Lucis Empire
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| All areas of the world that were ever part of the Lucis Empire. Current Lucis Overseas Territories have their names underlined in red. Commonwealth Realms are under Light Blue. Former Colonies in Dark Blue. All areas of the world that were ever part of the Lucis Empire. Current Lucis Overseas Territories have their names underlined in red. Commonwealth Realms are under Light Blue. Former Colonies in Dark Blue. |
The Lucis Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by Lucis between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. At its height, it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. By X830 the Lucis Empire held sway over about 458 million people, one-fifth of the world's population at the time. The empire covered more than 33,700,000 km2 (13,012,000 sq mi), almost a quarter of the Earth's total land area. As a result, its political, legal, linguistic and cultural legacy is widespread. At the peak of its power, the phrase "the empire on which the sun never sets" was often used to describe the Lucis Empire, because its expanse around the globe meant that the sun was always shining on at least one of its territories.
After the defeat of the Atlantic Federation in the War of the German Confederation, Lucis emerged as the principal naval and imperial power of the 19th century (with Insomnia the largest city in the world from about 1830). Unchallenged at sea, Lucis dominance was later described as Pax Luciannica ("Lucian Peace"), a period of relative peace in Europa and the world (1815–1914) during which the Lucis Empire became the global hegemon and adopted the role of global policeman. In the early 19th century, the Industrial Revolution began to transform Lucis; by the time of the Great Exhibition in 1851 the country was described as the "workshop of the world". The Lucis Empire was expanded to include Nihhon-koku, Indiae, large parts of Africa and many other territories throughout the world. Alongside the formal control it exerted over its own colonies, Lucis dominance of much of world trade meant that it effectively controlled the economies of many regions, such as Asianna and Latin Amerigonna. Domestically, political attitudes favoured free trade and laissez-faire policies and a gradual widening of the voting franchise. During the century, the population increased at a dramatic rate, accompanied by rapid urbanisation, causing significant social and economic stresses. To seek new markets and sources of raw materials, the Conservative Party under Disraeli launched a period of imperialist expansion in Algeria, Arithea, and elsewhere. Rubrum, Zanarkand and New Akiba became self-governing dominions.
The decolonization began in the 1900s when the Lucian Parliament decided to declare the independence of Indiae, Tibetia, Arithea, Marocca, Libyo and Algerio as well as the Lucian Possessions in Asianna, the Erebonian and Liberl territories. In the Stature of Herrenhausen of X868, The United Kingdom declared Zanarkand, Rubrum, Concordia, New Akiba, Lestallum, Altissia, Nihhon-koku, Basel-Ebel, Jutland and Gallia-Bruhl to have their own parliament, thereby declaring them independent while the Monarch of the UK remaining as Head of State. During the First and Second Europan War, many nations challenged Lucis' economic lead, including military and territorial; especially the Autocratic East Europan Imperial Alliance, Atlantic Federation, and the Empire of Quenmin. After the Second Europan War, The Lucian Economy was severed and barely survived but thanks to the reforms in agriculture and manufacturing, The Economy slightly rose up once again in the 1960s but lost its industrial and military lead. By the 1970s, Lucis no longer had the larger military numbers that it had in the past and contributed to the acceleration of the decline of the Lucis Empire. The Quenminese region of Hưng Yên was returned to Quenmin in 1975 after 40 Years of Lucian Sovereignty.
After the Second Lucis Civil War, The last Commonwealth Realm of Gallia-Bruhl was finally declared independent, ending 191 Years of Lucian presence. The King, Noctis Lucis Caelum marked it as the "End of the Empire". Despite these, Gallia continues to be named as a part of the Commonwealth due to the laws that were still retained in the Gallian Constitution.
Today, 11 Countries remain as Commonwealth Realms with the King as its head of state. Gallia-Bruhl, no longer a Lucian Commonwealth retains its place as a member of the Commonwealth Family. These nations now form the organization of the Commonwealth of Nations. Today, it is widely accepted that the Lucis Empire is still "The empire on which the sun never sets.".