Dominik Schrek

**Dominik Ernhold Schrek**, commonly referred to by his nickname "**The Iron President**", is a Roessen independence political thinker who served as President of the Roessen Republic from 1918 until his resignation in 1920. He is celebrated by many as the Founder of the Roessen Republic, with his reforms phenomenally shaping the political spectrum and inner-workings of the nation.

## Military Career

### Early Life and Military Introductions

Dominik Schrek was born on the 21st May, 1870 in Prussia. His father, **Alois Schrek**, was a military officer and one of the many Prussian officers involved in the negotiations of Port George integration into Britain. Dominik was one of seven children, the fourth oldest of his siblings. Out of the seven, however, it was stated that Alois loved Dominik the most, as Dominik's political and military aspirations had seemed to blossom as early as the age of 11.

Dominik and his father's relationship was close, so when reports came in that Alois Schrek had died in the **First War of Port George**, he became depressed, and would often spend his days in silence next to his father's grave. He soon gained a burning passion for the military himself, and enlisted in 1890, at the age of 20. This came at a crucial time when the **Second War of Port George** sparked in 1891.

### Second War of Port George

The Second War of Port George resulted in a loss for Germany. Dominik had been posted in the city of Bismarck to defend the port from British invasion, but suffered a shot to the shoulder in 1893 that left him unable to fight. Confined to a hospital bed, Dominik received the news in 1894 that Britain had taken back the island, but had allowed for the German population to stay. When Dominik was released from hospital, he was given free accommodation by the British in the newly established city of **Roessen**. It was here that Dominik had given up military intentions, in favour of a new career in politics.

## Early Political Career

### The Tavern Speech

Dominik had become convinced that conflict over the island had cost too many lives, and soon gained the philosophy that the island was better left independent. With these ideas he began a series of political campaigns, one of which being the Tavern Speech in 1904, outlining his ideas.

> "It is within these conflicts of claims, we, the people of Port George or Bismarck, no matter your opinions, come under constant threat of violence, subjugation and murder. They pillage, they destroy, and they take nothing for granted; the people must renounce their nationalities, whether British or German, and say to the world: I am of this island, and I wish to be free!"
>
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The speech received thunderous applause, and propelled Dominik into the forefront of populist politics on the island. He was regularly invited for more speeches, and it was said his words drove many to political action.

### Political Rising

Dominik's political rising was met with more and more positivity. Some followers even took to radical action, resulting in the events of the **July 9th Massacre**. Schrek responded by retorting the need for independence. It was during this time that he wrote *Roessen Governance*, his independence manifesto, which at first only sold copies in his city of Roessen. He responded openly negatively to the **Second German Control**, claiming that **Asquith** and the **Kaiser** should have instead moved to independence, rather than forming the **Dominion of Bismarck**.

His political career had turned him into a businessman, and he handled Roessen businesses, becoming an investor and contractor, and charitable public figure. Even through the Dominion of Bismarck, he continued his calls and cries for independence of the island, calling for a "**Roessen Republic**" to be formed, independent from imperial and colonial action.

## Aftermath of the First World War

### Allied Success

The **First World War** in Bismarck resulted in an Allied Powers success. The British capture of Bismarck as a key naval base in 1917 opened many questions as to how the island would continue. To some, like Dominik Schrek, it became a symbol of hope that independence was now on the horizon. When Britain announced it would sue for independence of the island, Dominik returned to the forefront of politics. The majority chose him to be their representative for independence talks.

### The Iron President

While **Otto von Bismarck** was notably titled "the Iron Chancellor", Dominik and his list of **reforms** earned him the respectable title of the **Iron President**, and his works became fundamental in shaping the nation. His two-year Presidency, from 1918 to 1920, oversaw the **mass migration program, the Province Scheme** and the **Blooming of Political Thought Scheme** before he chose to step down as President in 1920.

### The Final Years

Dominik Schrek left power in 1920, and chose to live a quiet life. Although now a national icon, he prefered privacy with family, allowing politics to continue as it was. He stated however that he would "not ignore any cries for help" should the political system devolve into chaos.