Line #15 Main/TheTropeHistoryOfTheUniverse


1	When making a [[UniverseChronology timeline]] for a fictional universe, there are many SpeculativeFictionTropes that tend to pop up, especially if it is based on the real world. This list notes them in the order they (typically) appear. Its purpose is both to help with WorldBuilding, and to help when writing a {{crossover}}.
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3	This list also includes nonfictional historical and scientific "facts" that are the basis of many fictional stories, such as the "[[PhlebotinumKilledTheDinosaurs A meteor killed off the dinosaurs]]" theory.
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5	Related to HollywoodHistory, but more detailed. See also StandardSciFiHistory.
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7	!!Examples:
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9	*'''Billions of Years Ago:'''
10	** Creation of the Universe -- Either the Big Bang or some [[{{God}} Supreme Being]] (or both, they aren't mutually exclusive) creates the universe (or recreates it, see ''End of The Universe'' below) approx. 13.5 Billion years ago (according to the latest theories.)
11	*** The Big Bang may have created [[TheMultiverse multiple universes]]. Ex: ''ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths''
12	** The Earth forms. (Scientific theory -- Approx. 5 Billion Years ago.)
13	** Life begins on Earth. (Theory -- Approx. 3 Billion years ago.)
14	*** Might possibly have been influenced by {{Precursors}}.
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16	* '''Millions of Years Ago:'''
17	** {{Eldritch Abomination}}s lived on Earth, but left, were destroyed, hid, or were [[SealedEvilInACan sealed away]]. Ex: Cthulhu Mythos.
18	** The dinosaurs evolve.
19	** Approx. [[PhlebotinumKilledTheDinosaurs 65 million years ago, an object (a meteor, comet or spaceship) crashes on Earth, killing off the dinosaurs]]... except in [[LostWorld certain hidden places]].
20	*** If this never happens (possibly averted by [[TimeTravel time travelers]]) an AlternateUniverse where dinosaurs never went extinct happens instead. They may even evolve into sentient species!
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22	* '''HollywoodPrehistory:'''
23	** The human race evolves.... or is [[AdamAndEvePlot created by someone]] [[TheMonolith or something]]. (Note: current scientific theories state that mankind evolved somewhere between 150,000 BC and 50,000 BC, so ''actually'' setting something 1 million years ago will get you flak from academics.)
24	** Advanced civilizations such as {{Atlantis}} may have existed, but were wiped out before recorded history. Often a source of LostTechnology.
25	** AncientAstronauts arrive.
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27	* '''TheTimeOfMyths:'''
28	** Humanity spreads over Earth and develops several cultures.
29	** [[PhysicalGod Beings of great power]] are worshiped as gods. Some may actually be [[AncientAstronauts aliens in disguise]]. Example: ''Franchise/{{Stargate\|Verse}}''.
30	** Some humans are taken off planet and end up colonizing other worlds, then forgetting about Earth. (This explains all those HumanAliens.) Ex: Again, ''Stargate''.
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32	* '''[[DarkAgeEurope The Dark Ages:]]'''
33	** Witch Hunts (and/or [[TheMagicGoesAway the magic going away]]) cause supernatural beings to either leave for a MagicalLand or [[TheMasquerade hide their existence]] from normal humans.
34	** At some point, an AlienNonInterferenceClause is enabled in space, preventing more aliens from coming to Earth -- except for criminals and castaways. Ex: ''Film/MenInBlack.''
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36	* '''The Recent Past'''
37	** The Industrial Revolution both enables {{Steampunk}} technology and / or makes sure that any lingering hints of magic that hadn't disappeared during the Dark Ages [[TheMagicGoesAway has gone away now]] or is going deep into TheMasquerade.
38	** UsefulNotes/WorldWarI and UsefulNotes/WorldWarII occur. Reckless time travel around this point is [[NiceJobBreakingItHero almost guaranteed to make sure that]] [[GodwinsLawOfTimeTravel Hitler wins]].
39	*** Oh, and [[HitlersTimeTravelExemptionAct don't bother trying to assassinate Hitler to prevent this either, clever dick; you'll just make things worse]]. ''Trust us on this.''
40	*** Of course, an AlternateHistory where Hitler wins might just pop up anyway without any 'helpful' time-travellers messing around with things.
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42	* '''[[ThePresentDay The Present:]]'''
43	** [[{{Muggles}} Most people]] are [[{{Masquerade}} unaware]] that aliens exist or that magic is real.
44	** An AncientConspiracy might be to blame.
45	** The government might know but [[{{Area 51}} keep them hidden]] for its own purposes or because "[[TheWorldIsNotReady the public is not ready to know]]."
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47	* '''[[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture The Near Future:]]'''
48	** The setting of most {{cyberpunk}} stories.
49	** WorldWarIII may happen. If so, it's TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt.
50	*** Though if humanity survives, they may rebuild civilization at some point.
51	** The setting of most {{dystopia}}n stories. Ex. ''Literature/BraveNewWorld''
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53	* '''Before [[FasterThanLightTravel FTL]] is invented:'''
54	** The solar system is colonized.
55	** But the colonies may [[TheWarOfEarthlyAggression fight for independence]]. Ex. ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}''
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57	* '''After FTL is invented:'''
58	** Humanity explores the universe, encountering aliens and getting into interstellar wars. Ex. ''Franchise/StarTrek.''
59	** An [[TheFederation interstellar government]] almost always forms, with humanity as a major member.
60	** The highly developed state of civilization is shown by a penchant for CrystalSpiresAndTogas.
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62	* '''Very Far Into the Future:''' (let's say, for the purposes of symmetry, A.D. One Million)
63	** Humanity [[AscendToAHigherPlaneofExistence evolves into a higher state of being]]. Ex: ''Series/BabylonFive''
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65	* '''The End of the Universe:'''
66	** Either:
67	*** Entropy covers the universe in eternal, cold darkness, or
68	*** The universe collapses, then [[EternalRecurrence explodes into a new Big Bang]]. (This applies to the Franchise/MarvelUniverse.)

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