Westerzee Troubles
| West Coast Troubles | |||||
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Westerzee, Tussenland Corean Tussenlanders ANAN De Clercq loyalists |
Voor National Party Amerikaens Free State Goudpaert loyalists | ||||
The Westerzee Troubles was a period of unrest and insurgency that took place between 1941 and 1953 in Westerzee (Tussenland province), the Amerikaens Free State (AFS), and parts of northwestern Mexico. This era was characterized by the ethnonationalist pro-white insurgencies led by the Voor National Party (VNP), the formation of the Association of North American Nations (ANAN) as a major continental organization, and the rise of Anti-Atlanticism, which represented opposition to European influence in America.
The conflict came to an end following the 1953 coup d'état in the Amerikaens Free State, when ANAN forces ousted the Goudpaerdt family from power in the AFS and replaced them with the De Clercq family. As a result, violence diminished since the Voor nationalists lost their primary backer. A conference held in Opsdamland led to the signing of the 1953 Treaty of Etersheym, which marked the official end of hostilities.
Background
Rise of the Asian Population in Westerzee: Immigration and Cultural Shifts
After Tussenland (then a colony of the Netherlands) became landlocked following the 1850 Dutch-Spanish War, the nation began to focus on the development of its Pacific Westerzee province. During this time, several events led to an influx of Asian immigrants, particularly from Corea and China. The Canton War (1850-1855), the industrialization of Corea in the 1850s-1870s, and the devastating impact of the Great War on Corea and China in the 1930s all contributed to a growing number of Asian immigrants seeking better opportunities in Westerzee.
The Tussenland government largely welcomed this increase in the Asian population, resulting in the establishment of numerous Asian communities throughout Westerzee. By the 1940s, Corean, Mandarin, and Cantonese were widely spoken in the province, and the government implemented various pro-Asian immigration policies, such as the Asiatic Migration Act (1940), which increased the quotas for Corean and Chinese immigration into Westerzee. Many Asian individuals were also appointed to government posts and administrative roles, reflecting the region's pro-Asian migration stance.
Voor National Party (VNP) and Opposition to Asian Migration
The Voor National Party (VNP) emerged as a regional political force in Westerzee by the 1930s, driven by its opposition to the growing influence and presence of Asians in the province. The party, which primarily advocated for pro-white agendas, was vehemently against the "Asianization" of Westerzee. As the Asian population increased and gained prominence in various aspects of society, including government and administrative posts, the VNP grew increasingly alarmed. The party saw the rising Asian-Tussenlander population as a direct threat to the cultural and national interests of the white population. It is important to note, however, that the white population in Westerzee was not actually marginalized in reality. Fueled by perceived threats rather than actual discrimination, the VNP sought to counteract the pro-Asian migration policies that were being implemented in Westerzee, eventually adopting more radical and violent tactics to achieve its goals.
The conflict
In 1941, the Voor National Party (VNP) initiated its first violent action, an event that would later be referred to as the "Waterloo incident." A group of commandos and military personnel affiliated with the VNP staged a mutiny, attacking a garrison in Southern Westerzee. The group, calling itself the Voor Vanguards (Amerikaens: Voorbewakers) marked a turning point in the party's tactics, as they became increasingly radicalized in their pursuit of white dominance in Westerzee.
The VNP's Violent Approach and Insurgent Tactics
By 1945, the violence in Westerzee had escalated into a full-blown insurgency. Government forces were determined to quell the terrorist insurrection; however, the challenging terrain and the effective insurgency tactics employed by the VNP and the Voor Vanguards made it difficult for the government to effectively counter the rebellion.
Throughout the 1940s, the VNP and the Voor Vanguards carried out increasingly violent actions against both the government and the Asian community in Westerzee. These actions included targeting prominent Asian individuals and their families for assassination, kidnapping individuals for ransom, and executing acts of sabotage aimed at spreading fear and weakening the influence of the Asian community in the region. The Voor Vanguards' brutal tactics further fueled the conflict, leading to a protracted and bloody struggle that would come to define the Westerzee Troubles. As the situation continued to deteriorate, the government faced mounting pressure to restore order and bring an end to the violence that had gripped the region.
Reponse of the government and the Asian community
The Tussenland federal and Westerzee provincial governments cracked down hard on the insurgency, with numerous skirmishes occurring between government forces and VNP forces. The Voor National Party, the official party representing the insurgents, was also suspended from participating in the Tussenland government, with many of its members going into hiding. Several members of the VNP were arrested and subjected to trial.
Rise of Asian self-organized militias
To counter the Voor Vanguards, various irregular Asian militias were formed in Westerzee, such as the predominantly Chinese 1644 Korps and the predominantly Corean Djajuoei Sjoehotsja Leger (Corean for "Defenders of Liberty"; 자유의 수호자). The militias played a significant role in countering the insurgency, primarily focused on ensuring the protection of the Asian community in Westerzee, safeguarding their neighborhoods, and defending their businesses and cultural institutions from VNP attacks. In addition to carrying out independent raids and assaults on VNP positions, they also cooperated closely with government forces, providing intelligence, augmenting their strength, and participating in joint operations to combat the insurgency. Their actions, while sometimes controversial due to instances of extrajudicial killings, were seen as a vital component of the broader effort to maintain stability and security in Westerzee during the conflict.
External Involvement
Various North American governments, particularly Mexico and New Netherland, expressed concern about the turmoil in western North America. Mexico, in particular, was worried about the violence spreading to its northernmost provinces bordering Westerzee. The conflict served as a primary catalyst for the creation of the Association of North American Nations (ANAN), an organization aimed at countering European influence and promoting regional stability.
Involvement of the Amerikaense Free State (AFS), and the 1953 AFS coup
It was widely believed that the National Republican government of the Amerikaens Free State (AFS), which had come to power in 1942 through fraudulent means, had been supporting the VNP and the insurgents in Tussenland. This suspicion was confirmed when several documents were leaked by the New Netherland secret service. Russia was also implicated in the conflict, as it was providing arms to the VNP insurgents.
The Association of North American Nations (ANAN) was formally established in 1951. The newly-formed organization vowed to intervene militarily in the Amerikaens Free State if its support for the insurgents did not cease. Finally, in 1953, with the assistance of pro-ANAN forces, a coup overthrew the AFS government, replacing it with an administration that was friendly to the ANAN.
Cessation of hostility
Following the 1953 coup in the Amerikaens Free State (AFS), the Voor National Party (VNP) and its insurgents in Westerzee lost their primary source of support, which led to a decline in their capabilities and the eventual cessation of hostilities. The Tussenland government, in collaboration with the newly installed AFS administration, intensified its efforts to dismantle the remaining VNP forces, leading to several arrests and trials of VNP politicians and members.
Some of the prominent VNP politicians were charged with treason and subsequently executed for their role in the insurgency. Additionally, other VNP members faced imprisonment and various forms of punishment. With the VNP's influence waning, the Westerzee government focused on rebuilding the affected regions and promoting reconciliation between the diverse communities in Westerzee. Efforts were made to address the root causes of the conflict, including implementing policies that fostered greater social cohesion and equal opportunities for all ethnic groups within the province. The Treaty of Etersheym was signed in late 1953, marking the official end of the conflict, and the normalization of relations between the AFS and the rest of the ANAN nations. In the same year, the new government of the AFS was inducted into the ANAN.
Legacy and impact
The Westerzee Troubles had a lasting impact on Tussenland, shaping the nation's politics, society, and international relations. The conflict highlighted the need for greater unity and social cohesion among the diverse communities within the country. Additionally, the formation of the Association of North American Nations (ANAN) and the subsequent shift in Tussenland's foreign policy towards regional cooperation and stability marked a significant change in the nation's international stance. The Westerzee Troubles also spurred efforts to strengthen Tussenland's internal security and counter-terrorism capabilities, as the government sought to prevent similar episodes of unrest from occurring in the future.
