History of Stretta

1916-1920

Following a brutally efficient coup d'état against the monarchy, opposed for a short time by those loyal to King Augustus, the military established a government of its own design. This resulted in the chief of staff becoming the Strettan head of state. For the 8-year period following the abolition of the monarchy, the military dictatorship that now ruled Stretta had what many saw as no downsides, and the nation briefly underwent an economic boom thanks to enhanced personal freedoms, especially related to the setting up of business and enterprise. During this period, the military largely stayed out of the daily affairs of the populace. When the Strettan people began to ask for more political freedom, such as the right to elect a leader of their choosing, the military dictatorship denied them. Seeing the wish for more involvement in politics as a threat to the leadership, the military clamped down. In 1919, the military famously slaughtered 1,287 Strettan people, including women and children, after they staged a protest outside of a military barracks.

1921-1929

Following a lengthy period of severe unrest in Stretta, exacerbated by the violence shown by the military towards its own people, the tension between the military and the general population was at breaking point. The dictatorship established the Commission of National Security (CNS), a secret police service that removed those deemed to be anti-regime from society, imprisoning them indefinitely. However, opposition was becoming stronger and found a strong voice in the city centres. Still, the CNS continued its war on the Strettan people, and began to run show trials in an attempt to quieten the people. In 1928, clashes between the military and the people were becoming more and more frequent, as the military began to lose its stranglehold on the nation. In 1929, under mysterious circumstances, the incumbent chief of staff and head of state was replaced by General Charles Pluthero. Later thought to be a small coup within the military, the regime was changed drastically. As would be witnessed in the 48 years that followed, the military would throttle the island of Stretta into submission under Pluthero's guidance.

1929-1932

After taking over as Chief of Staff of the Strettan Military, and as a result, becoming the national head of state, Pluthero began to undertake a crackdown on the population. Initially, this took the form of strict curfews, a ban on protest (the enforcing of which was in all cases lethal force) and the removal of private enterprise.

As all business fell into the hands of the military, the people were treated as servants to the government. Each person was employed by the government, and received a government pay check. This absolute control over the population was a key turning point in the nations history. Anyone found guilty of treason would not only have their own employment terminated, but also that of their family, resulting in absolute poverty for themselves and their loved ones. After 3 years of extreme oppression, Pluthero finally had the nation back under military control.

For those inside of the military, he was seen as a saviour, rescuing the regime from collapse.

1932-1977

With the nation under complete control, the population had discovered that keeping your head down was a tried and tested way of surviving. Any attempts to speak out against the government or the military would result in swift and definitive action by the military police.

The rule of Pluthero was long and, for those in military families, prosperous, which led to a military career being the most sought after career for any young Strettan man. As the regime began to see outside influence as a major problem, borders closed and the outside world shut off from Strettan affairs. International news was delivered to the Strettan people through a national newspaper and television service, which saw any unfavourable stories edited out.

In 1950, just prior to the closing of the borders, outside news channels were reporting a mass exodus of Strettan Navy and Air Force personnel, all looking to defect to other nations. This was never officially recognised by the government, and was certainly not advertised to the Strettan people.

For the 22 years that followed, the government became even wealthier while the general population continued to slide into abject poverty. Education and basic healthcare became too expensive for the common man, and people regularly fought in the government-owned stores over food rations.

Ultimately, the complete control of the military and the luxury that a military life afforded led to the events that followed 1977 being drawn out for longer than necessary. With one side craving the luxury they witnessed, and one side not willing to leave it behind for a better and fairer cause, the nation was completely divided and unmovable