The Great War

**The Great War** was a global conflict that lasted from 1931 to 1940. The vast majority of the world's countries fought as part of two opposing military alliances - The Heogyeong Pact and The Tenkyo Commission. Fighting took place on all 7 continents with various different theatres. An estimates 45 million people lost their lives in the conflict.

In western Grosso, tensions remained high in the aftermath of the Merian War (1913-1916) and the fragile peace came under threat from internal conflict in Belha from disgruntled Merians still lacking their independence. In 1922, King Sangmin was crowned an announced harsh actions directed towards the remaining Merian population in Belha. The civil rights of Belhan Merians were curtailed and the government encouraged settlement several areas of Merian homelands. The impact of the Great Depression in 1923 further increased the disenfranchisement of Belhan Merians, and diverted the attention of nearby powers Kaira and Xiangguo away from their plight. As other nations buckled under their collapsing economies, Belha industrialized their disenfranchisement of the Merians, alleviating their economy with their suffering. In 1931, Belha turned south and invaded the Merian states of Khankhir, Alandoria, and Derekhia, marking the beginning of the Great War.

In the bustling Caliruesian Empire, the threat of internal conflict was also high, and attempts to mitigate it were largely ineffective. Federalization of the empire in 1920 with the creation of constituent kingdoms was mostly symbolic and failed to address the increasing issue of sectarian violence plaguing the empire. The Great Depression only served to fuel internal strife and the Caliruesian Emperor Yaroslav X sought to institute a massive economic recovery program. In 1931, Caliruesia discovered that neighbouring Kurkia was funding Haia separatist movements. Caliruesia mobilized its army to the Kurkian border and soon declared war.

In Naturia,

## Background

### Aftermath of the Merian Dissolution War

The Merian Dissolution War saw how far the advancement in war technology had come since the last major Grossoan conflict in the 1860s. It was the first major war to see the use of airplanes and motorized technology. It's inconclusive resolution in 1916 only led to further efforts by Kaira, Belha, Xiangguo and Juagwok to keep their militaries up to date.

### The Great Depression

The onset of the Great Depression in 1923

### Increasing Demands for Popular Rule

While Kaira had reformed into a constitutional monarchy in the 1850s and Xiangguo abolished its monarchy in 1880, much of Grosso was still ruled by autocratic monarchs.

### Increasing Nationalism and Radicalism

Calls for independence among imperial subjects or colonized peoples increased at the turn of the century and were becoming a growing headache for their overlords. Caliruesia's multiethnic empire in southern Grosso began to strain under increasing calls for devolution or outright independence. Belha, Kaira, Xiangguo, and Juagwok were also facing issues in their colonies, particularly in Akix and Azela. In Naturia, Pasia used nationalist rhetoric to its advantage in selling the idea of a united Streya throughout the 1920s.

Also a pressing concern was the rise of new radical ideas in the political process. Communism and Fascism were a threat to both the old order and democracy. In 1927, Silan fell into civil war between various factions on the left and right while the ailing empire failed in its response to the Great Depression. Vesoralia was also buckling under pressure internal demands for reform but was able to avoid a civil war.