Encyclopedia of Speculative Fiction

Confederacy of Independent Systems

From the Encyclopedia of Speculative Fiction - http://encyclopedia.wizards.pro

Image:Confed.jpg
Confederacy of Independent Systems
Form of Government Confederacy
Official language Galactic Basic Standard
Head of State Count Dooku (later General Grievous)
Secret de facto leader Darth Sidious
Supreme Commander of the Droid Armies General Grievous
Legislative Branch Separatist Council
Establishment 24 BBY
Dissolution 19 BBY

The Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS for short) was an organization that existed in the latter years of the Republic. The organization was made up of organizations and star systems that wanted to leave the Republic, numbering "thousands" and with at least "ten thousand ready to join", in the words of Count Dooku. Several quasi-governmental corporations such as the Trade Federation, Techno Union, Commerce Guild, Corporate Alliance, and InterGalactic Banking Clan also joined. The organization's main goal was to split from the Republic and form a new government on grounds that the Republic had become too corrupt. The members of this organization were called Separatists. Tensions between the Republic and the Separatists eventually led to the Clone Wars.

The political heads of the Confederacy were Darth Sidious and Count Dooku, his new apprentice and former Jedi Master. The military leader of the Confederacy was General Grievous, a Kaleesh cyborg.

Contents

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Key Members of the Confederacy

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Political

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Military

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History

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Asajj Ventress, General Grievous, and Durge

The military forces of the Confederacy of Independent Systems—also known as the Droid Army and the Separatist Army—was a massive mix of weapons of war, security droids, organic forces and local warriors.

The CIS was controlled mainly by business beings like Viceroy Nute Gunray, Chairman San Hill, and Foreman Wat Tambor. These individuals were not warriors or generals, but merchants, more interested in commerce than battle, and thus were ill-equipped to lead troops into battle. Of the entire political leadership, only Count Dooku and Poggle the Lesser had any experience in warfare. However, they believed their superior numbers and advanced droid designs would win the Clone Wars. Though the Separatist Army achieved a number of victories, its droids were flawed and weak, and its leaders were little better.

The Army consisted mainly of droid forces, and was often referred to as the Droid Army. The various commercial entities joined under the banner of the Confederacy pledged their forces to the Separatist Army, creating one sprawling group of droids. These ranged from the Trade Federation's battle droids to the security forces maintained by the Commerce Guild, InterGalactic Banking Clan and Corporate Alliance. One of the largest contributions was by the Techno Union, which donated not only its new Super Battle Droids, but numerous foundries capable of producing thousands more droids for the Confederacy. Other companies that supported the Separatists included Colla Designs, Phlac-Arphocc Automata, Baktoid Industries, Haor Chall Engineering, Free Dac Volunteers Engineering Corps, Republic Sienar Systems, and Feethan Ottraw Scalable Assemblies

Other allies were quick to offer help. The Confederacy controlled countless worlds across the galaxy, and was able to recruit many of their local forces to the cause. The Jabiim Separatist leader Alto Stratus's Nimbus warriors, the Quarren Isolation League and many more aided the CIS and fought the Galactic Republic. Many of these forces were not droids, but sentient beings. Though largely a Droid Army, the Separatist Army also used a number of organic forces. From Gossam commandos to Corporate Alliance Troopers, they brought new tactics onto the field. Unlike droids, these soldiers were capable of independent thought, and many could rival even the Republic's clone troopers.

Bridging the gap between organic and automaton was one being: General Grievous, Supreme Commander of the Separatist Army. A cyborg with a brilliant tactical mind and a powerful armoured body, Grievous turned the war in favour of the Confederacy. He led his troops to a number of victories across the galaxy including the conquest of Duro and destruction of Humbarine, the attacks of 26 strategic Loyalist worlds and spearheaded an assault towards Coruscant itself. He also targeted the Jedi Knights—particuarly problematic to the droid army—and killed many in single combat. He had ultimate power over his troops, able to command them with but a gesture.

The Separatist Army was not merely comprised of ground troops. It also deployed much larger weapons of war during the Clone Wars. Commerce Guild Spider Tanks were a common sight on Confederate frontlines, and Tank Droids, Manta droid subfighters and Federation AATs provided heavy firepower in countless conflicts. Even larger machines were used, including the powerful Protodeka, the massive Seismic tank and the terrible Dark Reaper.

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General Grievous hoists the flag of the Confederacy over conquered Duro

Despite this powerful weapon, the Confederacy of Independent Systems was eventually defeated. Suffering losses right from the beginning of the war, and despite a brief resurgeance with the cyborg General Grievous, the droid forces were destroyed by the Republic. Count Dooku was struck down on the bridge of the Invisible Hand, General Grievous was slain on Utapau, the CIS leadership was murdered by Darth Vader and the commerce guilds faded quietly into oblivion.

Since both sides of the war were controlled by the Sith, the Confederacy also laid the foundations of the Galactic Empire and its legacy lives on in the form of their Death Star project, which became the Empire's feared superweapon and the Imperial battle droids. The logo of the CIS was also incorporated into the design of the TIE fighter's wing panels. The logo also features similarities with the logos of the Empire and the Galactic Republic. Perhaps the Emperor combined the logos of the CIS and the Galactic Republic to signal that the galaxy was now united, under his rule.

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Droid Army

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Droid forces

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Organic forces

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Transport vehicles

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Ground vehicles

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Starfighters

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Aquatic weapons

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Confederate Navy

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Support craft

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Important Member Worlds

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Quotes

"Our friends from the Trade Federation have pledged their support and when their battle droids are combined with yours will shall have an army greater than any in the galaxy. The Jedi will be overwhelmed. The Republic will agree to any demands we make."
—Count Dooku
"With these new battle droids we've built for you, you'll have the finest army in the galaxy."
—Wat Tambor
"What you're proposing may be considered treason."
—Shu Mai
"The Banking Clan will sign your treaty."
—San Hill
"I am authorized by the Corporate Alliance to sign your treaty."
—Passel Argente
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Behind the Scenes

  • The naming of the Republic's enemy as a Confederacy, and of the Republic's military as a Grand Army of the Republic, have made some fans question whether Lucas was making a statement concering similarities between Palpatine and US President Abraham Lincoln.
  • The name "Confederacy of Independent Systems" could also be inspired by the real-world Commonwealth of Independent States (also shorthanded as CIS), which consists of almost all of the former republics of the Soviet Union (excepting only the three Baltic nations).
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Appearances

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External Links

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