1943 Ryccian coup d'etat (Pacifica)
The 1943 Ryccian coup d'etat was the first military coup in the history of democratic Ryccia.
The factors that led to the coup were diverse, but it's believed the catalyst was the then-Prime Minister Michael Arsunne's attempt to exert greater control over the military and security services to stay in power amidst political gridlock and turmoil. Underestimating the democratic zeal of the top brass, who were veterans of the Democratic Revolution and friends of the deceased Sean Hoxe, Arsunne was caught by surprise by the coup. Despite a last-minute, desperate request to negotiate with the military, the generals did not budge, instead ordering his arrest for "treason against the Republic".
Many historians believe the coup was initiated by idealists who genuinely thought they were saving the democratic system they had fought so hard to establish. They did not try to seize power for themselves, instead appointing technocratic leaders to lead the government. The legislature was not dissolved; rather, the military chose to preserve most of its power. The fact the junta that ruled the country until 1947 was composed of officers from across the political spectrum also earned the politicians' trust, allowing them to negotiate with the various factions in the Assembly to pass legislation. The junta was not above overruling the legislature, however, forcing through state budgets in 1943 and 1945 when lawmakers in those years could not reach a satisfactory compromise to pass one.
The main reasons, in order of importance, were:
- The attempt of Arsunne to politicize the security services in order to crack down on dissent and remain in power
- The increasing levels of corruption in the government by various interest groups, chief among them the business sector which wished to undermine labor rights and privileges
- The rise of separatism, which threatened national unity
- The high level of political violence perpetrated by extremists, including assassinations, bombings and riots
- The economic crisis that began in 1941 and only got worse as the years progressed