Crimson Decades

## The Crimson Decades

The Crimson Decades is perhaps the most well known, and least known chapter in Konzaskan history. An era mythologized within Konzask, and Konzaskan education, yet, an era very little know much about outside of Konzask. "The Crimson Decades", generally refers to the period of Konzaskan isolation post communist take over, from 1944-2008 (Although many Konzaskan historians dispute this, and claim it ended in 1995). Furthermore, the Crimson Decades also refers to the time period of "Socialist Solidification" in Konzask, in which Konzask's Savinist Penchevist ideology, and left wing out look truly cemented itself. The ideological connotations of these decades is what gave this era it's name, the word crimson being often associated with Marxist Penchevism within states like Konzask and Zhonghan.

This period of time is universally recognized as the period in which Konzask truly modernized, and what would eventually lead it to become an up and coming super power in Elparian global politics, as well as the recognized head of the Elparian socialist movement.

## The Revolution and Penchev

Konzask's revolution, as far as revolutions go, was not violent or bloody, nor did it spark years of civil war. Due to Konzask's involvement in the Lorraine War, extensive political instability, and the armed forces of the Third Konzaskan Empire being spread thin across Osho, Selaria and Calderia, further combined with the horrible miss-management, repressive policies, neglect, and famine brought about by the Tsar and his military government over the years bred deep ceded distaste, dissatisfaction and anger amongst all walks of life in Konzask, many of which would take to increasingly radical organizations of resistance, such as most famously, the Fatherland Front.

Tensions would come to a boiling head in October 3rd, 1944 when the Fatherland Front organized, and executed a "March on Safingrad", where hundreds of thousands of disgruntled Konzaskans, workers, and even veterans from previous conflicts stormed Safingrad, with the intent of taking the palace, and overthrowing the Tsarist government.

The Fatherland Front forces would be met with a brief conflict with the under prepared, and under equipped city garrison forces, ending in the cities seizure, and imprisonment of the Empire's government, and Tsar himself. With their success, the Fatherland Front was soon to proclaim a "Provisional Government" under the new "Konzaskan Republic". The declaration itself was met with wide spread enthusiasm, the majority of Konzaskans fed up with the Tsar's iron wartime grip, famine, neglect and the seemingly never ending Lorraine War, a war many Konzaskans believed they were loosing.

Soon to action, the Republic hastily pulled Konzask out of Corusconian alignment, and soon enough, out of the war entirely, leading to a swift end of the extensive wartime restrictions many Konzaskan's were subjected too, only helping to bolster enthusiasm, and popular support for the Revolution. Seizing the momentum, and support, the Revolutionaries hastily acted to solidify their control, and enact the vengeance they had been setting out for for decades, the execution of the Tsar.

The Tsar's execution to many outside Konzask was seen as an extreme, and humiliating affair, as the Tsar was executed publicly by firing squad, mimicking the punishment's soldiers would receive for desertion or treason, sending a clear message about their stance regarding the decades of suffering the Tsar had subjected the Empire too. However, fearing international ramifications, and drawing Konzask in yet another war with the Great Powers of the era, the Provisional Government let the Tsar's family escape without punishment, placing them under house arrest in a remote cabin near the Nurosolvaskan border.

### Elections

As Konzask began to stabilize, and Konzask officially having pulled out of the Lorraine War, the Provisional Government announced the beginning of elections of historic scale within Konzask, as this would be the first official, publicly held election within Konzaskan history. However, more crucial, were what voters had to choose between. The Provisional Government was made up, founded and ran by the Fatherland Front, a broad coalition of both radical, and moderate leftists, comprised of various wings. Despite the prospect of free and fair elections, no matter who was chosen, it would be a victory for the Fatherland Front, but who was chosen would dictate the long term course Konzaskan history would take, as voters were confronted with the question, the question of putting their trust in the moderates who promised gradual change along western lines, or the radicals, who promised rapid change along their own lines. Soon enough, that question was answered upon the Fatherland Front's Savian wing winning the election with a 10% majority, only further displaying the desire for immediate change many Konzaskans were calling for, many wishing to distance themselves as far as possible from the suffering and never ceasing war and starvation the past years had brought them.

As such, the leader of the Savian wing, Mladenov Penchev was elected as the very first president, and publicly elected leader in Konzaskan history. Penchev's victory official marked the end of both the Fatherland Front (as the purpose of the Front was successfully fulfilled) and the Provisional Government, with Penchev officially proclaiming the "United Soviet Socialist Republics of Konzask".

With the disillusionment of the Front, the various factions within the Front shifted to form their own official political parties, which still exist as of February 2022, those being the Konzaskan Communist Party (KCP) under Penchev's Marxian wing, the Socialist Party of Konzask (SPK) from the moderate socialist wing, the Konzaskan Combined Syndicates (KCS) from the libertarian wing, and the Democratic Socialists of Konzask (DSK) from the reformist wing.

Each party however, was not safe from internal factionalism however, especially the KCP, which was greatly divided between the moderate wing, the conservative wing, and the hardliner wing, which Penchev himself belonged too.

## Penchev Years (1944-1956)

Upon election, Penchev did not wait long to begin enacting his vision for a new Konzask. His first act as President was announce Konzask's withdrawal into isolation, publicly accusing Konzask's needless ties to Corusconia, and the meddling of foreign powers in it's affairs for it's sharp decline. Although agreeing to enter the United Nations at the end of the Lorraine War (which would continue for 4 years after Konzask's withdrawal), Konzask had sharply cut contact with the majority of Elparian nation states before the end of 1944, excluding the colonial administration in Zhonghan, and Trimainia. Despite the reasons Penchev gave publicly for his reasoning, it's widely believed both in, and outside Konzask, that his real reasoning is so he could begin his envisioned transformation of Konzaskan society with minimal foreign interference, and to limit foreign eyes and ears from disrupting the "Communization" of Konzask.

The first major move made by Penchev was to officially, and publicly grant the "Dominion of Zhonghan" it's total independence, which greatly boosted his support in Konzask (As the Tsar's over investment in Zhonghanian development left Konzask itself neglected and underdeveloped), as well as in Zhonghan itself for his propagandized "Selfless dedication to the self determination of all peoples". Of course however, outside of Konzask and Zhonghan, this move was deemed to be a crude attempt to bolster his supporter base.

Not even a year later, his move to grant Zhonghan it's independence proved to pay off even further, as in 1945, Zhonghan itself would come under a successful communist over through of it's own government, a revolution commonly attributed to the previous Tsar's having exiled great amounts of Konzaskan communists to the once Osho colony.

The successful spread of communism to Osho proved to be a substantial media win for Penchev, solidifying not only his popular opinion amongst Konzaskan's, but most importantly, his party. These wins would prove vital in giving Penchev the support he needed to enact his large scale, radical reforms within Konzask, as propaganda quickly began portraying Penchev as "Konzask's Savior", a title many Konzaskans willingly flocked too.

### Penchevist Agricultural Collectivization

The first issue Penchev and his government were faced with was the wide spread hunger, and still lingering effects from Konzask's recent famine from the 1935. To answer the calls of the starving, Penchev in early 1945 announced the goal of total agricultural Collectivization as part of Konzask's first 10 Year Plan, as Penchev began shifting Konzask to a state planned economic model.

To Konzaskan farmers, the announcement was met with mixed enthusiasm. On one hand, many were willing to give the radical shift a chance, as Konzask was starving, and on the brink of agricultural collapse, and there were very little other options to take. While others, were deeply disgruntled and out raged, as this would mean to a large scale state seizure of property on an enormous scale.

Although there was minimal resistance, it was resistance Penchev did not have the patience to deal with, leading to the large scale arrests of countless protesting farmers, and forced seizure of their property without compensation, while those who cooperated were often given the positions of those apprehended, the arrested farmers being labeled as "Counter Revolutionaries" and "Petite Bourgeoise".

These hostile actions, to most Konzaskans were welcomed. The average Konzaskan factory worker, or city dweller had very little love for the plight of the farmers. The Konzaskan people were starving, and desperate for change, leading many Konzaskans to see Penchev's swift actions, compiled with his popularity boom from the previous year as a "Necessary Step", or, more commonly, openly supported it as a way to finally put the famine behind them.

Chervenkov however also knew the importance of maintaining his image, as well as the need to have well bodied workers on the new collective farms in order to even make his plans for Collectivization remotely successful, as such, Chervenkov launched a mass prison release of farmers arrested under the previous regimes reign, many of which were imprisoned for failing to meet the Tsar's obscene quotas. This move was greatly over blown in Konzaskan propaganda and media to further cement his public image as a Konzaskan savior.

In order to provide immediate, short term relief to starving Konzaskans, Penchev had initiated the large scale importation of Zhonghanian agricultural goods to both, not only put food on the shelves, but to diversify Konzaskan food pallets, an effort deeply enshrined within the Konzaskan propaganda machine.

As years progressed, and the collectivization process progressed, by 1955, Penchev internationally announced Konzask to be "Fully Collectivized" in the wake of the staunch rise of Konzaskan agricultural out put. With the increased output, simultaneously was met with the drop of food prices across the country, coupled with the updating of Konzaskan infrastructure from other aspects of Penchev 10 Year Plan saw the success of eradicating the lingering effects of the 1935 famine. Despite the large scale arrests and prosecution committed to achieve this goal (an estimated 5,000 farmers were arrested, of which only 1,000 would be released under the Spasov government), this proved to be a massive success for not only the Konzaskan economy and people, but cemented Penchev's image as a Konzaskan public icon, immortalizing him to many Konzaskans growing up in this era.

### Penchevist Economic Remodel

Konzask's economy would perhaps be the sector that saw the most change as a result of the revolution, and empowerment of Penchev. Upon being elected, Penchev inherited the Konzaskan economy in a rather dire state of affairs. Although unlike other countries who's cities, towns and industry were on the frontlines of the Lorraine War, and destroyed, Konzask's economy was hit hard. After decades of a military dominated government, Konzask's civilian sectors, healthcare, education, infrastructure etc were found to be deeply lacking, further coupled with the agricultural collapse under the Tsar, rocketing unemployment, and extensive Corusconian influence within the Konzaskan economy, Penchev and the KCP were faced with a massive challenge.

With this in mind, Penchev was quick into action, creating the "Konzaskan State Planning Committee", to spend the rest of the year developing a comprehensive economic plan to revitalize, and shift the Konzaskan economy. In the meantime however, Penchev was quick to announce, and implement the full scale nationalization of the Konzaskan industry, and economy.

With the vast majority of foreign industry primarily from Corusconia, with the rest being from Corusconian aligned states, Penchev took advantage of the still ongoing Lorraine War, by fully nationalizing the Konzaskan economy in December of 1944, leading to mass outrage from Corusconia and her allies. However, nothing was ultimately done in retaliation. Bogged down and loosing the Lorraine War, Corusconia had little power on it's own to retaliate to Penchev's move, and perhaps more critically, there weren't any foreign entities willing to act on Corusconia's behalf, the bulk of which were already in the Lorraine War against the Corusconian Empire, leading Penchev's nationalization to be a staunch success, and a propaganda win posed as "Penchev taking back the country".

The immediate bolster of revenue from the nationalization, and large scale wealth distribution from seized business's was later put into the up and coming 10 Year Plan to sponsor rapid industrial expansion, public works projects and urbanization of Konzaskan rural sectors. To further bolster Konzask's labor pool, the Konzaskan Armed Forces were slashed, allowing hundreds of thousands of soldiers to return to civilian life into "Labor Battalions", which granted soldiers state sponsored communal housing, as well as access to labor intensive jobs with modest wages in order to bolster short term productivity, and to ensure the rapid development of the First 10 Year Plan.

In anticipation for heavy backlash from Konzaskan general staff, a full scale purge of military officers began, with nearly the entirety of Konzaskan high ranking military personnel being both arrested, and publicly executed, with the KCP mobilizing Konzaskans hatred for their previous Tsar by accusing the arrested of having close ties with the previous Tsar, putting on large scale show trials, with falsified evidence accusing many of mass murder, or aiding in perpetuating the 1935 famine.

Despite the brutality, by 1955, the ruthless efficiency proved to be a great success, with the vast new public works projects, urbanization, and industrial expansion creating new housing, new jobs, and contributed to higher wages, only bolstered by the successful collectivization, and stabilization of Konaskan agriculture.

### Education Reform

Perhaps the sector most heavily influenced by Penchev's government is that of education. Penchev's vision for Konzask was a long term one, and he knew that although in the short term, unskilled labor would prove to be a massive boon to the modernization of Konzask, long term the requirement of skilled work is only going to grow. As such, Penchev sponsored and ordered the construction of countless new middle schools, high schools, as well as universities, most famous of which being the "Penchev Peoples University" in Ruse.

The education system itself also saw reform, with the KCP mandating the withdrawal of religion from the education system entirely, replacing it with "Socialist Realism"

"Socialist Realism" itself teaching students a socialist/communist world view and outlook, as well as educating them on the inner machinations of the KCP, Penchev was quoted as saying "In order to survive, any Socialist society requires a politically aware Working Class". These classes also extended into teaching leftist economics, and materialist philosophies at higher grade levels.

Penchev also oversaw the birth of the Konzaskan youth pioneer program, the "Octoberists". The Youth Pioneers was (and still is) a mandatory youth program for students of age 5-17. Functionally an extra curricular organization, the Youth Pioneers take part in parades, as well as organize camping, fishing, and various out door trips for children, also responsible for organizing field trips to museums and historic monuments across Konzask to further display the "Advancement of Konzaskan Socialism", as well as function as a way for students to get to know one another, and more easily make friends with their peers, and build up a collective sense of community within Konzaskan youth.

### Reform and Repression

Although, generally universally within Konzask, Chervenkov's reign is viewed extremely positively, and idealistic, outside of Konzask his reign is highly divisive. Penchev in his reign is responsible for the largest political and civil crack down, mass arrests and executions within the history of the USSRK, while simultaneously, he laid the foundation for Konzaskan democracy, pioneered and implemented rights, freedoms and reforms on a scale unparalleled by future Konzaskan leaders, curbbed the countries mass starvation, remolded Konzaskan education and repaired the once shattered economy.

Penchev in his early reign, initiated a large scale purge of the high ranking armed forces in order to "Sever all ties with the Tsarist Government" publicly, to further rally popular support, while in private, it's generally assumed the move was to prevent a counter coup, with many of the officers being historically conservative, as well as directly connected to the Tsar before his execution, the Tsar having maintained a military cabinet place suspicion on thousands of individuals, the bulk of which would eventually be executed under hastily made mock trials. This soon spurred into the creation of the OKN (Central Committee of Information in Trekan) in order to keep a covert eye on foreign powers.

Repression would seen descend to the Konzaskan public when Penchev would turn his attention on the church. Wanting to push Konzask into a more secular society, the KCP banned religion from schools, as well as religious iconography in schools, places of government, and outside places of worship. Although generally well received in Konzask's urban population sectors, many of which had begun disassociating within the church during their endorsement of the Tsar's wide spread oppressions, and their public support for the Lorraine War. However, the sentiment was not shared among Konzaskan rural populations, especially within the clergy. sparking mass rural unrest and protests across Konzask's more inland regions. Penchev responded to the unrest with further repression, deploying the remnants of the Konzaskan military to contain and silence the protests, leading to the arrest of hundreds of civilians, leaving thousands of others beaten, and forced to return home. Officially there are no deaths recorded, but there most likely were dozens, however the KCP heavily disputes this, and it is hardly pursued by foreign bodies as there isn't any evidence to contradict such statements.

After these arrests, many of the apprehended protesters testified, claiming that they were apart of a "grand conspiracy" organized by the clergy against the government. Internationally, these claims are rather controversial, because although the KCP used it as an excuse to launch a wave of oppressions against the Orthodox church, it is equally very likely the church was trying to undermine the government due their staunch loss of power. Regardless of the validity of the confessions, the KCP used the testimonies as a reason to launch a full scale restructuring of the Konzaskan Orthodox Church, hundreds of high ranking priests, including the Patriarch of Safingrad himself being replaced with KCP mouth pieces.

Despite this however, Penchev is also attributed to ushering in an era of religious freedom, despite the mass Orthodox crack down. The wide crack down on the Orthodox church also saw the legalization of not only Islamic religions, but the Apostolic church, as well as countless other religions. Although they had the same restrictions as the Orthodox church, it was far more then was afforded to them during the time of the Empire, the Tsardom having had none orthodox religions deemed illegal.

Furthermore, Penchev begun to lay down the foundations for Konzaskan democracy, shifting the once Unitary Imperial model to a more modern, federal one. Penchev also eradicated previous administrations, replacing them with more democratic party ones, opening the government for regular people to have the opportunity to enter, as well as establishing new ministries designed to preserve the democratic institutions within the USSRK, and ensure ministers are hired and appointed based off of merit, rather then lineage. Penchev established term lengths (but failed to establish term limits), having elections every 4 years, as well as drafting, and publishing a new, democratic constitution. However, in a move to ensure the "Enlightenment of the Konzaskan Worker" is done successfully, Penchev established a 10% threshold required for parties to enter parliament. Penchev had also established "Soviets", or, workers councils, where workers could meet convene, discuss and send their requests directly to the government to create a direct line between Konzask's working class to the government. Perhaps most importantly, Penchev oversaw the enactment of complete universal suffrage, and legalization of the LGBTQ+ within Konzask.

Over all, despite his high praise within Konzask, internationally he is both simultaneously recognized as one of Konzask's most brutal leaders, as well as the founder of Konzask's democracy, making him highly controversial to many outside Konzask and Zhonghan, while he is seen as a hero, and liberator within Konzask and Zhonghan.

## The Spasov Era (1956-1971)

The Penchev chapter in Konzaskan history would come to an abrupt end in 1956, after Penchev suffered from a serious heart attack, passing away almost immediately. The news of Penchev's death was met with wide scale mourning across Konzask. After his rapid success, and transformation of Konzask, and the large scale propaganda machine that aggrandized Penchev's achievements, the bulk of Konzaskan's equated Penchev to the "National Savoir" he was portrayed as in media. Penchev was given a hero's send off, and was quickly embalmed, placed in the now "Penchev Mausoleum" in Memorial Square in Safingrad.

Soon after his death, snap elections were quickly held in order to find a new President in the USSRK, and dictate the course of the nation in the wake of the death of such a legendary ruler in the minds of so many Konzaskans. By the end, KCP member Miroslav Spasov was elected, and sworn into office in 1956. Miroslav Spasov, unlike Penchev, was a member of the moderate wing of the KCP, while Penchev was a member of the Hardliner wing.

The moderate wing of the KCP, in comparison to the Hardliner wing, was staunchly reformist within the Savinist framework. However, as the moderate wing was not very popular within the KCP, and the wider Konzaskan public were (and as of February 2022, still are) pro Penchev, and pro Penchevist policy. As such, Spasov in his immediate reign further enshrined, and promoted Penchev's legacy, officially enshrining Penchev as a national hero, even coining the term "Savinist Penchevism" as the official ideological, political and economic philosophy of Konzask, and the KCP, helping him cement early popular support, and wider approval within the party. Although, this led to the unintentional consequence of isolating himself from his own wing within the party.

Spasov didn't pander to the hardline for long however, as one of Spasov's first reforms was to eliminate the party electoral threshold within Konzaskan parliament, allowing all parties the potential to win seats within Konzask, building upon the democratic institutions created by Penchev. In the same vein, Spasov legalized the formation of non-socialist parties, including allowing them to partake in Konzaskan elections, and parliament (if seats are won). Despite this, capitalist parties were (and as of 2022, still are) on the far fringes of Konzaskan politics, many associating them with the Tsar and their extensive failure. Spasov's immediate reign also saw a slow roll back on the persecution on the orthodox clergy. Despite the roll back however, the strict religious laws remained. Spasov's reforms also outstretched into the Penchevist constitution. Although not out right changing clauses within the constitution, Spasov would enact new clauses protecting freedom of speech, and expression. Perhaps most importantly, Spasov implemented restriction on how much the state could interfere with Konzaskan media, allowing a level of free media unthinkable under Penchev. However due to most media outlets being ran by hardliners, the media wouldn't fully "De-Penchevize" until 1974.

Spasov's reformist policies also penetrated into the economy. Although not reformist enough to consider shifting from the collectivist, and nationalization under Penchev, or to stray from the state planned system (being behind two separate 10 year plans himself), Spasov over saw a large shift of economic focus from heavy industry, to be more oriented around consumer goods and quality of production. The KCP under Spasov would work tirelessly in this regard, believing that Konzask can not remain in isolation forever, and when it does, in order to not be swallowed up and shackled by the "Capitalist Slavers", Konzask's economy must be able to remain competitive, and be able to provide similar, if not higher quality goods to it's own people in order to ensure the long term survival of socialism within not only Konzask, but Elparia as a whole.

This shift would lead to the creation of various new brands, and state sponsored companies within Konzask, providing various commodities, such as Konzaskan made soda's, food products and luxury products. This shift didn't see an end to Konzask's heavy industry development, but their focus in the next two 10 year plans were heavily diminished in favor for the rapid expansion of consumer goods. Under Spasov, the Konzaskan automotive industries and computing industries would quickly begin to take off, electronics in particular, with the KCP putting the most focus and investment within the development of Konzaskan computing and technology, the KCP becoming paranoid about maintain equal, or at least comparable technological advancement with western countries, becoming increasingly fearful about being out paced and left behind. Perhaps the most famous internationally recognized company formed under Spasov is BASSCOM, which as of 2022, has a presence in nearly every continent across Elparia.

Perhaps the most daunting task Spasov set out to conquer in his presidency was Konzask's ever lacking medical system, a system which Penchev overlooked. In his first 10 year plan, Spasov began the construction of countless new hospitals, and medical academies across Konzask, as well as beginning a nation wide "hygiene awareness" campaign, where television and radio stations would run sections about maintaining proper and healthy hygiene. In the meantime while the new hospitals and academies where being constructed, Spasov began importing various vaccines from Trimainia for Konzaskan scientists to revers engineer, and create their own vaccines, which would then be distributed to doctors for public use, and be exported to Zhonghan to use, until Konzask's medical industry was at a stage where it could create it's own vaccines and conduct it's own research.

The most daunting task Spasov was forced to deal with was the crippled armed forces, which still had not recovered from Penchev's extensive purges. Spasov and the KCP would begin working extensively with the few members of the general staff that survived Penchev's purges to rebuild the sacked Konzaskan officer corps. The question of military modernization was brought up with Spasov's second 10 year plan, with the expansion of consumer goods production being parred with the rapid expansion of Konzask's military industries, and production output, further topped with the increased subsidization of Konzaskan military scientists and theorists in order to rapidly modernize the Konzaskan Red Army, Navy and Airforce to be a competitive, military force. Although this policy began under Spasov, it would reach it's peak until Lyobenov's reign a decade later.

Perhaps the most impressive scientific achievements made by Konzask under Spasov was Konzask's successful launch of the "Spudzia 1" orbital satellite in 1966, and the drafting of plans in 1970 to overhaul Konzask's electrical, and energy grid to be predominantly nuclear reliant. These drafts wouldn't see any implementation until the 1980's however.

## The Lyobenov Era (1972-2000)

The reformist era of Miroslav Spasov would not last much longer however, as in December of 1971, along a drive by tour of Safingrad, Miroslav Spasov was shot and killed in broad daylight in front of thousands of shocked, and horrified Konzaskans. Although the killer was easily found, arrested and executed, the question of succession was once again on the minds of Konzaskans. Just as at the death of Penchev, snap elections were held at the death of Spasov. However unlike the previous elections, the moderates would not win another victory, with leader of the conservative wing of the KCP, Obreten Lyobenov winning a majority, and being sworn in as the third official president of Konzask.

Although Lyobenov shared similar sentiments to Spasov in regards to military modernization, and the consumer economic shift, Lyobenov would prove more steadfast in other issues. Hastily, Lyobenov would hasten the persecution of the orthodox clergy in Konzask, and move to take credit for the hospitals and medical academies ordered under Spasov's administration. Even further, Lyobenov would expand Socialist Realism classes to include lessons of the "Great Socialist Achievements" of Penchev fostering a Penchevist Cult of Personality within Konzaskan public thought. Lyobenov as well is often attributed to the main factor as to why socialist doctrine and ideals are often considered inseparable with Konzaskan culture.

Early in Lyobenov's rulership, he would order the construction, and establish the "Safingrad National Palace of Culture" (SNPC). Although outside of Konzask, what seems like a harmless tourist building, displaying the vast centuries of deep history Konzask holds, within Konzask itself, it serves to manage the cultural interpretation of Konzaskan history, as well as how said history and culture is taught within schools. The SNPC upon establishment would lead to a total overhaul of how Konzaskan history was taught, and viewed by contemporary Konzaskan intellectuals, interpreting Konzask's constant struggles against Nurosolvask, it's constant struggle to keep up with foreign powers in the 1800's to that of a "Nation Scale Class Struggle", with much of Konzaskan history being equated to that of the Marxist class struggle, while Konzaskan culture itself, rather then be manipulated by the SNPC, was portrayed as the "ideal culture created by a naturally Marxist peoples throughout history". Although these changes deeply concerned Konzaskan intellectuals and teachers, it was generally accepted by the wider Konzaskan population with little resistance. If anything, for many it bread a sense of patriotism, a sense that Konzaskans have always been striving for the most ideal society through out the entirety of their history. While many students, not knowing better, generally accepted it with little to no questions asked. As of 2022, the interpretations and policies of the SNPC stand unquestioned within Konzask.

Lyobenov's economic stance didn't deviate heavily from Spasov's, rather then shifting to an entire new lenses and focus, Lyobenov maintained the consumer goods orientation of the plans, however increasing the emphasis on heavy industrial expansion as well as the Konzaskan Military Industrial Complex, striking a balanced middle ground within the sectors. Although this would slow Konzaskan economic growth, it would end up making it more uniform, with greater long term impact then Spasov's more short term focus.

### Ubizieten Civil War

When the Ubizieten civil war broke out with Zhonghanian backed communists rose in the southern half of the country, Konzask was quick to involve itself in the conflict on the side of it's long standing ally, Zhonghan. The civil war itself would prove to be a brutal slog within the expansive jungles, and rolling hills of Ubizieten, with the capitalist north, and communist south by 1979 coming to a stand still, both sides begrudgingly signing a peace treaty, acknowledging the existence of both states in an effort to end the brutal conflict. Despite a technical victory in securing the existence of the communist south, and growth of Zhonghan's influence in Osho, Konzask interpreted the failure to destroy the north as an utter failure on their end. Konzask historically, since the bronze age had widely regarded itself as a warrior culture, even earlier in the 1920's having faught in the same jungle, and successfully driving Minachian forces out of Osho. Compared to the stalemate, the Konzaskan armed forces took it as a secret humiliation, even though it was widely seen as a victory in the communist world.

This would prompt Lyobenov to launch a large scale military overhaul, with Konzaskan RND and military budget to sharply increase. The Armed Forces saw a rapid growth in both budget, men and quality over this period of time. However the sector which would receive the most growth was the Crimson Navy. The KCP, as well as the Konzaskan general staff reasoned that, with minimal mainland enemies, and lack of global airbases, Konzask's largest theatre of future battle would be on the high seas, prompting a massive naval expansion program spanning from the 1980's-1990's, with a large naval modernization program fallowing from the 2000's-2021.

However, these expansion plans were kept separate from Konzask's economic plan's, which would serve to slow down Konzaskan economic growth, but not stop it. Not reaching the same rapid booms from the 1950's, 1960's and early 1970's, Konzask's quality of life, wages and living conditions did continue to slowly grow.

### Kemeti Revolution

Lyobenov's rapid military expansion and modernization would soon get a chance to be put to the test once again in 1992 and the onset of the Kemeti Revolution, with the Kemeti leftist movement seeking independence from Corusconian colonial domination. The Kemeti Revolutionaries were quick to reach out to Konzask for aid, and Konzask was equally quick to send aid, deploying both ground, air and naval forces to Kemet in an attempt to not only secure a victory for their new Selarian allies, but to internally "restore the honor and pride" of Konzask's deep warrior culture. Much like in Ubizieten, the fighting was long and brutal, only worsened by the extreme desert heat, however unlike in Ubizieten, Konzask and the Kemeti Revolutionaries would score multiple key victories over Corusconian forces, both on the ground, air and oceans.

This conflict would also serve to unintentionally bring Konzask to slowly step out of isolation, as for the first time since the Lorraine War, Konzask officially had reached out to Treka. Konzask itself, feared that Corusconia would try to invoke as much global support it could to put down the Kemeti Revolutionaries, prompting Konzask to seek out a none aggression pact with Treka in 1993, an endeavor that ultimately proved successful.

As years passed, and fighting dredged on, eventually, the combined Konzask and Kemeti forces would score their final victory over Corusconian, and rival factions. With the revolution in Kemet successful, Konzask began large scale celebrations, with the stress of their self imposed humiliation in Ubizieten seemingly redeemed, Lyobenov would slowly begin to once again shift the budget away from the military, however not nearly to the same extent as it was in the 1950's, the economic focus was once again shifted to the rapid growth of the civilian sectors.

In the latter few years of Lyobenov's reign, Lyobenov and the KCP believed that now, Konzask was finally ready to come out of isolation, with even in 1998, declaring Konzask a First World Country, calling it the "Economic Miracle of Socialism". Weather one believed Lyobenov's excessive public rhetoric, Konzask's assertion as a first world country was undeniable. Although not on the same level as countries such as Treka, or Minachia, Konzask economically out produced many western countries, with Konzaskans on average even earning more then multiple Calderian and Remusian countries, even becoming one of the worlds G15 countries.

In 1999, Lyobenov began the long process of opening embassies across Elparia, and re-establishing diplomatic ties across the globe that it had cut off decades prior.

## Beginning of the Markov Era

Lyobenov's presidential reign, unlike those before him, did not end with his death, but rather, at the age of 93, Lyobenov officially announced his retirement 3 days before national elections, announcing his fellow conservative wing candidate, Vardar Markov would be running in his stead.

With Lyobenov's extraordinary legacy behind him, Markov won elections with an astonishing 30% majority. Despite being a loyal KCP member, and part of the conservative wing. Like many party members, he had a non-party job, said job being the coach for Konzask's national hockey team, the Safingrad Cyclones. After becoming full time president, Todorov did not make much shifts from Lyobenov's policy economically, excluding a higher emphasis on scientific and technological development. The main difference came with culture. Although keeping to the same principles, Markov used the SNPC to begin promoting a culture of youth athleticism, while promoting healthy eating and work out routines on national television. Markov over all, brought a maintenance of the status quo in all regards except in foreign policy.

Markov was dedicated into fully bringing Konzask out of isolation, doing so by finalizing Lyobenov's work in establishing embassies with the global community in Elparia, as well as pushing Konzask to be a more active, and vocal proponent in the United Nations, using the United nations as an tool for propaganda, shifting Konzask to a staunchly anti colonialist, anti imperialist global stance, while taking strides in promoting the enforcement of human rights and freedoms across Elparia, quickly earning itself a place on the human rights council.

However most crucially, Markov opened Konzask to foreign trade, and over time, shifted Konzask into a major global exporting power. Although the most important stride came in the expansion of Konzaskan tech and computing companies outside of Berinsky, hastily establishing themselves as dominant forces within Osho and Selarian marckets, eventually after his reign under future presidents, even expanding their presence in Nordica, Calderia and even Remus. Markov himself would not live to see this however.

Markov, by 2008 had re-integrated Konzask into the global communities successfully, and even gained more then he sought out to do. Markov under estimated Konzaskan influence within the leftist world, as well as the over all strength and influence of both Zhonghan, Ubizieten and Kemet, finding himself, and the country as the accidental head of a global movement, and accidentally putting Konzask as a globally influential power on the Elparian map in under a decade, which would serve to instigate a new Konzaskan economic good, not only from the rapid influx of foreign goods, but the expanding consumption and demand for Konzaskan goods abroad. Although Markov would reign for 11 more years after 2008, loosing elections to the moderate wing of the KCP to future president Yavor Ilianov, who would then be succeeded by Velika Filipova, universally, this is seen as the end of the "Crimson Decades" in Konzask. Although many argue the end came earlier, indisputably, the era of isolation, and the long lasting Crimson Decades were completely over by 2008.