Bloody Valentine

The Bloody Valentine (血のバレンタイン, Chi no Barentain) was a nuclear attack launched by the Earth Alliance on the PLANT colony of Junius Seven on 14 February Cosmic Era 70. The attack killed 243,721 Coordinators, violating treaties that prohibited the use of nuclear weapons and marking a turning point in the conflict between Earth and the PLANTs. The incident deepened hatred between Naturals and Coordinators and contributed to the escalation of the First Alliance-PLANT War.

Background

The Bloody Valentine occurred in the context of escalating tensions between the Earth Alliance and the PLANTs following the PLANTs’ declaration of independence in CE 70. The Earth Alliance, led by the Atlantic Federation and influenced by the extremist Blue Cosmos organisation, viewed Coordinator independence as a threat to Natural dominance and Earth’s control over space.

The PLANTs’ declaration of independence and the formation of ZAFT as their military organisation created a situation in which Earth nations felt threatened by Coordinator autonomy. The extremist views of organisations like Blue Cosmos, which advocated for Coordinator genocide, influenced Earth Alliance decision-making and created an environment in which extreme measures seemed justified.

The attack

On 14 February CE 70, Earth Alliance forces launched a nuclear attack on Junius Seven, one of the PLANT colonies. The attack violated treaties that prohibited the use of nuclear weapons, demonstrating the Earth Alliance’s willingness to commit atrocities against Coordinators. The nuclear weapons detonated within the colony, destroying a significant portion of its structure and killing 243,721 Coordinators.

The attack’s timing on Valentine’s Day gave the incident its name, “Bloody Valentine,” reflecting the tragic and horrific nature of the event. The attack demonstrated the Earth Alliance’s willingness to use weapons of mass destruction against civilian populations, marking a significant escalation in the conflict between Earth and the PLANTs.

Casualties and impact

The Bloody Valentine attack killed 243,721 Coordinators, making it one of the deadliest single events in the Cosmic Era timeline. The attack targeted a civilian colony, killing men, women, and children who had no connection to military operations. The scale of the death toll and the nature of the attack shocked the PLANT population and the broader Coordinator community.

Among the victims was Lenore Zala, the wife of future PLANT Supreme Council Chairman Patrick Zala. Her death and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of others had a profound impact on Patrick, deepening his hatred for Naturals and contributing to his extremist policies during the First Alliance-PLANT War.

Aftermath

The Bloody Valentine attack had immediate and long-term consequences for the conflict between Earth and the PLANTs. The attack violated treaties and demonstrated the Earth Alliance’s willingness to commit atrocities, leading to increased support for ZAFT and hardline positions within the PLANT Supreme Council.

The attack deepened the hatred between Naturals and Coordinators, making reconciliation more difficult and contributing to the escalation of the First Alliance-PLANT War. The attack’s legacy continued to influence events throughout the Cosmic Era, serving as a reminder of the atrocities committed during the conflict.

Political consequences

The Bloody Valentine attack hardened positions on both sides, with the PLANTs becoming more determined to defend Coordinator independence and the Earth Alliance becoming more committed to eliminating the Coordinator threat. The attack eliminated moderates’ ability to advocate for peace, as the scale of the atrocity made compromise seem impossible.

Within the PLANTs, the attack strengthened support for hardline leaders like Patrick Zala, who advocated for aggressive military action against Earth. The attack’s impact on public opinion and political leadership contributed to the escalation of the conflict and made peaceful resolution increasingly difficult.

Legacy

The Bloody Valentine became a symbol of the atrocities committed during the conflict between Earth and the PLANTs. The attack’s death toll and the violation of treaties demonstrated the human cost of the conflict and the dangers of extremist ideologies that dehumanised entire populations.

The attack’s legacy influenced events throughout the Cosmic Era, including the First Alliance-PLANT War and subsequent conflicts. The memory of the Bloody Valentine served as a reminder of the consequences of hatred and extremism, contributing to ongoing tensions between Naturals and Coordinators.

Significance

The Bloody Valentine marked a turning point in the conflict between Earth and the PLANTs, demonstrating that the conflict had escalated beyond diplomatic solutions. The attack’s violation of treaties and its targeting of civilians showed that both sides were willing to commit atrocities, making peaceful resolution more difficult.

The attack’s impact on individuals like Patrick Zala demonstrated how personal tragedies could drive political extremism, contributing to the escalation of the conflict. The Bloody Valentine’s legacy continued to influence events throughout the Cosmic Era, serving as a reminder of the human cost of hatred and extremism.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

External links

Bloody Valentine on the Gundam Wiki