The Beginning (Fallout)

The Beginning (Fallout) refers primarily to the events immediately preceding and following the Great War, the cataclysmic nuclear exchange that serves as the foundational event and origin point for the Fallout universe. It is not a single, precisely defined event, but rather encompasses a period of escalating tensions, resource wars, and ultimately, the devastating nuclear apocalypse of October 23, 2077.

Key aspects of "The Beginning" in the Fallout narrative include:

• Pre-War Societal Context: This encompasses the socio-political landscape of the pre-War world, characterized by resource scarcity, international conflicts (particularly the Resource Wars), and the rise of megacorporations like Vault-Tec. The cultural values, technological advancements, and societal anxieties of this era are crucial for understanding the motivations and consequences of later events.

• The Resource Wars: A period of global conflict sparked by dwindling natural resources, primarily oil. This prolonged conflict significantly weakened global infrastructure and exacerbated tensions between nations, setting the stage for the Great War.

• The Creation of Vault-Tec and the Vaults: The United States government, under the guidance of Vault-Tec Corporation, initiated a massive program to construct underground bunkers known as Vaults. Officially intended to preserve a segment of the American population in the event of nuclear war, the Vaults often served as sites for unethical social experiments.

• The Great War (October 23, 2077): A brief but devastating nuclear exchange that effectively ended civilization. The exact sequence of events and the initiating party remain ambiguous in the Fallout lore, but the resulting destruction was widespread and irreversible. The relatively short timeframe of the war (approximately two hours) is often emphasized.

• The Immediate Aftermath: This period covers the initial survival efforts of those who managed to survive the nuclear blasts, whether in Vaults, underground shelters, or through sheer luck. It includes the immediate challenges of radiation exposure, scarcity of resources, and the emergence of new threats like mutated creatures. The stories of the Vault Dwellers emerging into a shattered world are central to many Fallout narratives.

"The Beginning" therefore represents the collapse of the old world and the starting point for the emergence of new societies and factions in the post-apocalyptic Wasteland. Understanding this initial period is essential for comprehending the history, culture, and ongoing conflicts that define the Fallout universe.