NationStates Jolt Archive

The Kingdom of Greece
Ελλάδα - Elláda
Official Press Release 1872

http://flagspot.net/images/g/gr_k-st.gif
Official Flag of the Kingdom. Adopted 1858

Modern History & Politics:

The history of modern Greece began with the recognition of Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1832 after the Greek War of Independence. The first leader of independent Greece, John Capodistria, had been assassinated in 1831. At the insistence of the United Kingdom, France, and Russia, the 1832 Treaty of London made Greece a monarchy. Otto of Wittelsbach, Prince of Bavaria was chosen as its first King in 1832 and he arrived at the provisional capital, Nafplion, in 1833 aboard a British warship.

Upon his arrival, Otto, only 17 years old, adopted the Greek name 'Othon' to legitamitize himself to his new throne. Under King Othons reign, starting in 1837 after the last remaining ministers of the provisional government were removed, the foundations of a Greek administration, army, justice system and education system were put into place with the King's intentions to create a fully functioning Greek nation as soon as possible.

In 1843, upon the urging of the citizens of Athens, the King and his ministers finally drew up a constitution and convened a National Assembly which met in November. The new constitution created a bicameral parliament, consisting of an Assembly (Vouli) and a Senate (Gerousia). Power then passed into the hands of a group of politicians, most of whom who had been commanders in the war of independence against the Ottomans.

As a result, the politics of Greece soon revolved around the ideals of Greek unifacation and the concept of Megali Idea, in which all Greek lands would be unified under an empire ruled from the gates of Constantinople. However, as time went on, such ambitions were crushed due to the weakness of the Greek state, along with the intentions of the British Empire which saw no need for Greek expansion and sought to keep the small Kingdom within its pre-determined boundries.

As the 19th Century draws on, Greek nationalism still continues to surge, with revolutionary movements emerging in the nearby Ottoman-held lands of Macedonia, Thrace and Crete. And although their cause has failed to pick up any major support (for fear of British intervention), the recent sale of territories by the Porte has given hope to the peseants of Greece that one day soon their country may be whole again.

Geography & Boundries:

http://www.alltravelgreece.com/images/destin_map.gif

The Kingdom of Greece, only encompassing the territories of the Central Regions and the Peloponnese, lies at the very southern tip of the Balkans Peninsula in Eastern Europe, mostly surrounded by the Ottoman Empire or the Waters of the Ionian and Agean Seas.

About 80% of Greece is mountainous or hilly, thus making Greece one of the most mountainous countries of Europe and the most easily defensible point in the entire region. However, due to the rockyness of the soil, the Agriculture of the region, despite the pleseant Mediterranean climate, is poor at best, preventing major population growth.

The Economy:

Since its inception in 1832, the nation of Greece has fallen behind with the rest of the developed world, remaining a predominantely agrarian society in the face of Industrialization to the west.

Without any major crops for export, or coal/iron reserves, the primary exports of the Greek nation continue to be tobacco and currants. Although some costal regions, such as Piraeus, became wealthy through merchant trading, only tiny portions of this wealth have made it to the underdeveloped countryside and as a result, the Greek peseantry continues to wallow in poverty and the Government continues to struggle with its massive debts to Great Britain. Nevertheless, progress in the most urbanized areas of the nation have been made in communications and infastructure and an array of modern public works buildings have been erected across the country, providing a glimmering ray of englightenment for the downtrodden masses.

The Drachma (δραχμή), official currency of the Kingdom since its adoption in 1832, remains at a stable position despite the threat of war. As the Drachma itself is pegged to the French Franc at a 1:1 ratio, problems with inflation have become more prevailent after the end of the Franco-Prussian War, made worse by the Kingdom's lack of any central banking institutions.

Economic Statistics - Fiscal Year

Agriculture: Poor
Industry: Horrible
Natural Resources: Poor
Infrastructure: Moderate/Poor
Trade: Moderate/Poor
Currency Stability: Moderate
Labor Relations: Moderate

Foreign Policy:

Greek Foreign Policy is currently focused on the radical ideas of Megali Idea, with thousands of pounds of funding from the treasury in Athens diverted to revolutionary groups across the Eastern Mediterranean, while Diplomatic and Economic ties to the Sublime Porte continue to be purposely strained due to hostilites.

Although it has been proposed many times that the Greeks go to war to secure the territories in question, the threat of British intervention and the prolonged strength of Ottoman Military forces has prevented Greece from actively engaging in belligerent acts. Instead, a policy of neutrality has been maintained, although the citizens of Greece continue to await the call for war.

[More to come...]

Tag by the Anger Mod, who is piss that Imperial is spell wrong...WOOT

OOC: Well isn't that embarassing. No matter...

March- December, 1872

Across Greece

Since the 2nd of March, when King George had betrayed his people in pursuit of his father's title (and his own ambitions), the small nation had been in a state of shock. From the southern tip of the Peloponnese to the alpine highlands north of Attica, the citizens of a young nation sat in awe, wary of the next unfolding days.

Meanwhile, in the capitol, the legislature, at first paralyzed like the rest of the nation, decided to take action. Deputies of both the Liberal and Conservative Parties, lead by Prime Minister Dimitrios Voulgaris, proclaimed a national state of emergency, and in light of British and Russian intervention, ordered the mobilization of all Greek military personnel.

Three days later, on March 21st, both the Senate and National Assembly assumed the powers of the Executive Branch (under approval by the Judiciary) and immedeately ordered for the arrest of the remaining Administration of King George under the charges of conspiracy and treason, while high-ranking Generals still loyal to the King were also brought into custody.

By June 19th, When hostilities between Greece and Great Britain had finally settled and King George abandoned his claims to the Greek throne, the nation, almost on the brink of chaos, could return to a normal state. At once, military forces were de-mobilized, and all those taken into custody had been pardoned on the condition they re-stated their alligence to the Kingdom of Greece. However, a far larger problem was beginning to creep on the horizon: Who would become the next King of Greece?

The Liberals, on one hand, called for the foundation of a Parliamentary Republic, similar to that of France, that would be lead by an elected President. On the other hand, Conservatives (including the Prime Minister himself), demanded that the Crown Prince, Constantine, now approaching the age of 5, take the throne and retain the Constitution of 1843. The arguement, continuing throughout the fall, reached its climax in late September when a 'Vote of No-Confidence' was passed by an overwhealming majority of Deputies in the National Assembly, the Senate following only days later. With the legislature effectively dissolved and elections set for January of 1873, the Military, along with the Judiciary, assumed control of the Government, mobilizing various army regiments across the country to maintain order.

With January fast approaching, the people of the Greek Isles have become restless and consequentally, rioting has broken out across the nation. Most demand the foundation of a new Republic, crying that Greece should be lead by Greeks. But only time will tell who will win the election and thus, reform the Executive Branch, and until then, the future of the young nation would hang in the balance.

January 13th, 1873

Athens, Greece
Local Residence

"Liberal Bastards." noted Colonel Evzones Kerameikos as he glanced out the thick-paned window into the morning light. "They corrupt the minds of the people with such foolish antics. Elections! Bah! What a waste of time!"

Behind him, an older man dressed in a modest uniform nodded.

"It is the people's will, I presume." the man noted, rising from his seat to grab the crystal glass of chilled wine on the coffee table in front of his wicker seat.

"The People's Will, what a bunch of shit!" sneered the Colonel, still gazing out the window towards the center of the city. "This is not a government of the people. It is a government of the strongest. But yet these fools push us into obscurity. Madness I tell you!"

"Do not strain yourself, Evzones." said the man before taking a sip of his beverage. "The Gods still have yet to give their favor."

"It will take more than the fucking Gods. It will take a miracle!"

Ignoring the Irony of the Colonel's statement, the man simply sat back in silence, tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair. Then, with a small grunt, he pushed himself erect in his seat, a smile on his wrinkled features.

"Colonel, I think we have our miracle."

In the distance from the vantage point of the small window, a cloud of smoke emerged, blotting out the red morning sun.

Athens, Greece
Syntagma Square (Πλατεία Συντάγματος)

The thunderous crowds roared in anger like a giant beast, tossing in turning in a vehement passion that could only be quelled by the stone barriers and stone soldiers that stood in their path. It had been days since the votes had been cast, and it had been promised by the Interm Ministers of Government that the results would be released on this very day. However, no results had come and the peseantry (although many were unable to vote in such proceedings), annoyed by such delays, gathered in front of the halls of Parliament, eager to hear of the future they so desired.

Minutes soon past, which turned to an hour. Two hours past and still no sign of any announcement. With each passing moment the crowd grew angier, bashing against the gates and barricades with barbaric ferocity until forced yet again into the malestrom of flailing arms and shouting voices by the rifles of buxom guards.

As the clock struck 11 and the bells of the city rang their chime, a lone soldier emergered from the legislature, a message in his hand. Making a perch at the top of the steps before them, he unfurled the parchment and began to read.

"Citizens of Athens. It is hereby ordered on this day, January 13th of the Year 1873, by offices of General Antonios Kapodistrias that the current preposition of Parliament is in violation of the Constitution of 1843 and, thus, declared null and void by the Military Authority of the Kingdom of Greece.

"Furthermore, under the direction of Martial Law, it is ordered that all gathered citizens are to disperse to their homes immedeately under threat of arrest and prosecution by military tribunal."

"Thank you."

The man then stepped down from his post and melded into the shadows behind him. Seconds later, a large contingent of armed guards appeared on the steps, rifles at ready.

Meanwhile, as the crowd had been paralyzied by the soldier's statement, columns of uniformed soldiers appeared from the avenues and streets around the Square, marching in ordered formation. It was obvious that such an event had been staged percisely by some unknown authority but nonetheless it did not keep the monster in its cage.

At once the crowd burst into an uncontrollable uproar, surging towards the barriers that protected the Parliament at full speed. Most of the peseants at the front were equipped with only their fists, while many in the back held daggers, pistols and even bombs, their intent already pre-determined.

Like Clockwork, the soldiers formed a line of battle, three ranks deep with varied height intervals to allow a maximum volume of fire. To the sides and rear, the reinforcements did the same, with bayonets attached, as they edged closer and closer to the crowd.

Then on the count of their commander, the soldiers in front of the Parliament opened fire, flattening the front ranks of their attackers. At once panic broke out and the peoples of Greece quickly dispersed, although some of the more dedicated assassins used the chaos to advance further.

BOOM!, BOOM!

The first firebombs went off, sending clouds of dust, smoke and shrapnel in the air. Another batch of citizens were struck down by the attack, with those who had survived either trampled by those still able to flee or suffocated by the poisioned air. Within the ranks of the soldiers, few fell and the attack pressed with more volleys poured into those ahead of them.

Hours later, with order finally re-imposed, 168 lay dead in the square, hundreads of more wounded. Across the country in major cities and towns, similar messages were given and backed up with the same amount of force.

The Monarchy would live on.

January 14th, 1873

Athens, Greece
The Arsakeion

"General, what a pleasure it is to see you." announced former Prime Minister Dimitrios Voulgaris as he entered the soldier's Dining room from one of its many corridors.

Across the table which planted itself across the length of the room, the General sat, his eyes fixed on the tattered pages of the novel in his hands.

Taking a seat towards the middle of the large wooden table, Voulgaris ensured that a comfortable distance lay between his trimmed suit and the uniform of his superior so to ensure maximum ease during their conversation.

"I must say you put quite a show on Yesterday." noted the politician. "Of course, the magnitude of carnage was...unfortunate to say the least."

"I only did what I had to." replied the General, setting his book down in order to devote his full attention to the middle-aged gentleman before him.

"And you realize that such actions were illegal. The election was perfectly legitimate."

"So would you have preferred a Socialist Republic?" asked the old man annoyingly.

"Well of course not but I don't believe your methods were the mos--"

"Most what? Peaceful? Intelligent? Mr. Voulgaris, not all manners of state can be solved through the musings of bureaucracy. It was time for action and I took action before the future of this nation was lead to its demise."

"But was the loss of life really that necessary to achieving your aims?"

"'The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants,' good sir. Certainly such bloodshed was terrible but it was indeed necessary to preservation of this state. Now, with that manner aside, do you know anything of the fallout from our move?"

The former Prime Minister, biting on his lip, put his efforts towards answering the question at hand.

"So far nothing yet. The citizenry has remained mostly calm and military conduct is good. Of course, the Liberals have screamed to high heaven protesting the actions of the military but their cries have fallen on deaf ears."

"Excellent." said the soldier with a smile. "Then let us begin phase two."

Later that night

Athens, Greece
Local Residence

Alèxandros Koumoundoùros, noted Deputy and outspoken Liberal thinker, sought to catch some sleep. It had been a busy day for him as he toured the city and made his speeches to the shell-shocked citizens of Athens, calling for the dissolution of the Military regime that had placed itself above them. Unfortunately for him, his words had little to no effect and as twilight descended into darkness, it was obvious that his efforts had ended in failure.

But he would continue on his quest. It was his obligation to society. Every day until the elections were re-instated would he campaign in the capitol, come Hell or high water.

Entering his small flat towards the east end of the city, the old statesman turned on the gas lamp in the living room, providing just enough illumination for him to navigate towards the bedroom. As he passed by the simple wooden table in the center of the flat, he removed the keys and papers from his pocket and gently set them upon the brown surface below before moving into the bedroom.

Knock, knock

Slightly startled by the sudden noise, Alèxandros turned towards the door from which he came, advancing around the table and towards the threshold once again. Glancing into the peephole, he was once again surprised when his eye caught the silhouette of two armed soldiers standing outside his door.

At once, his body jolted with a surge of fear but the old man kept his composure. Unlatching the simple lock that kept the door shut, Alèxandros pulled it open slightly, revealing only his face and part of his upper body.

"Good evening." he cheerfully noted, trying to mask the anxiety growing within his bones.

"Mr. Koumoundoùros." noted the guard in a monotone prose. "Under orders of the Military Authority of Athens, I hereby place you under arrest for conspiracy against the state."

"Wha--"

At that moment, the other guard quickly forced the door the whole way open and upon grabbing his intended victim, slapped a pair of iron shackles to his wrists. Moments later, the old man would be hauled off to an unspecified detention centre where he would await his final fate.

Across Greece, similar arrests occurred. Major politicians known to be associated with the left were seized by government forces and placed either under house arrest or carried off to a more easily controllable environment. By morning, political opposition would be annihilated and the path would be open to total domination.

January 27th, 1873

Athens, Greece
Syntagma Square (Πλατεία Συντάγματος)

General Antonios Kapodistrias stood above his fellow Greeks with pride in the early morning light, his blue and white uniform, smothered in medals of gold and silver, glimmered divinely as the sun made its trek up the mountainous peaks to the north to cast its gaze on the spectacle unfolding below.

Atop the stairs of Parliament the General stood, a full battalion of armed guards assembled in neat formation with a chosen few holding the cockades of a transforming nation that fluttered in the occasional breeze. Although the people of the Kingdom had not risen in outrage at the grossly tyrannical events that had taken place weeks before, each member of the hand-selected guard kept a close eye on the gathering populace below, rifles at ready in the event a potential assassin revealed himself at any time during the ceremony.

To the right of the General, standing below the wooden podium that centered itself among the Corinthian columns and luscious gardens of the central square, young Crown-Prince Constantine, happy as can be in his own miniature uniform, stood proudly, a smile stretched from cheek to cheek as he saluted the guards in his presence.

As his mother and father had left him for the colder climate of Denmark, Constantine had been raised by his parent's former staff of servants and courtiers who intended to meld the child to the Greek way of life while the events that had unfolded last spring were kindly tucked away from memory.

Now, as the final procession of guards, bearing the banner of the royal family and of each Armed Service (along with both national flags), a assembled group of 5 gentleman and ladies held the child close, awaiting the moment of the announcement.

"My fellow countrymen." started the General in a low rumble. "It has been a season of chaos in these past weeks. A season of bloodshed. A season when the dark and the light of our great nation battled for a future in their eyes, the battlefield in these very streets."

"However, I am glad to say that battle has now been won. The Marxists, the Anarchists, Communists and Socialists alike have been ousted from the most sacred positions of government to be replaced by the patriots of an emerging empire. An empire that desperately is in need of direction, ambition and most of all, strong leadership."

"At first, the tidings of government were secure under the rulership of King George who ruled his subjects without great fault. However, when the time was most expedient for His Majesty, our beloved George committed the greatest of crimes: Treason. In one fateful swoop, he abandoned you, every single soul, to his enclave in the north not for the good of the people, but for his own sickening ambition."

"Now we Greeks find ourselves with an orphaned King, a child that knows no method statesmanship and a government that knows no path to the future but instead relies of the crutch of corruption and bureaucracy to carry it onwards. My friends, it is time to act! We must have strength! We must have direction! It is the most essential need for our nation at this time and I now offer my own blood and flesh to satisfy this need of government."

"Thus, on this day, January 27th in the Year of Our Lord 1873, it is with the highest of honors that I, Antonios Comnenus Kapodistrias, proclaim myself Lord Protector of the Kingdom of Greece. Under such a title, I will dedicate myself to the construction of a greater Greece and lay the seeds upon which our future King will rule. However, I must have the support of the people if I am to act to the fullest extent and, therefore, call upon each and every one of you to aid me in the great renewal of our Fatherland."

"Furthermore, in order to satisfy the provisions of our sacred constitution as well as to ensure the voice of the people is heard in all matters of state, I do proclaim the re-instatement of national Parliamentary elections which will be scheduled in due time by the Ministers of the Interim Executive Council."

"So let us pave forward and work towards the foundations of a new empire! To God! To Glory! To our ancestors!"

A chorus of shouts and cries erupted from the square as thousands of people, caught up in the fervor of their new leaders words, shouted in support.

Stepping down from his podium, the new Lord-Protector, taking the hand of his infant pupil, marched off into the darkness, illuminated only by fire.

OOC: Sorry I forgot to convert your economy. Good RPing so far.

--- Official Press Release: 19 Mar. 1874 ---

In this undoubtedly dangerous age, filled with competing Empires and blood-thirsty states, the Kingdom of Greece has found itself pressed towards war on many occasions without a comparable military force to be called upon. Thus, it has become Lord-Protector Kapodistrias's prime concern that should the rising tensions between her fellow states erupt into armed conflict, the Greek Armies would be unprepared for action and prone to attack. Thus, with the approval of Parliament, several significant changes are to be made to the Greek Armed Services.

Firstly, the Greek Army is to be completely re-organized into a Divisional format, based on the standards of the Prussian Landswehr, with a total of 5 Divisions, comprised of 10,000 personnel each maintaining the central core of the Army establishment, therefore raising the current size of the Greek Army from 11,000 first-line active-duty regulars and 14,000 second-line active-duty regulars, to 20,000 first-line active duty regulars and 30,000 second-line active-duty regulars. Furthermore, an extra 7 Divisions are to be organized in a 'National Hellenic Reserves,' composed of selected individuals from the ages of 25-40 which will be called upon in times of need. Currently, the forces required are being mobilized for re-organization and re-training, a process expected to last for approximately 15 weeks.

Secondly, ₯85 million is to be set forth from the recently appropriated military budget to construct a series of new garrisons, armories and other military fortifications across the nation to provide both an adequate defense against foreign invaders, along with suitable housing/training facilities for military personnel. Details on such fortifications will be released once more information becomes available.

Thirdly, as modern armies continue to progress, the Armies and Navies of Greece must follow in their wake. Thus, an additional ₯245 million will be appropriated towards the purchase of modern military ordinance from foreign dealers.

Hopefully, with such grand changes, the Kingdom may once again feel secure.

June 5th, 1875

--- Excerpt from the Athens Daily News Journal ---
New Tax System unveiled by Central Government!

This morning, in a short speech to the national council, Lord-Protector Kapodistrias official announced his sponsorship of a new tax policy. Since his acension to power two years ago, our grand leader has professed the need to retain a "responsible fiscal policy" to repay the debts accumulated by the Kingdom since its establishment.

Finally, with the aid of Government advisors and fellow military colleauges, a new, "more efficent," policy has been layed out for adoption.

The plan itself, perhaps the most ingenious of its kind, calls for the increase of domestic taxation on induviduals, citizens and capital gains by 50%, along with the implementation of a flat tax of 25% on an induvidual's annual income. Furthermore, to increase revenue on imported products, tariffs and duties on all foreign luxury and finished goods will be increased by 85% to an astounding 41.2%.

Such tax increases, although very steep in most regards, have been termed as "essential" by the Lord-Protector and his ministry, which went on to state: "such maneuvers will not only reform the over-indulgent policies of previous ministries, but provide a way in which to harness the potential industrial power of the Greek State."

When asked where such new profits were to be diverted to, the Ministry failed to answer such questions, but it is our firm belief that this new revenue will be diverted to the general enrichment of the populace and the mighty Greek nation as a whole.

To: Greece
From: The Sublime Porte

We are deeply disturbed at your declaration of war upon us. We have recently offered to sell you the Greek territories under our control, and that offer stands.