The Republic of Morac-Songhrati-Meads was originally a micronation in the Spratly Islands established by British naval captain James George Meads in the 1870s.[1][2][3]
The republic's history begins with Capt. Meads, who laid claim to the Islands in the 1870s (despite earlier claims by other nations). Meads was exploring the South China Sea and laid claim to the Spratly Islands. Descendants of Meads have continued to claim legitimacy over the islands, and continue to attempt to claim ownership of the island's resources.[2][3]
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In 1914, a rival faction, the "Kingdom of Humanity", formed under the leadership of Franklin M. Meads, son of James George. The two rival factions occupied the islands until World War II, when they were forced out by Japanese troops. Franklin died in 1945, and his son Josiah took over leadership. Josiah died soon after; his son, Morton F. Meads, was to take over, but was deemed too young.[4] The Kingdom of Humanity merged back into the republic in 1963.
The Kingdom faded into obscurity over the next decade, until 1972, when Morton Meads, now ruling, unsuccessfully petitioned the United Nations, Chiang Kai-Shek of the Republic of China, and the Philippines, to recognize the Kingdom and its claims. Later that year, the remainder of the Kingdom's governing body drowned in a shipwreck, except for Meads.[4]
The Kingdom reappeared in 1985. That year, Morton Meads sued the United States and others for $25 billion, claiming "unfair competition, harassment, [and] sabotage." The case was not heard.[5]
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