Terra Nullius, by Ned Donovan

Terra Nullius, authored by Ned Donovan, explores a broad array of historical, geographical, and contemporary issues, ranging from quirky territorial disputes, the resilience of microstates, to the legacies of colonialism and the peculiarities of international relations. It delves into individual stories that reflect larger themes in history, politics, and culture.

Historical Events Geopolitical Anomalies Colonialism and Imperialism Contemporary International Issues Environmental Concerns Cultural Legacies Legal Oddities Microstate Dynamics

The hottest Substack posts of Terra Nullius, by Ned Donovan

And their main takeaways

Fly the Furrow: The Cairo-Baghdad Mail Route

127 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
💾 History World War II
  1. In the early 1920s, the Cairo-Baghdad mail route faced challenges like navigating a featureless desert with limited communication technology.
  2. Major A.L. Holt's innovative solution involved mapping a ground route using convoys and marking symbols on the ground for pilots to follow.
  3. The Cairo-Baghdad air mail route, known as 'Flying the Furrow,' was vital for reducing mail delivery time and training RAF pilots for long-distance flights.

The Letter of Last Resort

73 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
  1. The Letter of Last Resort is a secret instruction written by the UK Prime Minister for Trident submarine commanders in case of a nuclear attack.
  2. The letter presents options like retaliating with nuclear weapons, not retaliating at all, or placing control under an allied navy.
  3. If the UK's government is incapacitated in a nuclear attack, the sub commanders receive the order in the letter to determine the fate of the country.

When the British Empire almost went bankrupt

137 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
💾 History Empire War Economy
  1. In 1804, the British Empire faced near bankruptcy when the China Fleet carrying over  £8 million in goods was threatened by French warships.
  2. The East India Company, though powerful, was arrogant in its naval defense, using dummy cannons instead of proper armaments.
  3. Through clever tactics by Commodore Dance, the China Fleet was able to trick the French warships into retreating, avoiding bankruptcy and collapse for the East India Company and Lloyds of London.

When Countries Get Divorced

63 implied HN points • 18 Mar 21
  1. Czechoslovakia still exists in a unique way in Britain on a private street.
  2. When Czechoslovakia divided, possessions were split based on a two-to-one ratio.
  3. The division of Czechoslovak embassies abroad, like in London, posed challenges due to incomplete paperwork.

The Only Prince Left in India

49 implied HN points • 18 Jul 21
  1. Snake charming and princely titles in India have historical significance despite being banned or abolished.
  2. Integration of princely states into independent India in 1947 posed challenges, with some resisting forceful integration.
  3. The Prince of Arcot is a unique case of a royal title that survived the abolition of princely titles in 1971, based on a British charter and presidential recognition.
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Why Does Monaco Exist?

58 implied HN points • 30 Jul 20
  1. Monaco is a tiny, wealthy principality with unique historical origins.
  2. Microstates like Monaco have outlasted powerful empires, showing the endurance of small nations.
  3. Monaco's existence and success as a microstate offer insight into the possibilities for other small nations or regions in the future.

How Disney Became a Nuclear Power

43 HN points • 11 Jan 21
  1. Disney used a film called 'Our Friend the Atom' to promote nuclear power in 1957.
  2. Walt Disney had plans for a municipal district to control Disney World and even had the authority to build a nuclear power plant there.
  3. Although Disney never built a nuclear plant, they have the legal authority to do so in Disney World.

Why was Britain freeing slaves in the 1960s?

34 implied HN points • 18 Jan 21
  1. Britain was freeing slaves in the 1960s through a tradition involving the British flag.
  2. The influence and power of Britain in the Gulf region played a significant role in eradicating slavery.
  3. Slavery was officially abolished in Oman in 1970, marking the end of legalised slavery in the Persian Gulf.

I smoked 30 cigarettes a day for a year

29 implied HN points • 10 Nov 20
  1. Air quality in Delhi is extremely poor, with high levels of PM2.5 particles.
  2. The Air Quality Index measures the risk levels in the air based on particulate matter.
  3. Breathing the polluted air in Delhi is equivalent to smoking 30 cigarettes a day.

The Sultan of Portsmouth

29 implied HN points • 15 Sep 20
  1. The last Sultan of Zanzibar lived in obscurity in Portsmouth for over 50 years before moving to Oman.
  2. British government's awkward situation of accommodating a Sultan without a throne.
  3. Sultan Jamshid settled in Southsea, adapted to English life, and his family eventually moved to Oman.

The Only Land Without Laws

29 implied HN points • 28 Aug 20
  1. There is a piece of land called Bir Tawil between Sudan and Egypt that no one wants because of a border anomaly.
  2. Disputed territories between nations are common, with some disputes being less cordial than others.
  3. Bir Tawil remains a lawless place due to a border dispute between Sudan and Egypt over a valuable area.

Terra Nullius, a newsletter by Ned Donovan

29 implied HN points • 28 Jul 20
  1. Terra Nullius is a newsletter by Ned Donovan for sharing thoughts and writings.
  2. The newsletter will include intriguing Wikipedia articles and book recommendations.
  3. The name Terra Nullius reflects the theme of 'nobody's land' and fascination with territorial oddities.

The Zone of Death

14 implied HN points • 03 Nov 20
  1. In a part of Yellowstone National Park, you could commit a crime and get away with it due to a legal loophole.
  2. The 'Zone of Death' is an area where no residents live, causing a constitutional issue with jury selection.
  3. Efforts to address this legal anomaly have been made, but the government has yet to resolve it.

The Story of the Coconut War

1 HN point • 10 Apr 23
💾 History Colonialism Independence Conflict Rebellion Governance
  1. The New Hebrides was governed by a unique Anglo-French condominium with separate legal systems and authorities.
  2. The bizarre situation in the New Hebrides resulted in two police forces, different laws, and even unique citizenship status for the islanders.
  3. The Coconut War in Vanuatu marked the end of the peculiar governance, ultimately leading to a unified police force and currency for the nation.

Two Emperors in a Shed

0 implied HN points • 27 Apr 20
  1. The shed in Mumbai holds hidden treasures of historical British statues.
  2. India made efforts to erase British colonial influences after gaining independence.
  3. Despite efforts to remove British remnants, elements of colonial history can still be found in Indian cities.

Uttoxeter Sahib

0 implied HN points • 27 Apr 20
  1. An Indian farmer is a claimant to a British baron title due to ancestral ties.
  2. The Gardner family in Uttar Pradesh is connected to a dormant British baron title.
  3. Despite evidence of peerage inheritance, the family has chosen not to pursue it due to costs and a humble lifestyle.