Trade Federation

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The Trade Federation invasion force marches on the Naboo capital of Theed

The Trade Federation was an organization that was founded in 350 BBY as an association of business and trade groups, and which grew to dominate entire star systems. The Trade Federation was a shipping corporation that protested the taxation of Free Trade Zones (the Trade Federation invaded the planet Naboo to try to end the taxation). It was orginally controlled by a Directorate and later an Executive Board, which the latter of which was led by a commanding viceroy. Neimoidians were very influential in the leadership of the Directorate, though the Federation only became a Neimoidian monopoly in 33 BBY, when six other members of the Trade Federation Directorate died, leaving only Nute Gunray. He proceeded to fill up the vacancies with his Neimoidian puppets.

Shortly before the Battle of Naboo, Nute Gunray became the viceroy of the Trade Federation. He was manipulated by Darth Sidious who ordered him to invade Naboo. He also allied the droid armies of the Trade Federation with the Confederacy of Independent Systems just before the Battle of Geonosis.

The Trade Federation's fleet was largely made up of Lucrehulk-class converted freighters. The Executive Board was unwilling to spend more credits (being the thrifty businessmen they were), and chose to convert their enormous commercial freight carriers into formidable, two-mile long warships, complete with shields, turbolasers, and military grade communications arrays. Also, the Trade Federation struck deals with numerous species, like the Colicoids and the Xi Char, to construct massive armies for the Federation. In addition, even in the long awaited and profitable enterprise of battle, the Trade Federation warcraft were still manufactured inexpensively. Unwilling to spend more money on droid brains, the Trade Federation Executive Board proceeded to control their massive armies from a single central control computer aboard a Lucrehulk-class Droid Control Ship. In addition, Pammant Docks provided the Trade Federation with massive Providence-class cruiser/destroyers, such as the Invisible Hand.

The Neimoidians who run the Trade Federation, received their organizational skills from running mass hives and fungus farms on their homeworld of Neimoidia and the three Neimoidian purse-worlds, Cato Neimoidia, Deko Neimoidia, and Koru Neimoidia.

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Sentepeth Findos grants the Federation's assets to the Empire at the end of the Clone Wars

The Trade Federation maintained a sizable monopoly on interstellar trade and held considerable sway in the Galactic Republic, even managing to gain a seat in the Senate on the same level as a member world, represented by Lott Dodd. In particular, they held maps of hyperspace routes closely rather than sharing them, enabling them to cement their hold over trade routes. Only the Jedi and the Office of the Chancellor were able to maintain maps of similar quality.

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With Nute Gunray's death at the hands of former Jedi Anakin Skywalker, the Trade Federation fell. Acting Viceroy Sentepeth Findos signed a peace treaty with the Empire the day that the Clone Wars ended, giving all of the Federation's resources to Palpatine's disposal to help him build the Galactic Empire. Trade was nationalized by the time of the Battle of Yavin.

Associations

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Notable Members

Dod, Lott: Senator of the Trade Federation in the Galactic Senate during the Blockade of Naboo.
Dofine, Daultay: Captain of the flagship Saak'ak during the Blockade of Naboo.
Dofine, Lushros: Captain of the CIS flagship Invisible Hand at the end of the Clone Wars.
Findos, Sentepeth: Acting Viceroy after the rise of the Empire.
Gunray, Nute: Viceroy and former Senator in the Galactic Senate during the Stark Hyperspace War.
Haako, Rune: Settlement Officer and aide to Nute Gunray.
How, Tey: Communications Officer aboard the Saak'ak during the Blockade of Naboo.
Libkath, Gilramos: Financial Officer and Senator in the Galactic Senate and personal aide to Nute Gunray during the Separatist Crisis.
Monchar, Hath: Deputy Viceroy prior to the Blockade of Naboo.
Vooro, Marath: Customs Vizier throughout the Clone Wars and shortly after the rise of the Empire.