The Unification War

Although the Turians did not join the Council until around the year 900 CE, they had been exploring just as long as the Asari or Salarians. The Turians had several colonies throughout the galaxy and had traveled through several mass relays long before meeting the Council. Fortunately (and unfortunately) they had not crossed paths yet, because it is this war that would shape the Turian government to be united enough to fight the Krogans in the future.

However, when the Asari and the Salarians were forming the Council, the Turians were in an all out civil war in 500 CE. Before the war, each colony acted like its own state underneath the grand government and each colony had its own leader, but as time went on and more colonies were added--disputes began to ensue. At this point the Turain government was not all encompassing, but only in direct control of their home planet's laws and policy, Palaven. Much like the American colonies under British rule in eighteenth century. As the feuds grew into all-out-war among the colonies, the main government didn't want to get involved and tried to be diplomatic throughout the war. Each colony as a sign of loyalty began wearing tattoos and face paint to symbolize where they were from or what they believed in. Years went by and colonies were being decimated and overtaken by opposing factions until fewer than a dozen factions remained.

At this time the main government, known as the Hierarchy, decided to step in and bring the colonies into line once again. Each colony was too weak to fight the Hierarchy and the government gained complete control over all of its colonies. Also, the Hierarchy decided to change their political system to reflect a militaristic system and have the colonies declare allegiance to the new system. All though many Turians still keep the symbols of their colonies the overall hatred and animosity has died down and been replaced by strong loyalty towards the new militaristic system.