Difference between revisions of "The Great Return"
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Westarctica (talk | contribs) (Created page with "'''The Great Return''', also called the '''2010 Coup''', and the '''Overthrow of Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence''', was an important turning point in the history of Westarctica t...") |
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[[File:Travis McHenry on 2010-05-15.jpg|400px|thumb|Travis McHenry two weeks before leading the coup]] | |||
'''The Great Return''', also called the '''2010 Coup''', and the '''Overthrow of Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence''', was an important turning point in the history of [[Westarctica]] that involved the return of the nation's founder, [[Grand Duke Travis|Travis McHenry]], to a position of power in Westarctica. | '''The Great Return''', also called the '''2010 Coup''', and the '''Overthrow of Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence''', was an important turning point in the history of [[Westarctica]] that involved the return of the nation's founder, [[Grand Duke Travis|Travis McHenry]], to a position of power in Westarctica. | ||
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At the same time, Travis sent an e-mail to Jon-Lawrence Langer informing him that, due to his failure to protect the 2001 claim to [[Marie Byrd Land]] as well as his failure to represent Westarctica as a public figurehead, his service as [[Grand Duke of Westarctica]] was no longer needed; however, he was free to retain his title and lands as the [[Duke of Moulton-Berlin]]. | At the same time, Travis sent an e-mail to Jon-Lawrence Langer informing him that, due to his failure to protect the 2001 claim to [[Marie Byrd Land]] as well as his failure to represent Westarctica as a public figurehead, his service as [[Grand Duke of Westarctica]] was no longer needed; however, he was free to retain his title and lands as the [[Duke of Moulton-Berlin]]. | ||
[[File:File:Niels-I.jpg|thumb|400px|Grand Duke Niels of Flandrensis]] | |||
Over the next the next three days, negotiations between Westarctica and the allied nations of the [[Antarctic Micronational Union]] (AMU) erupted at a feverish pace. Wolf was the guiding voice in the negotiations, but eventually, Travis was communicating directly with [[Grand Duke Niels of Flandrensis]] and the opposing parties quickly came to a tacit resolution. | Over the next the next three days, negotiations between Westarctica and the allied nations of the [[Antarctic Micronational Union]] (AMU) erupted at a feverish pace. Wolf was the guiding voice in the negotiations, but eventually, Travis was communicating directly with [[Grand Duke Niels of Flandrensis]] and the opposing parties quickly came to a tacit resolution. | ||
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==Post-coup celebration== | ==Post-coup celebration== | ||
[[File:Birthday Party.jpg|400px|thumb|Grand Duke Travis and friends celebrating a successful coup]] | |||
On 4 June 2010, the day following the successful overthrow of Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence, Travis threw a lavish birthday party in a large suite at Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel. As the conclusion of the coup coincided with his 30th birthday, many of Travis' friends were present at the party, including the [[Viscount of Whitmore]], who had been flown in from Pennsylvania to enjoy the festivities. | On 4 June 2010, the day following the successful overthrow of Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence, Travis threw a lavish birthday party in a large suite at Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel. As the conclusion of the coup coincided with his 30th birthday, many of Travis' friends were present at the party, including the [[Viscount of Whitmore]], who had been flown in from Pennsylvania to enjoy the festivities. | ||
==Aftermath== | ==Aftermath== | ||
The negotiations between the Antarctic Micronational Union and Westarctica continued until 24 September 2010 when the final peace terms were agreed upon and all parties signed the [[West-Antarctic Treaty]]. | The negotiations between the Antarctic Micronational Union and Westarctica continued until 24 September 2010 when the final peace terms were agreed upon and all parties signed the [[West-Antarctic Treaty]]. | ||
Over the course of the next two years, most of the [[micronation]]s that had claimed [[Marie Byrd Land]] fell inactive and their discarded claims were granted by the AMU to Westarctica. To resolve the territorial disputes once and for all, on 25 October 2012, [[Grand Duke Travis]] granted [[Grand Duke Niels of Flandrensis]] the title "Prince of [[Siple Island|Siple]]," thereby giving him sovereign authority over the last remaining vestiges of their disputed territories. | |||
===Reaction of Jon-Lawrence Langer=== | |||
[[File:Jon-Lawrence.jpg|thumb|350px|Jon-Lawrence Langer, former Grand Duke of Westarctica]] | |||
For many years, Jon-Lawrence was silent about his overthrow and the events of the coup. He did not engage in public life in Westarctica, or in the community of micronations. As a result, his thoughts on the matter were not known. | |||
On 2 November 2016, [[Grand Duke Travis]] posted a celebratory message on his Facebook page, showing a timeline of different [[Grand Duke of Westarctica|Grand Dukes of Westarctica]] along with the [[Flag of Westarctica|flags]] that have flown over the nation during their reigns. In response to this picture, Jon-Lawrence Langer posted the comment: | |||
<blockquote> | |||
Hard to believe it has been fifteen years. In all its incarnations, Westarctica has been and will be a testament to the genius of Travis McHenry. | |||
</blockquote> | |||
Most observers considered this comment to formally end any lingering doubts concerning the legitimacy of the [[Transitional Government]] and the events of the coup. | |||
[[Category:History of Westarctica]] | [[Category:History of Westarctica]] | ||
[[Category:Government of Westarctica]] | [[Category:Government of Westarctica]] | ||