Part 140: History of the Reichstag, Part Three

History of the Reichstag by Servant

PART 3: The Superman Reichstag

There was a point when the Holy Roman Empire felt invicinible. It felt that it could do anything it wanted. This feeling of superiority was felt by the members of the Reichstag itself. Even another major civil war in the Holy Roman Empire, between Austria and Swabia, could not dent the belief that the Holy Roman Empire was not merely destined for greatness, but was already great. The only question was what the Holy Roman Empire should do with this power.

For any other empire, even the previous Eastern Roman Empire, the answer would be to enslave, conquer, destroy. But the Reichstag tried to avoid such temptation. Instead, they sought to improve the quality of life of the people within that empire, engaging in progressive reforms. Peel himself has said during a debate in 1760, "It is our duty to uplift the lower classes and peoples, not opress them."

RedMagus was a firm proponent of this school of reform. During a vote on establishing a school system, he was reported as saying, in that same debate in 1760: "Let us not hold a single person in the bondage of chains, but instead through teaching and moral education, create a new breed of superman, one who holds intelligent high thought through his learnings in the proposed school system." It was this statement by RedMagus, urging for the Holy Roman Empire to focus on educating new and progressive Supermen, that gave the "Superman Reichstag" its famed name.

1740 Session:
The Holy Roman Empire was at peace for the first time in a long while. There was an effective 'balance of power' as two armed camps managed to deter each other. This allowed the Holy Roman Empire to stop focusing on the military and instead focus on internal affairs. Three proposals was made.

The proposal with the least support was the Imperial Free Trade Act, based on the ideas of the Englishman Adam Smith, who preferred capitalism over that of merchentalism. Only two people supported the proposal. Atrayonis said, "Imperial Free Trade Act because money = good." RabidWeasel originally endorsed the Establishment of the Imperial Colonial Company, but then changed his vote to this proposal: "We're a bit close to the end of the game to worry about colonies, wheras Smithian Economics will give you tons of cash for manufactories, meaning better starting industry in Victoria. So I'm changing my vote to the Imperial Free Trade Act. It also fits in better with Swabia's continental focus, and existing economic techs."

Most of the discussion during the 1740 session was based between two feuding proposals: The Establishment of the Imperial Colonial Company, and the Imperial School Act. The Establishment of the Imperial Colonial Company was proposed for the third and final time...if it was defeated, it would not be proposed again. The Imperial School Act promises to increase literacy throughout the Holy Roman Empire and start a scientific revolution.

Most support for the Imperial Colonial Company came due to the fact that it would not be proposed again. People followed the same sentiment as Cyrai ("Colonies, since it's gone after this.") and enuma elish ("Voting for the Establishment of the Imperial Colonial Company. This is our last chance to dominate the east indies.") The only ideological speech that was made in favor of the Imperial Colonial Company was made by Userman: "We must help the barbaric Indian people by sending our great men and women to teach them!" Several people in fact liked the Imperial School Act, but believed that since it would come up again at the next Reichstag session.
*Peel said, "I vote for Establishment of the Imperial Colonial Company but that schooling one had better come back."
*GunnerJ was reported to say, "Oh man the school one looks tempting, but we've been putting off colonies too long."
*RabidWeasel originally endorsed the Imperial Colonial Company. "Although the other propositions on the table are perhaps more tempting, it would be a shame to allow the Establishment of the Imperial Colonial Company to be neglected totally, so my vote goes there." He however changed his vote to the Imperial Free Trade Act.

The Imperial School Act was backed by a coaliton of progressives who believed that schools must be implemented now, and not until the next session. Some Reichstag members believed that having schools would actually make colonies so good that having an Imperial Colonial Company would be unnecessary. This view was promoted by zeal: "It is through superior technology that our colonial empire is maintained, and the populace must be prepared to carry on that scientific legacy." Others felt that the time for colonial empires are over and that a new strategy is needed. raptus led this charge: "Time to begin the scientific revolution, the time for colonists is almost gone already!" Crazy Joe Wilson also commented, "We already have Java, that's probably the best resource-wise colony in Victoria." Finally, Athas was reported to have said, "The Reichtag moves to label the supporters of colonialism as faggy. School act all the way. Smithian Economics is ridiculously powerful for some countries, but I don't think Swabia is quite big enough yet."

Many people had an idealistic view of how education would benieft society. Gul Banana said to the Reichstag, "The Imperial Schooling Act will be an excellent way to increase German grandeur and influence in the world. Imagine: every peasant able to read and write, farming more efficiently when they know the progress of the seasons. Every common soldier and servant able to contribute so much more from their place in the natural order! What could possibly go wrong?" Whitecloak also viewed education as a cheap way to boost productive, far more than the Free Trade Act: "The Imperial School Act will grant our nation the bounty of intellect required to thrust Swabia far ahead of the dogs that hound her! Imagine; every shop, every regiment, every manufacturing facility manned by a literate man! Productivity and the speed of progress might skyrocket! It is to be noted that in order to properly fund a market economy, if you wish to do so, rational actors are required- educated actors!"

The final vote was 2 votes for the Imperial Free Trade Act, 15 votes for the Imperial School Act, and 16 votes for the Imperial Colonial Company Act. The tiebreaker vote came from iLurk, and so, the Empire was unable to resist the lure of imperialism for the time being. Why did this happen?

One theory points to Dr. Video Games 0031. In an angry spiel, he said, "It's funny how everyone was wanting our Emperor to colonize the hell out of things, and now they're just pissing away our only chance on proposals that will definitely return." Miles Vorkosigan endorsed this argument, and Vivan Darkbloom and iLurk both endorsed Miles Vorkosigan's endorsement. Thus, Dr. Video Games 0031 could plausibly be the deciding factor, by swaying 4 votes. This is the most likely of the the theories.

Another competiting theory pointed to voting blocs. 6 previous endorsers of the Imperial Colonial Company endorsed the proposal in 1740. 4 previous endorsers of the Imperial Colonial Company endorsed the rival Imperial School Act proposal. Those 2 extra 'previous endorsers' helped to tilted the odds in the Imperial Colonial Company's favor. However, this theory had encounted criticism: 4 previous endorsers of the Imperial Cabinet endorsed the Imperial School Act, while only 2 previous endorsers of the Imperial Cabinet endorsed the Imperial Colonial Company, and 1 previous endorser of the Imperial Cabinet endorsed the Imperial Free Trade Act. (There are two people who endorsed both the Imperial Colonial Company and the Imperial Cabinet. One person ended up endorsing the Imperial Colonial Company and the other person endorsed the Imperial School Act.) It would seem that the 'previous endorser' gap was closed by the "Imperial Cabinet" voting bloc, thus casting this theory into doubt.

The last theory concerns the Luysschen. 8 Luysschen voted for the Imperial Colonial Company, while 6 Luysschen voted for the Imperial School Act. 1 Luysschen voted for the Imperial Free Trade Act. The two extra Luysschen may have created the margin of victory. This could tie very well to the Dr. Video Games 0031 Theory, since the Luysschen may have relied on Dr. Video Games 0031 to provide them with the guidance needed to vote.

The Liberation Proposal of 1740: What is often times ignored when viewing the history of the Reichstag was how the Reichstag members are able to use their soft power in order to pressure for change. The Reichstag members had access to the Holy Roman Emperor, and can often times provide valuable advice that the Emperor would then use. Dr. Video Games 0031 attempted to take advantage of this to try and push for Netherlands independence: "As a member of the Reichstag, I am hereby voicing my displeasure over the Emperor's complete and utter disregard over the plight of the Dutch peoples. They've been oppressed by their French overlords for centuries and ... God damnit Konrad, free the Netherlands already." Konrad took the message to heart and began sending his spies to fund rebellions in the Netherlands.

One of the key tenants of the Revised Golden Bull was the liberation of Luneberg. The Holy Roman Emperor was relucant to actually engage in the liberation, but the "Liberation Proposal" forced his event. Two Reichstag members attempted to force through a proposal to force the Empire to take action to secure Luneberg, via war if necessary. RabidWeasel led this proposal: "And stop dithering over Luneburg, the Reichstag is not happy " Userman also supported RabidWeasel: "Also voting for free Luneburg, you are the emperor and you must show your vassals that you will not stand for letting northern barbarians invade your lands!"

Serisothikos opposed the Liberation Reichstag, screaming, "And leave well enough alone in Luneburg! ". He actually voted against the Revised Golden Bull because of the Luneberg clause, and would not let a little dispute over Luneberg destroy an important alliance. His expert skills managed to get the Liberation Proposal quashed while in commitee, thereby preventing the Reichstag from voting on the bill.

Yet, Serisothikos' effort was for naught. While the Liberation Proposal failed, one notable backer was Austria, eager to embarss Swabia. Swabia, worried that Austria may use this issue to place a wedge within the Reichstag, decided to fight the war for Luneberg. Serisothikos was not deterred though at his failure: "Though it pains me to return to the Reichstag after watching you tear Luneburg from the hands of our decent northern brothers, I will not let my vote go unheard again!"

1760 Session:
Like the 1740 Session, the Reichstag was focused solely on internal affairs, spurning aside any concern for the military. There were three bills, which was introduced in previous Reichstags: the Imperial Bill of Rights, the Imperial School Act, and the Imperial Free Trade Act.

The Imperial Bill of Rights received the least support. Geshtal supported the Imperial Bill of Rights without comment. The only other support came from the the Luysschen named Kilonum, who supported slavery, but wanted to reduce the amount of slave revolts by giving slaves rights.

The Imperial School Act had much better luck in the 1760 session. 25 people voted for the Imperial School Act, with 6 previous supporters of the School voting again for the School Act, and 6 previous supporters of the Imperial Colonial Company voting for the School Act. During the debate, RedMagus made his famous speech that gave the Superman Reichstag its name, arguing about how the school will teach important values that will allow innovation and greatness. Yet there is an underside, Pester endorsed RedMagus by saying: "If people can learn how awesome our government is, they'll know they don't need any bloody written rights, anyway."

The Imperial Free Trade Act has gained some support (9 votes), but much less support than the Imperial School Act. One previous endorser of the Imperial School Act, and one previous endorser of the Imperial Colonial Company supported the Imperial Free Trade Act. Dr. Video Games 0031 said in favor of the bill, "Swabia is already the top researcher in the world, outpacing everyone in technological advancement. With a new economic model we will once again topple the Byzantines and become the wealthiest nation in the world. This increased source of income will be a great boon to our colonial empire." enuma elish said, "Some people are so naive. Money is power, and we need to keep our position on the world scene strong, not only through military might, but also through strong trade. That's why we must pass the Free Trade Act."

During the 1760 Reichstag, liberals (inspiried by the example of Mazula) proposed abolishing slavery throughout the Empire. RabidWeasel spoke out in favor of banning slavery, "These are enlightened times, and we can't allow ourselves to be upstaged by others on such prestigious issues. New ideas and technologies have benefitted Swabia greatly through the years, and it seems prudent to follow that path in the future." seal it with a kiss also believed the same question: "children should be the future, not exports." Mirello was worried about a rebellion in Konrad but still supported the ban of slavery: "[S]eriously Slavery sucks rear end. But please try to keep our Africa holdings, those are pretty cool." Some people were okay with the slave trade, but decided that abolishing it would help increase the reputation of the German Empire. " And while everyone appreciates a good slave trade, I suppose it puts on a bad face to the world, yes to the Abolition of Slavery Act."

Opponents to the ban on slavery were numerous, representing the interests of slave holders in the West Indies and Kongo. farrady said, "I have my East Indies plantations to think about." gardenald said, "The bloody savages can't possibly function in proper society." enuma elish also said, "[S]hould we abolish slavery, our economy would be significantly harmed, and then everyone would be worse off. Plus, these people need our protection! That's how we can best uplift them."

Serisothikos attempted to calm the opponents to slavery, by arguing that abolishing slavery would not lead to freedom: "[A]fter noting Mazula's rise to prosperity by proposing that people are "equals", I say we abolish the formal notion of slavery. Certainly our industrialists are clever enough to manage to wring profit without legal ownership of their workers!" Clayren endorsed Serisothikos' argument: "Yes! Perhaps some sort of system to give them technical freedom, while still paying them next to nothing and over charging them for housing. It's slavery without revolts!"

During the vote, Stumiester argued that abolishing slavery would be harmful to the prosperity of the Empire. "Abolishing slavery sucks rear end. Wow, an innovative move, quicker stabilty, and positive reputation in exchange for tax income? At that stage of the game? Very poor. Although you should be near all-powerful ... by that point, so I guess it doesn't really matter except for flavour." Vivan Darkbloom repiled, "Why do you think regimes were so resistant to it? Slavery was very profitable, and the tangible benefits to abolition were murky."

RabidWeasel however provided a shocking rebuttal to Stumiester: "If you're already ... innovative ... and don't need the missionaries the slider move is worth much more than the tiny loss of tax income. At this point in the game you're normally raking in 180%+ of tax from various modifiers, so 4% is pretty negligable, and taxes tend to not make up more than 40-50% of total income anyway. Obviously if you're already heavily narrowminded the slider move does more harm than good - particularly for colonial empires - but obviously national decisions aren't supposed to always be beneficial. "

In the offical voting tallies, 26 people voted yes, while 10 people voted no. Konrad was upset at the result of the vote, but accepted it. "I see the Reichstag is full of soft touches today. First you want to get rid of slavery, next you're gonna suggest that sending in the colonial troops to wipe out the local natives in a province before colonizing it is somehow inappropriate. Hmpf!"

End of the Superman Reichstag: The Superman Reichstag came to an sudden end with the Iberian Revolution and the rise of Consul Zuhriman. The extreme reforms of Iberia, while appluadable by our modern standards, offended the rest of Europe. People began rallying against the scourge of "democracy", and by extension, the liberal-minded Reichstag. The Reichstag also realized that Zuhriman may seek to export the democratic revolution abroad, and, in order to ensure its own survival, focused most of its efforts on stopping the Revolution. Internal reforms were halted, and military reforms were prioritized. The era of the Superman Reichstag was put on pause, to be restarted as soon as Zuhriman fell from power.