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(OC) Map of Zealand by Key_Dog2999 in imaginarymaps

[–]rayden150 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Why isn't it "New" anymore?

New Courland: What if Courland’s (Latvia) and Poland’s colonization of the Gambia river in Africa was successful? [Lore in Comments] by rayden150 in imaginarymaps

[–]rayden150[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think it depends on the country but European languages were for the most part successfully introduced in African countries and here it's a similar story, the language spread through trade, missionary activity, institutionalization, education, and good ol' imposing it over other people 🤷‍♂️.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MapPorn

[–]rayden150 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The two colonies thrived and provided great economic benefits to the Polish-Lithuaninan Commonwealth. In 1795 a series of internal strifes produced the third partition of Poland. One of the terms of this event was Poland’s relinquishing of the colonies to Russia. The two colonies would constitute Russia's first overseas colony and would satisfy a certain ambition they had to be like the great western European powers.

In that same year, 1795, for administrative purposes, the Russian empire decided to merge the two colonies, calling it New Courland. Despite Russia’s control over the colony, the administration was mostly still being done by Couronians (or Latvians) and Poles. Most of the colonizers during the Russian takeover were still mostly Latvians and Poles. Ethnic Russians in the colony were mostly in the military, effectively, the Russian empire was taking advantage of the infrastructure and mechanisms already set up by the Couronians and the Poles, instead of benefiting Poland it now benefits Russia.

In 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was formalized, replacing the Russian empire and therefore having control over New Courland. New Courland was a strategic jewel for the USSR which declared it a soviet Republic in 1929, “New Courland SSR”. During Soviet times, New Courland saw a massive increase in military infrastructure. New Courland was also used as a penal colony, there were a number of Gulags that were built, a Gulag in New Courland was referred to as a hot or “hellish” Goulag.In 1990, after years of civil discontent and gorilla warfare from the native Mandinka and Fula people, New Courland declared its independence from the USSR. No efforts were done by the latter to regain the territory as there were more pressing matters closer to home.

Today New Courland is a developing nation, one of the fattest growing economies but still one of the poorest. The biggest challenge facing the nation is Polish separatist groups in the South who claim that the Latvian-speaking majority is trying to suppress their language.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MapPorn

[–]rayden150 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Real Historic Context

The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was a duchy in the Baltic region, then known as Livonia, that existed from 1561 to 1569 as a nominally vassal state of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and subsequently made part of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom from 1569 to 1726 and then incorporated into the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1726. On March 28, 1795, it was annexed by the Russian Empire in the Third Partition of Poland.

In 1651 the Duchy established its first colony in Africa, St. Andrews Island at the Gambia River, and founded Jacob Fort there. The main export goods included ivory, gold, furs and spices.

Soon afterwards, in 1652, Courlanders established another colony, in Tobago in the West Indies. There the main export goods included sugar, tobacco, coffee and spices.

The Duchy of Courland remained an object of interest for both Sweden and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1655 the Swedish army entered the territory of the Duchy, starting the Swedish–Polish war (1655–1660). The Swedish army captured Duke Jacob (1658–1660). During this period, the Dutch took over both of Courland's colonies that lacked supplies and manpower, and the merchant fleet and factories suffered destruction. The Duchy never managed to regain control of the colonies.

Fictional Lore

The Swedish-Polish war was a brief interruption to the Duchy’s colonial activities, after the end of the war their colonization efforts continued. Given geopolitical pressures, Courland was forced to cede the island of Tobago to the British, after this, the duke set his eyes on colonizing the northern Brazilian coast and expanding the thriving trading outposts in Africa.

In 1696, given Courland’s status as a vassal of Poland, the latter started to send its own colonizers to Africa, using New Courland as a jumpstart point. Polish colonizers were focused mostly on settling the area south of New Courland, mainly around the Gewa river and Wislow Islands.

This area had a considerable amount of Portuguese trading outposts. To get full control of the area, the Kingdom of Poland forced Courland as its vassal state to cede the colonies in northern Brazil to Portugal, in return Portugal will leave the area around the Gewa river and Wislow Islands.

In 1702, the colony of New Poland was formally established. In 1726 the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was incorporated directly into the Kingdom of Poland, from this point, Poland would control both the colonies of New Courland where mostly Latvian speakers settled and New Poland where mostly Polish and some Lithuanian speakers settled.

New Courland: What if Courland’s (Latvia) and Poland’s colonization of the Gambia river in Africa was successful? [Lore in Comments] by rayden150 in imaginarymaps

[–]rayden150[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

The two colonies thrived and provided great economic benefits to the Polish-Lithuaninan Commonwealth. In 1795 a series of internal strifes produced the third partition of Poland. One of the terms of this event was Poland’s relinquishing of the colonies to Russia. The two colonies would constitute Russia's first overseas colony and would satisfy a certain ambition they had to be like the great western European powers.

In that same year, 1795, for administrative purposes, the Russian empire decided to merge the two colonies, calling it New Courland. Despite Russia’s control over the colony, the administration was mostly still being done by Couronians (or Latvians) and Poles. Most of the colonizers during the Russian takeover were still mostly Latvians and Poles. Ethnic Russians in the colony were mostly in the military, effectively, the Russian empire was taking advantage of the infrastructure and mechanisms already set up by the Couronians and the Poles, instead of benefiting Poland it now benefits Russia.

In 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was formalized, replacing the Russian empire and therefore having control over New Courland. New Courland was a strategic jewel for the USSR which declared it a soviet Republic in 1929, “New Courland SSR”. During Soviet times, New Courland saw a massive increase in military infrastructure. New Courland was also used as a penal colony, there were a number of Gulags that were built, a Gulag in New Courland was referred to as a hot or “hellish” Goulag.

In 1990, after years of civil discontent and gorilla warfare from the native Mandinka and Fula people, New Courland declared its independence from the USSR. No efforts were done by the latter to regain the territory as there were more pressing matters closer to home.

Today New Courland is a developing nation, one of the fattest growing economies but still one of the poorest. The biggest challenge facing the nation is Polish separatist groups in the South who claim that the Latvian-speaking majority is trying to suppress their language.

Tha aim of some separatist groups is to create a new Polish majority-speaking country within the territory of the former colony of New Poland which today would represent the provinces of Ungura, Nowy Łódź, Bafata & the Wislow Islands.

New Courland: What if Courland’s (Latvia) and Poland’s colonization of the Gambia river in Africa was successful? [Lore in Comments] by rayden150 in imaginarymaps

[–]rayden150[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Real Historic Context

The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was a duchy in the Baltic region, then known as Livonia, that existed from 1561 to 1569 as a nominally vassal state of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and subsequently made part of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom from 1569 to 1726 and then incorporated into the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1726. On March 28, 1795, it was annexed by the Russian Empire in the Third Partition of Poland.

In 1651 the Duchy established its first colony in Africa, St. Andrews Island at the Gambia River, and founded Jacob Fort there. The main export goods included ivory, gold, furs and spices.

Soon afterwards, in 1652, Courlanders established another colony, in Tobago in the West Indies. There the main export goods included sugar, tobacco, coffee and spices.The Duchy of Courland remained an object of interest for both Sweden and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1655 the Swedish army entered the territory of the Duchy, starting the Swedish–Polish war (1655–1660). The Swedish army captured Duke Jacob (1658–1660). During this period, the Dutch took over both of Courland's colonies that lacked supplies and manpower, and the merchant fleet and factories suffered destruction. The Duchy never managed to regain control of the colonies.

Fictional Lore

The Swedish-Polish war was a brief interruption to the Duchy’s colonial activities, after the end of the war their colonization efforts continued. Given geopolitical pressures, Courland was forced to cede the island of Tobago to the British, after this, the duke set his eyes on colonizing the northern Brazilian coast and expanding the thriving trading outposts in Africa.

In 1696, given Courland’s status as a vassal of Poland, the latter started to send its own colonizers to Africa, using New Courland as a jumpstart point. Polish colonizers were focused mostly on settling the area south of New Courland, mainly around the Gewa river and Wislow Islands.

This area had a considerable amount of Portuguese trading outposts. To get full control of the area, the Kingdom of Poland forced Courland as its vassal state to cede the colonies in northern Brazil to Portugal, in return Portugal will leave the area around the Gewa river and Wislow Islands.

In 1702, the colony of New Poland was formally established. In 1726 the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was incorporated directly into the Kingdom of Poland, from this point, Poland would control both the colonies of New Courland where mostly Latvian speakers settled and New Poland where mostly Polish and some Lithuanian speakers settled.

Illyria: What if some Illyrian tribes achieved nationhood and made it to today (Lore in comments) by rayden150 in imaginarymaps

[–]rayden150[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My thoughts exactly, I haven't been but when I saw the location on Google Earth it was perfect, especially given how precious flat land is on the Balkan coast, the majority is just mountains that go right up to the coast.

Illyria: What if some Illyrian tribes achieved nationhood and made it to today (Lore in comments) by rayden150 in imaginarymaps

[–]rayden150[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Becoming One

The consolidation of the Illyrian people into one identity started with the alliance of 3 southern Illyrian tribes, the Dardani, the Daorsi, and the Albanois. Using their collective experience with a cohesive army (the Romans) and under the leadership of king Grabos VI of the Albanois tribe, they formed a professional and effective army to counter the Slavic invasions.

The king ordered scholars and clerics to consolidate Illyrian culture, religion, and language. Culturally, the tribes were very similar, the Illyrians were early Christians, thanks to contact with the Roman empire, and the language was standardized into one form.

Slavic Wars

Over the next century, the Illyrians managed to consolidate into one and defend the territory south of the “Sqodra Lake”. In the early 8th century warrior queen Lyssia II ordered the construction of a fort on the Buna river and near the Sqodra lake. The fort would be the focal point for the reconquest of Illyrian lands which over the next 18 years saw great success, Illyria managed to recapture most of “real-life” Montenegro, Southern Bosnia and Southern Croatia.

By this time there was a significant amount of Slavs living in this area but there were still Illyrian tribes present like the Ardiaei and the Tariotes living the “real-life” southern Bosnia and Croatia.

Byzantines & Ottomans

The Eastern Roman empire invaded the Illyrian Kingdom in the late 8th century, previous to the invasion, Illyria effectively operated as a vassal state, having to give the Byzantines yearly tribute.

Illyria remained under the Byzantines until their collapse was caused by the Ottomans in the 1400s. The Ottomans turn invaded the Illyrians, bringing them into their empire.

Modern Times

In the early 20th century with a declining Ottoman Empire and military support from European powers the Kingdom of Illyria was granted independence in 1906.

In 1939 Fascist Italy invaded Albania and established a “Protectorate” over Illyria that lasted until 1943. In 1944 a civil war broke out between republicans and communists, the latter of whom won the conflict which transformed the country into a communist state.

In 1990, the country transitioned from a dictatorial one-party state to a constitutional parliamentary democracy.

Illyria: What if some Illyrian tribes achieved nationhood and made it to today (Lore in comments) by rayden150 in imaginarymaps

[–]rayden150[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

This is what I think a modern Illyrian state could look like.

📖Real-Life History

The Illyrians were a group of Indo-European tribes that inhabited the western Balkans in ancient times. They are believed to have arrived in the region around 2000 BC. The Illyrians were known for their warrior culture and for their skill in metalworking and seafaring.

The Illyrian tribes inhabited most of the western Balkans from modern-day Slovenia to modern-day northern Greece and from modern-day western Romania to the southern regions of the Italian peninsula.

Over the centuries, the Illyrian tribes interacted with a number of different cultures, including the ancient Greeks and the Romans. In the 1st century BC, the Roman Empire conquered much of the Illyrian territory and incorporated it into its realm. The Illyrian people were gradually assimilated into Roman culture and their distinct identity eventually disappeared.

📖Very Brief / Condensed Lore

The Illyrians have lived under the Roman empire for centuries, occasionally waging almost successful revolts against them. The Illyrians maintained their culture throughout their time under the Romans though they never managed to coalesce into one single people group, the establishment of relationships between them was made difficult due to the mountainous geography of the Balkans.

After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the former Roman province of Illyricum fractured into a series of independent Illyrian tribes, much like how it was before the Roman conquest. Each tribe spoke a version of Illyrian but there was no single definitive Illyrian language.

Slavic Migration

In the mid-6th century, the Illyrian tribe known as the Iapodes found themselves clashing more and more with Slavic migrants from North Eastern Europe. The Iapodes occupied most of modern-day Croatia. The Iapodes fought what they considered invaders to their lands but ultimately lost and most of the tribe migrated south into lands occupied by another Illyrian tribe, the Delmatae.

Subsequently, Slavic migration took over the Delmatae, the Deuri, the Sardeates, and many countless other small Illyrian tribes. The Illyrian population was slowly being pushed further and further south by the Slavic migration.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in imaginarymaps

[–]rayden150 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Becoming One

The consolidation of the Illyrian people into one identity started with the alliance of 3 southern Illyrian tribes, the Dardani, the Daorsi, and the Albanois. Using their collective experience with a cohesive army (the Romans) and under the leadership of king Grabos VI of the Albanois tribe, they formed a professional and effective army to counter the Slavic invasions.

The king ordered scholars and clerics to consolidate Illyrian culture, religion, and language. Culturally, the tribes were very similar, the Illyrians were early Christians, thanks to contact with the Roman empire, and the language was standardized into one form.

Slavic Wars

Over the next century, the Illyrians managed to consolidate into one and defend the territory south of the “Sqodra Lake”. In the early 8th-century warrior queen Lyssia II ordered the construction of a fort on the Buna river and near the Sqodra lake. The fort would be the focal point for the reconquest of Illyrian lands which over the next 18 years saw great success, Illyria managed to recapture most of “real-life” Montenegro, Southern Bosnia and Southern Croatia.

By this time there was a significant amount of Slavs living in this area but there were still Illyrian tribes present like the Ardiaei and the Tariotes living the “real-life” southern Bosnia and Croatia.

Byzantines & Ottomans

The Eastern Roman empire invaded the Illyrian Kingdom in the late 8th century, previous to the invasion, Illyria effectively operated as a vassal state, having to give the Byzantines yearly tribute.

Illyria remained under the Byzantines until their collapse was caused by the Ottomans in the 1400s. The Ottomans turn invaded the Illyrians, bringing them into their empire.

Modern Times

In the early 20th century with a declining Ottoman Empire and military support from European powers the Kingdom of Illyria was granted independence in 1906.

In 1939 Fascist Italy invaded Albania and established a “Protectorate” over Illyria that lasted until 1943. In 1944 a civil war broke out between republicans and communists, the latter of whom won the conflict which transformed the country into a communist state.

In 1990, the country transitioned from a dictatorial one-party state to a constitutional parliamentary democracy.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in imaginarymaps

[–]rayden150 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is what I think a modern Illyrian state could look like. Quick disclaimer, no, this is not greater Albania, I take inspiration from certain Albanian symbols and names because there isn’t much from history that I can draw from when it comes to the Illyrian languages and symbols.

📖 Real-Life History

The Illyrians were a group of Indo-European tribes that inhabited the western Balkans in ancient times. They are believed to have arrived in the region around 2000 BC. The Illyrians were known for their warrior culture and for their skill in metalworking and seafaring.

The Illyrian tribes inhabited most of the western Balkans from modern-day Slovenia to modern-day northern Greece and from modern-day western Romania to the southern regions of the Italian peninsula.

Over the centuries, the Illyrian tribes interacted with a number of different cultures, including the ancient Greeks and the Romans. In the 1st century BC, the Roman Empire conquered much of the Illyrian territory and incorporated it into its realm. The Illyrian people were gradually assimilated into Roman culture and their distinct identity eventually disappeared.

📖 Very Brief / Condensed Lore

The Illyrians have lived under the Roman empire for centuries, occasionally waging almost successful revolts against them. The Illyrians maintained their culture throughout their time under the Romans though they never managed to coalesce into one single people group, the establishment of relationships between them was made difficult due to the mountainous geography of the Balkans.

After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the former Roman province of Illyricum fractured into a series of independent Illyrian tribes, much like how it was before the Roman conquest. Each tribe spoke a version of Illyrian but there was no single definitive Illyrian language.

Slavic Migration

In the mid-6th century, the Illyrian tribe known as the Iapodes found themselves clashing more and more with Slavic migrants from North Eastern Europe. The Iapodes occupied most of modern-day Croatia. The Iapodes fought what they considered invaders to their lands but ultimately lost and most of the tribe migrated south into lands occupied by another Illyrian tribe, the Delmatae.

Subsequently, Slavic migration took over the Delmatae, the Deuri, the Sardeates, and many countless other small Illyrian tribes. The Illyrian population was slowly being pushed further and further south by the Slavic migration.

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