Unification Mandate

Political event

The central planets of the Core which form the Anglo-Sino Alliance decide that all of the settled planets have to join under their rule. Rim and border worlds dissent; politics behind the independence movement begins gathering steam.

The central planets of the Core which form the Anglo-Sino Alliance decide that all of the settled planets have to join under their rule. There is some disagreement on that point. As a result, the Alliance wages the War to Unite the Planets (or Unification War) to bring those planets under their rule, fighting against the Independent Faction, also known as Browncoats.   [Opening narration. The specific year is seemingly conjecture, but would have to be after the events on Miranda, described as being "just before the war" in Serenity; and before the initial flashback seen in "Safe," as young River makes reference to an "Independent squad," suggesting that the war is already underway. The name of the "War to Unite the Planets" was given in a deleted scene from the pilot episode "Serenity," available on the DVD release of the series and (in rough form) on the Firefly website; while the name "Unification War" is given on the Serenity website. It is likely that the Independents would have a different name for the war...but then, history is programmed by the winners.]