I am the biggest nerd you will ever meet. I meet a lot of people who have a vague idea of what Star Trek is about but don't really understand enough to enjoy it. It's often said if you enjoy Science, Politics, History or Medicine you'll slip into becoming a trekkie even faster. The great thing is every episode often has all of them all rolled up into one. The new Star Trek movies are a "reboot" of the series they don't help people unfamiliar to trek understand what its all about. Paramount is trying to keep the random from dispersing because its been a long time since the last Star Trek TV series was out and frankly it was terrible, they made it too "Hollywood". Star Trek is a TV series at heart it cant continue on as movies.

 

But enough of that. If you've decided to continue reading then either you are ready to learn more about Star Trek or you are bored and just feel like readin somethin. Either ways fine with me.

 

For this first bit of intro im just gonna touch on some of the major political factions in Star Trek.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Federation was founded in 2161. It was founded by Earth, Vulcan, Andoria, Tellar Prime and a few others. Its purpose was to unite the various planets under a single government but still allow them to govern themselves semi autonomously under the values of universal liberty, rights, and equality, and to share their knowledge and resources in peaceful cooperation and space exploration. Humans have advanced to the point where curiosity is what drives us as a species. Most humans in this time period live on average 120 years. (this is star trek anything is possible) The Federation are often depicted as the "good guys". The UFP is one of the older governing bodies in the galaxy hosting over 1000 different planets. Its government is the easiest to understand it operates almost exactly as the government of the United States. Humans have united in this time period. What country you come from isn't as important as being from earth. The Federation was founded in San Fransisco but is headed in Paris. As we are a member of a union other species have come to live on earth and are treated as equals. The Federation's defense and exploration responsibilities fall on Starfleet. Starfleet is the space exploration and defence force of the Federation. Its purpose is to .. well seek out new life and civilizations and to go where no one has gone before. To understand what was previously unknown and to defend the Federation. In the series it often must assume a Military role and its personnel must be reminded of its scientific responsibilities. As a result of this Ideology Federation Starships are often outgunned and outmatched when in combat with ships of the other powers in the galaxy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As time progressed the Federation began to make their ships more capable to defend and attack if the need came up. Starfleet's role as a military organization is the source of great controversy in all time periods in Star Trek. The "Prime Directive" as well. The Prime Directive also known as Starfleet General Order #1 is the noninterference with other cultures and civilizations. Starfleet may never violate this order. To give an example.. lets say you land on a planet with 2 civilizations warring with one another. It is against the prime directive to favor one over the other and it is also against the prime directive (in some instances) to help them negotiate peace. Or perhaps you land on a planet that has a culture that has not yet developed the capabilities to build star ships. (Warp capable civiliations are the only civilizations allowed to join the Federation) If you interact with them this is a violation of the prime directive. Imagine going back in time and showing a caveman an Iphone. That's the impact that violating the Prime Directive has.

 

 

 

 

 

The Klingon Empire shares a border with the United Federation of Planets. The Klingons are a warrior race. They value Honor above everything else. Unlike the Federation the Klingon Empire was build by conquest. The Klingons host a territory smaller than Federation but one that has a distinct culture and language. The Klingon Empire was founded by its first Emperor, Kahless the Unforgettable who led a series of conquests which ultimately united the Klingons and gave them focus instead of war amongst themselves. (Although Civil war is very common) The Klingons come from the planet Qo'noS (pronounced Kronos) in our galaxy. The planets axis tilt causes the native life on Qo'noS to be aggressive and be able to adapt to various different types of climates. The Klingon government was originally a feudal monarchy. The great houses of the empire united under the Emperor to form the High Council. The Emperor usually being one of Kahless' decendents. This practice fell out of favor and instead the leader of the Empire is usually the Chancellor of the High Council. The Klingons have little interest in scientific exploration. Their purpose is to conquer all those who cannot withstand them. Some worlds actually decide to join the Empire willingly as they know they don't have the military capabilities to fight off a Klingon invasion. The Klingon Defense Force is responsible for these glorious victories. The Klingon attitude usually is "the price of peace is eternal vigilance". They will not be caught off guard because they are always on the offensive. As a result of this mentality Klingon starships are built with the specific purpose of fighting and winning battles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the Klingon attitude toward war, the Klingon Empire and the Federation have at times enjoyed periods of peace and cooperation. Mostly because of the Federation's desire to learn more about Klingon Culture and Society and the Klingons understanding that they (at present) do not have the capabilities to outmatch Starfleet in full scale war. The two powers have often entered military alliances when presented with a threat neither side can face alone. The destruction caused by over mining on the moon Praxis (Qo'noS' only satellite) had a catastrophe effect on the atmosphere on Qo'noS. The Klingons were not able to able to repair the damage to their planet because of their limited scientific ablities and their massive military budget. The Federation offered assistance to the Klingon Empire and it is considered the beginning of one of the longest periods of Federation/Klingon peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Romulans control a territory roughly equal to that of the Klingon Empire and also share a border with the Federation. To understand Romulans you must first understand a bit of Vulcan history. (Vulcans being from the planet Vulcan and a founding member of the United Federation of Planets). The Vulcans previously, were a warlike people at war with one another akin to the way the Klingons are. A Vulcan philosopher named Surak proposed that all Vulcans learn to suppress their emotions as they are the reasons behind all of the war. He suggested that Vulcans live and be driven by logic instead of passion and emotion. (this is why Vulcans do not show emotions) Most Vulcans agreed and accepted Suraks teachings. A large group however did not. These people, who rejected Surak's teachings left Vulcan to find a world of their own. This mass exodus of Vulcans who rejected the teachings of Surak is known as the Sundering. These people became Romulans. As a result of this split Romulans and Vulcans share almost identical physiology and appearance. The Romulan homeworld known as Romulus has a twin planet in its close proximity known as Remus. (guess where you've heard those names in history) Romulus and Remus are the center of the Romulan Star Empire. The Remans are a slave caste of Romulan Society often forced into working in mines or conscripted as soldiers in the Romulan Military. The Romulans are a xenophobic people. The do not trust anyone who does not submit to them or recognize their "superiority". The Romulan Empire was also founded by conquest. The Romulan Government is headed by a Senate. The Senators being elected from their respected regions and representing their regions interests in the senate. The Senate is lead by the Praetor. Traditionally the Praetor was elected although the Senate has been known to give the position to the highest ranking Admiral in the Romulan military. During the early period of Romulan history they were led by an Emperor and his descendants. In recent times the title of Emperor/Empress is one that is taken. Anyone with the influence in both the Senate and the Military can take the title and become the next Emperor/Empress and rule over the Praetor. This has happened but it is not common. Because of their xenophobic policies toward other governments and species the Romulans are known to be the best liars in the galaxy. Their policy is that "Misdirection is the key to survival, If knowledge is power than to be unknown is to be unconquerable". Although the Romulan Military is responsible for the defense of Romulan space the Tal Shiar is responsible for most of the Romulan military gains. The Tal Shiar is the Romulan Secret Intelligence service and Secret Police force. As a result of this thinking, Romulan starships are built with stealth as their biggest assets. Romulans are also known to be the creators of starship cloaking technology. Their ego's are often reflected in their starships as they tend to build ships larger than they need to be simply to show off their power.