Alien conquest
Meaning
The subjugation or takeover of a planet, typically Earth, by extraterrestrial beings.
Origin
While stories of invaders from the sky have existed in various forms throughout history, the concept of a true 'alien conquest' as we understand it truly solidified with the birth of modern science fiction. H.G. Wells's groundbreaking 1898 novel, The War of the Worlds, famously depicted Martians descending upon Earth with advanced weaponry, sowing panic and destruction. This narrative brilliantly tapped into late Victorian anxieties about colonialism and invasion, offering a terrifying mirror to contemporary geopolitical fears. Wells's vivid imagery of tripod fighting-machines and humanity's desperate struggle cemented the alien conquest as a powerful, enduring trope, transforming it from a mere fantastical notion into a staple of speculative fiction, reflecting humanity's deepest fears of the unknown and the ultimate loss of control.
Examples
- Many classic sci-fi films depict humanity's desperate struggle against an alien conquest.
- The government established a new task force dedicated to preparing for the unlikely event of an alien conquest.