Respublica superiorem non recognoscens (Latin) ("Republic that recognizes no superior") | |||||||
| Anthem | "Basso di Genova" | ||||||
| Capital (and largest city) |
Genoa | ||||||
| Other cities | Savona, Rapallo, Albenga, Imperia and Lerici | ||||||
| Language official |
Italian, Ligurian | ||||||
| others | Arpitan, French, English, Portughese and others | ||||||
| Religion main |
Catholicism | ||||||
| others | Atheism, Judaism and others | ||||||
| Ethnic Groups main |
Ligurians | ||||||
| others | Italians, Piedmontese, Alpines, Portugheses, French, Americans and others | ||||||
| Demonym | Genovesi | ||||||
| Government | Unitary parliamentary republic | ||||||
| Legislature | General Council | ||||||
| Doge of the Republic | Marco Bucci | ||||||
| Consul (Councillor) | Giovanni Toti | ||||||
| Area | approx. 5,500 km² km² | ||||||
| Population | 1,185,868 | ||||||
| Established | 1099 | ||||||
| Independence | from Italy | ||||||
| declared | June 21, 1984 | ||||||
| Currency | Italian Scudo | ||||||
| Organizations | Italian Federation and League of Nations | ||||||
The Most Serene Republic of Genoa (Serenissima Repubblica di Genova / Serenìscima Repùblica de Zêna) is a state in Northwestern Italy, it controls most of the ex-region of Liguria and the islands of Gorgona and Capraia.
History[]
Pre-Doomsday[]
Before 1100, Genoa emerged as an independent city-state, one of a number of Italian city-states during this period. The Republic of Genoa extended over modern day Liguria and Piedmont, Sardinia, Corsica and had practically complete control of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Through Genoese participation on the Crusades, colonies were established in the Middle East, in the Aegean, in Sicily and Northern Africa. The collapse of the Crusader States was offset by Genoa’s alliance with the Byzantine Empire, which opened opportunities of expansion into the Black Sea and Crimea. Genoa's political zenith came with its victory over Pisa at the naval Battle of Meloria in 1284, and over Venice, at the naval Battle of Curzola in 1298. However, this prosperity did not last.
In 1768, Genoa was forced to also cede Corsica to France. With the shift in world economy and trade routes to the New World and away from the Mediterranean, Genoa's political and economic power went into steady decline. In 1797, under pressure from Napoleon, Genoa became a French protectorate called the Ligurian Republic, which was annexed by France in 1805. Although the Genoese revolted against France in 1814 and liberated the city on their own, delegates at the Congress of Vienna sanctioned its incorporation into the Kingdom of Sardinia, in 1848 the Genoese revolted against the power of the Savoyard monarchy, with the goal of restoring the republic, the rebellion was suppressed with might and brute force by the Bersaglieri. In 1860, Giuseppe Garibaldi set out from Genoa with over a thousand volunteers to begin the campaign.
Doomsday and After[]
Like the other members of NATO, Italy was hit on Doomsday by several strikes. The only one in the vicinity of Genoa was on the base at La Spezia, in easternmost Liguria.
In the aftermath of Doomsday, Genoa suffered some fallout from strikes in southeastern France, as well as the strikes on Milan and La Spezia. However, it was fairly small amounts, though the regional authority did lose its power over both the eastern and western edges of Liguria due to refugees.
Yet in the months after Doomsday, even after seizing the goods on the ships left in the port of Genoa, the government still had to deal with food shortages, and famine was barely avoided over the winter of 1983-1984. The resulting instability led to a fairly shaky government, which always seemed to be in danger of falling. Still, after hearing nothing from a higher authority, the leaders of the Ligurian region declared the creation of a provisional government of Liguria to govern the area, on June 21st, 1984.
The next winter, as food from the area had actually stayed after the harvest, went much better, and all had the food they needed, though it was definitely not going to make any overweight. By 1986, the government had managed to stabilize itself once again, though it's authority, while technically extending through much of Liguria, was in practice only worth much within the region right around Genoa itself.
Gradual Knowledge of the End of the World[]
The next few years saw the Genoese authority regain control over central Liguria once more, even as the Ligurian Sea devolved into piracy and raiding. Many saw the Ligurian region as a place full of maritime spoils waiting to be pilfered. These incursions by corsairs eventually subsided as the Genoese established naval units to patrol the waters from the remnants of the Italian Navy based at La Spezia that managed to avoid total destruction on Doomsday. The Maritime prowess of the reformed Genoese Navy would be greatly beneficial to the fledgling provisional government whose control extended to the former provinces of Genoa Savona and the spared parts of La Spezia.
The Genoese also managed to effectively block any attempts of refugees crossing into Liguria, to the north they were sheltered by the Ligurian Alps from the displacement of the Torino refugees, the french riviera was seperated from Liguria proper by the bomb on La Spezia. Thus the only effective non maritime border to effectively manage was the astern border with Tuscany. The Highways were patrolled by the Carabinieri to stop stragglers which reduced ubut did not prevent people fleeing into the the safe haven of Genoa, as many would opt to go off road and take alternative routes into the region. Many refugees would die taking the dangerous routes into Liguria, often dying of hypothermia or starvation in the process, at least 40,000 refugees, mainly from Turin and Lombardy managed to illegally enter into Liguria.
The Genoese boats on patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea would come into contact with another survivor state from the island of Sicily. Trading with the Sardinians would confirm that a new 'Provisional Italian Government' was established in Palermo. Though there was much debate from both political sides in the Genoese provisional council about what to do about the 'Italian' government in the south, for now the immediate issue was to secure security for Liguria and thus the Genoese would not engage diplomatically with their neighbours to the south.
By 1989 Genoa was fully aware of the intentions of the Sicilians, who continued to assert their government further and further up the peninsula. That winter, the northern Italians and Alpine states found themselves in a conflagration that would gain imfamy as the Battle of Bologna, the Sicilian advance continued up until the Arno river, where the rag-tag coalition of Northern Italian city-states and provisional governments managed to effectively stop the advance.
A ceasefire was soon mediated thanks to Alpine diplomatic talks with Palermo in the fall of 1990. However, these compromises reached by the Alpine negotiators were seen as outrageous and completely alienating to the northern Italians, which stated the division of Tuscany between the Tuscan regional government and the victorious Sicily, the free navigation of the Arno, and the recognition of North Tuscany as a sovereign entity not subject to further incursions. Northern Tuscany was forced to accept these terms, although low-intensity rebellion struck the occupied south for the next 2 decades. However, Genoa continued to conduct business with the Alpines out of necessity.
Although the war did not directly affect Genoa, it did create the fear of possible future invasions from the Sicilians, as well as raids and incursions against cargo ships and merchants by stateless groups still occurring in the Ligurian Sea. Trade between surviving bastions of civilization across the Mediterranean was the lifeblood of the recovery of Genoa; if the Gulf of Genoa wasn't safe, then this would mean the end of the republic.
Seborga[]
for more information, see the History of Seborga
The Sicilian Wars[]
In 1988, naval vessels, professing to belong to a "Sicilian Republic," arrived in the harbour entrance. The commander of this small fleet of vessels, while outnumbered by what ships Genoa had operational, still demanded that they submit themselves to his authority. His fleet being naval vessels, not what were still effectively merchant ships, he did not think he would be refused - and if not for a few sound minds in the higher echelons of the Genoa government, they would have agreed. As such, they refused, dumbfounding the Sicilian commander. Knowing that he was faster and better armed than the Genoans, he remained in the region, blocking off what little trade there was to be had firing at ships in the harbor, and even occasionally lobbing shells at the city itself. Unable to do much about it themselves, they spent the winter months of 1988-1989 forming a defense league with the Venetians, San Marinos, Tuscans, and what intact parts of Northern Italy were left, backed up by the Alpine Confederation. Not only was this league successful in stopping the Sicilian advance and forcing them back in Italy itself, but it also meant the expulsion of the Sicilians from the Venetian islands, and allowed Alpine heavy artillery to be moved to Genoa, where it was used to drive off the Sicilians once and for all. A ceasefire was soon offered by the Alpine Confederation, and it was accepted by the Sicilians. Alpine soldiers stayed behind in Genoa, helping to repair damage and to man new defense batteries for the harbor. Troops were also set aside for defense purposes in general within the republic. The officers in charge of these troops eventually became a power in Genoa, though the republic was left with much more independence than the Venetians. Still, the damage and chaos caused by the Sicilians hurt the republic greatly. Any control in the Western part of Liguria was lost. Monaco eventually gained control over that region, which has been a large source of contention between the two nations. This aside, the damage and havoc prevented Genoa from expanding much into the surrounding region, like Venice has been able to do.
The grudge that they have borne against Sicily since the late 1980s has been a primary motivator in recent years, and funds that would have otherwise been spent on expanding have been used to build up a navy. Despite this, they have begun working on expanded into the eastern parts of Liguria, as well as northwards from it.
Recently, however, their involvement in the IPA, and Sicilian aggression, has led to their involvement in the Second Sicilian War, in which they recaptured the Tuscan Islands for Tuscany, landed troops on the mainland to help the Tuscan Army, and supported the ADC invasion of Sardinia in June. They were also responsible for freeing the main settlements of New Rome at Santa Marinella, in an amphibious operation, during mid-November.
Recent history[]
The grudge that they have borne against Sicily since the late 1980s has been a primary motivator in recent years, and thanks to the Alpine and SAC investments and land-lease the Geonese were able to create a small but well equipped navy, with land and ground forces in it.
Recently, however, their involvement in the Italian Peninsular Alliance, and to their involvement of the republic in the Second Sicilian War, in which they recaptured the Tuscan archipelago for Tuscany, landed troops on the mainland to help the Tuscan Army, and supported the ADC invasion of Sardinia in June. They were also responsible for freeing the main settlements of "New Rome" at Santa Marinella, in an amphibious operation, during mid-November.
Government[]
The government of Genoa consists of a unicameral legislature, the National Council, which, in the spirit of the old republic, contains both representatives of the larger merchants and companies active in the city, and representatives elected by the people, in a roughly 5:1 ratio in favor of the people. This is headed by the Consul, who is the leader of the largest coalition.
The legislature elects from itself a Doge, who is the chief executive of the republic. While they remain a member of the body, they generally abstain from votes after their election to the position. A Doge can serve as many terms at the position as they are able.
Most representatives funded by the shipping guilds - who some argue are the true movers and shakers of Genoa - are fairly conservative in how they vote on economic matters, unsurprisingly. Often times, they have been caught in scandals after being directed in how to vote by their employers. Thus was born the "Genovese Paradox" -economically, Genoa is one of the most capitalistic states in Southern Europe - but also one of the more socialist Italian states in its foreign policy and social mores. At any given time, at least one dozen out of the 60 Council seats are considered to be "bought".
2012 Election[]
The elected representatives of the 2012 Council, some sixty members in all, were elected from a combination of proportional districts, and single member constituencies. Forty of them come from the four proportional districts, and twenty from the constituencies. Vote-splitting tends to mean that the constituencies often elect more conservative candidates, and the proportionately elected members tend to be more left-wing.
In the final round of elections to the Council, on April 11th, 2012, eight parties received seats: Christian Democracy - Christian Democrats and Centrists, 6 seats Genovesi Republican Party - Left-Wing Republicans, 4 seats Genovesi Socialist Party - Socialists and Genovesi Nationalists, 14 seats Italian Communist Party - Communists and Italian Nationalists, 10 seats Italian Social Movement - Fascists and Italian Nationalists, 6 seats Ligurian Union - Conservatives and Genovesi Nationalists, 15 seats Monarchist Alliance - Conservatives and Monarchists, 5 seats Rainbow Greens - Greens, 1 seat
Military[]
The Military, in a fairly unusual scheme, has set itself up into the Genoan Marines, and the Genoan Navy. While each ship has its own marine contingent, their units are also responsible for the security of the Republic on land. While most of the Navys pre-War fleet consisted of nothing that could be called stronger than a pre-1983 destroyer, it is now fairly large for a state the size of Genoa, which may very well be an economically big mistake in the long run. As of 2024 it is equipped with two submarines, , one light cruiser class and four corvettes classes, her flagship is the Caio Duilio helicoper cruiser.
Economy[]
Most of the economy of Genoa has to deal with its position as a port. While relatively few goods actually enter the port, it is the best-equipped port remaining in its area of the Mediterranean.
Besides this, extensive trade in both wines, and in mineral products from inland, does occur.
Recently, economic growth has been stagnating, as naval expansion uses up more and more of state funds.
International Relations[]
Genoa's independent relations began when contact with Venice was made in 1985, as both sent out expeditions to try and find other survivors. The Venetians were the only other organized state south of the Alps that they could find, north of Tuscany. In the years thereafter, the two have grown fairly close, even holding discussions over what should be done will the territory between the two, but south of the Alpine domains. These, however, have been put on hold until the Second Sicilian War has been dealt with.
Formal contact with the Alpine Confederation occurred in 1987, after Alpine forces finally began to expand outside of their Alpine fortress-valleys. Genoa was a founding member of the Italian Peninsula Alliance. alongside Venice and Tuscany, with the Alliance being made possible by materiel donations from the Alpines. The Republic will be forever grateful for their intervention against Sicily, despite having begun to resent the garrisoning of their territory by Alpine troops.
Genoa is a member-state of the League of Nations.
It is not a member of the Atlantic Defense Community, although it remains good relations with all of its members. The IPA and later Italian Federation maintain independent treaties with the ADC.
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