Why do marleyans hate eldians

Overview

The conflict between Marleyans and Eldians originates from the ancient Eldian Empire, which ruled for approximately 1,700 years using the power of the Titans - giant humanoid creatures that Eldians could transform into through paths connected to Ymir Fritz, the first Titan. During this imperial period, Eldians subjugated other nations, including Marley, through military conquest and oppression. This historical domination created deep-seated resentment that persists centuries later. After the Great Titan War around 100 years ago, Marley gained control of most Titan powers and reversed the power dynamic, now oppressing Eldians within their territory. The series "Attack on Titan" depicts this complex relationship through characters like Eren Yeager and Reiner Braun, showing how historical trauma cycles through generations.

How It Works

The hatred operates through institutionalized discrimination and historical propaganda. Marley maintains control through several mechanisms: Eldians are confined to designated internment zones like Liberio, where they live under military surveillance. They must wear armbands identifying their ethnicity at all times. Marley uses selective breeding of Eldians to maintain Titan powers, with families like the Fritz and Tybur lineages holding particular significance. The Warrior Program recruits young Eldians to inherit Titan powers and fight Marley's wars, creating a system where Eldians oppress other nations on Marley's behalf. Propaganda emphasizes Eldian atrocities during their imperial rule while minimizing Marley's current oppression, maintaining social division through education and media control that portrays Eldians as inherently dangerous due to their Titan transformation capability.

Why It Matters

This conflict matters because it explores real-world themes of historical grievance, ethnic discrimination, and cyclical violence. The Eldian-Marleyan dynamic mirrors actual historical conflicts where oppressed groups become oppressors when power dynamics shift. It examines how propaganda shapes collective memory and justifies discrimination, similar to real-world examples of ethnic conflicts. The series raises ethical questions about collective punishment, as Marleyans punish current Eldians for ancestors' crimes. This narrative framework allows exploration of complex moral issues relevant to contemporary discussions about historical justice, reparations, and breaking cycles of violence between groups with traumatic shared histories.