National Mobilization Law

The National Mobilization Law (国家総動員法) is a piece of legislation that serves to boost Erebonia's military power at the onset of the Great War. It serves as a means for Chancellor Giliath Osborne to take control of the Imperial Government and spread the Erebonian Curse. 
==Background==
On July 17, S.1206, Ash Carbide shoots Emperor Eugent Reise Arnor III under the influence of the Erebonian Curse. The following day, Osborne would use the incident as a catalyst to officially announce the law, guising the incident as an assassination attempt from the Republic of Calvard. The fear brought about from a supposed assassination attempt allows Osborne to gain the support of the public and representatives within the government. The law is unanimously approved by the Imperial Diet on July 31, S.1206.
==Overview==
The National Mobilization Law gives the Imperial government the power to requisition any resource deemed necessary for the war effort, conscript men aged 19-45, regulate commodity prices and exert administrative control in provincial territories. It also requires private businesses to cooperate with the Imperial government and restricts all trade with Calvard. Following its enactment, the Conscriptions and Requisitions Council is established in the Ministry of Justice to manage conscription offices across the empire as well as requisitioning assets from wherever deemed necessary.
===Effects===
The law covertly serves as a means for Chancellor Giliath Osborne to spread the Erebonian Curse. By increasing societal tensions between nobles and commoners, the Curse is able to manifest itself more easily across the Empire. In conjunction with the Eight Metropolis Plan, the National Mobilization Law cripples the nobility and the Four Great Houses within the Empire. Despite the law never mentioning specifically targeting the nobility, it’s revealed it was passed with the intention of nobles carrying the lion’s share of the burden. This results in nobles across the country having their assets covertly seized way beyond what the law permits, pushing many to the verge of bankruptcy. This is most notably seen in Ordis where the Imperial Navy halts all nautical trade in the Sheelin Bay and begins forcibly requisitioning transport and cargo ships owned by nobles living in the city. In one instance, the Navy seizes a cargo ship carrying supplies intended to serve as a emergency resource for victims of war amongst the nobility despite the seizing of supplies meant to support citizens being outlawed.
The size of the Imperial Army increases drastically as a result of the law. The number of armored divisions increases from 20 to 25 and by mobilization day, total Imperial forces are numbered at 1,240,000.
The law also gives Chancellor Osborne control over the three great mines of Erebonia: the Sachsen Iron Mine, the Aragon Mines, and the Mainz Mines. Control over the mines usually fell under House Arnor with either the Emperor or a representatives of the royal family determining how much is mined. Now with control of the mines, Osborne forms a contractual agreement with the Reinford Group to become the official supplier of weapons for the Imperial government. Utilizing tax funds centralized in capital from the Eight Metropolis Plan, Osborne prepares for Operation Jormungandr by commissioning 8 Gargantua-class battleships and 12 Dragunov-class railway cannons along with the mass production of thousands of Achtzehn tanks and tens of thousands of Panzer Soldats. In order to meet the demand for iron, the Reinford Group drastically ramps up production within all three mines. While good for the mines in the short-term as the increase in production creates hundreds of new jobs, by the end of the war the mines are completely depleted. 
The law also limits the authority of political figures and government institutions. This is seen when Carl Regnitz is removed from his position as Imperial Governor of Heimdallr and placed under house arrest in Ordis after attempting to rally others within the government in opposition towards the law. Furthermore, the law prohibits government agency’s from working on anything that does not pertain to the war effort. As such, the Government Accountability Inspectorate is prevented from conducting investigations into the legality of the governments actions. This results in the government getting away was unconstitutional tactics such as Operation Birdcage or illegal dealings with Kleist & Co. without facing rerecussions.
Food shortages and price gauging become prevalent issues is response to the law as well. With trade from Calvard now restricted and most domestic resources being requisitioned to the Imperial Army, food supplies are unable to be replenished to meet demand, resulting in skyrocketing prices for everyday commodities. In response to this, Marquis Hyarms begins working with former members of the Food Agency to distribute rations to those affected throughout the Sutherland Province. 
Widespread corruption begins appearing as a result of the law as well. Some private businesses such as Kleist & Co. begin to circumvent trade restrictions by offering kickbacks the government in exchange for allowance to sell Calvardian goods and information on competitors they can utilize to drive them out of business. Once such instance occurs when the company faces no repercussions from the Imperial Defense Force after being caught stealing from a social security program for refugees in Parm. 
Category:Concepts
Category:Erebonia