Why EARTH is the HOME of the UFP?

Earth is a planet of some importance apparently. Not sure why, but in Star Trek anyway it is the head capital of the United Federation of Planets and home of Starfleet Command as well as the Academy. While not looking into the resources that are on Earth, this video covers in lore why it was chosen to be the seat of the UFP government.

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Screencaps from Trekcore
This Video is for critical purposes with commentary.

[Wilahelm]

There is one other reason I would add. The Vulcans and Andorians had been at each others throats for years. Just getting them to the negotiating table was a huge effort. At that time I doubt either would have been willing to accept the headquarters of this new alliance being on the others homeworld. With Vulcan and Andor vetoing each other that only leave Tellar and Earth. Given the belligerent nature of the Tellarites and the other reasons mentioned it makes sense that earth would be chosen.

[guilhermesavoya]

My ideas has always been that Earth becoming the capital of the UFP was due to a number of issue.
1 - The other three empires were still very distrustful of each other, but all had rather good relations with Earth, it was the glue that kept them together. An Andorian would rather feel safer on Earth than in Vulcan. A Vulcan would not follow a Tellarite to battle or vice verse, but both would follow a Human.
2 - Earth was arguably the weaker of the four powers. So, making it the de facto leader meant it wouldn't overwhelm the other three.
3 - This also applies to Starfleet. Earth probably was eager to give up Starfleet for the Federation, while the others were not. Additionally, Earth was the only power that did not have a proper military, so the others didn't see Starfleet as threatening.
4 - It seems Earth exists in a more central position, according to certain maps. This way, all three powers would have more ready access to the capital than if it were located at one end or the other of the early Federation.
5 - It appears that the Federation did not start as centralized as it is by TNG. For the four powers, maybe they saw it as being analogous to NATO, then it slowly evolved into something more like the EU, and then it became more like a less centralized United States. Without that foresight, they maybe simply didn't care, as long as their rival didn't have it. In addition, it seems the UFP was Earth's pet project.

[merrick]

Delenn from Babylon 5 said it best (Paraphrasing) "we build empires but humans are unique, they build communities" edited to correct the speaker*

[CaptainSovereign]

Reason:
The United Federation of "Hold My Beer I Got This"

[stars]

There’s another factor to the preponderance of humans in Starfleet/ Federation positions I think, and you touched on it- humanity were the only ones that didn’t maintain a separate military/exploration service of their own

[prometheus]

I think what soval said twice in enterprise sums it it up best:
"You combine all the traits of Vulcan, Tellar, Andorra, and Klingon.
You embrace them all and shackled to none. Employ one trait one minute, then switch to another the next. What you accomplished in a century took my people a millennium to achieve, what will you accomplish in another century?"
Soval stated that we adapt and change quickly, and seek to bring divergent strengths together more easily.
He learned to respect and appreciate it.
But make no mistake, he and tge rest were also afraid of it and had to have us prove that we wouldn't turn on them before they could accept us as the hub for the great experiment- the UFP.

[juntakyle]

Before watching I can think of two reasons.

Each power in the federation were friendly with humans but not so much each other.

Second as they were the weakest power it would have been a great place for a capital because it wouldn’t have given any original power an unfair advantage.

[NellWatson]

I always likened it to why Brussels is the capital of the EU. It's the default small and relatively unimportant power amongst much larger ones which would otherwise take umbrage at not being the capital.

[OllamhDrab]

It probably also helped that being newer on the scene, Earth didn't have as many long-standing entaglements or rivalries or alliances out there in the galactic area.

[thebaccathatchews]

"Humans share one unique quality: They build communities. If the Andorians or the Tellarites or any other race built a fleet like this, it would be used only by their own people, but everywhere humans go, they create communities out of diverse and sometimes hostile populations. It is a great gift - and a terrible responsibility, one that cannot be abandoned." Soval, probably

[HCBailly]

Real reason: Humans are special.
Another reason: Putting HQ on Earth puts a big target on our back, and no one else was willing to do that.

[theencolony]

Something similar politically happened with Canada! When the country formed, we needed to choose a capital. Ottawa at the time was a smaller city on the border of Ontario and Quebec, so it was chosen as a neutral place between both provinces!

[twelfthknight]

Well, one of the chief benefits is that when a major villain - the Borg, the Dominion, Shinzon, whatever - plot to attack the Federation capital they aren't targeting some rando planet the audience has no implicit investment in. It gives all Star Fleet personnel some necessary context on Earth geography and human civilization, so even the alien characters are clued into references that the audience knows. It also gives implicit justification for the various Trek shows to return to Earth when the writers want to despite being - mostly - a space adventure show.

[gavinbrandgavin]

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vulcans straight up refused to be the capital. There were too many people and you know riff raff coming and going from Vulcan as it was thank you very much.

[PeterWiernicki]

I like how you slipped in at the end that Tellar Prime would make a suitable second capital planet if Earth ever fell. Very sneaky of you!

[PCLoadLetter]

The Vulcans had a consulate in Canberra. Long hot dry summer for the Vulcans, long freezing cold but mostly dry winters for the Andorians. Diplomatic bliss!

[Dalek]

0:43 I think based on this, it's a good non-threatening place and not having as many prejudices as the other three founders. Any newcomers might just see Earth as relatively neutral ground compared to the other three.

[dariustiapula]

Because Earth have all weather zones for everyone.

[JohnVance]

Other UFP members: Earth has such awesome weather! How’d you get so good at controlling it?

Earth: Man, funny thing about that, so back in the 20th century…

[Ggdivhjkjl]

If only I'd been born on Earth where such opportunities are available.