Trade Federation

The Trade Federation, also known as the Trade Federation of Planets or Galactic Trade Federation, was a shipping conglomerate established in 350 BBY to mediate disputes between shipping firms. By the 100s BBY, it had evolved into a powerful commerce guild, trade cartel, megacorporation, and lobbying group in its own right as an association of business and trade groups, with its own large commercial trade fleet.

The Federation grew to dominate entire star systems and all major trade routes, and possessed a formidable private military and droid army. Towards the end of the Republic, it would become increasingly dominated by the commerce-savvy Neimoidians. Its immense influence made it the favored pawn of the Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Sidious, who manipulated Viceroy Nute Gunray to stoke dissatisfaction in the systems controlled by the Federation, sowing the seeds for a war that would destroy the Galactic Republic. Under Gunray's leadership, the Trade Federation was responsible for the blockade of Naboo in 32 BBY in protest against increased taxation. After its defeat at Naboo, the Trade Federation and numerous other megacorporations sided with Count Dooku's Separatist movement out of fear of nationalization by the Republic.

Again under Sidious' influence, the Federation played a major role in the Clone Wars, and its large droid army and fleet formed the core of the CIS military. Unbeknownst to the CIS, Sidious's alter ego, Palpatine, was the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, which allowed him to control the war on both ends and deceive both the Jedi and Separatists. In 19 BBY, Sidious betrayed Gunray and the CIS, and orchestrated the CIS's destruction. Under the brief leadership of its final Viceroy, Sentepeth Findos, the Trade Federation was imperialized by Sidious' new Galactic Empire. A small remnant led by Marath Vooro continued resistance for several months until its defeat in the Five Veils Campaign. The Trade Federation itself was not officially disbanded until the Imperial Senate was dissolved in 0 BBY.

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