What would YOU do to make Enterprise?

[Deepcrush]

It could also be an Earth Led Coalition. The Romulans were a threat to all the major races of the region-the Andorians, the Vulcans, the Tellarites, etc.

No. Because if it was then Spock would have said the "Earth Coalition or Coalition - Romulan war". He didn't. TOS pointed out very directly that it was a Earth vs Romulan Star Empire war.

[SuperSaiyaMan12]

It could also be an Earth Led Coalition. The Romulans were a threat to all the major races of the region-the Andorians, the Vulcans, the Tellarites, etc.

No. Because if it was then Spock would have said the "Earth Coalition or Coalition - Romulan war". He didn't. TOS pointed out very directly that it was a Earth vs Romulan Star Empire war.

Deep, that could just be called the 'short' version of the War's name. Like how the Federation Alliance faced the Dominion? Or WWII with USA vs Japan and Germany isn't called that?

[Deepcrush]

Deep, that could just be called the 'short' version of the War's name. Like how the Federation Alliance faced the Dominion? Or WWII with USA vs Japan and Germany isn't called that?

The Dominion War was called.... "The Dominion War". The Dominion (as the CU and BC joined the Dominion) vs the Alpha Quadrant Alliance.

World War II was that Axis powers vs the Alliance of free nations.

Neither of the above was the US/UK/France/Poland/Russia/etc........ vs Germany/Italy/Japan/Korea/etc....... war. Neither were named for their factions. The Earth-Romulan War was named for its factions. All two of them.

[Graham Kennedy]

I like the Earth Romulan war as being between Earth forces and the Romulans only. I see it as an important moment in the development of Humans in the series - the ER war is when Earth proved that it was a power to be reckoned with in this part of the Galaxy, not just a bunch of newbie upstarts. You lose that if you have the Romulans or Andorians or whomever save Earth.

And the whole "we almost lost and then suddenly we win" thing is a bit unrealistic. One thing I didn't like about the Dominion war is how fortunes changed so rapidly and often. Wars don't tend to go like that.

I'd have the Romulans as well known bad guys in the area. They are mysterious, known to be dangerous, and suspected of being behind raids on shipping, etc - but nobody really knows for sure because they never leave any survivors behind. Expeditions into Romulan space generally vanish without trace. Everybody is concerned because there's no real intel on how big or powerful they are - but they seem to be stepping up their attacks.

I'd have a two season war arc. The first would have the war begin with the Romulans invading a series of colonies on the edge of human space. Andorians and Vulcans are too nervous of the Romulans to help, and declare neutrality. The humans spend most of the season gathering their ships from across space and building more whilst the forces on hand stop the Romulans from making further advances - something they only just accomplish. Toward the season's end we get a few big space battles as the Humans retake their colonies. The season finale is the human fleets crossing the border into Romulan space.

Season two would show the war slowly being won, but at huge cost to Earth. Their advance would eventually be stopped some distance short of Romulus, and neither side would have the forces to truly finish the job. A ceasefire is agreed via subspace radio and the Neutral Zone created.

Earth wins the kudos for beating the Romulans when nobody else could or would.

[Teaos]

Thats how I would like it to go.

But then you face one huge issue.

If Earth could beat, or at least draw with the Romulans one on one when they have only been in space for 100 years, how is it the the United Federation of planets - with over 150 member worlds and the combined resources of several powers just as large as Earths was back in the war - can still be on equal terms with them over 200 years latter.

[Mikey]

Good point, Teaos. But I do second Graham's idea, that Earth should fight and win the war nearly alone, and as such emerge to become the unifying influenmce behind the Federation, and to the dominant position which humans hold in the "modern" UFP. One think I though ENT did well was the racial animosity and war between the Andorians and the Vulcans, and an Earth which beat the Romulans singlehandedly would then have the brass to step up and have those two powers cut the crap.

[Sionnach Glic]

I like Graham's idea.

Teaos: 200 years of isolation would give them ample time to work up their own strengths.

[Graham Kennedy]

Thats how I would like it to go.

But then you face one huge issue.

If Earth could beat, or at least draw with the Romulans one on one when they have only been in space for 100 years, how is it the the United Federation of planets - with over 150 member worlds and the combined resources of several powers just as large as Earths was back in the war - can still be on equal terms with them over 200 years latter.

200 years can do a lot of funny things to a country. Look at the UK and America 200 years ago compared to today.

And besides, I don't think the Romulans really ARE on a par with the Federation in the TNG era.

[Teaos]

Maybe not on par but they certainly a viable threat. Which considering the Federation would of, by pure membership growth, increased in size by an order of magnitude.

I just dont see how a single power could stay a viable threat when faced with such massive growth and resources by their enemy.

[Graham Kennedy]

Maybe not on par but they certainly a viable threat. Which considering the Federation would of, by pure membership growth, increased in size by an order of magnitude.

I just dont see how a single power could stay a viable threat when faced with such massive growth and resources by their enemy.

Depends what you mean by viable threat. I've no doubt an all out Romulan invasion would be a bad thing for the Federation, but I tend to think it would be like Japan attacking the US in World War II. A troublesome year to begin with, and then a lot of effort needed to win... but really, the outcome was never in doubt. Romies rate above the Cardies in my mind, but don't match up to the Klingons, let alone the Federation.

And for all we know the Romulan Empire grew just as much as the Federation did. They were out of touch for decades, who knows what they were up to?

[Mark]

And the Romulans are a conquring race right? They would have gained in strength from all the "subject" worlds and colonies, right?

[Deepcrush]

I think the idea of the RSE matching the UFP or KE is a joke at its best. More likely the RSE acts as a mutual enemy to give the UFP and KE a reason not to fight each other. Both could curbstomp the RSE but so long as they're around there's always that reason (excuse) for peace even when both sides are just as eager for war. Think of it as a tipping stone. Something to throw the balance in favor of peace.

[Reliant121]

I like Graham's idea, but I would have specifically included a lot more mentioning of the Daedalus class. Introduce them late into the series, and show them systematically kicking ass why the NX equivalent ships are being ripped apart. The Enterprise gets through due to sheer luck, and a Daedalus just being there at the right moment.

[Graham Kennedy]

I think the idea of the RSE matching the UFP or KE is a joke at its best. More likely the RSE acts as a mutual enemy to give the UFP and KE a reason not to fight each other. Both could curbstomp the RSE but so long as they're around there's always that reason (excuse) for peace even when both sides are just as eager for war. Think of it as a tipping stone. Something to throw the balance in favor of peace.

Basically...

Federation = USA
Klingons = USSR
Romulans = North Korea
Cardassians = Cuba

[Sonic Glitch]

I think the idea of the RSE matching the UFP or KE is a joke at its best. More likely the RSE acts as a mutual enemy to give the UFP and KE a reason not to fight each other. Both could curbstomp the RSE but so long as they're around there's always that reason (excuse) for peace even when both sides are just as eager for war. Think of it as a tipping stone. Something to throw the balance in favor of peace.

Basically...

Federation = USA
Klingons = USSR
Romulans = North Korea
Cardassians = Cuba

Actually, I seem to recall it being said somewhere that the Romulans more or less = PRC. Yes, they're a threat but they're a largely silent, unknown threat while the main threat is the USSR (Klingons).