NationStates Jolt Archive

Background: The history of Ascensia is one of constant turmoil. The country was founded in the midst of the industrial revolution by a group of Christian Monks who claimed to have found proof of divine inspiration in the book, "Frankenstein". A strange philosophy of enlightenment grew over time to include changes to the human body to make it more efficient. Ascensia's technological and social development focused on this "progress", perhaps keeping them from other important advances in fields such as space flight while their resources were focused upon biomechanical and genetic engineering research. In 1940 the country constructed its first artificial organ, a heart, which was implanted in a prominent priest in the Church of Ascensia, a major turning point in their history. After this, the demand for artifice to enhance the human body grew by leaps and bounds, and by 1990, mechnical limbs, organs, and even eyes were commonplace among the general populace. This era of mechanical enhancement is often referred to as the Golden Age of Ascensia. However, in 2000, unrest which had been growing steadily among leading research groups sparked into outright revolt. Prices on body enhancement skyrocketed and the poorer segments of society were often left to scrounge for parts in back alleys to install into their children. In the wake of this wave of misery, an underground research group, usually referred to as the "Fleers" (Short for Flesh Engineers), began to take in stray individuals who could not afford mechanical enhancement, promising them improvements in exchange for their participation in the group's research. Casualties abounded the first few years, and the government attempted to put a stop to these underground "cults" as they were referred to, citing the deaths and the aberration from current Ascensian philosophy these individuals seemed to follow. In 2020, the Fleers exploded onto the social scene, having finally completed experiments in gene manipulation and biological enhancement that could rival the enhancements made through mechanical science. The government and church both were forced to accept these individuals, for the highest ideal of all within their society was that of progress, and these individuals had arrived at great scientific as well as physical progress through their research. The Ascensian Church continued to discriminate against Fleers, allowing them to serve only in the lowest areas of the Church's hierarchy, often using them to fill the ranks of the Ascensian Inquisition, which often suffers heavy casualties fighting against Communists and other fringe groups within the country. In 2034, these fringe groups united, driving hard for seats in the Ascensian parliament, promising affordable enhancement for all as well as freedom from the will of the church. Elections that year were the most tense and violent in the country's history, several leading candidates were assassinated, causing massive fluxes in voter opinion. When the results were counted, both sides were outraged. The Radical Reformers and the Conservatives received a virtually equal share of the vote, promising them both 50% of the seats within the Ascensian parliament. Tensions ran even higher for a few months, and government policy stagnated as these groups grew more and more agressive towards one another. Simultaneously in July of 2035, both groups issued decrees that the other was unlawfully ruling, calling for citizens to fight against the oppressors and restore true popular rule to the country. Civil War raged for six years, massive casualties abounding, especially in the Capitol City of Abbadoth, where armed combat was a daily occurence, and every citizen was drawn into the fighting on one side or the other. In 2041, the Church stepped into the conflict on the side of the Conservatives, using the Inquisition to deadly effect, assassinating military and political leaders by the dozen on the side of the radicals, plunging their forces into chaos. The Conservative armies crushed the last vestige of Radical Resistance in December of 2041, on Christmas Day. In order to see this never happen again, it was decided Democracy would be abandonned, and that a government that worked hand in hand with the church would be established. On January 1st of 2042, the first Emperor, Gabriel I, was crowned by the First of the Ascensian Church.

Maritime Claims:
Teritorial Sea: 20 NM.

Climate:
Variable between intense blizzards during the winter and jungle-like heat waves during the summer.

Terrain:
Vast plains with rugged volcanic mountains along the western border and sharp coastal cliffs covering most of the eastern shore.

Natural Resources:
Iron, Copper, Gold, Uranium, Mercury, Tungsten, Petroleum, Natural Gas.

Population:
(See Page)

Age Structure:
0-14 years: 15.4%
15-64 years: 45.3%
64 years and over: 39.3%

Median Age:
57 Years.

Infant Mortality Rate:
1.23 Deaths/1,000 Live Births.

Life Expectancy at Birth:
103.23 years.

Nationality:
Ascensian(s).

Religions:
Ascensian Catholic: 82%, Protestant 2%, Roman Catholic 5%, Ascensian Reform: 12%.

Government Type:
Theocratic Monarchy.

Capitol:
Abbadoth.

OOC: Will probably add to this over time, just wanted a point of reference for people to look at for future interactions with my country.