The Galactic Republic Timeline Explained: The Clone Wars & The Fall Of The Republic (2024)

The story of Star Wars is ever-expanding, which means that its timeline has extended far from the events covered in the original trilogy. Long before the creation of the Galactic Empire, the galaxy was governed by the Galactic Republic. This era was characterized by a period of peace and democracy, laying the groundwork for the events that would unfold in the original Star Wars trilogy.

During the time of the Galactic Republic, the Star Wars story is relatively peaceful, but things become more volatile as the centuries go on. By the time the prequel era comes to a close, the government system of the galaxy far, far away is drastically different from the way it started. Here are all the major events of the Galactic Republic era, as well as their significance in the greater picture of the galaxy.

22 The Galactic Republic Is Founded

Approximately 25,000 BBY

Kickstarting the era of the Galactic Republic is the founding of the Republic itself. The Republic was created around the same time as the Jedi Order itself, and the two groups were closely affiliated from that time on. The Republic began after a period of intergalactic war came to an end, and the alliance of planetary systems quickly gained influence as it spread across the galaxy.

21 Coruscant’s Jedi Temple Established As Jedi Headquarters

1032 BBY

The Jedi had temples across the galaxy, but as Coruscant gained its status as the Republic’s capital, the temple there gained prominence. With the Jedi working so closely with the Republic, it was an easy choice for the Jedi to congregate there. By the time of the prequel trilogy, the Jedi Temple at Coruscant had become the primary Jedi Temple.

20 The Trade Federation Is Founded

350 BBY

The Trade Federation bound the planetary systems of the Galactic Republic together for centuries, linking the imports and exports of the different plants together. This interstellar trade system began to gain power and influence throughout the time of the Republic, until it even had its own representatives in the Senate. The Trade Federation mostly consisted of Outer Rim planets, binding together the furthest reaches of the galaxy.

19 The Great Disaster & The Nihil Conflict

232 BBY

The catastrophic event called the Great Disaster was triggered by a near-collision between ships in hyperspace. Pieces of wreckage, called Emergences, were propelled out of hyperspace and several moons were completely destroyed. This is when the menacing pirate band of the Nihil were introduced as well. The aftermath of this disaster resulted in a rescue mission to save the Hetzel system as well as a temporary ban on hyperspace for all ships, and it began a much larger conflict that has since defined much of the High Republic era.

18 Palpatine Is Elected Naboo's Senator

52 BBY

Sheev Palpatine, a native of Naboo, joins the political scene as a senator in the Galactic Republic. Unbeknownst to his home planet, Palpatine’s hidden past as a Sith Lord is the driving influence on his political aspirations. This becomes his first step in many more towards establishing his Empire.

17 Mandalorian Civil War

42 BBY

The planet Mandalore had experienced a long period of change, with its initial culture revolving around becoming warriors. After a period of infighting, the traditionalists who wanted the planet to remain the way it had been were overthrown. Mandalore was then under the control of the New Mandalorians, who took a more pacified approach to things until the planet's fall, which coincides with the fall of the entire Republic.

16 The Naboo Crisis Begins

32 BBY

The Naboo Crisis is the inciting incident of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. The Trade Federation issues a siege on the planet as revenge for the Senate ordering the Trade Federation to be eligible for taxation. This leads the Republic to call on the Jedi to intervene. This is a key point in the argument that Jedi should be peacekeepers, not players in political disputes; though they attempt to remain neutral throughout the crisis, the moves made by the Jedi plant the seeds for the sides they will eventually take as the Clone Wars erupts.

15 Anakin Skywalker Is Found On Tatooine

32 BBY

After an emergency landing on Tatooine, Qui-Gon Jinn stumbles upon a young slave boy with remarkable strength in the Force. This boy would grow up to become one of the most powerful Jedi in history, before terrorizing the galaxy decades later as the fearsome Darth Vader. Anakin's harsh life on Tatooine was changed forever when Qui-Gon freed him to train as a Jedi, leaving his mother and everything else he'd known behind.

14 Kamino Is Deleted From The Archives

32 BBY

Ten years before Obi-Wan Kenobi sets off to investigate a missing planet from the Jedi Archives in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas creates an order for an army of clone troopers. After the order is set, Count Dooku kills Sifo-Dyas and deletes the entire planet from the Jedi Archives. This protects Sidious’ plot for inciting the Clone Wars for a few years, and by the time Obi-Wan discovers the planet and its clones, it’s too late to consider any alternative motive.

13 The Battle Of Naboo

32 BBY

Naboo’s influence in the Galactic Republic has always been a subtly powerful one. After the Jedi break the Trade Federation’s blockade, the two forces clash over control of the planet. Though Qui-Gon Jinn loses his life in the conflict, Naboo emerges a free planet and the Jedi are made aware of the reappearance of the Sith. The end of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace showcases the celebrations that follow the battle’s end.

12 Palpatine Is Elected Chancellor

32 BBY

Senator Palpatine makes another grab at power in an election that isn’t shown in the movies, but mentioned as Padmé makes her return to Coruscant. Padmé has stepped into his vacant role as senator, allowing her to continue to play a part in the Republic’s politics. Meanwhile, Palpatine’s new role in the Republic gets him one step closer to fulfilling his plans to rule the entire galaxy.

11 The Republic Splits & The Separatist Crisis Begins

24 BBY

The Separatist movement fully splinters from the Galactic Republic after the Naboo crisis, resulting in years of conflict. As the crisis spirals out of control and the Separatists gain more influence and legitimacy, the Jedi become more and more involved in the Republic’s military goals. Count Dooku officially announces the founding of the Confederacy of Independent Systems on the Outer Rim planet of Raxus in 24 BBY, cementing the division between the Republic and the Separatists.

10 Military Creation Act Is Debated By The Senate

22 BBY

The Military Creation Act is a movement to create a military force that the Republic can use against the Separatist threat. Several planetary systems are against this, including Naboo, led by Padmé Amidala. This opposition to the act places Padmé in the crosshairs of powerful leaders, which forces the Jedi to put her under protective custody. This brings her back into contact with Anakin Skywalker, a decade after their last meeting at the Battle of Naboo.

9 Chancellor Palpatine Is Given Emergency Powers

22 BBY

As the Clone Wars mount in tension, the Galactic Republic begins to splinter. Naboo representative Jar Jar Binks proposes the idea to give Chancellor Palpatine emergency powers over the executive decisions that would face the Republic. This decision would prove to be incredibly fateful for the Republic, as the emergency powers granted to the Chancellor would effectively dissolve the democracy that the Republic was founded on.

8 The Clone Wars Begin At The Battle Of Geonosis

22 BBY

After the Republic broke ties with the Separatists, the imminent war between the two groups took form. The clones ordered by Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas were specifically meant to join the Jedi against the emerging Separatist threat, which is exactly what they did. For about three years, the clones joined the Jedi in the fight against the Separatists, furthering the gap between the Jedi’s purpose as peacekeepers and their new role as soldiers.

7 Anakin and Padme Secretly Wed

22 BBY

After the Battle of Geonosis, Anakin Skywalker accompanies Padmé back to Naboo, where the two get married in secret. This union will continue to wear on Anakin’s trust in the Jedi Order, which will contribute to the foothold that Darth Sidious had in his subconscious. This will ultimately give Sidious the perfect weapon against the Jedi, using Anakin’s love for Padmé against his loyalty to the Jedi. This union also results in Luke and Leia, who play enormous roles in the eventual downfall of the Empire decades later.

6 Ahsoka Tano Becomes Anakin’s Padawan

22 BBY

Ahsoka Tano joins the Jedi Order just in time to become a Padawan during the Clone Wars. After a slight mix-up, she becomes Anakin’s Padawan instead of Obi-Wan’s. Training Ahsoka makes a lasting mark on Anakin, and his lessons help Ahsoka survive the attacks on the Jedi during Order 66.

5 Anakin, Obi-Wan, & Ahsoka Travel To Mortis

20 BBY

The planet Mortis exists as a mysterious nexus in the Force. Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka stumble upon it when they encounter a distress signal in space. Their experience on Mortis might have been erased from their memories, but it was an incredibly important experience for each of the characters, particularly Anakin. The three Mortis gods, the Father, the Son, and the Daughter, all approach Anakin with their own angles, but it’s the Father that brings Anakin face to face with his fate.

4 Darth Maul Returns

20 BBY

After delivering a killing blow to Qui-Gon Jinn, Darth Maul is killed by Obi-Wan Kenobi, but his death wouldn’t last long. Darth Maul survived with the help of his intense hatred and connection to the dark side of the Force. On the mystical planet Dathomir, he returned to his full strength and soon became Obi-Wan's most dedicated nemesis.

3 Anakin Becomes Darth Vader

19 BBY

The defining transition of the end of the Republic era is the fall of Anakin Skywalker to the dark side of the Force. Having been manipulated by Darth Sidious, Anakin finally lets his doubts erode his faith in the Jedi Order and pledges his allegiance to Sidious. Despite doing all this to save Padmé’s life, Anakin loses his wife anyway, propelling him further into the evil with which he would terrorize the galaxy as Darth Vader.