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"The Galactic Republic was the Republic of legend, greater than distance or time." ―Janyor [src]

The Galactic Republic, commonly known as the Republic, was a pan-galactic political union comprising thousands of worlds spread across the galaxy. Adhering to a democratic constitution, the Republic was governed by a legislative body of senators—the Galactic Senate—chosen to represent their homeworlds. It was the Senate's prerogative to elect a Supreme Chancellor from among their ranks to serve as the government's leader. Coruscant, an ecumenopolis referred to as Galactic City, was the capital world of the Republic, and therefore, the seat of the Senate.

Aided by the Jedi Order, the Republic governed the galaxy from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim Territories, uniting various sentient species, human and alien alike, under one banner. The Republic Era was an age of unprecedented peace that lasted for almost a millennium, beginning with the Republic reinventing itself after centuries of conflict and decline that ended with the last war between the ancient Sith Lords and Jedi Knights. History was officially reset with the formation of the modern Galactic Republic, while the ages before this event were merged into a collective whole known as the "Old Republic." At the height of its power, the High Republic endeavored to expand galactic civilization through exploration and colonization.

The Republic had grown stagnant by the final years of its rule, its leadership mired in bureaucratic procedure and corruption. Following the Invasion of Naboo, the Separatist Crisis threatened to divide the galaxy between the Loyalists who supported the Republic and the Separatists who formed the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The Clone Wars—the first galaxy-wide conflict since the Republic's formation—broke out between the two sides, with the Republic adopting a secret clone army to fight the Confederacy's droid army. However, the war was masterminded by the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, culminating in his rise to power as Galactic Emperor. With the Jedi purged and the Confederacy dissolved, the Republic was reorganized into the Galactic Empire.

The Galactic Republic was remembered as the Old Republic during the Imperial Era and the subsequent New Republic Era. Despite the Empire's efforts to suppress the Republic's memory, its defeat in the Galactic Civil War allowed the New Republic—formed from the Alliance to Restore the Republic—to rise as the Old Republic's successor.

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History Edit

Rise of democracy Edit

"There hasn't been a full-scale war since the formation of the Republic." ―Sio Bibble [src]

The modern Galactic Republic was formed roughly a thousand years before the Clone Wars, having evolved from previous incarnations collectively referred to as the Old Republic.[15] A democratic union consisting of multiple star systems spread across the galaxy,[1] the Republic supported the Jedi Order in its conflict against[15] a dark side sect known as the Sith.[16] The wars between Jedi Knights and Sith Lords began following the Hundred-Year Darkness[17] and culminated in the decline and fall of the Old Republic, as well as its rebirth as the modern Galactic Republic.[15]

The Republic Era was an age of peace and stability that lasted for almost a millennium. With the exception of small-scale conflicts, the Republic was able to uphold this peaceful era with the aid of the Jedi,[15] who served as guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy.[18]

The Four Sages of Dwartii were notable in influencing some of its earliest laws.[19] As its governing body, the newly reorganized government established the Galactic Senate, the members of which were elected to represent their systems. The Republic's capital was installed on the planet of Coruscant, which had already existed for several thousands of years.[1]

The Republic's head of state, the Supreme Chancellor, was elected by and from the senators, in which the first in a long line of Chancellors[5] was Tarsus Valorum,[7] a scion of the House Valorum.[5][9] Protecting the new democracy was the elite Senate Guard, who could be seen patrolling the Senate District and came to be seen as symbols of strength and unity, especially considering the fact that the military had been disbanded.[5][20] In time, the Jedi Order, a noble order of protectors who could tap into the power of the Force, came to serve the Republic as guardians of peace and justice.[18] With the lack of a standing army, the Republic came to rely on its peacekeeping Judicial Forces, led by the Judicial Department as the de facto law-enforcement branch of the government. The Judicial Forces, members of which were simply known as Judicials, trained at the Judicial Academy and came to serve in both ground and space forces, often led by Jedi Commanders to maintain peace throughout the galaxy.[5]

Expansion and stagnation Edit

"It's been my experience that senators are only focused on pleasing those who fund their campaigns—and they are more than willing to forget the niceties of democracy to get those funds." ―Obi-Wan Kenobi [src]

For centuries, the Republic expanded not through force, but by quietly exerting a strong magnetic pull towards neighboring systems. The promise of trade with Core World markets held many systems in sway, inexorably luring non-member worlds into tighter cooperation with the state body. Despite this, the Republic remained slow to invite new systems into its fold, as the addition of new territories diminished the political power of existing senators. New member states invariably aligned themselves with local galactic power blocs, while most senators who gave the invitations represented systems in the Core. As a result, the Galactic Center represented the beating heart of the Republic that habitually drew wealth and power from the hinterlands, with most senators dismaying at the extension of services and protection to outlying worlds. Consequently, many useful star systems were left waiting—some for centuries—for the body politic to admit their world as a member of the Congress, even though it came at the cost of the body's overall power.[21]

As time went by the Republic stood firm, becoming increasingly powerful. As a result, the galaxy remained free of any full-scale war for centuries. However, many of the bureaucrats and Senators that ran the government continued to work for their own profit rather than the common good. Greed, corruption and internal strife slowly began destroying the government from within.[1] The Core, revitalized from the destructive conflicts of the past and ravenous for new resources to exploit, embarked on an aggressive colonization policy, exploring, mapping, and settling untouched planets within the Outer Systems, striking deals with or simply overrunning the indigenous populations that stood in their path. Adventurous pioneers found themselves granted permission by Coruscant to settle new territories and establish trading colonies to feed the Core with the goods and raw materials for its continual self-enrichment. Many new systems, finding themselves lacking the funds to mine, process, and ship their products to market, were forced to secure high-interest loans from the InterGalactic Banking Clan, whereupon many, unable to repay their debts, found themselves as mere client worlds to the Muun bankers. As time progressed, the laborious task of astrogating by hyperwave beacons—which required numerous reversions to realspace—became simplified with the founding of new hyperlanes such as the Hydian Way. Many systems, eager to benefit from the opportunities offered by charting hyperlanes through their system, sought to influence the Republic Senate to put themselves on the galactic map.[5]

Culturally, Coruscanti fashion, art, drama and literature saw receptive audiences across the galaxy. Seeking to impress visitors from the Core, many worlds sought to build lavish mansions that imitated the architectural style of the Inner Core. Despite this, many Coruscanti looked with disdain on what was in reality nothing more than a gaudy impersonation. To them, these lifeforms on the galaxy's fringes appeared barbaric, with most worlds still lacking weather control or struggling with geological disturbances and food shortages. Additionally, many outlying worlds, lacking the protection of a federal military found themselves continually harassed by numerous pirates and criminal organizations, further ingraining the long-held view that those from the galaxy's outlying settlements lacked cultural refinement and basic civility.[5]

For centuries, a deep-rooted hatred and distrust grew between the galaxy's outer fringes and the cosmopolitan Core, with those in the hinterlands gradually coming to believe themselves the victims of social and economic injustices. As a result of the perceived inability of the Judicial Forces in protecting outlying territories, who were often withheld in intervening after many far-flung worlds refused to provide the Core Worlds with profitable deals, the Outer Rim world of Eriadu—one of the most politically, culturally and economically developed worlds—formed the Outland Regions Security Force for the protection of the Seswenna sector. Comprising an amalgam of ships, it was funded primarily by off-world loans and supplied with laser and ion cannons acquired from arms merchants who had for centuries been ignoring a Republic ban on the sale of weaponry to member worlds. While the Outland Regions Security Force at first lacked success, it soon came to be renowned for its efficiency at dealing with raiders, especially after Wilhuff Tarkin was accepted into Outland's anti-piracy task force, in which he was known for outsmarting and outmaneuvering his opponents.[5]

Yet despite Outland's best efforts, the Outer Rim Territories continued to fall victim to increasing corporate interests from the Core, with the monolithic Trade Federation expanding its reach a year before the Invasion of Naboo in both the Outer Rim and the Galactic Senate by utilizing loopholes in existing free-trade legislation. Shortly before the Invasion of Naboo, a trade summit was held on the Outer Rim planet of Eriadu in which Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum was turned away by Wilhuff Tarkin, who was hoping to reduce the influence of the Chancellor who some already expected to lose the next election in order to support Senator Sheev Palpatine, who had earlier helped Tarkin gain entrance into the Judicial Academy and supported his ascension as leader of his homeworld.[5]

Invasion of Naboo Edit

"It is clear to me now that the Republic no longer functions. I pray you will bring sanity and compassion back to the Senate." ―Padmé Amidala, to Sheev Palpatine [src]

Despite the best efforts of the well-meaning Finis Valorum, the Trade Federation invaded Naboo over disputes about plasma exports. A Judicial force carried Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, to the Saak'ak, a Trade Federation Lucrehulk-class LH-3210 cargo freighter to discuss a peaceful resolution to the conflict.[5][22] However, upon learning that Jedi had intervened, Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Sidious swiftly ordered their execution, an order which Viceroy Nute Gunray fearfully carried out, only to have the attempt fail, resulting in the escape of the Jedi. On the planet below, the Jedi managed to rescue then Queen Padmé Amidala, seeking to bring her back to Coruscant; however, a damaged T-14 hyperdrive generator resulted in them making an unplanned landing on the desert planet of Tatooine. While stranded in the city of Mos Espa, Qui-Gon Jinn discovered then slave Anakin Skywalker, who he believed was the Chosen One destined to bring balance to the Force. It was not long before Sidious's apprentice, Darth Maul, attempted to eliminate the Jedi on the desert world, only to have the Jedi escape once more in the nick of time, with the now freed boy Anakin. Upon their arrival at Coruscant, Padmé was coerced by Senator Palpatine, who was taking advantage of his homeworld's delicate situation, to have Valorum removed from office through a vote of no confidence. The vote passed, increasing the chances of Palpatine becoming the next Supreme Chancellor.[9]

Finding no sympathy in the Senate, Padmé Amidala returned to her world of Naboo and forged an alliance with Boss Nass of one of the Gungan underwater cities of Otoh Gunga, located underneath Lake Paonga. With the help of the Gungan Grand Army and freed members of the Royal Naboo Security Forces, along with a starfighter attack on the Saak'ak in orbit, the Trade Federation and its blockade were defeated, thanks largely to Anakin, who helped fire the shot that ultimately destroyed the control ship. However, the victory was not without its costs, with Qui-Gon's death at the hands of Darth Maul, and the Jedi's loss of knowledge of who was actually behind the attack. Nonetheless, with Naboo now freed from occupation, a grand parade was held in honor of their recent victory, while Palpatine himself arrived to announce his ascension to the position of Supreme Chancellor, also informing Anakin that he would watch his progress "with much interest."[9]

Separatist Crisis Edit

"I will not let this Republic that has stood for a thousand years be split in two. My negotiations will not fail."

"If they do, you must realize that there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic. We're keepers of the peace, not soldiers." ―Sheev Palpatine and Mace Windu [src]

Following the Naboo Crisis, the Trade Federation monopoly on the Outer Rim was broken, all while Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum's political standing suffered from the crisis along with other scandals. In his wake, Palpatine was appointed to the position of Supreme Chancellor, eventually creating an image of himself as a mild-mannered servant of the common good, despite his true intentions. However, growing tensions between the Core and Outer Rim worlds gradually increased to the point where many believed that a war was imminent. Foreseeing this conflict years before the Invasion of Naboo, Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas advocated for the creation of a new Republic army, only to be rejected by the Jedi Council, who believed his ideas too extreme. Undeterred, Sifo-Dyas contacted the Kaminoans, known for their clone hatcheries, and secretly commissioned them to create a clone army, pretending to be at the behest of the Galactic Senate. Unbeknownst to Sifo-Dyas, Darth Sidious had earlier contacted Prime Minister Lama Su, and convinced him to implant a behavioral modification biochip into the clones during the third stage of their development to turn against the Jedi at a mere command.[5][23]

The dashing swordsman and political idealist Jedi Master Count Dooku, taking an eight-year leave of absence from the Jedi Order and now secretly the apprentice of Darth Sidious and dubbed Darth Tyranus, paid the Pyke Syndicate to eliminate Sifo-Dyas over the planet of Oba Diah. With Sifo-Dyas originally heading to the planet in order to negotiate a dispute that could have resulted in a full-scale gang war on Coruscant, Sifo-Dyas was suddenly re-assigned to Felucia when his shuttle was abruptly shot down over the planet. Bringing his body to Felucia, where it was cremated by tribal inhabitants, Dooku managed to trick the Jedi Council into believing Sifo-Dyas had been killed by the Felucians, all while erasing the existence of Kamino from the Jedi Archives.[5][23][8]

In the ten years after the Invasion of Naboo, the whereabouts of Count Dooku were scarcely known, with many believing he merely wished to form an offshoot of the Jedi Order. In reality, Dooku was busy manipulating galactic events to foment political turmoil on a variety of worlds including Kashyyyk, Sullust and Onderon. Seeking to create a southern Separatist sphere of influence by bringing Yag'Dhul and Sluis Van to his side, Dooku needed to persuade the now prosperous world of Eriadu to join the Separatists. However, Wilhuff Tarkin was pressured to declare his loyalties especially after Dooku commandeered a HoloNet station in the Raxus system and denounced the Galactic Republic, effectively setting the stage for the Separatist Crisis. Tarkin ultimately sided with the Galactic Republic in his stern belief that an inefficient yet unified galaxy was better than a fractured one.[5]

With war now imminent, the Galactic Senate hastily passed the Military Creation Act, especially after Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi discovered the secret clone army on Kamino after tracing the origins of a previously unknown dart used in an assassination attempt against Senator Padmé Amidala, who opposed the military buildup. When Kenobi was captured by the Separatist Droid Army on Geonosis, the Senate gave Supreme Chancellor Palpatine emergency powers to raise the newly formed Grand Army of the Republic and Republic Navy to rescue Kenobi along with a team of two hundred Jedi led by Mace Windu. The ensuing battle saw the rescue of Kenobi along with the prodigal Jedi Anakin Skywalker and Senator Amidala, who was later used by Sidious in an attempt to ensure Anakin's eventual turn to the dark side of the Force.[8]

The Clone Wars Edit

"I have to admit that without the clones it would not have been a victory."

"Victory? Victory, you say? Master Obi-Wan, not victory. The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun, the Clone War has." ―Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda [src]

With the first major battle in the Clone Wars being the deadly First Battle of Geonosis, the encounter raged on as the plans for an Ultimate Weapon from Poggle the Lesser were transferred to Dooku, as well as a brief but vicious fight erupting between Dooku and Master Yoda. Simultaneously, the various members of the newly founded Confederacy of Independent Systems evacuated the planet as Republic clone troopers gradually forced the Separatist Droid Army back. With the battle ending in a victory for the Republic, Count Dooku traveled to an industrial sector on Coruscant to inform his master that the war had begun as planned, all while the Jedi Council pondered Dooku's warning that the Dark Lord of the Sith controlled the Senate. Nevertheless, with the Battle of Geonosis a clear victory for the Republic, the upcoming war to destroy the Separatist Alliance and its allies dragged the galaxy into further conflict over the next three years.[8]

In the aftermath of Geonosis, the deadly three-year conflict that engulfed the galaxy into chaos officially began, forcing more and more worlds to choose sides between the Galactic Republic and its clone army or the ever-expanding Confederacy of Independent Systems and its Separatist Droid Army. With the war well under way, numerous diplomatic envoys engaged in several attempts to sway local worlds to join the Galactic Republic, with Jedi Master Yoda seeking to win the support of the Toydarian King Katuunko, while Sith apprentice Asajj Ventress sought to disrupt the meeting, and instead sought to win the support of the king to join the Confederacy.[24] The Republic also sent military aid and support to factions in need, such as Cham Syndulla's Twi'lek Resistance on Ryloth, or to the Dugs of Malastare, whose lucrative fuel reserves were a great boon to the Republic Navy.[25][26] Numerous worlds such as Mandalore also attempted to maintain their neutrality, although they often were forced to seek aid from third parties in times of need.[8][11]

Throughout the Clone Wars, numerous attempts were made against Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's life, including an assassination attempt on Naboo masterminded by Count Dooku as well as the hostage taking of members of the Galactic Senate by notorious bounty hunter Cad Bane.[27][28] However, political intrigue fueled not only the conflict, but also advances in weaponry and the development of equipment to enhance existing armed forces. Attempts at biological weapons were launched by Separatist scientist Nuvo Vindi, who attempted to re-create the ancient Blue Shadow Virus capable of killing millions across the galaxy, while the Republic developed the experimental electro-proton bomb, which could send out an electric pulse upon detonation capable of deactivating an entire droid army.[29]

The Republic also attempted to create an impenetrable armor by unlocking the biological secrets of the Zillo Beast, an ancient creature from the Mid Rim, only to have the attempt end in failure, sending the beast on a rampage across Coruscant. After its death at the hands of a Jedi task force, the beast was secretly cloned by orders from the Supreme Chancellor himself.[30] In the meantime, the Republic developed a stealth ship capable of cloaking itself, as well as upgrading its standard Phase I clone trooper armor to the more sophisticated Phase II clone trooper armor prior to the Battle of Mon Cala.[31]

Fall of the Republic Edit

"So this is how liberty dies…with thunderous applause." ―Padmé Amidala, lamenting the end of the Galactic Republic Listen (file info) [src]

While many heroic actions were taken by the Jedi and those who served under them, inspiring the public with stories of bravery, war weariness only continued to grow as the years went by,[21] with many coming to believe that the Jedi had abandoned their role as peacekeepers, staging massive protests outside of the Jedi Temple as a result. Utilized as military commanders, the Jedi led the Republic war effort but sustained many casualties in the process, resulting in the loss of their influence on the galaxy. Political actions were especially damaging to the Jedi Order, with officers like Wilhuff Tarkin calling for the Jedi's removal from the military as he believed that the Jedi Code prevented them from attaining the decisive victory in the Clone Wars. Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee also believed the Jedi were losing touch with their commitment to maintain the peace, and staged a bombing in the Jedi Temple as protest, all while framing Ahsoka Tano of committing the act before being captured herself.[32] The war also served as a means for Sheev Palpatine to amass more emergency powers, cementing his position as Supreme Chancellor far longer than it technically allowed, all while continuing to centralize political and military authority within the Office of the Chancellor, which included putting the InterGalactic Banking Clan under the Chancellor's oversight.[4] The Separatist Shadowfeed operation, an attempt by Count Dooku to spread information on Republic defeats, making it appear as though a Separatist victory was inevitable, fueled public anxiety and consequently accelerated the militarization of the Republic over the course of the war.[5]

After nearly three years of constant warfare, the war reached its climax during the Battle of Coruscant, where both factions engaged in a massive naval and ground battle over the Republic's capital world. The confrontation ultimately saw the Republic dealing a severe blow to the Confederacy with the loss of a portion of its fleet as well as its head of state, Count Dooku, at the hands of Anakin Skywalker. Shortly afterwards, General Grievous met his end at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi during the Battle of Utapau. Yet even as the Republic pressed on with the Outer Rim Sieges, determined to bring an end to the civil war, the Jedi High Council had grown increasingly wary of Chancellor Palpatine. Over the course of the Clone Wars, the Chancellor's wartime authority reached unprecedented levels at the expense of the Senate, some of whom also grew concerned for the future of the Republic. As such, members of the Council and the Senate began to consider their options for the preservation of democracy. Whereas the Delegation of 2,000 sought to petition the Chancellor to relinquish his emergency powers, the Council contemplated the possibility of removing him by force and taking over the Senate in order to secure a peaceful transition of power.[2]

Ultimately, their suspicion of the Chancellor was vindicated when Skywalker uncovered the truth: Sheev Palpatine and Darth Sidious, the Sith mastermind behind the Clone Wars, were one and the same. Acting swiftly on this revelation, the Council attempted to arrest the Sith Lord before his plan could come to fruition, consequently leading to a lightsaber duel in which Sidious struck down Agen Kolar, Saesee Tiin, and Kit Fisto before Windu disarmed him. Given the Chancellor's control over the Senate and the courts, Windu deemed Sidious too dangerous to live. However, Skywalker argued that execution was contrary to the Jedi way, although his personal attachment to Amidala also influenced him at this critical point as he believed that Sidious could save her life. In a moment of desperation, Skywalker disarmed Windu, which allowed Sidious to kill the Jedi Order's champion with a torrent of Force lightning. Having chosen the path of the dark side, the fallen Jedi Knight became Darth Vader and subsequently led the attack on the Jedi Temple while Sidious issued Order 66 to the Grand Army, causing the clone troopers to execute their Jedi leaders across the galaxy.[2]

Following the initial purge of the Jedi Order, Darth Sidious declared himself Galactic Emperor, thereby cementing the transformation of the Galactic Republic into the newly formed Galactic Empire. In addition to the extermination of the Jedi, Darth Vader executed the Separatist Council and deactivated their droid army, resulting in the end of the Clone Wars and the dawn of the Age of the Empire.[2]

Legacy Edit

Empire and rebirth Edit

"This is Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. I regret to report that both our Jedi Order and the Republic have fallen, with the dark shadow of the Empire rising to take their place. This message is a warning and a reminder for any surviving Jedi: trust in the Force. Do not return to the Temple. That time has passed, and our future is uncertain. Avoid Coruscant. Avoid detection. Be secret… but be strong. We will each be challenged: our trust, our faith, our friendships. But we must persevere and, in time, I believe a new hope will emerge. May the Force be with you always." ―Obi-Wan Kenobi's warning in the recall signal [src]

In the decades after the dissolution of the Galactic Republic, numerous individuals still clung to the memory of the now Old Republic and its fabled Jedi warriors, while many individuals who knew the Jedi in person refused to believe the Emperor's account of a "Jedi Rebellion."[21][33] Nevertheless, a majority of galactic citizens eventually came to believe and actively support this view, believing the Republic to have grown weak and corrupt, necessitating Palpatine's rise to power. In order to destroy the memory of the previous government, any visible reminder of the Old Republic was quickly removed, with many organizational changes altering the names of various locales and institutions, while architecture was molded to a more severe and dark aesthetic. With the renowned Galactic Senate being renamed the Imperial Senate and the Senate Plaza renamed Imperial Plaza and a giant statue of the Emperor erected in it, one could almost forget the Republic even existed.[5]

However, the memory of the Republic as a force of freedom and justice could never be fully destroyed as long as those who still believed in it lived, thus spurring numerous resistance movements throughout the Empire's reign such as the Free Ryloth movement[34] and Berch Teller's rebel cell.[5] These displays of resistance eventually coalesced into the Alliance to Restore the Republic shortly before the Battle of Yavin, resulting in the successful destruction of the first Death Star,[35] while subsequent battles including the destruction of the second Death Star and death of the Emperor and his apprentice, Darth Vader,[36] led to the formation of the New Republic as an ode to the Republic of old.[10]

Posterity's judgment Edit

"Before the outbreak of war, the twilight of the Republic was an era of distractions, with citizens from all walks of life following escapist pursuits. Historians rebuke the people of this last age for being taken in by such circuses when their attentions should have been focused on the malfeasances and corruption in the Senate and other governing institutions." ―Janyor [src]

The historian Janyor described the Galactic Republic as "the Republic of legend, greater than distance or time." Although other versions existed in the ancient past, collectively known as the "Old Republic," posterity credited the modern Republic for delivering the galaxy from an age of darkness and, with the help of the Jedi Order, forging an era of peace that lasted for a thousand years until the advent of the Clone Wars. Historians romanticized the Age of the Republic, calling it the "last era of peace"—notwithstanding isolated conflicts, which were notably few and swiftly resolved by Jedi mediators—before the rise of vast warships and planet-killing superweapons.[15]

The Republic in its final years, however, was remembered with less fondness. Historians regarded the people of that time as a generation of apathy and indolence, in which galactic senators cared more about power and luxury than representing their constituents or addressing the perceived inefficiencies of the government. The civilian population was also seen as a contributing factor to the Republic's demise, with Core Worlders being more invested in podracing events in the distant Outer Rim Territories than the politics that caused dissatisfaction to fester and grow into the Separatist Crisis. Ultimately, historians rebuked this generation and held it responsible for the collapse of the "comfortable civilization" that defined the modern Galactic Republic.[15]

Organization Edit

Politics Edit

The end of the Jedi-Sith War marked the conclusion of the Old Republic era and the formation of the modern Galactic Republic. The Galactic Senate established itself on Coruscant, the seat of galactic power,[15] and elected a Supreme Chancellor from among its ranks.[9]

Foreign policy Edit

The Galactic Republic did not intervene in the Open-Closed War on Carnelion IV because the planet was not part of the Republic. Carnelion IV did not join the Republic because the Senate had little economic interests in the planet.[37] The Republic's diplomatic fleet subsequently forced a ceasefire to the Open-Closed War after Kenobi claimed that the planet had high concentrations of tibanna gas in its atmosphere in order to bring an end to the long-running conflict.[38]

Defense Edit

Prior to the Clone Wars, the Judicial Forces, a branch of the Judicial Department, served as the armed peacekeeping forces of the Galactic Republic.[5] While the Jedi helped to maintain order and peace under the authority of the Galactic Senate, they were not considered a standing military.[37] Towards the end of the Separatist Crisis, the Galactic Senate passed the Military Creation Act, which led to the creation of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Republic Navy.[7]

Jedi Order Edit

"They have numbers on their side. And the faith of the Republic."

"For the moment. In time, and with careful planning, they will lose both." ―Darth Maul and Darth Sidious, on the Jedi Order [src]

The Galactic Republic placed its faith in the Jedi Order,[39] relying on Jedi Knights to safeguard peace and justice in the realm.[18] It was with the Order's aid that the Galactic Senate was able to govern the galaxy for a thousand years.[40] The Order's allegiance was to the Senate,[2] though by the final years of the Republic, the Jedi regarded politics with skepticism, believing politicians were untrustworthy. Nonetheless, the Order maintained a close relationship with the Republic to uphold their mandate as keepers of the peace.[8]

While the Order numbered ten-thousand strong at the height of the Clone Wars,[41] their ranks were insufficient for the defense of the Republic. Therefore, the Jedi were compelled to lead the clone army[8] with the aim of bringing a swift and decisive end to the conflict between the Republic and the Separatists.[23] With no end to the war in sight, however, anti-war protests broke out on Coruscant where Republic citizens decried their leaders and the Jedi alike.[1] When the Clone Wars did end,[2] Darth Sidious capitalized on the galaxy's growing anti-Jedi sentiment[1] to justify the purging of the Order as well as the Republic's reorganization into the Galactic Empire.[2]

Economy Edit

"The Republic is near bankruptcy due to the cost of this war!" ―Bail Organa [src]

The Republic credit was the currency of the Galactic Republic. Beyond Republic space, however, credits had no value on frontier worlds like Tatooine.[9]

The Republic possessed immense economic power,[42] having maintained peace—with the aid of the Jedi Knights—throughout the known galaxy for almost a millennium. Peace, in turn, promoted commerce. Under the Republic's protection, Naboo and other culturally rich worlds were able to profit from lucrative tourism.[15]

The business sector experienced an exponential growth in wealth and influence through widespread commercialism, with massive corporations funneling substantial amounts of capital into advertising their essential services to the wider galaxy. This unbridled "brand-building" initiative generated steady profits for vast enterprises like the Trade Federation.[15]

The Republic's expansion into the Outer Rim Territories proved lucrative to both the galactic government and the private sector. Eleven Star Marketing, a subsidiary of the Trade Federation, worked closely with the Republic Ministry of Economic Development to propagandize the exploration and colonization of the Outer Rim, convincing the lower class citizens of the Inner Rim to see the galactic frontier as an opportunity for profit. This arrangement would entangle Republic politicians with corporate lobbyists, both of which profited from the flow of settlers who had to pay tariffs and registration fees in order to reach the Outer Rim through one of the Federation's hyperspace routes.[15]

The Separatist Crisis had a significant impact on the Republic economy, with major worlds like Serenno, Raxus, and Onderon seceding from the pan-galactic union. As a result, the Republic lost access to the resources and tax revenue of the Separatist worlds. Diminished taxation revenue only compounded the Republic's debt, throwing the Senate into a crisis that ultimately led to open war between the Republic and the Separatist Alliance.[15]

The Clone Wars disrupted the galactic economy as the Senate exhausted its options to fund the Grand Army of the Republic while staving off bankruptcy.[43] The government urged its people to buy war bonds, using propaganda to convince the citizenry that it was their patriotic duty to give financial support to the war effort. In addition, the Republic sought to keep its war chest filled by imposing higher taxes on civilian skylanes, however unprecedented it was on cosmopolitan worlds like Coruscant.[15]

The Senate also weighed the need for additional clone troopers against the corresponding cost of growing supplemental units to replenish the Grand Army's ranks.[43] Funding the military had all but bankrupted the Republic treasury, which, in turn, shut down some of the basic services that the Republic had always provided for civilians who lived in the lower levels of Coruscant.[44]

Although the Republic had imposed regulations on the banking industry prior to the Clone Wars, its increasing cost led the Senate to consider deregulation in order to access new lines of credit. After much debate, the Senate passed the Republic financial reform bill. The banks were deregulated, and the Republic submitted applications for further loans to support the production of more clone units.[43]

With the Republic invasion of Scipio, the InterGalactic Banking Clan surrendered its financial assets to the office of Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, giving the Republic direct control over one of the galaxy's most influential commerce guilds.[45]

Though the Clone Wars had exacted a heavy toll on the Republic treasury,[15] the Republic remained a powerful economic force in the galaxy.[42] The Separatist Alliance, while supported by the resources of corporate barons,[15] was eventually overwhelmed by the economic and military power of the Republic.[42]

Society and culture Edit

Civilization Edit

"Tales of its founding have been occluded by the haze of intervening millennia, and its rebirth a thousand years ago was regarded as the latest evolution in an unending cycle. Like the greatest of trees, however, the Republic's decline began from within, with a deep rot that was not apparent until it was too late." ―Janyor [src]

The Galactic Republic governed the galaxy as a democratic union,[1] and as such, it featured a diverse society of human and various alien species.[15] Coruscant in particular was emblematic of Republic society with its diverse mix of citizens and culture, making the Republic capital the "vibrant heart" of the galaxy.[42]

Republic architecture was an architectural style that demonstrated sweeping lines. This particular design was prominently featured on the city-covered planet of Coruscant, although by the time of the Clone Wars, the Republic gradually adopted a brutalist or bold form of architecture. Introduced by military architects such as Orson Callan Krennic, it ultimately supplanted the Republic style as the dominant architectural form of the Galactic Empire.[46]

Galactic Basic was the most prevalent language in the Republic,[47] spoken primarily by humans[48] and the Pantorans.[49] A heavily accented dialect of Basic, with many differences in grammar and vocabulary, was spoken by the Gungans of Naboo.[9]

The peaceful age of the Republic allowed the people of the galaxy to pursue leisure activities, some of which achieved galactic-level attention. The Boonta Eve Classic, while based on the independent Outer Rim world of Tatooine, beyond the Republic frontier, received coverage and attention as far as the Core Worlds. Prior to the Clone Wars, the Republic's twilight years became an era of escapism as citizens of all classes sought entertaining distractions from their daily lives. Professional podrace circuits and other circuses diverted the people's attention from the growing corruption that permeated the Galactic Senate. Nevertheless, the general public's fascination with various forms of entertainment was driven by an innate desire for stories about good versus evil and situations of escalating danger.[15]

Whereas the Republic evolved through the centuries of its existence, the Jedi Order remained rooted in its ancient traditions, effectively putting the Jedi Code at odds with a galactic society that strongly favored the future over the past. The inhabitants of the Core Worlds became fixated on notions of fame and fashion, and had little interest in Jedi principles like faith and tradition. The Order maintained its place in the Republic by relying on historic precedent, serving as keepers of peace and justice. Unlike corporate institutions that marketed their services to the greater galaxy, the Order had little desire to promote itself through image-building. Aside from those who witnessed the Jedi's heroics[50] and were awed by their Force powers, the Order and its ways were forever mysterious to the majority of the Republic citizenry. The Jedi were seen by the public as an order of mystics at best and, at worst, regarded as a zealous sect of warmongers.[15]

As a result of territorial expansion, the Republic developed a sense of manifest destiny. This cultural belief was cultivated by Republic propagandists who sought to foster civic pride among the populace so that they would ultimately feel duty-bound to spread the Republic banner from rim to rim. There was an exponential growth in Republic patriotism due to the Clone Wars and the accompanying propaganda emphasizing loyalty to the state. Patriotic messages stirred an entire generation into action; however, they could not enlist in the Grand Army as its ranks were exclusive to clone troopers. Nevertheless, Republic citizens felt obliged to do their part by purchasing war bonds, reporting acts of treason, and making sacrifices to support the war effort.[15]

Xenophobia Edit

"Under Gunray's tenure, the Trade Federation would loudly counter such claims as common anti-Neimoidian prejudice." ―Janyor [src]

Xenophobia was an issue in a society as diverse as the Republic. Although the Republic officially promoted unity among its member worlds[15] and outlawed the enslavement of sentient species,[9] some people were subjected to racial stereotypes. Neimoidians, for example, were considered obese, duplicitous and avaricious by some, including those who harbored anti-corporate views. This perception of their race was a product of Neimoidian culture, which cultivated a "survival of the fittest" mentality in Neimoidian younglings.[15]

The Trade Federation used xenophobic sentiments as a means to silence its critics, insinuating that those who sought to curtail the Federation's massive influence were prejudiced towards its Neimoidian leaders. The Muuns likewise had an image problem due to their monopoly in the InterGalactic Banking Clan. In general Muuns saw little need to build a relationship of stability and trust with the galaxy; they simply assumed that their place in society was to continue dominating galactic finances. Their cultural standards informed their business practices; therefore, Muun-sponsored advertisements were viewed as "distant and disconnected."[15]

During the Clone Wars, anti-alien prejudice grew as a result of the non-human races that constituted the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Vice Chancellor Mas Amedda sought to promote the Republic's multicultural aspect, having taken notice of the attention given to human citizens by the Republic media. Rather than reporting on Amedda's effort to showcase Republic diversity, HoloNet News outlets focused on the Vice Chancellor's self-inclusion as the sole Chagrian in an assembly of various aliens. The populace decried Amedda's message of strength and unity, and considered him an egocentric narcissist.[15]

The Clone Wars also inflamed the population's anti-droid sentiment to new levels due in no small part to the Separatists' reliance on battle droids. Droids had long become commonplace in galactic society, and though machines had always been the property of organics, the war cemented the view that droids were an existential threat to biological life. The Republic capitalized on this sentiment, using propaganda to disseminate endless messages that droids were dangerous tools of destruction.[15]

Astrography Edit

The Galactic Republic existed across the known galaxy, stretching from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim Territories. The Core Worlds was the heartland of the Republic, home to cosmopolitan worlds such as Coruscant[15] and Hosnian Prime[51] as well as Alderaan, one of the oldest and most prestigious planets in the Republic.[52] Over time, Republic expansionism led to the annexation of new member worlds.[15] The planet Naboo, located in the Mid Rim, was annexed by the Republic[53] in 867 BBY.

The Republic exerted most of its power from the Core Worlds to the borders of the Mid Rim, to the extent that corporations conducted their legally dubious practices in regions where the Republic held little sway. Faced with issues like overpopulation and poverty among the lower classes, the Republic turned its attention to the Outer Rim, adopting a policy of expansion toward the uncharted territories of the known galaxy's farthest frontier. Those who inhabited the congested worlds of the galactic core were beckoned into deep space by political and corporate sponsored messages of life filled with adventure and mystery.[15]

Although the Republic opposed secession, it effectively lost control over the territories that formed the Separatist Alliance. Its territorial extent changed numerous times over the course of the Clone Wars, with worlds lost and reclaimed by the Grand Army of the Republic. However, the Republic also gained new territory as a result of the war. Geonosis, the planet where the Separatist Droid Army was secretly constructed, existed beyond the Republic's borders.[15] The Republic Military occupied the Geonosian homeworld after the First Battle of Geonosis, and subsequently returned to reconquer the planet after it fell back under Separatist control.[7] The Kaminoan government formally joined the Republic; as such, Kamino[15]—an extragalactic planet[55]—was accorded full representation in the Galactic Senate, having supplied the Republic with its clone industry.[15]

Appearances Edit

Non-canon appearances Edit

Sources Edit

Notes and references Edit