Dark Ages

The Dark Ages referred to the period of time starting in 0 AU (the end of the Century War) and ending at the end of the First Century, when the World Empire was replaced by the World Republic. The Dark Ages were also referred to as the Imperial Period. The Dark Ages gave way in around 100 AU to the age of the Settlement.

History
The Dark Ages were characterised by mass surveillance, suppression of freedom of speech and press and above all suppression of movement and communication. The era saw the construction of vast radio interference towers that prevented radio-based communication and movement of data, as well as the construction of a huge number of fences and walls and the destruction of roads, railways, canals and airports, sealing off segments of the population from each other.

During this period, the Averte Statum's focus was to allow the world to return to a functioning state after a century of conflict, and for it's own ideology to systematically replace those traditionally taught throughout the world. Vast quantities of resources were spent educating young people in line with Averte Statum policy, and suppressing ideas the Averte Statum deemed undesirable, including religions such as Islam (which was deemed particularly harmful) Christianity and Judaism. Some forms of nationalism, particularly those held in support of the then-defunct Canada, Great Britain, United States, Confederate States, Russia, Vostok Union, China, Afghanistan, Australia, Venezuela and North Korea, were strongly suppressed.

Provincial and local pride/nationalism, on the other hand, was supported, as well as tribal, ethnic and racial strife. This was seen as an effective was to further suppress and divide the world population and prevent any group of people becoming large enough to threaten the Empire's security.