Great Jedi Purge

"A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine before he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi

The Great Jedi Purge (19 BBY–1 BBY), also known as the Jedi Holocaust, referred to the efforts initiated by the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, who is the first in 1,000 years after Darth Bane's introduction of the Rule of Two, upon his creation of the Galactic Empire to eradicate the Jedi Order. It resulted in a near-decimation of the Jedi, as had been after the Jedi Civil War.

It was generally considered to have lasted from the birth of the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY to the emergence of Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance in the years before the Battle of Yavin.

The Great Jedi Purge was sometimes considered the start of the Galactic Civil War.

The "Jedi Rebellion"
After Anakin Skywalker discovered that Palpatine was Darth Sidious, the Sith Lord the Jedi had been searching for more than 10 years, Jedi Master Mace Windu led a small group of Jedi Masters to apprehend Sidious, comprised of himself, Agen Kolar, Kit Fisto, and Saesee Tiin. Sidious killed Agen Kolar immediately, followed by Saesee Tiin, and, with some greater effort, Kit Fisto. In the ensuing fight Darth Sidious dragged the battle out in order to give Anakin time to come.



Either in attempt to look defenseless or as a result of Windu's dueling superiority, Palpatine was defeated seconds before Anakin entered the room. He then shot Force lightning at Windu, who deflected the lightning back, twisting Palpatine's face, making it appear yellowed and ravaged by the dark side. Anakin Skywalker appeared, and after some apparent inward hesitation, was driven to incapacitate Windu in order to save Palpatine, whom Anakin believed was the only one with sufficient knowledge of the dark side of the Force to save his wife, Padmé Amidala, from death.

As Sidious had foreseen, Anakin then drew his lightsaber to parry Windu's swipe at the Chancellor and through his action, cut off the Jedi Master's saber hand. Then Sidious, who had pleaded with Anakin and Windu not to kill him for his weakness, immediately regained enough strength to blast Master Windu with Force lightning and send him out the window to his death.

Anakin was immediately horrified by what he had done, but despite his guilt, he could not overcome the temptation of the dark side, nor could he simply allow Padmé to die when Sidious (allegedly) had the ability to save her. Anakin swore fealty to Sidious, becoming his new apprentice, and was given the Sith name Darth Vader.

Order 66


Palpatine wasted no time in spinning the fiction that the Jedi's attempt to take him into custody constituted a betrayal of the Republic by the Order, and used it to justify his ultimate goals. Palpatine ordered the Grand Army of the Republic to execute Order 66&mdash;the total annihilation of all Jedi throughout the Galaxy as a sign that the age of the Jedi had ended and the New Order was now in place. Simultaneously, Palpatine dispatched Vader and the 501st Legion to wipe out the Jedi in the Jedi Temple. The newly titled Emperor justified his purge with an elaborate conspiracy tale of the Jedi's attempt to overthrow the Galactic Republic by assassinating the head of government and usurping the Clone Army's control.



Few Jedi escaped the betrayal of Vader and the clone troops that they were leading. Among the few survivors were Jedi Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. Many Jedi that did survive, like Kai Hudorra and Roan Shryne, cast aside their lightsabers, realizing that their roles as keepers of the peace were over. Other Jedi, such as Olee Starstone and Dass Jennir kept fighting the Empire, and tried to contact the other Jedi. Kenobi escaped to Tatooine, while Yoda escaped to the planet Dagobah under secrecy. However, before hiding, the two Jedi altered a return call being sent from the Temple into a warning to stay away; as a result, several other Jedi managed to survive the immediate purge, though most fell to Vader or other Jedi hunters in the years that followed.

Conclave on Kessel


About five months after Order 66 ocurred, a group of surviving Jedi, including Bultar Swan and Tsui Choi, called a Conclave on Kessel to discuss what could be done. Bultar Swan and Tsui Choi were contacted so they could carry out the conclave. Betrayal by one of their own, however, led Vader there. Overhearing that his old Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, would be among the Jedi was enough to act on the leak. Even though Obi-Wan wasn't there, Vader demanded his location from them or threatened that he would kill the few Jedi. They did not cooperate with his request (even though none knew where Kenobi was) and, although they put up a valiant fight, not one Jedi survived. Rumors spread that the conclave consisted of 50 Jedi, and each were easily killed by the Dark Lord. Although, in truth, Darth Vader fought only eight of them with a good amount of difficulty. The Emperor declared the rumors true by having Vader's image to be cemented in order to scare remaining Jedi and envoke fear in the Empire's people.

Subjugation of Kashyyyk
Following the devastation of Order 66, Jedi Padawan and survivor Olee Starstone began searching for any Jedi survivors. One destination she investigated was Kashyyyk, where Masters Yoda, Luminara Unduli and Quinlan Vos had been stationed when the Order was given. She arrived on the planet along with several other Jedi survivors&mdash;Siadem Forte, Deran Nalual, Klossi Anno, Iwo Kulka, Jambe Lu, and Nam Poorf, as well as the slicer Filli Bitters. After meeting with Tarfful and Chewbacca, the Jedi learnt of Yoda's survival. The Wookiees offered the band of Jedi safe harbor on Kashyyyk, but the meeting was interrupted by the arrival of an CR25 troop carrier at Kachirho.

Not long after the Jedi’s arrival, the Sith Lord Darth Vader had arrived in the Kashyyyk system, along with the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Exactor, where it joined Wilhuff Tarkin and Executrix. The two plotted their attack on Kashyyyk&mdash;Vader interested in destroying the fugitive Jedi, Tarkin interested in enslaving the Wookiees for use in the construction of the Death Star. Although the fleet commanders were eager to bombard the planet, Vader overruled them, ordering a direct assault on several cities including Kachirho, Rwookrrorro, Kepitenochan, Okikuti, and Chenachochan.

At Kachirho, the landed Imperial troops ordered the Wookiees to hand over the fugitive Jedi. The enraged Wookiees attacked the troops, and Starstone and her Jedi soon joined the battle. As more Imperial forces landed, the Wookiee warriors and the Jedi covered the evacuation of Kachirho, as countless Wookiees fled the Imperial troopers, fleeing from enslavement. Imperial landers and gunships were engaged by Oevvaor jet catamarans, retrofitted with rocket launchers and other high-end military hardware, salvaged by the Wookiees from the remains of the earlier Battle of Kashyyyk.

Meanwhile, Lord Vader piloted a Theta-class shuttle down to Kachirho, in an attempt to lure out the Jedi. Accompanied by Commander Appo and a squad of troops, but met heavy anti-air fire on his way down. Around the planet, the Imperial incursions were being repulsed by fierce Wookiee warriors, and an alarming number of Imperial troops were being lost in the assaults. Following Appo's advice, Vader acceded the fleet commanders the permission to begin orbital bombardment, warning them to save Kachirho for last. Eventually making a landing at Kachirho, Vader was confronted by Starstone and her Jedi cadre. Vader decapitated Forte and Kulka, and wounded Lu, Poorf and Anno, leaving only himself and Starstone in the fight.

The two briefly faced off, but the bout was interrupted by the arrival of Jedi Knight Roan Shryne and the smuggler Archyr Beil. Shryne decapitated Appo whilst Archyr dealt with the rest of the stormtroopers, and Shryne moved in to duel Vader, giving Starstone and Archyr a chance to escape with the wounded Jedi.

As Shryne and Vader duelled, the main battle began to drift east of the city, moving closer to the lake, as Imperial gunships and artillery drove the Wookiees down out of the city and towards the ground. Heading to the main Kachirho landing platform, Archyr and Starstone loaded their drop ship and transport with escaping Wookiees, including Chewbacca.

Abruptly, the Imperial gunships began to break off from Kachirho, as the orbiting Star Destroyers began their orbital bombardment. Shryne and Vader’s duel was interrupted by the strike, and the two moved inside one of the great wroshyr trees. Once inside, Vader called upon the dark side of the Force to batter Shryne with planks of wood and other debris, critically wounding the Jedi and sending him tumbling down from a high bridge. Assured that Shryne was going to die anyway, Vader chose not to strike down the Jedi, instead revealing his true identity to the man&mdash;Anakin Skywalker.

As Shryne passed away, Victory-class Star Destroyers began to descend into atmosphere, completing the takeover of Kashyyyk. Approximately two hundred thousand Wookiees, including Tarfful, were captured and moved to containment camps on the Wawaatt Archipelago.

Meanwhile, escaping Kashyyyk, Starstone and the surviving Jedi rendezvoused with Jula Shryne's Drunk Dancer in orbit, where they learned that an Detainer CC-2200 Interdictor Cruiser was insystem, preventing any ships from escaping into hyperspace. Undaunted, Starstone and Bitters hatched a plan. With the help of Chewbacca, Archyr, Cudgel, and the rescued Wookiees, the pair managed to reactivate a damaged Recusant-class light destroyer, a Separatist ship left over from the earlier battle weeks ago. They tasked the droid-controlled destroyer to ram the Interdictor, destroying the ship and giving the transports trapped in orbit about Kashyyyk a chance to escape. Enraged at this, Lord Vader ordered a full orbital bombardment of the planet. Tarkin would later relate to the Emperor that the planet suffered a lot more damage than one would have expected, especially given the resources under Vader’s command. None the less, Kashyyyk had fallen to the Empire, and Tarkin had gained a valuable new source of slave labor for the Death Star project.

Siege of Naboo
The monarch of Naboo, Apailana, decided that the situation called for military&mdash;not diplomatic&mdash;action. She started sheltering fugitive Jedi on the run from the Empire. To crush the revolt on Palpatine's homeworld, the 501st Legion invaded Theed and rushed into the plaza supported by TX-130T fighter tanks after disabling an auto-turret grid. The Jedi were killed by the rushing stormtroopers, and Apailana died of a fatal head injury caused by a sniper. With Naboo in line, the 501st gained the nickname "Vader's Fist".

Aftermath


By 1 BBY, the systematic Purge itself had finished, but a few of the survivors would die in the years that followed &mdash; including An'ya Kuro who was tracked down and executed by Darth Vader on Cophrigin 5, Echuu Shen-Jon, killed by Vader on Krant, and, most notably, Obi-Wan Kenobi, who sacrificed himself on the Death Star I to ensure the escape of his protege Luke Skywalker. Also, Yoda died at the age of 900 years four years after Kenobi's death, and Anakin Skywalker, formerly Darth Vader, sacrificed himself to save his son from being killed by former master, Palpatine, on the Death Star II during the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY. In addition, six years after the Battle of Endor, Empatojayos Brand himself, sacrificed to destroy the spirit of Palpatine on Onderon.

The Purge was not only intended to symbolically and literally destroy the Jedi Order, but to also consolidate the Jedi's history, knowledge and technology into Palpatine's possession. Many Holocrons, ancient techniques and training materials were lost. During his efforts to reestablish the order, Luke Skywalker participated in intensive research to locate even the smallest scraps of information pertaining to the old order.

Notable Purge victims

 * Stass Allie&mdash;killed on Saleucami by clone troopers under her command.
 * Koffi Arana&mdash;killed by Vader on Kessel one month after Order 66.
 * Darrin Arkanian&mdash;killed by Tremayne on Coruscant in 10 BBY.
 * Ashka Boda&mdash;captured by the Imperial sentinels and brought to Coruscant.
 * Aidan Bok&mdash;killed by Darth Vader on Nespis VIII.
 * Niebur Boton&mdash;killed by Inquisitor Tremayne, location unknown.
 * Bene&mdash;killed by Darth Vader in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
 * Bol Chatak&mdash;killed by Darth Vader on Murkhana.
 * Tsui Choi&mdash;killed by stormtroopers on Kessel five months after Order 66.
 * Roblio Darté&mdash;killed by Vader on Kessel one month after Order 66.
 * Cin Drallig&mdash;killed by Darth Vader in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
 * Kit Fisto&mdash;killed by Palpatine in the Chancellor's office on Coruscant.
 * Zett Jukassa&mdash;killed by clone troopers at the Jedi Temple.
 * Jurokk&mdash;killed by Darth Vader in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
 * Serra Keto&mdash;killed by Darth Vader in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
 * Ki-Adi-Mundi&mdash;killed on Mygeeto by clone troopers under his command.
 * Agen Kolar&mdash;killed by Palpatine in the Chancellor's office on Coruscant.
 * Plo Koon&mdash;shot down over Cato Neimoidia by clone pilots under his command.
 * An'ya Kuro&mdash;murdered by Darth Vader on Cophrigin 5.
 * Whie Malreaux&mdash;killed by Darth Vader in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
 * Dama Montalvo&mdash;tortured to death by Darth Vader on Coruscant shortly after Order 66.
 * Jocasta Nu&mdash;killed by Darth Vader in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
 * Barriss Offee&mdash;killed on Felucia by fire from an AT-TE walker.
 * Aayla Secura&mdash; killed on Felucia by clone troopers under her command.
 * Roan Shryne&mdash;killed by Darth Vader on Kashyyyk.
 * Simms&mdash;killed on Toola when her clone troopers received Order 66
 * Ranik Solusar&mdash;survived Order 66, later killed by Vader.
 * Bultar Swan&mdash;killed by Koffi Arana on Kessel five months after Order 66.
 * Shaak Ti&mdash;killed by Darth Vader in the Jedi Temple.
 * Saesee Tiin&mdash;killed by Palpatine in the Chancellor's office on Coruscant.
 * Traavis&mdash;killed by Aiwha Squad on Garqi
 * Luminara Unduli&mdash;killed on Kashyyyk by clone troopers.
 * Mace Windu&mdash;killed by Palpatine and Darth Vader in the Chancellor's office on Coruscant.

Known survivors as of the end of the Purge (1 BBY)

 * Aqinos
 * Beldorian
 * Ood Bnar
 * Empatojayos Brand
 * Gruu Dunrik
 * Gilflyn
 * A'Sharad Hett
 * Ikrit
 * Ilum
 * Ylenic It'kla
 * Sian Jeisel
 * Taj Junak
 * Obi-Wan Kenobi
 * Danaan Kerr
 * Sinsor Khal
 * Ydra Kilwallen
 * K'Kruhk
 * Callista Ming
 * Garen Muln
 * Ferus Olin
 * Plett
 * Qu Rahn
 * Tyneir Renz
 * Corwin Shelvay
 * Echuu Shen-Jon
 * Anakin Skywalker
 * Kam Solusar
 * Dorn Tavers
 * Halagad Ventor
 * Vergere
 * Vima-Da-Boda
 * Yoda

Survival unknown

 * Depa Billaba&mdash;In a coma for most of the Clone Wars; fate unknown.
 * Ekria&mdash;Survived Order 66, but ultimate fate unknown.
 * Kai Justiss&mdash;Still at large during the early years of the Empire.
 * Coleman Kcaj&mdash;Ultimate fate unknown.
 * Sha Koon&mdash;Ultimate fate unknown.
 * Drake Lo'gaan&mdash;Survived Order 66, but ultimate fate unknown.
 * Voolvif Monn&mdash;Ultimate fate unknown.
 * Ferus Olin&mdash;Ultimate fate unknown.
 * Even Piell&mdash;Ultimate fate unknown.
 * T'ra Saa&mdash;Survived Order 66, ultimate fate unknown.
 * Saldith&mdash;Ultimate fate unknown.
 * Olee Starstone&mdash;Survived Order 66, ultimate fate unknown.
 * Tholme&mdash;Survived Order 66, ultimate fate unknown.
 * Etain Tur-Mukan&mdash;Etain's clone commandos might not have killed her when they received Order 66.
 * Quinlan Vos&mdash;Survived Order 66, ultimate fate unknown.
 * Zonder&mdash;Survived Order 66, but ultimate fate unknown.

Behind the scenes
The details of the Purge, are (like almost everything else) explained in the Expanded Universe. In contrast, the movies show only Yoda and Obi-Wan as survivors while others are either killed, or just not mentioned.

Some think that this is what Lucas actually intended, that according to G-canon, the actual survivors were only two, which is supported by Yoda's line to Luke "The last of the Jedi you will be". This statement has no value if other Jedi were alive as late as after Endor.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Purge
 * Darth Vader: Extinction
 * Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope