Thunder Bay (1983: Doomsday)

The Social Republic of Thunder Bay is a break-away survivor nation from the nation of Canada, having been established during a period in which communications were unreliable and weak. Calls for the Thunder Bay to rejoin with Canada have been rejected by President Leppe.

Post-Doomsday
Thunder Bay did not suffer the same way the rest of Canada did. The closest nuclear detonations to the city were in Winnipeg and K.I Sawyer Airbase on the Upper Peninsula of the former US state of Michigan. As a result, Thunder Bay was largely stable in it first couple years. Walter Assef largely succeeded in managing the affairs of the city in its first year, and continuously waited for the phone upon his desk to ring, and begin talks that would result in the reconstitution of the Canadian Republic. That phone would remain quiet until long after he was thrown out of office.

Colonel Giraud Leppe
By the end of 1984, food shortages began to arise, along with a growing refugee problem. Many towns and farms that existed North and West of the city were either severely affected by fallout from the nuclear destruction of Winnipeg, or the increasing number of raiders who were crossing the border from the former US state of Minnesota. Though not much could be done for the fallout, which had blanketed the northern part of the former district, former Canadian military units were available for deployment by Assef. Reorganized as the TBDF (Thunder Bay Defense Force), under the command of Colonel Giraud Leppe, the force of 800 men was deployed to set up an outpost in the now abandoned town of Neebing. On June 14th, the Battle of Neebing occurred, in which the TBDF was forced to defend itself against an innumerable amount of raiders (estimates vary, with some saying that there were really only 1,500), who had been heading to Thunder Bay itself. Despite taking 267 casualties, Giraud was considered a hero, and quickly found himself as a household name within the city. Following the battle, Neebing was transformed into Fort Haverhill, meant to act as a buffer against any further intrusions into the territory by bandits or nomadic refugees. Problems for the Republic only got worse when 1984 ended. The farmland in the West had been secured, which allowed for the return of former residents without further attacks. However, it was too late in the season to plant anything, as fall was already upon them. Desperate attempts to grow even meager supplies were for naught, as the first snow in October of that year quickly killed any crop that had managed to begin sprouting from their seeds. Only the fishing industry kept the Republic from starving throughout that winter.

The Coup
Giraud Leppe had grown tired of the inefficiencies of the democratic government, and so had many of its citizens. A call for emergency powers to be given to the mayor, in order to enact solutions without the authorization of the city council, was against Walter Assef’s principles. He feared the rise of a dictatorship from within his office, and maintained that he was only trying to keep what was left of Democracy in the remnants of their nation. To many, however, who with their children continued to starve into the winter, this was not good enough a reason.

Leppe, along with the officers of the TBDF, agreed that if the government were to survive, radical changes and policies would have to be enacted. As such, what became known as the December Revolution occurred on 12th of December, 1985. The Thunder Bay Defense Force stationed in the city itself, lead by Captain Giraud Leppe, marched upon city hall, and demanded the resignation of Walter Assef, and his entire government. No one knows what exactly was said in that meeting, as the entire cabinet, including Assef, disappeared that day. The next day, upon the city square, Giraud Leppe declared the formation of the Social Republic of Thunder Bay:

''“Walter Assef has failed to ensure the survival of our nation……in order to keep alive a system…….that was going to lead to our destruction! Me……and other public leaders……………have realized that………drastic measures will have to be taken………in order to make sure that as many of us…….survive these terrible years. I do not promise an immediate recovery…….nor a miraculous return to the days before the twenty sixth of September….two years ago. We may never live to see that day. But…..as your new leader……..I promise to the misery that plagues our people………..and make a nation……that will ensure future generations……..comfort and prosperity.”''

Giraud Leppe had been made the provisional President due to his popularity among the citizens of the city, while any other would almost certainly give the impression that the military took power purely for its benefit, rather than the people’s. At the same time, it was assumed that Giraud would be easy to control and manipulate, leaving to true power in the hands of the military and its generals. They would not realize how wrong they truly were.

The February Purge
The winter of 1985 would be the hardest in the nation’s history, though it would have been worse, if not for the Leppe’s radical, if harsh, tactics. Rationing was almost immediately imposed at the strictest of limits, having been stored in building in the center of the city. Every day at noon, a bell would ring from a tower, signaling for citizens to come and take their share of rations for that night and next morning. Despite this, there were arguments between Leppe and his superiors. While he wanted to nationalize the industries in order to better manage them, rather than through the bureaucracy, the general’s would not allow it, nor his plans of extraditing minorities into the countryside. Though it military junta ruled, they had simply taken the power of the presidency, and wished to keep some vestiges of the democratic government that had previously existed. Major Darrow in particular began to think that putting Col. Leppe in charge of the nation was a mistake. He began to communicate directly with the head of the Republic’s Parliament, Francis Gringins, about his possible impeachment, and having himself put in his stead.

It is not known exactly how Leppe found out about either the plan, or that Gringins and Maj. Darrow were even talking with each other, but the response was quick, and efficient. In a speech given to Parliament on February 14th, outlining the current situation, Leppe brought up the proposed coup:

''“In the last couple days……there have been discussions…….discussions proposing the dissolution of our fair democracy………to be replaced with tyranny and division! Those who did not take part in the plot……including me…….were to be shot…….or hung till dead……in order to prevent resistance. I have here……..a list of names of…….traitors…….involved in those discussions………who were to be given posts…..of great power within this new proposed government. These individuals are to be lead out by soldiers loyal to the state……..and imprisoned…….for the treason that they had nearly succeeded in committing……..during a time that should call for unity. Long Live the Republic!”''

Francis Gringins, Major Henry Darrow, and many other of Leppe’s superiors, including 24 opposition figures within Parliament, were escorted out into the street and taken out into the countryside. It is not exactly known what was done to them, but since they were never heard or seen again, it is assumed that they were summarily executed.

What was left of Democracy was rapidly dismantled in the following weeks. Parliament passed to him (under the rifles of the TBDF, now entirely loyal to Leppe) emergency powers, that effectively made Parliament powerless. Parliament itself would be dissolved on April 24th, after Colonel Leppe was sure any outcry would be minor. Despite calls for resistance, Giraud was still considered by many a hero, having gotten them through the harsh winter, and having prevented a coup by fascist elements within the military. All opposition that did appear in Thunder Bay to the rule of Giraud Leppe was immediately removed, through whatever means was deemed necessary.

Cementing of the Regime
To Be Continued………