Scottish Empire

The Scottish Empire, also commonly known as just Scotland, was one of the first major empires, and was at one point one of the primary superpowers of the world during its peak in the Classic Era. At their height, Scotland's territories stretched across most of northern, central and western Europe, as well as the northern half of North America, the southernmost section of South America, most of central Africa, the western and southern parts of Australia, as well as Siberia and various other smaller colonies across the world. They were the most important nation during the early Classic Era. 
As a result of its large territorial extent, the nation was the most powerful empire during the early Classic Era. The era of their height of power is usually referred to as the Pax Celtica, due to it being a relatively peaceful and prosperous period for the nation and its allies, despite the many large empires that existed at the time. The Scottish Empire an its allies once controlled a large portion of the world, with Scotland themselves being the second largest nation ever. They were generally considered the most powerful nation of their era. They were also the co-leader of the Eurasiatic Entente alliance, and leader of the Colonial-Scottish Alliance and the Scottish-Polish Protection Alliance. 
They also founded the United Legion by merging the C-SA and Eastern Alignment into a single alliance, although this merger did not last very long. However, with tensions rising between them and other nations following a short civil war, the First Worlda War broke out and would permanently weakened the empire. While still quite strong, they were unable to hold onto their colonies, leading to most of them being ceded to other nations. The empire retreated to Scotland and began an isolationist period, which marked the end of the empire. the Scottish Empire and its successor state are generally considered different entities. Scotland is mainly rememebered for being the second largest nation to ever existing, holding the title until the Terran Confederation surpassed it. 
== History of the Scottish Empire ==
=== Founding of Scotland ===
The Scottish Empire, at the time known as the English Empire, was founded by natives of England, led by Alistair I. He would rule from its founding until his death thirty years later. It was formed by a prominent tribe that was located along the Thames River. England's earliest expansions resulted in them conquering much of modern day England, as well as parts of France and Italy. 
After Bosnian explorer Fuad Bogdanović discovered the English presence in the south of Italy, the two nations agreed to create an alliance, as well as begin to trade with each other. This alliance would be the start of Scotland's rise. Alistair I continued to expand his lands, expanding to southern Scotland, Ireland, France and Tunisia for a short time. The Sfax colony was gifted to the Polish to strengthen ties between them, which they would do many times in the future. England continued expanding into mainland Europe, all the way to Germany and near Poland. Finally, before Alistair I's death, they would take the rest of the British Isles. 
=== Rise and peak of the Scottish ===
After Alistair I's death, his son Alistair II ruled from 30AD to 79AD, making him the longest reigning monarch of the nation, ruling for almost fifty years. Under his rule, the nation grew in size rapidly, spreading across the world. The nation expanded to the Iberian peninsula, and subjugated the natives of the eastern coast of North America. They also gained lands in Madagascar, Jamaica, and Cuba from the Byzantine Empire. Their cooperation was generally peaceful at this point. The English Empire had become one of the largest nations in the world by this point. 
His reign also saw the strengthening of ties between them and Byzantium, with Mongolia also becoming a close ally. It was considered a superpower by that point. Alistair II's death in 79AD did not mark the end of expansions. John I covered up his death for the next two years for unknown reasons. In 80AD, the nation renamed itself to the Scottish Empire. This traditionally marks the start of the Pax Celtica. John I's rule, while short, was very successful for the empire, as they continued to conquer outwards, taking lands in North America, Africa and Oceania. He conquered the entirety of Australia, dividing it with the Colonials, parts of central Africa, and pushed further inland in North America, bordering the Iroquoians. They made an alliance with the Colonials. 
After his death in 95AD, Augustus I took the throne. Augustus continued to grow the nation, creating new colonies in South America, Russia, and Africa. The nation also got into several border disputes with Libya around this time, leading to tensions between the two colonial powers, which nearly started several wars. Thankfully, these disputes would be resolved. He died under mysterious circumstances in 110AD and his younger brother Matthiaos l took the throne. 
Under his rule, the nation reached it's apex in power as it grew to the largest size it would ever be. The nation was massively powerful, being part of almost every single major alliance in the world. They were able to hold onto this land for so long by granting local autonomy in certain places, as well as treating many of the native cultures across its empire well. Literature flourished during the relatively peaceful era of the Pax Celtica, as did trade between them and their allies. 
As the empire reached its peak in power, many within and outside the empire began to question many things that were done by its leaders. The most notable of which was that they started to become more aggressive, such as their sudden war against the Republic of Pueblo, and their wars against certain native tribes next to their borders. In addition, them constantly giving away large chunks of territory to Poland also angered many, including other nations. These actions led to the people within the empire disliking Matthiaos, and wishing to replace him with a more peaceful ruler. 
=== War of the Isles and Sfax Incident ===
Protests began in 121AD against Matthiaos as many people became angered at the treatment of the Native Americans in North America. Originally isolated to Great Britain, they spread across Europe rapidly, with protests flaring up all across mainland Europe, and in the rest of the British Isles. The protests later also spread to America, and parts of Australia. Prince John was also attacked and captured by the protestors, while the guards protecting Matthiaos abandoned their posts. 
The protests would reach their peak as both Ireland and England declared independence from Scotland, which would result in the War of the Isles. Massive amounts of fighting occurred in Ireland, Scotland and England. Although the Scottish were able to reconquer both Ireland and England within the year, much of Great Britain was severely damaged. Matthiaos was executed soon after for his tyrannical actions. While John II healed from his wounds, his distant relative Duke Francis reigned in his place until he was able to take the throne. 
Following several disputes between Scotland and Byzantium, as well as the Sfax Incident occurring in early 122AD, the Scottish Empire merged the Colonial-Scottish Alliance and Eastern Alignment, forming the United Legion. This alliance was the single largest military alliance in history, having 8 members at its peak and controlling massive chunks of the world combined. As a result, they eclipsed Byzantium in terms of their power. In secret, however, some members privately discussed betraying Scotland due to their obsession with protecting the Polish Kingdom for unclear reasons. Tensions also continued to rise between Byzantium and Scotland, with the two nations frequently threatening each other. 
=== Downfall and end of the Scottish Empire ===
Tensions would end up reaching their peak soon afterwards. With the Byzantines, Colonials and New Portuguese all declaring war on Scotland in 125AD, the First Worlda War began. The war resulted in Scotland's enemies temporarily occupying all of Italy, most of France, and parts of Iberia during the war. Their land in Japan was also occupied by the Colonials following the war, to prevent them from using it to launch another invasion of Japan. Scotland's reputation never recovered from this. Although Scotland never officially lost territory due the war, the war had devastating effect on the nation, with the nation not only being hated by most others but also losing much of their power and their influence over many nations. 
The empire began to deteriorate rapidly in the years following the war. Many areas of the empire began to act as de-facto independent entities, while the Scottish economy began to fall into recession. In 133AD, the Scottish Empire mysteriously gifted Byzantium the colony of Sfax for unknown reasons. Quebec broke away as a result of this, and began attempting to get the rest of Canada to leave as well. 
Italy also peacefully seceded from Scotland, with them hoping for peaceful unification of all of the Italian peninsula. At the same time, the people of Siberia rebelled against Scottish rule, being angered due to them still collaborating with Byzantium, forming the Sibir Khanate. The following year, Scotland held the Great Giveaway of Paris, leading to almost all of Scotland's remaining territory being gifted to other powers. This massive event changed many borders, and effectively ended the Scottish Empire's influence over the world. 
This would end up being Scotland's last major act, as they had given away nearly all their outside territories. However, the Scottish Empire was not officially abolished until two years later. In 136AD, the nation began to pursue an isolationist policy following the disastrous First Worlda War and its ripple effects. The empire was abolished as a result, leaving only a kingdom in its place, still ruled by John II. Even after this, they still held onto a few small territories left over from their empire. Most of these colonies would later be abandoned, leaving them with only the Falklands and Saint Pierre and Miquelon, which were their final overseas territories up to the Solar Flare, when this successor state also collapsed. 
=== Legacy ===
Scotland would end up becoming the first colonial empire to fall since the Nicolides had collapsed, something that would slowly become more common, as the nations which received its land began to fall. With their fall, Byzantium would become the main superpower of the world, remaining as such for several decades, until their influence also began to decline. Their legacy would live on for some time in Australia, North America, and in some parts of South America. 
Although much of its influences had disappeared by a few centuries later, the Scottish-influenced English language would remain spoken in some parts of Australia and North America. Today, the southern lands of Australia still speaks English, and it was also reintroduced to North America. Scotland is primarily remembered within the Worlda of Nations community for being the single largest nation up until the Terran Confederation, as well as being the founder and leader of the largest player-only military alliance in history. Despite many attempts in later years, the empire has never been revived successfully. 
Category:Nations
Category:Former Nations