One Year Ago

Day 964, 14:39 • Published in Canada Canada • by Jacobi
One Year Ago


The Battle of Ontario

Almost one year ago, on July 13 2009, the first shot was fired in a war that would see Canada wiped off the map, the United States reduced to one region, then like a phoenix, the eventual restoration of North America stronger and more powerful than before.

World War III was a defining moment in history, in which a Canada that hadn't seen very much in the way of battle was violently thrust into the center of action. With only a few days to prepare, the betrayal of an ally from the earliest days of the game signaled that everything had changed. Just the day before both Poland and Sweden were considered enemies on the opposite side of the German invasion and suddenly they became key hopes in a fight for survival. An election featuring a Prime Minister and opponent with less than 6 months experience in the game underscored just how unlikely invasion had been considered by everyone in Canada. Ongoing negotiations to close the French war took on a desperate quality as we tried to avoid a two pronged attack, and I assumed extra judicial powers in frantic bid to prepare for the coming storm.

Initial announcement to Congress (declassified): http://ecanada.cc/forums/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=645


Initial announcement to the Canadian public (later that night)


List of illegal actions made in preparation by myself (declassified): http://ecanada.cc/forums/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=662


Ultimately all of our preparation and all of our work could not prepare us for what lay ahead. The sheer power of the Indonesian and Hungarian armies at full strength proved too much for us to handle, even though with the efforts and sacrifices of many Canadians made sure that they certainly paid for every victory they wrestled from us. And while it would be revisionist to suggest that every Canadian went through the war and its aftermath unified and together, the consequences and benefits of that war to our society, culture, and government can still be felt to this day.

History repeats, and in the first month of V2, a year after the events of World War III, Canada has become a greater power but has also become a greater target. Where once we were considered a means to an end, a method to bring Hungary through to Asia, now we may be one of the new world's largest targets. A high resource country with a smaller population, we must remember the lessons of the past now more than ever if the sights of Phoenix become trained on our stone and titanium.

Though we should not be afraid of war, but rather welcome it as a way to re-energize a country which has been for half a year drifting without cause or purpose. War, even the agony of defeat, can serve a greater purpose in giving our citizens something fun and patriotic to do. I lived through four months of that war in the most high pressure position our country has to offer, surviving at least a half dozen impeachment attempts, PTOs, potential coups and the destruction of our entire country, updating myself in airports, buses, and writing articles the morning before officiating at my brother's wedding. And I can honestly say that despite the stress, despite the losses, it was the most fun I've ever had in erepublik. And it proved to me the saying that only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.

Remembering the past, and looking to the future,

John "Jacobi" Carpenter