History of Jelbania

The Free Republic of Jelbania was founded in 2136 by two ultra right wing parties and a liberal green party. In October of 2141, the United Jelbania Commonwealth was established but only lasted until June of 2145.

In June of 2145, the Green Revolution led by General De La Puli allowed liberal Green party members to establish a democratic dictatorship in Jelbania. During this time the state religion of Jelbania became a pagan religion called Saphira. This religion was seen more as a political tool than an actual faith. Many smaller parties resisted the Green Party's rule and finally the revolution collapsed in November of 2146.

In 2148, the Jelbania Broadcasting Corporation was founded. The corporation still exists to this day but its news coverage is spotty and unreliable. The majority of the people's news comes from local newspapers and foreign press.

In December of 2222, Christianity became the state religion of Jelbania. The conversion over the years was considerably simple for Christian missionaries who found the population to be largely fanatical in their devotion to religion. The Church of Jelbania, a non-denominational Church was established during this time and continues to be a powerful political force to this day.

The Church of Jelbania suffered persecution by atheist secularists in July of 2242 when the legislature officially banned religion. After nearly two decades of popular revolt and religious protest by clerics, the ban was lifted in 2259.

Secular forces again banned religion in Jelbania in December of 2274 and a state of Atheism was established in 2297. The state of Atheism was short lived as it was repealed in January 2302 and later the ban on religion was lifted in June 2310.

In November of 2329, the Federated Republic of Jelbania was founded. However, in September 2384, a minority speaking party established Jelbé Zwitko Krsyigad, a name based on their language. In April 2392, the French speaking majority established the République Fédérée de Jelbania. Shortly thereafter French became the official language of Jelbania.

In March 2393, Jelbania faced its first major foreign policy crisis when it took the Jewish Homeland of Beiteynu side against the Holy Luthori Empire. Although Jelbania was not militarily involved in the conflict, it did put economic sanctions on Luthori.

In March 2414, the state religion was lifted only to be reestablished in 2443. During this period the Jelbanians faced their second foreign policy crisis with the Rilmos War. As before, Jelbania took a neutral position and did not engage in hostile activity. In a major religious development, membership for the Church of Jelbania became mandatory in 2373. This causes a major uproar among non-Christians and secularists and as a result the state religion was lifted in 2479.

The Jelbanian Church was reestablished as the state religion but with voluntary membership in April 2409. But this did not last long as secular parties reversed the decision in January 2512. This would be the last time secular forces were able to mount a challenge to the state religion. Religious parties successfully pushed back in December 2524 making the Church of Jelbania a state religion once more.