The Federal Republic of Obechliand

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*"The road to freedom is paved in blood, and on the asphault of war. One cannot kill to gain it, and one cannot kill a great deal to enjoy it." - Prime Minister Theo Bovens*

The Federal Republic of Obechliand is a uni-cameral parliamentary democracy surrounding the delta of the Meseren River, and bordering the People's Republic of Kremwell. the Republic of Arracia, and the Kingdom of Lentenia. The country is ruled via a 600-man Parliament known as the Housen Commoneren (Common House in Arracian). The current ruling party is the Natelist

### Capitol

Aartelvan

Democratic Union (NDU), who dominate the Housen Commoneren with a super-majority, 349 seats out of the possible 600. The current Prime-Minister of Obechliand is Niklaas Streuben.

## History of Obechliand

### De Grootse Revolutie Tegen de Tirannie van Kremwell (The Great Revolution Against the Tyranny of Kremwell)

Obechliand, at the time Obechline, was formerly a province in the People's Republic of Kremwell ever since the Kingdom of Obechliand was conquered in 1698 by the Kremwelli Empire. When that Empire subsequently collapsed in 1730, and the People's Republic of Kremwell was declared, Obechliand attempted to declare its independance, but it was violently put down by the better equipped Kremwelli army. For the next 70 years, Obechliandians all over Obechline were infused with nationalism, and a bustling middle-class provided more fuel to the fire. By the time the 1790s flew around, Obechline was the perfect power keg for revolution. The spark that finally lit the barrel was the public execution of 10 Obech Activists, who all championed an independent Obechliand, in Randleholm Square, straight in the middle of Artelvan. This action was meant to suppress revolts and anti-Kremwelli activity, however, it accomplished the opposite. Riots broke out all across the city, and soon, thousands began arming themselves and took the streets to fight the invaders back. At the same time, the first session of the Housen Commeren was declared, and a Constitution was ratified on Nawehist Day, 1800. Both sides had committed themselves to war.

#### The Battle of Hardenbergerheide

The first major battle of the Civil War would take place on the infamous plains of Hardenbergerheide, 40 kilometers from the city of Sauport. The Kremwelli 11th People's Marine division, composed of 11,000 men would engage in a three month campaign against three brigades led by General Geert De Paus. Defying military convention, General De Paus refused to run, instead he charged headlong into the marching columns of the Kremwelli 11th Marine Division, surprisingly breaking them, and forcing the column back to Sauport. Then, De Paus was successfully able to cut the road lines leading back to the city, encircling the 11th, and putting it to siege. After just two weeks, the 11th would surrender, giving De Paus over 8600 prisoners. This fast and decisive victory was a real wake-up call for Kremwell, and it showed them that the Obech Rebellion was not something that could be taken down through a mere showing of force.

#### The Battle of Aartelvan

Meanwhile in the West and just three weeks later, the Kremwelli navy attempted to capture the key city of Aartelvan along the De Overvliet river. Three divisions were disembarked just 10 kilometers south of the city, and the Siege of Aartelvan began. The city was besieged from all four sides, and Colonel Robert Bauer, a half-Kremwelli half Obech who sided with the revolution. His forces, the 1st Aartelvan Regiment, was numbered only 3,000, meanwhile Kremwelli forces besieging the city numbered 25,000. Outnumbered, with limited ammunition and artillery, and outflanked from all sides, Colonel Bauer decided to go with a daring strategy. He split his forces, and made a desperate sally out from the city, catching the Kremwelli besiegers off guard. Mounting his line infantry on horses and giving them makeshift spears, Colonel Bauer was able to give the impression that Aartelvan was defended by a massive cavalry force. This bluff work spectacularly, as Kremwelli forces gave up their positions on the High Ground and withdrew 10 kilometers back. From there, Colonel Bauer was able to gradually pick off the Kremwelli columns, isolating entire lines and wiping them out quickly. When Colonel Bauer finally broke off his attack, the Kremwelli forces numbered only 17,000. Meanwhile, Colonel Bauer's force still numbered 3,750. This victory would see Colonel Bauer's promotion to Major-General, and the creation of the Obech National Army, led by General De Paus.

#### The Battle of Schinnen

Considered one of the most brutal battles of the entire Civil War, the Battle of the Field of Blood, or known as "De Slachting" by locals of the area, is to date, the largest battle ever fought between Obechliand and Kremwell. The battle was apart of a large general-offensive to push Kremwell out and force a peace deal, The battle would start on accident, when Obech scouts of the 11th Division "De Paus' Finest" encountered three divisions of Kremwelli Regulars, 90 miles South-East of Sauport, in a small town known as Schinnen. General Bauer, now in command of 1st Infantry Korps, consisting of the 11th and three other divisions, moved in to decisively defeat the Kremwelli force. The two sides met at 2:13 PM, and for the next two weeks, the two sides slogged it out in trenches, charging over what turned into a desolated landscape of salted Earth and shell craters. The Obechs brought 56,000 troops into the town. Only 31,000 made it out. The Kremwellis brought 45,000 into the town. Only 19,000 made it out. To this day, the town is unable to grow food because of how much lead is now in the ground.

Local legend goes, that the ghosts of the soldiers who died here (mostly from camp disease and poor conditions in the trenches) can still be heard in the forests and blood-soaked plains, just beyond the town's now abandoned windmill. If you go close enough local guides say, you can still hear officers unsheathe their sabers, and soldiers charging forward into the breach.

#### Victory

By 1803, the fighting had mostly died down, with both sides setting into an early form of trench warfare, with only minor skirmishes occurring on both sides. It is at this time also that efforts between the two nations began to make peace. The war by now had claimed well over 150,000 lives on both sides, and both nations' populations were exhausted. Finally, on January 17th, two long years of negotiation, bickering, and further losses of life later, the Treaty of Artelvan was signed by representatives of the new Federal Republic of Obechliand, and the People's Republic of Kremwell. The treaty had four main stipulations.

* The Immediate Ceasing of Hostilities Between the two nations
* The Recognition of the Federal Republic of Obechliand as the legitimate rulers of Obechlind
* The Institution of Modern Borders
* The immediate disarmament of all troops along the Kremwelli-Obech border, on the part of Kremwell, for a period of 15 years

### Early Government (1805 - 1840)

#### Prime-Minister Theo Bovens & Neuer Smitsmans (1805 - 1825)

Prime Minister Theo Bovens would be elected almost unanimously as the 1st Prime Minister of the new Republic of Obechliand. He was elected under the Obech United Front (OUF) which at the time, held a sweeping 513 seats out of 550 potential seats. Theo Bovens would immediately set out to fix the broken country left from De Grootse Revolutie Tegen de Tirannie van Kremwell. Theo Bovens would first begin by forcing many Kremwelli landowners off their land, instead securing it for Obechs who had previously owned the land before Kremwelli colonization, securing immediate popularity with his people, and eternal demonetization by Kremwell. In other fronts, he would begin to radically rebuilt the country, spending almost the entire country's budget and putting his nation into deficit, in order to pay for radical industrial, agricultural, and maritime expansions/repairs/upgrades. These efforts were miraculously successful and payed dividends, securing the nation's financial and industrial future.

These two main policies would see Prime Minister Bovens elected to a second term in 1810, however he would not be running under the OBU again. The schism of '07 resulted in the OBU being totally dissolved, and almost thirteen different political parties rising up in the Housen Commeren, attempting to assert their control over the country. Bovens, whether he liked it or not, was apart of this schism. A committed moderate and pragmatist, Bovens would not be content with joining a political party. So, in what many describe as a "Decision induced by a combination of alcohol, ego, and many hours of thinking", Bovens gathered his allies in the Housen Commeren and founded his own political party. The Natelist Democratic Union, a coalition between the Obech Democratic League, and the Natelist Union of Obechliand. Together, they formed a moderate, centrist party that would edge out a majority in the Housen Commeren, with 276 seats, out of a possible 550. With this new divide came new difficulties for Boven's second term. Boven could no longer pass almost anything he wanted, instead, he was forced to compromise, and work with others.

Despite these difficulties, Boven's second term was still very successful, as he took advantage of his industrialization and rebuilding efforts to further invest in the economy and the people of Obechliand. Under Boven's second term, Obechliand began to once again look like a beautiful sparkling jewel, rather then a war-torn wasteland, with numerous new businesses, arts facilities, theaters, and even places for the arts opening everywhere in the country. Boven would enter the election of 1820 more popular then ever. With his party riding high, the opposition in shambles, it looked as if nothing could defeat Boven. He won a sweeping election, securing his party 300 seats in the Housen Commeren and winning a third term.

Unfortunately, Boven was still beholden to mortality, and at the relatively young age of 59, he suffered a stroke and died one year into his third term. His funeral was attended by well over 15,000 mourners. Boven's deputy Prime Minister, Neuer Smitsmans, would take over until a snap election could be held in 1822. De Groot would retire himself in 1825, citing old age, arthritis in his knees, and wanting to spend time with his family. Snap elections would be held in 1825.

#### Prime-Minister Mark De Groot

Mark De Groot was Prime Minister Boven's and Smitsman's Commerce and Industry Minister for the entirety of the 20 years, before he himself was elevated to the position of Prime Minister in the snap election, winning the Natelist Democratic Union 312 seats out of the possible 550. With this win, De Groot became the third and oldest Prime-Minister in Obech history, clocking in at 63. De Groot would mostly carry on the policy of Bovens, continuing to industrialize and rapidly develop the nation, and also reformed the constitution to raise the Housen Commeren to 600 seats to reflect the country's growing population. De Groot would not run for a second term, citing old age.

#### Prime-Minister Klaas Balkenende

The elections of 1830 are considered one of the biggest upsets in Obech history, because for the first time, after three Prime-Ministers and 25 years in government, another party seized control. The Social-Democratic Party of Obechliand would win over 30 seats, barely seizing a majority with 201 seats out of a possible 600, barely beating out the NDU by 6 seats. The SDP would elect their leader, Klaas Balkenende to the position of Prime Minister.