NationStates Jolt Archive

The Grand Duchy of Burgundy
1920

Population: 2,100,000(?)
Land Area: 34,413 km²

Form of Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Head of State: Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde
Head of Government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude Weber

Updates, and news to come…

(OOC: Here, all telegrams to the Grand Duchy can be directed)

Glorious Union!!

The rumor that has been circulating throughout all levels of society has been confirmed-the Grand Duchy is to join in union with Alsace-Lorraine to form the Grand Duchy of Burgundy!

Said Prime Minister Eyschen: “Once again, Luxembourg has peacefully expanded its borders-but this is not only a triumph for the Grand Duchy, but for Alsace-Lorraine! Burgundy shall become a shining beacon of peace, commerce, and civility unto the rest of Europe.”

Constitutional Convention To Be Held

Prime Minister Eyschen and HRH the Grand Duke have announced that a constitutional convention is to be held to facilitate the union of Luxembourg and Alsace-Lorraine.

Topics that are expected to be discussed will be the legislature, suffrage, the powers of the Grand Duke, and cultural issues. The Prime Minister has assured the public, however, that HRH William IV will become Grand Duke of Burgundy.

Officials will also be surveying the destruction wrought upon Alsace-Lorraine by the Great War.

ooc
under the terms of the Treaty of Washington, remember Burgundy is supposed to remain neutral, and its neutrality is supposed to be guaranteed by Germany, France, the United States and British Empire.

IC
The US welcomes Burgundy to the community of nations and appoints its former Ambassador to Luxembourg as the Ambassador to the new nation.

From the Foreign Office
To: The United States of America

We thank the United States for its recognition. We look forward to the Americans accompanying us in the ensuing 1,000 years of Peace following this Great War.

The German Empire follows suit and welcomes our new neighbor, in hope that peace can be assured. As a gesture of kindness, we plan to lower tariffs to that country to promote trade in this region.

The Kaiser also requests that a German Observer be allowed to see our ally in their glorious birth.

From: Grand Duke Guillaume IV
To: The German Empire

I thank the German Empire on behalf my countrymen and industrialists for lowering the barriers of commerce and trade.

While it is true that our constitutional convention is still in session, I invite your Observer to the Ceremony that will soon announce the glorious coming of Burgundy after our Constitution is in place.

---
The National Herald-Tribune

Convention Convenes

The Constitutional Convention of the Grand Duchy of Burgundy has been officially convened. In a show of solidarity with our new Burgundian brothers, the Convention is being held in Nancy.

Fortunately for our readers, we have a correspondent in the City, who is keeping up on all the details of the Convention that are made available to the public. Printed here is his letter:

Alsatian, Lorrainian, and Luxembourgese officials have begun formulating the document which will bring together the Grand Duchy and the Alsace-Lorraine Region together in Union. It appears, to a keen observer, that the ‘Luxembourg’ model of legislature is in favor for the new State: a Chamber of Deputies, elected for five-year terms by the electorate, and a Council of State, an advisory and deliberative body of ordinary citizens appointed by the Grand Duke.

Other issues, however, have not garnered a consensus: a healthy debate is being held on the new Seat of Government.

A forceful minority is also insisting on universal suffrage for the new citizens of Burgundy; women included. This journalist predicts this proposal will soon meet its demise.

Progress is indeed being made, however, and I expect a new Constitution in the near future.

--Jacques Dubois

March 27, 1908 - Nancy, Burgundy

From: HRH Princess Anne of Bulgaria
To: Grand Duke Guillaume IV of Burgundy (Luxembourg)

It is strange that we are giving birth to a new spirit that has never been recognized in Europe or for the world...My father King Ferdinand is still in Washington while my sisters Catherine and Maria-Louise are still at home in Sofia with our attendant's daughter Anastacia and taking care of the homefront. I am currently in Nancy at the moment with several associates from all over the provinces of Bulgaria all with the famous red-white-light blue flag of the Grand Duchy...

Events in Burgundy, 1908-1920

Late 1908- Constitution of the Grand Duchy is complete. The Grand Duke of Luxembourg will go on to be the Royalty of Burgundy; the Chamber of Deputies expanded to 120 member body; Council of State expanded to 50 members. The administrative capital remains in Luxembourg City, while judicial capital relocated to Nancy.

February, 1909- Constitution ratified.
June- Alsace-Lorraine and Luxembourg political parties unite:
Christian Social Party: Christian democratic party, dominated by Roman Catholics Democratic Party: Liberal party Union for Social Democracy: Social democratic National Party: Right-wing/nationalist Communist Party: Far-left socialist/revolutionary

1910- Parliamentary elections; wide victories for CSP and DP, less so for USD. Paul Eyschen continues as Prime Minister under CSP

1911- Five largest steel companies in Burgundy unite to form Arbed Incorporated; wide scale clean up in Alsace-Lorraine.

1912- Grand Duke William IV dies; Marie-Adélaïde ascends to the throne.

1913- Parliament approves education reform, appropriating funds for universities throughout Burgundy, particularly in Alsace-Lorraine region.

1914- Military reform; two divisions of part-time National Guard established. No standing army.

1915- Parliamentary elections: Victories for CSP and DP, with Jean-Claude Weber chosen as CSP Prime Minister.

1916- Parliament passes large scale banking reform, increasing secrecy in bank accounts

1917- Large labor reforms passed: minimum wage, safety regulations, and union meetings with government.

1918- Arbed becomes largest single employer in Burgundy

1919- Constitution amended to allow universal suffrage

TO: Luxembourg City, Burgundy
FROM: Bruxelles, Belgium

Grand Duke Guillaume IV:

On behalf of myself and the people of Belgium, we would like to congradulate you on the unifacation of Alscase-Lorraine and Luxembourg into one political entity and hope your new nation persues active and peaceful relations with those around you.

As a token of our recognition of the Grand Duchy of Burgundy, we would like to take this time to formailize all Political and Economic Relations between our two powers through the exchange of embassies in our nation's repective capitals, along with the establishment of proper trading regulations regarding the funds and/or comodities passing through both nations. We hope you will cooperate in this matter.

Again, we wish you good will for both you and your people in the coming years, so that after all this destruction, roots of peace and prosperity may finally begin to grow once again.

Signed,

Dr. Jaques Le Clerq
Foriegn Minister
The Kingdom of Belgium

To: Dr. Jaques Le Clerq, Bruxelles, The Kingdom of Belgium
From: The Grand Duchy of Burgundy

Sir;

I thank you for your and your nation's well-wishes.

The Grand Duchy also wishes to further relations between our two states; we would be honored to exchange ambassadors with the Kingdom. The Grand Duchy is also interested in establishing a closer economic union between Belgium and Burgundy: perhaps a lowering, or in the future, elimanation, of tariffs between the Kingdom and the Grand Duchy.

Respectfully Yours,

Prime Minister Paul Eyschen

Events in Burgundy, 1908-1920

Late 1908: Constitution of the Grand Duchy is complete. The Grand Duke of Luxembourg will go on to be the Royalty of Burgundy; the Chamber of Deputies expanded to 120 member body; Council of State expanded to 50 members. The administrative capital remains in Luxembourg City, while judicial capital relocated to Nancy.

February, 1909: Constitution ratified.
June: Alsace-Lorraine and Luxembourg political parties unite:
Christian Social Party: Christian democratic party, dominated by Roman Catholics Democratic Party: Liberal party Union for Social Democracy: Social democratic Conservative Party: Right-wing/nationalist Communist Party: Far-left socialist/revolutionary

1910: Parliamentary elections; wide victories for CSP and DP, less so for USD. Paul Eyschen continues as Prime Minister under CSP

1911: Five largest steel companies in Burgundy unite to form Arbed Incorporated; wide scale clean up in Alsace-Lorraine.

1912: Grand Duke William IV dies; Marie-Adélaïde ascends to the throne.

1913: Parliament approves education reform, appropriating funds for universities throughout Burgundy, particularly in Alsace-Lorraine region.

Burgundy also recognizes the ARSDU.

1914: Military reform; three infantry divisions of part-time National Guard established, of 12,000 men each. No standing army; only a small cadre of professional soldiers for training.

1915: Parliamentary elections: CSP wins majority, with Jean-Claude Weber chosen as CSP Prime Minister. Following German Civil War and spread of Marxism, the Conservative Party beats out the DP for Opposition.

A bill that would establish one standing infantry division is defeated, as hopes remain high that the world will enforce Burgundy's neutrality.

1916: Parliament passes large scale banking reform, increasing secrecy in bank accounts

1917: Large labor reforms passed: minimum wage, safety regulations, and union meetings with government.

1918: Arbed becomes largest single employer in Burgundy

1919-1920: Constitution amended to allow universal suffrage; Burgundy protests French fortifications on border

Albania requests assistence and investment from The Grand Duchy of Burgundy.

Turkhan Pasha, President of Albania

Colombia recognizes the fact that the Grand Duchy of Burgundy and the Colombian Republic have yet to establish relations. We now hope to eliminate this; We offer an economic pact, involving free trade, investment oppertunities, exclusive trade oppertunities, and of course, friendship.

Why should you invest and do trade with Colombia?

1. Stability; The Colombian Government has not changed in the past 20 years, and there is no sign now that Colombia will be switching from its democracy, anytime soon. Infact, the current government AND people of Colombia regard the looming communist threat as a reason to strengthen the government.

2. Resources; Coffee and Cocoa are lovely luxury items to be sold in Civilized Europe. However, metals such as steel, nickle, gold, bauxite, iron, and copper are essential, and widely available from Colombia. Large corporations are very willing to do business with Burgundy, as we understand you have a booming steel industry.

3. Panama Canal; The Panama Canal is in the possession of Colombia. A key-route for trade, the canal can costs to the western seaboard of the United States considerably, as opposed to over a land route. As a friend and part of an Economic Pact, Colombia would be willing to let Burgundy send ships flying their flag through at a reduced cost.

4. Economy; Colombia is one of the top 10 when it comes to Economy. This means that there is a huge demand for both luxury items, and resources for production of ships (a major industry) or other such items.

To: The President of Albania
From: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luxembourg City

We have been in contact with several of Burgundy’s largest corporations and investment firms; as long as Albania maintains a stable political and economic climate, you can be sure to Burgundian investment begin to come into your country.


To: The Colombian Republic
From: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luxembourg City

We would be pleased to create such an economic pact and state of free and unhindered trade with Colombia. Burgundian corporations will be delighted to find a grand opportunity to invest and expand in Colombia, and vice versa, we hope.

Through our commerce and trade we shall become an example unto the world of peace!

To: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luxembourg City
From: The President of Albania

When can Albania expect the investment to begin? When you do so, I suggest you invest in our mineral and oil sectors and be on the ground floor...

Looks like you're suddenly about to become very important. Not too shabby for a state that didn't even exist in RL.
I assume you'll be starting the Metz Conference thread?

tag, post to come.

Check this post (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9962452&postcount=2756) for recent history.

Luxembourg Taken From out of the Fire of War and Placed Into the Pan of Revolution.

After the events taken by the goverment during the Second Great War Grand Duchess Charlotte has chosen to abdicate leaving her sister Hilda to take the throne, it is the second time one of Grand Duke Guillaume IV's Daughters have abticated and the people are growing ever more weary of this, combine this with the revolutionary tendancies of the people and the slow decline in the Steel industry after the war tensions are beggining to mount, Grand Duches Hilda has however claimed that she will do more to aid the people whilst still remaining a London Treaty nation.

Check this post (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9962452&postcount=2756) for recent history.


in addition, post 2nd Great War, the US completely rebuilt Burgundian and Belgian industry, along with the Burgundian Army (now equpped with mix of Belgian infantry weapons and artillery, UK aircraft and tanks, and US trucks and radios).

Luxembourg City

A large group of workers and peasants had collected together in a large barn on the outskirts of the City, after a while the crowd was hushed and a man walked onto the make shift stage quickly put together out of old tables, "Gentlemen!" He spoke in French but had a two translators for those who didn't understand the language, "I have asked you here to learn of the indecencies of our Duchal system, as I am sure you are well aware many of our fathers fought and died against Grand Duke Adolf back in 1901, and still the Duchal system remained, we were bought ever closer to full Worker representation only to have it ripped from us by the LTA and the Duchess, in the past 13 years we have been through 3 Duchesses and each has done nothing for us, where other countries have moved on from the Monarchy system, Luxem-Burgundy still remains in the vice of the Duchal system, just recently declaring nuetrality a trait we have followed for many decades, so now I say it is time for a change, we will bide our time waiting for the time that is ready to strike!" The crowd had been roused and began chanting loudly, they would have gone and toppled the Monarchy now were they not given orders to wait.