So the idea was to create “The Iron Century” the IRP equivalent of the Cold War and a subsequent arms and space race. It will be around 1956-around 2005
While it may be an equivalent to a series of proxy wars and influence wars in TSPRP, it is by no means a Communism Vs Capitalism narrative. But a number of interest coalitions that would somewhat form the current order.
At the moment, these are the Coalitions. Your inclusion to any of them is not mandatory, and you may be neutral or playing along with any or all of these coalitions in the Iron Century.
Ryccia (Pro-Democracy Republic)
“We believe in (Our)Democracy and nothing less!”
One of the main winners of The Great War and current superpower of the region. The OG militaristic and democratic empire that has multiple holdings across the region. One of the IRP first nuclear power in the region. Prides itself as “The defender of true democracy”.
Huawan (Monarchical Imperialist, Pro-Socialist & Anarchy)
“Huawan for most, and all for Huawan!”
One of the winners of The Great War, and currently a waning but still influential power in the region. One of the last remnants of imperialist and monarchical empires that supported the spread of socialism to divide those that do not align with its interests. Rivaling nuclear power in the region, Very flexible and downright hypocritical
Imperial Frost Federation (Nationalistic Imperialism)
“Frost Above All, because only Frost is true!”
One of the winners of the Great War, and an influential power of the region. Why support democracy when you can bathe yourself to the glory of the Frost Empire. Under our empire, you will be glorious. And only Frost is Glory greatest!
There might be other coalitions, and discussions on how it’ll go or major events that happen is very much welcome.
@Bruuma waiting for you as well, since we need the Ultra socialist coalition too
I imagine there would be a larger democratic bloc in the beginning consisting of the democratic victors of the GW and their allies that later split into two (reasons to be decided): a western one, possibly headed by Ryccia, taking a more confrontational stance, and an eastern one that would include nations like Sedunn, Stoinia and others. These two democratic blocs would generally not be antagonistic towards each other, noting the stability of the CPSC during that period.
I’ll also repost an idea from Discord: I imagine there could be an event of similar magnitude as the RL Cuban missile crisis. Government Island was occupied and then administered by Sedunn after the GW. As Sedunn was leaving the island, perhaps another faction could try and snatch it? This could lead to a clash/stand off but eventually a detente and the signing of the accords that grant the island its condominium status.
Small mod note: I removed the ic tags of this topic since it’s an OOC discussion.
I’d imagine the Frost Empire would seize the island after Sedunn’s withdrawal to use as a naval base to resupply ships moving to and from Reizen Province.
Actually, the map of Government Island already has a former Frost submarine pen on it. Perhaps the Empire managed to build one during the relatively short period the island was under their control? And Huawan trying to control it as well would be an interesting stand-off indeed.
Backing off of this, Ikaranara would be terrified at the idea of a great power controlling Government Island as despite it being a very small island it would allow a fleet to more easily intercept a trade vessel going across the East and West and would therefore have a small potential to disrupt trading during wartime, which Ikaranara would have hated.
General thoughts on Snolland, Atlantis and Gianlucaland
After the end of the GW, the victors Frost and Besern (and Eflad?) will hold a tribunal against the Gianlucians responsible for the NC theatre of the GW, but I imagined up until now, Gianlucaland was able to avert a real occupation by the victors overseeing Gianatlan reforms that on the one hand installed stable democracy, but on the other reinstated the monarchy, Queen Charlotte thriving to be a strongarm queen (maybe a compromise, both the imperialist Frost and the democratic Besern could agree upon).
In general Gianlucaland, but especially Atlantis and Snolland, can be seen under Frost influence mostly. Moves like the foundation of the NCU and warming up relations with Sedunn and possibly the Sunrise Triad to get back on the international stage again (e.g. foundation of the IUFA!) show the Gianlucians willingness to cooperate with the (east) Democratic bloc though, especially as the Ryccian-led bloc was seen as too aggressive and possibly dangerous for North Cordilia (this in turn could be a reason, why accepting Ryccia into the NCU could’ve been a goal for Gianlucian foreign politics, assuming you could reign in Ryccia’s power hunger).
Peo-Gianlucian relations on many fields were mostly competitive on many levels (and still are). The relationship between the two countries only warmed up as of 1998 and the coronation of King Axel.
Some general thoughts on the Sunrise Triad. I agree with @Qwert on a split sometime after the GW with Stoinia and Sallodesia having joined the Bailtemmic side, although Sallodesia might have also operated closely with Ryccia at times. However, it also suffered an internal strife with its own Bush War against commies. Stoinia would remain pro-democratic, but more so from a distance ever since the Spirasian Civil War. It might have been more involved in conflicts before that though. Myria on the other hand would be in a tricky spot since post-GW it was under the Sarkis dictatorship which likely would have alienated it from the pro-democratic coalition. I feel like it might better befit it to be a neutral state though still somewhat more acknowledging towards the pro-democratic faction.
General thoughts on Kliegme. It would have focused on industrialization and modernization, growing from an agricultural colony with minor industry to a industrial, developed nation. Thus, it would have maintained a neutrality, as completely aligning with a bloc will reduce investments from the other side.
However, we would be close to Termina and Songren, with the latter after 1982.
Post-civil war Weisserstein would focus mostly on reconstruction around the 40s to 60s, especially rebuilding the economy, as well as commiting a politicide against the other civil war factions and their supporters securing the political situation and curbing instability as to create a stable post-war government.
It would most likely pull a Yugoslavia and create friendly ties between every major bloc, or at the very least neutral stance between them.
Around the late 60s Weisserstein would focus more on economic plans with Sugovia, and by the 70s would have recovered mostly. The focus would later shift to more strengthening of the military.
By the 80s to early 2000s, Weisserstein would focus on economic growth development to increase production and output as well as improving the lives of ordinary Weissersteiners. It would also dabble more in rearmament for the military and other security forces.
The Termina Commerce Confederacy would have a vested interest in building up Kliegme’s economy so that they can have a stable and beneficial trading partner after the GW.
• Neither Bruuma nor Kai Fa nor Puerto Pollo took part directly in the Great War. The former two were busy fighting their own civil wars in those years. However, the different factions, along with the ruling class of PP, could have been aligned with/helped by some of the participants.
• Since Kai Fa was the first to become a communist regime, in 1949, it would be the leading nation of the Ultra-socialist coalition until 1967, when it descended in a Cultural-revolution like factional anarchy. Then Bruuma, which had meanwhile discovered oil and gas fields, took over until 1991, when Kai Fa would become once again the dominant power.
• Puerto Pollo had its own civil war between 1979 and 1990 between communists and anti-communist, ending in a stalemate. The ultrasocialist coalition supported the former, while another bloc could have supported the latter.
• In general, I do not envision the countries being officially involved in wars, but instead sending advisors/expedition (think Cubans in Angola for example)
I think many of us have commented how our nations would seek to position themselves between blocs. It may be helpful to think of this as partly a Cold War, with elements such as an arms race and proxy conflicts, but also of ‘great power competition’ where multiple leading powers compete to expand their influence.
Winner of the GW, primarily vying for influence in Bareland against the Frost Imperialists. Generally supported Communism and Socialism in the “East”. The Alliance would fall apart after the Spirasian Civil War, with any remaining influenced states losing Denvari Influence. Primary Denvari States then become neutral.
– I will ignore the “blocs” discussion for now and advise others do the same. It leads to interesting ideas, like this one, dying out. The “ground rules” aren’t set but the egos are already activated → Yes, I was also guilty of that.
– Instead, let’s address what the Iron century should actually be - by exploring “ground rule” questions:
When is it set what causes it and what ends it?:
I agree with 1956 as a starting date due to the nuclear triad. However, I believe the ending date should really be 2017. with the founding of the World Forum. It might be dangerous to set nuclear proliferation as the standard, since one might argue that the Iron Century never ended.
What other advancements in science and technology were achieved as a result of capital accumulation from military-industrial complexes?
I recall Hammer pointing out that Pacifica would be behind in medicine than we are IRL. Reason was that there hasn’t yet been established discussions on major viral outbreaks such as polio or turbeculosis. This does not mean they did not exist, it merely means that the assumption is correct, until such events are added into canon. If they are avoided, then we are left with a significantly reductive RP world.
Does and should the CPSC have a rivaling organisation?
This one was interesting to me reading back on this thread. There’s supposedly a space race between blocs but there’s like one international organisation regulating it. The organisation which is some decades older than an organisation such as the WF.
What societal consequences arose from the post-Great War generation?
Trauma? Sexual liberation? Authoritarian obedience? Fear for tomorrow?
How did societal and technological changes impact art?
Think architecture. Much like Hammers guide regarding cuisine being a good showcase of your RP culture, architecture is equally as impactful. When you go outside and pay attention to different micro-cultures, you notice “deep cultural” differences in architecture.
IRL Example: Slovak villages always build their houses further away from the road, with the windows and main door-frames looking away from the road. Slovak villages are the only Slavic villages which do not place their housing and windows as close to the road as possible. This is a huge topic with numerous reasons why this anomaly occurred and how it shaped a difference in socio-cultural mentality, so I won’t go into it further than using it as an example.
Finally, how did all of the above impact cultural perspectives, ideologies, and movements?
This might be the hardest one since I think it’s more fun to be original when creating IC ideological thought. However, doing that requires a lot of effort into how ideology and worldviews are formed. I’m not suggesting that Pacifica reinvents Wittgenstein, but quite frankly, I’m surprised it hasn’t given the amount of conlangs it has.
I’m not sure that the tensions that existed between nations post-GW existed until 2017 fully, and if they did, if the WF really solved them enough for there being a sharp end to the Iron Century/Cold War. The WF also did not stop nuclear proliferation, not even after the TPNW. We’d need to discuss the underlying conflicts post-GW and what would have caused the tension between the nations further.
Imo, the world has been impacted by more or less the same viral outbreaks as IRL. It could be further worldbuilt if we want.
There likely was at least one major competitor. It would depend on what the major blocs were to a large degree.
Interesting aspects. I think these are occasionally worldbuilt or mentioned. These would be mostly up to individual nations I believe.
Krauanagaz has a civil war from 1900-1976, after 1956 nations could start funding a side, or creating a new faction for their interests or something.
I am totally willing to be a proxy war location.
A peace deal was signed in 1976, which resulted in the current border arrangement. However, I am willing to make that later, like 1990-2003, or earlier (but not before 1976).
