The Commonwealth of Man
Officially declared in the year 2135, following the signing of the Commonwealth Concordat, the Commonwealth of Man is the culmination both of the internationalist movement as well as the natural conclusion of Anglo-American foreign policy. Today comprising more than 100 member states, and making up the breadth of the Earth, The Commonwealth is the foremost power in the Solar System.
Structure
The Commonwealth of Man, officially, is a Federal Constitutional Representative Republic. In practice, however, things are different. Indeed, many of the practices of the Commonwealth seem more akin to a loose confederation than a centralized state, with all member states handling internal affairs with a significant amount of autonomy. The internal structure of the states is wildly different, with some being unitary, others federal, some parliamentary and some senatorial, with the only common trait being a republican system of government with a robust electorate. At the present, the internal borders remain largely unchanged, with the boundaries between member states largely being as they existed upon the start of the golden age. Nonetheless, the Riga conference is being held, a great meeting of leaders to finalize internal borders.
The issue of the location of the capital of the Commonwealth is a tenuous one. Some favor having no permanent capital at all, keeping with the current state of affairs. Many, however, believe the time has cone to choose a location for a truly global city. The candidates are widespread, and many cities have had their time as the supposed Caput Mundi. Rome, Constantinople, Jerusalem, London, D.C., New York, Geneva, all have had their place in the sun. Some prefer the construction of an entirely new city as well, something to build from the ground up. Some sites have been discussed, such as Ethiopia, near the supposed birthplace of humanity, though the situation in Africa makes this proposition a divisive one. Others propose a floating city, over the oceans, and other still propose a space station. Whatever winds up being chosen, the decision will not be made easily, and is unlikely to be made soon.
History
To understand the Commonwealth of Man, one must first understand it’s predecessor, the Anglo-American Commonwealth. The Anglo-American Commonwealth, in theory, was not a new idea. Since the ties between Britain and her 13 colonies were dissolved, many dreamers thought of once more closing the gap. This proved, however, a political impossibility. Since Britain relinquished her empire, warm ties were still felt with the former possessions, particularly Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. However, these former colonial possessions nonetheless valued their independence, and the state of affairs was accepted, albeit with a close working relationship. As the United Kingdom neared the year of 2022, however its future was uncertain. It had separated from that project of european integration that it had been involved in since the end of the second world war, and for many in government, the state had a single choice: To seek partnerships across the sea. A member of parliament quoted Winston Churchill during these proceedings, saying: “We have our own dream and our own task. We are with Europe but not of it. We are linked but not combined. We are interested, but not absorbed. If Britain must choose between Europe and the open sea, she must always choose the open sea.”. And indeed she would. The first steps to the Commonwealth began in the year of 2035. Following the federalization of the European Union, and it’s subsequent withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, The United States, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Nations, declared the Anglo-American Pact. Intended to supplement the five eyes agreement, and drawing on the shared cultural and legal traditions — to say nothing of the history of military cooperation — The Anglo-American pact became a power player in all global affairs, constricting the growth of a resurgent Russia, a rising China, and an increasingly competing European Union.
The dynamic of this partnership changed, however, following the discovery of spacial disturbances around Saturn in the middle of the 21st century. What began was a period of cooperation for the Pact, and a period of great progress for all mankind. Anglo-American teams, in cooperation with those of Europe, funded one of two colony ships to send through these wormholes. These enterprising colonists would go on to establish the various states that line the planet of Terra Nova. America would itself begin to establish colonial possessions, the first of which was the colony of New Virginia, on the moon, Named after the first colony of America itself, it was originally conceived to be a forward base for the launching of spacecraft. However, it grew at a pace none could predict through a smattering of private missions, and quickly became a state in its own right. The second possession, Olympus, was the second joint colonization project between America and its allies following the Terra Nova mission. Founded at the base of the Mountain from which it takes its name, Olympus prospered above all other colonies, and it’s robust economy quickly caused it to be a model for colonies elsewhere.
This “Golden Era”, however, was tragically cut short by the arrival of the White Death. The Pact quickly lost contact with it’s colonies on the other side of the wormhole, and the population of humans on all planetary bodies was devastated, reducing population levels to what they were at the dawn of the century. During this period, the British Royal Family suffered from a succession crisis, with the reigning king appearing to have no heir, with the family having expired due to the Plague. Seeing no point in continuing the Charade of constitutional monarchy, Parliament declared the United Kingdom dissolved, replaces by the Republic of Great Britain. The Pact, though altered, worked together to fight the disease, but, by the time the dust had settled, the world was shaken, and they were left to pick up the pieces of the glory they had lost. Solemnly, but with the vigor of their pioneering forefathers, they set themselves to the task for the better part of two decades.
All Changed however, on the announcement of the Union of Sino-Soviet Socialist Republics. Although the Russians and Chinese had maintained a close working relationship, such a move was unprecedented. A monolithic state now covered a significant portion of the world, and wasted no time in its occupation of Central Asia. Europe failed to react, and the pact knew that they must. Following a year of negotiations, and numerous referendums, the Anglo-American Commonwealth was formed. Whatever the future held, the pact would face it as one.
Despite the dawn of the New Cold War, no fighting occurred for a significant amount of time. Despite a minor diplomatic incident occurring on Olympus, no shots were fired, nor were any proxy wars held. A tenuous peace ruled. However, the announcement of an imminent invasion of the Pacific Rim Coalition resulted in the Commonwealth turning its gaze East. As the war dragged on, and the usage of Nuclear Weapons was threatened, the Commonwealth intervened, forcing the USSSR to stand down, and gaining a valuable ally for the future.
The next decade was tumultuous . Although a minor diplomatic altercation involving the Lunar Reich, wherein Anglo-American naval assets forced a re-opening of trade after an alleged bookkeeping error, the first of two primary conflicts of the age would be the Commonwealth-Union war, also known as the Anglo-American invasion of Europe. Following the destruction of the AAS Cromwell over European territory, politicians stirred the people into action. Within days, Commonwealth Tripp’s marched through Paris, Madrid, Lisbon and Oslo, with the utter surrender and integration of Western Europe being successful. During this period the USSSR made more significant moves, annexing Eastern Europe and the Middle East in a series of lightning assaults.
The second of the primary conflicts was the African Crisis. Though not a war involving the Commonwealth exactly, it was nonetheless a watershed moment. The African Insurrection, in response to the increasingly despotic policies of the Stygian Conclave in their homeland, rose up in revolt. Although initially successful, the revolt was soon put down with a most terrible weapon, Element Zero. This, in combination with the saturation bombing of the continent, resulted in casualties over 800 million, with some estimated bearing a billion. Faced with unprecedented genocide, the Commonwealth demanded a withdrawal. The Conclave complied, and the African Reconstruction Authority was set up.
The next decade was similarly chaotic, with no foreign wars being fought. However, the rapid expansion of interstellar trade led to a large pirate insurrection, which was crushed gloriously by Anglo-American and allied forces. During the time following this, however, the Deviant Plague that had mired Terra Nova spread home. Many cities and colonies were affected, though swift action and research conducted by Commonwealth scientists and military forces led to its containment within the borders of the state. Although the political effects were minor, the cultural impact cannot be overstated. This disease traumatized a generation, and it’s impacts on both the Commonwealth's global outlook and cultural matters such as artwork were far reaching. A brief standoff occurred over the fate of the SAF as well, with the collapse of the SAF and it’s replacement by the old world order once again, and the subsequent invasion of these states by the PRC, in conjunction with the refusal of the governments of that continent Few shots were ultimately fired, however, and the treaty of Port Stanley was signed.
The 2030’s however, marked a significant change. After it’s period of isolationism, an increasingly jaded outlook resulted in the election of President Alexander Hayes, whos shocking inaugural address resulted in a significant shift in American foreign policy. The Soviets, Startled by the display of strength, made preparations to leave the Solar System, and signed the Treaty of Kiev, promising all their solar possessions to the Commonwealth after a period of five years. With one of their largest rivals pacified, The Commonwealth’s fleets expanded, with the PRC, Second Reich, martian republic and Calormen syndicate becoming client states of the expanding empire, with the annexation of the SAF successor states to boot, following a failed bid at resistance. With this completed, only two independent nations remained in Sol. Zvezda, a former possession of the USSR and bastion of neutrality, and the Stygian Hegemony.
With the pacification of the System, the Commonwealth declared the Commonwealth of Man, formally uniting both planet earth and it’s many spaceborne possessions into a single united front, for the first time in Human History. Though locked into another cold war with the Singularity of Ma’il, and with internal struggles of its own, the Commonwealth stands poised to be one of the most significant actors in the stage that is the next era.
Military
The armed forces of the Commonwealth are the mightiest known to humanity. Their sheer size is unparalleled, with men from all the colonies signing every day, and ships churned out from the grand shipyard of Ganymede on a weekly basis.
The Navy of the Commonwealth is a branch which comprises multiple smaller branches, and is the largest recipient of funding from the federal government. The primary member of this branch is the Commonwealth Void Navy (CVN). This comprises all actions undertaken by spaceborne assets It is also made up of the Commonwealth Wet Navy (CWN), taking command of all traditional ships planetside, and the Commonwealth Marines (CM), undertaking landings from any naval asset. Although the Marines were originally a branch in their own right, the increasing importance of the nacho caused them to fall under the wider umbrella as the empire expanded.
The Army of the Commonwealth receives the second largest amount of funding, comprising any ground forces both on and off planet. The doctrine of the Commonwealth in regards to ground forces is a balanced one, focusing on combined arms tactics between infantry and armored vehicles, in conjunction with a healthy amount of orbital and air support. Unlike their rivals, they employ a largely traditional method of warfare, though adapted out of necessity for the situation of the era.
The Air Force, once the most significant branch of the military, has fallen by the wayside somewhat as warfare changes. Orbital power has supplanted air power in many respects, and the interplanetary nature of warfare does not lend itself well to traditional air power. Nonetheless, a sizable Air Force is maintained, which assists in defensive operations.
Economy
The Commonwealth is a robust free market capitalist economy. The free exchange of goods serves a vital role, and no countries citizens operate as many private merchant vessels as the commonwealth. Mining and manufacturing are significant industries, though much of this takes place is the outlying colonies, to prevent significant damage to earth. Increasing economic integration with its client states proves to be a valuable tool, as the Commonwealth now commands the single largest common market in the world, with great potential for profit.Technological Level
The Commonwealth focuses it’s funding primarily toward the confessed “hard” sciences. Engineering and physics take precedence, and allow the Commonwealths engineers to be some of the finest in the known universe. The primary focus of their military technology is on electromagnetic weaponry, a natural evolution of their favored kinetic weaponry in the past. However, rumors of a new idea has been spoken in hushed whispers in the halls of military think tanks, and it is possible that a terrifying new weapon could soon make it to the world stage.
“ut confirma iustitia et libertas, usque ad horizon”
Founding Date
2135
Type
Geopolitical, Republic
Alternative Names
The Commonwealth
Leader Title
Government System
Democracy, Representative
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Terran Credit
Each credit is worth $100,000,000.00
Each credit is worth $100,000,000.00
Legislative Body
Bicameral
Senate of the Commonwealth
The upper house comprised of two representatives from each member state.
The Assembly of the Commonwealth
The lower house comprised of representatives based on population.
Senate of the Commonwealth
The upper house comprised of two representatives from each member state.
The Assembly of the Commonwealth
The lower house comprised of representatives based on population.
Judicial Body
The Commonwealth High Court, based in the Hague, Netherlands.
A revival of the old international court of old. Limited in jurisdiction, it primarily settles affairs between member states, as opposed to private citizens, as the residents of those countries appeal instead to their supreme courts. However, it is also responsible for ensuring the Commonwealth Concordat is upheld, and stands poised to extend its power as the legal foundation of the Commonwealth begins to develop.
A revival of the old international court of old. Limited in jurisdiction, it primarily settles affairs between member states, as opposed to private citizens, as the residents of those countries appeal instead to their supreme courts. However, it is also responsible for ensuring the Commonwealth Concordat is upheld, and stands poised to extend its power as the legal foundation of the Commonwealth begins to develop.
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
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