Star Wars: 10 Characters Most Responsible for Palpatine’s Rise to Power
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War of the galaxies fans are getting a new look at the horrors of Imperial rule over the galaxy in new episodes of the Disney+ series Andor. For the first time, the intimate details of the Empire, the Senate, and the effects of Emperor Palpatine’s rule are shown to the public.
While Sheev Palpatine was certainly capable of achieving power on his own, he cleverly used the influence of others to climb the ranks of the Republic and eventually become the most powerful man in the galaxy. As such, there were certain characters who were key to Palpatine’s consolidation of power, both in the Republic and the Empire.
Finis Valorum
Finis Valorum was Chancellor of the Galactic Republic during the time period prior to the election of Sheev Palpatine, and his rule came to an end during the events of The Phantom Menace. Valorum was fired from his position with a vote of no confidence after his mistake with the Naboo invasion.
Although Valorum was completely unaware of Palpatine’s plans, his own incompetence in dealing with the excesses of the Trade Federation cemented his own political demise, paving the way for Palpatine to reclaim his seat with little resistance Had he inspired more confidence in his subjects, Valorum would still have been Chancellor for years to come, thus protecting the galaxy from his successor.
Padme Amidala
Padmé Amidala may be best known as a senator of Naboo, but she was the planet’s queen first, serving her nation during the Trade Federation blockade and subsequent invasion. It was during this time that she fostered a relationship with Sheev Palpatine, who served as a senator for Naboo.
After escaping Naboo during the invasion, Queen Amidala took counsel from Senator Palpatine regarding Chancellor Valorum, accepting a vote of no confidence to remove him from office. His motion was ratified, leading to Valorum’s expulsion from office and paving the way for Palpatine to take his place, making Padmé one of the most infamous. War of the galaxies characters.
yoda
Master Yoda was the Order’s most senior Jedi at the time of the Clone Wars and a leading voice in the actions of the High Council during the final years of the Republic. All of his fellow Jedi Knights trusted the mighty Jedi Master for his wisdom, sincerity, and experience.
While Yoda was certainly an honorable individual, he was nevertheless quite short-sighted when it came to matters related to the dark side. Although he could sense a growing dark presence, Yoda was unable to predict the dark actions of Darth Sidious, with his shortsightedness that spelled the Jedi’s doom.
Darth Maul
Darth Maul was Sidious’ apprentice during the events of The Phantom Menace, serving his master by causing conflict on Naboo. He eventually confronted the Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, killing the former in a duel before apparently being killed.
Although Maul survived his injuries, his part in Sidious’ plan was played out at the time of his defeat. Unknowingly, he had set in motion events that would lead to Anakin joining the Jedi Order and ultimately his corruption at the hands of Palpatine. In later years, Maul would prove to be one of the few to sense his master’s arrival, and though he tried to stop it, he would be unsuccessful.
General Grievous
General Grievous is one War of the galaxies a villain with an incredibly interesting backstory, starting out as a revered warrior and gradually turning into a horrifying cyborg abomination. He served as the commander of the Droid Army during the Clone Wars, unknowingly serving Darth Sidious for a time.
While Grievous ultimately proved to be a fairly small part in Sidious’ grand plan, he nevertheless kept the Republic busy with the war. His distractions allowed his master to continue his plan, setting in motion all the necessary arrangements for his takeover.
Jar Jar Binks
Jar Jar Binks was the relatively unassuming Gungan representative in the Republic Senate. He most often served alongside Senator Padmé Amidala, who left him in charge of her duties after she was forced to flee an assassination attempt during the events of Attack of the clones.
While Senator Amidala was gone, Representative Binks made a motion in the Senate to give the Chancellor emergency powers in anticipation of the upcoming fight against the Separatists. The motion was ratified, giving Palpatine more power than ever, which he would hold for the rest of the Clone Wars and beyond.
Count Dooku
Count Dooku is a former Jedi who became disillusioned with the High Council for its repeated hypocrisy. After a period of self-reflection, Dooku betrayed the Jedi Order and became a Sith Lord, adopting the name Darth Tyrannus during his training under Darth Sidious.
Count Dooku was one of Palpatine’s most important allies in consolidating his power. Dooku led the political side of the Separatist Alliance, maintaining the war effort against the Republic for years. Ultimately, when both sides had weakened enough, Palpatine got rid of Dooku and seized power.
But Amedda
Mas Amedda was the vice chancellor under Chancellor Valorum during the previous period The Phantom Menace. However, when Palpatine took control, Amedda remained in his position, eventually becoming one of the new Chancellor’s most trusted advisors, who was even aware of his true identity as a Sith Lord.
Amedda continued to serve Palpatine after the formation of the Empire, helping the new emperor cover up his illegal actions from the Senate. He even managed to prevent the construction of the Death Star from being discovered by the Senate, allowing Palpatine to build his formidable space station without fear of political upheaval.
Grand Moff Tarkin
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin is certainly one of the most intimidating War of the galaxies villains, and one that proved to be immensely useful to Emperor Palpatine. After the reorganization of the Republic into the Galactic Empire, Tarkin became one of the main officers of the new navy, even retaining control over the Death Star itself.
Tarkin proved to be a stickler for the Emperor’s rule, ruthlessly eliminating any resistance. He cruelly fulfilled his duties to the Empire, showing his sadistic nature at every turn. Ultimately, Tarkin was invaluable to the Emperor in terms of keeping the peace and dispatching any rebellion until his death aboard the first Death Star.
Anakin Skywalker
As a young Jedi Knight, Anakin Skywalker made the unfortunate mistake of befriending Chancellor Palpatine. Over the years, Palpatine bent and molded Anakin to his whim, eventually manipulating him into betraying the Jedi Order and becoming the Sith Lord known as Darth Vader.
As Darth Vader, Anakin took down the Jedi Order, the greatest threat to Palpatine’s rise, and in doing so ensured that no one would be there to stop the new emperor from demonstrating his full power over the galaxy In the years that followed, Vader became Palpatine’s chief enforcer, destroying anyone who dared question his emperor’s rule.
