The Unification War was a conflict in the fictional universe of Firefly, created by Joss Whedon. It took place in the 26th century and involved a struggle between the Alliance, a central governing body, and a group of independent planets known as the Browncoats. The war was fought over issues of control, autonomy, and the desire for independence from the Alliance's rule. The war ended with the defeat of the Browncoats, leading to the consolidation of power by the Alliance. This resulted in significant political and social changes across the galaxy, shaping the lives of characters in the Firefly series and its follow-up film, Serenity.