Roots of War The Alcovian Civil War Defined - Part One

Ocotober 21, 2010
Today in The Chatterbox, we will examine the beginnings of the current predicament in the Protectorate of Alcovia. Many of our viewers may find themselves wondering where this little nation with big problems came from and why it is that it seems to have fallen apart in what seems to be such a short time.

Before we discuss the possible civil war looming over that country, we have presented a brief historical overview of the key issues that have contributed to these current events. Presenting this overview is esteemed political science professor Gordon Chumway.

Thank you Professor Chumway.

When The Chatterbox returns we will dive into this topic.

Stay Tuned...

The current conflict in Alcovia has its roots almost a century ago, when in 1924 Alcovia and Elistonia united into a common economic union. Though Elistonia was not a monarchy it still had a standing hereditary aristocracy which had always held a sentimental kinship with Alcovia's ongoing royalist government. The two nations had supported one another before the union in defense against invaders and through trade of resources that were not available to one another. Their kinship was further strengthened by the marriage of Princess Stepfania of Alcovia and Vinter Gustol of Elistonia (son of Elistonia's most prominent industrialist). This was as close to a royal wedding as could be had between the two nations.

 

Though both nations enjoyed popular support for the unionization of the two countries, a small but vocal minority in Elistonia were not content with what they considered the selling off of their sovereignty and opening of their country to greater involvement in the ongoing conflict between Alcovia and Iqenistan. Several protests and a few cases of violence brought swift and decisive action from the Elistonian government. there was a trial and public execution of several of the more violent protesters. These executions did not sit well with the utra-nationalists in Elistonia.

 

The 1935 Acovian invasion of Theogonia bogged Acovia down in nearly five years of heated fighting in an imperialistic land grab. Theogonia proved more difficult for Alcovia to conquer with imposing mountain terrain and a strongly independent and proud population. The cost to Alcovia in both lives and resources was never quite seen as balancing the gain of this operation, even though Alcovia did gain access to both crucial sea coast territory as well as natural resources in the form of precious metals, stones and exportable agriculture (wine, olive oil, medicinal plants). Though official conflict ceased in 1940 with both Theogonia and Alcovia fighting to resist fascist aggression, post-war continuation of Alcovia's occupation of Theogonia maintained the tension.

 

In more recent years the strain of ongoing imperialism in Theogonia, worldwide economic conditions and decades of military spending in an effort to maintain the uneasy peace between Alcovia and Iqenistan have put a strain on the nation and its holdings. Nationalist uprisings in Elistonia have kept Elistonia's economic efforts focused internally, reducing the amount of support it has been able to lend in the past. Theogonian nationalists have kept the province in a constant state of elevated security and Alcovia has had to spend much to maintain security as well as repairing damages caused to infrastructure by nationalist attacks.

 

Though the outbreak of a lethal flu in Iqenistan in 1987 reduced the threat imposed by Alcovia's enemy, the flood of illegal immigrants across the river seeking assistance has created a stress on a social level. Iqenis trying to live in Alcovia have put a drain on already taxed Alcovian resources and created an air of nationalism among many of Alcovia's people who feel the government never took enough action to repel what they feel was a civil, not military, invasion of their country. Ethnic Iqenis and Alcovians have clashed several times in violent demonstrations and on several occasions civil and even military authorities have had to be called on numerous times.

 

All of this has left Alcovia raw and primed for a massive explosion of the sort which has been touched off by General Kusatya's rebellion and perhaps a full-on civil uprising.