The clone army became absolutely integral in theStar Warsprequel trilogy era, but why did neitherObi-Wan Kenobinor the rest of the Jedi Council members question their creation more inStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones? In truth,the Jedi had many flawsinStar Warsmovies and TV shows. After all, they worked side-by-side with a Sith Lord in the prequels and ignored many glaring signs from both Palpatine and Anakin Skywalker.
However, the Jedi’s willingness to accept the clone army under extremely dubious circumstances, and allow them to fight and die for the Jedi and the Republic without agency, is perhaps the most glaring ofthe prequel trilogy Jedi Order’s mistakes. In the end, their decision not to interrogate the origin of these clones contributed to the Jedi’s downfall, as the clones were ultimately weaponized against them during Order 66. This begs the serious question:why were the Jedi so happy to accept the clone army without fully understanding how or why the army existed?
Star Wars' Cloning Explained: Clone Army, Project Necromancer, & Palpatine’s Resurrection
Beginning in Attack of the Clones, cloning has been an essential part of Star Wars history ever since, going all the way up to Emperor Palpatine.
Sifo-Dyas Was Previously A Member Of The Jedi Council
InAttack of the Clones, Obi-Wan traveled to Kamino himself to investigate the planet that had been removed from the Jedi Temple records, and, in the process, he discovered both the clone army and that Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas had evidently been behind the creation of the army. Despite a Jedi apparently commissioning the army, though,none of the other Jedi seemed to have any awareness of this plan, including Master Yoda himself. The fact that no one on the Jedi Council had been consulted about this army should have been a glaring red flag.
The Jedi were often blind to the truth.
Unfortunately, though, the Jedi were often blind to the truth because they saw Jedi (even former Jedi such as Count Dooku) as being incapable of true evil. This became abundantly clear earlier inAttack of the Cloneswhen Padmé rightly guessed that Count Dooku was somehow linked to the assassination attempt on her life and Mace Windu shut down the notion, saying that such an act was not in Dooku’s nature, as he had once been a Jedi. Presumably, they used the same shoddy logic when they learned that Sifo-Dyas was behind the creation of the clones.
Obi-Wan & The Jedi Council Found This Army At The Perfect Time
The Jedi being so willing to accept the mysterious clone army was also partially a matter of circumstance, unfortunately. Specifically,with the Battle of Geonosis, the Clone Wars began; the Republic now needed an army, and they had one ready-made. This was very likely by design, as Palpatine had masterfully orchestrated the entire war and continued to play both sides to secure his future as Emperor.
Still, this was an odd move by the Jedi. For one, they theoretically should not have been so quick to join the war, although they didn’t seem to hesitate whatsoever. As peacekeepers, and as an institution that was meant to be separate from politics, the Jedi shouldn’t have entered the war, at least not so readily. Moreover, even if the Republic needed the army, it would have behooved them to be a bit more cautious about accepting the clones. In fact, the convenient timing of the clone army being introduced just before the Clone Wars began should have been concerning.
The clone army being introduced just before the Clone Wars began should have been concerning.
What Would Have Happened If They Refused To Accept This Army?
Of course, it’s difficult to say what would have transpired had the Jedi not entered the war and accepted the clone army. The Jedi ended up being essential to the Republic’s fight, and without them, it’s quite possible the Republic would have fallen to the Separatists. A lack of action by the Jedi would also likely have turned the public against them, as they would have been seen as complacent if not complicit in the Separatists taking over. However,without the Jedi accepting the clones, Order 66 would have been much more difficult.
Order 66 worked because the Jedi trusted the clones, meaning not only that they worked closely with them but also that they let their guard down around them. Without that relationship, Order 66 would have needed to be an all-out attack, and it’s unlikely that approach would have been nearly as successful. While the Jedi accepting the clones may have been in the best interest of the Republic, it was incredibly detrimental to the Jedi, making it a true shame that neitherObi-Wan Kenobinor the Council questioned the army more inStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Cast
Years after the events of The Phantom Menace, the Skywalker Saga continues with Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. When Senator Padme Amidala’s life is threatened, Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are tasked with her protection. While Obi-Wan uncovers a clone army made in secret, Anakin falls in love with Padme, marking the beginning of his inevitable fall to the dark side of the Force.
