As we continue our common Star Wars questions series, today we answer the question, what was Order 66 in Star Wars? We hope you enjoy this new series here from Star Wars Fans and may the force be with you!
Order 66 was a secret protocol embedded within the Grand Army of the Republic, instructing clone troopers to turn against their Jedi generals and execute them as traitors to the Republic. It was issued by Emperor Palpatine—then known as Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine—toward the end of the Clone Wars in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. The order marked the near-total eradication of the Jedi Order and the rise of the Galactic Empire.
The clones, genetically engineered and programmed for absolute loyalty, carried out the order without hesitation. They swiftly turned on their Jedi commanders across the galaxy, ambushing them in battlefields, space stations, and temples. Some Jedi managed to escape—such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and Cal Kestis—but most were killed, including notable figures like Ki-Adi-Mundi, Plo Koon, and Aayla Secura.
Palpatine framed the Jedi as traitors attempting to overthrow the Republic, justifying the extermination to the Senate. With the Jedi nearly wiped out, he transformed the Republic into the Galactic Empire, consolidating his power and ensuring no Jedi could oppose him. The newly-formed Empire then repurposed the clone army into stormtroopers, enforcing Palpatine’s rule across the galaxy.
One of the most infamous parts of Order 66 was the attack on the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Anakin Skywalker, newly christened as Darth Vader, led the 501st Legion into the temple, slaughtering Jedi—including younglings. This event cemented Anakin’s fall to the dark side and marked one of the darkest moments in Star Wars history.
Order 66 had long-term consequences for the galaxy. Surviving Jedi were forced into hiding, including Kenobi and Yoda, while others, such as Kanan Jarrus (Star Wars Rebels), had to abandon their teachings. Some Jedi, like Cere Junda (Jedi: Fallen Order), attempted to fight back but faced overwhelming odds. The event also paved the way for the Inquisitorius, a group of former Jedi turned dark-side hunters who hunted down any remaining Force-sensitive individuals.
In later Star Wars media, particularly The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch, it was revealed that Order 66 was not simply a verbal command but was enforced through inhibitor chips implanted in all clones. These chips suppressed their free will, ensuring they would obey without question. Some clones, such as Captain Rex and Clone Force 99 (the Bad Batch), managed to resist or remove their chips, showing that the clones were victims of Palpatine’s manipulation as well.
Despite Order 66’s devastating success, the Jedi legacy endured. Luke Skywalker would later rebuild the Jedi Order, and survivors like Ahsoka Tano, Ezra Bridger, and Cal Kestis continued to resist the Empire’s oppression. The fallout from Order 66 shaped much of Star Wars storytelling, making it one of the most significant turning points in the saga.
Overall, Order 66 was a masterstroke of Palpatine’s grand plan, wiping out the Jedi and solidifying his rule. It remains one of the most infamous moments in Star Wars, symbolizing the fall of the Republic, the rise of the Empire, and the enduring struggle between the light and dark sides of the Force.