Why Didn't the Vulcans Take Over Earth After Their First Visit?

The question of whether the Vulcans took over Earth after their first visit in the film Star Trek is a fascinating one. The answer is rooted in their logical, non-interfering nature and existing conditions on Earth.

Logical Reasons

Given the illogical and undemocratic nature of taking over a planet, this would violate their core principles and values. The Vulcans are known for their adherence to logic and reason, not conquest and dominance. As such, it would be ILLOGICAL for them to engage in such an action, especially since they are not one of the aggressive species like the Romulans, Klingons, Cardassians, or the Borg.

Existing Vulcan Presence on Earth

Another reason the Vulcans did not take over is the existence of a Vulcan community already established on Earth. A settlement was set up in Alberta, Canada, in the year 1921 CE. Introducing themselves and taking over would have been both illogical and undemocratic, given the presence of an existing Vulcan community.

Reasons for Their Visit

The Vulcans came upon a war-torn world by accident. They were intrigued by the invention of the Warp drive by an individual, Zefram Cochrane. Their visit was more out of curiosity and goodwill rather than conquest. They follow a verbal tenet similar to the Prime Directive, which prohibits interference with the internal development of alien civilizations. Though they do not have a formal directive, their actions are guided by a non-interference policy.

The Question of Resources

People often conquer for resources. So, what valuable resources does Earth offer that the Vulcans would desire? After much contemplation, I can only think of one possibility, and it's quite peculiar: Chocolate.

According to certain myths and fan hypotheses, Vulcans are said to get "drunk off" chocolate. This is evidenced in the novelization of Star Trek IV, where Spock's sudden mind meld with whales is attributed to being influenced by chocolate. While this is not canon, it does suggest a potential motivation for the Vulcans, if they had any interest in Earth. However, the Vulcans are known for their strong aversion to losing control of their senses and emotions, which makes using Earth as a giant chocolate farm an unattractive option.

The True Motive Behind the Earth-Romulan War

The true motive behind the Earth-Romulan War may lie in the concepts mentioned in the novelization of Star Trek IV. The Romulans, like the Vulcans, have a similar aversion to losing their control over their senses and emotions. This idea suggests that the Romulans might have developed a similar or more advanced way to achieve this, leading to tensions and conflict with Earth.

While the direct evidence for a Vulcan conquest of Earth is absent, the questions and speculations about the nature of their visit and potential resources make for compelling discussion. The non-interference and logical nature of the Vulcans, combined with the presence of a Vulcan community on Earth, make Earth a place of interest but not one for conquest.