Difference between revisions of "Republic of Molossia"
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Vuldstein, founded in May 1977 and located in Portland, Oregon, was active for a short period which lasted until the end of the year, when its King moved to another city without renouncing to his throne, leading the Grand Republic to a state of inactivity. President Baugh took control of the nation for the following 21 years, undergoing different transitions to several nomadic kingdoms, then a People's Democratic Republic in 1998 until its present state. | Vuldstein, founded in May 1977 and located in Portland, Oregon, was active for a short period which lasted until the end of the year, when its King moved to another city without renouncing to his throne, leading the Grand Republic to a state of inactivity. President Baugh took control of the nation for the following 21 years, undergoing different transitions to several nomadic kingdoms, then a People's Democratic Republic in 1998 until its present state. | ||
Molossia has been a [[sovereignty|sovereign state]] since 1977 and | Molossia has been a [[sovereignty|sovereign state]] since 1977 and is well known outside the micronational community, receiving dozens of tourists each year. Kevin Baugh has stated, "We all want to think we have our own country, but you know the U.S. is a lot bigger." | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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===Treaties with other nations=== | ===Treaties with other nations=== | ||
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Molossia had a liberal foreign affairs policy that included the signing of treaties with other micronations, including [[Westarctica]], with which it signed a treaty of mutual recognition and friendship in May 2005. | |||
However, following the passage of a new diplomatic policy on 26 March 2007, Molossia no longer engages in formal diplomatic relations with other states. The public notice explained their policy as: | |||
<blockquote> | |||
Thus, our policy is simple: we will be friendly toward all other nations, but we will not entertain formal relations. This also precludes treaties, embassies or alliances of any kind. They are not necessary; you do not need to be recognized by Molossia in order to be sovereign, any more than you need to be recognized by a larger nation in order to be sovereign. If you state your sovereignty, that is good enough for our government, as is should be for all. | |||
</blockquote> | |||
===State visits=== | |||
Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, the Republic of Molossia still engages in acts of diplomacy | |||
==Territory== | ==Territory== | ||
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===Colony of Farfalla=== | ===Colony of Farfalla=== | ||
In August 2003, Baugh purchased a small piece of rural land in Northern California. This was | In August 2003, Baugh purchased a small piece of rural land in Northern California. This was named the Colony of Farfalla. The property was sold late in 2005, but in early 2015, Farfalla Colony was reacquired and became Molossian territory once again. | ||
===Desert Homestead Province=== | ===Desert Homestead Province=== | ||
After Baugh inherited more land which he subsequently named [[Desert Homestead Province]], in Southern California. Desert Homestead had been owned by Baugh's grandfather, and the property | ::''Main article: [[Desert Homestead Province]]'' | ||
After Baugh inherited more land which he subsequently named [[Desert Homestead Province]], in the area of Joshua Tree in Southern California. Desert Homestead had previously been owned by Baugh's grandfather, and the property was later declared a national monument dedicated to him. | |||
==International conflicts== | ==International conflicts== | ||
Revision as of 16:19, 23 March 2018
| Republic of Molossia Respubliko de Molossia | ||||
| ||||
| Motto Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained | ||||
| Anthem Fair Molossia Is Our Home | ||||
| 276px Molossian claims in dark green | ||||
| Capital city | Baughston (formerly Espera) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largest city | Desert Homestead | |||
| Official language(s) | English, Esperanto | |||
| Demonym | Molossian | |||
| Government | Presidential Republic (de jure) Dictatorship (de facto) | |||
| - President | President Kevin Baugh | |||
| - Vice President | Adrianne Baugh | |||
| Legislature | National Assembly | |||
| - Type | - Unicameral | |||
| Established | 26 May 1977 (as Vuldstein) 3 September 1999 (as Molossia) | |||
| Area claimed | 5.787 ha | |||
| Population | 34 | |||
| Currency | Valora | |||
| Time zone | UTC -7 (Molossian Standard Time) | |||
| National sport | Molossian Broomball | |||
| National animal | Mustang | |||
| Patron saint | St. Expeditus | |||
Official Website | ||||
Molossia, officially the Republic of Molossia, is a North American territorial microstate landlocked within the city of Dayton, Nevada. One of the oldest micronations of the modern era, it succeeded the Grand Republic of Vuldstein, founded by James Spielman and Kevin Baugh, now serving as its current leader since the transition from a monarchy to a republic in September 1999.
Vuldstein, founded in May 1977 and located in Portland, Oregon, was active for a short period which lasted until the end of the year, when its King moved to another city without renouncing to his throne, leading the Grand Republic to a state of inactivity. President Baugh took control of the nation for the following 21 years, undergoing different transitions to several nomadic kingdoms, then a People's Democratic Republic in 1998 until its present state.
Molossia has been a sovereign state since 1977 and is well known outside the micronational community, receiving dozens of tourists each year. Kevin Baugh has stated, "We all want to think we have our own country, but you know the U.S. is a lot bigger."
History
The Molossian Nation was founded on 26 May 1977. Known at that time as the Grand Republic of Vuldstein, James Spielman was declared King James I, and Kevin Baugh was declared Prime Minister. After a short period of sporadic activity the nation entered into a period of dormancy. King James I, though still monarch, ceased to be active in the kingdom at that time. The Kingdom continued on, without the direct participation of the King, and continued to be developed by the Prime Minister. In 1980 it was renamed the Kingdom of Edelstein, and in 1988 it was renamed again, this time as the Kingdom of Zaria. The Kingdom existed as a nomadic government, without a home. Carried on by the Prime Minister, the Government traveled to Europe, and after its return in 1992, the Kingdom prospered and grew culturally.
In 1995, the Kingdom was transplanted to the State of Nevada, in the USA. In 1998, land was purchased that the nation could call home, and upon which the government was formally and officially established. In June 1998, the Kingdom was renounced in favor of a provisional Communist government. In September 1998, Molossia sacrificed its sovereignty and joined the United Provinces of Utopia as a province of that nation.
In January 1999 the UPOU ceased to exist as a nation, and bereft of a national government, the People's Democratic Republic of Molossia was declared, on 21 February 1999, with Kevin Baugh serving as Premier.
Beginning in the spring of 1999, Molossia began a serious path of developing itself as an emerging small nation, rather than a micronation project. The possession of physical territory made this a course a tangible one, rather than a fantasy.
On 3 September 1999, the communist government was renounced, the People's Democratic Republic ceased to exist, and the Republic of Molossia was declared. The former Premier, Kevin Baugh, became the President of the new government.
International relations
One feature of Molossia that has remained consistent is the nation's foreign affairs policy that strives to unite all small nations in peace and friendship. To that end, President Baugh has undertaken a series of initiatives to foster cooperation between other micronations.
In 2000, Molossia hosted the first Intermicronational Olympic Games, in concert with the 2000 Sydney Games. That same year, Molossia sponsored the successful adoption of Norton Day (8th January) as the first international holiday exclusively for small nations, and further created the Norton Awards for Intermicronational Excellence. In 2001, the nation hosted the first Intermicronational World Exposition, showcasing small nations from the world over.
In April 2015, Molossia organized and hosted the first MicroCon, a biennial conference-style gathering of small nations reminiscent of the annual G-8 summit hosted by larger nations.
Treaties with other nations
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Molossia had a liberal foreign affairs policy that included the signing of treaties with other micronations, including Westarctica, with which it signed a treaty of mutual recognition and friendship in May 2005.
However, following the passage of a new diplomatic policy on 26 March 2007, Molossia no longer engages in formal diplomatic relations with other states. The public notice explained their policy as:
Thus, our policy is simple: we will be friendly toward all other nations, but we will not entertain formal relations. This also precludes treaties, embassies or alliances of any kind. They are not necessary; you do not need to be recognized by Molossia in order to be sovereign, any more than you need to be recognized by a larger nation in order to be sovereign. If you state your sovereignty, that is good enough for our government, as is should be for all.
State visits
Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, the Republic of Molossia still engages in acts of diplomacy
Territory
Molossia consists of three distinct tracts in the contiguous United States and comprising a total area of 6.3 acres (2.5 ha): Harmony Province, located near Dayton, Nevada, is the smallest of Molossia's territories, at little more than one acre (4,000 m2) in size. It is considered "Molossia's Homeland", and the site of Molossia's designated capital, Baughston. Baughston was renamed from Espera on 30 July 2013 to commemorate President Baugh's 51st birthday.
Colony of Farfalla
In August 2003, Baugh purchased a small piece of rural land in Northern California. This was named the Colony of Farfalla. The property was sold late in 2005, but in early 2015, Farfalla Colony was reacquired and became Molossian territory once again.
Desert Homestead Province
- Main article: Desert Homestead Province
After Baugh inherited more land which he subsequently named Desert Homestead Province, in the area of Joshua Tree in Southern California. Desert Homestead had previously been owned by Baugh's grandfather, and the property was later declared a national monument dedicated to him.
International conflicts
Although a predominately peaceful nation, the Republic of Molossia has been involved in numerous international conflicts.
War with Mustachistan
- Main article: Molossia-Mustachistan War
On 22 May 2006, Molossia was drawn into a week-long war by the nearby micronation of Mustachistan, which was actually a puppet state created with President Baugh's assistance. The Molossia-Mustachistan War resulted in a quick victory for Molossia after dominating the Mustachistan Army and Navy in three separate battles. Problems continued with that country however, most notably with a crisis over the Mustachistani missile program in November and December 2006.
War with East Germany
In September 2008, a long-forgotten Declaration of War was discovered, opening hostilities with East Germany. War was apparently declared on 2 November 1983, when Molossia was still known as the Grand Republic of Vuldstein, as a response to military drills that Kevin Baugh was forced to perform while stationed with the United States Military in West Germany, and the resulting lack of sleep. While East Germany formally ceased to exist in 1991 via the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany, Molossia argues that Ernst Thälmann Island, which had been dedicated by Cuba to Weimar German politician Ernst Thälmann and had not been mentioned in the Treaty on the Final Settlement or by the nation of Cuba either, therefore it remains East German land, allowing the war to continue with no end in sight.
Environmental policies
In March 2007, Molossia led the way in the environmental arena by banning incandescent lightbulbs.
In January 2009, Molossia also banned plastic shopping bags and began a comprehensive recycling program.