Sink or Swim:

South Sea COMPANY

In the early 18th century, Great Britain found itself in a difficult financial situation. With massive sums of money funding British efforts in the War of Spanish Succession and the Great Northern War, national debt rose even as trust in the Bank of England declined. Thus, confidence in the British economy also fell, as the Bank of England held a monopoly over lending to the government. 

Seeing these issues, private and public interests aligned to create a new foundation for the British economy, the South Sea Company. This joint venture, founded as a public corporation, looked to take on British debt, which would allow it to benefit from government repayments of said debt, which they could then use to pay dividends to their investors. Yet with the company’s only source of revenue, its monopoly over the South Sea in the Americas providing minimal profit due to conflicts with the Spanish, signs of financial disaster loom on the horizon. Now key figures in both the public and private sector must guide the company forward, while ensuring that they themselves don’t go bankrupt in the process. Whatever the case, one thing should always be kept in mind. The South Sea Company may be too big to fail but there is always profit to be made. Even if that means preying on the collapse of the national economy itself.

Death Throes of the Empire:

Post Endor Imperial Council

The Emperor is dead. His right hand man is dead. The Second Death Star has been destroyed. And the Empire has begun to fray. The Rebel victory at Endor has led to a cataclysmic shift in Galactic politics, opening a power vacuum unlike any seen before in galactic history. Meanwhile, the Rebel Alliance, riding high off of their victory, have begun a relentless and unceasing advance as thousands of systems lead open revolts against the Empire, threatening total collapse. And without a strong leader to guide and unite the Imperial remnants, the situation looks bleak.

Yet not all hope is lost. Even as systems revolt and the rebels advance, the Empire still controls most of the galaxy, and Imperial power, though battered, still stands strong. However even these advantages may prove insufficient as greed and corruption bubble their ways to the surface, with each Imperial leader aiming to benefit themselves, perhaps even at the cost of the Empire as a whole. With large personalities mixed with chaos and military commands, restoring the Galactic Empire to its former state will prove to be a challenge, especially as trust becomes an increasingly difficult thing to maintain.

The Pacific Calls:

The Tides of Polynesia

Polynesia, a vast triangle stretching from Hawai’i to New Zealand and Easter Island, has welcomed its first settlers. Host to clans of expert voyagers and traders, Polynesia stands at the dawn of a new era. Although divided into clans and scattered across the many islands of this vast oceanic network, Polynesians are bound together by shared culture, traditions, beliefs, and a promise of trade and prosperity. Under the guidance of the stars, these clans aim to build a thriving civilization by harnessing the ocean’s immense potential —- and coconuts.

Yet, the tides shift ominously.  Storms batter voyaging routes, scarce resources dwindle, and tensions grow among clans. This society of Chiefs, Navigators, Traders and Warriors, carefully plan voyages, establish  robust trade networks, and form strategic alliances to thrive against the relentless challenges of the Pacific Ocean. With foreign threats looming on the horizon, and a need for fast expansion strengthens, Polynesians must navigate this complicated sea of fragile alliances and treacherous waters to persevere and thrive as a society. 

Will you sail to prosperity or sink beneath the waves?

War is coming:

Fimbulwinter, Gods v. Jötnar (JCC)

As the sun sets on the horizon, and winter’s shadow creeps forward, ancient powers awaken across the nine realms. With Baldur’s death, the world edges closer to its foretold end, as prophesied by Völva. The coming winter is not an ordinary one — it is a mighty, merciless frost, the prelude to the world-ending war: Ragnarök. 

As Fimbulwinter’s grip tightens on the nine realms, the Jötnar have started to prepare for the war, hoping to destroy the world and rebuild it from scratch. In opposition, The Aesir and Vanir gods have formed an alliance, and are planning ways to stop the war from erupting — or, should the fates decree, win the looming cataclysmic clash.

Meanwhile, creatures from all over the Nine Realms are preparing themselves for what's to come. Driven by fear and prophecies of death and decay, Dwarves, Elves and other creatures are all alert and ready to defend their realms if threatened, or form strong alliances to withstand Fimbulwinter’s wrath. It is up to the gods and giants to determine how the scales of destiny tip, shaping the fate of the Realms through wisdom, war, magic, and dubious partnerships. 

The Norns are excited for what comes next — are you?

Liberty Against the Crown:

Spanish American Wars of IndependencE (JCC)

Since Columbus sailed west in service to the Crowns of Spain beginning the era of colonial Empires stretching across vast oceans, large swathes of the Americas have fallen under the rule of the Spanish state and monarchy, stretching from the northern territories of New Spain all the way south to the Magellan Strait in the far south of South America. And for centuries, Spain has asserted its place in the sun, even as other powers rose around it. Yet, that time has now come to an abrupt and sudden end. 

When the French Revolution began and the Coalition Wars began with it, the Spanish Crown found itself in a unique position. Even as their fellow Bourbon relatives in France were overthrown and executed, the Spanish royal family soon sided with the Revolutionary government and then with Napoleon, fighting alongside the French most notably at Trafalgar. Yet Napoleon’s ambitions were without end and with the deposition of the Bourbons in Spain beginning the Peninsular War, the vast colonies of Spanish America have found their chance to seek liberty from the crown. Yet even as Spain itself burns, achieving independence will be no easy task. Now in the present, the fate of the Spanish colonies hangs in the balance as Patriot and Loyalist forces face off across continents in a conflict that will see either the resurgence or the fall of the Spanish Empire.

ADHOC

PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK

This committee is suitable for 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.

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

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