Establishment of the first permanent Martian colony by the United Nations, consisting of only a few dozen scientists. The crew is rotated out on a three-year schedule, although not all members of the crew actually participate-- thus becoming the first permanent residents of the planet.

A second colony is established, this one primarily funded by the European Union. Somewhat larger than the first colony, its aim is not only scientific research but also resource exploitation, albeit on a limited scale. This mission also establishes a small base on Phobos consisting of no more than a few small shelters and a communications array.

Establishment of the first Chinese colony, this one even larger than the last.

Establishment of the first North American colony, funded mostly by a newly resurgent America. The scale of this colony is impressive, boasting almost one thousand occupants living in what is, effectively, a small town. Constructed partially underground and partially under clear canopies, it is also an aesthetic marvel-- all in keeping with the grandiose nature of the project. The colony is focused largely on industrial and mining projects, with only minimal resources devoted to academic scientific concerns.

Several more colonies are established by a number of nations, as well as the United Nations. Between these new colonies and the expansion of older colonies, the Martian population swells to nearly one hundred thousand people, and the beginnings of planetary self-sufficiency emerge. Phobos is developed to the point of being a major colony in its own right, and Deimos is seeded with a number of automated installations.

The Second Great Depression begins on Earth. A result of two moderate wars, the collapse of a major economic market, and a natural disaster in Japan, the entire world economy effectively unravels in the space of nine days. Over the course of the next two decades, Earth will launch almost nothing into orbit, let alone to Mars, and several wars flare up. On Mars, the population scrambles to become entirely self-sufficient, or else perish. Some key breakthroughs in mining, recycling, and cultivation technologies permit the colonists to realize their goal with a minimal incidence of starvation and rioting. Communications between Mars and Earth remain steady, but no ships pass between the worlds from 2147 through 2168.

During this time, Mars is forced to set up its own government in order to prevent chaos; by 2160, Martian independence is accepted as fact by the majority of Earth governments and citizens.

The effective end of the Second Great Depression, marked by most historians by the launching of the Earth-Mars mission EAS Phoenix by the European Union. This established a new colony and set up a diplomatic mission to the Martian government.

The first major trade treaty between Earth and Mars is ratified by both sides. In exchange for materials and industrial assistance, Mars agrees to sell the secrets of its advanced resource-exploitation technology to the governments of the world. Even though the terms of the treaty call for twenty years and trillions of dollars of assistance, Mars actually sells its first-generation technologies to the governments. Its second-generation technologies are offered to the corporate world, and the bidding quickly becomes astronomical.

MarsGov concludes the last of its second-generation technology contracts. What MarsGov has not told anyone is that it holds third-generation technology refinements which it intends to use for itself. The news leaks quickly enough, however, and Mars is forced to admit the existence of these technologies. It then flatly refuses any contract offers for the new technology, stating that it is the property of Mars and will not be sold to outsiders.

While sensible from the Martian point of view, this chain of events sows the seeds of resentment among various sectors of Earth. The governments, who paid a lot for first-generation technology, were already upset at the corporate bidding war, but were willing to let it slide on the grounds that they would get access to the technology fairly quickly. However, the fact that both governments and corporations were led to pay vast amounts for technology which was not state of the art annoys them rather deeply.

MarsGov purchases its first interplanetary ships from LockheedBoeing Aerospace, christening them the MIV Ares, MIV Deimos, and MIV Phobos. They immediately begin trading runs between Mars and Earth.

LockheedBoeing delivers the MIV Olympus and four other automated deep-space mining ships to MarsGov. These ships are sent into high-density areas of the asteroid belt and begin mining operations at once. Even as they are en route, four Earth governments place orders for vehicles of the same type. MarsGov and Earth nations begin talks concerning the territorality of the asteroid belt.

The first Earth-based mining ship, the USC Alvarez, is launched. Despite the fact that Earth-Mars talks concerning the division of the asteroid belt are still underway, the ship departs for an area of the asteroid belt not currently being mined by Martian ships.

The Earth-Mars talks on asteroid belt territories break down without any resolution. Close to one hundred mining ships are active in the belt as this happens, and several dozen more exploratory probes seeking out valuable mineral deposits.

The Earth-based miner USC Eduardo discovers a major collection of carbon-rich asteroids. Almost every other North American mining ship is sent to the area, which is within a few orbital degrees of a major Martian mining area. The United States of North America declares the find to be USNA territory. This claim is hotly contested by several Earth governments as well as MarsGov.

With no legal resolution of the USNA claim to the carbon find, nor on the issue of territorial claims in the belt, several nations' mining ships move into the area. This activity is vigorously denounced by the USNA. Later in the year, the USNA launches several small ships into the area. These turn out to be intelligent military vehicles capable of seeking out non-USNA vehicles and disabling them. Although the hunter-seekers are programmed to disable mining ability without affecting engine systems, a few targets are crippled or destroyed.

MarsGov launches its own hunter-seeker craft targeted at the USNA operations. The USNA hunters are reprogrammed to destroy Martian hunters, which are in turn programmed to go after their USNA counterparts. After several months of conflict, an agreement is reached and the hostilities cease.

Present day.