Halfenheim

Former micronation in Lower Saxony, Germany

Halfenheim, officially the Democratic State of Halfenheim (DSH), was a self-declared state that existed from 1944 until 1990 in the northeast of Lower Saxony. It maintained a distinct political and cultural identity before unification with Germany.

Geography

Halfenheim occupied a flat lowland area in the northeastern part of Lower Saxony. The landscape lacked significant hills or mountains. The polity was commonly described as having two regions. Hauptland served as the administrative and urban core. Ost-und-Süd-Land served as the agricultural hinterland.

History

The entity claimed foundation on 8 December 1944. The founders described the project as a local response to wartime conditions. After World War II, both East Germany and West Germany disputed the entity's status.

On 3 December 1970, Halfenheim declared neutrality. The government promoted an economic model called Mesa. Mesa blended market mechanisms with state provision of basic needs including housing, food, and health care. The model included strong social supports and restrictions on conspicuous wealth.

Politics

The movement that formed the government named Eric Wolf as president. The government enacted legislation to prohibit far-right violence. The political system included multiple parties. A Political Party Control committee supervised party alignment with constitutional norms.

Halfenheimer's First Party
Christian Halfenheimer's Party
Muslim's Halfenheimer's Party
Free Democracy!
Halfenheimer's Green Party
Jewish Halfenheimer's Party

Technology

In 1971 the government adopted electronic message routing inspired by ARPANET. The network, sometimes called HalfNet, used message hashing and authentication for government communications. The state issued handheld messaging devices for civil servants.

Culture

Halfenheim hosted an active music scene. The record label R-Records issued releases for international markets. The Sommerkonzerte für Musik festival drew acts from Europe and North America. The country had a mix of German dialects and English language use. A local pastry called Streuselbrötchen became associated with the region.

Integration into Germany

On 5 January 1985 West German authorities proposed a timetable for integration. Halfenheim planned formal accession for 20 January 1992. Events linked to German reunification led to earlier integration on 3 October 1990. The government announced dissolution and transfer of authority to Lower Saxony on the same date.

Legacy

After the Dissolution of Halfenheim, the building inspired by the White House, named "Heim des Mesa," was turned into a museum. It holds many documents and artifacts from the Halfenheim period that remain in regional collections.