Wookieepedia:Featured article queue/October 28, 2009

The Military Creation Act was a bill proposed in the Galactic Senate during the Separatist Crisis, in the years leading up to the Clone Wars. Created in response to increasing secessions from the Galactic Republic, the Act authorized the creation of an Army of the Republic, to aid the local security forces, Judicials, and Jedi that made up the Republic's peacekeeping forces. The Act remained in limbo for two years until, on 13:3:6, a vote was at last set for it two months hence. Over the following weeks, vociferous debate and intense campaigning ensued as Senators and many others sought to either advocate or oppose the measure.

A number of major events marked the course of the Military Creation Act's debate, including the closing of Corellia's borders, protests from Chandrila to Coruscant, a plea from Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to Separatist leader Count Dooku for peace, and an outpouring of arguments, demonstrations, and endorsements. Senator Onaconda Farr produced an allegorical play favoring the Act, while Senator Jollin Resbin secured the endorsement of podracer Boles Roor. Jedi Depa Billaba and Sar Labooda joined the opposition as the planet Carida, home to a prestigious military academy, supported the Act.

On the day of the vote, 5:16, leading member of the opposition Padmé Amidala was attacked by an assassin. In the wake of the attack, the vote was postponed and Amidala was sent offworld. Meanwhile, a clone army was discovered on Kamino, and after it was learned that the Separatists were raising an army of their own, Representative Jar Jar Binks called for emergency powers to be granted to Chancellor Palpatine so he could activate the clone army for Republic use. The motion was successful, and the new Grand Army of the Republic went on to fight in the Clone Wars.