Federation-Cardassian War

The Federation-Cardassian Wars was a prolonged period of battles and conflicts between the United Federation of Planets and Cardassia, taking place from at least 2347, continuing through the 2350s. In the Federation, these wars were also known as the Cardassian Wars.

Several skirmishes boiled over into the 2360s, but some historians did not consider these skirmishes a part of the Wars. By this time, the wars became a virtual stalemate with neither side gaining any large advantage over the others.

Particular Battles and Ships Involved
Sometime between 2347 and the early 2350s, Cardassian forces attacked Federation colony Setlik III, believing it to be a Starfleet staging ground for an attack on Cardassian space. Not finding any sign of a military base, the Cardassians attacked the colonists, killing over 100 and causing the Setlik III massacre. The USS Rutledge, under the command of Captain Benjamin Maxwell, responded to the colony's distress call, dispatching landing parties to save the remaining colonists. Miles O'Brien, Will Kayden and Raymond Boone were amongst the Starfleet personnel sent in the landing parties. Miles O'Brien became known as the "Hero of Setlik III" and was awarded for his heroic actions. 

In the war, the USS Tecumseh, under the command of Captain Raymond, was involved in numerous battles. 

Fighting mostly occurred in the area that would become known as the Demilitarized Zone. One war hot spot was the Beloti sector and, in the 2350s, gravitic mines were deployed in the sector. Federation systems such as Minos Korva were fought over during the wars. 

Prior to 2355, the USS Stargazer, under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, attempted a Federation truce offering, and, as a gesture of good will, Picard lowered the Stargazer ' s shields on approach. The Cardassian commander disregarded the gesture, firing upon the Stargazer, disabling her weapons and impulse engines. The Stargazer fled the scene. 


 * This occurred sometime between the mid-2340s and 2355.

Then-Lieutenant Kathryn Janeway was a member of an away team fighting Cardassians from taking a Federation outpost. The Cardassians fought for weeks, including a three-day firefight, but Starfleet forces prevailed, securing the outpost. 


 * It is assumed this occurred when Janeway was stationed aboard the Al-Batani under Owen Paris's command, and would have to occur prior to 2363, when Janeway was stationed aboard the USS Billings''.

Deep Divisions and Losses
The war caused deep divisions as the losses mounted. Ambassador Sarek and his son Spock publicly disagreed on the war, dividing their family and causing serious damage to their relationship. Gul Evek lost two out of his three sons during the war, while Captain Maxwell lost his entire family. Starfleet lost crewmen such as Raymond Boone and Will Kayden during the war. 

Truce and Peace Treaty
In 2367, the Federation and Cardassians established a truce, ending hostilities between the two parties but leaving many questions unanswered. The truce was uneasy, with Captain Benjamin Maxwell aboard the USS Phoenix engaging in unprovoked attacks on Cardassian vessels, claiming they were transporting weapons. Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the USS Enterprise-D crew were successful in stopping Maxwell but warned the Cardassians they suspected Maxwell's claims were true. 

In 2369, the Cardassians attempted to take back Minos Korva, a disputed area during the wars. In that same year, some Starfleet members feared the Cardassians would try to annex the Igo sector. 

In 2370, a final treaty was signed by the two sides, establishing a Demilitarized Zone between the two parties, creating a new border and clarifying ownership of planets such as Dorvan V. The Miltoans were involved in this process. 

Aftermath
Tensions still remained high between the two powers after the signing of the treaty.

The Maquis was created by disgruntled Starfleet officers, crewmen and Federation civilians who felt "sold out" by the Federation with the treaty and the creation of the DMZ.

Despite the truce, the Federation and Cardassians would be at war again by late 2373, taking different sides in the Dominion War.