Chistovinalian declaration of independence
| Declaration of Independence of Chistovinalia | |
|---|---|
| Created | 08-31 August 1860 |
| Ratified | 1 September 1860 |
| Location | Engrossed copy: General Congress, Misto Myru, Chistovodia Rough draft: Palace of Velkarichka, Velkarichka, Vinalia |
| Author(s) | Sibeka Oliynyk, Svyatoslav Pyatov, and Yuriy Stasiuk |
| Signatories | 60 representatives from the colonies of Chistovodia and Vinalia |
| Purpose | To announce separation from the Soravian Republic and provide for the establishment of a new Chistovinalian state |
The Declaration of Independence, formally titled The unanimous Declaration of the sister nations of Chistovodia and Vinalia, is the founding document of Chistovodia. On September 1, 1860, it was adopted unanimously by the 60 delegates to the Fourth Varva Congress, who had convened at the Varva City Hall, later renamed Independence Hall, in Varva, Chistovodia. The declaration explains to the world why the colonies of Chistovodia and Vinalia regarded themselves as an independent sovereign state no longer subject to Soravian colonial rule.
The Fourth Varva Congress charged the Sibeka Oliynyk, Svyatoslav Pyatov, and Yuriy Stasiuk, with authoring the declaration. The declaration was written over the course of 12 days from August 08 to August 20, when it was presented to the Congress and edited.
The Declaration was a formal explanation of why the Varva Congress voted to declare Chistovinalian independence from the Republic of Soravia. The decision to secede from the newly established Republic had been taken earlier during the summer, and the congress was seen more as presenting a united front by both Chistovodia and Vinalia, as Vinalians were split on whether to join Chistovodia or establish their own independent state following an earlier secession on May, 1860.
The Declaration justified the independence of Chistovinalia by listing colonial grievances against Eduard Olsov and by asserting certain natural and legal rights. The declaration also served to end the movement of Vinalian independence, by having the two former colonies declare independence as one.
The declaration was not opposed by Soravia, and other Euclean powers. Asterian states were among the first to recognize the new state, which controlled one of the few remaining Euclean colonial possessions in the continent.
Background
Desire for independence and greater autonomy was present in Chistovodia and Vinalia since the first Asterian independence movements in the 18th century. Revolution and the collapse of Euclean control over their Asterian possessions created widespread revolutionary fever in the two colonies.
Soravia and Gaullica controlled large colonies in the Asterias, and were the foremost Euclean powers. Colonial fears over violent revolution, the end of slavery, and serfdom caused concern to colonial authorities which had Soravia as their biggest trading partner. Other Euclean powers found it more acceptable to trade with Soravian colonial possessions than former colonies.
The beginning of cultivation of Cotton in Vinalia during the early 19th century, and the onset of the Industrial Revolution, renewed Vinalian reliance on indentured slaves, and the Transvehemens slave trade to provide a labor force for Vinalian farms. Soravia banned the importation of slaves in 1806, prompting Vinalian authorities to no longer rely on Soravia for providing their workforce. Chistovodia likewise began to industrialize, utilizing Vinalian cotton in its textile mills. The increased inter-colonial trade between both colonies caused concern for Soravia, as it began to lose relevance for colonial exports.
Soravia maintained large garrisons in both colonies, while holding a large ocean going fleet. Colonial fears of independence primarily in Vinalia, revolved around an Ardesian invasion of the rich Vinalian cotton growing regions in the south, which would cripple both colonies. Soravian military strength and power began to wane during the ill-fated War of the Triple Alliance, which saw Soravia defeated during the conflict to revolutionary forces. Revolutionary fever grasped the colony, as colonial militias were established to counter the removal of Soravian troops. In an act of defiance, the First Congress of Varva had met in 1853 to express their dissatisfaction at Soravian conduct of the war. Soravian authorities were forced to cede great rights to recently established colonial assemblies, to maintain the loyalty of the colonies.
Soravian Revolution
In 1856 and 1857, Soravia experienced turmoil as Republican revolution arose in the nation. Colonial assemblies were split over whether to support or oppose the monarchy, with heated debates in the colonial assemblies, although no fighting took place. News on the worsening monarchist position prompted colonial authorities to meet in the Second Varva Congress on December 1856, to discuss possible actions. The congress overwhelmingly voted to oppose the monarchy and support Soravian republicans, creating a letter stating several demands and grievances colonial assemblies held.
The ascension of Eduard Olsov in January 1857, allowed colonial authorities to send representatives to Soravia to discuss the role of the colonies in the new Soravian republic. A confederation was established between both colonies and Soravia, along with granting several rights to the already established colonial assemblies. Chistovodia and Vinalia began to act as independent entities, separate from Soravia. Including the permanent stationing of their own state militias and state navies.
Olsov sought to end serfdom, indentured servitude, chattel slavery, and expand suffrage to free non-whites. These subjects were heavily contested by colonial authorities which rejected them both in the Asterias and Samistopol. The Asterian colonies which had not suffered any damage during the revolution and the previous war were determined to provide the bulk of tax money the new republic needed to provide for reconstruction, and pay off debts. Such measures were vehemently opposed by colonial authorities.
The Third Congress of Varva called on September 1758, resulted in the colonial assemblies agreeing to an eventual end to serfdom for whites, and indigenous indentured servitude, although an expansion to both taxes and suffrage rights were opposed. Soravians increasingly saw colonial attitudes as backwards, and non-Republican, along with unwilling to provide additional economical assets to the struggling nation.