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| The '''Human''' species (''Homo sapiens'') is one of two spacefaring intelligent species that originated on planet [[Earth]]. (The other was the Voth.) As the Latin word for their homeworld is "Terra", Humans are sometimes referred to as '''Terrans'''. Occasionally "Terran" is used to distinguish Humans living on Earth from those resident on [[federation colonies|colonies]] on other planets. Some people use the term "Terran" to refer to things or institutions associated with humanity (Terran cuisine, Terran literature, Terran art, etc). | | The '''Human''' species (''Homo sapiens'') is a intelligent species that originated on planet [[Earth]]. As the Latin word for their homeworld is "Terra", Humans are sometimes referred to as '''Terrans'''. Occasionally "Terran" is used to distinguish Humans from the [[Mirror Universe]]. |
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| Humans are a warm-blooded species with an average lifespan of around 120 years, although some individuals have achieved a much older age. Humans are bilaterally symmetrical bipeds who are descended from primates. | | Humans are a warm-blooded species with an average lifespan of around 120 years, although some individuals have achieved a much older age. Humans are bilaterally symmetrical bipeds who are descended from primates. |
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| The Human species is one of the more distinct sentient groups present in the [[Milky Way Galaxy]] as, while they do not possess any dominant or noticeable bony ridges around their face or on their bodies as is common to many races throughout space, they do posses a great deal of phenotypic diversity within their species. Skin color, eye color, blood type, facial structures, hair color and hair type vary considerably between individuals and helps to make every single Human distinct in appearance from the next.
| | The Humans of Earth became warp-capable in 2063, which was the same year they experienced first contact with an alien species, the Vulcans. This is defining moment in Human History. All time before it was the Pre-Warp Epoch. All time after was the Post-Warp Epoch. |
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| They have two sexes, as is common to many [[humanoid]] species, with the female of the species fertile once a month after she reaches puberty (between the age of 12-16). Gestation lasts 9 months. The make-up of Human [[DNA]] structure is significant, as, with some modifications, it allows them to cross breed successfully with a wide range of other races across the galaxy, including [[Vulcan]]s, [[Klingon]]s, and [[Betazoid]]s.
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| Humans are not the strongest of species, but they are resilient. They can survive with one lung or kidney (they have two of each normally), and surprisingly they can go days without water and weeks without food due to their bodies' ability to conserve water and live off stored fat respectively. Their bodies' efficient temperature regulation allows them to survive cold temperatures to a far greater degree than other races such as the [[Cardassians]] and Klingons, or high temperatures that would be uncomfortable for an [[Andorian]]. It has also been noted that they posses more acute hearing than Cardassians.
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| The Humans of Earth became [[warp]]-capable in [[2063]], which was the same year they experienced [[first contact]] with an alien species, the Vulcans. | |
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| By the [[24th century]], Human society had progressed greatly. On Earth, hunger, war, disease, famine, and poverty have largely been eliminated. The acquisition of wealth is no longer the primary driving force in the lives of many Humans. A great deal of emphasis is placed on the importance of continued societal and self-growth. Because of the [[Federation]]'s socialist-capitalist hybrid economy and the development of [[replicator|replicators]], material needs are largely satisfied. [[Money]] (currency) is no longer used by Humans within the Federation, but they use [[gold]]-pressed [[latinum]] and other forms of currency (such as [[Bajoran]] [[lita]]s and [[credit]]s) in places where it is still needed, such as [[Quark's]]. The idea behind not using money is that Humans work to better themselves and the rest of humanity (see [[Human philosophy]]). It must be noted that all of this more specifically applies to Humans within the [[Sol system]], as many [[Federation colonies|Earth colonies]] are known to have developed vast cultural differences from other Humans and some have even fallen into anarchy, mostly notably [[Turkana IV]].
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| : ''In an [[alternate timeline]], Humanity was nearly wiped out by the [[Xindi]] in [[2154]], who destroyed not only Earth, but [[Mars]], [[Alpha Centauri colony]], [[Vega colony]], so only 6,000 Humans survived. These Humans escaped to [[Ceti Alpha V]]. The alternate timeline was obliterated in [[2165]].''
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| : ''In another alternate timeline, Humanity was assimilated by the [[Borg]] in 2063 after the Borg prevented first contact between Humans and Vulcans.''
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| == Human History ==
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| Human history has been recorded for over thousands of years. Traditionally, the ancient Egyptian kingdom is considered one of the [[Earth]]'s earliest civilizations, preceded by empires such as those of Sumeria and Babylon in Mesopotamia, today's Near East. Some historians hold on to the belief that centuries prior to the establishment of these civilizations, great empires such as those of Mu, Shambhala and Atlantis flourished. Little evidence exists for the existence of such ancient realms, save for written records of which the validty remains disputed.
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| ===Prehistory===
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| Approximately [[Distant past|3.5 billion years ago]], [[amino acid]]s combined to the first proteins in the region of Earth which would later form modern [[France]]. It is the first life on the [[planet]], which would one day evolve into the [[Human]] species.
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| ===Ancient History===
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| In an attempt to prevent mankind from destroying itself in the distant future, unknown aliens take several humans, during the [[Early history#4th Millennium BCE|38th century BCE]], to be raised on a planet located 1000 [[light year]]s from [[Earth]].
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| During the [[Early_history#3rd_Millennium_BCE|29th century BCE]], Earth was visited by aliens who settled in the [[Mediterranean]] region near [[Greece]]. The aliens were worshipped by the ancient [[Greek]]s as [[Greek mythology|gods]].
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| The great [[pyramid]]s of [[Giza]] are built in [[Egypt]] during the [[Early history#3rd Millennium BCE|26th century BCE]].
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| ===Classical Period===
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| ====The Rise and Fall of Early Empires====
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| [[King]] [[Leonidas]] of the [[Spartan]]s lead his people against the [[Persian]]s at the [[Battle of Thermopylae]] in 480 BCE. Although the Persians won the battle, they ultimately lost the war.
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| [[Alexander the Great]] appeared in the late [[Early_history#1st_Millennium_BCE|4th century BCE]] and would go on to conquer much of the known world, conquering [[Egypt]] and [[Mesopotamia]] and stretching his empire to [[India]].
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| The Romans would begin to conquer Alexander's former empire by the 3rd century BCE. Following a short period of [[civil war]], [[Caesar Augustus]], heir to the famous [[General]] [[Julius Caesar]], declared himself [[emperor]] and transformed the Republic into the [[Roman Empire]] by the turn of the 1st century CE.
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| The fall of the Empire would take place following the defeat of [[Flavius Honorius|Emperor Honorius]] at the hands of the [[Visigoth]]s during a series of attacks at the turn of the 5th century CE.
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| ====Emergence of New Religions====
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| According to the [[Bible]], [[Jesus Christ]], the son of [[God]] is born during the 1st century CE. Christs' teachings would become the foundation for the [[Christianity|Christian faith]].
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| During the 6th century CE, [[Kukulkan]], a benevolent alien being, visits the [[Mayan]] civilization and helps in their development, where he is worshipped as a god.
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| ===Middle Ages===
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| In 1014, [[King]] [[Brian Boru]] of [[Ireland]] fought in a valiant battle against the [[Viking]]s at the [[Battle of Clontarf]].
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| From the 11th to 13th centuries, a series of wars known as the [[Crusade]]s were fought in the Middle East and Europe, in attempt to stop the spread of the [[religion]] of [[Human religion|Islam]].
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| During the 12th century, Kulkulkan returns to Earth, where he visits the [[Aztec]] civilization and helps in their development.
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| By the 14th century, Humans perfect the mechanical [[clock]], and use the [[steel]] [[crossbow]]s in battle. In 1334, over one third of the population of Europe and [[Asia]] was killed off by the effects of the [[bubonic plague]].
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| In 1455, [[Johann Gutenberg]] starts mass production of his [[Gutenberg Bible]], which is the first mass-produced type-written book on Earth.
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| Meanwhile, by [[1485]], Earth reaches a technological level reaches a rating, later designated by the [[Federation]], a rating of "B" on the [[Industrial Scale]].
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| ===Progressive Ages===
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| ====Religion and Expansionism====
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| During the 17th century, astronomer [[Galileo Galilei]] proved that the Earth is not the center of the universe, proving [[Nicolaus Copernicus|Copernicus’ theories]]. As a result, religious authorities make him renounce his support for those claims on the premise of a death sentence for disobedience.
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| Meanwhile, the [[Spanish]] sent out to expel all non-Christians from [[Spain]] in what was known as the [[Spanish Inquisition]].
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| During the late 17th century, the Spanish serve as the overlords of several [[American Indian]] tribes in the region later known as [[New Mexico]]. In 1680 CE, these Indian tribes rose up against the Spanish and drove them out of the region, in what was known as the [[Pueblo Revolt]]. The Spanish return twelve years later and brutally reconquer the area, killing several hundred and maiming several thousand more.
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| By the 18th century, a group of alien [[anthropology|anthropologists]], called the [[Preservers]], visit Earth and subsequently transplant a group of American Indians, including people from the [[Delaware]], [[Navajo]], and [[Mohican]] tribes, to a [[class M]] planet known as [[Amerind]]. On Amerind these Indians would be able to live undisturbed from the hazards of European expansionism into the North American continent.
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| Meanwhile, the Puritan colonists of [[Salem]], [[Massachusetts]], suffered from [[witch]]craft delusion, inspired by religious fervor. This fervor would reach its’ pinnacle in 1692, when a number of its’ inhabitants, who were in reality Megan immigrants, inadvertantly use their magical powers, and are pursued as witches. The subsequent persecution and eventual [[Salem witch trials|witch trials]] of these Megans led to their deaths. The Megans, in turn, fled Earth out of fear of further persecution.
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| ====Imperialism and Revolution====
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| By the late 18th century, Europe's most powerful nations had colonized much of the world. Increasing discontent over British rule of its American colonies caused the outbreak of the [[American Revolution]]. General [[George Washington]] was the leader of the [[American]] "rebels" that fought for their independance against the British.
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| Throughout this time, ocean-going "[[Yankee Trader]]s" sailed the oceans in search of mercantile and territorial opportunity.
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| In 1794 army general [[Napoléon Bonaparte]] rose to power, installing himself as absolute ruler of [[France]] in 1799. Napoleon's imperialistic actions eventally led to his defeat. A turning point in his downfall occured when the British [[Royal Navy]] led by [[Admiral]] [[Horatio Nelson]] was able to destroy the French navy at the decisive [[Battle of Trafalgar]] in 1805, preventing the possibility of a seaborne invasion of the British Isles. ([[TNG]]: "[[The Best of Both Worlds, Part I]]") Napoleon was ultimately defeated at [[Waterloo]].
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| ===20th century===
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| ====World War II and Cold War====
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| [[Germany|German]] discontent over its defeat in the first world war, combined with the world-wide [[Great Depression]] and the severe punishment brought upon the nation by the Allies, allowed the rise to power of the [[Nazi]] Party, under the leadership of [[Adolf Hitler]], who became [[Chancellor]] of Germany in [[1933]]. Under Hitler's genocidal leadership, the country soon became militaristic, invading several of its neighbouring nations while embarking upon a campaign to murder every single Jew on the face of the Earth in what became known as the "Holocaust". In [[1939]], war was declared by Britain and France, following the German invasion of Poland, leading to the outbreak of [[World War II]].
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| ====Cold War====
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| The United States, with reduced troop number in Europe but with a newly acquired [[atomic bomb|nuclear weapon]] in hand, defied the USSR to come any further west, or the meddle in the affairs of the liberal democractic governments there. Likewise, the Soviets defied the United States to intervene as the Soviet military occupation replaced the governments in the eastern sector with Stalinist regimes. Shortly afterwards, the USSR successfully tested their first nuclear weapon. Fearing that Russia would soon destroy them, the United States built hundreds of nuclear weapons, as did the Soviet Union. By the end of the [[Earth Cold War|Cold War]], as this period of history became known, the US and USSR had enough nuclear weapons to destroy all life on Earth several times over. By [[1968]], a man named [[Gary Seven]], using advanced alien technology, was sent to Earth make sure mankind did not accomplish just that.
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| This "Cold War" also brought a number of new technologies, and initiated a "battle for space" between the two greater powers. In [[1957]], the Soviet Union was the first to bring an artificial satellite, the [[Sputnik I]] in orbit around Earth. Four years later, in [[1961]], the Soviet Union was also the first to bring a Human in space; Yuri Gagarin. In [[1969]], the United States was the first to land a man on [[Luna|the moon]].
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| ====Eugenics Wars====
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| Earth's late-[[20th century]] genetic engineering produced a breed of superior people, eventually resulting in the devastating [[Eugenics Wars]]. The conflict's roots lay in a group of scientists' ambitious attempt to improve the Human race through selective breeding and genetic engineering. A race of supermen, populary known as [[Augment]]s, was created, being stronger, faster and more intelligent than normal Humans.
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| Rising to power among others of his kind, [[Khan Noonien Singh]]'s ambition helped forment the Eugenics Wars that involved much of Earth's third world, eventually leading to upwards of 30 to 37 million deaths.
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| Hostilities broke out in [[1993]], when Khan and his forces seized control of fourty Earth nations. By [[1996]], Khan ruled a quarter of the planet from the Near to the Far East. As western military forced attacked Khan's empire, terribly wars ensued, both between the west and the Augments, as well as between rival supermen. Entire populations were bombed out of existence, while hostilities spread as far as northern [[Africa]]. In late 1996, Khan's empire — the last of the Augments' nations to fall — was defeated by combined western military forces. Thousands of Augment embryos were placed in cryogenic suspension, while over eighty of the tyrants were unaccounted for; a fact the western governments succesfully hid from the general population in order to avoid the outbreak of widespread panic. It was not until [[2267]] that Khan and his followers were discovered adrift in a [[sleeper ship]], apparently having succesfully fled the planet shortly after the eugenics conflict.
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| ===21st century===
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| ====Increasing Political Unrest====
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| In [[2024]], Europe was thrown into tumult by student riots, and the emergence of radical political philosphies such as the [[Neo-Trotskyism|Neo-Trotskyist]] movement. Many people in the United States believed such social ills were confined to Europe but they would shortly be proved wrong by the Bell Riots.
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| The Federal Employment Act was repealled in the United States, and [[Sanctuary District]]s were established in all of its major cities. These districts were originally created to help America's massive homeless and jobless population, with parts of cities being walled off. Instead, the districts became little more than prisions for the destitute and the mentally ill. In September of [[2024]], mounting tensions in the Sanctuary Districts culminated in the [[Bell Riots]]. Government hostages were taken by the residents of [[San Francisco]]'s Sanctuary District A. Rioting occured when the government moved to quell the protests, but thanks to the sacrifice of [[Gabriel Bell]], a Santuary District resident and protestor, none of the hostages were killed. Details of the inHumane treatment of district residents reached the planetary Internet, contributing to the political unrest of the mid-[[21st century]].
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| The early-21st century was also the time in which the bloodly Mind Control Revolts took place. They were ought to have occured from [[2043]] until [[2047]], upon which [[Mind control|behaviour control]] technology was abandoned.
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| ====Exploration of Space====
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| In [[2002]], [[Nomad]], humanity's first true interstellar probe, designed by [[Jackson Roykirk]], is launched by NASA. ([[TOS]]: "[[The Changeling]]") After advances in sublight propulsion rendered [[sleeper ship]]s a thing of the past in [[2018]], manned and unmanned exploration of space further advanced. In [[2032]], a succesful manned mission to [[Mars]], ''[[Ares IV]]'', took place. Although the command module was lost in a [[graviton ellipse]] this mission was considered as a precursor for Humankind's further exploration of space. In [[2037]], the ''[[Charybdis]]'' was launched, Earth's first attempt to take Humans beyond the [[Sol system]]. Unfortunately the contact to the ship was lost in [[2038]], but unknown at the time, the ship was swept off course by an unknown alien force and finally reached the [[Theta 116 system]].
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| ====World War III====
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| By the mid-2000s, the international scene was deteriorating. The [[United Nations]] had been reorganized as the [[New United Nations]]. A number of nations joined together in a union known as the [[Eastern Coalition]], or ECON, which opposed the United States and its allies. Hostilities between the west and the east had been rising ever since the Eugenics Wars, and finally resulted in confrontation in the early [[2050s]]. This conflict between the major powers of North America and Europe versus the Eastern Coalition was fought mainly with nuclear and satellite weapons that were deployed against major population centres and military targets, resulting in a death toll of 600 million. The conflict soon escalated into full-blown nuclear holocaust, engulfing much of the globe and nearly returning Human civilization to the Dark Ages. The subsequent collapse of the global economy, political systems, and the drastic environmental effects of the war devastated those nations which had escaped direct nuclear attack.
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| With most of the major governments collapsed, law and order soon degraded into a "guilty-until-proven-innocent", lawyer-free show trial system which lasted until [[2079]] in some parts of the world.
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| The Mediterranean region and north Africa had remained an island of Human progress and tranquility during the savagery which had racked much of the rest of the world during the 21st century, partly due to the drastic alterations made to the old sea's character and the region surrounding it — the fabled Mediterranean Sea was now hardly more than a long, slender lake which trailed off into the hazy blue distance in the direction from which it had just come. Human ingenuity had turned the region into a virtual garden, skillfully engineered climate alterations having profoundly improved the climate and character of the entire northern half of Africa. Population growth in the region had been compensated with underground city construction — similar habitation centres were constructed throughout the world in the later half of the century.
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| ====United Earth====
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| In this post-war period, [[First Contact]] launced a new era in Human history as [[Doctor|Dr]]. [[Zefram Cochrane]]'s first faster-than-light spaceflight of [[2063]] drew the attention of the neighbouring [[Vulcan]] race. As Humanity rebuilt its world from the ashes of the devastating nuclear conflict, most forms of poverty and disease were eradicated from the planet within the next fifty years. However, global recovery was uneven, at least until the early [[2080s]], and some areas of the planet remained in a state of near-anarchy, especially south-east Asia and the Near East, which bore the brunt of the atomic holocaust.
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| As Earth gradually recovered from the war, Humanity embarked on a massive wave of expansion into the galaxy. The first permanent extra-terrestial colony was established in the [[Alpha Centauri]] system in [[2078]], followed by [[Tau Ceti]] in [[2086]]. Serious colonization of Earth's moon Luna had begun by [[2103]], with the construction of [[New Berlin]] and [[Tycho City]].
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| In [[2113]], the United Nations of Earth was founded in the former French capital of Paris, with the ultimate goal of forming a united planetary government based upon the principles of the former United Nations organization. Although several nations originally declined membership, all of Earth would find itself united under one single government body by the early-22nd century.
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| ===22nd century===
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| ====Interstellar Expansion====
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| The [[United Earth Government]] soon established the [[Earth Starfleet]]: a civilian organization dedicated to exploration and scientific advancement. Although the Vulcans prevented Earth's [[warp]] program from evolving "too soon", Earth launched its first true [[starship]], the [[Enterprise (NX-01)|NX-01 ''Enterprise'']] in [[2151]]. The inventor of warp drive himself, Zefram Cochrane, disappeared in [[2119]], shortly after dedicating the [[Warp Five Complex]].
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| Eager to explore the stars, scores of starships were launched in an exuberant search for knowledge about the galaxy. As United Earth expanded its reach, it became a highly influential economic power, facilitating trade between most of the worlds of known space. In less than one hundred years, the Human race grew from a struggling species on the brink of extinction into a significant role as leaders of the interstellar community. Expanding in all directions, continuously increasing their wealth and knowledge of the universe, Humanity appeared to have a bright future in store.
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| By the mid-[[22nd century]], Earth was rapidly growing to become a regional power in the [[Alpha Quadrant]]. At the time, [[Vulcan (planet)|Vulcan]] was one of the dominant races in the quadrant, being the political and military superpower of the region. However, the Vulcans' influence was constantly challenged by the neighbouring [[Andorian Empire]], as a state of cold war between the two remained in place until the [[2150s]].
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| In 2151, the Vulcan monitoring station beneath the ancient monastery of [[P'Jem]] was discovered by the [[Andorian]]s, with the aid of the crew of the Human starship [[Enterprise (NX-01)|NX-01 ''Enterprise'']]. Causing in a impairment of Earth-Vulcan relations, it also resulted in a growing mutual respect between Andoria and Earth. Shortly thereafter, the monastery was destroyed by Andorian orbital bombardment. This caused turmoil and upheaval on Vulcan, including the dismissal of the [[First Minister]].
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| In [[2154]], V'Las claimed to have proof that the Andorians were developing a superweapon, and planned to invade Andoria in order to pre-empt this threat. The Andorians, however, were warned in advance of the planned invasion by Vulcan Ambassador [[Soval]] and the crew of the Enterprise, so as to prepare for attack. As the battle got underway, Captain [[Jonathan Archer]] of ''Enterprise'' and [[Syrrannite]]-leader [[T'Pau]] brought the ''[[Kir'Shara]]'' containing the original writings of Surak into the High Command's headquarters, justifying the Surrannites' position and enabling [[Kuvak|Minister Kuvak]] to challenge V'Las' increasingly illogical behaviour. In short order, the attack on Andoria was cancelled, V'Las deposed, and the High Command disbanded. Kuvak and T'Pau formed a new transitional government which promised to pursue peaceful policies, and also to end its restrictions on Earth's technological development and expansion.
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| It was not known at this time that V'Las had been working in conjunction with Romulan agents, as part of a plan for reunification of Vulcan and Romulus.
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| Romulan interference would again be felt later that year, in November 2154, when a Romulan plot to destabilize the region had the opposite effect and created a temporary alliance among the Andorians, Humans, [[Tellarite]]s and Vulcans. The proceeding Babel trade conference helped bring peace to the strained Andorian-Tellarite relations. Possibly, this failed attempt to drive the four powers apart eventually resulted in the devastating Romulan War.
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| ====Romulan War====
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| The Romulan War has been one of the bloodiest and fiercest conflicts in interstellar history. The war was in fact unique in many ways. Interstellar travel and communications were still in their infancy when the war started. Starships rarely exceeded Warp 4, and had to rely on automated torpedoes for communication. Subspace radio was inefficient, weaponry was limited to short-range phasers and warp-capable fusion missiles.
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| Before the war, Humans and [[Romulan]]s did not have contact with each other. The first direct communications were by subspace radio when the truce that ended the war was negotiated in [[2160]]. In addition, there was no personal contact of any kind. Ship-to-ship combat took place over distances of thousands of millions of kilometres, and colonies were either evacuated before attack of completely destroyed from orbit. United Earth intelligence had little success deciphering Romulan communications. In fact, what the enemy called themselves could not even be determined. They were given the name "Romulans" after the designation for the planet from which they were believed to have come. That the Romulans were an offshoot of the Vulcan race was not discovered until more than a century later.
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| ====United Federation of Planets====
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| Immediately following Cheron, ambassadors of surrounding star nations met to discuss the idea of a grand unification. Delegations composed of [[Andorian]]s, Humans, [[Tellarite]]s, and [[Vulcan]]s came together for a historic seminar. What emerged after a conference in [[San Francisco]] was the blueprint constitution for the United Federation of Planets; a body dedicated to research, understanding and cooperation, with the exciting mandate for the mass exploration of space, supported by a specialist [[Starfleet]] agency, that, as well as being a defence mechanism for the federation, would conduct missions of discovery, with the ideal goal of contact with new worlds.
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| After the earlier paper work, diplomacy, and red tape had commenced to sort out the multi-facetted architecture needed for such a union to work, the United Federation of Planets was founded. First and foremost was the formation of a centralized [[Federation Council]]. Employing a full presidential system, the Federation Council would be the diplomatic, organizing and presiding governing body in control of federation affairs. The organization's headquarters location was voted as being San Francisco, which had for a century been the principal administrative centre of Earth affairs.
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| The [[Federation President|president]], meanwhile, taking control of the Council for no more than two four year terms, was elected from Federation Council member ambassadors on a rotational basis. The first president remarked on the aesthetically agreeable surroundings of the ancient European city of Paris and took residence there. As a tradition, the president of the Federation always resides in Paris.
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| The Federation's guidelines were set about in the [[Federation Charter]]; the organization's constitution. This historic document, written in [[2161]], outlined the framework by which the Federation was to be governed — based upon the [[United States Constitution|Constitution of the United States of America]], Earth (adopted in 1789), the [[Fundamental Declarations of the Martian colonies|Fundamental Declarations of the Colonies of Mars]], and the [[Statutes of Alpha III]].
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| ===Earth under the Federation===
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| Following the establishment of the Federation, Earth became the target of a number of hostile foreign powers' wrath. Planetary emergencies were declared in [[2273]], when the artificial life-form known as [[V'Ger]] threatened all life on Earth, as did the [[Whale Probe]] in [[2286]]. Earth was threatened with [[assimilation]] into the [[Borg Collective]] in late [[2366]] and late [[2373]], and now is the most coveted world to occupy in the [[Federation Civil War]], however, no Aplha or Beta Quadrant power has ever made an actual assault on the planet. On the whole, however, Earth remained a paradise throughout the 23rd, 24th, and into the 25th centuries.
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| ==Human Philosophy==
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| Human philosophy has changed much over its history. It was dramatically altered after [[Zefram Cochrane]]'s test of his [[warp drive]], which initiated [[Earth]]'s [[first contact]] with an alien race. Within 50 years, poverty, hunger, and war amongst the nations of [[Earth]] had been abolished. Racism and other prejudices soon followed. The discovery of extraterrestrial life and [[Vulcan philosophy|new philosophies]] such as the [[Vulcan]] concept of [[IDIC]], placed humanity's self-image in a new perspective.
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| Human philosophy revolves around self-enlightenment and the bettering of society as a whole. A Human's moral goal is the achievement of knowledge through peaceful exploration, as recognized in Starfleet's Prime Directive of non-interference with other cultures. Humans have found a sense of balance in their lives and attitudes. Compassion, courage, and intellect that have been developed into an ideal combination, with ambitions of further self-improvement.
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| Another aspect of Human philosophy is the abolition of [[money]]. Greed and selfishness had faded as technological progress opened humanity's possibilities. Earth's economy changed, spurring the creation of the [[New World Economy]]. Deviations from these ideals are rare and considered abnormal behavior for humans.
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| Many alien cultures have found humanity confusing, due (in part) to the fact that humans are mostly pacifist, but would fight with lethal force as a last resort. This inherent conflicting nature made Earth an ideal choice in mediating disputes and finding common ground in interstellar affairs, where the more experienced Vulcans had failed. It is of note that philosophy courses that are not required at Starfleet Academy, but encouraged nonetheless.
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| :''"Of all the species we've made contact with yours is the only one we can't define. You have the arrogance of Andorians, the stubborn pride of Tellarites. One moment you're as driven by your emotions as Klingons, and the next you confound us by suddenly embracing logic."''
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| :''"I'm sure those qualities are found in every species..."''
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| :''"...But not in such confusing abundance."''
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| - Dialogue: [[Ambassador]] [[Soval]] and [[Vice-Admiral]] [[Maxwell Forrest]]
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