Maurepas
From NSwiki, the NationStates encyclopedia.
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| Motto: Laissez les bons temps rouler (Cajun French:
"Let the good times roll") | |||||
| National Anthem: Jolie Blonde | |||||
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| Region | North America | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital | Biloxi | ||||
| Largest city | New Orleans | ||||
| Official Language(s) | French, Cajun French, and Louisiana Creole French | ||||
| Government | Federal Constitutional Monarchy | ||||
| - Monarch | Louis I, King of Maurepas, Duke of Anjou, of Bourbon and of Touraine | ||||
| - Chancellor | Jean-Baptiste LeBeau | ||||
| Independence from Spain | |||||
| - Declared September 23, 1768 | |||||
| - Monarchy Established January 25, 1853 | |||||
| Population | 5,790,830 | ||||
| GDP | |||||
| - Total | 62,411,460,561,175.95L | ||||
| - Per capita | 42,084.60L | ||||
| Currency | Livre (L) (MLV) | ||||
| Timezone | Central Standard Time (CST) | ||||
| - Summer (DST) | Central Daylight Time (CDT) | ||||
| NS NSTracker Sunset XML | |||||
The Constitutional Monarchy of Maurepas lies on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, which underwent several boundary and sovereignty changes during its history. Parts of the territory were held at various times by France, Spain, and Britain. It is Bordered to the north, west and east by the United States, and to the south by the Gulf of Mexico.
Contents |
History
What would become Maurepas was, from 1682 until 1763, divided between the Spanish, who held an outpost at Pensacola as part of their Florida colony, and the French, who garrisoned Mobile as part of the French colony of Louisiana (part of New France).
In the treaty negotiations concluding the Seven Years War(French and Indian War) in 1763, Britain received the Spanish colony of Florida, while France ceded the area of French Louisiana from New Orleans to Apalachicola to Spain.
Meanwhile, German, and American settlers established a foothold in the area and resisted Spanish control. French settlers, who had remained, also resented Spanish rule, and wished to return the territory to French Control leading to the Louisiana Rebellion of 1768. A Merchant named Jean Milhet sailed to France in an attempt to persuade Louis XV to stop the handover and assume control, he was unable to receive an audience, however, leading to the declaration of “Maurepas” on September 23 as an Independent Nation. In the Fall of 1768, Joseph Milhet and Joseph Villere were sent to communities northwest of New Orleans to gather a militia. Pierre Marquis was declared leader of the Louisiana militia, and along with the Commissary for Louisiana under the French, Denis-Nicolas Foucault and the Louisiana attorney general, Chauvin de La Freniere were sent to overthrow the Spanish Governor, who quickly fled to Cuba with his pregnant wife. On July 19, 1769 the Spanish returned to Louisiana with 2,000 soldiers who met Pierre Marquis and the Militia outside New Orleans, with the ensuing battle ending in a route of the Spaniards.
In 1798, following The Great New Orleans Fires of 1788 and 1794, the Administrative Capital of Maurepas was moved to the old Colonial capital of Biloxi.
War of 1812
With the outbreak of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, and the completion of the Louisiana Purchase by the United States, Maurepas found itself surrounded by hostile forces; Spain to the East, Britain to the South, and the United States to the North and West. Maurepas attempted a policy of Neutrality, however, with the beginnings of the War of 1812, Britain, fearing a US annexation of the crucial port of New Orleans, invaded and occupied the city. Maurepas, having established no Military at the time, enlisted the forces of the Choctaw, as well as the Pirate lord Jean Laffite. Laffite and his Choctaw allies contacted General Andrew Jackson, who agreed to send his forces to recapture New Orleans. In the ensuing Battle, Lafitte and the Choctaw and American fighters completely routed the British. In return, Maurepas opened up the Port of New Orleans to American companies, a tradition which continues to this day.
Aftermath of the War of 1812
After the July Revolution of 1830 in France, the Bourbon King, Charles X, established a Government in Exile in Maurepas, still sympathetic to the French Crown. On January 25, 1853, following the accession of Napoleon III and the establishment of the Second French Empire, Charles X's successor, Henri, comte de Chambord, or Heri V of France, proclaimed himself as Henri I, King of Maurepas, and established the Constitutional Monarchy of Maurepas, styled Henri ler, Par la grâce de Dieu et par la loi constitutionnelle de l'État, Roi de Maurepas (Henri the First, By the grace of God and the constitutional law of the State, King of Maurepas)
American Civil War
When Civil War broke out within the United States of America in 1860, President Lincoln, having accused Maurepas of supplying the Confederate war effort, ordered a blockade of Maurepas' ports. Despite an official policy of Neutrality, Maurepas prepared to defend its territory in the face of an attack. In December of 1861 King Henri appointed Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, then a Colonel and head of the Biloxi Military Institute, to command the defenses of New Orleans, who defended it against Union attacks throughout 1862. When a US force threatened the City of Mobile in 1864, Beauregard was promoted to the newly created Maréchal de Maurepas, or "Field Marshal of Maurepas" and took command of the city's defenses. Although Maurepas never amassed a large enough Navy to break the Blockade, Beauregard's successful campaigns against the Union invasions led to him being named among the country's greatest heroes. In 1944, following Maurepas' taking part in the Normandy landings, Legislation was passed so that no Field Marshal would outrank Beauregard.
As a result of the conflict, and, despite Maurepas' sympathetic view of the Confederacy during the war, Laws were passed at the behest of King Henri ending Slavery, due in part to the brave efforts of Black soldiers during the war such as the 1st Louisiana Native Guard, and the need to utilize all able bodied men in Maurepas for the war effort. Following the end of hostilities Henri I, and Field Marshal Beauregard pushed for the recognition of Civil Rights for Blacks in Maurepas, resulting in the passage of Laws giving Fundamental Rights and Suffrage for the recently freed Slaves.
the Great War
Maurepas was neutral during the early part of World War I, although many Royalists wanted to enter the war on the side of Germany in order to reclaim the French thrown, and still others wanted to enter on the side of the Allies in retaliation for the German attacks on France in 1870. Economic interests ruled the day, however, as American Ships using the ports along the Maurepas coast to sell to both sides of the conflict became sources of mass profit. It was not until the United States informed King Jacques I of the Zimmermann Telegram in 1917 that fears of Germany sponsoring a Mexican attack near its territory prompted Maurepas to enter the war on the side of the Allies. In 1918 the Maurepas Expeditionary Force, or MEF, was put under the command of General John J. Pershing as a part of the American Expeditionary Force, providing men and materiel to the Allied war effort.
Between the Wars
Following the Allied victories in World War I, Maurepas entered into a time of peace and prosperity. During the Prohibition era of the United States, in the 1920's, cities like Mobile, Pensacola, and New Orleans became hot beads for Rum Runners, and Gangsters trying to elude the United States Law Enforcement, bringing much needed revenue to the local economy. In 1931 the throne of Maurepas was briefly held by the King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, until his son, Jaime IV, renounced his rights to the Spanish throne for himself and his descendants on 23 June, 1933. Jaime IV was then crowned Jacques II, King of Maurepas.
The Great Depression
When the Great Depression struck Maurepas in the 1930's, hundreds were out of work, radicals began to take control of Maurepas; Communists, Fascists, and other groups became outspoken against the government, Republicanism flourished. In order to avoid a revolution, much of the political power began to be moved to the Chancellery and away from the Monarchy. Much of foreign policy and governmental functions became the responsibility of Parlement, relegating the Monarchy to a largely ceremonial role. Under Chancellor Huey Pierce Long, Jr., many Social Welfare and Civil Rights reforms were passed to combat the Depression. It was also during this time that Suffrage was extended to Women following many protests and demonstrations by women who'd lost their jobs.
World War II
Just as Maurepas was escaping the effects of the Great Depression, war broke out in Europe, Maurepas was content to stay neutral, believing it could once again profit by selling to both sides. However, following the United States entry into the war in 1941, Chancellor Long declared war on the Axis powers at the behest of the Roosevelt Administration. The Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP) was developed by Andrew Higgins under contract from the US Military. An Expeditionary force was put together under the command of Field Marshal Jefferson Caffery, who's division was tasked to support the American effort to take Omaha Beach during the Allied D-Day Landings. After the war legislation was passed that made Field Marshal Beauregard the highest ranking member of the Maurepas military.
the Cold War until Today
After the Allied victory in World War II, and the subsequent Cold War between the Western and Communist nations, Maurepas joined the United Nations, as well as becoming a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It supplied soldiers and materiel to the efforts of NATO forces in Korea, Vietnam, and later to forces in the Gulf War as well as peace keeping missions in Afghanistan as a part of the ongoing War on Terror.
Today Maurepas is a modern, vibrant nation, becoming a member of the Free Trade Agreement between Maurepas, Canada and the United States in 1988, which became known as the North American Free Trade Agreement following Mexico's entry into the pact in 1994.
Government
A Constitutional Monarchy, Maurepas is fundamentally structured as a federalist representative democracy. The government is regulated by a system of checks and balances defined by its Constitution, which serves as the country’s supreme legal document and as a social contract for Maurepas Subjects. In the Maurepas federalist system, citizens are usually subject to three levels of government, Federal, Parish, and Local; under the Federal Government there are 19 Parishes, with local governments divided among the cities. In almost all cases, executive and legislative officials are elected by a plurality vote of citizens by district. Federal and Parish judicial and cabinet officials are typically nominated by the executive branch and approved by the Parlement.
The Head of State is the King of Maurepas: King Louis I, who also is the Legitimist heir to the French Crown, in which he would be titled King Louis XX, and is called such by many Royalists throughout Maurepas, as head of the House of Bourbon, he also holds the titles of Duke of Anjou as well as Duke of Bourbon and of Touraine. The Crown is the Commander–in–Chief of the Military, and has the power to appoint the Chancellor of Parlement, following a General Election, call Parlement into session, and to override a Chancellor veto, following a request of at least two-thirds of the Superior Council. The Monarch also has the power to dissolve Parlement following a vote of "No-Confidence" in the National Assembly.
The Head of Government is the Chancellor, who is elected indirectly by the populace through the grands électeurs for Six-Year terms with a maximum of two, held on the 16th of October, and formally appointed by the reigning Monarch to preside over Parlement on January 15th. As head of the Executive Branch, the Chancellor has the power to appoint ministers and cabinet members(Secretary of State, Minister of Defense, etc.), sign legislation into law, call Parlement to session, as well as Veto legislation passed by Parlement.
The Parlement of Maurepas is bicameral, containing 122 members. The Upper House is the Superior Council, which contains two members from each Parish for a total of 38 Councillors, serving terms of four years each; the terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the seats are up for election every two years, and are elected by the Parish Parlements on the 16th of October. The Council has the power review and pass legislation and treaties, as well as request a Monarchial Veto of the Chancellor, following a two-thirds vote. The Lower House is the National Assembly, where each Parish receives representation in proportion to its population but is entitled to at least one representative, for a total of 106 Députés, serving two year terms, staggered, with approximately one quarter of the Députés up for election by direct Universal Sufferage, also on the 16th of October. The Assembly has the power to write and pass Legislation, as well as override a Monarchial Veto following a two-thirds vote. The Assembly can also pass a vote of "No-Confidence" in the Chancellor, allowing the reigning Monarch to dissolve Parlement, and a new election being held at a date of the Monarch's choosing.
The Judicial Branch of Parlement consists of the Palais de Justice whose 11 judges are appointed for lifelong terms by the Chancellor with Superior Council approval; it is the highest court in Maurepas, and has the power to interpret laws, and can overturn laws they deem unconstitutional.
Political Representation
Parti Progressiste (Progressive) is the main leftist Party in Maurepas, they draw heavily on the ideals of former Chancellor Huey Long, the main contributor the Party's ideology. They are the party of Chancellor LeBeau, and Hold a Majority in the National Assembly with 56 seats, but are in the Minority in the Superior Council with 6 seats.
Parti Traditionnelle (Conservative) is the main right wing party of Maurepas, and are a traditional Conservative Party with heavy emphasis on Catholicism and the Monarchy. They currently hold a majority in the Superior Council with 10 seats, but are a minority in the National Assembly with 42 seats.
Third parties in Maurepas are not currently represented in the Superior Council, they include:
Parti liberté de Maurepas (Reform) with 6 seats in the National Assembly, they are devoted to Fiscal Conservatism and mainly campaign on a platform of spending cuts.
Parti libertaire (Libertarian) with 2 seats in the National Assembly, and are a traditional Libertarian Party campaigning on Small government and the Rights of the Parishes.
Climate
The climate of Maurepas is humid subtropical (Cfa), with short, generally mild winters and hot, humid summers. In January, morning lows average around 43 °F (6 °C), and daily highs around 62 °F (17 °C). In July, lows average 74 °F (23 °C), and highs average 91 °F (33 °C). The lowest recorded temperature was 7 °F (−14 °C) on February 13, 1899. The highest recorded temperature was 102 °F (39 °C) on August 22, 1980. The average precipitation is 70.3 inches (1785.62 mm) annually; the summer months are the wettest, while October is the driest month. Hurricanes pose a severe threat to the country, and the City of New Orleans is particularly vulnerable because of its low elevation. Since 1965, portions of Maurepas have been flooded by four different storms: Hurricane Betsy, Hurricane Georges, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Rita.
Maurepas experiences snowfall only on rare occasions. A small amount of snow fell during the 2004 Christmas Eve Snowstorm, the last white Christmas was in 1954 and brought 4.5 inches (11 cm).
Culture
Maurepas has many major attractions, from the world-renowned Vieux Carré and Bourbon Street's notorious nightlife to St. Charles Avenue (home of Tulane and Loyola Universities, the historic Pontchartrain Hotel, and many 19th century mansions), to Magazine Street, with its many boutique stores and antique shops and Beach Blvd along Casino Row.
New Orleans
The New Orleans area is the largest metropolitan area in Maurepas and, is home to numerous celebrations, the most popular of which is Carnival, often referred to as Mardi Gras. Carnival officially begins on the Feast of the Epiphany, also known as the "Twelfth Night." Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday"), the final and grandest day of festivities, is the last Tuesday before the Catholic liturgical season of Lent, which commences on Ash Wednesday.
Biloxi
The Capital of Biloxi has become home to several casino resort hotels, with 24-hour gambling, concert entertainment shows, and several restaurants.It is also in the center of what fisheries biologists term "The Fertile Fisheries Crescent", Biloxi offers some of the finest sportsfishing along the entire northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Spotted seatrout, red drum, Spanish and king mackerel, flounder, snapper, grouper, sharks, and more are all available to anglers during the fishing season.
Mobile
Mobile was the original capital of French Louisiana, and as such, is home to an array of cultural influences with its mixed French, Spanish, Creole and Catholic heritage, in addition to British and African. The annual Carnival celebration is perhaps the best illustration of this. Mobile is the birthplace of Mardi Gras in Maurepas and has the oldest celebrations. Carnival in Mobile has evolved over the course of 300 years from a sedate French Catholic tradition into a mainstream multi-week celebration across the spectrum of cultures.
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, the population dispersal was 19.2% under the age of 18, 26.2% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 14.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The racial makeup of the country was 65.43% White, 18.40% African American, 3.49% Native American, 5.11% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.43% from other races, and 2.38% from two or more races. 3.65% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The median income for a household in the country was 45,074L, and the median income for a family was 48,685L. Males had a median income of 37,046L versus 30,267L for females. 10.6% of the population and 7.2% of families lived below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.6% of those under the age of 18 and 7.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Religion
In Maurepas there is no official religion, though the Royal Family is officially Catholic, as well, the predominant religion is Catholicism. Within the Archdiocese of New Orleans (which governs the Catholic churches of Maurepas), 35.9% percent of the population is Roman Catholic. The influence of Catholicism is reflected in many of the country's French and Spanish cultural traditions, including its many parochial schools, street names, architecture, and festivals, including Mardi Gras.
Roman Catholic 35.9% Protestant: 25.1% Non-Religious (unafilliated): 28% Louisiana Voodoo: 9% Other Religions: 2%
Maurepas follows a secular policy which prohibits the recognition of any religion (with the exception of ceremonial statutes, like those governing the Royal Family), as such there is no exemption within the tax law of Maurepas, and the only churches exempt from taxation are those which maintain non-profit status.
Crime
Crime is rampant throughout Maurepas, the majority by the Guilds of New Orleans crime syndicate, the majority of businesses must pay tribute to this organization,(usually through third-party subsidiaries, these businesses are often unsure of exactly who they are actually paying) in order for them to carryout day-to-day affairs, and as protection money. Rumours abound as to exactly how pervasive this organization is, some maintain that they are mere thugs and gangsters, while others have even claimed that the Government of Maurepas itself is merely a front for their activities, the bickering parties of Parlement merely a show, and that the Social Programs and Civil Freedoms provided by it act as a screen for its many illicit activities. It is unknown exactly how many members are under the influence of this organization, but, the powerful and wealthy LeBeau family is rumoured to be at its head, and there are those who consider the Chancellor to be the head of this household and financial empire.
However, most Maurepas citizens live blissfully unaware of the Guilds' very existence, believing the rumoures to be the ravings of conspiracy theorists and madmen, as they go about their daily lives, and participate in governmental elections.
Social Programs
Healthcare
Maurepas operates under a Universal Healthcare System through a national health insurance program. The insurers are non-profit agencies that annually participate in negotiations with the state through National d'Assurance Maladie(NAM), regarding the overall funding of health care in Maurepas. Funding is paid through a tax of 5.5% on earned income, and capital on anyone living above the poverty line, and at 3.5% on benefits (pensions and allowances) and winnings from gambling. An increase in this rate is placed upon those making over 6 figures, amounting to 1% per figure on earned income and capital.
After visiting a healthcare facility, a portion is claimed on the national insurance, usually around 75% to 80%, but can be as much as 85% to 100% on long-term illnesses.
Education
Education in Maurepas is Public, most children enter the public education system around ages five or six. The Maurepas school year traditionally begins in August or September, and ends in May or June. The Maurepas educational system comprises 12 grades of study over 12 calendar years of primary and secondary education before graduating and becoming eligible for college admission.
Since higher education is funded by the state, the fees are very low; the tuition varies from 150L to 700L depending on the university and the different levels of education. (licence, master, doctorate). One can therefore get a Master's degree (in 5 years) for about 750-3,500L. Additionally, students can receive a monthly stipend of up to 450L/month.
Transportation
Highspeed rail links all the major cities of Maurepas through a system of Maglev rail lines. Within these cities Maurepas is served by a system of Streetcars, a tradition which goes back to before the turn of the century.
Transportation in Maurepas is governed by Autorité Transit de Côte(Coast Transit Authority), an agency of the Maurepas government. Originally started during the Great Depression as a means of creating jobs for the unemployed. ATC has become a highly profitable, wholly independent agency in its own right, receiving no funding from the Maurepas government.
