Pre-warp civilization

Pre-warp civilization was a term used by the Federation to define any society that had not yet discovered and utilized faster-than-light space travel like the warp drive. Pre-warp cultures could range in technology level from extremely primitive to that of Earth in the mid-21st century. 

The Prime Directive of the Federation interdicted any disturbance of such civilizations, including any form of contact, until a culture had independently proven its warp-capability. Otherwise, any involvement in the development of pre-warp societies could result in the contamination of their culture, thereby altering their natural evolution. Usually pre-warp civilizations were limited to their homeworld. However, their technical abilities could be sophisticated enough to expand throughout their star system. 

The Federation did allow limited covert research to be conducted on pre-warp civilizations, usually by means of a duck blind. Observers could also be placed amongst a civilization as a prelude to First Contact. 

Pre-warp beschaving