1971 Stedorian coup d'état

1971 Stedorian coup d'état
Läkhart Viktor Drejlär announcing the coup on Stedorian television
Date 3 October 1971 Location Kapojvar, Stedoria Result Coup d'état successful Monarchy abolished Kelvön dynasty exiled Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces of Stedoria established with Läkhart Viktor Drejlär as president Treaty of Tenby and Stedoria's withdrawal from the Second Argic War
Belligerents
Government of the Kingdom of Stedoria Fatherland Front	Royal Stedorian Army Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces of Stedoria Dolchic Socialist Gemotam Party
Commanders and leaders
Telvan X Burkhart Strasburgär	Läkhart Viktor Drejlär Fabian Lisenmänär Matiäs Fridämen

The 1971 Stedorian coup d'état (Stedorian: Luvolut Stedoriänik Yela: 1971), referred to as the Corrective Action (Stedorian: Koräkadun) in Stedoria, occured on October 3, 1971, during the reign of Telvan X. The coup came as a result of a deep financial crisis facing Stedoria which was caused by a combination of a massive and suddent drop in silver prices the year prior and by the then ongoing Second Argic War, in which the Stedorian government's debt grew massively as a result of war funding. The coup was led by republican-gemotamist officers in the Royal Stedorian Army's general staff, mainly by Läkhart Viktor Drejlär, who was aided by Fabian Lisenmänär and Matiäs Fridämen. As a result of the coup, the Stedorian monarchy was abolished, the Kelvön dynasty exiled to Dolchland, the Fatherland Front forcibly dissolved, and the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces of Stedoria, headed by Drejlär, was established to lead the country.

Context

Under the de facto absolute rule of Telvan X, he, along with his advisory ministers, embarked on an ambitions plan of industrial and infrastructural development which was largely funded by high silver prices throughout the late 1950s to the late 1960s. Telvan X also focused much of Stedoria's earning on the country's military in fears of a Velaherian communist invasion, which at the time had become a possiblity owing to the Stedoria and Velaheria's poor relations. Military spending prior had been neglected in favour of lavish spending by the monarchy and large-scale development in the country's mining sector in order to extract higher amounts of silver. By 1964, silver exports made up approximately 40% of Stedoria's exports, and was responsible for the majority of the country's income. After the breakout of the Second Argic War, silver prices collapsed, sending the country spiralling into debt; this was further exacerbated by Stedoria's entry into the war, as the country struggled with affording to produce sufficient amounts of military equipment.

By 1971, the economic situation of Stedoria had become dire; Stedorian soldiers were sent into battle woefully underequipped, relying almost completely on the country's allies for matériel. Long ration queues had become a common sight throughout the country as the economy was in a state of wartime economic collapse, resulting in a severe drop in the standard of living and in hyperinflation. Elements of the Royal Stedorian Army's high command, recognising the futility of the situation and understanding that Stedoria was on the brink of collapse, launched a military coup to depose the monarchy, restore economic stability, and withdraw the country temporarily from the war.

Coup d'état

At 1:00 AM on October 3, 1971, Drejlär, Lisenmänär, and Fridämen, accompanied by an armoured squadron of tanks and a small infantry unit, made their way from a barracks in central Kapojvar to the Royal Palace in the outskirts of the city. The goal was to carry out the coup by surprise in order to prevent any violence or bloodshed. Rumors of a coup were heard by Telvan X and his ministers, but the former dismissed them, believing the rumours to be enemy propaganda and not a serious threat.

Just after midnight on October 3rd, a Stedorian armoured brigade being led personally by Drejlär started to make their way to the royal palace in the outskirts of Kapojvar. Upon arriving at the palace, Drejlär was able to convince the palace's Royal Guard to surrender without a fight, and were dismissed and told to return to their homes by the coupists.

At approximately 1:30 AM, Telvan X and his family were awoken and dragged out of their beds, still in their pyjamas and offering no resistance. Drejlär personally met the Telvan X, stating to him that the Armed Forces had arrived to depose him as king in order to prevent state collapse. He further informed King Telvan X that all assets of his were to be seized by the state, medals and honours revoked, and his citizenship deprived, and that he would be immediately deported to Dolchland. The furtious King attempted to order the coupists to stand down, denouncing them as traitors, but no action was taken to help the King. As Telvan was being detained, he attempted to resist and had to be forcibly restrained by soldiers, who then took the former King and his family to the port of Kapojvar, where he was forced onto a ship heading for Dolchland. Government ministers were also arrested by smaller contingents of soldiers at their homes on the orders of Drejlär.

Aftermath

Later in the morning, at 9:00 AM, Drejlär appeared on Stedorian television and radio, giving a short speech and announcing the establishment of the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces of Stedoria, the deposing of the monarchy, Stedoria's intention to cease hostilites in the Second Argic War and the announcement that economic recovery was to begin immediately.

Celebrations broke out in many parts of the country, with many holding resentment towards the monarchy, blaming them personally responsible for Stedoria's economic crises and deterioration in living standards.

Speech by Drejlär

"Citizens of Stedoria, I address you this morning to announce that the Armed Forces have taken immediate corrective measures in the name of national preservation in order to secure the continued existence of our nation's stability, economic livelihood, independence, and sovereignty. Telvan X has, throughout the course of this war, led our country further along the path towards ruin and anarchy in the name of a war that has caused only death, destruction, and chaos for Stedoria, both economically and socially. The economic situation until now has continued to deteriorate, resulting in massive hardships that have fallen on the population of Stedoria, who have withstood them valiantly and honourably. However, to continue to drive our nation along this road is unreasonable now, both for the population's livelihood and for the country's national interests"

"Early this morning, at approximately 1:00 AM, contingents of the Armed Forces under the command of myself, General Fabian Lisenmänär, and Colonel Matiäs Fridämen, arrived at the Royal Palace in the outskirts of Kapojvar, where Telvan X was located. The Armed Forces then detained him for acting contrary to the survival of the country and contrary to the country's national interests. During his detention, Telvan officially proclaimed his abdication to the Armed Forces and furthermore declared the monarchy's official abolition. He was then stripped of his government positions and citizenship; he was taken to Kapojvar's port with his family where they were deported to Dolchland. Other government ministers, working with Telvan under his rule, have also been arrested for their role in acting against national interests. The Stedorian Radical Union has been dissolved for acting against national interests. Owing to the exceptional circumstances, the Armed Forces have temporarily taken control of the government in order to prevent an outbreak of anarchy throughout the country. We officially declare the establishment of the Free and Independent State of Stedoria, to be led by the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces until stability is restored to Stedoria."

"The main priority for the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces is the wellbeing of the citizens of Stedoria; acting in this interest, the priority of the government now is to vacate the war that we were thrust into by Telvan's leadership. After this has been achieved, the country will begin a corrective process of economic recovery; rations and queues will disappear, and citizens will live in prosperity once again under the Armed Forces' government. After corrective measures are completed, the Armed Forces will relinquish control of the government in order to pave the way for a popular government of the people to be elected and to be established through democratic means."

"All citizens must remain in their homes for the duration of October 3rd while order is restored by the Armed Forces throughout Stedoria. Once this is achieved, citizens will be permitted to travel freely. Do not panic countrymen, the interests of Stedoria and the people of Stedoria are the interests of the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces; this is a beginning of a new system in Stedoria, one for all Stedorians."