Declaration of Sovereignty (Mars)

The Declaration of Sovereignty is the founding document for the Aretian Confederacy, written in English originally, but translated into Latin following the ensuing war as a part of the major push for Martian Nationalism.

Purpose

The Declaration of Soverignty was drafted in response to orders to the various colonies on Mars by The United States to reliquish military equipment, as well as a series of taxes and resource demands that were seen as crippling. Initially, the intent was to refuse the demands and insist on more equitable treatment, but a network of international colonies on Tharsis which had been bearing the brunt of the burdens placed on Mars for the past few years, made clear that more was necessary, and proposed a loose confederation instead. The Declaration, which functioned as a constitution, describes a federal government that serves only three purposes: the establishment and funding of a planetary defense force, a Forum in which to resolve greivances between internal factions and to determine if a prospective member should be allowed to join, and to act as the voice of Mars to Earth, Luna, and beyond.

Historical Details

Legacy

The ratification of the declaration at once unified the three largest settlements on Mars under the Aretian Confederation (formerly the Martian Alliance), as well as set a formal date for the beginning of the System War.

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Declaration of Sovereignty

To The Government of the United States,

As has been said before in days long past, it is self evident that all human life is equal, that each of us, regardless of merit, enter this universe with certain unalienable rights, such as those to the protection of personal life and property, to act in liberty, and to pursue our own ends, so long as the rights of our fellows is not infringed. The remote control over these settlements has become destructive to the preservation of these rights, and it is the responsibility of this people to rectify this situation. The Government over this planet is relatively new, owing its reformation to causes and campaigns that no Martian has had influence over. Since it's inception, it has attempted to siphon the resources of our planet to patch it's wounds, neglecting our own needs and rights, and it has become necessary to reestablish their protection. It has imposed taxes higher abroad than at home. It has claimed, in war, the property of it's neighbors and its allies. It has attempted to prevent the evacuation of the refugees of that war, leading to the deaths of millions. It has sought to repatriate these refugees against their will.

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It is Declared on the fifteenth of March in the year 2183, that the settlements established on the Red Planet stand together in the name of properity. Thus allied, the Colonies of Tharsis, of Elysium, and of Hellas, together stand as Free States, and to the ends of protecting these specified rights, so indict the government that enabled their existence, and establish New Guards of their liberties.
We, therefore, the offical leaders of the Free States of Mars, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and should Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the President and Congress, and that all political connection between them and the United States, is and should be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may do, and for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the power of acknowleged truth, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Honor.
Signed
████ █████████ of Tharsis
██████████ ██████████████ of Elysium
███████ ████████████ of Hellas

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Article 1

The Free States shall establish three bodies of political power, with members provided by the States and their associates. They will lead an armed force to defend the planet, fund that force through fair taxation, and adjudicate cases between the members and associates peacefully and fairly.

The Executive

The States will provide, from their higher leadership, one representative each to act as joint Commanders-in-Chief of a Planetary Defense Force. The executive will also include the Senior Enlisted and Senior Commissioned Officers of each major branch of that force, who shall be appointed by the Senate from a pool of candidates selected by the Executive.

Planetary Defense Force

The Planetary Defense Force shall, at a minimum, consist of a Trans-Orbital Navy and a Marine Corps. This Force shall be populated by citizens of the States and volunteers from their associates. Members of this Force shall be Governed by

The Senate

The Forum

Article 2

Responsibilities

Powers and Limitations

Article 3

Military Code Applicablity

Organization

Discipline

Ammendments

The Senate may draft ammendments to this Declaration. When submitted to the Executive by a unanimous and complete quorum, the Executive may choose to enact or reject an ammendment, but must act within a timeframe set by the proposed ammendment.

June 2186|Tula 306

A Latin Translation of this Document is to be produced, deliberated, and ratified. Latin is to be the lingua-franca of this Confederation, which is to be renamed the Aretian Confederation. Adoption of the Darian Calander is to take place beginning in the next Perihelion, which will take place on December 25 2187|12 Simha 307. Ratify before December 25 2187|12 Simha 307. Ratified September 3 2186.

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Type

Statement, Political (Manifesto)

Medium

Digital Recording, Various

Authoring Date

1 Aquarius 305
March 3 2183

Ratification Date

12 Aquarius 305
March 15 2183

Location

Olympian Observatory

Signatories (Organizations)

• Martian Confederation
• The Free State of Elysium
• The Free State of Hellas
• The Free State of Tharsis
• X Corp.