Treaty of Coruscant

The Treaty of Coruscant was the peace treaty that brought an end to the Great Galactic War in 3,653 BBY. The Galactic Republic was strongarmed into the treaty following a crippling stalemate in the war against the Sith Empire. While representatives of both factions met on Alderaan to discuss the terms of peace, the Sith Empire launched an unexpected assault on the Republic capital world of Coruscant.

Following the Sacking of Coruscant, the victorious Empire forced the Republic into a highly disadvantageous agreement. The Treaty forced the Republic to withdraw their troops and Jedi forces and abandon many long-time allies, such as the planet Rodia, and outlying systems to their enemy. The result was an uneasy peace which allowed the Sith time to consolidate their growing power.

Background
The Great Galactic War between the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire began with the return of the "True Sith" to the galaxy in 3,681 BBY. These Sith were the last surviving remnant of the original Sith Empire that the Republic and Jedi had defeated thousands of years prior in the Great Hyperspace War. The Emperor and Dark Lord of these Sith was a Lord of the original Empire that had escaped death by fleeing into the unknown regions.

While the Republic fought several wars against other Sith factions lead by Exar Kun, Darth Revan, and Darth Traya, the "True Sith" had been gaining power for an assault of unrivaled proportions. Several hundred years after the end of the Dark Wars between the Republic and what were thought to be the only Sith left in the galaxy, the True Sith launched their attack. Fighting viciously, the Empire quickly gained ground, and the surprised Republic forces were caught off-guard. Battles raged on Ilum, Dathomir, Agamar, and Utapau, while the Rimma Trade Route was cut off as a result of a Mandalorian blockade. The battle at Sluis Van resulted in the destruction of the planet's shipyards, and the water-borne cities of the neutral planet Manaan were destroyed.

Although they seemed to be on the verge of victory after decades of war, the Sith Empire hesitated, and instead extended an offer of peace to the Galactic Senate. Crippled and unable to refuse, the Republic accepted and plans were made for a summit on the Core World of Alderaan in 3,653 BBY.

Meeting on Alderaan and the attack on Coruscant
"I just can't shake the sense that there's something more to these peace talks than the Jedi Council is aware of&hellip;"

- Jedi Knight Satele Shan

While the Republic delegation led by Senator Am-Ris and the Sith delegation led by Lord Baras convened on Alderaan to begin the peace talks, the Sith Empire set in motion a plan to force the Republic to accept their terms. The peace talks had been a distraction to lure the Republic into believing the Empire was no longer interested in conquest, while in reality, they hoped to marginalize the Republic and establish a permanent Sith galactic government.

As the Alderaan summit began, a fleet of Sith warships appeared over Coruscant and destroyed Orbital Security Station Six. The fleet, lead by Lord Angral, began a massive assault on the city-planet, destroying the Jedi Temple, killing six members of the Jedi Council, and capturing the Senate Building. Because the Sith held Coruscant hostage, the Republic diplomats on Alderaan had no choice but to accept the terms demanded by the Empire.

Terms and results
The Treaty of Coruscant called for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Republic and Jedi forces from battlefields across the galaxy. As the Treaty went into effect, worlds once allied with the Republic were left defenseless, and were quickly absorbed by the Empire. The Sith assigned at least one droid, SP-99, to monitor Republic agents and ensure their compliance with the Treaty. Coruscant was also placed under the rule of the Sith Dark Council for a short time. As the Jedi returned to their ruined temple on Coruscant, they were met with anger from the Senate, who placed blame for the war at the feet of the Order. The Jedi, unable to stay on Coruscant where public opinion had turned against them, relocated to the world of their origin, Tython.

Although his Empire was stronger than ever, the Sith Emperor no longer seemed to desire total conquest. He handed over control of the Empire to the Dark Council, a body of twelve Sith Lords who would oversee the day-to-day affairs of state. The Dark Lord went on to pursue his own mysterious goals as the Sith consolidated their power.

The galaxy, divided between the two rival factions, was locked into a Cold War that included small battles in the Outer Rim and other conflicts fought by proxy. One such conflict was the Civil War on Ord Mantell between the corrupt planetary government which remained loyal to the Republic and a guerrilla force of separatists wishing to secede. The Republic military began recruiting skilled troopers from among its own, to form the elite Republic Special Forces, an advanced fighting force that could defend the Republic in the event of further hostilities with the Sith Empire. Although the galactic situation could easily have erupted into another galactic conflict, neither side was ready to wage a full-scale war yet again. During the Cold War, Kel Dor Jedi Master Gnost-Dural made a record of the events surrounding the treaty at the behest of the Jedi Council on Tython.

Following the Treaty of Coruscant, the Galactic Senate adopted its signing as a new dating standard, with years preceding the treaty being termed "BTC," or "Before the Treaty of Coruscant," and years after being called "ATC," or "After the Treaty of Coruscant."

Behind the scenes
The Treaty of Coruscant acts as the basis for the setting in the upcoming LucasArts massively multiplayer online game, Star Wars: The Old Republic. The Old Republic, a follow-up to the hugely successful Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic series, is set in the Cold War that resulted from the Treaty.

The events surrounding the treaty were elaborated upon in Treaty of Coruscant, an online timeline available on the Star Wars: The Old Republic website. The timeline is narrated by Jedi Master Gnost-Dural, who is voiced by actor Lance Henriksen. The events prior to this treaty are also currently being spelled out in the online comic book, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Threat of Peace.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: The Old Republic, Threat of Peace Act 1: Treaty of Coruscant
 * Star Wars: The Old Republic, Threat of Peace Act 2: New Galactic Order
 * Timeline 1: Treaty of Coruscant
 * Timeline 2: The Mandalorian Blockade is Broken

Notes and references
Tratado de Coruscant Traktat na Coruscant