Quebecshirite Civil War

Quebecshirite Civil War
Map of the civil war in 1620. The Monarchists are in blue and the Republicans in red, while the independent cantons are in green.
Date April 26, 1607-December 17, 1623 (16 years, 7 months, 3 weeks) Location Quebecshire Result Ceasefire Abolition of all governmental authorities and bodies larger than town/city level and national levels. Creation of a judiciary, directive, and unifying High Council, presided over by an indefinite Grandmaster of Quebecshire to satisfy monarchist leaning sentiments. Formation of a Parliament of Quebecshire to be headed by the Speaker of the Parliament to handle general legislation to satisfy Republican leaning sentiments. Adopting of the title of "Serene State" to decline any politically biased implications of the new government. Abolition of the MCUQ and QRA to form the provisional QNRC until the new Constitution was readily enforceable.
Belligerents
Republicans Supported by: Reykanes	Monarchists
Commanders and leaders
Arsène Champlain Marc Johnson † Jacques Bourassa Jean Mossé Enzo Levasseur †	Yvon Delsarte Roland Rodier Lambert Lafayette †
Strength
~149,000 soldiers 400 Reykani Volunteers	~155,000 soldiers
Casualties and losses
~30,000 killed or missing ~31,000 wounded or sick	~29,000 killed or missing ~37,000 wounded or sick
~170,000 total killed or missing ~68,000 wounded

The Quebecshirite Civil War was a civil armed conflict which raged from April 26, 1607 to December 17, 1623 in Quebecshire between the Monarchist Coalition for the Reunification of Quebecshire (CMRQ, Monarchists) and the Quebecshirite Republican Assembly (ARQ, Republicans). The war ended in a ceasefire in 1623 beginning the Orléans Negotiations.

The civil war began when the minimally effective federalized democracy failed as the Congress of the Cantons was unable to handle economic downturn or properly facilitate the internal distribution of resources. Major battles were fought in the northern mountains and the mid-section of the nation in order to control natural resources and agriculture. Several battles were fought in the bay around Quebecshire City, Bostonia, and Orléans. Quebecshire City became the major base of operations for the Monarchists, whereas the Republicans set up their functions from Bostonia. The Monarchists were able to eventually force the Republicans out of most of the southeastern peninsula, nonetheless the Republicans held strong in the midlands and many maritime locations. Due to this Monarchist progress was largely slowed.

In 1620 large-scale fighting decreased and the conflict was almost entirely reduced to border skirmishes. Eventually, the separate provisional governments began to struggle due to lack of resources for the Republicans and a lack of trade opportunities for the Monarchist groups. In 1623, a ceasefire (but not reunification) agreement was made by the Monarchist Coalition for the Reunification of Quebecshire (CMRQ) and the Quebecshirite Republican Assembly (ARQ) to begin negotiations in Orléans on March 4th, 1623.

After about eight months (December 17th, 1623), an agreement for the basis of a new Constitution was reached. Both the CMRQ and the ARQ ratified the agreement and began the re-integration of the opposing sides. The Quebecshirite National Reorganization Council (CNRQ) was formed following this arrangement to provisionally reunify Quebecshire before the High Council and Parliaments of Quebecshire could be set up and have their offices filled. The Declaration of the Establishment of a New Constitution for a Unified Quebecshirite State generally entailed the following list contents. The conclusion of the Civil War also led to the creation of the Quebecshirite political philosophy of Revanchism, which is still prominent.

Background

The First Quebecshirite-TBD War from 1586 to 1589, sparked by the death of Lord Protector Damien Thayer, Grand Duke of Orléans, proved to be indecisive and left several of the cantons with large debts associated with mismanagement of resources in the war and the liberal use of mercenaries to bolster Quebecshirite forces. In the 1590s, several sessions of the Congress of the Cantons, colloquially known as the Abraham Debates, were held to discuss responsibility for financial matters from the war. During this time, the Congress was unable to effectively manage trade and resource distribution between Cantons, which led to several Cantons openly ignoring Congressional regulations and budgeting when it was convenient. Sessions of the Congress during and after the Abraham Debates became less productive and devolved into open hostility and animosity between the Cantons, leading to a breakdown in trade and colonial cooperation between the Cantons. Lord Protector Adnet Gosse was impeached in 1601, marking the first time a Lord Protector was impeached.

Influential figures also began becoming extremely critical of the Congressional system in the years leading up to its decline, such as Gaston Delsarte, a wealthy statesman hailing from Quebecshire City, in his older age. This caused an erosion of public support for the Congress in numerous cities, which was referred to as nothing more than a "temporary tolerance for a failing system" by Delsarte. Anti-congressional criticism was especially prevalent in cities such as Quebecshire City and Franconia, where the lower classes felt abandoned by the wealthy and noblemen of the Congress who had decided to pursue colonialism instead of internal development. Delsarte passed away from natural causes in 1606, but his son, Yvon Delsarte, would continue to criticize the Congress and its policies. Despite Gaston Delsarte's death before these disagreements became more inflammatory, many critics, often with different ideas and solutions, continued coming forward.

The first decade of the 1600s saw a complete devolution of Congressional effectiveness and authority. The Congress had low attendance numbers as representatives from the cantons were either recalled to deal with matters at home or weren't interested in participating in the weakened institution. Enforcement of congressional decrees or documents completely fell apart, leading to the breakdown of standardized trade as the cantons began to implement their own trade regulations and taxes. Due to these failings, there was a lack of effectively transported agriculture and other resources, and disputes over debt continued to rage in the affected cantons. During this time, calls for a stronger government that could rebuild the fragmented Quebecshirite Empire grew, leading to the creation of the Monarchist Coalition for the Reunification of Quebecshire (CMRQ).

Storming of the Congress

Storming of the Congress by Monarchist forces, 1607.

The Congress of the Cantons was formally disbanded on 26 April 1607 when the CMRQ stormed the chambers and formally dissolved and dismissed the congress permanently, sparking the Quebecshirite Civil War. After the CMRQ disbanded the Congress of the Cantons, they swiftly gained control of the rest of Quebecshire City, where they were welcomed and cheered on by the city's people. The CMRQ declared the creation of the Imperial Reunification Council to govern the forces of the CMRQ based in Quebecshire City, and elected Lambert Lafayette, Prince of Sherbrooke as chairman of the Reunification Council. Yvon Delsarte was elected Marshal of the Army for Imperial Reunification and given control of the CMRQ's forces in Quebecshire City. The fall of the Congress of the Cantons sparked an immediate chaos as news of the CMRQ spread across Quebecshire, while Delsarte organized his forces in preparation for a march on Orléans and then Bostonia before a conflict could begin.

This failed, however, as several members of the Congress of the Cantons were able to successfully flee before the CMRQ could storm the Congress. Arsène Champlain, a delegate to the Congress from the canton of Bostonia, was one of those who were able to escape. He and several other delegates announced the creation of the Quebecshirite Republican Assembly (ARQ), an alliance of cantons opposed to the creation of the CMRQ, viewing them as radicals who were willing to destroy the nation in a bid for more power.

Course of War

Outbreak of War

At its creation, the ARQ was backed by Pons Duchemin, Grand Duke of Bostonia, who pledged his forces to the ARQ's cause. In the following months, several of the cantons would pick a side in the conflict as canton leaders felt obligated to help their political allies, noble friends, or otherwise to take initiative in reuniting the country and defeating the opposition. Numerous of the cantons, viewing a Monarchist victory as inevitable, backed the CMRQ in a bid to gain favor with Lambert Lafayette, who was likely to ascend to the title of Emperor of Quebecshire in the case of a CMRQ victory. Likewise, support for the ARQ was driven by leaders who sought to create a government that would be favorable to their policies and trade. However, not all of the cantons picked a side. The cantons of Sablé, Chatrois and Belvoire declared that they would not support either side, as did the Count of Lorette (a territory encompassing the southwest of the canton of Gaspésie).

The first major action of the war was the Siege of Orléans. Orléans fell under Republican rule soon after the creation of the ARQ, leading to the city being the primary target for the Monarchists. Lafayette believed that if the city could be seized, the ARQ would eventually be destroyed and the Monarchists would be able to take control of Quebecshire. However, when the CMRQ's forces led by Delsarte marched on Orléans and arrived at the city on 29 October 1609, they encountered a sizeable ARQ garrison led by Enzo Levasseur. The Monarchists finally gained full control of the city on 7 April 1610, but their forces were severely depleted. In 1616, the city of Orléans was retaken by the Republicans.

By 1620, as both sides slowly lost backing by cantons who were increasingly vocally against supporting the war effort and sympathetic towards the independent cantons, large-scale fighting decreased and the conflict was almost entirely reduced to border skirmishes. Eventually, the separate provisional governments began to struggle due to lack of resources for the Republicans and a lack of trade opportunities for the Monarchist groups, who were suffering under the effects of a Republican blockade. In 1623, a ceasefire (but not reunification) agreement was made by the Monarchist Coalition for the Reunification of Quebecshire (CMRQ) and the Quebecshirite Republican Assembly (ARQ) to begin negotiations in Orléans on 4 March 1623. The four independent cantons were also invited to take part in negotiations, and all of the cantons except Sablé sent delegates to Orléans. As the Monarchists were situated in Quebecshire City and Republicans in Bostonia, the two sides agreed to meet in Orléans.

Reykani involvement

After the outbreak of the war 5 years later in 1612 the Reykani Commonwealth joined the war on the Republican side. Reykanes sent equipment and aid to the republicans to help their war support. It was in Reykanes's interest that they win as to get a potential new ally. This was done as to stabilize the region as well, since Quebeschire is a important major nation in the region. By 1617 Reykanes sent 400 volunteers to help out as out to change the tide. They would be helping out in the upcoming battles. The Navy was set around the coast if help was needed.

Orléans Negotiations

Map of the Quebecshirite civil war in 1620. CMRQ are in blue and the ARQ is in red.

Delsarte and Champlain meet for negotiations, 1623.

The Orléans Negotiations took place from 4 March 1623 to 17 December 1623. The official Monarchist delegation consisted of Yvon Delsarte, Roland Rodier, and Campion Bonnet. The Republicans were officially represented by Arsène Champlain, Jacques Bourassa, and Jean Mossé. Additionally, each independent canton sent a representative, and advisors were present for both sides despite no official involvement or say in the official negotiations. The first major point in the negotiations was reported to have come to a consensus on 13 June 1623 when both sides determined any future unified Quebecshire should be devoid of autonomous subdivisions similar to internal states or provinces in nature. Any provinces that were to exist would solely be tasked with carrying out orders from a national government. This precedent set the stage for the remaining negotiations, which mainly focused on how the style of Quebecshirite leadership should be approached for the best merits of both popular will and national stability.

After 289 days of the ceasefire agreement between the two sides, Delsarte and Champlain signed the Declaration of the Establishment of a New Constitution for a Unified Quebecshirite State, which was to detail the future of Quebecshirite governance and how the new administration would be set up. Primarily, the declaration abolished the CMRQ and ARQ and created the Quebecshirite National Reorganization Council (CNRQ) to govern the transitional government. The declaration also called for a unique form of government consisting of a judicial and directive High Council, led by a Grandmaster who would assume the role of head of state, as well as a legislature (styled as the Parliament of Quebecshire) to be headed by a Speaker of the Parliament, who would assume the role of head of government. Additionally, the two sides agreed on the adoption of the title of “Serene State” for Quebecshire to decline any implications of political leanings. The agreement was supported by the independent cantons of Chatrois and Belvoire and was opposed by Lorette.

The Constitution of Quebecshire was signed and formally ratified by the National Reorganization Council on 16 September 1624. With its ratification, Yvon Delsarte was inaugurated as the first Grandmaster of Quebecshire, and Arsène Champlain was inaugurated as the first Speaker of the Parliament of Quebecshire. The National Reorganization Council was disbanded on 1 October 1624. The short-used yet unique flag of the National Reorganization Council represents the reunification of Quebecshire and is still used today as a patriotic symbol, Furthermore, the ideology of Revanchism was formed over time as a direct result of the actions and principles from the conclusion of and rebuilding following the Quebecshirite Civil War.

Aftermath

Sherbrooke was one of the most important Quebecshirite ports following the end of the Quebecshirite Civil War.

Following the establishment of the new government, Yvon Delsarte began using the High Council's influence to establish the new court systems of Quebecshire, as well as initiate the first versions of modern law enforcement to ensure domestic security. Arsène Champlain's Parliament passed laws regarding new trade, land, and agricultural policies, including standardizing the practice of enclosures to divide agriculture land, ending the Quebecshirite practice of the open-field system. Significant accomodations were made to local nobility and merchants to placate them after the immediate removal of the old canton system. However, both Delsarte and Champlain laid a framework that would see the Quebecshirite nobility be slowly stripped of their power in the following decades.

However, one of the more pressing matters to Delsarte was the fact that the cantons of Sablé and Lorette continued to maintain their independence following the conclusion of the war. In 1625 and 1627, he sent forces to placate Sablé and Lorette, respectively. The Battle of Sablé on 13 July 1625 was the only battle of the annexations resulting in casualties, with 3 Quebecshirites and 19 Sablé peasant soldiers killed.