Republic of Nordale

Republic of Nordale
Flag of the Republic of Nordale Flag Coat of arms of the Republic of Nordale Coat of arms
'Motto: 'Motto: Cives! In nomine Rei Publicae, porro ite! (Latin) Citizens! In the name of the Republic, onwards!
Capital	Citrus Grove
Official languages	English de facto
Demonym(s)	Nordalian
Government
• Premier	Citizen-Premier Sophia Albina
Legislature	Directorate
Establishment	Prarial 227 (French Republican Calendar) June 2019 Gregorian Calendar
Population
• Census	11
Time zone	UTC-7 in Citrus Grove UTC-6 in Mons Oblivionis UTC-4 in Frog Lake, Hallelujah Grove, and Jewell Pond

The Republic of Nordale, more commonly known simply as Nordale, is a micronation consisting of seven non-contiguous pieces of land located in North America, with a total landmass of nearly 80 acres. All of its provinces were fully surrounded by the United States of America and the Province of Citrus Grove is bordered partially in the West by the Austenasian Territory of Campo Del Sol.

The Republic of Nordale seceded from the United States in June 2019, but the exact secession date has been lost due to civil strife within the nation which compromised many of its records during its formative days. Following a period of inactivity following what is referred to by the nation as the Emergency Period, it was announced by Premier Sophia Albina that all prior Citizens were to be stripped of citizenship and that the Constitution was temporarily suspended. On 28 Prarial 228 (16 June 2020), the Directorate announced the passing of the Reinstatement Act of the Constitution of 2020, officially reconstituting the nation and beginning a new era in Nordalian history. On 4 Ventôse 229 (22 February 2021), the Republic of Nordale was annexed into the Commonwealth of New Virginia, divided into several new municipalities within the Commonwealth.

On 15 Thermidor 229 (2 August 2021), following the 29th of July Movement's rebellion within New Virginia, Nordale declared independence, reconstituting itself once more as an independent Republic.

The Republic of Nordale is governed by the Directorate, a body of Ministers appointed by the Premier and led by the Premier, in accordance with the country's Constitution.

Etymology

The name "Nordale" was conceived by the original Constitutional Convention which took place in 2019, taken from the process of rearranging the letters of the defunct Republic of Roseland of which Sophia Albina was Premier.

History

Founding of the Republic, civil unrest, and inactivity

The Republic of Nordale was founded in June 2019, with about 13 Citizens. It is estimated that about 7 were in attendance to the Constitutional Convention, where the Constitution of the Republic was written and deliberated on. The Convention took place over the social media platform Discord. Within this period, Sophia Albina was unanimously elected as Premier of the nation with no contestants to her candidacy. Sophia Albina also annexed a piece of the land bordering the Province of Citrus Grove at this time into the Campo Del Sol of the Empire of Austenasia. Shortly after this time, the Premier had a falling out with several of her Citizens, and a period of civil strife ensued, which led ultimately to both the destruction of most national documents and a long period of inactivity. Due to this, the information regarding this period is scarce and estimates of the population, exact nature of legislation passed during this time, and the content of debates and discussions within the government and amongst the citizenry of the Republic were lost.

Emergency Period and reinstatement of the Constitution

Following the inactive months within the Republic, Premier Sophia Albina made a statement on 27 April 2020 declaring the beginning of the Emergency Period. She announced that the Constitution was suspended and that all Citizens except herself were to be immediately stripped of Citizenship. On 16 June 2020, the Directorate convened again for the first time in several months and the Reinstatement of the Constitution Act of 2020 was unanimously passed. Sophia Albina took this opportunity to also announce several recognitions of nations across the globe.

Personified representation of French Republican month Vendémiaire, the month in which the calendar was adopted as the official calendar of the Republic of Nordale

Entrance into international scene

Reinvigorated by the reinstatement of the Constitution, the Directorate began to pass many laws concerning government policy and culture of the Republic. On 16 Thermidor 228 (3 August 2020), the Republic annexed its largest Province at that time, Oriole Acres, measuring to a size of just above 40 acres, the largest piece of land in the Republic. From early Thermidor 228 (mid-August 2020) to early Vendémiaire 229 of the Republic (late September 2020), eight laws were passed by the Direcrorate, ranging from a law concerning the capture and execution of wasps and hornets to a law concerning titles and honorifics of Citizens. On 16 Fructidor 228 (2 September), the Province of Veldeaux seceded from the American State of Iowa and was annexed by order of the Premier, increasing the population of the Republic by 3 Citizens. On 3 Vendémiaire 229, several amendments of the Constitution were proposed and passed by the Citizen-Premier. On the same day, the French Republican Calendar was officially adopted by the Republic of Nordale.

In foreign affairs, Citizen-Premier Sophia Albina authored the Kinnon Convention, a treaty concerning the handling of drug addiction within micronations. The treaty was ratified on Sans-culottide 228 (20 September 2020), with the Citizen-Premier giving a speech thanking her Citizens and other heads of state who participated in the creation of the treaty.

In late Vendémiaire, Nordale joined the Borean Community, a North American intermicronational organization dedicated to anti-fascism, the right to self-determination of oppressed nations, peaceful cooperation among North American micronations, and the protection of human rights and solidarity with oppressed peoples. On 23 Vendémiaire, Citizen-Premier Albina made a diplomatic visit to the City of Shoreline in the Commonwealth of New Virginia. During this summit, she visited with the Prime Minister Dame Elizabeth Lewis, discussing matters of foreign policy, culture, and continued cooperation between the two states. Albina and Lewis signed the Treaty of Shoreline, which legally enshrined the friendship of the two nations and made the Republic of Nordale an Associated State of the Commonwealth. This treaty would thus become the most comprehensive and closest treaty the Republic signed with another polity to date.

On 25 Vendémiaire 229, Citizen-Premier Sophia Albina released a denunciation accusing Yaroslav Mar, Ivan Brienovič, and Dionisiy Tezdzhan-Smahin of racism (after an instance of the "n-word" being used), bigotry towards LGBT people (after a screenshot emerged of a comment by Mar which offended several trans women), and disruptive and malicious behavior within the micronational community. Several nations, namely New Virginia, the Misberian Confederacy, the State of Sandus, and the Kingdom of Hrafnarfjall supported the initial declaration, later leading to the creation of an international denunciation with the support of the aforementioned states. Upon its release, the denunciation was met with criticism for using Tezdzhan-Smahin's real name – which he kept private – and it was ultimately banned from distribution on MicroWiki over violation of community standards. Mar and Tezdzhan-Smahin also criticised it for including what they considered foul language. Following the backlash it received, as well as claims from Mar and Tezdzhan-Smahin disputing the context of the accusations, Hrafnarfjall and Misberia revoked their signatures, with Misberia apologizing to Mar and Tezdzhan-Smahin for their involvement. Meanwhile, Mar and Tezdzhan-Smahin considered legal action against Albina for an alleged copyright violation, as the news article was illustrated with a photo taken from Tezdzhan-Smahin's company website. The legal threats included an incorrect guess that Albina lived in a certain city in the Bay Area, leading Albina to accuse the pair of having sought out private information about herself while they were simultaneously denouncing the exposure of supposedly private information. Mar claimed in response that the information had been derived from publicly-available sources and that he had no intention of actually releasing private information. Later in December, Sophia Albina came under fire for saying on the official Discord server of New Virginia that she wanted to see Tezdzhan-Smahin "hang himself".

Annexation by the Commonwealth of New Virginia, Nordalians within New Virginia

Artwork depicting the Nordalian Angel walking alongside Saint Marinus, patron saint of New Virgina. Drawn by Citizen Magnolia Flowers.

Throughout Nivôse 229 (January–February), talks ensued between the leadership of the Commonwealth of New Virginia and the Republic of Nordale concerning further ties between the two nations. On 21 Pluviôse 229 (9 February 2021), the Republic signed the Treaty of Citrus Grove which called for a national referendum concerning the annexation upon the signature of its treaty. Upon a majority vote by the population of Nordalian Citizens, the ratification of the treaty, and legislation concerning the annexation passing within the Commonwealth's House of Burgesses, the Republic of Nordale would cease to exist and be annexed by the Commonwealth. On 3 Floréal 229 (22 April 2021), the Commonwealth of New Virginia Act was ratified into law, effectively annexing the Republic into the Commonwealth. The Citizen-Premier made a final statement to the people of the Republic before formally stepping down as Premier and confirming the dissolution of the state organs of the Republic.

Following the annexation of the Nordalian people into the Commonwealth of New Virginia, the Fellowship for Nordalian Unity (FNU) was founded by Albina as a means to ensure that Nordalian culture, politics, and religion continued to thrive. Throughout its time in the House, the FNU advocated for and proposed laws concerning the civil and cultural rights of Nordalians and social justice, declaring that it intended to largely distance itself from unrelated political debates. Aside from its activities in the House, the FNU continued to host events and make statements for the celebration of Nordalian holidays.

On 5 Messidor (23 June), the FNU initiated what would become a heated intermicronational conflict with the Empire of Austenasia when it proposed Act. HB XIV 2021 (Security of the Commonwealth) to the House of Burgesses. The bill proposed the severance of relations with the Empire and the annexation of the Austenasian territories of Campo del Sol and Fraternitas Campo del Sol itself bordered the Town (and current Nordalian Province) of Citrus Grove, and this was seen as an affront to several Nordalians who saw the Emperor of Austenasia's actions at the time as contrary to Nordalian values. The FNU, along with other sympathetic individuals throughout New Virginia, proceeded to propagandize both seriously and in jest about the prospect of annexation, making references to former rhetorical phrases Albina used (such as the "three dogs of reaction") and the history of the Austenasian Civil War. The conflict would ultimately culminate in Albina being tried and convicted for treason in Austenasia, stripped of all titles. Furthermore, Austenasia would proceed to cede Campo del Sol back to the United States on 9 Messidor.

Secession from New Virginia

Following the surrender and dissolution of the Revolutionary Committee for the Salvation of the Commonwealth, the leading body of the revolutionaries during the 29th of July incident, Nordalian secession was considered.

Politics and government

Nordale is a highly centralized republic governed by the Directorate with the Premier at its head. The foundation for all law within the Republic is the Constitution.

The Premier

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Nordale, the Premier is the highest governmental position within Nordale, vested with the leadership of the Directorate, the powers to appoint and dismiss Ministers, to call for votes within the Directorate, to represent the Republic of Nordale in foreign affairs, ratify treaties with foreign entities, and to amend the Constitution in coordination with a ​³⁄₄ vote from the Directorate. The Premier is elected by the Citizens of the Republic within one week of absence in the position. When elected, the Premier serves for 5 years, unless incapacitated or deposed through impeachment by a People's Assembly. There is no term limit, meaning that a Premier may be re-elected as many times as possible. The first and current Premier of the Republic of Nordale is Citizen-Premier Sophia Albina.

The Directorate

The Directorate, known formally as The Directorate of the Republic of Nordale, Supreme Organ of the People, is the chief deliberative and legislative body of Nordale. The Directorate is composed of individuals appointed by the Premier, known as Ministers, who may also be tasked with managing Ministries of various portfolios as well as holding the rights to propose, vote on, and debate legislation.

People's Assemblies

All Citizens of the Republic of Nordale have the right to call for the convening of People's Assemblies. People's Assemblies are impermanent directly democratic bodies with the power to recall Ministers and the Premier, repeal any laws ratified by the Directorate, repeal any Provincial Ordinances, appoint Ministers to the Directorate, and propose and ratify laws without the Directorate's involvement. A People's Assembly is considered to be legally valid once it consists of 75% of the population of Nordale who do not hold seats on the Directorate.

Members of Government

• 

  Citizen-Premier Sophia Albina:
  Premier
  Minister of the Ministry of Emergency Management
  Governor of the Province of Citrus Grove

• 

  Citizen-Governor James Solomon:
  Governor of the Province of Carnaval Lumineux
  Administrator of the Territory of Frog Lake
  Administrator of the Territory of Jewell Pond
  Administrator the Territory of Hallelujah Grove

• 

  Citizen-Chief James Braidwood:
  Chief Magistrate of the National Fire and Medical Corps
  Honorary Fire Chief of the Republic
  Administrator of the Territory of Campo del Sol

Administrative divisions

The Republic of Nordale is made up of separate pieces of land all within North America, most of them fully surrounded by the United States of America. The administrative divisions of Nordale fall into three separate categories, the nature of each described below :

• Provinces : Provinces of the Republic of Nordale are populated lands which are administered by Governors. Governors are appointed directly by the Premier. Governors of Provinces have the right to establish Provincial Ordinances; policies which only apply to that specific Province. These Ordinances must not stand in contradiction to the laws of the Republic as a whole. The current Provinces making up Nordale are Citrus Grove, Colima, and Veldeaux.
• Historical Territories : Historical Territories are those territories which were once populated by Nordalian Citizens and of cultural and/or historical significance to the Republic. The authority to designate Historical Territories lies with the Premier. At present, there is only one Historical Territory, Frog Lake.
• Territories : Territories are sovereign lands of the Republic of Nordale which are not resided in by Nordalian Citizens. The responsibility for the governance of these lands lies with Administrators, who are appointed directly by the Premier of the Republic. The current Territories of Nordale are Hallelujah Grove and Jewell Pond.
• Administrative Zones : Administrative Zones are defined as temporary and sovereign territories of the Republic of Nordale where the central government seat is based. This is typically the residence of the Premier. Once the Republic's government no longer operates out of the Administrative Zone in question, it is to be ceded back to the nation which it was originally a part of. The naming style for Administrative Zones is established in law as using the format of Administratio #x, with the number being dependent on the chronological order which the Zone was annexed. For example, the first shall be named Administratio Prima, the second Administratio Secunda, etc.. At present, there has been one Administrative Zone, Administratio Prima, exclaved by the American State of Connecticut.

The largest Province by population is Veldeaux with a population of 3, while the largest division by landmass is

Foreign relations

According to the Constitution, the Premier holds the power to ratify treaties and to represent Nordale in foreign affairs. Custom has developed that this is usually done and/or announced through a Premier's Declaration so as to enable access to the information of foreign policy for Citizens as well as the international community.

Nations with which the Republic of Nordale has bilateral relations

•  State of Sandus, since 30 Prarial 228 (18 June 2020).
• Commonwealth of New Virginia, since 30 Prarial 228 (18 June 2020). The Republic of Nordale was an Associated State of New Virginia from 23 Vendémiaire 229 to 3 Floréal 229, per the Treaty of Shoreline.
•  Kingdom of Überstadt, since 30 Prarial 228 (18 June 2020).
• Republic of Yu-Xia, since 11 Vendémiaire 229 (1 October 2020).
• State of Shoreline, since 20 Fructidor 229 (6 September 2021)
•  Ponderosa Hills, since 12 Fructidor 229 (29 August 2021).
•  Ikonia, since 23 Nivôse 230 (12 January 2022).

Nations which the Republic of Nordale recognises

•  Austenasia, since 30 Prarial 228 (18 June 2020)
•  Adammia, since 30 Prarial 228 (18 June 2020)
•  Mercia, since 30 Prarial 228 (18 June 2020)
•  Juclandia, since 30 Prarial 228 (18 June 2020)
•  Molossia, since 30 Prarial 228 (18 June 2020)
•  Sealand, since 30 Prarial 228 (18 June 2020)
•  Ladonia, since 30 Prarial 228 (18 June 2020)
•  Nemkhav Federation, since 30 Prarial 228 (18 June 2020)
•  Republic of Ashukovo, since 10 Vendémiaire 229 (1 October 2020)
•  State of Palestine, since 10 Vendémiaire 229 (1 October 2020)
• Commonwealth of Havnesgade-Amager, since 10 Vendémiaire 229 (1 October 2020)
• All member states of the United Nations, excluding the State of Israel, since 10 Vendémiaire 229 (1 October 2020)

Nations which the Republic of Nordale has had past relations with

•  Naveria, from 3 Nivôse 229 (23 December 2020) until the nation's dissolution.
•  Misberia, from 14 Frimaire 229 (4 December 2020) until the nation's dissolution.
• New Richmond Republic, from 14 Fructidor 229 (31 August 2021) until the severing of relations on 15 Nivôse 230 (4 January 2022)

Culture

French revolutionaries storm the bastille in July 1789. Much of the culture and politics of the Republic of Nordale are inspired by the French Revolution.

The Republic of Nordale's culture is heavily influenced by Enlightenment philosophies and ideals, particularly as manifested within the French Revolution. This influence permeates the language, politics, and daily lives of Nordalians. Particular examples of this include the Republic's usage of the French Republican calendar, the universal usage of the title "Citizen", and general celebration of revolutionaries and their practice throughout history. The Nordalian population is for the most part a spiritual population, with most of its people believing in some variety of a deity or deities.

Titles

One mainstay of the Nordalian people's culture is the commonplace usage of titles in even casual settings, especially the usage of "Citizen" when greeting and speaking of one another. This feature of Nordalian people's language precedes legal enshrinement but was written into law and detailed within the Titles and Honorifics Act of 2020. The usage of titles is mandatory in all governmental correspondence and strongly encouraged among Citizens.

Religion and spirituality

The people of Nordale are highly devotional people, believing in various religions or spiritual practices. The religions of the people of the Republic of Nordale consist of Catholicism, Judaism, and non-denominational Christianity. Neo-paganism and belief in the teachings of The Urantia Book are also practised. Citizens' homes within the Republic are often decorated with religious symbols and icons, varying depending upon the beliefs of the Citizens in question.

Several Citizens of the Republic are also practitioners within the Church of the Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion. Nordale was the third micronation in which the teachings of the Golden Road have been practiced, and the second to establish its own branch of the Church. The Nordalian branch of the Church holds special reverence for the music of The Velvet Underground and the solo work of their front-man, Lou Reed.

Regional particularities and differences are also present in Nordale. In particular, the Province of Carnaval Lumineux is notable for its emphasis on the mythos surrounding the American hip-hop group Insane Clown Posse regarding their concept of what they call the "Dark Carnival", an afterlife where people are judged according to their merits and misdeeds within life.

A belief in an ideal of justice and the punishment of tyrants is deeply entrenched in the spiritual and moral beliefs of the Nordalian people, and this is reflected in their holidays, art, customs, and laws. Many of the international positions which the Republic has taken were also a result of this world view.

The Nivôse 24 CCXXIX Constitution officially enshrined the worship of the Supreme Being in its particular understanding by each Citizen as "being among the foundational values of the state" and the official state religion of the Republic.

Holidays

Main article: Holidays in the Republic of Nordale

The Republic of Nordale officially recognized and established several holidays with the Holidays Act of 229, ratified by the Directorate on 14 Vendémiaire 229. The categories and their definitions as written within the Holidays Act are displayed below.

• Days of Celebration : "Days of Celebration are holidays which celebrate joyous events. During Days of Celebration all labor not essential to the safety of the Republic must be voluntary. No worker may be required to work or penalized for lack of work on a Day of Celebration unless the lack of their labor would endanger Citizens of the Republic. Days of Celebration are to be commemorated by the State either through statements, festivals, or other appropriate action."
• Days of Commemoration : "Days of Commemoration are days commemorating solemn or sorrowful events. During Days of Commemoration all labor not essential to the safety of the Republic must be voluntary. No worker may be required to work or penalized for lack of work on a Day of Commemoration unless the lack of their labor would endanger Citizens of the Republic. Days of Commemoration are to be commemorated by the State either through statements, festivities, or other appropriate action."
• National Holidays : "National Holidays are days to be acknowledged by the Republic as holidays, but on which workers may still be required to work. National Holidays are to be commemorated by the State either through statements, festivities, or other appropriate action."
• Provincial Holidays : "Provincial Holidays are days designated by Governors of Provinces which are culturally significant to the people of their province. Governors have the right to designate days as holidays with the permission of the Directorate, with prohibitions against profane or other holidays not in accordance with the values of the Nordalian people as determined by the Directorate of the Republic of Nordale. Governors are to commemorate Provincial Holidays through statements, festivities, or other appropriate actions.

Art

Saint Bartholomew (229), Citizen-Governor John Brown.

The Republic of Nordale is home to a thriving and diverse art scene, with several of its Citizens being accomplished artists whose art is recognized throughout the nation and internationally. Prominent artists include Citizen-Administrator James Solomon, Citizen-Governor Magnolia Flowers, and Citizen-Governor John Brown. The art scene within Nordale has produced sculpture, poetry, paintings, and digital illustration which have been commended by the Premier as well as many Citizens throughout the country. Nordale is also home to the Solomon Museum of Arts, which was founded by Citizen-Premier Sophia Albina on 26 Vendémiaire 229.

External links

• Wordpress blog of the Nordale Voice newspaper
• Official Facebook page of the Republic of Nordale