Trade Federation
Encyclopedia
The Trade Federation is a fictional organization in the Star Wars
universe at the time of the Galactic Republic
. It appears in the franchise's three prequel movies and the Star Wars Expanded Universe
. In the Star Wars franchise, The Trade Federation was able to maintain a sizable monopoly on interstellar trade and held considerable sway in the fictional government of the Star Wars universe.
) recruited the entire military of planet Eriadu to help fight the threat. In response, the Jedi Order sent a few of its members to aid in the fight as generals. The Battle of Troiken began the conflict, followed by the five battles of planet Qotile. The first four battles were believed to be draws, but the Fifth Battle of Qotile was a victory for the Republic. The Stark Commercial Combine was dissolved after that battle and Iaco Stark escaped into the underbelly of the Outer Rim.
s and one battle with Gundarks. In the end every one of their bases on Alaris Prime was destroyed by the native Wookiee
s with the help of Qui-Gon Jinn
.
, Nute Gunray
ascended to the position of viceroy
of the Trade Federation with Rune Haako as his chief lieutenant. In The Phantom Menace
, Gunray was manipulated into blockading and subsequently invading the planet Naboo
by the shadowy Darth Sidious
, who assured him the Senate would take no action against him. Nute sent an invasion force down to Naboo. The invasion force's leader, a battle droid known as OOM-9, and the Battle Droid army took over many cities like Harte Secur and, eventually, the capital city of Theed. Gunray tried to force Queen Amidala
of Naboo to sign a treaty which would legalize the invasion, but she escaped and, after allying herself with the native Gungans, Amidala captured Gunray himself and ended the invasion, which would become known as the Battle of Naboo. Gunray and Haako were put on trial for their crimes, but, due to the corruption of the Republic at the time, they were not punished and Gunray retained his position as viceroy.
, seeking revenge on Queen Amidala, Nute Gunray and Gilramos Libkath, a Trade Federation contract-scribe, agreed to ally the droid armies of the Trade Federation with Count Dooku
's Confederacy of Independent Systems, under the condition that Amidala be killed and brought to Gunray. Amidala's attempted assassination by the hired killer Jango Fett
did not succeed and Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi
, following his trail, discovered the Federation's plot on Geonosis. Nute Gunray and Gilramos Libkath, now his right-hand-man, were outraged. Meanwhile, Kenobi was able to alert the Republic and, soon, the Clone Wars
began when the new Clone troopers engaged the Federation's droids on Geonosis. The Trade Federation's failed assassin, Jango Fett, was killed by Mace Windu
at the Battle of Geonosis; Libkath and Gunray fled the planet. It is said Libkath was later murdered by Jango Fett's son, Boba
, at which point the Trade Federation's settlement officer, Rune Haako, from the Battle of Naboo retook his post as Gunray's second-in-command.
The Trade Federation and its main leaders survived until the very end of the Clone Wars even after the Confederacy of Independent Systems and its Separatists, to which they belonged, had suffered numerous defeats throughout the wars. However, in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
, Darth Vader
murdered the Federation's rulers, Gunray and Haako, along with all the other members of the Separatist Council (like Shu Mai and Wat Tambor) in cold blood under orders from Sidious, who also ordered the remaining droid armies to stand down. After the Clone Wars, what little remained of the Trade Federation's assets were seized by Emperor Palpatine
to help build the Galactic Empire
. Trade organizations were outlawed by the time of the Battle of Yavin.
Darth Sidious
's puppet, facilitating his ascension to Galactic Emperor by the end of Episode III
. By inciting hostilities, Sidious used the military strength of the Trade Federation to distract the Jedi
and to fabricate political leverage for his Palpatine guise. The true reason for the Battle of Naboo was to allow Palpatine, as Naboo's senator, to become supreme chancellor. Years later, the Separatist movement led by the Trade Federation was also a result of Sidious's manipulation, leading to the Clone Wars. Also Sidious's design, the Clone Wars justified the creation of a military force on the scale necessary to later exterminate the Jedi and form a Galactic Empire. This chain of events would have been impossible without the contributions of the Trade Federation. Once Sidious ascended to the position of Emperor, he no longer had any use for the Federation, and ordered his apprentice Darth Vader
to wipe out the last of all its leaders, ending the Clone Wars. Vader was unaware of his master's underlying manipulation, viewing himself then as the hero who ended the war.
.
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
universe at the time of the Galactic Republic
Galactic Republic (Star Wars)
The Galactic Republic is the name of the interplanetary State used in the fictional Star Wars universe prior to the establishment of the Galactic Empire. The form of this government, created by the Senate, was introduced in the Prequel Trilogy. By the time of the original Star Wars trilogy, it is...
. It appears in the franchise's three prequel movies and the Star Wars Expanded Universe
Star Wars Expanded Universe
The Star Wars Expanded Universe encompasses all of the officially licensed, fictional background of the Star Wars universe, outside of the six feature films produced by George Lucas. The expanded universe includes books, comic books, video games, spin-off films like Star Wars: The Clone Wars,...
. In the Star Wars franchise, The Trade Federation was able to maintain a sizable monopoly on interstellar trade and held considerable sway in the fictional government of the Star Wars universe.
Stark Hyperspace War
Ten years before the film Star Wars Episode I, a space pirate named Iaco Stark proclaimed that there was a shortage of the healing substance called bacta when there in fact was none, and began selling the product at an inflated price, cutting in on the Trade Federation's profits (which were almost as ridiculous). In response, the Trade Federation asked for aid from the Republic. Senator Ranulph Tarkin of Seswenna Sector (the uncle of Grand Moff TarkinGrand Moff Tarkin
Governor Wilhuff Tarkin or Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, appearing as the main antagonist of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, played by British actor Peter Cushing. A younger version of the character makes a brief cameo in the prequel film Star Wars...
) recruited the entire military of planet Eriadu to help fight the threat. In response, the Jedi Order sent a few of its members to aid in the fight as generals. The Battle of Troiken began the conflict, followed by the five battles of planet Qotile. The first four battles were believed to be draws, but the Fifth Battle of Qotile was a victory for the Republic. The Stark Commercial Combine was dissolved after that battle and Iaco Stark escaped into the underbelly of the Outer Rim.
First Battle Of Alaris Prime
Shortly before the Battle Of Naboo the Trade Federation tried to colonize Alaris Prime which was one of Kashyk's moons. They had many battles with the native WookieeWookiee
Wookiees are a species of bipeds in the Star Wars universe. The most notable Wookiee is Chewbacca, a companion to Han Solo.-Inspiration:...
s and one battle with Gundarks. In the end every one of their bases on Alaris Prime was destroyed by the native Wookiee
Wookiee
Wookiees are a species of bipeds in the Star Wars universe. The most notable Wookiee is Chewbacca, a companion to Han Solo.-Inspiration:...
s with the help of Qui-Gon Jinn
Qui-Gon Jinn
Qui-Gon Jinn is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, and a main protagonist of the 1999 film Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, portrayed by Liam Neeson. He also appears in the Star Wars Expanded Universe of comic books, video games, and novels...
.
Battle of Naboo
Shortly before the time period of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom MenaceStar Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is a 1999 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the fourth film to be released in the Star Wars saga, as the first of a three-part prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy, as well as the first film in the saga in terms...
, Nute Gunray
Nute Gunray
Nute Gunray is a fictional character and supporting villain from the Star Wars universe, played by Silas Carson in the films. Besides Palpatine , he is the only villain to appear in all three episodes of the prequel trilogy....
ascended to the position of viceroy
Viceroy
A viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...
of the Trade Federation with Rune Haako as his chief lieutenant. In The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is a 1999 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the fourth film to be released in the Star Wars saga, as the first of a three-part prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy, as well as the first film in the saga in terms...
, Gunray was manipulated into blockading and subsequently invading the planet Naboo
Naboo
Naboo is a fictitious planet in the fictional Star Wars universe with a mostly green terrain and which is the homeworld of two societies: the Gungans who dwell in underwater cities and the humans who live in colonies on the surface...
by the shadowy Darth Sidious
Palpatine
Palpatine is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the Star Wars saga, portrayed by Ian McDiarmid in the feature films.Palpatine first appeared as the unnamed Emperor of the Galactic Empire in the 1980 film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...
, who assured him the Senate would take no action against him. Nute sent an invasion force down to Naboo. The invasion force's leader, a battle droid known as OOM-9, and the Battle Droid army took over many cities like Harte Secur and, eventually, the capital city of Theed. Gunray tried to force Queen Amidala
Padmé Amidala
Padmé Amidala is a fictional character in the Star Wars science fiction franchise. She first appeared on film in the 1999 feature film, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, as the young queen of the planet Naboo. In subsequent prequel trilogy films, Padmé represents Naboo in the Galactic Senate...
of Naboo to sign a treaty which would legalize the invasion, but she escaped and, after allying herself with the native Gungans, Amidala captured Gunray himself and ended the invasion, which would become known as the Battle of Naboo. Gunray and Haako were put on trial for their crimes, but, due to the corruption of the Republic at the time, they were not punished and Gunray retained his position as viceroy.
Clone Wars
Ten years later, in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the ClonesStar Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is a 2002 American epic space opera film directed by George Lucas and written by Lucas and Jonathan Hales. It is the fifth film to be released in the Star Wars saga and the second in terms of the series' internal chronology...
, seeking revenge on Queen Amidala, Nute Gunray and Gilramos Libkath, a Trade Federation contract-scribe, agreed to ally the droid armies of the Trade Federation with Count Dooku
Count Dooku
Count Dooku is a fictional character from the Star Wars universe. Dooku is one of the main antagonists of both Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and the events of the Clone Wars and is a supporting villain in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Count Dooku plays a substantial role...
's Confederacy of Independent Systems, under the condition that Amidala be killed and brought to Gunray. Amidala's attempted assassination by the hired killer Jango Fett
Jango Fett
Jango Fett is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. He first appeared as one of the main antagonists in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and later served as the protagonist of the LucasArts video game Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, played by Temuera Morrison.Jango Fett serves as...
did not succeed and Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. He is one of several primary characters in the Star Wars series. Along with Darth Vader, R2-D2, and C-3PO, he is one of the few major characters to appear in all six Star Wars films...
, following his trail, discovered the Federation's plot on Geonosis. Nute Gunray and Gilramos Libkath, now his right-hand-man, were outraged. Meanwhile, Kenobi was able to alert the Republic and, soon, the Clone Wars
Clone Wars (Star Wars)
The Clone Wars are a series of fictional intragalactic battles in George Lucas's science fiction saga Star Wars. The conflict is first mentioned in the film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope , but no details are given , and the wars themselves are not featured until the series' fifth and sixth...
began when the new Clone troopers engaged the Federation's droids on Geonosis. The Trade Federation's failed assassin, Jango Fett, was killed by Mace Windu
Mace Windu
Mace Windu is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, most famously portrayed by actor Samuel L. Jackson in the prequel films. However, Windu has also been voiced by other actors in assorted video game and animated projects....
at the Battle of Geonosis; Libkath and Gunray fled the planet. It is said Libkath was later murdered by Jango Fett's son, Boba
Boba Fett
Boba Fett is a character in Star Wars. A bounty hunter hired by Darth Vader to find the Millennium Falcon, he is a minor villain in both Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi....
, at which point the Trade Federation's settlement officer, Rune Haako, from the Battle of Naboo retook his post as Gunray's second-in-command.
The Trade Federation and its main leaders survived until the very end of the Clone Wars even after the Confederacy of Independent Systems and its Separatists, to which they belonged, had suffered numerous defeats throughout the wars. However, in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the sixth and final film released in the Star Wars saga and the third in terms of the series' internal chronology....
, Darth Vader
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a central character in the Star Wars saga, appearing as one of the main antagonists in the original trilogy and as the main protagonist in the prequel trilogy....
murdered the Federation's rulers, Gunray and Haako, along with all the other members of the Separatist Council (like Shu Mai and Wat Tambor) in cold blood under orders from Sidious, who also ordered the remaining droid armies to stand down. After the Clone Wars, what little remained of the Trade Federation's assets were seized by Emperor Palpatine
Palpatine
Palpatine is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the Star Wars saga, portrayed by Ian McDiarmid in the feature films.Palpatine first appeared as the unnamed Emperor of the Galactic Empire in the 1980 film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...
to help build the Galactic Empire
Galactic Empire (Star Wars)
The Galactic Empire is one of the main factions in the fictional universe of Star Wars. It is a galaxy-spanning regime established by the series' lead villain, Palpatine, to replace the Galactic Republic in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The Galactic Empire is introduced in Star Wars...
. Trade organizations were outlawed by the time of the Battle of Yavin.
Appearances
The Trade Federation appears throughout the Star Wars films, novels, comics, and videogames.In films
The Trade Federation's key role in the films was as Sith LordSith
-Sith:The Sith is a name applied to certain characters in the Star Wars universe. In the films they are the central antagonists. They are capable of using the dark side of the Force.-The Invention of the Sith:...
Darth Sidious
Palpatine
Palpatine is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the Star Wars saga, portrayed by Ian McDiarmid in the feature films.Palpatine first appeared as the unnamed Emperor of the Galactic Empire in the 1980 film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...
's puppet, facilitating his ascension to Galactic Emperor by the end of Episode III
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the sixth and final film released in the Star Wars saga and the third in terms of the series' internal chronology....
. By inciting hostilities, Sidious used the military strength of the Trade Federation to distract the Jedi
Jedi
The Jedi are characters in the Star Wars universe and the series's main protagonists. The Jedi use a power called the Force and weapons called lightsabers, which emit a controlled energy flow in the shape of a sword, in order to serve and protect the Republic and the galaxy at large from conflict...
and to fabricate political leverage for his Palpatine guise. The true reason for the Battle of Naboo was to allow Palpatine, as Naboo's senator, to become supreme chancellor. Years later, the Separatist movement led by the Trade Federation was also a result of Sidious's manipulation, leading to the Clone Wars. Also Sidious's design, the Clone Wars justified the creation of a military force on the scale necessary to later exterminate the Jedi and form a Galactic Empire. This chain of events would have been impossible without the contributions of the Trade Federation. Once Sidious ascended to the position of Emperor, he no longer had any use for the Federation, and ordered his apprentice Darth Vader
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a central character in the Star Wars saga, appearing as one of the main antagonists in the original trilogy and as the main protagonist in the prequel trilogy....
to wipe out the last of all its leaders, ending the Clone Wars. Vader was unaware of his master's underlying manipulation, viewing himself then as the hero who ended the war.
In videogames
The Trade Federation is a playable faction in the video game Star Wars: Galactic BattlegroundsStar Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds
Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds is a real-time strategy computer game set in the Star Wars universe.Players have a choice of factions and campaigns. The factions in the original game include the Wookiees, Royal Naboo, the Trade Federation, the Empire, the Rebels, and the Gungans...
.