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{{Update History}}The '''Occupation of Bajor''' (usually referred to simply as the '''Occupation''') was a period from about [[2319]] to [[2369]] during which [[Bajor]] was under the control of the [[Cardassian Union|Cardassian Empire]]. During the Occupation, the [[Cardassian]]s perpetrated a coordinated scheme of strip-mining, forced labor, and genocide across the planet. Their brutality led to the deaths of ten million [[Bajoran]]s. This eventually gave rise to the fierce [[Bajoran Resistance]], which used guerrilla and terror tactics.   The Cardassians eventually withdrew due to political pressure from the [[Federation]], as well as the Resistance's constant attacks.

Prior to the Occupation, the Bajorans were a peaceful people whose [[Arts and music|art and architecture]] were well-known and admired throughout [[Alpha Quadrant|the galaxy]]. The Cardassians, by contrast, were a militaristic , and often hostile people , who had conquered numerous planets , in the name of survival. The two peoples nonetheless managed to coexist peacefully for some time; however, the Cardassians coveted Bajor's rich natural resources and saw the Bajoran people as inferior. [[Cardassia Prime|Cardassia ]] became increasingly hostile towards [[Bajor]] as time went on, maintaining a military presence on the planet for ten years before forcibly annexing it in [[2328]]. This travesty caused little galactic outcry, as most major powers were unaware of or unconcerned with Bajor's plight. Even the [[United Federation of Planets|Federation]] was unable to interfere, as the [[Prime Directive]] forbade it; : the occupation was considered an internal matter between Cardassia and a subject race.  As the Cardassians were technologically almost a century ahead of the Bajorans, there was no warfare leading to the Occupation: the peaceful Bajoran people surrendered with little resistance. The Cardassians installed the "Bajoran Occupational Government," essentially a puppet of the [[Cardassian Central Command]], intended to make the occupation look legitimate. In order to keep the Bajorans in line, Central Command also installed a Prefect to oversee the planet.   == Cardassian Rule ==[[File:Terok Nor orbiting Bajor.jpg|thumb|right|<center>Cardassian Mining Station "Terok Nor" <br>in orbit around Bajor]]When the Occupation began, it was the end of life as the Bajoran people knew it. Their caste system, which had been an integral part of Bajoran culture for centuries, was abolished, as all Bajorans regardless of caste were called upon to struggle against Cardassian oppression. Their priests were forbidden to preach the word of the Bajoran [[Prophets]], and many were imprisoned for doing so. Further, the Cardassians strip-mined the planet, using Bajoran slave labor to perform the task. The Secretary (and other officials of the occupational government) routinely approved work orders that forced Bajorans to mine ore. Among the Bajoran people, such acts of cowardice in the face of Cardassian rule gave way to a new term: for those who participated with the Cardassians, or used the Occupation as a source of profit were called "collaborators."   Not all Bajorans who profited from the Occupation were branded as collaborators, however. Some smugglers were admired for smuggling much-needed medical supplies to Bajor, and were able to operate with relative freedom in many cases, as most Cardassian officers would look the other way if paid enough. Part of the boom in black market dealings resulted from most external entities' refusal to sell to the Bajorans, out of fear of Cardassian reprisal, and a general belief that the [[Bajoran Resistance]] would fail. A notable exception to the rule were also weapons dealers, who believed that it didn't matter who was buying their weapons, as long as they were making a profit.   One of the ultimate goals for the Occupation, beyond strip-mining Bajor of its resources, was "full scale colonization" by Cardassian civilians. However, due to the persistent activity of the Bajoran resistance decade after decade, the planet was never sufficiently pacified. As the years dragged on, Cardassian Central Command grew frustrated, and simply wanted the problem resolved, with no regard for what "methods" local commanders on Bajor used. As a result, when a Bajoran was accused of a crime, their friends and family were often rounded up for questioning as well. In many cases, ensuring someone was punished was more important than finding the perpetrator of the crime.   The Cardassians also used Bajoran women as "comfort women." Bajorans were assigned occupations more or less arbitrarily during the Occupation. The most common jobs were mining ore and working in factories, and once assigned to a job, a Bajoran was forbidden from leaving it. However, Cardassian officers often "selected" Bajorans for random interrogations or forced relocation.

== Cardassian rule ==Any Bajoran with family or friends in the [[File:Kubus Oak.jpg|thumb|Kubus Oak, an infamous collaboratorBajoran Resistance]]When the Occupation began, it was the end considered a suspect in criminal cases – which after 50 years of occupation was essentially all of life as the Bajoran people formerly knew itBajor. The ''[[d'jarra]]'' caste There was virtually no court system, which had been an integral part only "special tribunals" consisting of Bajoran culture for centuries, was abolished, as all Bajorans regardless of caste were called upon to struggle against Cardassian oppressionmilitary leaders. [[Vedek]]s were forbidden to preach In the word vast majority of the Bajoran [[Prophets]], and many such as [[Winn Adami]] were imprisoned for doing so. Furthercases, the Cardassians strip-mined the planet, using Bajoran slave labor to perform the task. Secretary [[Kubus Oak]] evidence was circumstantial and other officials of the occupational government routinely approved work orders forcing Bajorans to mine ore among other tasksquestionable. Such acts This was of cowardice gave way little importance to a new term for those who participated with the Cardassians or used the Occupation , as long as a source of profit: "[[collaborator]]ssomeone was punished."

When a Bajoran was accused === Labor Camps ===The Cardassians interned entire families of a crimeBajorans in labor camps for various purposes, his or her friends the most common of which was to mine ore and family other valuable resources. Conditions at these camps were often rounded up for questioning as wellso harsh that every Bajoran knew assignment to a labor camp was essentially a death sentence. In many casesThe occupational government, ensuring someone was punished was more important than finding however, continued to fulfill the perpetrator of Cardassians' requests for new laborers throughout the crime. The Cardassians also used Bajoran women as "[[comfort woman|comfort women]]occupation."

Any Bajoran with family or friends in Justification based on the [[Bajoran Resistance]] was considered a suspect in criminal cases – which after 50 years "greater glory of occupation was essentially all of Bajor. There was virtually no court system, only special [[tribunal]]s consisting of Cardassian military leaders. In Cardassia" led to workers at the vast majority labor camps often becoming subjects of cases, the evidence was circumstantial and questionable. This was of little importance to the Cardassians as long as someone was punishedmorally unethical experimentation.

[[File:Terok Nor orbiting Bajor.jpg|thumb|Terok Nor]]In [[2346]], the Cardassians used Bajoran slave labor to build an orbital [[space station]] known as [[Terok Nor]], which was virtually identical to many other Cardassian outposts. Much of this station was devoted to processing ore, which was the task to which most Bajorans there were assigned. Temperatures in the ore processing section sometimes reached as high as 55 [[celsius|°C]], and in 55°C / 131°F. In addition to exhaustion, heatstroke became a common cause of Bajoran death. Deaths from such causes were seen as unfortunate , but acceptable losses , in the eyes of the Cardassian overseers.  Certain areas of Terok Nor were cordoned off as designated Bajoran areas. Most Bajorans were forced to live in overcrowded community quarters, but some of the more fortunate (mostly collaborators) were assigned their own. Even the holding cells were overcrowded, with as many as a dozen Bajorans filling cells built for two. A few Bajorans were allowed to earn a meager wage working for [[Quark]], in his bar, which served the Cardassians. Those Bajorans in his employ had twelve-hour workdays with two five-minute breaks, for which they earned a single strip of [[latinum]].     === The Resistance ===''See main page: [[Bajoran Resistance]]'' After years of Cardassian oppression, the Bajorans formed the [[Bajoran Resistance]], a coordinated movement aiming to free Bajor from the occupation. It accomplished this goal with often indiscriminate bombings, as well as other terror tactics. They mostly relied on the element of surprise, as they knew direct conflict with the Cardassians would end disastrously. Some members managed to smuggle in sub-impulse [[starship]]s, and his these ships on Bajor's various [[moon]]s. The assassinations and bombings were enough to throw the Cardassians off balance, however, and also taught the Bajorans valuable skills they would later put to use when forming the [[Bajoran Militia]].   Bajorans who helped the resistance but did not openly oppose the Cardassians were known as "informers." They were regarded with great respect, unlike "collaborators," who worked with the Cardassians. Every time the Resistance executed an attack, the Cardassians tightened their grip, and each time this happened, more Bajorans joined the cause.  

Certain areas of Terok Nor were cordoned off It would take many years and designated Bajoran areas. Most Bajorans were forced to live in overcrowded community quartersmany deaths, but some of eventually the more fortunate (mostly collaborators) were assigned their own. Even the holding cells were overcrowded, with as many as a dozen Bajorans filling cells built for two. A few Bajorans were allowed Cardassians would be forced to earn a meager wage working for Quark, in [[Quark's|his bar]]. Many of these were women who won their jobs by showing Quark their "credentials." Those Bajorans in his employ had twelve-hour workdays with two five-minute breaks, for which they earned a single strip of [[latinum]]leave Bajor.

Every time the Resistance executed an attack== Cardassian Withdrawal ==After fifty years of occupation, the Cardassians tightened their gripwithdrew from Bajor, but only under political pressure from the [[United Federation of Planets]] and each time this happenedother entities. However, more the exact cause of the withdrawal is largely a matter of opinion: while the Bajorans joined attributed it to the efforts of the [[Bajoran Resistance]], the Cardassians regarded it as an entirely political decision on their part. Regardless of the cause. It would take many years and many deaths, but eventually all sides acknowledge that civilian leaders such as those on the [[Detapa Council]] made the decision, which was opposed by the Cardassians would be forced to leave BajorCardassian military.

SCertain Cardassian leaders were not willing to wait for revenge.GGul Darhe'el, furious about the withdrawal, ordered his soldiers to slaughter their Bajoran subordinates. DukatHis intention was to kill every last Bajoran at his post, better known as and while his actions were the man who allied Cardassia with exception rather than the rule, many Cardassian officers shared his sentiments. On [[DominionTerok Nor]], was the prefect Cardassians damaged as many of Bajor from around [[2359]] until the Cardassians withdrew in space station's systems as they possibly could. They took every item of value, including all but a few [[2369photon torpedo]]es. Dukat ruled with an iron fist but saw himself as merciful compared to his fellow Cardassians. When a The Bajoran Temple was murdered aboard Terok Norbadly damaged, Dukat chose to hire a as was the [[ChangelingPromenade]] named , where four Bajorans were killed trying to protect their shops. Cardassians even removed the beds from the quarters and took the [[Odoreplicator]] as an impartial investigator rather than his superiors' prescription s offline. Much of the looting was out of executing ten hatred toward the Bajorans at random, although it was standard Cardassian procedure to booby trap and sabotage abandoned outposts.

By Many Cardassian children were left behind in the time Dukat was appointed as prefect wake of the planetOccupation, the occupation since orphans had become something of a quagmire for Central Command. Despite his best efforts to keep the Bajorans no status in line, the situation was beyond his control; against his wishes, the government decided to withdraw from the planetCardassian society.

== The Bajorans opened their hearts to these so-called war orphans. A few were raised by elderly Bajoran couples, and taught to hate Cardassian withdrawal =="butchers."

Of particular note == Aftermath ==After the Cardassian withdrawal, Bajor was in shambles and did not recover for many years. One of the first steps to recovery was the fact that formation of the tailor [[Elim GarakBajoran Provisional Government]] became the sole Cardassian aboard Deep Space 9, which was unstable at best. Neither the Federation nor One of the few things virtually all Bajorans knew Garak's true motives for staying behind. While it was widely held that he agreed upon was "the eyes and ears of his fellow Cardassians", Garak always managed how to avoid questions about his past deal with his charming personalitythose involved with the Occupation. He soon proved that there A list of the most egregious Cardassian war criminals was more assembled, and the individuals on the list were condemned to "plaindeath, simple Garak" than met the eyealthough in practice most were never apprehended. It was later revealed that Garak had once been an agent Additionally, another list of the [[Obsidian Order]] stationed aboard Terok Nor but was falsely accused of [[treason]] and collaborators were sentenced to live out exile. Those who escaped detection spent the rest of his life aboard what became Deep Space 9their lives trying to ensure that their misdeeds remained secret.

Bajor was in shambles Many Bajorans continued to fight against Cardassia even after the Cardassian withdrawal and did not recover for many years. One of the first steps was the formation of the [[Bajoran Provisional Government]], which was unstable at bestexacerbated an already chaotic situation. One The question of the few things virtually all Bajorans agreed upon was how to deal with those involved with re-integrate prominent people from the OccupationBajoran Resistance was particularly difficult, since they did commit crimes. A list of the most egregious Cardassian war As a result, many convicted Bajoran criminals was assembled and were released from Bajoran prisons. Many Bajorans interned or imprisoned during the individuals on the list were condemned to death, although Occupation remained in practice most were never apprehended. AdditionallyCardassian custody, despite a list of collaborators was issued in the [[Ilvian Proclamation]], promise by Central Command to release all of whom prisoners. Others were sentenced to exile. Those collaborators who escaped detection spent conveniently discovered and released only when the rest of their lives trying to ensure that their misdeeds remained secretCentral Command needed political leverage.

The An uneasy alliance with the Federation complicated matters as [[Commander]] [[ValerianBenjamin Sisko|Sisko]]s used was assigned to ship the former [[dolamideTerok Nor]] , now renamed [[materials and substances|explosivesDeep Space 9]] during the occupation . Attempting to balance Bajoran interests with those of the Cardassians. After Federation, the occupation this fact was still a possibility and Bajoran liason Major Kira suggested that the [[Valerian transportKira Nerys]] ''[[Sherval Das]]'', which tried to dock at Deep Space 9, did sofelt that many Bajoran and Federation interests should be kept separate. A small faction of Bajorans also saw the Federation presence aboard DS9 as another form of occupation.

An uneasy alliance with As far as the Federation complicated matters as [[Commander]] [[Benjamin Sisko|Sisko]] attempted to balance Bajoran interests with those planet itself, the effects of various Cardassian experiments poisoned much of the FederationBajor's once-fertile farmland. Major Kira felt that many Bajoran and Federation interests should be kept separateFarmers were devastated, sentiments shared by Tahna Los and later exploited by the anti-alien [[Alliance for Global Unitysoil reclamator]], which s became a highly sought to expel all non-Bajorans from after commodity. Two years after the planet. Tahna believed in Bajor for BajoransOccupation's end, and like him, the Alliance (also known as the "Circle") saw three million refugees fleeing from the Federation presence aboard DS9 as another form of occupation. Tensions came to a climax when Minister [[Jaro EssaDominion]]wished to farm the land of Bajor's uninhabited Northwest Peninsula. However, leader of while the peninsula would have been an ideal place to farm prior to the CircleOccupation, attempted a full-scale ''[[coup d'etat]]'' in what the provisional government was later discovered forced to be an elaborate Cardassian attempt turn the refugees away, due to reclaim the toxicity of the soil and the plagues that had arisen on Bajor by ousting the Federation.

Many other vestiges One of the Occupation remained with Bajor, including a colony of 's most insidious side effects was to cause many Bajorans to lose faith in the [[Cardassian voleProphets]]s that made its home aboard Deep Space 9. The Bajoran Resistance had created a "Babel" [[virus]] Disenchanted Bajorans refused to disrupt operations aboard Terok Norbelieve their gods would sit idly by while the Occupation ravaged their planet, but an accidental release which led to the formation of the virus incapacitated everyone aboard the station except for Constable Odo and Quark, both "Cult of whom were immune. Additionally, the crew of DS9 discovered a [[counterProphets|Pah-insurgency programwraiths]] Gul Dukat had designed to combat revolts by the Bajoran laborers. " The program initiated an [[autoallure of the notion that the Pah-destruct]] function when it wraiths would bring about a "restoration" for Bajor was discovered so great that Dukat's superior even prominant religious leaders, who believed the Prophets had implemented extra security measures forsaken them, turned to prevent Dukat from abandoning his post in the event that the Bajorans took control of Terok NorPah-wraiths for spiritual guidance.

When the Bajorans and == Post-occupation Relations ==The Cardassians finally established formal diplomatic relations, refused to acknowledge the Bajorans felt events that they were entitled to war reparations for the damage incurred transpired during the Occupation, instead using terms like "alleged improprieties" to describe them. Vedek [[Bareil Antos]] spent months secretly negotiating with Legate [[Turrel]] Some Cardassians even believed that the Cardassian leaders themselves started rumors of the Central Command brutality in order to work out a formal peace treaty between Cardassia and Bajorkeep the Bajorans thinking of themselves as victims. Bareil died during While most Cardassians remained bitter about the negotiations and Kai Winn took credit for what later became loss of Bajor, there were those who believed the [[Bajorantwo peoples could co-Cardassian Treaty]]exist equally.

: '''Aftermath''' - [[Bajoran Provisional GovernmentCategory:Historical Archives]], [[Deep Space 9]], [[Alliance for Global Unity]], [[Bajoran War Orphans Fund|War Orphans Fundcategory:intelligence]]