thedeathhashira

[thedeathhashira]

Forget the Snowglobe: Arendelle, A Real European Nation in the Late 19th Century 🏰🏭

In the 1870s-1880s, the world wasn't a fairytale. It was a chessboard of empires, roaring with industrial innovation, fraught with political tension, and driven by raw ambition. While Disney's Arendelle nestled quietly in the 1840s, or not since Europe was still rock with the revolutions and chaos, thanks to end of Metternich Era, now let's try to imagine the Kingdom of Arendelle squarely in this turbulent era, sticking into the historical context given by this timeline. Think of this as an analysis and thought experiment of what would Arendelle will be if it exist in the Late 19th century.

This isn't just a quaint kingdom; it's a grounded nation-state, forged in the crucible of real-world geopolitics:

Kingdom of Arendelle, in Frozen II

A Powerhouse in the North? A Nation Defined by Grandeur and Growth🌇🌃

To place it into the world in Late 19th century, Arendelle will be no longer merely a picturesque village with a castle. Imagine a burgeoning European nation with a national population soaring past 900,000 inhabitants, small by imperial standards but potent enough to demand respect. Its capital, boasting over 100,000 souls, is a thriving metropolis divided into distinct districts, its territory clearly established across the Continent of Europe. We could imagine that it may be strategically positioned East of the North Sea, North of Norway, Sweden, and Finland, West of Russia, and just South of the Arctic Circle, given on its Nordic Traditions which I speculates it may be a part of Scandinavia/Baltic Region, Arendelle commands a vital northern crossroads.

Visualize a capital not unlike the burgeoning European giants of the era: the grand boulevards of Paris, the bustling docks of London, the imperial majesty of Vienna, or the industrial might of Berlin. Arendelle's capital is a true symbol of late 19th-century urban prosperity: magnificent stone infrastructures house government offices, towering business buildings, bustling foreign embassies, robust banks, modern hospitals, disciplined police headquarters, esteemed universities, opulent theaters, galleries, and libraries. Its wide, stone streets hum with the ceaseless rhythm of horse-drawn carriages, elegant horses, and a vibrant populace moving back and forth, weaving through loud, wide, thriving international markets and bazaars, past serene parks adorned with statues and fountains. Its large, international ports are gateways to global trade, testament to a country with real people, real industry, and undeniable geopolitical weight.

Skyline of 19th century Paris, Capital of France.

A Government Grappling with Change: Enlightened Rule Amidst Political Tides👑

Putting into the context of Late 19th century where the world was in transition from traditional government to democracy and liberalism, Arendelle operates as an Absolute Monarchy tempered by a Parliamentary System. This unique structure positions Elsa as an Enlightened Despot or a powerful monarch, much like Catherine the Great and Queen Victoria, some of the history's most powerful and influential female monarchs. Yet, Elsa embodies a sincere compassionate heart for her people, untouched by scandals and bigger intrigues. Imagine the delicate, high-stakes dance between royal decree and public representation. On one side, the aristocratic nobilities cling to the conservative views lingering from the Metternich Era; on the other, the common people – from impassioned students to enlightened thinkers – clamor for Liberty, Equality, and Rights echoing the fervent calls of the great-grandsons and granddaughters of the American and French Revolutions.

In the dawn of this new era, politics transcends mere royalty and monarchy; it's a burgeoning movement, a compelling call for liberty, equality, and representation across every stratum of a divided society. Consider the volatile landscape of France, where radicals, liberals, and monarchists (whether Bonapartist, Orleanist, or Bourbonist) relentlessly strove for domination. Or observe Britain, where governmental power slowly, but inexorably, transitioned from the Monarchy to the Parliament, which increasingly represented the voice of the British people. Elsa's Arendelle stands at this very precipice of profound political evolution.

Queen Victoria of United Kingdom of Great Britain and British Empire.

Resources That Spark Ambition: The Engines of Industrial Power.👨‍🏭💰

Strategically nestled East of the North Sea, North of Norway, and West of Russia, Arendelle commands invaluable natural resources: iron, coal, timber, and fur. In an age ravenous for industrial might, these are not just mere exports; they are powerful magnets for international attention and ambition. This isn't merely about ice trade anymore; it's about the very engines of the Industrial Revolution that define global power.

Resources were the lifeblood and pride of each nation. Think of Great Britain, whose abundant iron and coal catapulted it to the forefront of the Industrial Revolution, making it the most industrialized nation-state in the late 19th Century. In a world striving for modernity, resources are not just a hallmark of a kingdom or nation-state's unique identity, but its very bloodline – the essential key to its innovation, growth, and survival.

Trains and Railroads, powered by steam locomotive are considered as one of the hallmarks of Industrial Revolution.

A Diplomatic Web of Alliances: The Great Game and the Scramble for Power⚔️🌍

Given on the context of Late 19th century, Arendelle is far from an isolated kingdom living on its own accord. A standalone nation was an easy prey for the predatory great powers of the era. Instead, Arendelle will be meticulously woven into the intricate fabric of European power plays, strategically forging alliances with major players. It might align with Spain or Italy, find common cause with the expansive British Empire, or even extend its diplomatic reach to the distant Empire of Japan, an aggressive Asian nation rapidly proving its military and industrial capacity to stand toe-to-toe with European might.

Major Ports Cities in Europe like London, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Barcelona, and Copenhagen where several ships coming from across the world docked, are center of trade, commerce, and cultural, intellectual, and technological exchange.

These are not simple friendships born of goodwill. They are calculated strategic partnerships in a world defined by the "Great Game" in Central Asia and the brutal "Scramble for Africa." These alliances are deeply rooted in mutual interest and ambitions, shifting political dynamics, and tangible economic benefits that could boost trade and commerce and exchange of ideas, technologies, knowledge, and cultures. Reflect on the Triple Entente between Great Britain, France, and Russia, forged out of mutual fear of the growing power of the German Empire; or the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, a shrewd move to counter Russian expansion; or the Triple Alliance uniting the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. Such alliances prove the fragile grip of peace within the world, as they played a key factor in the massive conflicts that were soon to come.

The Birth of German Empire in Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles, January 18, 1871

This Arendelle would be if grounded in the gritty, thrilling realities of the late 19th century, far cry from the kingdom we had witnesses in Frozen and Frozen II. A place where magic meets geopolitics, and every choice has a continent-spanning consequence. Just a simple disclaimer, this is just a fun analysis of what might Arendelle will be if being placed into the real life historical context of Late 19th century, specifically for a European Kingdom. To anyone who read this, all of you had the right to agree and disagree with my analysis and to speak and give your own views and opinions yet before you dive into your thoughts, please understand that this space is built on respect and constructive engagement so please, to everyone who read this, be mindful, respectful, and thoughtful especially in choosing our words to say or type, not only in giving your opinion and views regarding on this analysis and thought experiment but also whenever we interact with other people, whether online or face to face interactions

Intrigued by an Arendelle that feels undeniably real? Dive into a story where the beauty is still there, but the stakes are higher than ever in my Dark Fantasy Romance Historical Anime x Frozen Fanfiction 'The Lord of Death and The Queen of Ice: Whisper of Moon and Flower.'

Here is the link to my Fanfiction:

Sources:

For Historical Context and Informations

- World History Encyclopedia.Com

- Britannica.Com

- History.Com

For Pictures

- Pinterest.

This is my first post in Tumblr and I hope to anyone who read this, that you you will like it. I'm quite an introverted writer after all, even in internet or social media yet I want to interact with other writers and authors across the globe, share my own works and my own analysis, views, and opinions, and make friends. Thank you and Have a Nice Day/Night!❤️❤️❤️