CRISIS COMMITTEES

Cracks in the Crown: Road to Dual Monarchy

Hungary has been part of the Austrian empire since the Hapsburgs pushed out the Ottomans. However, the proud and idealistic Hungarians have wanted greater independence for decades. In 1848 Hungarians staged a revolution against the Habsburgs with the hope of further democratic freedoms. While things started out with peaceful reforms it ended with a violent conflict and a Hapsburg invasion. The Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria ascended to the Hapsburg throne following this chaos and with his military background and political ambition made his resentment towards the Hungarian nobility known. Now both parties have been brought to the table by a mix of economic and political necessity.

Austria no longer has the military power or economic strength to preserve the military dictatorship of its empire, but it cannot risk losing valuable territory. The Hungarians are vying for the reinstatement of the pre 1848 reforms and greater political autonomy. Behind the scenes the influential empress Sisi has begun pushing her husband to hear the Hungarians' requests. The initial negotiations were fraught with difficulty even dissolving at one point but now they are in the final stretches. Both sides struggle to admit they need something from the other but can they find their way to a compromise before one of them collapses?

(JCC) Rule or Ruin: Mughal War of Succession

In the 1650s emperor Aurangzeb defeated his brothers in a struggle for the Mughal throne. With three brothers to contend with he used every political and military connection at his disposal to cement his power and he got exactly what he wanted. Now upon his own death in 1707 he has prompted his sons to carry on the tradition by leaving the line of succession decidedly vague. Initially all three sons, the Princes Muzzam, Azam Shah, and Kam Bakhsh, were in contention but Muzzam faced Azam Shah at the Battle ofJajau and Azam Shah along with his forces were defeated in a single day.

While his brothers were distracted Kam Bakhsh moved his forces to Bijapur and established his own empire, breaking up the Mughal territory. Both remaining sons have built large coalitions and have divided the loyalties of the Mughal nobility who find they have to pledge to either side. With a weakened empire it is up to the two remaining sons to battle it out for control of the Mughal empire and their family legacy. Prince Muzzam has already defeated one brother and has prepared his forces to march on the other, it is time to see who is worthy of their father’s crown.

Kingdom’s End: Warring States Period

241 BC: Sensing the mounting danger of Qin’s quest to expand its borders and unify the seven states after Qin’s successful campaign against Wei, a newly formed coalition army—the combined forces of six other states, Zhao, Chu, Wei, Yan, Han, and Qi, threaten Qin’s borders. Led by generals and strategists from powerhouse states Chu and Zhao, the coalition army has defeated Qin armies stationed at the Chu/Qin borders and continues to rapidly advance. As the coalition army captures city after city, Qin must fend off the invaders while maneuvering through various political power struggles erupting in the inner court. The young King of Qin’s coming-of-age ceremony is fast approaching, marking the day he assumes full power over state affairs, which are currently handled by his regent, the Prime Minister. Political factions rallying against the King have started to gain power. With ambitious politicians and princes vying for the throne, delegates must navigate conspiracies in the court and beyond.

Based on the serialized manga series Kingdom and historical events, delegates will represent Qin generals, strategists, members of the King’s court, and statespeople. Over the course of the conference, delegates must work together to develop battle plans and strategies to overcome any obstacles on their path and pave the way for the unification of the seven states. Delegates will also be tasked with maintaining diplomatic relations with other states and other powerful forces, all while dealing with the intrigue of the inner court. History has its eyes on you as you rewrite the fate of Qin and China.

(JCC) Too Hot to Handle: The Spice Wars

Year 3070, in a galaxy far far away: A mysterious plant emerges from a series of planets called the Spice Isles. Extremely difficult to cultivate and prized for its anti-aging and healing properties, spice is the most valuable and highly sought-after commodity across the galaxy. Recent developments in the hydroponic growing technology for spice cultivation and the discovery of new spice variants have spurned major superpowers to vie for control of trade routes and distribution channels. The Crimson Merchant Guild, backed by the Pantune Empire, one of the largest forces on the United Inter-solar Senate, an assembly of planetary governments, was among the first to establish dominance in the spice trade. The Drgyle Republic, an emerging group of formerly individual planets, seeks to oust the guild by disrupting its monopoly over the spice trade. The Republic has been making moves on the guild’s outposts through squads of raiders, threatening the delicate balance of the budding spice trade. Delegates from either side of the conflict will be faced with trying to maintain and take over control of key trade posts and technologies to establish themselves as the number one spice traders in the galaxy.

Inspired by the Portuguese and Dutch Spice Wars in the 17th century and various sci-fi media including Dune, Star Wars, and Cowboy Bebop, this is a joint crisis committee, with the Crimson Merchant Guild (Pantune Empire) on one side and the Drgyle Republic on the other. Delegates will represent merchants, politicians, and diplomats in the Empire and Republic’s councils, responsible for maintaining domestic power, seizing commercial opportunities, and forming strategic alliances. Trade relations via the Spice Isles are the key to success. Amidst chaos that stretches to the furthest reaches of the galaxy, who will arise victorious? Who will hold the world in their palm?

Unity or Defeat: Alliance of the Itzcóatl

Born in Azcapotzalco and elected king, Izcóatl has established himself as a powerful ruler both on the battlefield but also at home. By avenging the death of his predecessor at the hands of Maxtla of the nearby Tepanec, a rival city state, he was able to forge military alliances with nearby city states and create lasting relationships. After he and his allies defeated Maxtla a power vacuum formed in central Mexico, and Itzcóatl did not want to risk leaving it empty for long. He returned to his allies with a treaty that would bring together Itzcóatl’s Tenochtitlán and the neighboring states of Texcoco and Tlacopan.

With the completion of the new tri-partie government the leadership convenes for the first time as the Aztec Empire to discuss how they wish to govern. Everything is up for debate including agricultural development, imperial expansion, and even road infrastructure. With the concerns of an increasingly large population and the opinions of now three times the ministers it may be that the most difficult part of ruling an empire is before them not behind.

Ad Hoc

This committee is suitable for only the most experienced delegates. It is designed to challenge delegates to engage in a high level of debate in one of UTMUN’s most creative and innovative committees. The topic of the committee will not be released prior to the first committee session and neither research nor a position paper is required to participate.

HINT: DCI Jedburgh 1947-52

Note: Position papers are not required for award contention in Ad Hoc.