Invasion of Naboo

The Invasion of Naboo, also known as the Battle of Naboo, Battle for Naboo, Subjugation of Naboo, or the Naboo Blockade, was a significant planetary conflict that occurred on Naboo in 32 BBY, where the planet's capital city, Theed, and surrounding regions were invaded and occupied by the battle droid Army of the Trade Federation.

The Trade Federation was controlled in secret by two Sith Lords in their plot to destroy the Jedi Order and rule the galaxy: Darth Plagueis, also known as Hego Damask of Damask Holdings and the InterGalactic Banking Clan; and his apprentice Darth Sidious, under the guise of popular Senator Palpatine of Naboo. After infiltrating the Galactic Republic, they would ensure the fall of Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum and that Palpatine was elected in his place, with Hego Damask as Co-chancellor.

Two Jedi, Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, were sent as ambassadors to negotiate with the Trade Federation. But Darth Sidious ordered the Neimoidian leaders of the Trade Federation to destroy them and deploy all forces on Naboo. The Jedi escaped the flagship, though. Soon, the Jedi rescued and escaped with Queen Padmé Amidala, who was under pressure by the Federation to sign a treaty to legalize the invasion. Amidala hoped to have the Galactic Senate assist in outlawing the Trade Federation's activities on Naboo.

The Naboo Royal Cruiser was damaged in the escape, forcing them to divert to Tatooine for three days. They met the enslaved individual Anakin Skywalker, who raced in the Boonta Eve Classic to win parts for the starship. With the Jedi and the queen on the run, Darth Sidious sent his personal assassin, Darth Maul, to track them down on Tatooine. In Maul's brief duel with Qui-Gon Jinn, in which the Jedi Master withdrew aboard Amidala's royal starship, the Sith had revealed themselves to the Jedi Order.

Queen Amidala arrived on Coruscant to ask the Senate in Naboo's time of need. But Senator Palpatine, as discussed with Darth Plagueis in private, manipulated and deceived the queen to move for a Vote of No Confidence in the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Valorum. Thus, the Senate would select a new chancellor. Amidala then decided to return to Naboo to liberate her people from the Trade Federation's grasp. Upon her return, she met with Boss Rugor Nass of the Gungans, and they forged an alliance.

The Gungan Grand Army was to act as a decoy while the queen and the Naboo Resistance forces stormed the Theed Royal Palace to capture Viceroy Nute Gunray. The decoy movement succeeded, and the Naboo forces were able to launch starfighters to attack and destroy the Droid Control Ship. Skywalker delivered the killing blow to the ship.

The crisis ended with the capture of Viceroy Gunray. As a result, the Naboo and Gungan peoples became closer. On Coruscant, Senator Palpatine, shortly after betraying and murdering his Sith Master Plagueis, took the seat of Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Senate and began rising tensions ultimately leading into the Clone Wars ten years later. The events of the Naboo Crisis are often depicted as a prelude to those of the Separatist Crisis.

Text and facts from the “Invasion of Naboo/Legends” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.