
By the beginning of Attack of the Clones, many star systems had seceded from the Republic. However, the real tension begins with the Separatist Crisis, a series of debates in the Galactic Republic that are referred to in Attack of the Clones, and began about two years prior to the start of that film. The beginnings of the war are first portrayed in the 1999 film The Phantom Menace (the first chapter but fourth release in the series) as the Invasion of Theed and the Battle of Naboo. Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow. The events causing the war and those leading to its conclusion are orchestrated by the Republic's chief executive, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. The Clone Wars end shortly after the Great Jedi Purge, the Separatist Massacre on Mustafar, and the establishment of the Galactic Empire.

War quickly spreads across the galaxy and eventually reaches the Republic's capital, Coruscant. The first battle occurs on the CIS planet Geonosis as the Republic's new clone army, led by Jedi generals, combats the Separatists' battle droids. The Clone Wars begin during the Separatist Crisis when thousands of star systems secede from the Galactic Republic to form the Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS). Critics and film historians debate which parallels are most prominent or consistent. Many of the events featured have parallels in history, politics, and mythology from which Lucas and other writers drew inspiration. Additional events and stories are detailed in a multimedia campaign consisting of Star Wars literature and video games.


The animated microseries Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003-2005) chronicle the major campaigns of the war.

The conflict is first mentioned in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), but not featured in Star Wars fiction until the second and third episodes of the six-part Star Wars film series: Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005). The Clone Wars (also known as the Clone War) are a series of fictional intragalactic battles in George Lucas's science fiction saga Star Wars. Geonosis – Rhen Var – Raxus Prime – Alaris Prime – Thule – Kamino – Ohma-D'an – Muunilinst – Mon Calamari – Dantooine – Ilum – Yavin IV – Hypori – Haruun Kal – Jabiim – Coruscant – Utapau – Mustafar – Felucia – Kashyyyk – Cato Neimoidia – Mygeeto – Saleucami – List of minor Clone Wars battles Related subjects: Films Primary battles of the Clone Wars
