Earth Civil War (2260-61)

From The Great Machine

For other instances of the name "Earth Civil War", see Earth Civil War (disambiguation)

The first of two known Earth Civil Wars shown on screen (three World Wars are recorded prior to Human colonisation of space).

President William Morgan Clark backed by Nightwatch and Psi-Corps declared marshal law to consolidate power over Earth's government and citizens in 2260. In response John Sheridan, based on Babylon 5, led an alliance of rebel Earthforce ships, Earth colonists and Mars Resistance members. Sheridan's forces eventually fought for the independence of the Earth colonies, including Proxima 3, Orion 7 and Mars, ultimately fighting for control of Earth itself.

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow. Affecting people who have not seen/read: Point of No Return through all of season 4

1 General Information
2 Main Events
3 The Political Office
4 Resistance Movements
5 Battles
6 Consequences

[edit] General Information

Although an active resistance movement began after the death of Earth President Luis Santiago, this conflict officially began in 2260 with the space battle at the transfer point on Io between Clark loyalists and rebel forces led by Ex-Joint Chief General Hague (S3E09, Point of No Return). The conflict quickly widened to include the bombing of civilian targets on Mars. (S3E10, Severed Dreams)

After evidence was leaked that Clark had a hand in President Santiago's death aboard Earth Force One, (S2E13, Hunter, Prey) Clark moved people who were loyal to him into high positions in both Earthforce and EarthGov (S3E04, Voices of Authority). When too many questions arose over the truth behind Clark's succession to the presidency, he ordered martial law declared on Earth, then Mars and Io, and finally the entire Earth Alliance. Martial law came into effect on Babylon 5 on April 9, 2260. (S3E09, Point of No Return)

Shortly after, the first space battle in the Civil War occurred at the transfer point off Io when five rebel Earthforce ships led by Joint Chief of Staff General Hague detroyed or disabled a superior force loyal to President Morgan Clark. The two surviving ships, including General Hague's flagship EAS Alexander continued onwards to a rendevous at Orion 7 to attempt to organise a counter strike.[1]

On the way back from Orion 7, the EAS Alexander was attacked by the EAS Clarkstown. In the ensuing battle, the Clarkstown was destroyed, while the Alexander was significantly damaged, and General Hague sustained fatal injuries. The Alexander then jumped to Babylon 5 under the command of its first officer Major Ed Ryan. (S3E10, Severed Dreams)

As a result of Clark's actions, perhaps the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back," the Mars Resistance movement gained a stronger following, and the Mars Provisional Government refused to declare martial law. (S3E10, Severed Dreams)

EarthGov's response was to send in Thunderbolt fighters to bomb civilian-occupied pressure domes. In counter-response, Orion 7, Proxima 3, and Babylon 5 sequentially declared independence. (S3E10, Severed Dreams)

Earthforce units loyal to President Clark were sent to recapture these colonies/outposts. Only Babylon 5, aided by Delenn's cobbled-together Minbari fleet, remained independent, if precariously. (S3E10, Severed Dreams)

Proxima 3 was later retaken and liberated by rebel forces loyal to Sheridan, after an Earthforce blockading fleet illegally attacked and destroyed several unarmed civilian transports attempting to evacuate many of the sick, injured and starving from the "killing zone." (S4E15, No Surrender, No Retreat) Thus began Sheridan's advance towards Earth.

[edit] Main Events

Vice President Morgan Clark allies himself with the Psi Corps and the Shadows (S3E01, Matters of Honor; S3E08, Messages from Earth)
President Santiago is killed on board Earthforce One and Vice President Clark ascends to the EA Presidency (S1E22, Chrysalis)
A resistance movement within Earthforce begins questioning President Clark's actions (S2E11, All Alone in the Night)
Evidence surfaces that Luis Santiago was assasinated (S3E05, Voices of Authority)
Captain Sheridan's attack on a Shadow vessel found on Ganymede initiates a Planetary Security alert (S3E08 Messages from Earth)
Clark dissolves the Earth Senate and martial law is declared thorughout the EA. Nightwatch is granted sole authority for security on all Earth colonies and outposts (S3E09 Point of No Return)
Forces loyal to Clark ambush five ships led by General Hague aboard the EAS Alexander at the transfer point off Io. The loyalists are destroyed or disabled, and Hague continues to Orion 7 with two surviving ships. (S3E09 Point of No Return)
On the way back from Orion 7, the Alexander destroys the EAS Clarkstown, sustaining significant damage to the ship and fatal injuries to General Hague. The ship jumps to Babylon 5 for repairs, precipitating a battle. (S3E09 Point of No Return)
Clark orders Earthforce to fire on civilian targets on Mars, causing several colonies (including Babylon 5) to declare their independence (S3E10, Severed Dreams)
Clark's forces capture the ISN broadcast centre; when it comes back online, it as a propoganda tool for Clark's government (S3E10, Severed Dreams; S3E13 Ship of Tears)
After the Shadows leave, Clark begins a propoganda war against Babylon 5 including an embargo on all travel to the station (S4E07, Epiphanies; S4E08, The Illusion of Truth)
The Voice of the Resistance airs as a counter to ISN (S4E12, Conflicts of Interest)
After Earthforce begins attacking civilian vessels, Sheridan uses the Whitestar Fleet to begin liberating the EA (S4E15, No Surrender, No Retreat)
Sheridan leads the final battle to free Earth as President Clark takes his own life but not before turning the G.O.D. system against Earth itself (S4E20, Endgame)

[edit] The Political Office

The Political Office, akin to the party "aparatchicks" of the defunct Soviet Union's KGB 3rd Chief Directorate (Political Education), provided political oversight and control through the use of Political Officers (S3E05 Voices of Authority) and the Nightwatch. The goal of these officers and agents was to establish and maintain political reliability and ideological purity, and to provide "damage control," should the truth accidentally get out...