Bureaucrats, rtl-contributors, Administrators
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History of New Netherland: Difference between revisions
Guman Era
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== The Republican era ==
[[File:Bartelmeeus van Haerst First Raedspensionaris.png|thumb|
After a new constitution was ratified in June 1903, a special election was held in July. Bertelmeus "Mees" van Haerst was sworn in as the first raedspensionaris of New Netherland, the highest executive government position in the new republic. The new government is a unitary parliamentary republic, composed of the executive (led by the raedspensionaris), legislative (a bicameral States-General), and judicial branches. Mees van Haerst's party, the NNL Unity Party (Amerikaens: NNL Înheydtspartÿ), dominated the seats within the States-General. The NNL Unity Party was a coalition party composed of representatives from the different socio-economic sectors of New Netherland.
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New Netherland initially provided clandestine support and assurances to the New England government. This soon changed when when British prime minister Benjamin Kaylock lambasted the New Englanders as “unpatriotic and cowardly.” This inflamed the situation even more. By 1937, the separatist sentiment in New England has gotten so strong that the government of New England eventually voted to become an independent republic.
[[File:NE soldiers with NNL Panzerkannonen.png|thumb|New Englander soldiers with New Netherlander armored cannons on field exercises in Masonia, New England during a military exercise.|292x292px]]
New Netherland was the first nation to openly recognize the newly independent Republic of New England. Together with Mexico, New Netherland openly pledged to defend New England should Britain carry out its threat of invasion. This would lead to the largest mobilization of the New Netherland military during peacetime. Eventually due to the ongoing war in Europe, Britain never followed through with its threat of invasion and recognized New England's independence in 1941.
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=== The Tussenland Diplomatic Crisis ===
On the 3rd of September 1935, Tussenland entered the war on the side of Britain. This was after [https://www.reddit.com/r/RosesTulipsAndLiberty/comments/t3iw9d/tussenland_joins_the_war_the_london_inquirer_3/ the sinking of the Tussenlander ship PWHS Potouwatomie] which was blamed on the French navy. This raised worry and suspicion from within New Netherland, as it could mean more British interference on the American continent. This period of uncertainty was known as the Tussenland diplomatic crisis. [[File:NNL soldiers somewhere in New England.jpg|thumb|Soldiers taking cover behind a hedge during the "Tussenland war games" these excersises where largely there to perform the effectiviness of the NNL military, as well as being used for political pressure |294x294px]]
In August 1937, New Amsterdam and Mexico City had correspondence with the French diplomatic delegation. Édouard Boissonade, French ambassador to America, invited New Netherland and Mexico to join the war on the Tripartite Coalition's side. In the case of a French victory, Boissonade promised Mexico City the return of Tussenlander territory formerly part of the Mexican Empire (the Misuri provinces), and promised New Amsterdam territory in Irokesenland and Meerenland. While New Netherland initially expressed doubts about the deal, Mexico considered the offer. Mexico's positive response to the offer was eventually leaked, which led to Tussenland exercising more caution.
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By the end of 1946, the United Patriotic Front had become unpopular. The UPF government was replaced in 1947 by a coalition of the Free Destiny Party and the Labor Party.
== '''Güman''' Era (1947-1963) ==
=== Edgar Güman administration (1947-1955) ===
[[File:RTL Edgar Guman.jpg|left|thumb|171x171px|Edgar Güman in 1950]]
The new coalition government was dubbed the ''Güman bloc'', named after its leader, Edgar Güman, who also served as the raedspensionaris. Under the leadership of the Güman bloc, several laws were passed regarding the regulation of commerce, industry, and labor.
==== New labor laws ====
During the Güman bloc administration, labor unions attained their highest levels of membership, visibility, prestige, and political clout. The majority of these unions also backed the government's anti-European and pro-American cooperation ideals. In 1946, the New Netherland Ministry of Labor was instituted, and in 1947, the New Netherland Labor Code was established. These developments in New Netherland also inspired the labor movements of neighboring countries.
==== Renewed American cooperation ====
Edgar Güman's government also paid special attention to the formation of a formal multilateral security framework for North America, intending to keep European influence on the continent to a minimum. Together, Tussenland, Mexico, Virginia, New Netherland, and New England discussed a future strategy for driving European influence out of North America, including the creation of the American Security Council in 1948. This eventually evolved into the [[Association of North American Nations]] in 1951.
=== Marieke Güman administration (1955-1964) ===
[[File:RTL Marieke Guman.jpg|thumb|186x186px|Marieke Güman in 1955]]
In 1955, Edgar Güman finished his two terms as raedspensionaris and is no longer eligible for the position for a third term, despite his popularity. He was succeeded by his wife, Marieke Güman (''née'' Wierinck). Previously, Marieke Güman was part of the First Chamber of the New Netherland States-General from 1947-1951, and has served as the Minister of Labor from 1951-1953. Her government saw the passing of the Social Security Act (''Socialsekerheydswet'') in 1955.
In 1955, a political conspiracy to overthrow Marieke Güman's government and install Colonel Johannes Veldthuys as dictator was uncovered before it could happen. Johannes Veldthuys was notable for his views against the Güman administration, having called it a "corrupt aristocracy" in 1954. He was reportedly approached by like-minded wealthy businessmen (who were allegedly opposed to the Guman administration's increasingly strict labor laws) and was convinced to organize a coup. The coup was supposed to happen before Edgar Güman's term ends in 1955 but was delayed due to logistical issues with Veldthuys' brigade.
When Marieke Güman was elected as raedspensionaris, she had already received reports of this alleged secret conspiracy and had ordered a probe into the matter. On 11 November 1955, a government raid was launched at a military base in Camp Laer, Pavonia, where Veldthuys and his brigade were stationed. A brief firefight ensued between Veldthuys' brigade and pro-government forces. Veldthuys' brigade was soon overrun, and they were forced to stand down. Johannes Veldthuys and several members of his brigade were captured and stood trial.
Although Veldthuys refused to disclose the names of his corporate backers, it is widely believed that a number of influential figures from some of New Netherland's biggest corporations, including some executives from Jonkman Enterprises, Hedel Standard Oil, New Netherland Steel, and Tepperik-Koenders Holdings, were involved. Despite the fact that no one from these organizations has ever faced treason charges, it has contributed to the financial ruin of some of them. Such was the case with Hedel Standard Oil, which suffered a significant loss of investors and ultimately filed for bankruptcy before being absorbed by Jonkman Enterprises (as the Jonkman Oil Company).
== See also ==
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