Brief History of Sandus:
Created on the 26 May 2009, Sandus was originally named Sandefreistikhan under a Tibetan and French culturally-dominated regime known as the “Lamate” – monarchical rule by a Tibetan Buddhist monk.
Eventually, with the introduction and primacy of ancient Roman culture, the name was shortened to Sandus and a new regime, the People’s State, was created as a direct democracy. This People’s State would suffer several “wars” and a “civil war” in November 2009, before the People’s State would fall to the Barony of Sandus on 21 December 2009.
The first Barony, as it is called, would be a revival of French culture and the role of monarchy; eventually, the Barony would collapse in April 2010 and a new republic, the Democratic People’s Republic of Sandus (DPRS), would form.
The DPRS, built as a provisional government until future growth that would result in a constitution, was a single-party and hard-line communist state; the DPRS was the leading figure of a micronational event known as the Great Ideological Conflict of conservatives against leftists. Late in July, the DPRS’s closest ally, the Democratic People’s Republic of Erusia (DPRE), would collapse due to pressure created as a result of a critical dossier on its leader; Sandus would follow suit.
Eventually, after some months of activity and a failed reign by the second Barony of Kremlum Sandus, Sandus would join the St.Charlian Commonwealth. During this period, greater emphasis was placed on the real situation of Sandus and Sandum culture. Under the theory of rising expectations, Sandus expected to be a grand participant of the St.Charlian Commonwealth, before the Territory of Sandus became deluded by the slow-pace of St.Charlian governance.
The Territory of Sandus, St.Charlian Commonwealth, seceded on 20 February 2011. Provisional government was administered by the State Caucus of Sandus. The first draft of a government was a parliamentarian republic under the guidance of a single-party — a reform of the DPRS system — but this draft was rejected when submitted to referendum. Instead, Sandum people voted for a more monarchical rule by the leader of the State Caucus and the de facto founder and leader of Sandus in its past two years of existence. Finally, working off the knowledge of the DPRS, a Founding Law — instead of a complete constitution — was drafted, ratified by the State Caucus, and was adopted by national referendum on 14 April 2011. Thus began the reign of the Honourable Sôgmô Gaius Sörgel Publicola of our State of Sandus.
The Extended History of Sandus
In the beginning French culture began the state, however Roman culture began to permeate the nation before superseding the French culture as it was in the beginning of the state’s independence. Today, a combination of many cultures and several past events have created a unique micronational subculture for the state and its people.
Sandefreistikhan (May – July 2009)
The Grand Lamate of Sandefreistikhan seceded from la République de Trénois on May 26th, 2009. The nation, during this time, was naïve of the functions of a state and its government and, though having three years prior experience in Trénois, a French, Native American and Tibetan-based micronation, the government’s youth was depicted in its handling of various micronational and macronational incidents, one of them being the Neda War. Sandefreistikhan fought several wars during this time, including the Micronational War on Communism and the New Euro-Erusian War, thus narrowing its political ideology for what would become Sandus today. However, during this time, nearly all power was in the Grand Lama, though more power was delegated to the Politburo — the legislature — towards the end of its government’s life. Sandefreistikhan, eventually, become a more Roman-based micronation, prompting a direct democracy to form in July of 2009.
People’s State of Sandus (July – Dec. 2009)
The People’s State of Sandus was that direct democratic state, founded in July 2009. It was a rather stable nation that was more based of Roman beliefs and ethics, and the first Sandum nation to adopt direct democracy. Its legislature was known as the National People’s Congress and elected a Speaker of the House, who served as Executive and, during times of war, became the Dictator of Sandus. The position was only ever filled by Will Sörgel. However, after a day-long war with Pristinia, known as the Insola War, it became clear that various propaganda that Sandefreistikhan published during the New Euro-Erusian War would culminate in Sandus’ wide-spread displeasure with certain members of the community, including Sandus’ long time ally, Nemkhavia. This would later lead to pretences of a Civil War in November 2009, before the nation made a large, controversial change of government to a Barony.
Time of Troubles (Nov. – Dec. 2009)
In November 2009, the People’s State began to self-destruct as the National People’s Congress began to fall apart in its positions. A civil war broke out on 15 November 2009. The war lasted only 9 days and only one battle was fought, though it prompted Sandus consider major citizenship-control policies in the future. By 24 November, the nation had collapsed as the Dictator Will Sörgel assumed power in the absence of the rest of the National People’s Congress members. The nation entered a short period of self-induced inactivity as it planned its next government.
Barony of Sandus (Dec. 2009 – April 2010)
The Barony of Sandus‘s (the First Barony) creation was some time after the civil war, and sometime before it was implemented. Sandus’ momentous shift in policy under the creation of the Barony resulted in a short break down of relations with Sandus’ premier ally, Erusia. On 21 December 2009, the Barony of Sandus was created, to the dismay and controversy of the community. However, by the end of the year, Sandus had grown to include its first citizen in the post-Civil War era. That citizen, Cameron Falby, decided to form the autonomous territory of New Scireland in January 2011. However, later that month, that same territory declared independence from Sandus, resulting in a controversial break-down of relations between Sandus and New Scireland and Sandus’ difficult relations with several other nations, including Francisville and Landashir. By the end of the month, Sandus experienced a large growth of 3 citizens as the Baroness Consort and her family joined the nation and a détente between Sandus and Erusia was under-way. The problems with New Scireland would lead to months of reduced activity within Sandus, which would be even further emphasised by the departure of the Baroness Consort and her family from Sandus. These events would give rise to the April Political Revolution, where Sandus returned to its former political position and even returned farther Left than any past governments of Sandus.
New Scireland (Jan. 2010)
The issues with New Scireland resulted in several harsh words to be exchanged, including the closest Sandus has ever been to a serious break down of relations to affect direct and indirect relations with the state. Sandus, at first, was not sure how to respond to the declaration of independence. Should Sandus try to restore New Scireland to the state, Sandus’ relations with other nations may have been harmed and even more serious civil war may have been faught; however, if Sandus let New Scireland become independent, Sandus may be viewed as powerless to its own internal affairs. Baron Will Sörgel decided the latter, though he decided to bring Cameron Falby, the leader of New Scireland, to trial for treason. Falby accepted and the trial was under-way until the trial bogged down, before Sandus dropped the charges brought against Falby.
April Political Revolution (April 2010)
In April, the Baron abdicated in preference for a socialist republic. During this time, Sandus’ first socialist constitution was drafted and the state became close allies with other socialist states, such as Erusia and Nemkhavia. This period of drafting the constitution would create the Democratic People’s Republic of Sandus later in the month.
Democratic People’s Republic of Sandus (April – Aug. 2010)
The Democratic People’s Republic of Sandus was Sandus’ first hardline socialist state. It maintain very socialist policies, both domestic and foreign. The nation itself was subject to some controversy as it was a close ally of Erusia and both Will Sörgel and Robert Lethler where both allies and very close micronational friends. Sandus’ government, however, consisted as a provisional measure until Sandus became larger and had a definite territory. It was consisted of a single chamber, the Revolutionary Council, and a higher tier of that chamber that served as the executives, the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Council. A Chairman of the Central Committee was elected, as well, who served as the nation’s president. Sandus’ political structure at the time caused a few laws to be passed and large amounts of public policy were carried out by the Central People’s Government. However, it became difficult for the state to carry out its foreign policy, due to the Great Ideological Conflict.
Great Ideological Conflict (May – July 2010)
The Great Ideological Conflict was begun by the Intermicronational Conservative Alliance in April 2010. Sandus’ socialist policy and culture prompted the state to respond to the ICA’s “conflict against Communism”. At first, Sandus was embattled in an ideological conflict with the ICA, and later Bradley of Dullahan. Despite most hostilities ending in June 2010, Sandus and the ICA member states were still at odds with each other, which prompted Sandus and several other socialist-bloc states to leave the OAM and, despite two of those socialist-bloc states rejoining the OAM, Sandus has refused to return to the OAM on any grounds. However, this time ended when Will Sörgel resigned as Chairman of the GUM, Erusia, Sandus’ closest ally was disgraced, and Sörgel decided to order the destruction of the Democratic People’s Republic of Sandus.
Non-Existence Period (Aug. – Sept. 2010)
Sandus did not exist as a sovereign state from August to September 2010 because of the dissolution of the DPRS. Plans were drawn for a joint post-Sandus and post-Erusian micronation, but were eventually withdrawn due to the inactivity of the Erusian counterparts. In September 2010, Sandus was recreated through a legal loophole that claimed Sandus was dissolved, but that Kremlum Sandus — a territorial designation within Sandus — continued to legally exist. Kremlum Sandus exists to this day, where it is now a province and the capital of the State of Sandus.
Post-Lethler Period (since Aug. 2010)
The Post Lethler Era is the time after Erusia was disgraced by an OAM report against that close ally of Sandus’s and its founder. It was a time of much uncertainty as the community was not sure of where to go or what to become. The community’s very own state was on shaky terms as it ventured to three new sites and the administration expanded their power, all of which effected the foreign policy of Sandus to become more isolated from the community as a whole.
Barony of Kremlum Sandus (Sep. – Oct. 2010)
The Barony of Kremlum Sandus was created as a response to the destruction of Sandus. Its constitution was based of the Principality of Liechtenstein’s and, although it created a government that was too large, it was one of Sandus’ premier constitutions. And, because of Sandus’ government becoming too large, this prompted the government to become inactive for a few months in the later parts of the 2010 year. However, it was during this time that Sandus’ current national symbol, the Sovereign Eagle, became entrenched once more in the nation’s symbolism.
Territory of Sandus, St.Charlian Commonwealth (Oct. 2010 – Feb. 2011)
The Territory of Sandus was created on 19 October 2010 after several months of inactivity from the Barony of Kremlum Sandus. The country at the time was proud and devoted to becoming more St.Charlian; however, after the first and only election of the governor of the territory, the country began to desire sovereignty once more and on 21 February 2011, Sandus declared independence from St.Charlie. This was a period of legal subordination to the Federal Republic of St.Charlie, but it was largely a time period of cultural independence of Sandus from St.Charlie — a cultural independence that inspired the political independence movement.
Time without a Government (Feb. – April 2011)
Sandus began to create its new constitution by the means of the State Caucus that was set up in the Territorial Law, should Sandus have wished to return to being a sovereign state. The State Caucus was headed by Will Sörgel and was a provisional government. At first, a socialist republican constitution was created, however it was not ratified at the national referendum. Over the next few weeks, the Caucus decided if the state should become either a monarchy or a direct democratic state. This question was pushed to referendum, and the people unanimously chose monarchy. The new Founding Law, the law establishing the basis of the present Sandum constitution, was ratified on 13 April 2011.
State of Sandus (April 2011 – Present)
The State of Sandus was created on 13 April 2011, when the State Caucus ratified the new constitution. The first public policy enacted by the Sôgmô, Abenaki for chief, was to nationalise the national newspaper, Veritum Sandus, so that it became the national register of the nation as well. In April and May, Sandus was involved in diplomatic issues between itself and Zealandia where, eventually, the Sôgmô would create a policy of non-involvement. On 9 May, Sandus celebrated Remembrance Day and, on 26 May, Sandus celebrated its second anniversary. On 27 May 2011, the Sôgmô created the Collegio Sacerdae, Sandus’ first cooperative, which is tasked with the education of philosophy, religion and politics in Sandus. By the intent of the law, the Collegio Sacerdae serves as Sandus’ first and only centre of education. Currently, the Collegio Sacerdae is working on documenting a total collection of the Orphic Hymns and other sacred texts, as well as creating a code of the Sandum philosophy as it is commonly called. In the latter months of 2011, the Sôgmô created policies in foreign affairs so as to limit the State into an isolationist policy with it’s recognition and foreign communications. On 7 until 12 November, the Citizens’ Communist Party of Sandus celebrated its first formal congress, which included hopes for a future constitution and more activity for the CCPS. The Sôgmô, as well, created the State’s first major goal with the establishment of an agrarian economy in Sandus by 2015. The Sancta Calendar, which is based off both Gregorian and Romulan Calendars, was incorporated more into government as it superseded the Gregorian calendar in official capacities; the introduction of an 8-day administrative week also means that weekly goals are made by the Office of the Sôgmô.
However, with the departure of Blesbí from the State, the Sôgmô has declared hopes of a broad act to reconsolidate the Sandum state after Blesbí and its leader, André Sammut, leave the State formally on 20 March 2012. In his New Year’s address, as well, the Sôgmô expressed hopes to begin work on a proto-agrarian economy for Sandus in the 2012 year as well as creating a broad law on citizenship, amending the Libera policy, drafting and enforcing new treaties in Foreign Affairs, reforming the Collegio Sacerdae to pursue academic research and discussion, and creating more cooperatives for the State such as the cooperativisation of the CCPS.
In the year since the departure of Blesbí (now Volfa) from the State of Sandus, the State of Sandus has… this section is undergoing revisions and additions.