Part 1: The Wars of Acceptance
The history of the Imperial colonies is a long one, lasting for almost three hundred years. The island itself is populated by a large variety of inhabitants, from the human majority to the elven minority. But the major isolation of the island from the rest of the Empire had dire consequences.
In the year 680, the province of Munzo erupted in revolt, openly fighting Imperial forces along the border. Munzo's elite heavy infantry, the "Panzer Brigades" delivered a crushing blow on Imperial forces on the island. But the victory was not long lasting. Imperial reinforcements drove the Rebel forces back into their homeland. Imperial forces razed the majority of the province to the ground, excluding a few major cities. The Rebels finally surrendered after bloody urban engagements during the Battle of Pallada.
This was the First War of Acceptance.
The main reason the settlers of the Munzo province starting the conflict was none other than their treatment by the Empire. Civil rights were minimal. The settlers had seen cruelty after every turn. Emperor Molt, who was still rather young at the time, declared that if anyone wanted something, they had to fight for it. And so Munzo did, and lost.
The Empire placed massive economic sanctions on the colonial province, sending the majority of its people into poverty, some even starving to death.
Though demoralized, Munzo's people practiced for the eventual second revolt in the form of martial arts, training anyone who wished to fight with anything they could find.
Five years later, in the year 685, a mysterious group of people arrived in Munzo. These were the mystical Men in Brown. Though the settlers at first categorized these people as one single group, it was later found it was a mix of multiple peoples who had just escaped a great war (this war turned out to be the Second World War). The group consisted of Japanese civilians, Imperial Japanese soldiers, US Marines, troops from the Soviet North Sakhalin garrison, a German U-boat crew, and even a former Volkssturm member. The settlers welcomed these newcomers with open arms. The Men in Brown, thankful of the settlers, learned of their desperate situation. They began introducing advanced technology to the Munzo people. The local dwarven population received advanced machining equipment and soon factories were popping up all over Munzo. Compulsory education was introduced. Despite the economic sanctions, Munzo's economy rebounded as people found jobs in these new factories and schools. The illiteracy rate dropped significantly.
Feeling the pressure, the ruler of the province of Gallada (pronounced Ga-sha-da) started an unprovoked invasion of Munzo, supported reluctantly by the neighboring Slavasi. But Munzo's industrialization had significant effects.
Munzo's forces were now armed with muskets and employed tactics that devastated enemy forces. In the Battle of the Volga alone (taking place near the Volga river, a few miles west of the Slavasi-Munzo border), the outnumbered Munzo forces shot apart enemy forces en masse, causing a mass reproduction in Slavasian moral. The Galladian troops, meanwhile, suffered greater losses due to absolute insistence on advancing into incoming bullets.
The war ended with a decisive Munzo victory. This war became known as the Second War of Acceptance. In the aftermath of their victory, the Men in Brown, their usefulness now proven, were integrated into the local government, mainly in charge of modernization of the province.
Part 2: The First Modernization Program and Prelude to Revolution
With the the Wars of Acceptance at an end, the people of Munzo decided to brainstorm on how to make the Province more autonomous. The decision was made to modernize based on what the Men in Brown knew. A constitutional monarchy was established. Because the monarch himself was essentially a figurehead, most political matters were done by the Council. From each region within the province, a representative was elected to represent themselves in the Council. A Prime Minister was elected as well.
The new government began a sanitation reform, cleaning the streets in urban areas of muck and waste. The cities began to use plumbing independent from drink sources. Factories, of which were springing up everywhere, had to regulate their pollution. Recycling of materials was promoted.
In terms of the military, the Council drafted the First Modernization Program. This Act focused on advancing military technology to Second World War standards. Factories switched from manufacturing smooth-bore muskets to six-shot Mauser rifles chambered in 8mm Mauser. Smooth-bore muzzle loading cannons were replaced by French 75mm guns and American 105mm howitzers. British 40mm Pom-pom guns were adopted as a medium anti-aircraft gun. The M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo was selected to be their mass-produced tank. Various private companies began work on designing indigenous fighter and bomber aircraft based on German, American, and Japanese designs. The Russian TT-33 was adopted as the standard service pistol, its 7.62mm cartridge adopted as the standard service pistol cartridge. Construction of modern warships began in the docks. Roads were paved. Wireless telegraph and radio systems spread all over the province. Railways were laid, with telephone lines running along side. Electricity was introduced to the common urban home. A modified form of conscription was implemented. Men ages 18 to 55 were required to serve in the military, but during peacetime these men continued their daily lives. The new standing army was made up of volunteers. Anyone 16 years or older could apply to a military academy without any payment.
In the year 687, the Empire made the biggest mistake. Using the Gate on Alnus Hill, the gate that was allegedly responsible for bringing in all the inhabitants of this world (except the Men in Brown), the Empire attempted an invasion of 21st Century Japan. Suffering a crushing defeat by the hands of the Japanese, the Imperial invasion force was supposedly wiped out. The JSDF passed through the gate Japan-Empire War was on. The Empire and the Allied kingdoms were defeated almost effortlessly. A few months later, civilians from surrounding villages created a small town around the Japanese base. This became a center of trade. Using this fact, Munzo sent a number of agents to collect data on the JSDF's technological level. To the Munzo government's horror, they found that the Type 74 Main Battle Tank was wholly superior to the M4A3E2, of which only small numbers had actually entered service so far. All the men carried assault rifles, while a bulk of Munzo's volunteer reserves were still armed with muskets. The air force was made up completely of jet aircraft armed with guided weaponry. The devastating power of the attack helicopter was witnessed during the Battle of Italica. It was enough evidence to prove the First Modernization Program was not enough.
The Second Modernization Program was passed by the Council, but Munzo had other problems. Gallada had invaded the north and Slavasi was invading the west. The stage was set for a new war for Munzo. This war was Munzo's War of Independence.
Author's notes: Hi guys. It's Karl the Arty. The writers block for my Gate fic pretty much overloaded my ability to write a narrative story, so here is a documentary about my Gate headcanon for you all to enjoy while I slowly finish the next chapter of Rebels. Next up: Munzo's War of Independence!
Please review and such. It motivates me to write more.