Austria Federalism Events

The … Proposal austria_federation.1 · dlc014

"From this point of view, then, it is not a question of the "downfall", but of the reorganisation, of a rebirth of …. If only all those who sincerely care for this empire could, even in their dark longing, become fully aware of the right way forward. Firstly, it is not true that only independent national states have a right to exist. Switzerland, the much and rightly cited example, is the type of a mixed-national polity, and no one would reasonably want to deny it the right to exist. In fact, in our empire, the historical process is merely struggling for a modern form of national-state relations that corresponds to its newly awakened needs." — Aurel Popovici, The United States of Greater Austria

The Other Course austria_federation.2 · dlc014

The declaration of the … has established the a-national union as a solid alternative to the prevailing nation-state model. Where others may draw legitimacy from shared blood, we will draw our strength from the dynasty and the diversity of our peoples.

"Joy, thou shining spark of God, Daughter of Elysium, With fiery rapture, goddess, We approach thy shrine! Your magic reunites those Whom stern custom has parted; All men will become brothers Under your protective wing." — Friedrich Schiller, "Ode to Joy"

The Bohemian Question austria_federation.3 · dlc014

For hundreds of years, the lands of the former Bohemian Crown have been inhabited by both … and … populations. If a … state within the Federation is to be established, the question of the Bohemian and Moravian Germans must be resolved.

"Why does the map look like that? It's an odd shape, isn't it?" "The Bohemians invited them in, some hundred years ago. Back then, it didn't matter if one was German or Czech, all were equal under God and King. If you ask me, they should both be blaming the Protestants."

The Fate of Slovakia austria_federation.4 · dlc014

The lands inhabited by the … people have long been entangled with Hungary. To entertain the thought of splitting … from Hungary is certain to anger … nationalists, yet may secure the credibility of our project with the other West Slavic peoples.

"It was the Hungarian capital. You should really tread carefully on this matter." "And did the Slovaks ask for it to be the Hungarian capital? Why should they be deprived on Hungary's account? We should consider the opinions of those who live in the region, and them alone. I'm growing quite sick of realpolitik."

The Future of Galicia austria_federation.5 · dlc014

The region of Galicia represents …'s spoils from the Polish Partitions. Whilst the territory has traditionally been dominated by … aristocrats, much of its East possessses a … majority. To secure … support, we must arrange a favorable partition.

"What do you think? Where do we draw the line?" "The Ruthenes have lower expectations than the Poles. A neat separation of the East from West will please them, yet anger the Poles, who naturally expect more. Hand Lemberg to the Poles, and the Ruthenes may still be willing to indulge us in return for some other concession. I do not envy your task, but it may well prove feasible."

The Partition of Hungary austria_federation.6 · dlc014

"I often worry that this plan is unworkable. Won't the Hungarians revolt?" "A Chinese general is delayed by the rain, and asks his attaché what the penalty for being late is. "Death", he replies. And then he asked the penalty for revolt - the same, of course. And that is how the Dynasty fell. The situation we have with the Hungarians is quite the same. If they'll revolt at the smallest concession, why shouldn't we push the largest?"

The Slovene Lands austria_federation.7 · dlc014

"Now, if you look at the coast, you'll see that the South is largely Croatian, and the North is Italian. The Slovene part is somewhere in the middle. It's a bit of a knot, but I imagine we can untangle it before lunch. Sistiana is a good enough port, isn't it?"

The Triune Kingdom austria_federation.8 · dlc014

The question of the South Slavs was difficult enough to provoke an ulcer. Hungary had been a thorn in …'s side for long enough for the surveyor to be hesitant about suggesting another powerful administration. But the prospect of an Illyria both powerful and unfalteringly loyal... perhaps. Perhaps, if everything went exactly right.

Beyond the Forest austria_federation.9 · dlc014

The crownlands inhabited by the … are some of the most diverse in our Empire. The establishment of any … territory at all is certain to alarm … nationalists, and pockets of … people throughout the region worry over autonomy.

"We'll need at least three autonomies, here. Possibly more. Where did all of these Germans come from?" "We settled them here—quite recently, after the last war with the Turks. They're coming back to haunt us one last time, it seems."

The Western Fringe austria_federation.10 · dlc014

"I've received a letter from the Navy. It asks me to be generous to the Italians, in the name of recruitment numbers." "I'm not surprised. They're quite an Italian institution." "I've also received a letter from Palermo. That one asks me to... well, I won't repeat it here." "I hate to say it, but that's even more Italian."

The Borderland austria_federation.11 · dlc014

The … population of … has, since the days of the Commonwealth, been ruled by … elites. The largely-… population of the city of … has requested autonomy under a … state. To accept would appease the …, yet deny the … state a vital economic engine.

"Galicia? There's a peculiar dynamic, there. The aristocrats loathe the …, but the peasants adore …. The last time the aristocrats—Poles, mostly—tried to revolt, the peasants stormed their manors and strung them up. We were obliged to send in the Army to protect the would-be rebels. If one were to ask me, I would say that earned the Ruthenes their state, right then and there."

The Serbs of … austria_federation.12 · dlc014

The state of … has long served as a centre of the … culture. The … population of the region has requested the formation of a … state with its capital in …. The proposal has been met with opposition by the local … and … communities.

"When you release the proposal, remember that only Hungarians call it Újvidék. Everyone else calls it Novi Sad. Neusatz, for us." The surveyor crossed out the name. "A rather messy region, isn't it?" "More than you could ever know. They once called that city the Serbian Athens—if we decide in their favor, it can be again."

A Federal Empire austria_federation.13 · dlc014

The government of … has officially endorsed a proposal to reorganize the Empire into a federal state. If successfully enacted, this would mean the end of …'s current autonomy, and a possible loss of our historic territories.

"From this point of view, then, it is not a question of the "downfall", but of the reorganisation, of a rebirth of …. If only all those who sincerely care for this empire could, even in their dark longing, become fully aware of the right way forward. Firstly, it is not true that only independent national states have a right to exist. Switzerland, the much and rightly cited example, is the type of a mixed-national polity, and no one would reasonably want to deny it the right to exist. In fact, in our empire, the historical process is merely struggling for a modern form of national-state relations that corresponds to its newly awakened needs." — Aurel Popovici, The United States of Greater Austria

Off the Sinking Ship austria_federation.14 · dlc014

Our independence from … has forever put an end to the risk of meddling from …. Whether the … government continues its project or not, we shall not be a part of it.

… had begun to change. It was far deeper than the new flags and confetti in the gutters—… could see it in the café menus, the posted pamphlets, the conversations … heard on the streets. On his daily walk, he had come across a team of workers painting a Ministry building, burying the old schönbrunn yellow under a new coat of rust-red. "This was a Habsburg city", it had seemed to say, and so they had taken care of that. He wondered if they would come for the blue doors, too.

… Government Pledges Cooperation austria_federation.15 · dlc014

The government of … has pledged their full cooperation with our plan to federalize the Empire. Much of our … population stands behind their decision.

"The Minister was smiling, earlier. Did you hear?" …'s voice was barely louder than the clicks of his neighbor's spoon on porcelain. One of his colleagues looked over, raising an eyebrow at the comment. "I almost don't believe it," he said. "Where'd you hear that?" "I saw it myself. He was in the lobby, with some Colonel or another." "The …, I'd wager," said the man at the end of the table. "A coach came from …, last night, and they wouldn't say who was aboard. Something exciting's afoot."

… Government Rejects Integration austria_federation.16 · dlc014

The government of … has pledged opposition to our plan to federalize the Empire. Much of our … population is likely to stand behind them.

The letter was full of the usual talk. National sovereignty, the overreach of the …, the ancient rights and privileges of the … lands. It was not the first such letter to be sent, and it would likely not be the last, yet it was the most inconvenient by far. A torpedo in the side of the Government's grand plan. The official placed it in the tray to be sent to the Minister. His gaze settled on his colleague, sipping coffee on the other side of the room. "Do we have another plan?" "I couldn't say." "Because you don't know, or because it's a military secret?" "I couldn't say."

… … Issues Trialist Manifesto austria_trialism.1 · dlc014

The … in … has issued a manifesto in support of establishing a … kingdom. To establish this kingdom would require compromising the integrity of the … crownlands, and diminish our relative status in the Empire.

The messenger hammered on the door of the Speaker of the Diet, only stopping once a secretary emerged. He clasped a sheaf of papers in one hand, and rested the other against the doorframe to keep his balance. Between gasps, he managed to issue his first sentences. "I've just got the news. The …-" "The …, you mean?" "Oh, yes. The … wants to dismember us."

… Vetoes Trialist Manifesto austria_trialism.2 · dlc014

The government of … has vetoed the …'s manifesto promising a co-equal monarchy for the … people. …'s refusal has sparked discontent amongst the South Slavic population of both halves of the Empire.

A great sigh passed through …. They had no reason to be optimistic - yet, somehow, it had seemed so close. For a moment, they had allowed themselves to hope, only to be firmly corrected. There was a solution, of course, one that none of them dared to voice in the moment. It was only in the evening, when their thoughts would turn from disillusionment to vengeance, that such a thing could be expressed. … had veto power, but … had heavy artillery. Would they dare to hope again?

The Triune Kingdom austria_trialism.3 · dlc014

"When the papers caught word of the manifesto," the official began, "there were two parades in …. The first one to celebrate the end of the Dual Monarchy, and the second to usher in the Triple. I suppose that's as clear a message as any." "You said that you were present for the first. Were you ever worried that it would spiral out of control?" "I thought about it, I must admit. Such things are depressingly common. But they could point fingers at the Hungarians. Rather than being their oppressor, we made ourselves their heroes."