Difference between revisions of "Westarctica"

It was during this time that Travis had a [[Religion in Westarctica|religious experience]] that caused him to briefly convert to Christianity. As a result of this conversion, he decided to reboot the project and declare it a fully functional sovereign nation. The new country was called ''The Grand Duchy of Westarctica''. The name "Westarctica" was carefully chosen to evoke images of Western Antarctica, and also, as an homage to the Napoleonic Kingdom of [[Westphalian model|Westphalia]]. Plus, the name rolls off the tongue far better than ''West-ANT-arctica''.

The Associated Press had run a story on new country projects that made mention of [[Grand Duke Travis]] and Westarctica. Unfortunately, his supervisors at his day job in the [[United States Navy]] didn't find the concept of Westarctica as fascinating as their civilian contemporaries. He was given a choice: either dump Westarctica, or lose his security clearance and thus his job. So in January 2006, Travis contacted his closest friend in the Westarctican government, Philip Karns, the [[Duke of Ravencroft]], and [[Minister of Information]], to ask if he would be willing to take over the reins of government. Philip accepted, and on 14 January 2006, the founder of Westarctica [[Abdication of Grand Duke Travis|abdicated the throne]].

[[Grand Duke Philip]] ascended to the throne at a time when Westarctica was internally strong and prosperous. His first 100 days in office were marked by progress and creativity. He published an eight-page newsletter called Westarctica Quarterly, which, most significantly, had lengthy articles written by every member of the Westarctican government. Things were progressing nicely until Westarctica's Chief Herald, the [[Duke of Moulton-Berlin]], began to feel as though he was being attacked in Westarctica's online forums. Although the exact nature of the dispute is unimportant, the internal squabbling led to the departure of most members of Westarctica's leadership team.

After spending a mere 10 months on the throne, Grand Duke Philip's health began to deteriorate and he slowly withdrew from public life. To the outside world, it appeared that Westarctica had become stagnant. The forums were devoid of activity, the nobles had disappeared, and the Grand Duke was silent. Many people wondered if the country was finished. The final blow to Westarctica's prestige came when Grand Duke Philip allowed the [[Westarctica Domain Name|official website]] for the nation to go defunct. Even a neglected website can provide some information to visitors and interested parties; however, the Grand Duke failed to re-register the westarctica.com domain name and the web address fell into the hands of a domain parking service.

On 23 June 2008, Travis received an impassioned e-mail from the Duke of Moulton-Berlin, Jon-Lawrence Langer, a fellow Pennsylvania native and longtime citizen of Westarctica. In the e-mail, he asked some very important questions, and made some profound statements about how the intrepid vision behind Westarctica had changed his life. After a chain of e-mails and phone calls back and forth, Travis and Jon-Lawrence were able to convince Grand Duke Philip to step down from the throne. His final words before abdication were tired, but honest: “''If they want it, the crown is theirs''."

Jon-Lawrence eagerly replied, “''I invite the challenge''." And without further delay, the throne, crown, and full dictatorial power of Westarctica was [[2008 Transition of Power|peacefully passed from one citizen to another]]. In response, the new Grand Duke launched ''westarctica.org'', and proudly proclaimed the restoration of Westarctica's government after his ascension to the throne. After the new website was launched, the world was once again interested in the goings-on in Westarctica. Within the first six months of his ascension to the throne, Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence was faced with multiple attacks on Westarctica's sovereignty. All the individuals who had made claims to [[Marie Byrd Land]] while Philip was incommunicado suddenly rose to the surface and started questioning the status of Travis McHenry's claim. The new Grand Duke took a heavy-handed approach in dealing with the challengers, issuing ultimatums that left no wiggle room for negotiation.

By the end of the following week, he had purchased a new domain name, [http://www.westarctica.info/ Westarctica.info] and established a new website promoting a [[Transitional Government]] that was now firmly in power. Jon-Lawrence had been overthrown by Travis' own hand, and Wolf was elevated to the role of [[Prime Minister of Westarctica|Prime Minister]]. Despite his reluctance to assume the throne, Travis was declared Grand Duke again on 4 June 2010 during his 30th birthday while celebrating in a suite at the Grand Californian Hotel. The [[Viscount of Whitmore]] was in attendance and grunted his approval. Count Waesche ascended to the dignity of Duke assumed full responsibility for the [[Foreign relations of Westarctica|foreign]] and domestic affairs of the nation. Wolf immediately negotiated a peace with all of the rival claimants, and Westarctica had successfully reclaimed her dignity.

On the eve of Westarctica's 13th Anniversary, the Grand Duke realized that he could be more effective as an advocate for [[Marie Byrd Land]] if he took the bold step to turn his new country project into a nonprofit corporation whose stated purpose aligned perfectly with the original goals envisioned when our territory was first claimed. The text of the [[Claimant Letter]] emphasized protection of environmental and animal resources in Antarctica, and becoming a tax exempt organization with legal standing as a corporation would allow Westarctica to transition from an obscure novelty into an international charity capable fighting [[Global warming|climate change]] on a global scale.

On 21 November 2014, Travis filed with the state of California to make Westarctica Incorporated a legally recognized nonprofit public benefit corporation. His request was approved and officially registered on 05 December. As a nonprofit entity, Westarctica, Incorporated would achieve more than ever before, becoming a beacon for increased awareness of the perpetually neglected western side of Antarctica. Westarctica first major accomplishment as a nonprofit corporation was being granted non-consultative status as a non-governmental organization by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs on 20 January 2015.

There is no official legislative body, however the collected members of the [[Peerage of Westarctica]] are frequently consulted on major issues and serve as a sounding board for ideas in the government.