Kodeshian Civil War

The Kodeshian Civil War, took place from 1927 to 1932. This conflict dismantled the Imperial autocracy and led to the rise of military rule while retaining a titular Emperor who had had virtually no say in state affairs. The Liang Dyansty collapsed as the Emperor Qinghuiguo and the old regime were replaced by members of the Imperial parliament who assumed control of the country, forming the a Republican Government which was heavily dominated by factional interests. Royalists loyal to the old regime, received backing from Bakfong. Meanwhile, Republicans, Democrats, Communists, Nationalists, and an alliance of military clique formed tenuous alliances that fought amongst each other. The army leadership was split between those loyal to the Emperor and those that support the Imperial Parliament. As the situation deteriorated the Emperor attempted fleeing to Bakfong but was capture by Guo Guotai's forces becoming effectively a puppet legitimising the new regime. But as the chaos and factional fighting took hold the Military in alliance with Republicans, Nationalists, Democrats and Religious groups achieved a preponderant role. Due to the international political climate at the time, the war had many facets, and different views saw it as a class struggle, a struggle between autocracy and democracy, and between revolution and counterrevolution.

The war began after a dissatisfaction with ruling classes actions during the Grand Campaigns and culminated in the huge national upheaval and massacres, in which hundreds of unarmed protesters were shot by the Emperor's troops. Workers responded to the massacre with a crippling general strike, forcing Emperor Qinghuiguo to establish a democratically elected parliament. The Central Kesh regions of the nation who had contributed heavily to the war effort and felt their voices weren't getting heard and were mostly of the Haqiqatan faith rather than Xuanism which considers the Emperor to be the Tianren or Person of Heaven and protector of Xuanism and Kodeshi civilisation. Although the Emperor accepted the new system one year later, he subsequently dismissed the first parliament when they proved uncooperative. Unfulfilled hopes of democracy fuelled revolutionary ideas and violent outbursts targeted at the monarchy. Who sought to re-establish absolute monarchy.

A declaration of military opposition against the Emperor's government by a group of generals of the armed forces with support from members of the dismissed Imperial Parliament, Republicans, Nationalists, Democrats, Communists, and Conservative Religious factional parties supported this move forming a tenuous alliance with the military and each other. The coup was supported by military units in the many regions. However, rebelling units in some important cities did not gain control, and those cities remained under the control of the Emperor's government. Kodeshia was thus left militarily and politically divided. The hastily established New Republican Government was established against the Imperial Government fought for control of the country. The Republican forces received munitions, soldiers, and air support from Marressaly, Tiperyn and others, while the Imperial side received support from the Bakfong, Akiteiwa and others. Other countries, continued to recognise the Imperial government, but followed an official policy of non-intervention. Notwithstanding this policy, tens of thousands of citizens from non-interventionist countries directly participated in the conflict.

The Republicans with the majority of the military forces on side advanced from their strongholds in the south and west, capturing most of Kodeshia's southern coastline in 1928. They also besieged Songhari in a decisive clash that saw the Emperor and Imperial forces flee the city. After much of great plains were captured in 1929, and all vital economic and supply routes were captured the Imperial military position became hopeless. The Emperor came under the protection and control of Guo Guotai's forces in 1930, and became a puppet of him. Guo, who now held de facto control, rigorously followed the formalities of the court and justified his actions as a loyal minister of the Liang. By then, most of the smaller contenders for power had either been absorbed by larger ones or destroyed. Republicans declared victory and the new regime received diplomatic recognition from many non-interventionist governments with Akiteiwa and Bakfong switching their support to the new regime. But Republican forces failed to retake the breakaway region of the Haqiqatan Confederation of Central Kesh under Feriuz Hydar, a charismatic leader who advocated for a pan-Kesh identity, formed the breakaway state from Kodeshia that claimed independence in 1929. He fought against both Imperialist and Republican forces, as well as other rival factions in Central Kesh after defeating Guo's army in 1932 it generally seen as marking the end of the civil war. Thousands of royalist fled to refugee camps in western neighbouring Qingcheng and other breakaway regions like the Haqiqatan Confederation of Central Kesh or its eastern neighbouring Selengeria which itself was in the grip of a brutal civil war. Those associated with the losing Imperial side were persecuted by the victorious Republicans. Hopes for the return of democracy were lost as the military factions slowly began eliminating opposing factions within the new Republic government seizing absolute power and the establishing of a military dictatorship led by Admiral Guo Guotai in the aftermath of the war, all remaining parties of the parliament were fused into the structure of the ruling regime.

The war became notable for the passion and political division it inspired and for the many atrocities that occurred, on both sides. Organised purges occurred in territory captured by Republican forces so they could consolidate their future regime, as Imperial forces defeat became clear the military factions within the Republican side began purging dissenting forces within the tenuous alliance of new government. Communists, and Religious factions were first targeted as enemies of the state and then members from the Republicans and Democrats factions which were seen as threats were targeted by military tribunals. A significant number of killings also took place the extent to which Imperial authorities took part in killings is varied but mass killings took place by both sides. It is remembered as a tragic and turbulent period in the country's history. Its legacy can still be felt in Kodeshi politics and society, and it continues to serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of political extremism and factionalism.

Imperial Parliament Dissolved
The Emperor Qinghuiguo dissolved the Imperial Parliament in October 1927, claiming that it was interfering with his authority and administration. The Parliament had lost public support due to unpopular reforms, especially taxation, and growing unrest. The Emperor feared that the Parliament might overthrow him or take over control of the country. By dissolving the Parliament, he effectively abolished its influence on the government and he re-established direct control over all aspects of government, including law enforcement and judicial functions. This provided him with more effective means to silence those who opposed his government. This also meant suspending the recent constitution which had limited his power from that of an absolute monarchy but in doing so he lost a lot of public support particularly within the Central Kesh regions of the nation who had contributed heavily to the war effort and felt their voices weren't getting heard and were mostly of the Haqiqatan faith rather than Xuanism which considers the Emperor to be the Tianren or Person of Heaven and protector of Xuanism and Kodeshi civilisation.

Military coup
The Republican Revolution began as a military coup d’état led by Guo Guotai, a decorated war hero and naval officer who had commanded a ship during the war. He and his fellow officers planned to overthrow the pro-Imperialist government in April 1928 before the people realized what was happening. They launched their attack early in the morning and quickly captured Songhari, the Imperial capital city. Guo, who controlled much of the modernized navy, used it to successfully defeat the remaining Imperial battleships Zhongbin and Anbei at the clash in Songhari Bay, securing his naval supremacy and cutting the Imperial forces from most of the coastal regions and any support from allies like Akiteiwa. The only group of rebels who resisted were loyalists led by Hu Guohua, another war hero. They fought for several hours but were eventually defeated and killed by Guo’s forces.

Combatants
The Emperor and his loyalist forces faced multiple enemies during the civil war. He received backing from Bakfong, Akiteiwa and Alva, who supported his autocratic rule and opposed any democratic reforms. However, after the Emperor was captured by Guo Guotai’s forces in 1930, Akiteiwa and Bakfong began to shift their support to the Republicans, hoping to gain more influence in Kodeshia.

The Republicans were a diverse coalition of different political factions that opposed the Emperor’s dictatorship. They included Democrats, Communists, Nationalists, and an alliance of military cliques1. The army leadership was split between those loyal to the Emperor and those that supported the Imperial Parliament. The Republicans received support from Tiperyn and Marressaly, who favoured greater trade and more friendly leadership with Kodeshia.

In addition to the tenuous alliance of the Republican forces, there were also numerous groups that opposed both sides of the conflict. Feriuz Hydar, a charismatic leader who advocated for a pan-Kesh identity, formed the Haqiqatan Confederation of Central Kesh, a breakaway state from Kodeshia that claimed independence in 1929. He fought against both Imperialist and Republican forces, as well as other rival factions in Central Kesh.

Foreign involvement
The civil war attracted foreign intervention from various countries that had interests in Kodeshia. Bakfong and Akiteiwa supported the Emperor and his loyalist forces, Bakfong sendt about 800 troops and providing weapons and supplies. However, after the Emperor was captured, they switched sides and backed the Republicans. Marressaly supported the Republicans, offering diplomatic recognition. Other countries like Tiperyn, Alva, Goetia and Kaya had minor roles in the conflict, mostly providing humanitarian aid or mediating peace talks.

Aftermath
The civil war ended with the victory of the Republican forces over the Imperialist forces. Songhari, the Imperial capital city of Kodeshia, fell to Guo Guotai’s forces in late 1928. The remaining Imperialist forces retreated northwards into the vast more rural inland, but were gradually pushed back by the Republican advances. Shangyu, another major city, was besieged and captured by Guo’s forces in 1930, effectively ending any major resistance from the Imperialist side.

However, the Republican victory did not bring democracy or stability to Kodeshia. The military factions within the Republican coalition slowly eliminated their political rivals and seized absolute power over the country. Guo Guotai established a military dictatorship that ruled Kodeshia with an iron fist until his death in 1964. All remaining parties of the parliament were fused into the structure of his ruling regime.

The Haqiqatan Confederation of Central Kesh also survived as a breakaway state from Kodeshia after its defeat of Guo Guotai’s attempts to recapture its territory. It continued to fight against both Imperialist and Republican remnants as well as other rival factions in Central Kesh until it consolidated its control over most of Central Kesh by 1932. It declared itself as an independent nation that advocated for a pan-Kesh identity and culture.