Principality of Freedonia
Encyclopedia
The Principality of Freedonia was a micronation
based on libertarian
principles. It was supposedly established as a "hypothetical project" by a group of US teenagers in 1992, before becoming a new country project in 1997 and attempting to purchase territory. It was headed by a Texas
university student named John Kyle, who uses the title Prince John I.
region of Somaliland
with the purposes of constructing toll roads there. The two were erroneously associated with Freedonia because of claims referencing Awdal and the Awdal Roads Company on the Freedonia website. Local authorities reacted strongly to the implication that the foreigners were attempting to establish a new state and deported them. This led to public protests during which one Somali was reportedly shot and killed.
It offered these coins for sale on the organization's website.
Micronation
Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are not recognized by world governments or major international organizations...
based on libertarian
Libertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
principles. It was supposedly established as a "hypothetical project" by a group of US teenagers in 1992, before becoming a new country project in 1997 and attempting to purchase territory. It was headed by a Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
university student named John Kyle, who uses the title Prince John I.
Awdal incident
In late 2000, libertarians James Eric Davidson and Michael van Notten, as the Awdal Roads Company, travelled to the AwdalAwdal
Awdal is a region in northwestern Somalia. Its capital is Borama.Awdal is bordered by Ethiopia, Djibouti, the Somali region of Woqooyi Galbeed, and the Gulf of Aden...
region of Somaliland
Somaliland
Somaliland is an unrecognised self-declared sovereign state that is internationally recognised as an autonomous region of Somalia. The government of Somaliland regards itself as the successor state to the British Somaliland protectorate, which was independent for a few days in 1960 as the State of...
with the purposes of constructing toll roads there. The two were erroneously associated with Freedonia because of claims referencing Awdal and the Awdal Roads Company on the Freedonia website. Local authorities reacted strongly to the implication that the foreigners were attempting to establish a new state and deported them. This led to public protests during which one Somali was reportedly shot and killed.
Coinage
While the Freedonia project was active, it had a number of 50 Freedonian dollar 1 oz silver coins minted.It offered these coins for sale on the organization's website.
Current status
The Freedonia project's website has not been updated for a number of years, its discussion forum no longer functions, email communication with the self-styled Prince does not work, and the entire project appears to be defunct. Email statements from the founder indicate that the project is not being actively pursued as of 2004.External links
- Official website
- Obituary of Michael van Notten, founder of Awdal Roads Corporation.