The Free Worlds League is an association of independent systems located in the Eastern regions of the stellar neighborhood and currently includes the Human colonies in the 61 Cygni, Gliese 876, and Altair star systems.
Although all three systems have maintained an interdependent affiliation through Hoshi Enterprises; each colony has developed their own distinctive cultures, viewpoints, and local mannerisms. Early on in their history, they organized their own separate provincial governments which still answered directly to the United Earth Conglomerate. Most of their interactions with each other were limited to trade and business transactions, but that would all change by the end of the 22nd century.
When the UEC attempted a military occupation of the 82 Eridani system in 2198, many of Earth’s other colonies were firmly opposed to what they viewed to be a blatant act of aggression. The colonists in the Gliese 876 system immediately came to the defense of, not only this subjugated system, but also the people of Tau Ceti who had been their allies for many years. The colonists in the 61 Cygni and Altair systems tried to remain neutral and initially preferred a diplomatic solution to the conflict. However, when the UEC invaded the Gliese 876 system to establish martial law, the other two systems defended their sister colony and joined in the fight against Earth’s corporate empire.
By 2206, the UEC’s military forces were prepared to concede defeat. For the colonies that had declared their independence, the war had definitely taken its toll and they were more than eager to put an end to the conflict. Two months after a ceasefire was announced, representatives from Earth and each of its colonies convened together in the Sirius star system to discuss a treaty that would be beneficial to all. When a final agreement was made, this “Contract of Sovereignty” not only acknowledged the independence of nine different systems, but also recognized the absolute autonomy of the Free Worlds League, the Commonwealth Alliance, and the Centauri Union. It also established official boundaries for each system stating that anything beyond a light-year from the host star would be considered interstellar space. This contract additionally provided concessions for the independent colonies to establish a limited trade agreement with Earth as well as to relinquish all of their remaining corporate operations within the Sol system.
The Free Worlds League was not intended to function as a new form of government for these colonies. Instead, the 61 Cygni, Gliese 876, and Altair systems retained their own individual leadership, while establishing a mutual alliance which pledged to defend each other in times of crisis. Currently, all three colonies continue to avoid dealing with Earth at all unless absolutely necessary. Instead, they have focused on developing their own populist societies while using their individual strengths to support the league as a whole.