Title: Unveiling the Real Story Behind Star Wars' Galactic Era: The Old Republic
In the vast expanse of "Star Wars" lore, the Galactic Republic holds a significant place as a major power for thousands of years before the advent of the Empire. Divided into several periods, the Republic's history can be roughly categorized into four distinct eras. These periods gradually shorten with time, each shaping the course of the galaxy significantly.
Starting from the oldest period, roughly 25,000 years before the main Star Wars saga, the Galactic Republic had just taken shape. Although richly detailed in the franchise's old "Expanded Universe," modern canon offers only vague hints about this period. Coruscant served as the Republic's seat of power, while the Jedi Order held a close relationship with it, both spiritually and militarily. The advent of hyperspace travel helped the Republic expand, leading to an increase in member worlds and, unsurprisingly, conflict with advancing galactic powers.
The Old Republic, also known by its title, shared some similarities with the more contemporary Republic. Republic-Jedi conflicts, Mandalorian crusades, and the Jedi-Sith War added to the chaos that defined this period of galactic history. The eventual victory over the Sith and Jedi Order offensives against the Mandalorians led to a reformation of the Republic, laying the groundwork for the "era of the High Republic."
The High Republic era, marking approximately 500 years before the main saga, was a time of widespread expansion. The Galactic Republic's power and influence reached new heights, particularly in the Core Worlds and Outer Rim territories. The Jedi Order assisted peacekeepers in managing internal affairs, while the Judicial Forces dealt with disputes. However, the outer reaches of the Republic saw rampant corruption and crime, as financial blocs like the Trade Federation and Banking Clans exerted their influence on the senate.
The mistaken belief in Jedi coup d'etat paved the way for the Galactic Republic's downfall. The Separatist Crisis, Clone Wars, and the establishment of the first Galactic Army led by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine fundamentally changed the course of galactic history. The Republic was replaced with the Galactic Empire, ending the influence of the Jedi Order and marking the beginning of a new era in the galaxy.
This brief summary covers the broad strokes of the Galactic Republic's history, with nuances and details offered in various "Star Wars" media. The Old Republic era remains the least explored in modern canon, leaving ample room for future developments as projects like the "Dawn of the Jedi" movie delve deeper into this period.
IO9 predicted an exciting exploration of the Old Republic era in Star Wars with the upcoming "Dawn of the Jedi" movie, utilizing advanced technology to bring the ancient period to life on the big screen. As technology continues to evolve, future movies could also introduce new ways of storytelling and special effects to immerse viewers in the rich lore of the Star Wars universe.
