The Jedi were wiped out in a single command, and the Republic became an Empire in the blink of an eye. Order 66 was one of the most shocking moments in Star Wars, but was it the biggest sudden change the galaxy has ever seen?
Looking at the Republic’s long history, there have been other moments just as catastrophic—wars, betrayals, and collapses that reshaped everything overnight.
Table of Contents
1. The Great Hyperspace War – The Galaxy’s First Major War Came Out of Nowhere
Before the Republic even knew the Sith were a thing, they were already a full-blown empire hidden in deep space. The galaxy was minding its own business when two explorers, Gav and Jori Daragon, accidentally stumbled into Sith territory. Their little “oops” moment led to one of the first full-scale galactic wars.
The Galaxy Wasn’t Ready
This wasn’t just another war. It was the first real war between the Republic and the Sith, and it happened fast. The Sith, led by Naga Sadow, saw the Republic as weak and took the chance to strike. One moment, the Republic was living in peace, and the next, Sith fleets were invading multiple planets.
- Coruscant was under attack – The Republic capital itself became a battleground.
- Entire worlds were destroyed – The Sith weren’t playing around. They burned down cities, wiped out fleets, and left entire systems in chaos.
- The Republic almost lost – The Sith caught them completely off guard. There was no Republic military at this time – just local planetary forces and the Jedi.
Then the Sith Completely Fell Apart
Just when it seemed like the Sith had the upper hand, infighting ruined everything. Naga Sadow’s rivals turned against him, forcing him to retreat. That gave the Republic and the Jedi just enough time to strike back. What happened next was one of the most extreme responses in galactic history.
The Republic wasn’t just going to let the Sith regroup. They hunted them down, planet by planet. Entire Sith strongholds were wiped out, their leaders executed, and their empire collapsed almost instantly. The Sith, who had been a major galactic power, were suddenly gone – or at least, that’s what the Republic thought.
2. The Jedi-Sith War & Ruusan Reformation – The Jedi Almost Got Wiped Out Before Order 66
A thousand years before the Clone Wars, the Jedi and Sith were in an all-out war. It was messy, brutal, and had already lasted for centuries. But it all came to a head on Ruusan, where the Sith, led by Lord Kaan, were making their last stand. What happened there changed the Jedi, the Republic, and even the way wars were fought in the galaxy.
The Thought Bomb – A Force Weapon That Killed Thousands Instantly
This is probably one of the wildest things that ever happened in a war. With the Jedi closing in, Lord Kaan and his Sith followers decided to use a thought bomb – a dark side weapon that wiped out every Force-sensitive person in its blast radius. It didn’t just kill them – it trapped their spirits in eternal torment. Thousands of Jedi and Sith were erased in an instant. Just gone.
The Aftermath Changed Everything
With the Sith destroyed (or so they thought), the Republic decided it was time for a major reset. The changes were so massive they were known as the Ruusan Reformation, and they had long-term effects that lasted until the Clone Wars.
- The Republic got rid of its military – After centuries of war, they decided, “You know what? No more armies.” They relied entirely on local planetary defense forces and the Jedi.
- The Jedi were no longer warriors – Instead of being soldiers, Jedi became peacekeepers, advisors, and enforcers for the Senate.
- The Sith were declared extinct – They were erased from history. The Republic moved on as if they had never existed.
Of course, one Sith survived – Darth Bane. He realized the Sith had been too reckless and created the Rule of Two, a system where there would only be two Sith at a time: a master and an apprentice. They would stay hidden, grow stronger, and wait for the right time to strike back.
3. The Clone Wars – The Republic Fell Before Anyone Noticed
The Clone Wars weren’t just a massive conflict – they were a trap. The Republic had no army for centuries, so when the Separatists broke away, they were caught off guard. Then, suddenly, a fully grown Clone Army appeared, created in secret. No one questioned it, and the war began.
Palpatine Was Playing Both Sides
While the Republic fought the Separatists, Palpatine controlled both. As Chancellor, he gained emergency powers, making himself the Republic’s sole authority. As Darth Sidious, he commanded the Separatists, ensuring the war dragged on. Every battle weakened the Republic, turning its people against democracy and making them desperate for order.
The War Broke Everything
- Planets were devastated, economies collapsed, and corruption ran wild.
- The Jedi became warriors, not peacekeepers, leading armies and losing sight of their purpose.
- The people lost faith – they saw the Senate as weak and Palpatine as the only solution.
The Republic Was Already Dead
By the war’s end, the Republic was in ruins. When Palpatine declared himself Emperor, there was no real resistance – people were exhausted, and the Jedi were too scattered to stop it.
The war didn’t just lead to the Empire. It was designed to create it.
Final Thoughts – The Biggest Sudden Change?
These events weren’t just big—they were instant, world-changing moments. The Great Hyperspace War introduced the Sith to the galaxy in a way no one saw coming. The Jedi-Sith War wiped out thousands of Force-users in seconds. And Order 66? It erased the Jedi and turned a Republic into an Empire overnight.
Each of these events completely rewrote history, leaving behind scars that shaped the future. The galaxy has faced many sudden changes, but these are some of the biggest, and their consequences lasted for generations.