Neu-Scharmbeck
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In the 16th and 17th century, two things happened: The Reformation started, and Gallo-Germania and Thaumantica sailed around the world to colonise the other continents. Also the Rheinians. The Sigmaringers grounded Neu-Engelsheim, the Casparringers Neu-Lörrach, the Wetterauers Neu-Grefrath and the Scharmbeckers Neu-Scharmbeck. But the Reformation grabbed the Rheinbund in a very hefty way: It led to the first and only time that the Rheinians went to war with each other. The 30-years-war lasted from 1624 to 1654. During that war, the other powers in Gallo-Germania saw their chance and attacked the Rheinian colonies. Neu-Scharmbeck was the only one to survive, thanks to help from Rheinian sovereignties whose sovereign families had turned Protestant. That is also one of the reasons why Neu-Scharmbeck became a safe haven for all kinds of Protestants, but more about that later.
Neu-Scharmbeck became independent on 1 June 1820. At least that is the date of the declaration of independence. There were already irritations back and forth between the Rheinbund and its colony, and that culminated in its declaration of independence. Of course the Rheinians didn’t want to take that lightly, so it sent a fleet to Neu-Scharmbeck. But then Immanuel Felgenhauer, at that moment Provisional President of Neu-Scharmbeck, made a bold move. He let the Rheinians come at land, but then surrounded all the troops. Then he sent a messenger to the commander of the Rheinian troops with the message: “We can turn this into a blood bath and a lengthy war, but I think it will be better for both sides if we turn ourselves into two befriended nations. Also because there is a Federation up North that could become angry.” The Rheinbund took its loss and accepted Neu-Scharmbeck’s independence. The fact that Neu-Scharmbeck became independent in such a peaceful way, and the fact that Felgenhauer did not turn this into a shameful event to the Rheinians, will have contributed to the good relations that former colony and former colonisator still have.
The lands of Neu-Scharmbeck appeared to be very fertile, fit for all kinds of agriculture. Neu-Scharmbeck is an important player on the global wheat, fruit, milk and meat market. There also appeared to be a large long-stretched layer of iron ore in the South. Krupper Stahl became big because of that, and is still a big name in the steel industry. Of course this led to a spin-off of manufacturing industry, machines, and precision instruments (which emerged from the clock industry).
You can’t discuss Neu-Scharmbeck without discussing religion. Because it was set up mainly by Protestants, it became a safe haven for all kinds of Protestants. Half the country is Calvinist, but there are also many Mennonites. Both among the Calvinists and the Mennonites, there is a wide variety in beliefs.
Let me discuss the Mennonites in detail. The most strict ones are the Schwarzenhubers; they are famous for their horse-tracked carts. They reject mechanised transport, and also mechanised agricultural devices. Neither do they use electricity. They not even have water-flushed toilets or running water.
One level higher are the Eichenlaubs: They use electricity and running water, and therefore also refridgerators, but still no mechanised transport or mechanised agricultural devices.
The Karaunas are the largest group within the Mennonites. They use mechanised transport, mechanised agricultural devices, electricity, running water and all other kinds of modern devices, although they block themselves off of certain parts of the Internet, only listen to certain radio stations, and don’t have TVs.
My name is Gotthold Geller. I am a Karauna Mennonite, and live in Vorden, a small town in the Lennetal, the valley where most Mennonites live. I am the owner of the local garage, and repair all kinds of cars, trucks and agricultural devices. I am a mechanic, but also an electrician, professional smith and welder. I am 56 years old, married and have eight children. We will tell you about the life in the Lennetal.
Neu-Scharmbeck became independent on 1 June 1820. At least that is the date of the declaration of independence. There were already irritations back and forth between the Rheinbund and its colony, and that culminated in its declaration of independence. Of course the Rheinians didn’t want to take that lightly, so it sent a fleet to Neu-Scharmbeck. But then Immanuel Felgenhauer, at that moment Provisional President of Neu-Scharmbeck, made a bold move. He let the Rheinians come at land, but then surrounded all the troops. Then he sent a messenger to the commander of the Rheinian troops with the message: “We can turn this into a blood bath and a lengthy war, but I think it will be better for both sides if we turn ourselves into two befriended nations. Also because there is a Federation up North that could become angry.” The Rheinbund took its loss and accepted Neu-Scharmbeck’s independence. The fact that Neu-Scharmbeck became independent in such a peaceful way, and the fact that Felgenhauer did not turn this into a shameful event to the Rheinians, will have contributed to the good relations that former colony and former colonisator still have.
The lands of Neu-Scharmbeck appeared to be very fertile, fit for all kinds of agriculture. Neu-Scharmbeck is an important player on the global wheat, fruit, milk and meat market. There also appeared to be a large long-stretched layer of iron ore in the South. Krupper Stahl became big because of that, and is still a big name in the steel industry. Of course this led to a spin-off of manufacturing industry, machines, and precision instruments (which emerged from the clock industry).
You can’t discuss Neu-Scharmbeck without discussing religion. Because it was set up mainly by Protestants, it became a safe haven for all kinds of Protestants. Half the country is Calvinist, but there are also many Mennonites. Both among the Calvinists and the Mennonites, there is a wide variety in beliefs.
Let me discuss the Mennonites in detail. The most strict ones are the Schwarzenhubers; they are famous for their horse-tracked carts. They reject mechanised transport, and also mechanised agricultural devices. Neither do they use electricity. They not even have water-flushed toilets or running water.
One level higher are the Eichenlaubs: They use electricity and running water, and therefore also refridgerators, but still no mechanised transport or mechanised agricultural devices.
The Karaunas are the largest group within the Mennonites. They use mechanised transport, mechanised agricultural devices, electricity, running water and all other kinds of modern devices, although they block themselves off of certain parts of the Internet, only listen to certain radio stations, and don’t have TVs.
My name is Gotthold Geller. I am a Karauna Mennonite, and live in Vorden, a small town in the Lennetal, the valley where most Mennonites live. I am the owner of the local garage, and repair all kinds of cars, trucks and agricultural devices. I am a mechanic, but also an electrician, professional smith and welder. I am 56 years old, married and have eight children. We will tell you about the life in the Lennetal.
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