The Simplified History of the Nation of Beauland
At one point in time, both England and France ruled over Beauland (then "Beauterrain" to the French colonists and "Bowesworth" to the English), claiming the land at the same time (years 1799 to 1804). Both colonies were formed by people seeking not only religious freedom, but also freedom from the war and political conflicts of both empires. There are influences from both countries in modern Beauland's culture and language (as evident by tea playing a large part in Beauland's culture, and the name "Beauland", which derives from "beau", the French word for "handsome/beautiful"). English settlers would influence Beauland's economy, holidays, and military while French settlers would influence Beauland's architecture, language, and food. However, it is not only the French and English who occupied Beauland during that time.
Despite conflicts between both colonies, the winter of 1800 brought them together. It was a brutal winter, one that the colonists planned to prepare for, but the third boat ("The Oakstern") carrying their supplies was lost at sea. Only by helping each other, and receiving help from the Natives, did most of the colonists survive. They began trading, helping each other hunt, and shared homes to stay warm. They taught each other their languages, aiding in communication. Unlike other colonies, which brutally killed Native populations to take control of the land, the people of Beauterrain and Bowesworth decided it was best to befriend the people they met in the "New Land", and they did their best to learn from their "new neighbours". At first, the Natives were afraid, as they had every right to be, but they found that the newcomers were willing to cooperate with them, especially during the harsh winter months. Today, more than 50% of Beauland's population is of Native descent.
At this time, England fought the French and Spanish in many battles. France, unable to put up much of a fight (even with Spanish help), had little to gain from the Beauterrain colony other than soldiers. France, with no fight, gave control of Beauterrain over to England (1806-1813) per the Treaty of Beauland in 1806. This way, France could focus on other things, such as taxes, the French military, and politics. In that time, the treaty allowed France to "check in" on Beauterrain every once in a while to collect resources such as produce, taxes, and cotton. Despite the occasional visit, the French colonists of Beauterrain felt abandoned by their government.
After Britian took control of the colonies, it tried to introduce slavery to Bowesworth and Beauterrain, but the colonists and Natives weren't having it. Due to their religious beliefs, the colonists found slavery abhorrent, and they told the English that they wouldn't participate in the slave trade. However, English soliders wouldn't allow refusal. Three ships worth of slaves were brought to Beauland to work on farms and in fields. The people of Beauland, who outnumbered loyalists 5 to 1, would overpower slave owners and free the slaves, hiding them until they could be safely relocated. England, realizing it would be easier to just stop trying to force Beauland to adopt slavery than it would be to enforce it, stopped bringing slaves to the Beauland colonies in 1809. It is estimated that approximately 30% of Beauland's population is descended from these freed slaves.
After only another 7 years, France once again gained primary control of Beauland, fighting another war with England for control of both Beauland colonies in 1813, with the help of the colonists themselves. It was decided then that it was France who would gain primary care and control of Beauterrain and Bowesworth while England was to collect taxes from the colony. However, due to mistreatment by England, including high taxes, unwanted military occupation, and abuse by the British Crown (including an artificial famine created by England stealing the colonies' food resources and taking control of their farmland), "Beauland"/"Boweland" declared its own war against England in 1814.
France, knowing the power of the British navy and not wanting to lose its colonies, discouraged this war despite a long-time conflict with England, but Beauland persisted. France withdrew their troops from Beauland, but Beauland fought back with its own army. This army was made entirely of the people who called Beauland their home, including Natives who knew that the French and English empires would stop at nothing to take control of the land even if it meant destroying every Native life. England did nothing at first, only sending in few troops to pacify Beauland, but Beauland was committed to ending its ties with England. The war waged on, with England becoming more aggressive as it continued through 1817. This time in Beauland would become known as "The Three Years War and Famine".
On November 15th, 1817, Beauland finally declared its complete independence from England, cutting off all ties. Every British troop occupying Beauland left, and Beauland stopped paying English taxes. Beauland also cut off all contact with England, refusing to even acknowledge the sovereignty of the British Crown. Beauland crowned its own King-President, Theodore Beauland Bearson the First, on December 25th, 1817, to rule over Beauland and restore the production of crops, cotton, and tea to Beauland's farmers. However, despite crowning their own King-President, Beauland was still controlled by another country. France gained primary control of Beauland from 1817, but became neglectful of the colony. They collected taxes, but, perhaps worried about another rebellion from Beauland, began punishing the colony whenever it "spoke up" demanding fewer taxes, and demanding that France stop forcing them to match French aesthetics of architecture, art, religion, and fashion. After the war with England, Beauland became aware of its own national identity, one separate from both England and France. France would punish Beauland by cutting off communication and trade for weeks, sometimes months, at a time. French loyalist doctors would also refuse to give treatment to Beauland during times of crisis or illness, leading to an uprise in cases of illness, death, riots, and suicide.
In 1819, France left Beauland to fend for itself. France stopped collecting taxes, but also stopped allowing supplies to travel from France to Beauland. All French loyalists returned to their homeland. The colony began generating its own wealth, and the colonists began teaching themselves skills to survive without the aid of French resources, such as hunting, farming, medical aid, and clothing production. They began trading even further with the Natives, and soon, the tribes and colonies began to integrate. It seemed like Beauland was going to truly become independent and self-sustaining, until tragedy struck in 1820 when plague broke out. The French once again appeared to "save the day" with medicine, doctors, and food, on the condition that Beauland remain loyal. Beauland, reluctantly, agreed to France's terms, but in 1822, despite claims that they were going to aid Beauland's economy, educational system, and roadways, the French continued collecting taxes from Beauland without representing them in the French government, and they sent military soldiers to Native tribes to scare them off or kill them. The colonists, angry, rioted against occupying French soliders, resulting in the Squashtown Massacre of 1822. Fed up with their improper treatment, Beauland declared that it would become its own nation, and it claimed independence from France.
Modern-day Beauland is located in the United States. Beauland plans to one day have a strong enough economy to relocate to Canada, a macronation with a shared history involving the influences of both England and France while being its own independent country. Modern Beauland is a place that prides itself on its universal healthcare, food, and housing, as well as strict gun-control laws, an anti-racist government, and pro-LGBT+ legislation. Since 1818, every Citizen has been allowed to vote, including women, Natives, and freed slaves, without the restrictions of wealth or owning land. Beauland welcomes all people to become Citizens, if they want to, without discrimination based on sex, gender identity, religion, social class, country of origin, ethnicity, education, or disability. Beauland likes to think of itself as the "True Land of the Free", a place where anyone can be truly free to be themself.
