The Trade Federation of Planets, more simply known as the Trade Federation, are major antagonists of the Star Wars franchise, serving as the secondary antagonists of the Prequel Era.
It is an interstellar trade and shipping conglomerate, and is the largest and most powerful mega-corporation in the galaxy. Initially founded with good intentions, cold, calculating Neimoidians ran this mega-corporation, which has grown rich on the profits of war. The organization also received backing from Darth Sidious who uses the Federation for his own plans of conquering the galaxy. Only a few members of the Trade Federation know of Sidious' existence and role such as Nute Gunray and Daultay Dofine. In fact, it was through Sidious' manipulations Gunray became Viceroy in the first place. The Federation has a large army that could rival the Republic. At the beginning of the Clone Wars, the organization pledged its military and wealth to the cause of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, being its biggest benefactor.
History[]
In Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace, Gunray led a trade blockade on Naboo to protest against the taxation on Free Zones of the Galaxy. He was also commanded by Darth Sidious to attack Naboo. Sidious assured Gunray that they would not face actions from the Galactic Senate. The military of the Trade Federation took over the planet but the Queen escaped to Coruscant for help.
In Star Wars: Episode II, Nute Gunray attended Dooku's meeting and had the Trade Federation merge with the Separatists. The head of the Trade Federation, Nute Gunray, has put is Droid Armies in the service of the Separatists. In return, the Sith sometimes tell him which planets are ripe for plunder, and the Federation's forces move in. After Sidious betrayed Gunray and the Separatist leaders, by having them murdered at the hands of Darth Vader, the Federation is nationalized by the newly formed Galactic Empire.
Legends[]
After the death of Gunray, Sentepeth Findos became the new Viceroy of the Federation. At the conclusion of the war he was forced to sign over control of the Federation's assets to the Empire.
A few members of the Federation resisted the handover of control of the Federation's assets. After that resistance was crushed, the Trade Federation continued as a puppet government of the Empire. The Trade Federation was officially disbanded at the same time when Imperial Senate was disbanded in 0 BBY.
Some Trade Federation material and personnel were later absorbed in to the Rebel Alliance, which eventually overthrew the Galactic Empire 4 years after the Battle of Yavin.
Notable Members[]
- Nute Gunray - Viceroy
- Lott Dod - Senator
- Rune Haako - Advisor / Settlement Officer
- Daultay Dofine - Aide / Captain in the Trade Federation Fleet / Commander of the Lucrehulk-class Battleships Saak'ak and Vuutun Palaa
- Mar Tuuk - Captain in the Trade Federation Fleet / Commander of the Trade Federation Battleship
- Tey How - Pilot
Relationships[]
Allies[]
- Confederacy of Independent Systems (formerly)
- Darth Sidious (formerly)
- Count Dooku (formerly)
- Darth Maul (formerly)
- Techno Union
- Jango Fett
- Geonosians (formerly)
- Galactic Empire (formerly)
Enemies[]
- Galactic Republic
- Jedi Order
- Clone Troopers
- Darth Sidious
- Darth Maul
- Darth Vader
- Galactic Empire
- Stormtroopers