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Line 2: {{InfoBoxState {{InfoBoxState | image = Terran Hegemony.jpg | image = Terran Hegemony.jpg − | Founded = 2 June [[2315]]<ref name="JHSTp147">''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 147: "Terran Civil War"</ref> + | Founded = 2 June [[2315]]<ref name="JHSTp147">''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 147: "Terran Civil War"</ref>. | Dissolved = [[2767]] | Dissolved = [[2767]] | capital = [[Terra]] | capital = [[Terra]] Line 20:
Line 20: ==History== ==History== ===Terran Alliance Civil War=== ===Terran Alliance Civil War=== − In the decades following the [[Demarcation Declaration]] the Terran Alliance slowly descended into chaos. The two main political parties, the Expansionists and the Liberals, quickly followed one another at the reins of power, but none could solve the Alliance's problems. In meantime, the Alliance Navy became a major power in its own right: the charismatic Admiral [[James McKenna]] turned what was little more than an armored troop transport service into the Inner Sphere's first true interstellar navy. Essentially operating without political oversight, the Alliance Navy was free to construct six [[WarShip]]s (starting with the [[Dreadnought (Individual Dreadnought-class WarShip)|TAS ''Dreadnought'']] in [[2300]]) and twenty support vessels until the Alliance collapsed into civil war in [[2314]]. + In the decades following the [[Demarcation Declaration]] the Terran Alliance slowly descended into chaos. The two main political parties, the Expansionists and the Liberals, quickly followed one another at the reins of power, but none could solve the Alliance's problems. In meantime, the Alliance Navy became a major power in its own right: the charismatic Admiral [[James McKenna]] turned what was little more than an armored troop transport service into the Inner Sphere's first true interstellar navy. Essentially operating without political oversight, the Alliance Navy was free to construct six [[WarShip|WarShips]] (starting with the [[Dreadnought (Individual Dreadnought-class WarShip)|TAS ''Dreadnought'']] in [[2300]]) and twenty support vessels until the Alliance collapsed into civil war in [[2314]]. − The political turmoil began in that year when the new People's Liberation Party arose as a player in Alliance politics. Both Expansionists and Liberals were quick to offer the PLP's leader, [[Grant Zoli]], concessions for an alliance. Zoli, who had formed the PLP as a money-making scheme, decided upon an alliance with the highest bidder; initially accepting the Expansionists' offer, Zoli reneged on the deal a month later and promised to join forces with the Liberals after the next election. Soon afterwards, on 5 September 2314, his corpse was found in his New Zealand mansion.<ref name=SLSB_1113>''The Star League'', pp. 11–13</ref> + The political turmoil began in that year when the new People's Liberation Party arose as a player in Alliance politics. Both Expansionists and Liberals were quick to offer the PLP's leader, [[Grant Zoli]], concessions for an alliance. Zoli, who had formed the PLP as a money-making scheme, decided upon an alliance with the highest bidder; initially accepting the Expansionists' offer, Zoli reneged on the deal a month later and promised to join forces with the Liberals after the next election. Soon afterwards, on September 5, 2314, his corpse was found in his New Zealand mansion.<ref name=SLSB_1113>''The Star League'', pp. 11–13</ref> − Zoli's death - natural or otherwise - caused the [[Terran Alliance Civil War|budding civil war]] to erupt into a bloody global conflict. On 2 June [[2315]], Fleet Admiral McKenna's WarShips destroyed two small uninhabited islands (Strand Rock, near Scotland and an unnamed one near Australia) in a show of strength and demanded the founding of a new government and the formation of a new state to replace the Alliance and restore Terra's rule over the Human Sphere. While an overwhelming majority of the Alliance Global Militia flocked to his banner and support among the populace soared, the leadership of the opposing parties refused to surrender. The civil war was ended by bloody orbital bombardments and a global manhunt conducted by McKenna's Colonial Marines. While the surviving leaders of the Expansionists and Liberals were turned over to local authorities and sentenced to long prison sentences or executed, McKenna ushered the Hegemony Charter, officially ending the Terran Alliance.<ref name=SLSB_1314>''The Star League'', p. 13</ref> + Zoli's death - natural or otherwise - caused the [[Terran Alliance Civil War|budding civil war]] to erupt into a bloody global conflict. On June 2, [[2315]] Fleet Admiral McKenna's WarShips destroyed two small uninhabited islands (Strand Rock, near Scotland and an unnamed one near Australia) in a show of strength and demanded the founding of a new government and the formation of a new state to replace the Alliance and restore Terra's rule over the Human Sphere. While an overwhelming majority of the Alliance Global Militia flocked to his banner and support among the populace soared, the leadership of the opposing parties refused to surrender. The civil war was ended by bloody orbital bombardments and a global manhunt conducted by McKenna's Colonial Marines. While the surviving leaders of the Expansionists and Liberals were turned over to local authorities and sentenced to long prison sentences or executed, McKenna ushered the Hegemony Charter, officially ending the Terran Alliance.<ref name=SLSB_1314>''The Star League'', p. 13</ref> ===Expansion=== ===Expansion=== Aside from banning political parties, the Terran Hegemony during its first years was in many ways a continuation of the Terran Alliance: the offices of the national leaders were left alone, and a new democratically elected Terran Congress led by a President was established (mirrored by similar Planetary Congresses on the other Hegemony worlds). At the head of this new state McKenna placed a dictatorial ''Director-General'' (elected for life) and a High Council made up of nine Planetary Governors (elected for eighteen years with no term limit and serving on the High Council at the discretion of the Director-General). The bureaucracy was decentralized and moved from Terra to Luna.<ref name=JHST_148>''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 148</ref><ref name=SLSB_1415 /> Aside from banning political parties, the Terran Hegemony during its first years was in many ways a continuation of the Terran Alliance: the offices of the national leaders were left alone, and a new democratically elected Terran Congress led by a President was established (mirrored by similar Planetary Congresses on the other Hegemony worlds). At the head of this new state McKenna placed a dictatorial ''Director-General'' (elected for life) and a High Council made up of nine Planetary Governors (elected for eighteen years with no term limit and serving on the High Council at the discretion of the Director-General). The bureaucracy was decentralized and moved from Terra to Luna.<ref name=JHST_148>''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 148</ref><ref name=SLSB_1415 /> − After being elected as the first Director-General of the Terran Hegemony and reasserting a measure of control over the Sol system, McKenna began the first of his "campaigns of persuasion" in [[2316]]. Using its naval supremacy, the Hegemony began a series of planetary invasions with the goal of reasserting Terran control over all of the Human Sphere. First focusing on the systems which had been part of the Alliance until its collapse then (in a second "campaign of persuasion") on other planets, by the 2320s the Terran Hegemony had established control over more than forty formerly independent worlds.<ref name=JHST_148 /> The first campaign of persuasion, launched in 2316 and ending with the capture of Towne in 2317,<ref name="TSLp16">''The Star League'', p. 16: "Terra's Errant Flock"</ref> saw McKenna's forces expand the Hegemony's sphere of influence to incorporate the [[Denebola]], [[Devil's Rock]], [[Dyev]], [[Epsilon Indi]], [[Errai]], [[Helen]], [[Imbros III]], [[Ingress]], [[Ko]], [[Lipton]], [[Lyons]], [[Northwind]], [[Oliver]], [[Pollux]], [[Quentin]], [[Saffel]], [[Sheratan]], [[Towne]], [[Zavijava]], and [[Zosma]] systems, although the newly formed [[Draconis Combine]] established control over systems that included [[Altair]] and [[Dieron]], close to Terra, by 2319.<ref name="HB:HMp18">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 18: "Free Worlds League Founding [2271]"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp18">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 18: "Draconis Combine Founding [2319]"</ref> The next offensive, launched in [[2320]], saw the Hegemony seize the worlds of [[Capolla]] and [[Terra Firma]], and by the time the campaign had ended, the Hegemony had managed to capture [[Nanking]], a world almost sixty light-years from Terra.<ref name="TSLp16"/> + After being elected as the first Director-General of the Terran Hegemony and reasserting a measure of control over the Sol system, McKenna began the first of his "campaigns of persuasion" in [[2316]]. Using its naval supremacy, the Hegemony began a series of planetary invasions with the goal of reasserting Terran control over all of the Human Sphere. First focusing on the systems which had been part of the Alliance until its collapse then (in a second "campaign of persuasion") on other planets, by the 2320s the Terran Hegemony had established control over more than forty formerly independent worlds.<ref name=JHST_148 /> The first campaign of persuasion, launched in 2316 and ending with the capture of Towne in 2317,<ref name="TSLp16">''The Star League'', p. 16: "Terra's Errant Flock"</ref> saw McKenna's forces expand the Hegemony's sphere of influence to incorporate the [[Denebola]], [[Devil's Rock]], [[Dyev]], [[Epsilon Indi]], [[Errai]], [[Helen]], [[Imbros III]], [[Ingress]], [[Ko]], [[Lipton]], [[Lyons]], [[Northwind]], [[Oliver]], [[Pollux]], [[Quentin]], [[Saffel]], [[Sheratan]], [[Towne]], [[Zavijava]] and [[Zosma]] systems, although the newly formed [[Draconis Combine]] established control over systems that included [[Altair]] and [[Dieron]], close to Terra, by 2319.<ref name="HB:HMp18">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 18: "Free Worlds League Founding [2271]"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp18">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 18: "Draconis Combine Founding [2319]"</ref> The next offensive, launched in [[2320]], saw the Hegemony seize the worlds of [[Capolla]] and [[Terra Firma]], and by the time the campaign had ended, the Hegemony had managed to capture [[Nanking]], a world almost sixty light-years from Terra.<ref name="TSLp16"/> − Around the 2330s, the military campaigns ran into insurmountable technological and diplomatic trouble. The lack of a fighter craft that was both adequate in space and in atmosphere together with general problems of overstretch were the preeminent problems the military faced, while the formation of the first interstellar states (like the [[Marik Commonwealth]], the [[Federation of Skye]], the [[Crucis Pact]], the [[Ozawa Mercantile Association]], or the [[Capellan Republic]]) signaled the arrival of foes who could equal - if not overwhelm - the Terran war machine. McKenna's reply was an attempt at diplomatically keeping the interstellar states at bay, and switching both internal and external propaganda from Terran supremacy and leadership to Terran compassion, knowledge and the common root of all mankind. A third "campaign of persuasion", intended to overwhelm still independent planets within reach, came to a halt when Konrad McKenna, James' son, in an act of overconfidence bungled the invasion of [[Galatea]] and ran headlong into an ambush over [[Syrma]]. When he attempted to lay the blame, ordered and prosecuted a court martial on Vice-Admiral Harris Cather, the commander of the first invasion wave, he was forced from his post by his irate father. Faced with overwhelming criticism after the disastrous defeats, James McKenna resigned from the post of Director-General and died of cancer ten days later.<ref name=SLSB_1415 /> + Around the 2330s the military campaigns ran into insurmountable technological and diplomatic trouble. The lack of a fighter craft that was both adequate in space and in atmosphere together with general problems of overstretch were the preeminent problems the military faced, while the formation of the first interstellar states (like the [[Marik Commonwealth]], the [[Federation of Skye]], the [[Crucis Pact]], the [[Ozawa Mercantile Association]], or the [[Capellan Republic]]) signaled the arrival of foes who could equal - if not overwhelm - the Terran war machine. McKenna's reply was an attempt at diplomatically keeping the interstellar states at bay, and switching both internal and external propaganda from Terran supremacy and leadership to Terran compassion, knowledge and the common root of all mankind. A third "campaign of persuasion", intended to overwhelm still independent planets within reach, came to a halt when Konrad McKenna, James' son, in an act of overconfidence bungled the invasion of [[Galatea]] and ran headlong into an ambush over [[Syrma]]. When he attempted to lay the blame, ordered and prosecuted a court martial on Vice-Admiral Harris Cather, the commander of the first invasion wave, he was forced from his post by his irate father. Faced with overwhelming criticism after the disastrous defeats, James McKenna resigned from the post of Director-General and died of cancer ten days later.<ref name=SLSB_1415 /> ===Cameron Neo-Feudalism=== ===Cameron Neo-Feudalism=== − After McKenna's death, the political landscape began to tip back into chaos. The main source of conflict was his successor: although his son Konrad was ruled out by the High Council, his nephew [[Michael Cameron]], a passionate researcher and modern Renaissance man, was chosen as a candidate. The other chosen candidate the Council settled on was [[Graham Nellas]], a conservative politician and former HAF Marine Officer with a distinguished career. As no agreement within the High Council could be reached, the matter was settled in a general election. During the tightly controlled campaign Cameron and Nellas frequently held debates, in which Nellas came across as a self-assured but smug career politician while Michael Cameron's quiet competence won him voters. In the end, Michael Cameron won the election and was sworn in as Director-General on 17 January [[2340]].<ref name=SLSB_2023>''The Star League'', pp. 20–23</ref> + After McKenna's death, the political landscape began to tip back into chaos. The main source of conflict was his successor: although his son Konrad was ruled out by the High Council, his nephew [[Michael Cameron]], a passionate researcher and modern Renaissance man, was chosen as a candidate. The other chosen candidate the Council settled on was [[Graham Nellas]], a conservative politician and former HAF Marine Officer with a distinguished career. As no agreement within the High Council could be reached, the matter was settled in a general election. During the tightly controlled campaign Cameron and Nellas frequently held debates, in which Nellas came across as a self-assured but smug career politician while Michael Cameron's quiet competence won him voters. In the end, Michael Cameron won the election and was sworn in as Director-General on January 17, [[2340]].<ref name=SLSB_2023>''The Star League'', pp. 20–23</ref> − Once elected, Michael Cameron showed a scientific affinity comparable to the late Terran Alliance: he created the Hegemony Research Alliance Department to centralize and coordinate nonmilitary scientific research, nontraditional economic systems were encouraged on selected worlds, the Hegemony civil service was reinvented following the latest theories of management, and advancement within the bureaucracy was dependent on merit-based tests. Unfortunately, he also showed a streak of the Cameron romanticism his descendants would often display by creating a new nobility system, patterned after medieval English feudalism on 1 January [[2351]]. The initial List of Peers, the beginning of [[Neo-Feudalism]], included 31 men and women who Cameron thought deserving of worthy of titles and land grants. Later that year, he laid the path for the Cameron dynasty with the ''Cameron Edict of 2351'', which allowed his daughters to retain the Cameron name through marriage.<ref name=JHST_150>''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 150</ref><ref name=SLSB_2023 /> + Once elected, Michael Cameron showed a scientific affinity comparable to the late Terran Alliance: he created the Hegemony Research Alliance Department to centralize and coordinate nonmilitary scientific research, nontraditional economic systems were encouraged on selected worlds, the Hegemony civil service was reinvented following the latest theories of management, and advancement within the bureaucracy was dependent on merit-based tests. Unfortunately, he also showed a streak of the Cameron romanticism his descendants would often display by creating a new nobility system, patterned after medieval English feudalism on January 1, [[2351]]. The initial List of Peers, the beginning of [[Neo-Feudalism]], included 31 men and women who Cameron thought deserving of worthy of titles and land grants. Later that year, he laid the path for the Cameron dynasty with the ''Cameron Edict of 2351'', which allowed his daughters to retain the Cameron name through marriage.<ref name=JHST_150>''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 150</ref><ref name=SLSB_2023 /> When Michael Cameron retired in [[2367]] his daughter Margaret, married to a wealthy industrialist and a retired Navy officer, was swiftly elected and sworn in as Director-General after a short campaign without an opposing candidate. [[Margaret Cameron]] refocused the Terran Hegemony on military matters by introducing new draft legislation which would demand every citizen of age to serve in their homeworld militia and serve one month per year in military maneuvers until their 55th birthday. The contested Military Recruitment and Preparedness Bill was finally approved by the Terran Congress after Margaret Cameron threatened to bypass it entirely.<ref name=SLSB_2023 /> When Michael Cameron retired in [[2367]] his daughter Margaret, married to a wealthy industrialist and a retired Navy officer, was swiftly elected and sworn in as Director-General after a short campaign without an opposing candidate. [[Margaret Cameron]] refocused the Terran Hegemony on military matters by introducing new draft legislation which would demand every citizen of age to serve in their homeworld militia and serve one month per year in military maneuvers until their 55th birthday. The contested Military Recruitment and Preparedness Bill was finally approved by the Terran Congress after Margaret Cameron threatened to bypass it entirely.<ref name=SLSB_2023 /> Line 56:
Line 56: Her major overhaul and expansion of the Hegemony Central Intelligence Department and Department of Foreign Relations sidelined the military, however, and some military cabals began to form to counteract the feared marginalization and withering of the HAF. Notable successes, such as the end to the [[Second Andurien War]], the Commonwealth-Combine Ceasefire on Arakis, the Commonwealth-League Megrez Treaty, and the Phact Peace, proved her strategy right.<ref name=SLSB_3233 /><ref name=HBHS_23>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 23</ref> Her major overhaul and expansion of the Hegemony Central Intelligence Department and Department of Foreign Relations sidelined the military, however, and some military cabals began to form to counteract the feared marginalization and withering of the HAF. Notable successes, such as the end to the [[Second Andurien War]], the Commonwealth-Combine Ceasefire on Arakis, the Commonwealth-League Megrez Treaty, and the Phact Peace, proved her strategy right.<ref name=SLSB_3233 /><ref name=HBHS_23>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 23</ref> − After her retirement in [[2542]], her son [[Joseph Cameron|Joseph]] not only continued her policies but also openly favored diplomacy over warfare. Enraged by this, former Marine Captain Henry Green, member of a HAF warrior cabal, shot Joseph Cameron in front of the Director-General's palace on 20 September 2549. When Joseph died six days later, the Hegemony descended into chaos. While the HCID opened a manhunt against disloyal military personnel, Joseph's brother [[Ian Cameron|Ian]] declared himself Director-General on September 28. Taking this as their cue, elements of the Fifty-First Dragoon Regiment executed a coup attempt and took control of the Hegemony capital Geneva. Ian Cameron reacted by cutting the city off from electricity and water, and ordering his Household Guard to take the city back. After ten days Geneva had been won back, and after another month, the last bastion of the soldier cabals surrendered. After a quiet purge of the HAF, a very visible increase of their budget, and the establishment of the Department of Military Investigations, Ian Cameron considered the supremacy of politics over the military reestablished and the coup attempt was over.<ref name=SLSB_3435>''The Star League'', pp. 34–35</ref> + After her retirement in [[2542]], her son [[Joseph Cameron|Joseph]] not only continued her policies but also openly favored diplomacy over warfare. Enraged by this, former Marine Captain Henry Green, member of a HAF warrior cabal, shot Joseph Cameron in front of the Director-General's palace on September 20, 2549. When Joseph died six days later, the Hegemony descended into chaos. While the HCID opened a manhunt against disloyal military personnel, Joseph's brother [[Ian Cameron|Ian]] declared himself Director-General on September 28. Taking this as their cue, elements of the Fifty-First Dragoon Regiment executed a coup attempt and took control of the Hegemony capital Geneva. Ian Cameron reacted by cutting the city off from electricity and water, and ordering his Household Guard to take the city back. After ten days Geneva had been won back, and after another month, the last bastion of the soldier cabals surrendered. After a quiet purge of the HAF, a very visible increase of their budget, and the establishment of the Department of Military Investigations, Ian Cameron considered the supremacy of politics over the military reestablished and the coup attempt was over.<ref name=SLSB_3435>''The Star League'', pp. 34–35</ref> − Following the politics of his predecessors, Ian Cameron's foreign policy was largely centered on keeping the Inner Sphere peaceful. However, the Hegemony was facing a silent crisis: the easily mined natural resources of its planets would soon be depleted. Being dependent on imports from the surrounding—and potentially hostile—states which could demand horrid economic and technological payments in return for raw material was not something Ian Cameron was willing to accept.<ref name=SLSB_159>''The Star League'', p. 159</ref> Coupled with a messianic desire to see Terra return to its position as the ruling center of humanity, Ian Cameron drew up a 50 year plan to create a new interstellar alliance, the Star League.<ref name=SLSB_3435 /> + Following the politics of his predecessors, Ian Cameron's foreign policy was largely centered on keeping the Inner Sphere peaceful. However, the Hegemony was facing a silent crisis: the easily mined natural resources of its planets would soon be depleted. Being dependent on imports from the surrounding - and potentially hostile - states which could demand horrid economic and technological payments in return for raw material was not something Ian Cameron was willing to accept.<ref name=SLSB_159>''The Star League'', p. 159</ref> Coupled with a messianic desire to see Terra return to its position as the ruling center of humanity, Ian Cameron drew up a 50 year plan to create a new interstellar alliance, the Star League.<ref name=SLSB_3435 /> − During the negotiations to end the [[Third Andurien War]], he found an ally in Captain-General [[Albert Marik]]. Beginning with the [[2556]] treaty of Geneva between the League, Confederation, and Hegemony, the ultimate success of Terran diplomacy began to take shape. Similar treaties were signed following the next decade and a half, until the Star League was officially proclaimed on 9 July [[2571]], with the Director-General as its hereditary [[First Lord]].<ref name=SLSB_3435 /> + During the negotiations to end the [[Third Andurien War]], he found an ally in Captain-General [[Albert Marik]]. Beginning with the [[2556]] treaty of Geneva between the League, Confederation, and Hegemony, the ultimate success of Terran diplomacy began to take shape. Similar treaties were signed following the next decade and a half, until the Star League was officially proclaimed on July 9, [[2571]], with the Director-General as its hereditary [[First Lord]].<ref name=SLSB_3435 /> ===Star League=== ===Star League=== Line 121:
Line 121: ==Bibliography== ==Bibliography== − {{div col|colwidth=25em}} * ''[[Era Digest: Age of War]]'' * ''[[Era Digest: Age of War]]'' * ''[[Era Report: 2750]]'' * ''[[Era Report: 2750]]'' Line 132:
Line 131: * ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: Terra]]'' * ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: Terra]]'' * ''[[The Star League]]'' * ''[[The Star League]]'' − {{div col end}}+ [[Category:Nation States|Terran Hegemony]] [[Category:Nation States|Terran Hegemony]] [[Category:Terran Hegemony Related Categories]] [[Category:Terran Hegemony Related Categories]]
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{{InfoBoxState | {{InfoBoxState | ||
| image = Terran Hegemony.jpg | | image = Terran Hegemony.jpg | ||
| − | | Founded = 2 June [[2315]]<ref name="JHSTp147">''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 147: "Terran Civil War"</ref> | + | | Founded = 2 June [[2315]]<ref name="JHSTp147">''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 147: "Terran Civil War"</ref>. |
| Dissolved = [[2767]] | | Dissolved = [[2767]] | ||
| capital = [[Terra]] | | capital = [[Terra]] | ||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Terran Alliance Civil War=== | ===Terran Alliance Civil War=== | ||
| − | In the decades following the [[Demarcation Declaration]] the Terran Alliance slowly descended into chaos. The two main political parties, the Expansionists and the Liberals, quickly followed one another at the reins of power, but none could solve the Alliance's problems. In meantime, the Alliance Navy became a major power in its own right: the charismatic Admiral [[James McKenna]] turned what was little more than an armored troop transport service into the Inner Sphere's first true interstellar navy. Essentially operating without political oversight, the Alliance Navy was free to construct six [[WarShip]] | + | In the decades following the [[Demarcation Declaration]] the Terran Alliance slowly descended into chaos. The two main political parties, the Expansionists and the Liberals, quickly followed one another at the reins of power, but none could solve the Alliance's problems. In meantime, the Alliance Navy became a major power in its own right: the charismatic Admiral [[James McKenna]] turned what was little more than an armored troop transport service into the Inner Sphere's first true interstellar navy. Essentially operating without political oversight, the Alliance Navy was free to construct six [[WarShip|WarShips]] (starting with the [[Dreadnought (Individual Dreadnought-class WarShip)|TAS ''Dreadnought'']] in [[2300]]) and twenty support vessels until the Alliance collapsed into civil war in [[2314]]. |
| − | The political turmoil began in that year when the new People's Liberation Party arose as a player in Alliance politics. Both Expansionists and Liberals were quick to offer the PLP's leader, [[Grant Zoli]], concessions for an alliance. Zoli, who had formed the PLP as a money-making scheme, decided upon an alliance with the highest bidder; initially accepting the Expansionists' offer, Zoli reneged on the deal a month later and promised to join forces with the Liberals after the next election. Soon afterwards, on 5 | + | The political turmoil began in that year when the new People's Liberation Party arose as a player in Alliance politics. Both Expansionists and Liberals were quick to offer the PLP's leader, [[Grant Zoli]], concessions for an alliance. Zoli, who had formed the PLP as a money-making scheme, decided upon an alliance with the highest bidder; initially accepting the Expansionists' offer, Zoli reneged on the deal a month later and promised to join forces with the Liberals after the next election. Soon afterwards, on September 5, 2314, his corpse was found in his New Zealand mansion.<ref name=SLSB_1113>''The Star League'', pp. 11–13</ref> |
| − | Zoli's death - natural or otherwise - caused the [[Terran Alliance Civil War|budding civil war]] to erupt into a bloody global conflict. On 2 | + | Zoli's death - natural or otherwise - caused the [[Terran Alliance Civil War|budding civil war]] to erupt into a bloody global conflict. On June 2, [[2315]] Fleet Admiral McKenna's WarShips destroyed two small uninhabited islands (Strand Rock, near Scotland and an unnamed one near Australia) in a show of strength and demanded the founding of a new government and the formation of a new state to replace the Alliance and restore Terra's rule over the Human Sphere. While an overwhelming majority of the Alliance Global Militia flocked to his banner and support among the populace soared, the leadership of the opposing parties refused to surrender. The civil war was ended by bloody orbital bombardments and a global manhunt conducted by McKenna's Colonial Marines. While the surviving leaders of the Expansionists and Liberals were turned over to local authorities and sentenced to long prison sentences or executed, McKenna ushered the Hegemony Charter, officially ending the Terran Alliance.<ref name=SLSB_1314>''The Star League'', p. 13</ref> |
===Expansion=== | ===Expansion=== | ||
Aside from banning political parties, the Terran Hegemony during its first years was in many ways a continuation of the Terran Alliance: the offices of the national leaders were left alone, and a new democratically elected Terran Congress led by a President was established (mirrored by similar Planetary Congresses on the other Hegemony worlds). At the head of this new state McKenna placed a dictatorial ''Director-General'' (elected for life) and a High Council made up of nine Planetary Governors (elected for eighteen years with no term limit and serving on the High Council at the discretion of the Director-General). The bureaucracy was decentralized and moved from Terra to Luna.<ref name=JHST_148>''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 148</ref><ref name=SLSB_1415 /> | Aside from banning political parties, the Terran Hegemony during its first years was in many ways a continuation of the Terran Alliance: the offices of the national leaders were left alone, and a new democratically elected Terran Congress led by a President was established (mirrored by similar Planetary Congresses on the other Hegemony worlds). At the head of this new state McKenna placed a dictatorial ''Director-General'' (elected for life) and a High Council made up of nine Planetary Governors (elected for eighteen years with no term limit and serving on the High Council at the discretion of the Director-General). The bureaucracy was decentralized and moved from Terra to Luna.<ref name=JHST_148>''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 148</ref><ref name=SLSB_1415 /> | ||
| − | After being elected as the first Director-General of the Terran Hegemony and reasserting a measure of control over the Sol system, McKenna began the first of his "campaigns of persuasion" in [[2316]]. Using its naval supremacy, the Hegemony began a series of planetary invasions with the goal of reasserting Terran control over all of the Human Sphere. First focusing on the systems which had been part of the Alliance until its collapse then (in a second "campaign of persuasion") on other planets, by the 2320s the Terran Hegemony had established control over more than forty formerly independent worlds.<ref name=JHST_148 /> The first campaign of persuasion, launched in 2316 and ending with the capture of Towne in 2317,<ref name="TSLp16">''The Star League'', p. 16: "Terra's Errant Flock"</ref> saw McKenna's forces expand the Hegemony's sphere of influence to incorporate the [[Denebola]], [[Devil's Rock]], [[Dyev]], [[Epsilon Indi]], [[Errai]], [[Helen]], [[Imbros III]], [[Ingress]], [[Ko]], [[Lipton]], [[Lyons]], [[Northwind]], [[Oliver]], [[Pollux]], [[Quentin]], [[Saffel]], [[Sheratan]], [[Towne]], [[Zavijava]] | + | After being elected as the first Director-General of the Terran Hegemony and reasserting a measure of control over the Sol system, McKenna began the first of his "campaigns of persuasion" in [[2316]]. Using its naval supremacy, the Hegemony began a series of planetary invasions with the goal of reasserting Terran control over all of the Human Sphere. First focusing on the systems which had been part of the Alliance until its collapse then (in a second "campaign of persuasion") on other planets, by the 2320s the Terran Hegemony had established control over more than forty formerly independent worlds.<ref name=JHST_148 /> The first campaign of persuasion, launched in 2316 and ending with the capture of Towne in 2317,<ref name="TSLp16">''The Star League'', p. 16: "Terra's Errant Flock"</ref> saw McKenna's forces expand the Hegemony's sphere of influence to incorporate the [[Denebola]], [[Devil's Rock]], [[Dyev]], [[Epsilon Indi]], [[Errai]], [[Helen]], [[Imbros III]], [[Ingress]], [[Ko]], [[Lipton]], [[Lyons]], [[Northwind]], [[Oliver]], [[Pollux]], [[Quentin]], [[Saffel]], [[Sheratan]], [[Towne]], [[Zavijava]] and [[Zosma]] systems, although the newly formed [[Draconis Combine]] established control over systems that included [[Altair]] and [[Dieron]], close to Terra, by 2319.<ref name="HB:HMp18">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 18: "Free Worlds League Founding [2271]"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp18">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 18: "Draconis Combine Founding [2319]"</ref> The next offensive, launched in [[2320]], saw the Hegemony seize the worlds of [[Capolla]] and [[Terra Firma]], and by the time the campaign had ended, the Hegemony had managed to capture [[Nanking]], a world almost sixty light-years from Terra.<ref name="TSLp16"/> |
| − | Around the 2330s | + | Around the 2330s the military campaigns ran into insurmountable technological and diplomatic trouble. The lack of a fighter craft that was both adequate in space and in atmosphere together with general problems of overstretch were the preeminent problems the military faced, while the formation of the first interstellar states (like the [[Marik Commonwealth]], the [[Federation of Skye]], the [[Crucis Pact]], the [[Ozawa Mercantile Association]], or the [[Capellan Republic]]) signaled the arrival of foes who could equal - if not overwhelm - the Terran war machine. McKenna's reply was an attempt at diplomatically keeping the interstellar states at bay, and switching both internal and external propaganda from Terran supremacy and leadership to Terran compassion, knowledge and the common root of all mankind. A third "campaign of persuasion", intended to overwhelm still independent planets within reach, came to a halt when Konrad McKenna, James' son, in an act of overconfidence bungled the invasion of [[Galatea]] and ran headlong into an ambush over [[Syrma]]. When he attempted to lay the blame, ordered and prosecuted a court martial on Vice-Admiral Harris Cather, the commander of the first invasion wave, he was forced from his post by his irate father. Faced with overwhelming criticism after the disastrous defeats, James McKenna resigned from the post of Director-General and died of cancer ten days later.<ref name=SLSB_1415 /> |
===Cameron Neo-Feudalism=== | ===Cameron Neo-Feudalism=== | ||
| − | After McKenna's death, the political landscape began to tip back into chaos. The main source of conflict was his successor: although his son Konrad was ruled out by the High Council, his nephew [[Michael Cameron]], a passionate researcher and modern Renaissance man, was chosen as a candidate. The other chosen candidate the Council settled on was [[Graham Nellas]], a conservative politician and former HAF Marine Officer with a distinguished career. As no agreement within the High Council could be reached, the matter was settled in a general election. During the tightly controlled campaign Cameron and Nellas frequently held debates, in which Nellas came across as a self-assured but smug career politician while Michael Cameron's quiet competence won him voters. In the end, Michael Cameron won the election and was sworn in as Director-General on 17 | + | After McKenna's death, the political landscape began to tip back into chaos. The main source of conflict was his successor: although his son Konrad was ruled out by the High Council, his nephew [[Michael Cameron]], a passionate researcher and modern Renaissance man, was chosen as a candidate. The other chosen candidate the Council settled on was [[Graham Nellas]], a conservative politician and former HAF Marine Officer with a distinguished career. As no agreement within the High Council could be reached, the matter was settled in a general election. During the tightly controlled campaign Cameron and Nellas frequently held debates, in which Nellas came across as a self-assured but smug career politician while Michael Cameron's quiet competence won him voters. In the end, Michael Cameron won the election and was sworn in as Director-General on January 17, [[2340]].<ref name=SLSB_2023>''The Star League'', pp. 20–23</ref> |
| − | Once elected, Michael Cameron showed a scientific affinity comparable to the late Terran Alliance: he created the Hegemony Research Alliance Department to centralize and coordinate nonmilitary scientific research, nontraditional economic systems were encouraged on selected worlds, the Hegemony civil service was reinvented following the latest theories of management, and advancement within the bureaucracy was dependent on merit-based tests. Unfortunately, he also showed a streak of the Cameron romanticism his descendants would often display by creating a new nobility system, patterned after medieval English feudalism on 1 | + | Once elected, Michael Cameron showed a scientific affinity comparable to the late Terran Alliance: he created the Hegemony Research Alliance Department to centralize and coordinate nonmilitary scientific research, nontraditional economic systems were encouraged on selected worlds, the Hegemony civil service was reinvented following the latest theories of management, and advancement within the bureaucracy was dependent on merit-based tests. Unfortunately, he also showed a streak of the Cameron romanticism his descendants would often display by creating a new nobility system, patterned after medieval English feudalism on January 1, [[2351]]. The initial List of Peers, the beginning of [[Neo-Feudalism]], included 31 men and women who Cameron thought deserving of worthy of titles and land grants. Later that year, he laid the path for the Cameron dynasty with the ''Cameron Edict of 2351'', which allowed his daughters to retain the Cameron name through marriage.<ref name=JHST_150>''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 150</ref><ref name=SLSB_2023 /> |
When Michael Cameron retired in [[2367]] his daughter Margaret, married to a wealthy industrialist and a retired Navy officer, was swiftly elected and sworn in as Director-General after a short campaign without an opposing candidate. [[Margaret Cameron]] refocused the Terran Hegemony on military matters by introducing new draft legislation which would demand every citizen of age to serve in their homeworld militia and serve one month per year in military maneuvers until their 55th birthday. The contested Military Recruitment and Preparedness Bill was finally approved by the Terran Congress after Margaret Cameron threatened to bypass it entirely.<ref name=SLSB_2023 /> | When Michael Cameron retired in [[2367]] his daughter Margaret, married to a wealthy industrialist and a retired Navy officer, was swiftly elected and sworn in as Director-General after a short campaign without an opposing candidate. [[Margaret Cameron]] refocused the Terran Hegemony on military matters by introducing new draft legislation which would demand every citizen of age to serve in their homeworld militia and serve one month per year in military maneuvers until their 55th birthday. The contested Military Recruitment and Preparedness Bill was finally approved by the Terran Congress after Margaret Cameron threatened to bypass it entirely.<ref name=SLSB_2023 /> | ||
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Her major overhaul and expansion of the Hegemony Central Intelligence Department and Department of Foreign Relations sidelined the military, however, and some military cabals began to form to counteract the feared marginalization and withering of the HAF. Notable successes, such as the end to the [[Second Andurien War]], the Commonwealth-Combine Ceasefire on Arakis, the Commonwealth-League Megrez Treaty, and the Phact Peace, proved her strategy right.<ref name=SLSB_3233 /><ref name=HBHS_23>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 23</ref> | Her major overhaul and expansion of the Hegemony Central Intelligence Department and Department of Foreign Relations sidelined the military, however, and some military cabals began to form to counteract the feared marginalization and withering of the HAF. Notable successes, such as the end to the [[Second Andurien War]], the Commonwealth-Combine Ceasefire on Arakis, the Commonwealth-League Megrez Treaty, and the Phact Peace, proved her strategy right.<ref name=SLSB_3233 /><ref name=HBHS_23>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 23</ref> | ||
| − | After her retirement in [[2542]], her son [[Joseph Cameron|Joseph]] not only continued her policies but also openly favored diplomacy over warfare. Enraged by this, former Marine Captain Henry Green, member of a HAF warrior cabal, shot Joseph Cameron in front of the Director-General's palace on 20 | + | After her retirement in [[2542]], her son [[Joseph Cameron|Joseph]] not only continued her policies but also openly favored diplomacy over warfare. Enraged by this, former Marine Captain Henry Green, member of a HAF warrior cabal, shot Joseph Cameron in front of the Director-General's palace on September 20, 2549. When Joseph died six days later, the Hegemony descended into chaos. While the HCID opened a manhunt against disloyal military personnel, Joseph's brother [[Ian Cameron|Ian]] declared himself Director-General on September 28. Taking this as their cue, elements of the Fifty-First Dragoon Regiment executed a coup attempt and took control of the Hegemony capital Geneva. Ian Cameron reacted by cutting the city off from electricity and water, and ordering his Household Guard to take the city back. After ten days Geneva had been won back, and after another month, the last bastion of the soldier cabals surrendered. After a quiet purge of the HAF, a very visible increase of their budget, and the establishment of the Department of Military Investigations, Ian Cameron considered the supremacy of politics over the military reestablished and the coup attempt was over.<ref name=SLSB_3435>''The Star League'', pp. 34–35</ref> |
| − | Following the politics of his predecessors, Ian Cameron's foreign policy was largely centered on keeping the Inner Sphere peaceful. However, the Hegemony was facing a silent crisis: the easily mined natural resources of its planets would soon be depleted. Being dependent on imports from the | + | Following the politics of his predecessors, Ian Cameron's foreign policy was largely centered on keeping the Inner Sphere peaceful. However, the Hegemony was facing a silent crisis: the easily mined natural resources of its planets would soon be depleted. Being dependent on imports from the surrounding - and potentially hostile - states which could demand horrid economic and technological payments in return for raw material was not something Ian Cameron was willing to accept.<ref name=SLSB_159>''The Star League'', p. 159</ref> Coupled with a messianic desire to see Terra return to its position as the ruling center of humanity, Ian Cameron drew up a 50 year plan to create a new interstellar alliance, the Star League.<ref name=SLSB_3435 /> |
| − | During the negotiations to end the [[Third Andurien War]], he found an ally in Captain-General [[Albert Marik]]. Beginning with the [[2556]] treaty of Geneva between the League, Confederation, and Hegemony, the ultimate success of Terran diplomacy began to take shape. Similar treaties were signed following the next decade and a half, until the Star League was officially proclaimed on 9 | + | During the negotiations to end the [[Third Andurien War]], he found an ally in Captain-General [[Albert Marik]]. Beginning with the [[2556]] treaty of Geneva between the League, Confederation, and Hegemony, the ultimate success of Terran diplomacy began to take shape. Similar treaties were signed following the next decade and a half, until the Star League was officially proclaimed on July 9, [[2571]], with the Director-General as its hereditary [[First Lord]].<ref name=SLSB_3435 /> |
===Star League=== | ===Star League=== | ||
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==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
| − | |||
* ''[[Era Digest: Age of War]]'' | * ''[[Era Digest: Age of War]]'' | ||
* ''[[Era Report: 2750]]'' | * ''[[Era Report: 2750]]'' | ||
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* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: Terra]]'' | * ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: Terra]]'' | ||
* ''[[The Star League]]'' | * ''[[The Star League]]'' | ||
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[[Category:Nation States|Terran Hegemony]] | [[Category:Nation States|Terran Hegemony]] | ||
[[Category:Terran Hegemony Related Categories]] | [[Category:Terran Hegemony Related Categories]] | ||