The Treaty of Treason
Once there were many nations, but now Panem is the only nation.
Panem's origins trace back to a place named North America; the most powerful of the nations. But even the greatest face struggles. Almost a century ago, the entire world was wracked by droughts, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and encroaching seas. Nations and even entire continents fell to these natural disasters. Brutal wars broke out as people fought for the few remaining resources, the earth was scarred and desolate; the people, terrified and hopeless. Eventually peace was restored and North America headed a council of global governments. The world seemed to prosper again.
Then came the Dark Days, protests from the other nations against the overarching rule of North America, protesting against the country that fed them, loved them, protected them. There were rebellions within North America itself, selfish rebels who believed their nation should keep its greatness to itself, rather than share its resources with the world. These rebels demanded their government to provide them with more food, rather than share it with other nations. They called themselves "Panem"; an ancient word for bread.
The rebellions raged into a war. Terrible war. A global war, known during its course as the Third World War. This war left the world in tatters. Motherless children filled the streets. The entire globe torn asunder.
After a long struggle in which many died, there came a hard-won peace. The rebellions in North America settled first. To show its consideration and willingness to co-operation with the rebels, our government took on their name; Panem. North America then became the Capitol and the first District. The once strong European nations of the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria and Hungary were conquered next. They became our second District. After the defeat of their allies, the nations of East Asia; Taiwan, Japan and Korea surrendered peacefully and became our third District. Panem next conquered the North European nations of Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, they became our fourth District. With their defeat, the North European nations relinquished their claim over the Middle Eastern nations, which became our fifth District. With our new resources we overcame the Southern European nations of Spain, France and Italy, and made them our sixth District. Leading forces from District 3 and 5, Panem gained a crucial territory; Asiatic Russia, our seventh District. Our next victory was in a bloody battle against China, now our eighth district. From there we conquered the South East Asian nations of Thailand and Vietnam and their territories, which became our ninth District. Realising they were surrounded, the Eastern European nations of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and European Russia, and the Mediterranean nations of Greece, Turkey and their territories surrendered peacefully. They became our tenth and eleventh Districts. By this time the Neutral Countries of Switzerland and Liechtenstein finally acknowledged our sovereignty, we graciously integrated them into one of our favoured Districts; District 2. After a long siege, India finally fell, becoming our twelfth District. Panem was almost united, however District 13; once known as Australia continued to resist Panem and provided weapons to Panem's Districts in attempts to "liberate" them. To show our displeasure and to provide an example for the other Districts, District 13 was bombed and completely destroyed. Nothing shall rise out of their ashes.
Twelve districts were defeated, the thirteenth obliterated. When the traitors were at last suppressed, we swore we would never allow such treason. Ever again!
Thus the Treaty of Treason was written and signed, providing us with new laws to live by, laws that would guarantee peace.
As a yearly reminder that the Dark Days must never happen again, it was decreed that on the same day each year the districts must offer up as tributes one courageous young man and woman to fight in a pageant of honor, courage, and sacrifice: The Hunger Games.
The twenty-four tributes are sent to an outdoor arena where they struggle to overcome both man and nature and triumph over the odds.
Each year, the lone victor serves as a reminder of the Capitol's generosity and forgiveness.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Treason; a Quarter Quell.
For this Quarter Quell ;
As a reminder that the young are not the only ones who must learn, the male and female tributes will be reaped between the ages of twelve and twenty-eight.
This season is a time for repentance and a time for thanks.
This is how we remember our past.
This is how we safeguard our future.
to be continued...