Star Trek's Romulan Neutral Zone defines the space between the United Federation of Planets and the Romulan Star Empire. The Romulans made their debut in Star Trek: The Original Series season 1, episode 14, "Balance of Terror," and went on to become one of the Federation's most formidable enemies. An offshoot of the Vulcans, the Romulans rejected Surak's teachings of logic in favor of embracing their strong emotions. With their xenophobic attitudes, the Romulans often conquered other species rather than form alliances.
The Federation was embroiled in a contentious relationship with the Romulan Empire throughout much of the Star Trek timeline. The Romulans learned of Earth before humanity became aware of them, and, in Star Trek: Enterprise, Captain Jonathan Archer's (Scott Bakula) NX-01 Enterprise was the first ship to learn of the Romulans. The Earth-Romulan War, fought from 2156 to 2160, came to define the relationship between the two galactic powers. Not only did the war lead to the establishment of the Romulan Neutral Zone, but it also contributed to the founding of the Federation.
Star Trek’s Romulan Neutral Zone Explained
The Romulan Neutral Zone Is Located In The Beta Quadrant Along The Border With Federation Space
Although Star Trek has not fully explored the war between Earth and the Romulans, the franchise has revealed many aftereffects of the conflict. After the Battle of Cheron, the final decisive battle of the war, the Romulans negotiated a treaty with Earth that led to the creation of the Neutral Zone. According to the treaty, if any Romulan or Federation ships entered the Neutral Zone, it would be considered an act of war. The first mention of the Romulan Neutral Zone came in Star Trek: The Original Series' "Balance of Terror," when the Starship Enterprise pursued a Romulan ship that had destroyed several Earth outposts along the Neutral Zone.
The Romulan Neutral Zone was reinforced and redefined in 2311 when the Treaty of Algeron was signed following the events of a confrontation known as the Tomed Incident. This treaty also banned the Federation from developing or using any kind of cloaking device on their starships. The Romulans mostly withdrew from intergalactic politics until Star Trek: The Next Generation season 1, episode 26, "The Neutral Zone," when an enemy later revealed to be the Borg destroyed several outposts on both sides of the Neutral Zone. The Romulan Neutral Zone popped up several more times throughout the TNG era but later collapsed in the wake of the Romulan supernova in the late 2380s.
Star Trek Movies Also Have A Klingon Neutral Zone
There Was A Neutral Zone Between Federation & Klingon Space, Too
The Klingon Empire became allies of the Federation by the time of Star Trek: The Next Generation, but they were enemies throughout Star Trek: The Original Series and most of its subsequent films. In the late 23rd century, a Neutral Zone also existed along the border between Federation and Klingon space, although Star Trek never fully defined the rules of this particular boundary. In Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Klingon Chancellor Gorkon (David Warner) proposed dismantling space stations and starbases along the Klingon/Federation border, effectively abolishing the Neutral Zone.
Like the Romulan Star Empire, the Klingon Empire is also located in the Beta Quadrant.
The Klingon Neutral Zone was also mentioned in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek films, which take place in the 23rd century of the alternate Kelvin Universe. In Star Trek Into Darkness, Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and the USS Enterprise try to navigate around the Neutral Zone to avoid provoking the Klingons. Later, the USS Vengeance chases the Enterprise into the Neutral Zone, as Admiral Alexander Marcus (Peter Weller) tries to cover up his involvement in a plot to incite war with the Klingons. Star Trek's Klingon Neutral Zone may not have been as well-defined as the Romulan Neutral Zone, but both borders were meant to prevent further bloodshed.
