Pacific States of America

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Pacific States of America
Motto: "Utraque Unum"
"Out of two (worlds), one"
Anthem: "Battle Cry of Freedom"
Regions of North America containing Pacific States territorial claims shown in green
Regions of North America containing Pacific States territorial claims shown in green
StatusActive
Official languagesEnglish
Recognised regional languagesIndigenous languages
Ethnic groups
(2020)
Religion
(2023)
Demonym(s)Pacific American (official)
Pacifian (popular)
GovernmentConfederated presidential non-partisan republic
• President
Dustin Carlson
• Vice President
Luke Gonyer
• House Speaker
Marc Pritchard
LegislatureCongress
Senate
House of Representatives
Independence 
from Canada
• As Courtica
16 September 2019
• Confederation
21 March 2023
• Government dissolved
23 August 2023
Area
• Total
0.107 km2 (0.041 sq mi)
• Water (%)
10
Population
• 2023 estimate
21
CurrencyPacific States Dollar
Time zoneUTC−8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)
UTC−7 (PDT)
Date formatmm/dd/yyyy
Driving sideright
Calling code+1
Internet TLD.ca (de facto)

The Pacific States of America (PSA), commonly referred to as the Pacific States or Pacifia, was a short-lived micronation that claimed territory in the Pacific Northwest.

The Pacific States was founded in early 2023 by Canadian micronationalists Dustin Carlson and Marc Pritchard, and its government subsequently declared its independence as a sovereign state. The Pacific States was not recognized by the United Nations or the government of any United Nations member state, but maintained diplomatic relations with other micronations and independence movements.

The country was governed as a presidential republic with a written constitution, and was comprised of thirteen states and two territories.

Etymology

The Pacific States of America derived its name from its geographical location in the Pacific Northwest, and its close proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The country was also popularly referred to as Pacifia by its citizens who enthusiastically embraced a unique cultural identity as Pacifians.

History

The history of the Pacific States can be traced back to 2019. Aspiring micronationalist Dustin Carlson established the Republic of Courtica, a small and ultimately short-lived nation on Vancouver Island, in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Courtica would eventually dissolve and Carlson would go on to found the Dominion of Vancouver Island in early 2021. Meanwhile, another Vancouver Island based micronationalist, Marcus Pritchard, declared the independence of the Commonwealth of Lazonesia in late 2020. The two men soon established diplomatic relations between their aspiring Commonwealth realms, and a mutual decision was eventually reached that would see Lazonesia absorbed by the larger and more established Dominion of Vancouver Island.

During the summer of 2022, the dominion had entered a period of prolonged stagnation, political infighting, and an exodus of officials which led Carlson to consider abandoning the project. Carlson, Pritchard and other remaining ministers held several discussions regarding the future of the nation, including the possibility of dissolving the Dominion of Vancouver Island and reviving Courtica and Lazonesia as independent states. In late 2022, the dominion officially announced its dissolution and the reestablishment of Courtica and the (now-republican) Lazonesia as separate nations once more.

2022 propaganda poster championing a union between Courtica (left) and Lazonesia (right) Elements from both flags were used in the design of the flag of the Pacific States.

By early 2023, Courtica and Lazonesia were both administered by a close-knit group of friends, with several individuals holding key positions in both governments. Carlson and Pritchard met in March of that year to discuss trade agreements, but talks soon shifted to the drafting of written constitutions for the two nations. The two men discovered that their political and economic policies and long-term goals for statehood were virtually identical. More discussions were soon organized involving all officials and citizens from both countries, and a general consensus was established that uniting the two nations into a single entity would have enormously positive benefits for everyone involved.

Following these meetings, Carlson and Pritchard formally presented a gathering of Courtican and Lazonesian delegates a written proposal to unite the nations, which was enthusiastically received. The delegation officially declared the independence of the Pacific States of America at the stroke of midnight on 21 March 2023. Dustin Carlson and Luke Pritchard were formally elected as president and vice president by the newly established electoral college on 28 March 2023.

In late 2023, the Pacific States government was dissolved after several months of dwindling activity.

Politics and government

The Pacific States was a federal republic consisting of thirteen states and two territories. It was a representative democracy with a codified constitution guaranteeing the rights, responsibilities and privileges of all Pacifian citizens. The country had a bicameral legislature, which along with the executive branch and judiciary, made up the 3 branches of the federal government.

President

The President of the Pacific States was the head of state and head of government of the nation. The president was the chief executive of the federal government and was the commander-in-chief of the Pacific States Armed Forces. The nation's constitution vested executive power of the Pacific States in the president. This power included supreme execution of the law, responsibility for appointing executive, diplomatic, and judicial officers, declaration of war with the advice and consent of Congress, and concluding treaties with foreign powers. The president also had the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the Pacific States, and could convene and adjourn both houses of Congress under an act of emergency.

The president was indirectly elected by Pacifian citizens through an electoral college to a renewable six-year term.

Vice President

The second highest executive officer of the Pacific States government was the vice president. As the deputy to the president, the vice president was also indirectly elected by the electoral collage to a renewable six year term after being chosen as a running mate by the successful presidential candidate in a national election. The main duty of the vice president was to preside over the Pacific States Senate and serve as tie-breaker in situations of tied votes. The vice president was also the first person in the presidential line of succession. If the president died, resigned or was otherwise removed from office, the vice president would become the new president for the remainder of the current term.

Congress

The Pacific States Congress had both an upper house and lower house in the form of the Senate and House of Representatives respectively. Congress was presided over by the vice president, and was responsible for the proposal of all bills to be passed into law at the federal level. It was notable for being a non-partisan legislature, with no active political parties existing in the Pacific States. All senators and house representatives were elected by their constituents through direct elections and served as independents with no official political affiliation. However, two political factions began to emerge in the early days of the nation's existence, known as the "traditionalists" and "reformers".

Law and order

The preamble of the Pacific States Constitution included the phrase "each State acting in its sovereign and independent character", which focused the judiciary on the unique rights of the individual states. The Pacific States Supreme Court had jurisdiction over the federal level as well as the territories, while each state had its own supreme court. Article IV of the constitution stated that all Pacifian citizens shall have the same legal rights that they enjoyed in the respective host provinces and states that their PSA state or territory is located in. Article IV Section II required all citizens of the Pacific States to obey all macronational federal, provincial/state and local laws at all times. The same rule applied to its citizens living abroad with regards to the laws of their home countries.

Military

The Pacific States Armed Forces were the military forces of the country, consisting of three service branches: the Army, Marine Corp and Navy. There was no active air force. The army was the largest service branch, and included the Home Guard which functioned as the nation's reserve force. Command of the army fell under the administration of the Pacific States War Department, while the marines and navy were managed separately by the Department of the Navy. The Pacific States Armed Forces was a volunteer force of professional soldiers and sailors with a small, but capable, standing troop strength of 7.

Ministries

Pacific States ministries were comprised of nine executive departments administered at the federal level:

  • State
  • Treasury
  • War
  • Navy
  • Post Office
  • Interior
  • Agriculture
  • Environment
  • Health and Education

Foreign relations

The Pacific States of America asserted its independence and appointed several diplomatic agents abroad. While never recognized by the government of any macronation or intergovernmental organization, the Pacific States unilaterally recognized the sovereignty of over 200 nations, both on the maconational and micronational stage.

The Pacific States was considered part of the Western Canada sector, and had active diplomatic contacts with several micronations in the region.

Unilateral recognition

Mutual recognition

Recognition refused

Admnistrative regions

Each of the nation's thirteen states maintained jurisdiction over a geographical territory and shared sovereignty with the federal government. The contiguous Pacific States was comprised of eleven states on Vancouver Island, while the two non-contiguous states were located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, and on San Juan Island in the State of Washington. The two Pacific States territories were located on Vancouver Island and San Juan Island respectively. Each state or territory had a governor as chief executive, and governors could hold office in multiple states or territories due to the micronation's relatively small population.

Every state had varying amounts of presidential electors, as did both of the two Pacific States territories. This was a departure from the electoral college of the United States, where U.S. territories do not have presidential electors. All states and territories fully recognized the sovereignty of all Indigenous lands in North America and considered them legally exempt from all Pacific States laws. Full citizenship was granted to all Pacifians whether or not they permanently resided within Pacific States territory, with passports being provided free of charge by the federal government.

Pacific States passport.

The State of Courtica was the largest in terms of both population and physical size, and was the primary territorial land claim of the entire country. It was the location of the nation's capital which housed the Presidential Mansion as well as Congress. The remaining PSA states and territories varied in size, ranging from several acres to only a few square feet. The States of Errington, North Columbia and South Columbia were mainly symbolic claims with only nominal jurisdiction over their geographical areas.

States

  • Courtica
  • Douglas
  • Errington
  • Hurford
  • Lazonesia
  • Lerwick
  • Luna
  • Nassivassa
  • North Columbia
  • South Columbia
  • Tercy
  • Tilford
  • West Hurford

Territories

  • Baynes
  • Eastsound

Geography and climate

The geography of the nation varied depending on the location of its constituent states, but broadly typical of the Pacific Northwest with numerous mountain ranges and lush extensive forests due to the plentiful rainfall and mild summers in the region. Courtica state, the central hub of the micronation, was comprised of semi-rural farmland with surrounding forests of Coast Douglas fir trees. A small creek also ran across the entirety of the state and its capital city.

Courtica had a Mediterranean climate according to the Köppen climate classification. Autumn and winters were typically mild with heavy amounts of precipitation, while spring could also experience persistent rainfall. Summers were hot and dry, with heat and wildfire warnings common.

Climate data for Cookstown
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 6.4
(43.5)
7.4
(45.3)
9.6
(49.3)
12.9
(55.2)
16.6
(61.9)
19.8
(67.6)
22.8
(73)
22.7
(72.9)
19.0
(66.2)
12.9
(55.2)
8.5
(47.3)
5.9
(42.6)
13.7
(56.7)
Average low °C (°F) 1.4
(34.5)
1.2
(34.2)
2.5
(36.5)
4.6
(40.3)
8.0
(46.4)
11.1
(52)
13.3
(55.9)
13
(55)
9.9
(49.8)
6.0
(42.8)
2.9
(37.2)
0.9
(33.6)
6.2
(43.2)
Source: www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca (archived data from 1981–2010)

Economy

The Pacific States had a primarily agrarian-based economy with a heavy reliance on agriculture for the exportation of eggs and vegetables to Canada and the United States, as well as localized trade within the micronation itself. A small aquaculture industry was also present, which consisted of oyster and mussel farming. The PSA was almost entirely reliant on Canadian and U.S. imports for all of its essential goods and services, with the Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar being widely accepted in all transactions.

The Pacific States Dollar (symbol: $; code: PSD) was the nation's official currency and was printed and circulated by the Bank of Pacifia. The country's banking system and currency was based extensively on the former Bank of Courtica, which was an extremely well developed banking system despite the short existence of Courtica as a sovereign state. All Courtican currency and loans were accepted across the Pacific States at equal value to the Pacific States Dollar. The PSD was not backed by hard assets, but simply by a promise to pay the bearer upon the the prospect of recognition of the Pacific States as an independent state by the United Nations General Assembly.

2019 Republic of Courtica state loan, featuring the likeness of Captain James Cook, a significant historial figure in both Courtican and Pacifian culture.

Demographics

The demography of the Pacific States was diverse. The largest ethnic group was comprised of people identifying as having European Canadian and European American ancestry. Various Indigenous peoples made up the second largest ethnicity while a minority of Han Chinese also counted themselves as Pacifian citizens. The national gender ratio was 12 males to 9 females for a total population of 21, while the median age was 26 years.

Population

As of March 2023, the Pacific States had a population of 21 citizens. 4 permanent residents lived full-time within the nation's capital of Cookstown, 11 lived in various Pacifian states, and the remaining 6 resided in the country's territories. As states and territories were all enclaves located within Canada and the contiguous United States, citizens of the Pacific States were also dual citizens of their respective host nations.

Country No. of citizens
 Canada 15
 United States 6

Culture

Pacifian culture was deeply inspired by the Cascadia movement and the wider political, cultural and economic systems of the surrounding bioregion. Western alienation played a large role in Pacifian individualism, as well as the belief that the Pacific Northwest is region that is distinctively unique from the rest of Canada and the United States.

The Pacific States was a multicultural nation, with an abundance of Anglo-American, Anglo-Canadian and Scandinavian American cultural influences. Mexican and Chinese culture was also predominant across the country, with art, cuisine and music from all ethnic backgrounds being popular. The languages, history and traditions of Indigenous people were widely promoted and legally protected in all thirteen states, with a strong focus on environmentalism.

Holidays

Date Name Remarks
1 January New Year's Day Celebration of the start of the new year.
Third Monday in February Family Day Shared statutory holiday with British Columbia.
21 March Independence Day Celebrates the 2023 adoption of the Proclamation of Independence from Canada.
16 April Marcus Pritchard Day Honors Marc Pritchard, founding father and inaugural House Speaker, who was born on this day in 1984.
Last Monday in May Memorial Day Memorial holiday shared with the United States. Honors U.S. military personnel who have fought and died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
15 July Kevin Baugh Day Honors Kevin Baugh, President of the Republic of Molossia and original inspiration for the establishment of a micronation. Dustin Carlson first watched a documentary about Molossia on this day in 2019.
16 September Courtica Day Celebrates the 2019 establishment of the Republic of Courtica, one of two predecessors to the Pacific States.
10 October Lazonesia Day Celebrates the 2020 establishment of the Commonwealth of Lazonesia, one of two predecessors to the Pacific States.
22 October President's Day Honors Dustin Carlson, founding father and inaugural president, who was born on this day in 1984.
11 November Remembrance Day Memorial holiday shared with Canada. Honors Canada's war dead. Anniversary of the armistice ending World War I in 1918.
25 December Christmas Day Commemoration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

National symbols

The design of the national flag contained both cultural and regional symbolism. The thirteen white stars represented the thirteen states of the PSA. They were displayed inside a red square in the canton, positioned at the top left of the flag to symbolize the sun setting in the west. The blue stripe represented the Salish Sea to the east, while the white sections of the field represented the snow-capped mountains of the Pacific Northwest.

The Great Seal of the Pacific States was used as both a principal national symbol of the nation, as well as a means authenticate documents issued by the federal government. Its design featured a ship sailing towards land, which was popularly considered by Pacifians to represent Royal Navy Captain James Cook during his 1778 exploration of Vancouver Island. The center image was surrounded by thirteen stars, with the top margin featuring the words 'Pacific States of America'. The bottom margin contained the words 'Est. 2023' to reflect the declaration of the Pacific States' independence that year.

See also

Notes

References

External links