The Netherlands (New World Map Game)

The Netherlands (German: Die Niederlande, Dutch: Der Nederlanden) is one of the various duchies of the United Reich of New Bayern. The dukedom is held by the House of Nieuworange.

History
The Netherlands began as the Grand Duchy of the Netherlands (Dutch: Groothertogdom der Nederlanden), a Dutch state which claimed to be a continuation of the ancient Terran Dutch nation. Led by the Grand Dukes of the House of Nieuworange, the Netherlands became a powerful force in Primus, rivalling the many other Germanic states of its time.

In 862, the Netherlands under the rule of Willem-Alexander VI, began to influence its neighbour, the Duchy of Drensgau. It started demanding tribute from the weaker country, which obliged in order to prevent attack by the formidable Netherlander military.

By 871, Drensgau's economy had been severely weakened, and it sought protection from the newly formed United Reich of Neubayern, which was a federation of thirteen northern Germanic states. Neubayern began to support Drensgau, partially restoring its economy by subsidising local industry. Eventually, Neubayern's influence overpowered that of the Netherlands, which angered the Netherlander government.

Unwilling to go to war with the combined militaries of Neubayern, the Netherlands seized the moment and declared war upon Drensgau in 872 after the Duchy failed to pay its annual tribute. However, one week later, Neubayern launched a surprise attack and crushed the Netherlander army. Willem-Alexander surrendered, but Kaiser Franz I of Neubayern agreed to let him live, although he forced the Grand Duke to cede sovereignty to the Reich. The Netherlands on 13 October 872 became an "Autonomous Region" (German: Autonomsregion Niederlande) of the Reich. In 873, the Netherlands was annexed to the Reich and became the Duchy of the Netherlands, which exists to this day. Willem-Alexander's son, Joachim, became the first Duke under Neubayer rule.

Following Neubayern's occupation and subsequent annexation of the Netherlands, several groups of ethnic Dutch fled the country, travelling east to Sebastiana via Washington Bay and establishing new settlements. These settlements would ultimately evolve into the United Provinces of Colnia.