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Confederacy of Independent Systems

Notable Leaders

Count Dooku
Darth Sidious
General Grievous

Confederacy of Independent Systems (or CIS) was formed on 24 BBY, publically led by Count Dooku. Their aim was to separate from the Republic, and they consisted of various planetary governments and megacorporations. Many saw that the government body of the Republic was failing and thus joined the cause and to try and to separate from the Republic. The wave of dissatisfaction raised, as soon as the Galactic Senate approved placing taxes to trade routes to Outer Rim systems.

Which is when a former Jedi, known as Count Dooku stepped in. Due to him being charismatic, his anti-Republic attitude caught ears of others, and soon Dooku got many supporters and followers. Not long after, he got enough separatists to try and form a new government, known under the name of Confederacy of Independent Systems - which became formally opposed to the Galactic Republic. Althought, the Republic refused to even consider formally acknowledge the existence of CIS. This would de-facto legitimize them, which was not what the Republic wanted, by far.

Organization & military

The CIS itself was controlled by Viceroy Nute Gunray, a leader of trade Federation, then Inter-Galactic Banking clan led by Chairman San Hill and lastly, another notable part of the governing body, the Techno Union, led by Foreman Wat Tambor. Neither of them were well suited to become generals, as they were more interested in business and credits. So the only notable political leaders of CIS, capable of leading the campaign from the military perspective would be Dooku, Poggle the Lesser and Nute Gunray.

They believed that their technical superiority would win the war for them. The Army consisted of many battle-droids, wastly outnumbering the forces of the Republic. Droidekas were capable of neutralizing the jedi, however, there was also weak spot in the CIS army, like the B1 Battle Droids. Their poor programming caused that the CIS lost many battles, which would be considered as lost otherwise. Another notable part of CIS government - General Grievous - was a leader of Droid Army, a cyborg with the mind of tactician and with strong, armored body. Grievous won many battles, turning the war in favour of CIS.

Another effective commander was Assajj Ventress, an assassin and apprentice to Dooku, next to bounty hunter Durge. There were another ones, like general Whorm Loathson, General Oro Dassyne, General Lok Durd and Commander Merai.

The Galactic Republic

The Republic was formed around 25 000 BBY, by signing of the Galactic Constitution. It existed throughfully the whole history, until forming of the Empire in 19 BBY. The Republic was commonly led by Supreme Chancellor, with democratic approach, existing for over twenty-five thousand years. The last years of the ‘Old Republic’ could be seen as very bureucratic, the Galactic Senate being devoured by corruption.

Galactic Republic Military

Early days of existence of the Republic were far from peaceful, as they expanded across the galaxy, they encountered many species, who were very war-like. The Republic government body realized that they needed an Army and Navy, to ensure the peace to their worlds. However, things changed after Battle of Ruusan, as most of the military forces were decomissioned, leaving the Republic only with the necessary small military forces, to uphold the ideals of being peaceful. This small military force was later known as Judicial Department.

The Republic was relying mainly on the Jedi Knights, to uphold the peace, their “keepers of the peace”.

Everything took a swift change once the Clone Wars begun. The Republic itself had no standing forces to fight the CIS, so the Military Creation Act was proposed. It met strong opposition of several Senators, such as Padme Amidala, who was afraid of possibility of war. Without knowledge of many, the Clone Army was already being created on Kamino. Once it became painfully clear that the CIS had no interest in peaceful negotiations, the Clone Army became main fighting body of the Republic.

The Clones were some sort of controversy, as they were seen as nothing more than slaves by some, and at the other side, others giving them sympathy and comradery. It is believed to be one of mistakes the Republic made, that they relied on the Clone troops way too much.

The Conflict

Althought the Clone Wars started ‘officially’ in 22 BBY, with battle on Geonosis, it is disputed, that the first seed of it was put in ten years earlier, with the infamous Naboo Blockade, when the Trade Federation tried to invade Naboo, due to being unsatisfied with taxation of Outer Rim trade routes. It concluded with Senator Palpatine being elected into lead to the Republic, with promise of getting rid of the Senate corruption, which was a huge problem and devouring the Republic from inside.

The Trade federation’s de-militarization was seen as nothing more than slap on a wrist by many, and Senator Palpatine did very little to make his promises true. Nute Gunray, the leader of Trade Federation went basically unpunished, to dissatisfaction of many, mainly the Naboo residents. Palpatine didn’t slumber. He played his role as the Supreme Chancellor and then his role as Sith Lord, unseen by others. He put things into move, contacted Dooku, who eventually became his apprentice, after loss of Darth Maul, who was killed by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (padawan by this time). Dooku was ideal figure for Palpatine, he used the fact that his faith in the Republic was heavily shakened and once Dooku killed his Jedi friend, his fate was decided.

Around this time, Dooku destroyed all evidence in the Archives about Kamino. He didn’t want to reveal the Clone Army to the Jedi, as it was secretly growing on Kamino in last few years. Dooku also hired Jango Fett, to serve as a ‘template’ for the Clone Army troops.

Palpatine’s term as a Supreme Chancellor was over in 24 BBY, which is exactly the time when Dooku appeared, declaring the existence of opposing force, the Confederacy of Independent Systems. This lead to Palpatine being allowed to stay in office longer, than the Constitution allowed, as the Republic Government body was afraid of events which could happen, should the CIS make way too much influence.

In next two years, many systems left the Republic, to help the Confederacy. from the notable ones, it was Geonosis, Tynna, Sy Myrth and Yag’Dhul. There were another ones, such as Elrood Danjar, Tantra and Sluis sectors, bringing most of the ‘Rimward leg’ of Rimma Trade Route under the control of CIS. They managed to get control over many Trade Routes and also agricultural worlds, which put the CIS into advantage.

There would be others, who would join the cause of the Confederacy of Independent Systems: The Baktoid Armor Workshop, the Commerce Guild, the Corporate Alliance, the Techno Union, the Inter-Galactic Banking clan and infamous Trade Federation. Coruscant was suffering from terrorist’s attacks, which led to proposal of Military Creation Act, which would legalize the creation of Republic Army. Things went further, once there was second attempt to kill Senator Amidala. Jedi Order sent in two Jedi to investigate who was behind the attacks, which led Master Kenobi to Kamino, where he found out truth about the Clone Army. Meanwhile, Anakin Skywalker was sent to Naboo to keep an eye on Senator Amidala.

Master Kenobi tracked Jango Fett, who escaped to Geonosis soon after. He was followed by the Jedi Master - and he got captured soon after he sent a message to the Jedi Council. Meanwhile, Anakin Skywalker and Senator Amidala are told to remain on Tatooine (it is recorded that Skywalker travelled there without approval of the Council, for personal reasons). Although, Senator Amidala decided to go and try to rescue Master Kenobi, which led to both her and Skywalker to be captured as well, soon ordered to be executed along with Master Kenobi.

Back on Coruscant, a gungan by name of Jar-Jar Binks was manipulated to propose to give Chancellor Palpatine emergency rights, which would make him basically a dictator. Despite the controversary of such decision, Palpatine got the emergency rights and legalized creation of the clone army, to serve in further Grand Army of the Republic.

The Confederacy didn’t slumber either, they were getting allies of various kind. Dooku himself was looking for Force-sensitive individuals, the most notable ones being Assajj Ventress and even Jedi Master Quinlan Vos for a time. Also, one of the most notable commanders was recruited during that time, General Grievous, formely known as Qymaen Jai Sheelal, who originated from Kaleesh species, however, his body was awfully wounded in a shuttle-crash (according to Archives it was all Dooku’s set up, which Grievous did not know). It is rumored that the crash and the wrongs made on him, which led to Grievous taking up the offer and leading the Droid Army.

Battle of Geonosis

Officially the first battle of Clone wars, it took place after Kenobi, Skywalker and Senator Amidala were captured by the separatist forces and charged with spying for the Republic. They were to be executed. The rescue attempt of Kenobi and Senator Amidala ended up in failure, as I mentioned before, and they ended up captured as well. It would seem like all three of them would be killed by Super Battle droids, once they managed to free themselves and defeat the creatures which were sent into the infamous Geonosis Arena, for the amusement of Nute Gunray and other separatist leaders.

However, the Jedi attacked the Arena, being led by Jedi Master Mace Windu. They managed to hold their ground, but many Jedi were killed during the battle. Only a handful would remain alive, but they were rescued by the arriving reinforcements, consisting of the Clone troopers, led by Jedi Master Yoda. The coin would turn itself with Master Yoda’s arrival, the separatist leaders were forced to flee, Dooku being one of them, who also had plans for building a battle station further known as Death Star. Kenobi with Skywalker followed Dooku and faced him. However, Dooku managed to defeat both Jedi, only having Master Yoda to fight him. seeing that he wouldn’t be able to defeat Master Yoda as easily, he resorted to trickery and managed to escape.

I feel need to mention, that the Battle of Geonosis wasn’t taking place just on the ground. There was huge space battle as well, the Republic forces being led by Adi Gallia, next to subterraen battle mostly led by clone commandos, mainly the Delta Squad. They managed to defeat several geonosisn leaders during the battle.

While the Republic forces managed to win the battle, the Jedi Master Yoda hardly saw it as victory. It was beginning of huge galactic civil war, a war which led to many lives being lost, on both sides of the conflict. As it would be foolish to believe that only the armed forces were those dying, there were also the civilians, who inhabited both CIS and Republic systems.

***

Many suffered, the conflict was spreading across the galaxy and there was probably no-one who wouldn’t be affected by the conflict. Grievous and Dooku were not hesitant to do anythnig in order to win the war. Many attrocities were caused by both of them, followed by Palpatine’s hidden plans and intentions, while playing the ‘good guy’ in the republic Senate. The Republic was losing, becoming scattered, and I believe most of us cannot even imagine massacre of such scale. I could note down all notable battles, but I believe that the point to be made is to show how nasty this war was, how many lives were lost. For me, as a Jedi, that is something I’d never want to happen, yet the history knows no regret nor remorse, and I cannot undo what happened.

Palpatine had all of this planned, and as scary as it may sound, his plan was literally brilliant. He had to get all of his plans thought out throughfully, with all possible events, which could take place. From my studies, it seems that he knew everything and all what happened was his set up. From the beginning of the Clone Wars, seducing Anakin Skywalker to the Dark Side, to his own capture by Grievous.

End of War & aftermath

The Clone wars neared their end after disastrous three years, during battle of Kashyyk, as soon as Anakin Skywalker pledged his allegiance to the Sith lord. Palpatine announced the formation of the Galactic Empire, manipulating Senators to give him even huge applause. Anakin Skywalker, leading the 501st Legion, entered the Jedi temple and massacred anyone he and the 501st Legion found. They didn’t spare anyone. From seasoned Jedi Knights and Masters to smallest Jedi younglings. Palpatine ordered the clone troopers to execute ‘Order 66′, which was basically to eliminate all Jedi. The days of the Jedi Order seemed to be concluded.

It is nearly impossible to determine how many Jedi survived the Order 66. The resources about this are rather vague, probably due to fact that Palpatine tried to erase the last remnants of Jedi from the face of galaxy. The war was officially ended once the Galactic Empire was formed, Palpatine proclaiming himself Emperor and ordering that the battle droids would be shut down.

The Old Republic, as it was known ceased to exist, next to old Jedi Order.

My conclusion

The Clone Wars influenced the galaxy a lot. One could say that it were just three years, yet, these three years managed to change the face of galaxy forever. If it wasn’t for this war, it would be highly possible that Palpatine would not get opportunity to receive emergency rights in the Senate, thus he would not gather such power above the Republic. There would not be so many lost if this war didn’t take place. And, if Palpatine was relieved of his powers as he should, according to old Constitution, the war could possibly be solved the other way, as most of what happened was purely Palpatine’s doing, with Dooku being his pawn.

This war caused that the Old republic ceased to exist, with all of it’s democratic principles, along with the Jedi Order disappearing, with all of their traditions. Palpatine with his new apprentice, Anakin Skywalker managed to wipe out most of the informations about the Jedi Order, killing any Jedi they encountered. During the Empire Era, most people, in the upcoming years, thought that the Force was just a myth for example. Or nonsense, according to famous Corellian, Han Solo, who never even believed in existence of the Force.

How did this influence the whole galaxy? Well, for one, if it wasn’t for this war, the Galactic Empire would probably not be formed. So, we could easily be living in the Old republic until now. The Jedi Order would never disappear, so we would know most of it’s traditions. It’s known that even up to these days, we are not entirely knowledgeable of how the old Jedi Order worked. Would things be better? Well, if anything, there would be many lives saved. Other than that, I don’t even dare to make assumptions how things were for real during that period. Everything I wrote here is based on articles in the Archive, so it may be slightly limited to even judge or make assumptions of such kind.

Could all of this be prevented? It’s very complicated, with all of this being set up of one single man. When new Supreme Chancellor vote was called, things could go differently, if Palpatine wasn’t voted in. But, on the other side, wasn’t even this voting first of his plans? Him using his charisma, combined with the use of the Force, he could easily achieve anything he wanted. And, he was rather careful, as nobody noticed something was out of place. Well, even the Jedi Council was fooled by Palpatine. However, there’s only way I can see this stopping from happening - if Palpatine was not voted in, he would not get an opportunity to legally assume such power. The other thing would be stopping the Jedi Purge, which would be possible, if Anakin Skywalker was able to kill Palpatine, when he had the chance to do so. That would not prevent the Clone Wars themselves from happening, as Skywalker found out who Palpatine was near the end of the Clone Wars, but the choice if he would kill Master Windu or Palpatine could at least prevent the forming of Empire, thus saving another good deal of lives, across the galaxy. As to what role Skywalker fulfilled in this… I do not believe it’s all his doing. It’s him being fooled just like the Jedi Council was, mixed with his fear from loss of person he loved. This became his weakness, and that ultimatelly led to Skywalker becoming mere pawn in hands of Palpatine.

Nonetheless, it was interesting to read and write up this. It makes us more aware of mistakes of our Jedi brethren and also other sentient beings. History can be a good teacher, if people are willing to listen. Sadly, as it was often proven, sentient beings tend to repeat their own mistakes. This is something that we have to overcome, to learn from the history, from those, who left us their legacies.

As it’s said: There’s no ignorance, there’s knowledge.