The Free State of Munchkinland

The Free State of Munchkinland was a short-lived secessionist state declared in the late spring of the narrative, following the assassination of Nessarose's predecessor and the burning of a grange. It was established by Nessarose, the Eminent Thropp, who became its political head of state after orchestrating a revolt against the Wizard of Oz. The state was born from a series of grievances, including the reported rape of Munchkinlander maidens, the Massacre at Far Applerue, heavy taxation, and the despoiling of country meetinghouses by the Wizard's soldiers. Nessarose's leadership was marked by a strict unionist theocracy, and the state's existence was precarious, facing the threat of retaliation from the Wizard's forces. The state's end came with Nessarose's death, when a tornado dropped a house on her head, leading to the collapse of the secessionist government and the eventual reunification of Munchkinland with Oz.

Causes and Background

The Free State of Munchkinland was born from a confluence of grievances against the Wizard of Oz's rule. The immediate catalyst was a series of provocations: the burning of a grange where opposition meetings had been gathering, the reported rape of a couple of Munchkinlander maidens following a cotillion of the Wizard's army garrisoned near Dragon Cupboard, the Massacre at Far Applerue, and heavy taxation on farm crops. The final straw, as far as Nessarose was concerned, was the despoiling by the Wizard's soldiers of simple country meetinghouses. Nessarose, the Eminent Thropp, was incensed by these acts and communicated her outrage. Within a week of her firing off a furious letter to the Emperor Wizard himself, the revolutionary fever had coalesced around her. She addressed the senior men among the farming communities both near and far, keeping her religious agenda in check, and her appeal for their support was overwhelmingly answered, resulting in a unanimous approval for secession.

Establishment and Governance

The Free State of Munchkinland was declared in the late spring, with Nessarose as its political head of state. The secession was a dramatic event that took place in the forecourt of Colwen Grounds, the family estate. Nessarose, who had been groomed for treason, addressed the senior men of the farming communities, and her appeal was met with unanimous approval. The state was governed as a theocracy, with Nessarose's strict unionist interpretation of faith shaping its laws. She was known to use her power to perform spells, such as enchanting a woodcutter's axe to prevent a marriage, in exchange for Animals. This theocratic rule created a climate of fear and resentment among some of her subjects, who saw her as a tyrant. The state's existence was precarious, as it faced the constant threat of retaliation from the Wizard's forces, who had stockpiled massive amounts of grain in the Emerald City, allowing them to wait out the secession without needing to overrun the territory immediately.

Key Figures and Internal Dynamics

Nessarose was the central figure of the Free State of Munchkinland, but her leadership was not without its challenges. Her father, Frex, was concerned that she was too devout to be a central figure in public life and feared that her religious voices could undo the good she was creating. He believed that Elphaba, his older daughter, would make a smarter Eminence. Elphaba, however, had no interest in inheriting the position, having long ago abdicated her claim. Nessarose's brother, Shell, was a foolhardy boy who was behind enemy lines, playing secret agent. The state's internal dynamics were also shaped by the presence of the Wizard's armed forces garrisoned in the area, who could find no excuse to arrest Nessarose due to her adept governance of her remarks. The state's economy was devastated by a tornado that sliced through the Corn Basket, destroying the basis of its economy.

Collapse and Aftermath

The Free State of Munchkinland came to an abrupt end with the death of Nessarose. A tornado, which had not been known in Oz before, drove into Munchkinland and dropped a house on her head while she was awarding prizes for perfect attendance at religious education classes in Center Munch. The storm killed many Munchkinlanders and devastated the Corn Basket. Nessarose's death led to the collapse of the secessionist government. The Wizard, who had been planning reunification, saw the opportunity to re-annex Munchkinland. The shoes that Nessarose had worn, which had been enchanted by Glinda, were given to Dorothy, a girl who had arrived in the house that killed Nessarose. The Wizard sought to obtain these shoes, as they had become totemic symbols of power. The Free State of Munchkinland was eventually reabsorbed into Oz, and the Wizard's forces moved to secure the territory. The legacy of the state was one of brief, fervent independence, crushed by a combination of natural disaster and political machination.