. While the expansion of American settlers into "North California" echoes the Gold Rush and Mormon migration into Utah.
The technical description is based on the actual projection (Orthographic Projection) and map coordinates used to get the base globe maps.
The tweaked paper texture used for the map was derived from Brainvasion Design's Instant Paper Texture Pack.
As for the National Question, again, there's totally nothing to see here. None at all.
Also, a very special nod to
once again, for being a major influence, especially with the enigmatic "Agency" that's been monitoring the timeline, and certain other details in the map and description. As for what "Director L. Herz" is referring to, I can neither confirm nor deny. ̶T̶h̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶d̶o̶e̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶v̶o̶l̶v̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶N̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶a̶l̶ ̶Q̶u̶e̶s̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶e̶r̶t̶a̶i̶n̶ ̶N̶e̶w̶ ̶A̶u̶s̶t̶r̶i̶a̶n̶ ̶l̶a̶d̶y̶.̶And lastly, and just to be safe, this is a work of fiction. This is not meant to be a political or ideological screed. Depiction is not endorsement, and all.
With all that said, hope you enjoy. And welcome back.
Opinion - Spreading Wings: Introspective on Colonial and Territorial Expansion in North America
By John Kennedy III, Editor-in-Chief
It seems taken for granted how permanent the three powers that traverse North America appear to be, barring the ever-present threat of Collectivism. Yet these immense behemoths of the Free World did not emerge from the ether, fully formed. Neither was their rise a foregone conclusion, preordained by divine right, nor confined to the machinations of greedy adventurers. The truth is one a tale stretching back generations, well before the Terror and the emergence of the current global order, to the Age of Exploration. Americans, Canadians, and New Austrians alike arose from comparatively humble beginnings, in one form or another. Whether one points to the Viking discovery of Newfoundland, the voyages of Christopher Columbus, or the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the early 16th Century, those fledgling seeds were being laid by our ancestors.
In the wake of what had been called "New Spain" being handed over to the Austrian Habsburgs in 1554, nobles, missionaries, adventurers, and other aspiring colonists from across the Holy Roman Empire began flocking across the Atlantic. Even as these started leaving indelible imprints on the embryonic colony, however, they were largely confined to where earlier Spanish colonists had tread, though not for long. Over the next few centuries, the various fiefs professing fealty to their Imperial sovereign expanded outward, with new margraviates, duchies, and baronies being established with growing speed. Despite such an unwieldy patchwork, echoing the feudal system of old, its citizens not only retained a sense of unity as "New Austrians" but came to identify themselves with their homeland even as they remained loyal to that of their forefathers. Such paradoxical cohesion has transcended class, ethnic, and cultural lines, both providing a glue with which to consolidate the varied lands under one banner, and fostering a peculiar state of mind that holds firm to this day.
The French, English, and even Russians, too, made their claims over subsequent generations. Whether it was in the name of their monarchs, seeking shelter from religious persecution, or simply in search of a better life, these colonial ventures soon began expanding into the uncharted wilderness, forever reshaping the landscape. By the 18th Century, the nascent United Kingdom had apparent control over the Eastern Seaboard, from the frigid waters off Newfoundland down to the coasts of Florida. Yet this would forever change, when the Thirteen Colonies rebelled against the British Crown, forging the American Federation. In pursuit of a "Continental Destiny", be it through purchases, exploration, or conflict, American pioneers and immigrants alike would stretch the reach of their brand of rugged freedom from sea to shining sea. Meanwhile, the colonists in what became Canada not only made the most out of their loyalty to distant London. They also forged with quiet, industrious vigor a dignified nation that, in spite of the chaos of the Terror, came to surpass Britannia itself as master of the British Imperial Commonwealth.
Through the combined efforts of both the great figures of history, and the throngs of craftsmen, soldiers, laborers and humble farmers alike, these great powers have not only spread their wings over the continent but have in many respects made it their own: filling the land and subduing it, in their own image. It has not been entirely peaceful, as that saga of colonization has also been marked by wars and Old World politics. The conquistadors' legacy in North America endures still in the autonomous Duchy of Kuba, which was ceded to New Austria in 1726 and remains a bastion of Spanish culture, albeit with significant German and Central European influence. The infamous Anglo-French rivalry had extended to jostling over their respective colonies, while the America's Civil War of 1842-48, the subsequent War of the Western Frontiers from 1859-66, and Loyalist Canada's internal Dominion Conflict amidst the Terror, among others, were as much crucial in the development of those Free Nations as they were consequential in redrawing the map.
Then, there are the original, indigenous inhabitants of this continent. It would be foolish to presume that they have been pushed aside, or rendered little more than suffering strangers in their forefathers' domains. Be they Indian, First Nation, or Mesoamerikaner, they have remarkably survived the great march of colonial expansion. Though not without strife, forced relocation, or bloodshed against the pioneers, many nonetheless came to make peaceful compromises, if not coexistence, with the newcomers over the generations. It manifests in the Mayan nobility holding a place of honor among New Austrian aristocracy, the enterprising traders among the Diné, the esteemed Lakota who have served with distinction in America's armies, and the hardy Inuit tycoon in the far north. Despite hardships, many have found a dignified place for themselves as equals with those who've long become as native as they are. For this land is their land, as well as our own.
Even as these soaring eagles among the Free World remain strong, however, it is worth remembering how it all came from such fledgling beginnings, when it could have all too easily been changed if not snuffed. In the face of the Collectivist threat to our way of life, such lessons remain more crucial than ever.
...
...
[record start]
D. Herz: "Begin voice-to-text transcription This book, along with its accompanying visuals, has been especially useful in parsing information on the North American states in a way that government docs, in all their bureaucratic, sterile nature, couldn't quite capture. Like many worlds, the geographical, cultural, political and social landscape of this world's North America may be seen as a kind of mirrored yet alien version of worlds and timelines with similar features and states of affairs, depending on where and when, a coeval visitor may decide to put themselves into..."...
[record start]
[garbled]
"...In my own experience, this version of Canada and America are similar to the contemporary world my family are currently resided in, perhaps not in geographical layouts of shared borders but in their culture and peoples.... Especially America, or the American Federation. It almost reminds me of my heydays...[laughs]"
Aide: "Director, perhaps focus on the task at hand."
D. Herz: "Right right... [short sigh] ...where was I... Oh yes- [clears voice] ...That being said, in comparison of these two familiar country names to the modern-era person's ears, there is the presence of the Royal Dominion of New Austria. A peculiar sovereign state that is just as culturally diverse and vibrant as their Spanish-speaking mirrors and yet just as alien with its foundation based on Central European customs and traditions, Particularly of the Hapsburg. Even down to its name, New Austria. This makes the country stand out in the limitless list of parallel nations from other worlds in this particular part of the North American continent, let alone the world."
[garbled]
"...Perhaps this and our timeline analysis of this world's history, makes it fitting that this world received its designation code..."
[record ends]
...
...
- Recovered copy of “The New Haven Review of Foreign Affairs” with attached transcript of unknown origin. American Federation. 2024....
...
----
For bit of trivia, the flags for New Austria, Loyalist Canada, and the American Federation have remained relatively consistent from the very beginnings of the setting in the early 2010s. Even after the retcons and redesigns, they still remarkably look recognizable.
The overall pattern of expansion and colonization is based more or less on how it proceeded in OTL, which extends somewhat to how earlier encounters with Native Americans parallel the Trail of Tears and, to a degree, the Spanish conquest of the Yucatan (and thus, the Maya).
Borinquen is the old Hispanized Taino name for Puerto Rico. Unlike real life, however, the term remains in use both informally and officially even under American rule.
The "War of the Western Frontiers" is based on both the Mexican-American War and Second Franco-Mexican War, complete with intervention from the European great powers, with shades as well of the Texas Revolution. While the expansion of American settlers into "North California" echoes the Gold Rush and Mormon migration into Utah.
The technical description is based on the actual projection (Orthographic Projection) and map coordinates used to get the base globe maps.
The tweaked paper texture used for the map was derived from Brainvasion Design's Instant Paper Texture Pack.
As for the National Question, again, there's totally nothing to see here. None at all.
----
Alternate version:
Unfiltered version:
Alternate version:
Unfiltered version:
Last edited:
The Long Cold War - Order and Malaise (c.2024)
While previous entries weren't exactly hiding how the Brazilians aren't in the best of shape despite their nominal status as a great power, and that both New Austria and Gran Patagonia as vying for influence, this one really puts to the actual state of the country to light. Needless to say, it's a sobering take on, if not a jab at Cold War power plays. And how those caught in the crossfire, be it from friend or foe, don't always come out right, though it doesn't stop them or even those outside powers from trying to set things right...unforeseen consequences, notwithstanding.
In addition to toying further with GIF formatting, and going even further than previous "Long Cold War" entries, this was also an opportunity to really capture the aesthetics reminiscent of The New Order mod for Hearts of Iron IV, while still remaining consistent with overall Dieselpunk/Atompunk a̵̠̳͋n̶̨͉̏̉d̵̞̼̈́ ̴͇͐͠M̵̨͔̉ả̷̹ğ̴̗̺̓ì̷̪c̵̱̾̒a̴̟̋l̶̡͋͝ ̸̰̗̏̃R̸̠̈̍e̷̮͇͒͠a̴͇͝͝l̷͎̬̿i̵͍̕s̶̢͙̿͝m̸̨̐̓ atmosphere of the setting itself. All the while, hinting to just how fragile the seemingly interminable standoff really is, as it could potentially devolve into something like 1984 or Pre-War Fallout if something goes horribly wrong. Though as to who the map is addressed to, which may or may not be affiliated with the "Agency", I can neither confirm nor deny that.
And just to be on the safe side, this is a work of fiction. While the map itself is framed as something from within the setting (including references to politically incorrect terms in our reality), this is not meant to be an ideological or propagandizing work.
At any rate, I hope you all enjoy this piece. Independência ou Morte!
Opinion - Order and Malaise: Legitimist Brazil's Uncertain Future
By Francisco Luis Sábato, Buenos Aires Correspondent
Situated just inland from one of the first Portuguese settlements in the New World, São Paulo is the beating heart of a vast realm that's home to over 206 million people. Yet even for the many tourists who visit its historic landmarks and glistening modern districts, it's impossible to shake off the impression that all is far from well. On any given day, one can find both police and military detachments on the streets. Local vidscreens are as likely to lavish praise on the ruling junta's latest successes as they would host sponsored New Austrian and Gran Patagonian broadcasts. All the while, state-run publications downplay the legally recognized Coalizão pela Liberdade ("Coalition for Liberty/CPL") opposition, if not demean it as being little better than Collectivist and Reactionary radicals. In spite of the easing of emergency powers in 2017, many still live with uncertainty over the future.
This has not always been so. The House of Braganza had ruled over the Legitimate Union of Brazil from its colonial origins, seeing its long transformation into a "Co-Kingdom" and finally, as an independent great power after the fall of Portugal during the Terror. Under the so-called Lusitanian Brigantine Throne, it could genuinely hold itself on par with its traditional Habsburg allies in New Austria, as well as their historic rivals in neighboring Gran Patagonia, even as the latter came to overshadow it. Yet the compromises made by King Afonso VII (1903-79), which both helped deter Collectivist designs on the rest of South America and usher a period of democratic prosperity throughout the mid-20th Century had unforeseen consequences. That momentum proved difficult to sustain as time went on, be it maintaining order along its extensive borders, or the additional costs made in further developing what had been Portuguese Angola prior to being granted autonomy in the early 1980s. The special mandates given to the Forças Armadas Brasileiras ("Brazilian Armed Forces"), meanwhile, also gave the military sweeping powers over frontier territories and greater political sway, which both the monarchy and civil authorities were able to curtail for a time.
That changed during the Belem Incident of 1992, which remains a dark stain in the nation's history. During a public speech held as part of King Pedro V's (1960-92) landmark tour across his country, a bombing instigated by Collectivist agents resulted in a bloodbath, killing him, immediate members of the royal family and hundreds of innocent bystanders. With a paralyzed government, the surviving Braganzas unable to agree on the line of succession, and widespread unrest, the only real consolation was that the Angolans across the Atlantic remained loyal to their Lusophone compatriots. It wasn't long before a group of officers led by then-Chief of the General Staff, Fernando Silva e Oliveira (1941-2008), assumed emergency powers. Citing both the Collectivist threat, and the very mandates given in the name of restoring order, the Junta da Renovação Nacional ("Council for National Renewal") was established, with himself as the first Regent-President. Elections were suspended, most Royalist parties were folded into the regime through coersion, and in spite of claims of ruling with a light touch, the liberties enjoyed by Brazilians were curtailed. Nonetheless, pro-democracy protests, workers' strikes, and riots allegedly instigated by radicals of either Reactionary or Collectivist persuasion would become nigh-endemic even to this day.
The resulting power vacuum had likewise spelled worry and opportunity alike beyond its borders. Gran Patagonia, whose economic and political clout over the country had been growing, wasted little time recognizing the junta's legitimacy while pushing for a return to democracy, though rumors continue to circulate of its covert role in the initial takeover. New Austria, meanwhile, was similarly quick to acknowledge the "Military Interregnum", while simultaneously working to limit the ensuing excesses and undermine the regime. Both New World nations, thus, were able to gain substantial reach beyond what would have been possible just a decade before those abominable attacks. Each have contributed much in the way of trade agreements, infrastructure, financial aid, advisors, and even joint operations with the armed forces. Few, however, would call these efforts wholly out of altruism, as they tie both to the wider power plays of this Long Cold War, and Legitimist Brazil's future.
Upon the appointment of Gen. João Figureido Barbosa (1944- ) as the incumbent Regent-President in 2001, it was promised that the question over the monarchy will one day be resolved. This had been further reinforced following the easing of emergency powers and compromise with the CPL, vowing that a resolution would be be sought, be it through referendum or consensus. Though there's no set timeframe, it's increasingly clear for the everyman that a reckoning may soon come, which increasingly seems to be on whether the Lusitanian Brigandine Throne should even exist as an institution. This is no coincidence. Even before the Belem Incident, Gran Patagonia had been promoting the virtues of its brand of Latin Republicanism, which has only intensified alongside its myriad initiatives. The Habsburg Throne-in-Exile hasn't been idle, either, with New Austrians being just as committed to seeing the Braganzas properly restored as they are to aiding their Brazilian allies.
Royalist and Republican cliques alike, whether among the junta and CPL, have thus been approached by, and become proxies of, the two powers as they jostle for influence. Through propaganda, public pronouncements or covert activities, this has permeated every level of society. It's undoubtedly met criticism domestically and abroad, while fueling resentment among more radical movements with ties to the Collectivist Internationale, as well as the regimes of Bolivarist Colombia and Afrikaner-Mosleyite Southern Africa. Yet the stakes couldn't be any higher. Amidst rising tensions worldwide, the prospect of Brazil either falling into anarchy, embracing Reactionarism or "turning Red" couldn't be allowed to be a serious possibility. Moreover, the fate of Lusitanian Brigandine Throne, beyond a potential change in government and the junta's likely dissolution, would have a lasting impact on geopolitics across the Free World, just as much as it could shape the country's direction in the years to come.
Until a resolution is reached, however, the average Brazilian will find little consolation other than another day of life in their tenuous status quo. There is order, true, and some measure of normalcy. Yet the malaise that's held for over three decades is becoming more intolerable. Whatever happens, may they get what they rightfully deserve.
- “The Cambridge Journal of Contemporary Affairs.” United Kingdom. 2024.
For some trivia, the fonts used to get the TNO-esque aesthetic are VT323 and Aldrich.
Some of the placenames are archaic or earlier forms of OTL Brazilian cities and states. These include Grão-Pará still being somewhat intact, as opposed to being split into Amazonas and Pará.
Aspects of Brazil's history are a mélange of various elements from its actual past, including the Imperial period and the infamous military dictatorship during the Cold War, right down to the establishment of a junta. There are also some influences from Portuguese history and even some aspects of Inter-war Hungary (with the "Regent-General" and "Regent-President" not too unlike "Regent-for-life").
The pic used for Brazil's Regent-President Barbosa, hearkening to the Cold War-era military dictatorship, based on Ernesto Geisel, one of the figures who set the stage for Brazil's eventual transition back to democracy. The title coincidentally is an ironic reference to Brazil's current national motto: Ordem e Progresso ("Order and Progress").
The images used are taken from the real life São Bento monastery complex in Rio de Janeiro, the Angolan Border War of the 1970s-80s, and Brazil's military dictatorship, including the 1964 coup.
The modified CRT monitor overlay is derived from here.
In addition to toying further with GIF formatting, and going even further than previous "Long Cold War" entries, this was also an opportunity to really capture the aesthetics reminiscent of The New Order mod for Hearts of Iron IV, while still remaining consistent with overall Dieselpunk/Atompunk a̵̠̳͋n̶̨͉̏̉d̵̞̼̈́ ̴͇͐͠M̵̨͔̉ả̷̹ğ̴̗̺̓ì̷̪c̵̱̾̒a̴̟̋l̶̡͋͝ ̸̰̗̏̃R̸̠̈̍e̷̮͇͒͠a̴͇͝͝l̷͎̬̿i̵͍̕s̶̢͙̿͝m̸̨̐̓ atmosphere of the setting itself. All the while, hinting to just how fragile the seemingly interminable standoff really is, as it could potentially devolve into something like 1984 or Pre-War Fallout if something goes horribly wrong. Though as to who the map is addressed to, which may or may not be affiliated with the "Agency", I can neither confirm nor deny that.
And just to be on the safe side, this is a work of fiction. While the map itself is framed as something from within the setting (including references to politically incorrect terms in our reality), this is not meant to be an ideological or propagandizing work.
At any rate, I hope you all enjoy this piece. Independência ou Morte!
Opinion - Order and Malaise: Legitimist Brazil's Uncertain Future
By Francisco Luis Sábato, Buenos Aires Correspondent
Situated just inland from one of the first Portuguese settlements in the New World, São Paulo is the beating heart of a vast realm that's home to over 206 million people. Yet even for the many tourists who visit its historic landmarks and glistening modern districts, it's impossible to shake off the impression that all is far from well. On any given day, one can find both police and military detachments on the streets. Local vidscreens are as likely to lavish praise on the ruling junta's latest successes as they would host sponsored New Austrian and Gran Patagonian broadcasts. All the while, state-run publications downplay the legally recognized Coalizão pela Liberdade ("Coalition for Liberty/CPL") opposition, if not demean it as being little better than Collectivist and Reactionary radicals. In spite of the easing of emergency powers in 2017, many still live with uncertainty over the future.
This has not always been so. The House of Braganza had ruled over the Legitimate Union of Brazil from its colonial origins, seeing its long transformation into a "Co-Kingdom" and finally, as an independent great power after the fall of Portugal during the Terror. Under the so-called Lusitanian Brigantine Throne, it could genuinely hold itself on par with its traditional Habsburg allies in New Austria, as well as their historic rivals in neighboring Gran Patagonia, even as the latter came to overshadow it. Yet the compromises made by King Afonso VII (1903-79), which both helped deter Collectivist designs on the rest of South America and usher a period of democratic prosperity throughout the mid-20th Century had unforeseen consequences. That momentum proved difficult to sustain as time went on, be it maintaining order along its extensive borders, or the additional costs made in further developing what had been Portuguese Angola prior to being granted autonomy in the early 1980s. The special mandates given to the Forças Armadas Brasileiras ("Brazilian Armed Forces"), meanwhile, also gave the military sweeping powers over frontier territories and greater political sway, which both the monarchy and civil authorities were able to curtail for a time.
That changed during the Belem Incident of 1992, which remains a dark stain in the nation's history. During a public speech held as part of King Pedro V's (1960-92) landmark tour across his country, a bombing instigated by Collectivist agents resulted in a bloodbath, killing him, immediate members of the royal family and hundreds of innocent bystanders. With a paralyzed government, the surviving Braganzas unable to agree on the line of succession, and widespread unrest, the only real consolation was that the Angolans across the Atlantic remained loyal to their Lusophone compatriots. It wasn't long before a group of officers led by then-Chief of the General Staff, Fernando Silva e Oliveira (1941-2008), assumed emergency powers. Citing both the Collectivist threat, and the very mandates given in the name of restoring order, the Junta da Renovação Nacional ("Council for National Renewal") was established, with himself as the first Regent-President. Elections were suspended, most Royalist parties were folded into the regime through coersion, and in spite of claims of ruling with a light touch, the liberties enjoyed by Brazilians were curtailed. Nonetheless, pro-democracy protests, workers' strikes, and riots allegedly instigated by radicals of either Reactionary or Collectivist persuasion would become nigh-endemic even to this day.
The resulting power vacuum had likewise spelled worry and opportunity alike beyond its borders. Gran Patagonia, whose economic and political clout over the country had been growing, wasted little time recognizing the junta's legitimacy while pushing for a return to democracy, though rumors continue to circulate of its covert role in the initial takeover. New Austria, meanwhile, was similarly quick to acknowledge the "Military Interregnum", while simultaneously working to limit the ensuing excesses and undermine the regime. Both New World nations, thus, were able to gain substantial reach beyond what would have been possible just a decade before those abominable attacks. Each have contributed much in the way of trade agreements, infrastructure, financial aid, advisors, and even joint operations with the armed forces. Few, however, would call these efforts wholly out of altruism, as they tie both to the wider power plays of this Long Cold War, and Legitimist Brazil's future.
Upon the appointment of Gen. João Figureido Barbosa (1944- ) as the incumbent Regent-President in 2001, it was promised that the question over the monarchy will one day be resolved. This had been further reinforced following the easing of emergency powers and compromise with the CPL, vowing that a resolution would be be sought, be it through referendum or consensus. Though there's no set timeframe, it's increasingly clear for the everyman that a reckoning may soon come, which increasingly seems to be on whether the Lusitanian Brigandine Throne should even exist as an institution. This is no coincidence. Even before the Belem Incident, Gran Patagonia had been promoting the virtues of its brand of Latin Republicanism, which has only intensified alongside its myriad initiatives. The Habsburg Throne-in-Exile hasn't been idle, either, with New Austrians being just as committed to seeing the Braganzas properly restored as they are to aiding their Brazilian allies.
Royalist and Republican cliques alike, whether among the junta and CPL, have thus been approached by, and become proxies of, the two powers as they jostle for influence. Through propaganda, public pronouncements or covert activities, this has permeated every level of society. It's undoubtedly met criticism domestically and abroad, while fueling resentment among more radical movements with ties to the Collectivist Internationale, as well as the regimes of Bolivarist Colombia and Afrikaner-Mosleyite Southern Africa. Yet the stakes couldn't be any higher. Amidst rising tensions worldwide, the prospect of Brazil either falling into anarchy, embracing Reactionarism or "turning Red" couldn't be allowed to be a serious possibility. Moreover, the fate of Lusitanian Brigandine Throne, beyond a potential change in government and the junta's likely dissolution, would have a lasting impact on geopolitics across the Free World, just as much as it could shape the country's direction in the years to come.
Until a resolution is reached, however, the average Brazilian will find little consolation other than another day of life in their tenuous status quo. There is order, true, and some measure of normalcy. Yet the malaise that's held for over three decades is becoming more intolerable. Whatever happens, may they get what they rightfully deserve.
- “The Cambridge Journal of Contemporary Affairs.” United Kingdom. 2024.
----
For some trivia, the fonts used to get the TNO-esque aesthetic are VT323 and Aldrich.
Some of the placenames are archaic or earlier forms of OTL Brazilian cities and states. These include Grão-Pará still being somewhat intact, as opposed to being split into Amazonas and Pará.
Aspects of Brazil's history are a mélange of various elements from its actual past, including the Imperial period and the infamous military dictatorship during the Cold War, right down to the establishment of a junta. There are also some influences from Portuguese history and even some aspects of Inter-war Hungary (with the "Regent-General" and "Regent-President" not too unlike "Regent-for-life").
The pic used for Brazil's Regent-President Barbosa, hearkening to the Cold War-era military dictatorship, based on Ernesto Geisel, one of the figures who set the stage for Brazil's eventual transition back to democracy. The title coincidentally is an ironic reference to Brazil's current national motto: Ordem e Progresso ("Order and Progress").
The images used are taken from the real life São Bento monastery complex in Rio de Janeiro, the Angolan Border War of the 1970s-80s, and Brazil's military dictatorship, including the 1964 coup.
The modified CRT monitor overlay is derived from here.
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Unfiltered Version:
Unfiltered Version:
Art: The Forces of Legitimist Brazil (c.2022)
ED: Thought I'd give another little surprise: a new RDNA-verse commissioned art piece involving Brazil, once more done by the very talented
.
Like with all the previous profiles, this is inspired by the faction art done by Hussardcore for Kaiserreich: Legacy of the Weltkrieg ( www.reddit.com/r/Kaiserreich/c…), with the aesthetics reflecting that decidedly "Dieselpunk transitioning to Fallout" and Orwellian bent in the setting.
Compared to Gran Patagonia, or for that matter the other New World powers, the designs of the Brazilian soldiers and officers are primarily based on those from both Empire of Brazil and the Republic around of the time of the military dictatorship, in addition to the Angolan Bush War of the 1970s-80s. Also in contrast to earlier entries, not only is there a more recognizable "Banana Republic/Military Junta"-lite vibe being conveyed, but there are also certain "military advisors" who closely work with the armed forces, strongly hinting at the precarious position of the country in-universe. In the process, reflecting the murkier aspects of the setting's take on the Cold War and the various dictatorial regimes in Cold War Latin America to a much greater degree.
Also, just to be on the safe side, this is a work of fiction.
All that said, hope you like this! And may you not go to this Brazil.
The Legitimate Union of Brazil, more commonly known as either Portuguese Brazil, Legitimist Brazil or simply Brazil, has traditionally been one of the leading nations of South America. Nominally a constitutional monarchy under the Braganza dynasty, the so-called Lusitanian Brigantine Throne has formally remained empty since 1992. In reality, it remains a dictatorship under a"Military Interregnum," presided over by Regent-President João Figueiredo Barbosa since 2001. While its standing in the Free World may remain firm on paper only, despite being one of the founding members of the Assembly of the Free World, this realm's clout and prestige remain undeniable.
A self-proclaimed successor to the lost Kingdom of Portugal since the 1928 Reconsolidation, the country has over the centuries embraced its peculiar heritage. Many of Brazil's 19 Provinces, indeed, could be traced back to Portuguese colonization and the early frontier settlements, with the capital of São Paulo being on par with New Vienna (Neu Wien) as one of the oldest major cities in the New World. The Congresso Nacional ("National Congress") is the realm's legislative body, comprised of a National Senate (which still retains an aristocratic element) and Chamber of Deputies, which has endured in spite of the suspension of elections until the easing of "emergency powers" in 2017. While the Regent-President (initially Regent-General) and the Junta da Renovação Nacional ("Council for National Renewal" or simply the Junta), comprised of elements from the Forças Armadas Brasileiras ("Brazilian Armed Forces") and what's left of the monarchist parties, still remain a firm grip, political power has traditionally been split among the nobility, Prime Minister and Braganza monarch. Also of note is how, in addition to various military and autonomous territories - which include the former Portuguese colony of Angola, the Açores and Madeira - the Brazilians still proudly host the Vatican-in-Exile, alongside their old New Austrian allies.
Despite not being as prosperous as it once was, the economy of Portuguese Brazil has proven itself to be resilient. Whether it be the bustling factories of Rio Grande do Sol, the thriving financial banks of São Paulo, the sugarcane plantations of Goiás, the myriad historic towns or Grão-Pará's mercantile ports, the country has more than its fair share of homegrown industries that even the ruling Junta have tried to support. Thus, while its reliance on neighboring Gran Patagonia has grown over decades, its over 200 million-strong people have refused to allow themselves to be dependent or impoverished.
Mirroring both New Austria and certain corners of the old Latin Alliance, Brazilians are a rather blended, diverse populace. Many could justifiably claim Portuguese lineage through settlers, immigrants and refugees, in addition to the descendants of African slaves, Angolans and other European arrivals (including Italians some Dutch). At the same time, however, the definitions for what constitutes Blancos ("Whites") and Pardos ("Mixed"), as well as Pretos ("Blacks") and Indígenas ("Natives"), have broadened and blurred over centuries, resulting in overlapping more often than not. Most if not all, nonetheless, are united by shared lingua franca (such as Brazilian Portuguese and local creoles), a common history and sense of patriotism, whether to the formally empty Throne or to their homeland. That many remain firmly Roman Catholic (thanks in part to the Vatican-in-Exile) while embrace their culture and independence has certainly helped.
This is not to downplay how deep Portuguese Brazil's predicament is. The local political landscape has since been split in a tenuous status quo between the ruling Junta and Coalizão pela Liberdade ("Coalition for Liberty"), an alliance of opposition parties increasingly dominated by republicans, until the question of the surviving Braganzas is resolved. Both camps, however, are said to be backed by Gran Patagonia, if New Austrian and certain monarchist claims are to be believed. Although officials in Buenos Aires repeatedly deny such accusations aside from offers of aid in 1992, despite reports to the contrary, few could deny how their supposed influence in Brazilian affairs have helped provide the current regime a sense of legitimacy and hold back potential Collectivist designs. Which haven't squashed growing concerns over whether this realm even deserves its place in the sun.
A Brief History of Portuguese Brazil
While the ancestors of today's Indígenas, particularly the Taino, have lived in the vicinity of what would become the Legitimate Union of Brazil, the country's origins are tied with Portugal's exploration of the New World. In 1534, the myriad budding colonies and outposts along the coast were consolidated under a more centralized authority. Over the next several decades, colonists and slaves alike began arriving in growing numbers, while missionaries and groups of bandeirantes explored more of the unknown interior. Though such ventures at first didn't quite match with the Austrian Habsburgs further north or the Spanish efforts elsewhere, time would be on their side.
As the Portuguese invested ever more on their South American territories over the next 200 years, a complex relationship with the homeland emerged. More of the colonists, who grew increasingly prosperous from produce like sugarcane and eventually gold, had begun seeing themselves as "Brazilian." Meanwhile, mutual co-existence and intermingling with the Indígenas (initially tolerated to ensure order) grew increasingly acceptable, though similar trends involving Pretos gradually led to concerns over matters like slavery as an institution. Although such issues would be the cause of several disputes and more than a handful of revolts (including the so-called Quilombo War of 1768), a series of hard-won compromises helped set colonial society on a path to not only the formal abolition of slavery in 1799 or greater ethnic integration. But in the process, it also fostered ties with New Austria and more importantly, raised the colony's standing in the eyes of Portugal itself.
Brazil's ascension as a Co-Kingdom in 1825 would spur a period of expansion and development. More immigrants and settlers, including those from outside Portugal, flocked in with new industries and technologies, while further contributing to the nascent Brazilian national consciousness. Within a generation, the realm came to be more than firm enough to challenge the states that emerged from the wars of independence against Spain, rivaling the republican upstarts of what is now Gran Patagonia. It wasn't long, however, before this rise fostered a growing sense of Lusophone solidarity and loyalty. By the dawn of the 20th Century, Brazil and Portugal increasingly saw each other as equals more than anything else. From what's known, there were even plans to formalize a genuine union between the two, which had started with the Common Settlement of 1887, that would have solidified the ruling Braganzas' peaceful hegemony with popular acclaim.
The Terror brought such dreams to a halt. Despite the valiant efforts by the Portuguese, by 1925 what remained of the Kingdom's territories were handed over to Brazil, as the old homeland crumbled before the Collectivists. Amidst the chaos, the heir-apparent Prince Afonso assumed control in São Paulo in 1926, his quick actions decisive in helping preserve the realm in the face of seeming destruction. When it became evident, however, that Portugal itself was beyond saving, he reluctantly oversaw the formal Reconsolidation in 1928 and was crowned King Afonso VII. His reign saw his country through the next few decades as one of the most dominant of the Free Nations. Though gradually, conditions were unraveling.
While his efforts to ensure both Portuguese Brazil's survival and that of the Lusitanian Brigandine Throne were initially successful, these would have unintended consequences. Even with New Austrian support, the Brazilians found themselves harder pressed by the 1950s to sustain efforts to directly contain the Collectivist Internationale's machinations along its extensive borders. This wasn't helped by the growing economic and political clout of its long-time rival Gran Patagonia, especially as it became more successful in promoting republicanism as an alternative. Meanwhile, the special mandates given to the Forças Armadas Brasileiras (originally meant to help quell Collectivist influence) over time allowed it to establish "Military Districts" and gain greater say in political affairs. While the monarchy and civil government tried to maintain a balance, which for a time work, it fell apart during the Belem Incident of 1992.
In a heinous bombing instigated by Collectivist sleeper agents, King Pedro V, along with immediate members of the royal family and hundreds of bystanders, was killed while on a landmark tour across the realm. While the fractured nobility and what remained of the Braganza line bickered over the line of succession, however, military elements led by General Fernando Silva e Oliveira (himself a descendant of a family of military commanders) invoked "emergency powers" and, as the first Regent-President, formed what would become the Junta. It wouldn't be until 2017 that some of the excesses, including the suspension of elections and curtailment of many political freedoms, were lifted.
Time will tell, however, if this storied country could truly regain its place in the Free World.
- “Atlas Sans Frontieres: The Gaspereau-Thomson Guide to the New World.” Loyalist Canada. 2023.
.Like with all the previous profiles, this is inspired by the faction art done by Hussardcore for Kaiserreich: Legacy of the Weltkrieg ( www.reddit.com/r/Kaiserreich/c…), with the aesthetics reflecting that decidedly "Dieselpunk transitioning to Fallout" and Orwellian bent in the setting.
Compared to Gran Patagonia, or for that matter the other New World powers, the designs of the Brazilian soldiers and officers are primarily based on those from both Empire of Brazil and the Republic around of the time of the military dictatorship, in addition to the Angolan Bush War of the 1970s-80s. Also in contrast to earlier entries, not only is there a more recognizable "Banana Republic/Military Junta"-lite vibe being conveyed, but there are also certain "military advisors" who closely work with the armed forces, strongly hinting at the precarious position of the country in-universe. In the process, reflecting the murkier aspects of the setting's take on the Cold War and the various dictatorial regimes in Cold War Latin America to a much greater degree.
Also, just to be on the safe side, this is a work of fiction.
All that said, hope you like this! And may you not go to this Brazil.
The Legitimate Union of Brazil: A General OverviewThe Legitimate Union of Brazil, more commonly known as either Portuguese Brazil, Legitimist Brazil or simply Brazil, has traditionally been one of the leading nations of South America. Nominally a constitutional monarchy under the Braganza dynasty, the so-called Lusitanian Brigantine Throne has formally remained empty since 1992. In reality, it remains a dictatorship under a"Military Interregnum," presided over by Regent-President João Figueiredo Barbosa since 2001. While its standing in the Free World may remain firm on paper only, despite being one of the founding members of the Assembly of the Free World, this realm's clout and prestige remain undeniable.
A self-proclaimed successor to the lost Kingdom of Portugal since the 1928 Reconsolidation, the country has over the centuries embraced its peculiar heritage. Many of Brazil's 19 Provinces, indeed, could be traced back to Portuguese colonization and the early frontier settlements, with the capital of São Paulo being on par with New Vienna (Neu Wien) as one of the oldest major cities in the New World. The Congresso Nacional ("National Congress") is the realm's legislative body, comprised of a National Senate (which still retains an aristocratic element) and Chamber of Deputies, which has endured in spite of the suspension of elections until the easing of "emergency powers" in 2017. While the Regent-President (initially Regent-General) and the Junta da Renovação Nacional ("Council for National Renewal" or simply the Junta), comprised of elements from the Forças Armadas Brasileiras ("Brazilian Armed Forces") and what's left of the monarchist parties, still remain a firm grip, political power has traditionally been split among the nobility, Prime Minister and Braganza monarch. Also of note is how, in addition to various military and autonomous territories - which include the former Portuguese colony of Angola, the Açores and Madeira - the Brazilians still proudly host the Vatican-in-Exile, alongside their old New Austrian allies.
Despite not being as prosperous as it once was, the economy of Portuguese Brazil has proven itself to be resilient. Whether it be the bustling factories of Rio Grande do Sol, the thriving financial banks of São Paulo, the sugarcane plantations of Goiás, the myriad historic towns or Grão-Pará's mercantile ports, the country has more than its fair share of homegrown industries that even the ruling Junta have tried to support. Thus, while its reliance on neighboring Gran Patagonia has grown over decades, its over 200 million-strong people have refused to allow themselves to be dependent or impoverished.
Mirroring both New Austria and certain corners of the old Latin Alliance, Brazilians are a rather blended, diverse populace. Many could justifiably claim Portuguese lineage through settlers, immigrants and refugees, in addition to the descendants of African slaves, Angolans and other European arrivals (including Italians some Dutch). At the same time, however, the definitions for what constitutes Blancos ("Whites") and Pardos ("Mixed"), as well as Pretos ("Blacks") and Indígenas ("Natives"), have broadened and blurred over centuries, resulting in overlapping more often than not. Most if not all, nonetheless, are united by shared lingua franca (such as Brazilian Portuguese and local creoles), a common history and sense of patriotism, whether to the formally empty Throne or to their homeland. That many remain firmly Roman Catholic (thanks in part to the Vatican-in-Exile) while embrace their culture and independence has certainly helped.
This is not to downplay how deep Portuguese Brazil's predicament is. The local political landscape has since been split in a tenuous status quo between the ruling Junta and Coalizão pela Liberdade ("Coalition for Liberty"), an alliance of opposition parties increasingly dominated by republicans, until the question of the surviving Braganzas is resolved. Both camps, however, are said to be backed by Gran Patagonia, if New Austrian and certain monarchist claims are to be believed. Although officials in Buenos Aires repeatedly deny such accusations aside from offers of aid in 1992, despite reports to the contrary, few could deny how their supposed influence in Brazilian affairs have helped provide the current regime a sense of legitimacy and hold back potential Collectivist designs. Which haven't squashed growing concerns over whether this realm even deserves its place in the sun.
A Brief History of Portuguese Brazil
While the ancestors of today's Indígenas, particularly the Taino, have lived in the vicinity of what would become the Legitimate Union of Brazil, the country's origins are tied with Portugal's exploration of the New World. In 1534, the myriad budding colonies and outposts along the coast were consolidated under a more centralized authority. Over the next several decades, colonists and slaves alike began arriving in growing numbers, while missionaries and groups of bandeirantes explored more of the unknown interior. Though such ventures at first didn't quite match with the Austrian Habsburgs further north or the Spanish efforts elsewhere, time would be on their side.
As the Portuguese invested ever more on their South American territories over the next 200 years, a complex relationship with the homeland emerged. More of the colonists, who grew increasingly prosperous from produce like sugarcane and eventually gold, had begun seeing themselves as "Brazilian." Meanwhile, mutual co-existence and intermingling with the Indígenas (initially tolerated to ensure order) grew increasingly acceptable, though similar trends involving Pretos gradually led to concerns over matters like slavery as an institution. Although such issues would be the cause of several disputes and more than a handful of revolts (including the so-called Quilombo War of 1768), a series of hard-won compromises helped set colonial society on a path to not only the formal abolition of slavery in 1799 or greater ethnic integration. But in the process, it also fostered ties with New Austria and more importantly, raised the colony's standing in the eyes of Portugal itself.
Brazil's ascension as a Co-Kingdom in 1825 would spur a period of expansion and development. More immigrants and settlers, including those from outside Portugal, flocked in with new industries and technologies, while further contributing to the nascent Brazilian national consciousness. Within a generation, the realm came to be more than firm enough to challenge the states that emerged from the wars of independence against Spain, rivaling the republican upstarts of what is now Gran Patagonia. It wasn't long, however, before this rise fostered a growing sense of Lusophone solidarity and loyalty. By the dawn of the 20th Century, Brazil and Portugal increasingly saw each other as equals more than anything else. From what's known, there were even plans to formalize a genuine union between the two, which had started with the Common Settlement of 1887, that would have solidified the ruling Braganzas' peaceful hegemony with popular acclaim.
The Terror brought such dreams to a halt. Despite the valiant efforts by the Portuguese, by 1925 what remained of the Kingdom's territories were handed over to Brazil, as the old homeland crumbled before the Collectivists. Amidst the chaos, the heir-apparent Prince Afonso assumed control in São Paulo in 1926, his quick actions decisive in helping preserve the realm in the face of seeming destruction. When it became evident, however, that Portugal itself was beyond saving, he reluctantly oversaw the formal Reconsolidation in 1928 and was crowned King Afonso VII. His reign saw his country through the next few decades as one of the most dominant of the Free Nations. Though gradually, conditions were unraveling.
While his efforts to ensure both Portuguese Brazil's survival and that of the Lusitanian Brigandine Throne were initially successful, these would have unintended consequences. Even with New Austrian support, the Brazilians found themselves harder pressed by the 1950s to sustain efforts to directly contain the Collectivist Internationale's machinations along its extensive borders. This wasn't helped by the growing economic and political clout of its long-time rival Gran Patagonia, especially as it became more successful in promoting republicanism as an alternative. Meanwhile, the special mandates given to the Forças Armadas Brasileiras (originally meant to help quell Collectivist influence) over time allowed it to establish "Military Districts" and gain greater say in political affairs. While the monarchy and civil government tried to maintain a balance, which for a time work, it fell apart during the Belem Incident of 1992.
In a heinous bombing instigated by Collectivist sleeper agents, King Pedro V, along with immediate members of the royal family and hundreds of bystanders, was killed while on a landmark tour across the realm. While the fractured nobility and what remained of the Braganza line bickered over the line of succession, however, military elements led by General Fernando Silva e Oliveira (himself a descendant of a family of military commanders) invoked "emergency powers" and, as the first Regent-President, formed what would become the Junta. It wouldn't be until 2017 that some of the excesses, including the suspension of elections and curtailment of many political freedoms, were lifted.
Time will tell, however, if this storied country could truly regain its place in the Free World.
- “Atlas Sans Frontieres: The Gaspereau-Thomson Guide to the New World.” Loyalist Canada. 2023.
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