Name: Baltic Free Territories
Form of government: The BFT is a loose federation of communities and councils. There is very little centralization, with towns and communities enjoying widespread independence from the government. This leads to significant inconsistencies within the country, with different areas following entirely different ideologies. The government is made up of representatives of various communities, and is entrusted with the role of national defense, diplomacy, and mediating disputes between territories.
Leader: Currently ruled by a council of 9 upper-government officials, who make decisions democratically amongst eachother.
Brief History: At the outbreak of World War II, the Baltic States felt immediately threatened by the rising powerblocs within Europe, and decided to federate into a united nation. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia united to form the Baltic Free State, and began undertaking ambitious projects to make the country "invasion ready." These projects included the training and arming of citizen militias throughout the country, and an expansion of infrastructure within the capital of Riga.
However, the government, still fearing invasion, instituted a draft. Seeing this as an overstep of government power, anarchist revolutionaries began a series of violent revolts throughout the south, in modern day Lithuania. Aided by militias who believed in the rhetoric of freeing themselves from government overreach, and from poor farmers and laborers in distant towns who felt the anti-capitalist views of the anarchists would make their lives better, the rebels made considerable strides. They secured a large amount of territory within inland regions, as the army was mobilized to the various border territories. The military was unable to mount an effective response, as many conscripts refused to work with the professional military.
Hardline communist factions within the capital, seeing their opportunity, seized several government buildings, including the Parliament. With the total chaos that ensued, conscripts within the military openly rebelled against their commanders, leaving the border areas in chaos. The northern areas of the country, so far untouched by the revolution, began worrying about the inability of the government to protect them. Communities decided that they would have to protect themselves, as administrative districts began exercising greater autonomy.
The government, fearing for their lives, fled to Finland, where they are attempting to negotiate their return to the Baltic.
In the aftermath of the successful revolution, the various groups formed an uneasy alliance. After considerable negotiation, a constitution was agreed to, which set out a central government in Riga which would be in charge of defense, international relations, and military. The government was to be made up of elected officials from each territory. The various revolutionary groups, now enjoying their autonomy, set about establishing local rule in the territory they had captured.
Advantages:
Influential Ideology- The "Baltic Model" of compromise and local autonomy is admired by many revolutionaries around the world.
Military Tradition- The veterans of the revolution are still around, and serve as effective trainers for new troops. The citizens are willing to fight to defend their culture and autonomy.
Disadvantages:
Weak Centralization- Obviously
Hostile Neighbors- Russia. All that has to be said.
Map- This map shows the administrative districts which determines where representatives come from, as well as being useful to determine a rough ideological map of the area.
NOTE: The various territories have varying degrees of influence and power over themselves. For example, the Vilnius Anarchist Collective does not have a government, and instead hold a range of elections to determine their representatives in the central government. The Southern Democracy, by contrast, have a strong regional government which selects their representatives, although the nominees are determined by vote.
Ideologies- Vilnius Anarchist Collectives- Anarcho-Communist
Klai-Peda and Taurage Capitalist Region- Classical Liberal Capitalism
The Southern Democracy- Liberal Mixed Economy
The South-Western Free State- Social Democracy
People's Republic- Communist
Capital Territory- Does not have a set ideology, and serves as a neutral zone that is ruled by representatives from the territories.
Jogetu- Mutualism
Saare- Anarcho-Communist
Lealand- Conservatism
Assaur- Democratic Socialism
Fredakan- Communist