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[silvane91.livejournal.com]

I had a strange thought: Cybertron, in many verses, was portrayed as a society torn apart by class distinctions and severely dysfunctional distribution of power. The Decepticons were originally the underclass rising up against a 'decadent' society. Gladiators, low class workers, dock workers, etcetera, etcetera. Back in the 18th century, Americans were the underclass rising up against a 'decadent' society. Colonists, religious separatists,  traders, etcetera, etcetera.Both groups were/are fighting to upset the status quo, not preserve it. Philosophically, the Autobots probably wouldn't have supported the American revolution, and the Decepticons would have. Considering how well America done for itself, even with all our problems, I can see this being an uncomfortable parallel for everyone- humans, Autobots and Decepticons alike. Anyone want to explore this?

Comments

[corax-onyx.livejournal.com]

While I think your basic premise is sound, I'd be inclined to more closely compare Cybertron to pre-Revolutionary France than Colonial America. The important distinction, when framing the Deception uprising as a class struggle ala Megatron: Origin, is that the American colonies suffered under colonial rule not because of a corrupt aristocracy, but because of the nature of the colonial system. They were a loose collection of fringe groups, asylum seekers, criminals and captialists seeking to exploit the resources of the newly opened territories. Pre-Revolution France was burdened with a corrupt and extravagant aristocracy and their revolution was much more bloody than the one in the US, although the leaders in France claimed to be inspired by the ideas of the Founding Fathers. Think of Megatron as a Robespierre who morphs into Napoleon instead of dying and he makes a lot more sense than a George Washington gone wrong.

[silvane91.livejournal.com]

Good point. I framed it more as American because I know American history better, so that was the natural connection, but you're right, from what I remember from history. France is a better parallel. *Goes off to explore Wikipedia on french history*