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INTRODUCTION

The United Socialist States of Jacobstein is a small nation in the northeast of what was once the People's Republic of China. After the Chinese Revolution of 2037 led mainly by the Provincial governments, Jacobstein declared its independence by suggestion of Jacob Ross, who remains today as the figurehead of the Government, despite being killed after the Chinese Revolution. Jacobstein borders North Korea along its southern border, Russia at its northwestern border, Mongolia to the west, and the provinces Hebai and what remains of Inner Mongolia to its southwestern borders.

Jacobstein began as a collection of Provinces in Northeastern China, a region commonly known as Manchuria. Before the Maoist Revolution that resulted in the rise of the People's Republic of China, Manchuria was under heavy influence of the Russians due to rail systems that were built around 1860. From about 1911-1930, Manchuria was under the technical rule of the Republic of China, though it was realistically a contested area between Japan and Russia, especially after the Russian Revolution and the formation of the USSR. After World War 2, it served as the base for the Communist Party of China, which created the People's Republic of China. From there, Manchuria was the site of several border disputes between Russia and China and didn't have much of a notice until the Chinese Revolution of 2037. It was shortly after the Revolution that Jacob Ross, or Jacob the Reformer, was killed by an American Drone strike for "terrorist activities," which caused the new nation much grief and resulted in the renaming of Manchuria to Jacobstein and the currency being named the "Rosser" in his memory.

Since the Revolution, Jacobstein has become renowned for its Civil Rights and success of the establishment of democracy, the first largely democratic system in China's history. Though its economy is struggling due to its abolition of private property and the antibusiness policies that came along with it, it is slowly rebuilding and, as its motto says, is working towards a brighter future full of civil and political freedoms, collectivized workplaces, and, someday, the implementation of Anarcho-Communism.

Ideology

Main Article: Ideology of Jacobstein: Communism vs Captialism

At the start of the Chinese Revolution in 2037, the revolting population had no dominate ideology but against the oppressive and closed government which offered little to no Civil or Political freedoms. Some of the citizens supported Maoism, others supported Stalinism (which Maoism was based off of), and a very tiny minority supported Capitalism in its purest form. It wasn't until Jacob the Reformer arrived in late 2037 that Classical Marxism was introduced. It was instantly popular. Why was this? Because of the very basics of Marxism that Stalinsm and Maoism had forgotten in their angry power grabs.

The first thing Marx taught that was different from the systems in Post-Lenin USSR and Maoist China was the idea of a Libertarian Socialist government that focused on transitioning into an anarcho-communist phase at its completion. The citizens' lives were not controlled in any way unless they opened a business, very very far away from what Stalin or Mao did and had a special appeal to the oppressed people of Manchuria.

The next thing that was different between Mao/Stalin and Marx was the use of the taxes. While Stalin and Mao were focused on large militaries and larger government buildings and law enforcement, Marx stated that the libertarian government would focus on welfare, healthcare, education, and a small, defensive military to prevent or fight off invasion. Law enforcement would be on the agenda, but with the absence of liberty taking laws, the role of the police would be rather small, especially compared to The People's Republic's role of Police.

The third and probably most significant thing classical Marxism taught was the immediate nationalization of all land, then allowing businesses to rent it from the people, who controlled the government. This would provide an easy way to regulate businesses and ensure worker rights. This would also begin the path to Communism without the Nationalized industries and planned economy that Mao did, which ended in the starvation of millions throughout China.

Finally, the idea of no government and ultimate freedom was most loved by the Jacobsteinians of the day. Anarcho-Communism promised and set forth a path to everything they ever wanted: Worker control, no government except for non-compulsory committees to maintain organization, and the freedom they had never had in the sweatshops of China.

From this, it is obvious why Marxism was so popular among the Proletariat of Jacobstein. By August 3rd, 2039, Jacobstein was ready to write a constitution that limited the government, dedicated itself to Marxism, and established the first worker controlled and democratic government in all of China. After it was ratified by the first directly democratic vote of the new nation, the nation immediately began its path towards anarcho-communism.

Culture

Jacobstein is home to a very old and numerous ethnic group known as the Manchu, which rightly belong in Manchuria. Their History is ancient and rich, full of bright colors, dances, and ceremonies. It traces back 1400 years to ancient China and has had much influence on Chinese history. For centuries, they believed in Shamanism, but later adopted the Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist Philosophies and religions. Their ancient culture was and still is rich and vibrant with a heavy emphasis on education, music, and writing with many festivals that are similar to the Han (another large ethnic group) in which women and men alike donned bright silks and took part in sports, dancing, and music. Some other traditions included horseback riding and shooting, which both men and women seemed to be good at(1).

One Notable difference between the majority Han and the Manchu was that women were essentially equal to men, dominating the culture in every aspect, including horseback riding and archery. They founded both the Jin and Qing dynasties, which helped shaped Chinese History, forming quite a bit of their culture and respect for scholarly positions.

Now, the Manchu are mainly found it what foreigners call Manchuria in Northeast China. It has taken that nickname since the Japanese invasion of World War 2 and only recently been renamed in the wake of the Chinese Revolution of 2037.