Editing Clone Wars

{{short description|Fictional war in Star Wars}}
{{About|a fictional conflict}}
[[File:SWC4 - Costume Pageant- Commander Cody (514412052).jpg|thumb|A fan cosplaying [[clone trooper]] Commander Cody. Clone troopers are the primary [[Galactic Republic]] foot-soldiers during the Clone Wars.]]
The '''Clone Wars''', also known as the '''Separatist Crisis''', is a fictional three-year conflict in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise by [[George Lucas]]. Though mentioned briefly in [[Star Wars (film)|the first ''Star Wars'' film]] (''A New Hope'', 1977), the war itself was not depicted until ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones|Attack of the Clones]]'' (2002) and ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith|Revenge of the Sith]]'' (2005). The Clone Wars are also the setting for three eponymous projects: [[Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series)|a 2D animated series]] (2003–2005), [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)|a 3D film]] (2008), and [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|a 3D animated series]] (2008–2014, 2020). They have featured in numerous ''Star Wars'' books, comics and games.

Within [[Universe of Star Wars|the ''Star Wars'' narrative]], the Clone Wars involve a three-year war fought to prevent thousands of planetary systems from [[Secession|seceding]] from the [[Galactic Republic]] and joining the Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS), colloqially referred to as the Separatists or Separatist Alliance. The Republic uses an army of [[clone trooper]]s led by the [[Jedi|Jedi Order]] against the Separatist [[Droid (Star Wars)|battle droid]] army. The conflict was a scheme by the Republic's Supreme Chancellor [[Palpatine]], secretly the evil [[Sith|Sith Lord]] Darth Sidious, seeking to implement the Sith's long-term plans to wipe out all [[Jedi]] and take over the galaxy. Palpatine intended this by giving the clone troopers a secret executive command, "Order 66" (in the form of a control chip) embedded in their brains, instantly making clones perceive their Jedi officers as traitors and kill them. He succeeded in issuing the command in ''Revenge of the Sith'' promptly leading to the deaths of numerous Jedi around the galaxy, allowing Palpatine to gain total power and ultimately convert the democratic Galactic Republic into the [[fascist]] [[autocratic]] [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]], a reign controlled through a [[military–industrial complex]] and featured in the [[Star Wars original trilogy|original trilogy]].

Lucas used the Clone Wars narrative to answer questions about the original trilogy, such as how the Empire originated and how Anakin Skywalker became [[Darth Vader]]. The political and military events of the Clone Wars draw inspiration from such real-world conflicts and historical events, as [[Crisis of the Roman Republic|transition]] of the [[Roman Republic]] to the [[Roman Empire]], the [[American Civil War]], the [[World War I|First]] and [[World War II|Second World Wars]], as well as contemporary events such as the [[War on Terror]] and the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]] during the early 21st century.

== Concept and development ==
The first reference to the Clone Wars is in ''Star Wars'' creator [[George Lucas]]' third draft of [[Star Wars (film)|the first film]], which mentions the grizzled cyborg General Kenobi's "diary of the Clone Wars".<ref>{{harvnb|Taylor|2014|p=122}}</ref> The wars were mentioned twice briefly in the final version of the film, referring to [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]] as a general who served [[Princess Leia|Leia Organa]]'s (then-unnamed) father [[Bail Organa]] during the conflict.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = https://www.starwars.com/clonewars/about/whatarecw.html|title = What are the Clone Wars?|access-date = December 9, 2015|website = StarWars.com|publisher = [[LucasFilm]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060717014316/http://www.starwars.com/clonewars/about/whatarecw.html|archive-date = July 17, 2006}}</ref> In drafting ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' (1980), Lucas considered introducing a clone character who had been involved with the Clone Wars.<ref>{{harvnb|Taylor|2014|p=231}}</ref> [[Leigh Brackett]]'s first draft of the film initially developed [[Lando Calrissian]] as a clone from a planet of clones involved in the Clone Wars mentioned in ''A New Hope'' and were nearly made extinct by the war.<ref>{{cite book |last= Bouzereau|first= Laurent|year= 1997|title= Star Wars: The Annotated History|publisher= [[Ballantine Books]]|isbn= 978-0345409812|page=196}}</ref> [[Boba Fett]] was also initially considered as being from a group of [[shock troops|shocktroopers]] nearly wiped out by [[Jedi]] during the Clone Wars.<ref>{{harvnb|Kaminski|2008|p=171}}</ref> However, these concepts were not included in the final version of the film. Lucas was more guarded about the details of the Clone Wars than any other element of ''Star Wars'',<ref name="taylor124">{{harvnb|Taylor|2014|p=124}}</ref> even making them off-limits to licensed products and books.<ref>{{harvnb|Taylor|2014|pp=288–289}}</ref>

Lucas has noted that [[Palpatine]]'s rise to power is similar to that of [[Adolf Hitler]] in [[Nazi Germany]]; as [[Chancellor of Germany]], the latter was granted "[[Enabling Act of 1933|emergency powers]]", as is Palpatine.<ref name = "DVDcom">''Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith'' DVD commentary featuring George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Rob Coleman, John Knoll and Roger Guyett, [2005]</ref> Lucas has also said that one of the primary influences for the political backdrop behind the Clone Wars, and all of ''Star Wars,'' was the [[Vietnam War]] and [[Watergate scandal]] era, when leaders embraced corruption for what they thought was the best course of action.<ref name="commondreams.org">{{Cite news|url=http://www.backstage.com/news/wars-raises-questions-on-us-policy/|title='Wars' Raises Questions on US Policy|first=David|date=May 16, 2005|agency=Associated Press|last=Germain|access-date=June 30, 2016|website=[[Backstage (magazine)|Backstage]]|publisher=Backstage, LLC|archive-date=August 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814015526/http://www.backstage.com/news/wars-raises-questions-on-us-policy/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/16/cannes.starwars/|title=Lucas on Iraq war, 'Star Wars'|date=May 16, 2005|publisher=CNN|first=Chris|last=Burns|access-date=June 30, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002356/http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/16/cannes.starwars/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2002, Lucas said:

{{quote|All democracies turn into dictatorships—but not by coup. The people give their democracy to a dictator, whether it's [[Julius Caesar]] or [[Napoleon]] or Adolf Hitler. Ultimately, the general population goes along with the idea. What kinds of things push people and institutions in this direction? That's the issue I've been exploring: how did the Republic turn into the Empire? ... How does a good person go bad, and how does a democracy become a dictatorship?<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002323,00.html|title=Dark Victory|last1=Corliss|first1=Richard|date=April 29, 2002|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|last2=Cagle|first2=Jess|issue=17|volume=159|issn=0040-781X|url-access=subscription|last3=Ressner|first3=Jeffrey|via=[[EBSCO Information Services|EBSCOhost]]|access-date=June 30, 2016|archive-date=June 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609030049/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002323,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

The clone forces shown at the conclusion of ''Attack of the Clones'' comprised the largest digital army created for a film at that point.<ref name="taylor338"/> Lucas proposed to concept artists that ''Revenge of the Sith'' would open with a montage of seven battles on seven planets.<ref>{{harvnb|Rinzler|2005|pp=13–15}}</ref> Lucas then radically re-organized the plot;<ref>{{harvnb|Rinzler|2005|p=36}}</ref> instead of opening the film with various Clone Wars battles, Lucas decided instead to focus on [[Darth Vader|Anakin Skywalker]].<ref>{{harvnb|Kaminski|2008|pp=380–384}}</ref> The absence of the "seven battles on seven planets" in part led to Lucas's decision to launch the CGI-animated ''Clone Wars'' television series; Lucas said the cartoon could "do better" at depicting the conflict.<ref>{{harvnb|Taylor|2014|p=375}}</ref>

== Depiction ==
{{Infobox fictional organisation
| name         = Confederacy of Independent Systems
| image        = [[File:Confederacy of Independent Systems.svg|220px]]
| image_size   =
| alt          =Emblem of the Confederacy of Independent Systems
| caption      =
| universe     = [[Universe of Star Wars|Star Wars]]
| first        = [[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones|''Attack of the Clones'']] (2002)
| recent       =
| creator      = 
| based_on     = 
| adapted_by   = 
| genre        = 
| alt_name     = 
| type         = [[Confederation]], [[Separatism|Separatist]] alliance
| founded      = 24 BBY (creation)<br/>22 BBY (official founding)
| defunct      = 19 BBY
| fate         = Systems absorbed by the Empire<br/>Corporations [[Nationalization|Imperialized]]
| address      = 
| location     = [[List of Star Wars planets and moons|Star Wars galaxy]] (Outer Rim)
| leader       = Head of State: {{plainlist|
* [[Count Dooku]] <small>(22-19 BBY; Head of State)</small><ref>{{cite web |title=Confederacy of Independent Systems |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/confederacy-of-independent-systems |website=StarWars Databank |access-date=20 December 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617042814/https://www.starwars.com/databank/confederacy-of-independent-systems |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[General Grievous]] <small>(22-19 BBY; Commander-in-chief)</small>
}}
| key_people   =  Separatist Executive Council
*[[Viceroy]] [[Nute Gunray]] of the Trade Federation
*[[Poggle the Lesser]]
*[[Wat Tambor]] of the Techno Union
*[[San Hill]] of the Banking Clan
*Shu Mai of the Commerce Guild
Separatist Parliament
| employees    = 
| purpose      = 
| products     = 
| motto        =
| technologies = Droid Army
| powers       = 
| affiliations = [[Sith]] (in secret)
| subsid       = 
| enemies      = [[Galactic Republic]]<br/>[[Jedi Order]]
}}

The Clone Wars was first depicted in ''Attack of the Clones'', the release of which brought an end to Lucas's embargo on licensed material set during the era. Numerous novels, comic books, and video games exploring the conflict have been sanctioned by Lucas Licensing.

=== Film ===
The Clone Wars are first mentioned in ''A New Hope'' when Obi-Wan explains to Luke that his father fought in them, to which Luke expresses doubt. It is later mentioned by Leia in her message that Obi-Wan served her father, who will later be identified as Bail Organa, in the Clone Wars.<ref name=":0" />

''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones|Attack of the Clones]]'', set at the beginning of the Clone Wars, opens with the [[Galactic Republic]]'s rising concern about the secession of thousands of star systems to the Confederacy of Independent Systems, which is publicly led by [[Count Dooku]]. Chancellor Palpatine manipulates [[Jar Jar Binks]] and the rest of the Galactic Senate into granting him emergency powers. Investigating two attempted assassinations of Senator [[Padmé Amidala]], Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers Dooku used the identity of a dead Jedi Master to secretly arrange the creation of a massive clone army on the Republic's behalf. [[Yoda]] leads the clone army to rescue Obi-Wan, Padmé, and Anakin Skywalker from the Separatists on [[Geonosis]], and the first battle of the war ensues. At the battle's conclusion, Yoda declares: "Begun, the Clone War has." In the final scene of the movie, Anakin and Padmé get married in secret, in violation of Anakin's Jedi vows.<ref>Lucas, George, director. ''Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones''. Lucasfilm Ltd., 2002.</ref>

''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith|Revenge of the Sith]]'' shows the waning days of the three-year Clone Wars, in which clone troopers and their Jedi generals fought against the Separatist droid army. After killing Dooku and rescuing Palpatine from the Separatists during their assault on [[Coruscant]], Anakin learns Padmé is pregnant. He becomes troubled by visions of her death in childbirth, and Palpatine lures Anakin to the dark side of [[the Force]] by promising to teach him how to prevent her premature demise. Meanwhile, [[Yoda]] is dispatched to [[Wookiee|Kashyyyk]] to stave off a Separatist invasion, and Obi-Wan Kenobi is dispatched to [[Utapau (Star Wars)|Utapau]] where he kills [[General Grievous]]. Anakin discovers Palpatine is the elusive Sith Lord Darth Sidious, but he defends him against [[Mace Windu]] because he needs Sidious' knowledge to save Padmé. After Sidious murders Windu, he dubs Anakin his new apprentice Darth Vader. Sidious orders the [[clone trooper]]s to execute [[Order 66 (Star Wars)|Order 66]], and they kill their Jedi generals across the galaxy. Sidious then dispatches Vader to the Jedi Temple along with several clone troopers to kill the remaining Jedi and Padawans in the temple, before sending Vader to kill the Separatist leaders on [[Mustafar]] and to issue a "shutdown command" to their droid army. With their demise, Sidious declares an end to the Clone Wars and the Republic's reformation into the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]].<ref>Lucas, George, director. ''Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith''. Lucasfilm Ltd., 2005.</ref>

=== Animation ===
==== ''Clone Wars'' ====
{{main|Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series)}}
The [[Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series)|2D-animated ''Clone Wars'']] series (2003–2005) depicts several Clone Wars battles and was meant to generate interest in ''Revenge of the Sith''. It also depicts the prelude to the opening battle of ''Revenge of the Sith'' and Palpatine's capture by General Grievous. It was released on home video in two volumes.

The original ''Clone Wars'' TV series is no longer considered canonical, since on 25 April 2014, [[The Walt Disney Company]] declared that all the existing ''Star Wars'' works and products except for the original and prequel films and the later ''The Clone Wars'' were now part of the separate ''[[Star Wars expanded to other media|Star Wars Legends]]'' continuity.

==== ''The Clone Wars'' ====
{{main|Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)}}
Several years later, Lucas chose to reboot the series as a 3D CGI series developed by [[Dave Filoni]]. After several years of production on the new television series, Lucas decided to spin off the first four episodes as [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)|a standalone film]].<ref>{{harvnb|Taylor|2014|p=470}}</ref> The film, released in 2008, introduces [[Ahsoka Tano]] as Anakin's apprentice and depicts the Republic and the Separatists battling and attempting to gain permission to travel through [[Jabba the Hutt]]'s territory.

The [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|television series that followed]] (2008–2014, 2020) is likewise set against the backdrop of the Clone Wars, with the [[Siege of Mandalore|series finale]] taking place at the same time as the climax of ''Revenge of the Sith''. The show offers additional details about the clone army's creation, establishes each of the clones as distinct characters, depicts numerous confrontations and developments from the conflict, and portrays the interaction between the clone troopers and their Jedi commanders. For example, the series reveals that each clone has an "inhibitor chip" in his body that makes most of them obey Order 66.

==== ''The Bad Batch'' ====
{{main|Star Wars: The Bad Batch}}
''The Bad Batch'' begins shortly after the immediate end of the Clone Wars with the issuing of Order 66, which marks the Jedi as traitors and leads to their widespread extermination by their own clone troopers, who have been programmed to obey this order. The Bad Batch, being genetically distinct and having developed resistance to the programming, find themselves grappling with their identities and loyalties in the wake of the Republic's demise. 

The series explores the fallout of Order 66, the rise of the Galactic Empire, and how the galaxy changes under Emperor Palpatine's rule. The series also explores the transition from clone troopers to stormtroopers in the ''Star Wars'' universe, as the Empire shifts from clone production to conscription.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Star Wars' finally reveals the switch from clones to stormtroopers |url=https://ew.com/tv/star-wars-clones-stormtroopers-bad-batch/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=EW.com |language=en |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319210907/https://ew.com/tv/star-wars-clones-stormtroopers-bad-batch/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gullickson |first=Brad |date=2021-08-06 |title='The Bad Batch' Puts the Final Nail in the 'Clone Wars' Coffin |url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/bad-batch-episode-15-explained/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Film School Rejects |language=en-US |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319210907/https://filmschoolrejects.com/bad-batch-episode-15-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Live action ===

==== ''The Mandalorian'' ====
{{main|The Mandalorian}}

The series ''The Mandalorian'' features both flashback scenes to the Separatist Droid Army during the Clone Wars, as well as Grogu's memories of Order 66 on Coruscant.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-20 |title='The Mandalorian's Order 66 Flashback Confirms The Show's Biggest Flaw |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/the-mandalorian-order-66-flashback-din-grogu-bo-katan |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Inverse |language=en |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319210907/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/the-mandalorian-order-66-flashback-din-grogu-bo-katan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Horton |first1=Cole |title=The Star Wars Book: Expand your knowledge of a galaxy far, far away |last2=Hidalgo |first2=Pablo |last3=Zehr |first3=Dan |publisher=DK |year=2020 |isbn=9781465497901 |publication-date=2020-10-20}}</ref> 

==== ''Ahsoka'' ====
{{main|Ahsoka (TV series)}}

The Clone Wars are featured in ''Ahsoka'' Episode 5, where a flashback suggests the scene occurs on Ryloth, referencing Ahsoka's experiences in ''The Clone Wars'', in live-action form. Additionally, scenes from the iconic [[Siege of Mandalore]] are featured.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glazebrook |first=Lewis |date=2023-09-13 |title="I Am Not Okay": Star Wars Fans Mind-Blown By Ahsoka Episode 5 Flashback Scenes |url=https://screenrant.com/ahsoka-clone-wars-live-action-star-wars-fans-react/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925233903/https://screenrant.com/ahsoka-clone-wars-live-action-star-wars-fans-react/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stevenson |first=Rick |date=2023-09-14 |title=Ahsoka Episode 5: Where Does THAT Flashback Take Place? |url=https://www.looper.com/1393228/ahsoka-episode-5-where-anakin-snips-first-clone-wars-flashback-take-place/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Looper |language=en-US |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319210907/https://www.looper.com/1393228/ahsoka-episode-5-where-anakin-snips-first-clone-wars-flashback-take-place/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Novels ===
The 2008 [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (novel)|novelization of ''The Clone Wars'']] by [[Karen Traviss]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Del Rey & LucasBooks announce Clone Wars Novels |url=http://starwars.com/vault/books/news20080625.html |website=StarWars.com |access-date=October 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803052606/http://starwars.com/vault/books/news20080625.html |archive-date=August 3, 2008 |date=June 25, 2008}}</ref> begins a series of five novels by Traviss and [[Karen Miller]] published by [[Del Rey Books]] between 2008 and 2010. ''The Clone Wars: Wild Space'' (2008) was written by Miller and focuses on Obi-Wan and [[Bail Organa]].{{efn|A prologue recounts the aftermath of the Battle of Geonosis; the rest of the book resumes after the events of the animated film.}} Traviss returned to write ''The Clone Wars: No Prisoners'' (2009), in which Ahsoka is temporarily assigned to [[Captain Rex]]. Finally, Miller wrote the two-part ''Clone Wars Gambit'' (2010), subtitled ''Stealth'' and ''Siege'', which deals with a bioweapon threat by [[Neimoidian]] general Lok Durd.<ref name=ohmy/>{{efn|Portrayed by [[George Takei]] in the 2008 animated series<ref name=ohmy>{{cite web |title=Books – Reviews {{!}} The Clone Wars: Gambit: Stealth |url=https://www.theforce.net/books/reviews/r_gstealth.asp |website=TheForce.net |access-date=November 14, 2019 |archive-date=November 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114183818/https://www.theforce.net/books/reviews/r_gstealth.asp |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

''[[Dark Disciple]]'' (2015) novelizes a story arc about Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos from eight unfinished episodes of ''The Clone Wars''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/ventress-and-vos-greatest-hits-a-dark-disciple-refresher|title=Ventress and Vos' Greatest Hits: A Dark Disciple Refresher|date=July 13, 2015|website=StarWars.com|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|access-date=June 16, 2016|archive-date=June 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612033650/http://www.starwars.com/news/ventress-and-vos-greatest-hits-a-dark-disciple-refresher|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel]]'' (2016) is set during the Clone Wars and the subsequent couple of years.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Jacob |title=Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars Catalyst |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-star-wars-catalyst/ |website=/Film |access-date=November 24, 2019 |date=November 23, 2016 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713062845/https://www.slashfilm.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-star-wars-catalyst/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Thrawn: Alliances]]'' (2018) features flashbacks to the last year of the war featuring Anakin, Padmé, and [[Grand Admiral Thrawn|Thrawn]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Liptak |first=Andrew |title=Star Wars author Timothy Zahn on Thrawn: Alliances and toxic fandom |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/25/17597478/star-wars-timothy-zahn-thrawn-alliances-book-comic-con-sdcc-2018 |website=The Verge |access-date=November 21, 2019 |date=July 25, 2018 |archive-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523212633/https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/25/17597478/star-wars-timothy-zahn-thrawn-alliances-book-comic-con-sdcc-2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Brotherhood'' (2022) is set during the Clone Wars, focusing on Obi-Wan and Anakin.

=== Comics ===
{{main|Star Wars: Clone Wars (comics)}}
[[Dark Horse Comics]] published various comics set during the era, many of which were collected in a series of [[Trade paperback (comics)|trade paperbacks]] over nine volumes. Dark Horse also published a ten-volume [[graphic novel]]la series titled ''Clone Wars&nbsp;– Adventures'' (2004–07), utilizing the style of the 2D animated series and depicting original stories set during the era.<ref>{{cite web |title=Search :: Dark Horse Comics |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Search/clone+wars+adventures |website=Dark Horse |access-date=October 30, 2019 |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030110858/https://www.darkhorse.com/Search/clone%2Bwars%2Badventures |url-status=live }}</ref> A series of comics tying into the 3D animated series was released from 2008 to 2010, collected in three volumes, and was supplemented by an {{nowrap|11-volume}} series of graphic novellas released between 2008 and 2013.

[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]'s comic series ''Kanan'' (sometimes subtitled ''The Last Padawan'') depicts the ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'' character [[Kanan Jarrus]] as Jedi Padawan Caleb Dume during the conflict.

=== Video games ===
[[LucasArts]] also produced video games like ''[[Star Wars: Republic Commando|Republic Commando]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2002 video game)|The Clone Wars]]'' that depict the conflict.

==Analysis==
{{See also|Star Wars sources and analogues}}

Comparisons have been made between the political aspects of the Clone Wars and the events leading up to [[World War II]]. Radio host Clyde Lewis' article on historical similarities in ''Star Wars'' claims that Palpatine's tactics parallel those of Adolf Hitler and [[Nazi Germany]]; both leaders used wars and [[scapegoat]]s to manipulate society's emotional state, thus providing the leadership with support and power.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://groundzeromedia.org/archives/dis/sith/sith.shtml|title=The Sith Sense|year=2005|publisher=Ground Zero|first=Clyde|last=Lewis|access-date=June 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809202417/http://www.groundzeromedia.org/archives/dis/sith/sith.shtml|archive-date=August 9, 2011}}</ref> Another writer compares the Clone Wars with World War II in general, basing his argument on the fact that Lucas was a [[baby boomer]], and the dark times featured in the original trilogy rival the dark, uncertain [[Cold War]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.radicalcenter.net/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=52 |title=Star Wars As Baby Boomer Script |date=April 18, 2006 |publisher=Radical Center |first=Stephen |last=Chambers |access-date=July 6, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017090951/http://radicalcenter.net:80/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=52 |archive-date=October 17, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=July 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Referring to Lucas's statements that the conflict in ''Star Wars'' was inspired by the cultural backdrop of the [[Vietnam War]], journalist Chris Taylor said the Clone Wars are a parallel to World War II.<ref name="taylor124" /> Anne Lancashire from the [[University of Toronto]] also points out some similar nomenclature between the Clone Wars and the [[American Civil War]].<ref name="Politics">{{cite web|url=http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~anne/clones.html|title=Attack of the Clones and the Politics of Star Wars|year=2002|last=Lancashire|first=Anne|website=The Dalhousie Review|access-date=June 30, 2016|archive-date=February 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206170852/http://homes.chass.utoronto.ca/~anne/clones.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Several publications compared the political context of the Clone Wars to the [[Iraq War]]. In claiming that the ''Star Wars'' galaxy under the deceitful Palpatine parallels the modern issues of the United States, an editorial on [[Antiwar.com]] states that ''Star Wars'' "establishes first the generally agreeable premise that it's right to overthrow oppressive government, before bringing into focus something more discomforting – that the corrupt tyranny referred to is our own".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.antiwar.com/orig/horton.php?articleid=6041|title=Star Wars and the American Empire|date=May 23, 2005|website=[[AntiWar.com]]|publisher=[[Randolph Bourne Institute]]|first=Scott|last=Horton|access-date=June 30, 2016|archive-date=April 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430004801/http://www.antiwar.com/orig/horton.php?articleid=6041|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, an article from Wiretap claims that "like Palpatine, the [[George W. Bush|Bush]] administration has been able to feed on people's fears to gain more power".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.alternet.org/story/22284/u.s._politics_in_%22a_galaxy_far,_far_away%22|title=U.S. Politics in "A Galaxy Far, Far Away"|last=Fanelli|first=Brian|date=June 21, 2005|website=[[AlterNet]]|publisher=Independent Media Institute|access-date=June 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112040111/http://www.alternet.org/story/22284/u.s._politics_in_%22a_galaxy_far,_far_away%22|archive-date=January 12, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Lucas stated that the Iraq war "didn't exist" when he developed the Clone Wars,<ref name="commondreams.org" /> but he did see parallels between the [[Vietnam War]] that inspired ''Star Wars'' and the war in Iraq.<ref name="cnn" /> ''Star Wars'' producer [[Rick McCallum]] corroborated that the Clone Wars was developed before the Iraq War, adding that Lucas "is a product of Vietnam".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kirotv.com/starwars/5221153/detail.html|title=DVD Is Hardly End For 'Sith' Producer McCallum|date=November 2, 2005|publisher=KIROTV.com|first=Tim|last=Lammers|access-date=June 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017140929/http://www.kirotv.com/starwars/5221153/detail.html|archive-date=October 17, 2007}}</ref>

==Impact and critical response==

The author of ''How Star Wars Conquered the Universe'', Chris Taylor, calls the Clone Wars "a major part of Star Wars lore".<ref>{{harvnb|Taylor|2014|p=123}}</ref> In its attempt to keep its ''Star Wars'' line of toys active after ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' (1983), [[Kenner]] devised a storyline that would involve the return of an exiled "genetic terrorist" and his Clone Warriors.<ref>{{harvnb|Taylor|2014|p=280}}</ref>

[[Timothy Zahn]] said the clones' unexpected appearance fighting for "the good guys" in ''Attack of the Clones''—despite many years of fan speculation that the clones were an invading force—was "wonderfully blindsid[ing]".<ref name="taylor338">{{harvnb|Taylor|2014|p=338}}</ref> After seeing the CGI ''Clone Wars'' television show, Zahn was grateful that [[Lucasfilm]] rejected his initial ''[[Thrawn trilogy|Heir to the Empire]]'' draft, which involved an insane clone of Obi-Wan created during the conflict.<ref>{{harvnb|Taylor|2014|p=292}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Speculative fiction|Film}}
* [[List of Star Wars Clone Wars characters|List of ''Star Wars'' Clone Wars characters]]

==References==
'''Footnotes'''
{{notelist}}

'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

===Works cited===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |title=The Secret History of Star Wars |publisher=Legacy Books Press |location=Kingston, Ontario |first=Michael |last=Kaminski |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-9784652-3-0}}
* {{cite book |title=The Making of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith |url=https://archive.org/details/makingofstarwars0000rinz |url-access=registration |publisher=Del Rey |location=New York City |first=Jonathan W |last=Rinzler |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-345-43139-4}}
* {{Cite book|last=Taylor|first=Chris|title=How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise|publisher=[[Basic Books]]|year=2014|isbn=9780465056934|type=eBook}}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=g23D4YMmdb0C ''Sword Fighting in the Star Wars Universe: Historical Origins, Style and Philosophy''] by Nick Jamilla ([[McFarland & Company]], 2008)
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=9B0K0Rhh2g0C ''Star Wars and History''] by Nancy Reagin & Janice Liedl ([[John Wiley & Sons]], 2012)
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=Uqt6tCLyqhgC ''The Science Fiction Reboot: Canon, Innovation and Fandom in Refashioned Franchises''] by Heather Urbanski ([[McFarland & Company]], 2013)
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=P6AqAAAAYAAJ ''Star wars: the essential chronology''] by Kevin J. Anderson & Daniel Wallace ([[Ballantine Books]], 2000)
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=1_JkAAAAMAAJ ''Culture, identities, and technology in the Star wars films: essays on the two trilogies''] by Carl Silvio & Tony M. Vinci ([[McFarland & Company]], 2007)
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=Wf4CAQAAQBAJ ''The Star Wars Heresies''] by Paul F. McDonald ([[McFarland & Company]], 2013)

==External links==
* {{Wookieepedia|Clone Wars}}

{{Star Wars universe|state=collapsed}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Clone Wars}}

[[Category:Star Wars]]
[[Category:Multimedia works]]
[[Category:Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]
[[Category:Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]
[[Category:Military science fiction]]
[[Category:Fiction about cloning]]
[[Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1977]]
[[Category:Fictional wars]]