Random History: Micronations

Good afternoon students, this is Dr. Cooper. I want you to think for a moment. Unemployment. Sequestration. War. Terrorism. Corruption. Miley Cyrus. The world today is full of many pressing issues that consequently affect our lives. I'd like to turn your attention instead to an issue that has been largely ignored by the public and is very important. It is perhaps the most under-appreciated form of politics: Micronations.

While there are many definitions for the term, a micronation is essentially when a person or group declares an area of space to be an independent country, usually very small. They differ from imaginary  countries or online communities (ahem, World of Warcraft) in the fact that they claim literal sovereignty over an actual place. No micronation has ever been recognized by the international community, mainly because the claims are ridiculous and have no basing. Micronation territories tend to vary from a single person's bedroom, to objects in outer space.
The theory of micronations first emerged around the 1970's with the creation of Sealand (to be discussed later). There are many motives for creating a micronation, including:

• Attempts to evade taxes
• Creating a host area for illegal online activities
• Having a lot of money and not knowing what to do with it
• To give yourself a fancy title such as "King" or "Emperor"
• Raise awareness of an issue
• To design a cool-looking flag
• People who didn't want to stop playing "pretend" after they grew up.
• Or you're bored

Most micronations are never really taken seriously, but some people give an all out effort, creating laws, a government, and other establishments for their so-called "independent country". There are two famous examples of utterly hardcore micronation efforts that I shall present to you. Prepare to be baffled...

The Principality of Sealand

 Sealand is the world's most famous and oldest micronation. It is a 5,900 sq ft platform located three miles off the coast of Great Britain. It originally served as an anti-aircraft fort in World War II before it was abandoned by the military. In 1967 a man named Roy Bates and his family occupied the structure and declared it to be the nation of Sealand, with himself as Prince. Since then the family has fiercely defended their country from any threats, even firing warning shots multiple times at people who come too close. The British government has made no actions to evict the family after a court decision ruled that the government had no jurisdiction in the middle of the ocean. Sealand claims it has been recognized as a country because it was once visited by German diplomats. In their effort to become independent, they have painstakingly created almost every aspect of a country. Sealand has a functioning government, a constitution, flag, coat-of-arms, motto, national anthem, a Bureau of Domestic and International Affairs, currency, passports, stamps, an online newspaper, a Football Association, a fencing team, a rebel government-in-exile (long story), a Facebook page, and a WWII canon for defense. Their economy consists of sales from souvenirs and Titles of Nobility sold on their website (For $46.86, you can become a Lord of Sealand!). The platform itself is also apparently quite roomy, since it contains a royal palace, Parliament building, offices, chapel, and a small store. The official population is 27, although most of them live in Britain instead. The U.N has not recognized them as a nation due to a law stating that artificial islands can't be countries. Too bad...

The Republic of Molossia

  The Republic of Molossia is a 6 acre area of dry desert land in northern Nevada, along with a 5 acre "colony" in southern California. It was founded in 1977 and is currently ruled by, and I quote, "His Excellency President Grand Admiral Colonel Doctor Kevin Baugh, President of Molossia, Protector of the Nation and Guardian of the People". It has been equally aggressive in asserting its independence, although in much more bizarre ways. They have their own postal service, bank, railroad, Navy, Naval Academy, space program, war memorials, holidays, online radio station, measurement system, and their own time zone. They have fought wars, yes wars, with other micronations, and have been at war with East Germany for 30 years, even though it no longer exists...Molossia was also the host of the first, and so far the only, Intermicronational Olympic Games in 2000. Some people need to get a life...

Other noteworthy micronations include...

• Federated States of Antarctica- claims sovereignty over Antarctica. Seeks to populate it with 2 million people.
• Dominion of British West Florida- claims that western Florida is still a British colony. 
• Ohio Empire- claims control over Ohio. Member of the North American Micronational Culture Organization.
• The Conch Republic- area in Key West, Florida that tried to secede in 1982. 
• Nutopia- a country with no boundaries or laws. Created by John Lennon so he could claim diplomatic immunity.

It's relatively simple to create a micronation. Basically all you need is a flag, a website, and a few followers. I don't recommend all the other over-complicated stuff without money and a good lawyer. Micronation-managing is great for a joke or hobby. I don't recommend seriously trying to make it an independent country though. I must say, when I first read about micronations a few years ago I was like WTC (what the crap)?! But now I aspire to create one someday because it sounds fun. If I ever get that crazy...

Thanks ever so much for reading about this critical issue...another Retro Show article comes next week...

That's no moon. That's a space station!


Sources: http://www.sealandgov.org/
http://www.molossia.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronation
http://micronations.wordpress.com/
http://micronations.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/24/the-worlds-weirdest-micro_n_508738.html#s74926title=Sealand


Pictures: http://www.listofmicronations.com/
www.smh.com.au 
howtostartyourowncountry.com
 http://www.fakecard.com/pokedex/pokemon/164.shtml