Wikia

For the mirror universe counterpart, see Cardassian Union (mirror).

"Control is the only thing that matters, methods are not important. Efficiency is what counts in the end. Exploit what you conquer for in the struggle for survival, every resource is critical. History is written by the victors." - Narrator of Cardassian Intro in Birth of the Federation.

The Cardassian Union, also referred to as the Cardassian Empire, is an interstellar political entity in the Alpha Quadrant, headed by the civilian Detapa Council and the military Central Command, based on planet Cardassia Prime.

The name Cardassian Empire is first used in the episode "Ensign Ro"; the term Cardassian Union is introduced in "Chain of Command", and the two seem to be used interchangeably.

HistoryEdit

See main article: Cardassian history.

The balance of political power between the Detapa Council and Central Command has shifted numerous time through history, influenced at times by the Obsidian Order, Cardassia's secretive intelligence organization. In 2372, the Detapa Council took control of the government, sparking suspicions of a Dominion-influenced coup and leading to a Klingon invasion. (DS9 episode: "The Way of the Warrior") In 2373, Gul Skrain Dukat, then military advisor to the Detapa Council, secretly negotiated an alliance with the Dominion, making himself the nominal head of the Cardassian Union. (DS9 episode: "By Inferno's Light")

In the aftermath of the Dominion War, a democratic government was established, headed by Alon Ghemor. (DS9 novel: A Stitch in Time)

Government and PoliticsEdit

Through their entire expansionist period, the Cardassian government was a military dictatorship called the Central Command. Although traditionally under the control of the Detapa Council, the civilian ruling body, both the Central Command and the Obsidian Order intelligence agency often operated with virtual autonomy. The two agencies often vied with each other over governmental control and policies. (Decipher RPG module: Aliens) A special military liaison office was present that served to link the Central Command to that of the Obsidian Order. It was effectively considered a neutral position though it had little power over the direction of the Order. (TLE novel: Dawn of the Eagles)

A civilian uprising to overthrow the Central Command restored power to the Detapa Council, but it remained influential in politics and society. When the Cardassians concluded their alliance with the Dominion, Cardassia became a virtual dictatorship, with Gul Dukat in command. (Decipher RPG module: Aliens) Following the Dominion War the Cardassian Union became a representative democracy. However, previously (2375) it was a military dictatorship. The Detapa Council acts as the legislature of the Union.

There were a number of different political factions within the government which included the Directorate that sought to maintain the power of the military and the democratic Reunion Project. In addition, there were the Revanche that sought to control the wormhole in the Bajor system and Dja Bajora Karass which aimed for the reconquest of Bajor itself.

GroupsEdit

Foreign RelationsEdit

As of 2369, the Cardassians were allied with the Klaestron. (DS9 episode: "Dax")

In 2381 following the creation of the Typhon Pact the Cardassian Union received an invitation to attend a summit to discuss an expansion of the Khitomer Accords.

MilitaryEdit

"Those who fail the Union aren't demoted - they are eliminated." - Olij Merant

The primary space force of the Cardassian Union is the Cardassian Guard, which is administrated by Central Command. The Obsidian Order served as the primary intelligence organization for the Union, but no longer. A common award given by the Cardassian Union is the Legate's Crest of Valor. (VOY episode: "Nothing Human") Though the Proficient Service Medallion was also a prestigious award. (DS9 episode: "Duet") The head of the military and of Central Command was a Cardassian who held the rank of Gul-Tar. (DS9 novel: Objective: Bajor)

In 2367, the military made use of transporters with active feed pattern buffers, despite the Federation having more advanced transporter technology. The Guard also made use of high-energy subspace fields on ships to jam enemy sensors. The Cardassian Union also possessed inferior replicator technology to that of the Federation, as of 2369. (TNG episode: "The Wounded"; DS9 episode: "Emissary")

The Cardassian Guard was divided into orders; following the withdrawal from Bajor in 2369, both the Fourth and Seventh Orders were stationed near Bajoran space. (DS9 episode: "Emissary")

The Trager may be the flagship of the Cardassian Guard in 2375.

CultureEdit

Cardassian colonies tend to have a Re-education Center present on the planet in order to ensure the loyalty of the population. (TNG video game: Birth of the Federation) The Oralian Way is a repressed religious group in the Cardassian Union. (DS9 novel: A Stitch in Time) The Lek was the unit of currency present within the Union.

See also:

Dujonian's Hoard

TerritoryEdit

The Union Territories were noted to have borders with the Talarian Republic, Breen Confederacy and the Tzenkethi Coalition. (TLE novel: Day of the Vipers) In addition the Ferengi Alliance and the United Federation of Planets shared a border with the Cardassian Union. In the 2330s, the Union was also adjacent to territory belonging to the Ubarrak Primacy; the two powers both maintained a presence in the "Oblivion" sector. (STA novel: Oblivion)

In 2368, territories near the borders of the Union included the Federation worlds Minos Korva and Solarion IV, the neutral planets Torman V and Tohvun III, and the Valo system, located approximately 13,000 kilometers from the border in neutral territory. Federation facilities near the border at this time included Starbase 211, Lya Station Alpha, and the Argus Array. (TNG episodes: "The Wounded", "Ensign Ro", "Chain of Command", "Parallels")

Sectors 21305 and 21503 are on the Federation side of the border. (TNG episodes: "The Wounded", "Ensign Ro")

Cardassian territory was at least partially re-defined in 2369, as the Cardassians withdrew from Bajor. In 2371, Prophet's Landing was the Bajoran colony closest to the new Cardassian border. (DS9 episodes: "Emissary", "Heart of Stone")

Cardssian territory also bordered Romulan space, at least during the Dominion War. Their territories met in the Glintara sector. (DS9 episode: "In the Pale Moonlight")

Following the Dominion War, Union territory was reduced to the Algira, Almatha, Cardassia and Dorvan sectors. (CoE eBook: Troubleshooting)

PlanetsEdit

Amleth Prime
Cardassia
Cardassia III (DS9 episode: "Prophet Motive")
Cardassia IV (DS9 episode: "The Homecoming")
Celtris III (TNG episode: "Chain of Command")
Doltec
Kestian
Lazon II (DS9 episode: "Defiant")
Omekla III (DS9 episode: "Defiant")
Orias III (DS9 episode: "Defiant")
Sunzek (ST novella: The Slow Knife)
Ventani II (DS9 episode: "Tears of the Prophets")

Other featuresEdit

Almatha sector (DS9 episode: "Defiant")
Farside Station (DS9 novel: Betrayal)
McAllister C-Five Nebula (TNG episode: "Chain of Command")
Outpost 47 (DS9 episode: "Defiant")
Rokat colony (DS9 episode: "Defiant")
Sector 21505 (TNG episode: "The Wounded")

ConflictsEdit

Alternate versionsEdit

Alternate 2250sEdit

In the alternate reality created by Nero's destruction of the USS Kelvin in the year 2233, the Federation's expansion unfolded differently, and contact had been made with the Cardassian Union by the 2250s. In this reality, the Cardassians had military confrontations with Starfleet starships in that era. (TOS video game: The Mobile Game)

ParallelsEdit

In a parallel universe visited by Worf in 2370, the Cardassian Empire was overthrown by the Bajorans. In this same universe, a Cardassian served as the conn officer of the USS Enterprise, suggesting an alliance between the Empire and the Federation. (TNG episode: "Parallels")

The visitorEdit

In an alternate timeline created by the death of Benjamin Sisko in 2372, the Cardassians entered into a mutual defense pact with the Bajorans, allying themselves against the Klingon Empire. (DS9 episode: "The Visitor")

The War of the ProphetsEdit

In one alternate timeline set after 2375 which was created by the formation of the Red Wormhole and the start of the War of the Prophets; the Cardassian Union and its people would be destroyed by the Grigari and the Bajoran Ascendancy. The Hub worlds and the Union Territories would be destroyed and by the year 2400 there was nothing left of the Union beyond scattered groups of mercenaries, refugees and madmen. (DS9 - Millennium novel: The War of the Prophets)

External linkEdit

Cardassian Union article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.

ConnectionsEdit

major states in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants
Khitomer Accords alliance	Cardassian Union • Ferengi Alliance • Klingon Empire • United Federation of Planets
Typhon Pact	Breen Confederacy • Gorn Hegemony • Holy Order of the Kinshaya • Romulan Star Empire • Tholian Assembly • Tzenkethi Coalition
non-aligned states	Andorian Empire • Daa'Vit Confederacy • Danteri Empire • First Federation • Gottar Hegemony • Grigari • Hydran Kingdom • Interstellar Concordium • Jibetian Confederacy • Lyran Star Empire • Metron Consortium • Orion Colonies • Patriarchy • Regnancy of the Carnelian Throne • Sheliak Corporate • Talarian Republic • Tezwa • Thallonian Protectorate • Ubarrak Primacy
defunct states	Thallonian Empire • Imperial Romulan State • Zalkat Union

INTERSTELLAR STATE
Cardassian Union

Dominant species:	Cardassian
Location:	Alpha Quadrant
Capital:	Cardassia City, Cardassia
Principal City:	Lakarian City, Cardassia
Sovereignty:	prior to 1871
Military:	Cardassian Guard
Government
System of government:	Representative Democracy
Legislature:	Detapa Council
Head of state:	Castellan (Alon Ghemor, 2379)
Head of government:	Castellan (Alon Ghemor, 2379)
People
Currency:	Cardassian lek Cardassian drokna
Language:	Cardassian
Territory: