Altenland

The Altish Realm Das Altische Reich
Flag National Emblem
Motto: Freiheit, Einheit und Vaterland
Anthem: Lied vom Vaterland
Capital and largest city	Hochstadt
Official languages	Standard Altische
Recognized languages	!Rhenish, !Bavarian, !Austrian, !Bohemian, !Moravian, !English
Ethnic groups	Altische (84%) Reynish (11%) !Mixed Slavs (3%) Other(2%)
Demonym(s)	Altish
Government	Unitary Valkist one-party state under an authoritarian dicatorship.
• Führer and Reichskanzler	Martin Winter
Legislature	Reichstag
• Upper house	Reichsrat
History
• Reichsbund is formed, Winter becomes Chancellor	1927
• Offices of President and Chancellor are merged, Altish Republic formally restructured into the Neureich.	1928
Population
• 1931 estimate	91,384,201
Currency	Reichsmark (ℜ) (RMK)
Driving side	right

Altenland, known in the Altish language as the Altische Reich or Altenreich, is a country located in central Cybellum. It borders Auberon and Gweryn to the north, Alytaj to the west, Hercynia and the Holy Aventine Empire to the south, and Freijian and the Auvernian Federation to the west. Coined as the Neureich, the modern Altish state is seen as the successor to the Altish Empire. which existed from 1840 until its collapse in 1919 as a result of the December Revolution.

The Valkistiche Volkspartei, known as the VV or simply as the Valkist Party, was formed primarily from the various Freikorps movements that were active in Altenland during the turbulent period following the Great War. Headed by the skilled orator and war veteran Martin Winter, the VV formed a coalition with other right-wing political parties active at the time, known as the Reichsbund, and achieved victory in the July 1926 Altish federal elections. Winter leveraged then-president, Ruppert Graff, to appoint him chancellor, saying that he would not participate in a coalition government unless he was its leader. Winter became Reichskanzler on 10 August 1926 at the behest of prominent right-wing politicians and industrialists. The Hochstadt Plot was used to pass the Sicheres Altenreich Decree in February 1927, allowing for the suppression of civil liberties and mass arrests of political opponents. The Neureich Act of 1928 gave Winter's government the power to make and enforce laws without the Reichstag or president, and the mysterious death of President Ruppert Graff in April of 1928 allowed Winter to merge the powers of the chancellery and presidency. A referendum in 1929 confirmed Winter as the sole Führer, or leader. Power was centralized in Winter's person.

In the midst of global economic recession, which had struck Altenland especially hard due to its already-weakened economic state following the Great War, the Valkists restored economic stability and ended unemployment. Financed by deficit spending, the regime has undertaken extensive public works projects, including the Autobahnen (motorways), hydro-electric dams, and a massive secret rearmament program, which gave rise to the Wehrmacht in 1931.

The Reynland issue is one of particular concern for the Valkists, as well as the broader international community. Occupied by Altenland during the Great War, the Reynland gained independence during the December Revolution. Martin Winter, citing the ethnic minority of Altish peoples living inside Reynland, sought to answer what he called the "Reynish Question". In April of 1931, the outbreak of a Altish-backed valkist coup in Reynland and retaliation by the Reynish government against the Altish minority in the country acted as justification for Altish troops to march into the Reynland, ousting the monarchy of King James V. and leading to the creation of a Reynish government-in-exile in Carolina. In the years since the Altish reoccupation, most outward resistance has been curtailed, though and underground resistance movement remains active, working to prevent the process of integration of the new provinces of Westfalen and Ragnau into the Reich.

Etymology

Altenland translates literally to "Old Land" or "Ancient Land", and is the term used by both Altisch and Reynish speakers. It was originally used in reference to the geographic area that now comprises Altenland and became more popular in the 18 Century as Pan-Altist sentiments were becoming more-popular among Altish monarchs in the region's many kingdoms and city-states. The formation of the Altish Empire in 1840 saw the term Altenland first used to describe the unified Altish state, however, this was used as the country's informal name, and the official state title of the Empire was "Das Altische Reich", which was changed to "Das Altische Kaiserreich" in 1876.

The use of the name "Neureich" ("New Reich") is common both within Altenland and abroad, although there are misconceptions about its origins and its practical usage. The term was first coined by Martin Winter and used in speeches in the early 1920s, and frequently used in his book Stahl und Kampf to describe the new Altenland that he sought to built. In 1928, after Winter became Chancellor, the Neureich Act was a piece of legislation passed that gave Winter's government the power to make laws and issue decrees without parliament or the president. Despite its common usage, however, "Neureich" is not an official term, and the official state title remains "Das Alitsche Reich", as it was under the constitution of the Altish Republic.

History

The December Revolution

In 1921, November 1st, in response to rising food prices and hyperinflation, the crew of the battleship Frederick mutined, expelling the captain of the vessel and demanding better pay before going back into service. In response, Emperor Siegfried ordered Altish naval infantry to converge on the battleshp, which had been docked in the coastal city of Meerwache. When the I. Seebataillon arrived in Meerwache, residents of the city began to riot in response, driving out the Seebataillon and forcing a full-scale siege of the city by Altishe forces led by General Karl Klause ordered by the Kaiser himself.

Soon, however, word of the revolt was transmitted by radio throughout Altenland. The Altische Volkspartei, a far-left collectivist political party launched a march on Hochstadt along with sympathetic military units. The capital was under lockdown at the time due to a massive food riot. The Volkspartei utlized the cities sewer system to strategically take specific targets within the city. On November 21st, 1921, loyalist Altiche military units with the Royal Family in tow fled the city. In a radio broadcast on November 22nd, Volkspartei offcials declared the Hochstadt Worker's State and encourged workers in the surronding areas to begin uprisings.

Meerwache followed the example of Hochstadt and soon the Imperial Altische Army besieging Meerwache was being hit from behind by reinforcements from Hochstadt. Emperor Siegfried had fled to Hercynia and a number of military generals had established their own military goverments in loyalist cities. It was around this time that Franz Neumann, then a former Imperial Altische soldier living in the city of Uberturm, located south of Hochstadt was riding the surge of popularity among radical groups after publishing his best-selling book a year prior. On November 25th, Neumann formed a political party called the Valkistiche Volkspartei (VV) at a political rally with hundreds of supporters. Neumann met with the leader of the Vaterländisch Arbeiterpartei (VLAP), Hanz Wright and agreed to form a coalition with the VLAP. At the same time, a triumvirate of Altishe generals, Otto Jaeger, Dietrich Meyer and Karl Klause formed the Eigenstandigkeit movement, dedicated to autarky and self-sufficeny above all else. Three days later, the VV, the VLAP and the Eigenstandigkeit, alongside a large number of paramilitary Freikorps marched on the city centre to seize power in Uberturm. After a two-hour standoff with city police, the major parties involved in the march declared themselves the Koalition, declaring themselves the rightful goverment of Altenland. Koalition-affilated Freikorps, with makeshift armored vechicles and transports launched a offensive to take the initative on Hochstadt. Franz Neumann travelled to Hochstadt himself to oversee the month-long siege. The siege ended on December 24, after the Black Guards, a Freikorps unit led by one Roswalt Koch disobeyed a order to stand down for Christmas Day and launch a assault on the Hochstadt People's Provisional Council, brutally killing the council members in the middle of a session, ending the Hochstadt Worker's State.

In Hochstadt, Franz Neumann declared in a radio broadcast the dissolution of the Altish Empire and the formation of the New Reich of Altenland - a state based on Valkist principles. In the same speech, he also declared that the Koalition member parties would take power as a coalition goverment and henceforth banned all opposition parties within the country. Shortly after, New Reich forces descended on the city of Meerwache, forcing the local revolt to surrender. Soon, cities across Altenland pledged alligence to the New Reich and those that did not were forced to do so by the New Reich's military.

The New Altic Realm

After making a example of the Meerwache protesters, the Koalition took power and began to make sweeping reforms in a attempt to revitalize the Altish economy and "rehabilitate" Altish society. "Degenerate" practices were banned and plans were put into place to begin a massive military rearmmament and buildup. Demanding a almost-entirely mechanized force, the Altish economy was dedicated towards massive military spending and military build-up. Trade routes were established with Alinora and Volkhov to begin large-scale armaments purchases.

Altenland soon turned it's eyes outward. In a speech made on January 3rd, Fuhrer Franz Neumann declared that the breakway state of Allestag and the Holy Aventine Empire were both "mortal enemies" of the New Reich. Altenland established diplomatic networks with neighboring Alytaj and Norraland, both fellow majority Lyndanist states. Altish propaganda demonized the Catholic faith while declaring the New Reich's alliegence to the Lyndanist faith, adding a theological aspect to the sabre-rattling against Alpana. On January 20th, Roswalt Koch was named Minister of Reynish Affairs and plans were put in place to begin full-scale "cultural restructuring" of occupied Reynland.

Altenland is currently engaged with talks with the goverments of Alytaj and Norraland, involving discussions about creating a Lyndalist politcal alliance.

Politics

Goverment

Altenland is a authortarian state that is lead by a ruling coalition called the Altische-Koalition, with semi-republican values. Voters are restricted to the member parties of the ultranationalist Koalition, those being the Valkistiche Volkspartei, the Vaterlandisch Arbeiterpartei and the Eigenstandigkeit. Politcal activity is banned unless approved by a higher authority and given a warrant. Only Koalition members are permitted to take public office.

Franz Neumann, as Fuhrer exercises supreme power over all state functions of Altenland, alongside control over the military as Commander-in-Chief. The Reichskanzlei serves as a pseudo-parliement which allows the member parties of the Koalition to express their greievences and demands. As Fuhrer, Neumann is actually invested with more power than the Reichskanzlei, but partcipates and allows discussion within the Reichskanzlei as a politcal measure to appease the other Koalition parties. Neumann's party, the VV holds the most seats in the Reichskanzlei and therefore is has more power in passing bills. The Arbeitpartei is split between the "main" wing of the party, revolving around Hanz Wright, who is also Reich Minister of Economics and the radical Kochists, lead by one Roswalt Koch, current Minister of Reynish Affairs. Meanwhile, the Eigenstandigkeit has the least seats in Reichskanzlei, but has a large presence within high-ranking offices of the miltitary.

Foreign Relations

Altenland's foriegn affairs are managed through the Reich Foreign Ministry. The Reich has good relations with fellow Lyndanist state, such as

Demographics

Ethnic Groups

While the Altish comprise around 90% of Altenland's population, occupied Reynland has added a signicant number of Reynish to it's total population. It has been alledged that Altenland acitively utlizes forced migrations in a effort to reduce the remaining Reynish population. Altenland has a two-child policy, demanding that all families have at least two childern, using goverment support as incentives.

Migration

Immigrants who are not from Lyndanist majority states (i.e, Norraland, Alytaj) or majority Altish states such as Goldkuste are entirely banned. Under Valkist rule, having dual-citizenship is not permitted and is harshly punished. Altenland pursues a severe anti-immigration policy, trying to discourage non-Altish immigrants to the state Altenland tightly controls emigration.

Religion

The state religion of Altenland is Lyndanism. The majority of the country is Lyndanist, with only the southern-most provinces and Reynland being majority Catholic. Religions outside of Lyndanist are harshly persecuted and oppressed, with a state-funded initative to destroy or convert Catholic churchs being pursued in Schaffenland. Altenland's current constution explicity calls for all citizens to become Lyndanists and the banning of all other religions.

Healthcare

Altenland has a universal healthcare system that is funded by the goverment.

Education

Education is complusary for 10 years for all Altish childern. The Ministry of Education handles educational matters and is responsible for the majority of schools in Altenland. Altenland makes heavy use of vocational training and appretinceships. Propaganda is a highlight of Altish education, with religious courses operated in occupied Reynish schools. Altenland does not permit non-Altish teachers within it's education system and teachers who are not members of any of the Koalition member parties.

Economy

Since coming under Valkist rule, Altenland has regulary been praised as a "economic miracle". However, while inflation has been drastically lowered, the Altish people are not wealthier and are in some cases even poorer then directly after the Coalition Wars. Rationing is in effect in all of Altenland's major cities and luxaries are severly controlled, while work hours are high for the average Altish citizen. Altenland practices autarky, with trade limited to Alinora, Auvernia and the other Northern Coalition states. Altenland and the Holy Aventine Empire both have sweeping sanctions on eachother. Altenland's economy is almost solely propped by the military - with Altenland being one of the largest military producers in the world. Altenland spends 50% of it's GDP on military spending, and the majority of foreign trade is either purchasing or selling military surplus. Altenland has recently began a campaign of plunder in Reynland, going after the possesions of nobles and the exiled Royal Family. The largest industry in Altenland is state-owned military equipment production, such as tanks and small arms.