Emperor Palpatine was notorious for his skill in tricking the Jedi in the Star Wars prequel era, and here are some of his most notable successes. Little is known of Palpatine’s backstory; a politician from Naboo, he rose through the ranks of the Galactic Senate to become Chief of State and ultimately Emperor. He was, of course, in reality a Dark Lord of the Sith.
In Return of the Jedi, Palpatine claimed that everything was happening as he had foreseen. In truth, though, foresight wasn’t the key to Palpatine’s success; it was flexibility and adaptability. Palpatine was able to think on his feet, taking advantage of his enemies’ plans and twisting them to his own ends. Here are eight of the best tricks he played on the Jedi, some of which changed the galaxy forever.
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8 The Trade Federation Was Under His Control The Whole Time
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
When Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn infiltrate the vessel of the supposed leader of the Trade Federation, Viceroy Nute Gunray, they believe they are going to speak with the real person in charge. However, what they don’t know is that he is simply acting on Palpatine’s orders. By using the Viceroy as a puppet, Palpatine tricks the Jedi into thinking that there is nothing more to the blockade and invasion of Naboo than the Trade Federation’s selfish desires.
7 Palpatine Convinced Everyone That He Was A Good Man
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
One of Palpatine’s first manipulations, both of the Jedi and the people in general, was convincing them he was a good man. He did this in a variety of ways, but perhaps the most important was the way he spoke on Naboo’s behalf. After all, he is the representative from Naboo, and the Trade Federation’s attack on the planet did wonders for him, both socially and politically.
6 Palpatine Rose To The Rank Of Supreme Chancellor
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
Chancellor Palpatine is introduced in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace as the Chancellor for Naboo. Palpatine affects as someone who is simply working on behalf of his people, when in reality he is utterly self-interested and focused only on the acquisition of power. Palpatine carefully undermines Chancellor Valorum, and then positions himself as Valorum’s successor. He uses the favor and sympathy he gained during the invasion of Naboo, but there have also been hints he blackmailed and bribed some senators for their votes.
5 Palpatine Tricked The Jedi Into Using The Clones
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The clone army of Kamino were commissioned by Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas, envisioned as a weapon against the Sith. Palpatine learned of this, however, and had Sifo-Dyas’ old friend Count Dooku kill him. Dooku then took over the project, ordering inhibitor chips in every clone to ensure they would become obedient to Order 66 – the ultimate command to execute the Jedi. As seen in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Palpatine then engineered the Clone Wars to make the Jedi dependent on their new army. By the time the Jedi finally questioned the clones, it was far too late.
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4 Palpatine Convinced The Jedi The Inhibitor Chips Were Necessary
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
As seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 6, one clone trooper’s Order 66 programming too early – resulting in the death of a Jedi. Jedi Master Shaak Ti and the clone trooper Fives, a member of Anakin Skywalker’s 501st Legion, began to ask difficult questions. Palpatine tricked the Jedi into believing Fives had attacked him, using this to persuade the Jedi that the inhibitor chips were necessary to control clone aggression. This ironically meant the Jedi became culpable in their own demise.
3 The Emperor Tricked The New Generation Into Thinking He Was Gone Forever
Star Wars: The Rse of Skywalker
At the end of Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader pushed the Emperor deep into the recesses of the Death Star and supposedly kills him. However, by using the powers granted to him by the dark side, he was able to cheat death and hide himself away on the Sith planet Exegol. In order to keep manipulating the public, Palpatine used the genetically engineered being Snoke as Supreme Leader of the First Order. Palpatine himself remained hidden on Exegol, seeking a new host for his essence.
2 Palpatine Was The Mastermind Behind The Clone Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars were the perfect Jedi trap,as perfectly outlined in Matt Stover’s novelization of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith:
The Clone Wars have always been, in and of themselves, from their very inception, the revenge of the Sith.
They were irresistible bait. They took place in remote locations, on planets that belonged, primarily, to ‘someone else.’ They were fought by expendable proxies. And they were constructed as a win-win situation.
The Clone Wars the perfect Jedi trap.
By fighting at all, the Jedi lost.
1 Anakin Was Seduced To The Dark Side Under The Jedi’s Noses
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
Perhaps the most serious of Palpatine’s manipulations is his manipulation of Anakin Skywalker. Not only did Palpatine play on Anakin’s disillusion with the Jedi, but he used his marriage to Padmé as a way to turn him towards the Dark Side. All the while he told Anakin stories about the power of the dark side, including the supposed legend of Darth Plageuis the Wise, a tale that resonates with his own. By doing this, Palpatine caused the greatest downfall in all of Star Wars, that of Anakin Skywalker.
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