Bellinsgauzenia (Great White South)

The United Oblasts of Bellinsgauzenia (Russian: Объединённые Области Беллинсгаузении Ob'yedinyonnyye Oblasti Bellinsgauzenii), commonly called Bellinsgauzenia (Беллинсгаузения Byellinsgauzeniya), the United Oblasts (Объединённые Области Ob'yedinyonnyye Oblasti), and abbreviated U.O.B. (О.О.Б.) or U.O., is a nation located in Eastern Antarctica. Bellinsgauzenia is a federation made up of 17, each with their own sovereign rights.

Modern day Bellinsgauzenia was formed in 1926 with the formation of a military junta, as a means to protect the colonies from a communist takeover and further invasion from other colonial powers.

Etymology

 * See also: 



The word "Bellinsgauzenia" comes from Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen (Russian: Фаддей Фаддеевич Беллинсгаузен - Faddey Faddeyevich Bellinsgauzen), the Russian explorer who led the expedition which discovered the continent of. The name was originally proposed by the Russian Empire as the name for the newly discovered continent. Though the name "Antarctica" would officially be adopted, the name "Bellinsgauzenia" continued to be used by the Russians as a colloquial name for Antarctica.

When and  united to form a federal government, the official name chosen for the nation was the United Oblasts of Bellinsgauzenia, and was used in similar context to how the name of the United States of America came to be. Today, both "United Oblasts" and "Bellinsgauzenia" are used as official names for the nation.

The name had been anglicized to "Bellingshausenia" and had been used as a name referring to Britain's claims of former Russian Antarctica. The name had never been widely used in English, primarily due to the large amount of syllables, leading to a greater use of the term "United Oblasts" in the United States and the United Kingdom. With the close relations with Germany and New Swabia, and to honor Bellingshausen's Germanic ancestry, the name had been Germanize to "Bellingshausenland", which continues to be the official German name for the nation.

Military junta


In March 1923, several generals of the former Empire (including those both native to the region and those of the former White Russian movement) would come together in. Among the group was renowned general (who lead to a Russian victory in Antarctica during . Their key concern was how to keep the former Russian colonies from following the Motherland and become communist, and keep other powers (primarily Britain) from expanding into Russian territory. By the end of the meetings, the group came together and formed a new governing committee known as the  (or akzm [pronounced "Axe-im"] for short). Akzm would become a pro-military organization which promoted a military form of government not connected with any politic ideals or political parties.

The movement grew security for the citizens of the regions. On September 24, 1924, (one of the many oblasts of the former Russian East Antarctica) would elect General Gavrilov to be regional President, thereby adopting a new government lead by an akzm. Days later, New Ukraine would elect General Mikhail Fyodlov as President. By late 1925, several more of the oblasts in the region adopted similar governments. More thoughts came towards reunification of the region. Gavrilov proposed to form a federal republic run by a single president, and a unified military. On April 29, 1926, Petria and New Ukraine (though being miles apart) united to form the Democratic Federal Republic of Bellinsgauzenia. Gavrilov was elected to be the first President. The term bellinsgauzenia was generally used for all of Russian Antarctica, and named after Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen.

World War II


With the election of in 1938, Bellinsgauzenia's path moved more towards the Axis powers. Kliugin was a devout Orthodox Christian, Kliugin's Bellinsgauzenia would grow support from Adolf Hitler in Germany and Juan Perón in Argentina.

Despite Bellinsgauzenia never [officially] becoming part of the Axis powers, Bellinsgauzenia and New Swabia acted as the primary "Axis powers" of Antarctica. After New Swabia declares their neutrality in the war after the unprovoked Japanese attack on the United States, Bellinsgauzenia was left alone and would continue to be an Axis supporter. Prior to the Battle of Stalingrad, talks between the Axis powers with Argentina and Bellinsgauzenia discussed the possibility of the two joining the Axis powers. The possibility of military alliance was crushed with Stalingrad and D-Day, in which both Argentina and Bellinsgauzenia began to back from Axis support.

Cold War
Shortly after World War II, the political situation within Bellinsgauzenia on their military junta were put into question. Seeing as how the nation has evolved to the point of no longer needing a junta, talks were on to disband the AKZM to promote more democracy. The talks also came when incumbent Boris Kliugin discussed the possibility of a third term in office, which the people did not want. By 1950, the Federal Assembly adopted a new amendment to the constitution, declaring that the President of Bellinsgauzenia was only allowed one six-year term in office, declaring that any additional terms for Kliugin were not to happen. The election of 1950 would have Leonid Itsov being elected. He would be the last military general to become President for many years to come. Within his election, the AKZM was disbanded into the Continental Army of Bellinsgauzenia.

During the early decades of the Cold War, Bellinsgauzenia declared their alliance to NATO and the other western powers. But by the 1970s, the relationship between the Soviet Union and Bellinsgauzenia would come into focus with the election of in 1974. His platform was based on political reform and improved foreign relations with the eastern bloc, which for years had been non-existent. In July 1976, Bogomolov would become the first sitting leader of President to visit the motherland (which had not happened since the collapse of the Empire). Following a similar path that US President Richard Nixon took years before, the trip to the USSR, East Germany, and China would lead to better relations with the USSR and the UOB.

During the 1980s, Bellinsgauzenia and the Soviet Union went through a period of almost brotherly relationship between the citizens of Bellinsgauzenia and the USSR. The UOB would attend the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, and the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo (a feet which most likely wouldn't have been likely years prior). After the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991, Bellinsgauzenia would become a lifesaver for the eastern bloc, becoming a safe haven for the former USSR and Yugoslavia.

Modern era
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991, a a wave of change flew across Bellinsgauzenia, leading to both good and bad feelings on the nations future. A large amount of immigration took place as Russian and former Soviet citizens wished to flee the chaos of the Motherland that took place in the 1990s. Though the influx of former communist lead to semi-chaos for those of Bellinsgauzenia, it would also help both the people and government evolve. One such program by Bellinsgauzenia became known as the, which began in 1993. The project was both an attempt for the UO to gain access to military nuclear technologies and to keep former Soviet scientists from selling their information to potential terrorist organizations or hostile governments. The project would make world headlines in September 1997, when Bellinsgauzenia announces that it had detonated a nuclear weapon in the mountainous regions of the Transantarctic Mountains, becoming the first and only nation of the southern hemisphere to have the bomb. Despite the world's mixed opinion of, the western world would consider Bellinsgauzenia as the least threatening nation to have the bomb than India and or Pakistan (which also became nuclear around the same time).

The Bellinsgauzenian economy began to grow in the 1990s and the 2000s, with the becoming the most powerful currency of the southern hemisphere, and one of the top five currencies of the the world (along with the dollar, euro, pound, and yen).

With the taking place on September 3, 2010, the mainland portion was annexed by Bellinsgauzenia and reformed into the.

Oblasts

 * ''Main:



The United Oblasts of Bellinsgauzenia is a federal republic made up of 17 oblasts, one krai, and one federal okrug. Each oblast contains their own constitution, leader, congress, and courts. The oblasts of Bellinsgauzenia act much like the states of the United States, or the provinces of Canada.

Upon formation in 1926, Bellinsgauzenia was made up of two oblasts: and. In 1940, after years of being under French control, would rise against its occupiers and side with Bellinsgauzenia during the  and become an oblast shortly after. By the late 1950s, the rise of federalism and growing populations within Bellinsgauzenia lead to the growth of federalism within several regions within the three oblasts. By 1955, the and  would become their own oblasts. In 1978, the capital city of Vostok would become a federal okrug (a federal city district).

One of the most controversial of the oblasts was a "French Oblast" in response to the French minority that still lived in the region after Yekatrina became an oblast. If gaining oblasthood, French would become an official language of an oblast, which the founding fathers would have greatly disapproved of. Despite domestic debate, the French region would be admitted as the in May 1982

Despite international debate, the  on September 4, 2010, with the mainland portion being annexed by Bellinsgauzenia as the. According to the agreement with New Zealand, Bellinsgauzenia is not allowed to divide or give oblasthood to Transantarctica until 2020. Though its future is only guesswork, Bellinsgauzenia and New Zealander living in Bellinsgauzenia have supported the idea of an English oblast in Bellinsgauzenia which would incorporate the four of Transantarctica (in similar fashion on how Adelie gained oblasthood).

Government and politics


The United Oblasts of Bellinsgauzenia is a full presidential republic run as a federation. The is elected for a six-year term, which is non-renewable. The is a bicameral congress with two houses: the Duma (lower house) and the Rada (upper house).

Political parties

 * Major
 * (Conservative, Nationalism, Militarism)
 * (Libralism, Environmentalism)


 * Minor
 * (Fascism, Neo-Nazism)


 * Former
 * (Nationalism, Fascism)

Foreign relations

 * Main: 

The United Oblasts of Bellinsgauzenia has a mixed relationship internationally since its formation in 1926. At the beginning, Bellinsgauzenia had no diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and United Kingdom (which had invaded former Russian colonies in Antarctica). The relationship with Nazi Germany was almost brotherly, while the Bellinsgauzenian-Japanese relationship was almost fearful. As the Japanese Empire continued southward, it was unsure whether they would invade Australia and Antarctica.

Bellinsgauzenia's continental relationships began rocky. The only continental ally up to and during World War II was (which was a Nazi puppet state at the time). In 1939, Bellinsgauzenia and declare war on each other, leading to a bitter, two-year war.

During the early years of the Cold War, Bellinsgauzenia would stay an isolated nation with no true alliance with either the United States or the Soviet Union, but sided more towards the United States. By the late 1970s, President would help move Bellinsgauzenia out of its isolationist foreign relationship. In 1979, Bogomolov would travel to Moscow, the first Bellinsgauzenian leader to do so. Beginning in 1983, Bellinsgauzenian troops would be deployed in Afghanistan as part of the Soviet-Afghan War taking place. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Bellinsgauzenia would help assist the Russian Federation and the former Soviet republics.

Military


Bellinsgauzenia's military forces hailed from the White Russian forces that remained in Russian Antarctica during the Russian Civil War, and later of escaped White Russian units (particularly some Cossack units) in World War II. The Bellingsgauzenian armed forces is composed of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Total strength is about 120,000.

According to the constitution, mandatory military service is required for all fit men and women between their 18th and 30th birthday, and are required to serve a minimum of 18 months.

Several of Bellinsgauzenia's equipment and techniques come from Nazi Germany during the alliance between them prior and during World War II. Today, most sources of military technology hail from the United States and some from the former Soviet Union and modern day Russia.

Economy
Bellinsgauzenia has a capitalist mixed economy, which is fueled by abundant natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and high productivity.

Energy


Bellinsgauzenia is one of the worlds largest energy generators, primarily due to the growth and popularity of civil nuclear power. The first reactor came online in 1979, and was built by the United States. By 1995, over 50% of the energy generated was from nuclear power, and rose to almost 75% by 2005. One of the primary reasons for this is the vast abundance of uranium ore within eastern Antarctica.

Beginning in 2007, Bellinsgauzenia (in conjunction with ) began construction on a vast solar farm to be located along the Bellinsgauzenian-New Devonian border. Designed to take advantage of the night-less Antarctic summer, the 20 acre solar farm will be able to collect the three month long sunshine, supplying a vast amount of energy to Bellinsgauzenia and New Devon.

Due to the and the growth of nuclear and reusable energy in Bellinsgauzenia, the Federal Assembly passed the Fossil Fuel Abolition Act, declaring that Bellinsgauzenia is to stop using fossil fuels for civil energy generation by 2012, and to ban the selling of fossil fuels domestically by 2050.

Units of measurement

 * Main: Bellinsgauzenian customary units

In 1924, the Soviet Union adopted the metric system. Upon the formation of Bellinsgauzenia, the founding father and the general population did not want to follow too much into the path of the Soviet Union. One of these included keeping the Russian imperial units of measurement. Almost similar to the Imperial units of the United Kingdom, the Russian units had similar origins and meanings (funt = foot, milia = mile). Bellinsgauzenia is only one of four nations (including the United States) to not have adopted the metric system. Movements in the 1980s and 90s moved for Bellinsgauzenia to adopt the metric system, but the movement did not gain popular support.

Bellinsgauzenian Russian
The official language of Bellinsgauzenia is Russian. But similar to how the English language in the United States has greatly differed from English English, Bellinsgauzenia has its own distinct form of Russian. Most of the differences came after the collapse of the Russian Empire, with the colonies and the motherland moving in different directions. While the Soviet Union was working to improve and standardize the Russian language, Bellinsgauzenia did not wish to get involved with the Soviets. Upon its formation, Bellinsgauzenia continued to use the four abandoned letters of the Russian language, and continued to use Imperial grammar and spelling. With the Russian language becoming a major world language by the 1950s, Bellinsgauzenia officially adopted the Soviet changes, but did not enforce them. Today, the four missing letters are used in Bellinsgauzenia, but used more as a historical reference, rather than true letters. Bellinsgauzenian Russian also uses the Russian letter "Ъ" more often than does Russian Russian, leading to similar confusion that plagues English ("Color" or "Colour", "Shop" or "Shoppe").

In Bellinsgauzenia, the Russian language is divided into two major dialects. This includes Bellinsgauzenian Russian and "Soviet Russian" (despite the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, most Bellinsgauzenians still use the term "Soviet" as the name of someone from Russia or the former Soviet republics).

Sports


Just as in other counties, sports is considered a life of its own in Bellinsgauzenia. Two of the most popularized sports within Bellinsgauzenia are curling and cycleball. Bellinsgauzenia also have a love of football (soccer), baseball, and basketball.

Because of the close relationship between Germany and New Swabia, cycleball (a German originated game which is soccer placed on bicycles) has become a literal pastime in Bellinsgauzenia.

Bellinsgauzenia in popular culture

 * In 1944, Woody Guthrie produced the song Snow Globe, an anti-Fascist song criticizing the Bellinsgauzenian government.


 * In 1982, the 15th episode of Nu, Pogodi! (a popular Soviet cartoon) is aired. The episode centers around the two characters traveling to Bellinsgauzenia during the Antarctic winter.