The Jedi Autocracy, or the Jedi Empire was a superficial government created in the late 180's ABY in order to unite the jaundiced Jedi that had been scattered following the fall of Coruscant in 74 ABY. Centered around the ancient world of Ossus and the surrounding systems, the Jedi Autocracy formed a small, but formidable force.
The Jedi Autocracy was influential in the defeat of the Zao tenj during the Zao tenj War. Being the only other power in the galaxy besides the Sith Order of Decreto that could challenge the Zao tenj, the Jedi Autocracy was very nearly wiped out in the process.
History[]
Following the conquest of Coruscant in 74 ABY, those Jedi that had returned to the waning Galactic Federation of Free Alliances following the declaration of Presidential Order 0139/D were forced to retreat from the advancing Sith forces and flee their former allies.
Over the years those few Jedi that had remained a cohesive military force returned to Ossus, ancient homeworld of their Order and reclaimed the old Jedi Praxeum complex. Ossus, now under Jedi control faced re-invasion from the Sith but a successful lobby from the newly formed Galactic Commonwealth secured the planet as a safe-haven for the Jedi. By the year 189 ABY construction of the New Jedi Temple had been completed.
Beginnings of independence[]
By the time of the New Jedi Temple's construction things had started to go wrong for the Galactic Commonwealth. The Commonwealth, more of a coalition of planets spread thinly across the galaxy had begun to collapse from infighting and corruption. The Jedi, weary of conflict had decided that they were not going to involve themselves in another war and declared their independence from the Galactic Commonwealth; taking Ossus and the surrounding systems with them.
Newly independent, Zeferi, Head-Of-Government for the newly created Jedi Autocracy set about securing a peace treaty with the all-encompassing Sith Order of Decreto. Although daunting, the Sith were also weary of war and the task was a success. The Jedi Autocracy was recognized by the Sith as an independent power.
Fledgling empire[]
With their independence safe and secure the Jedi set about cementing their power-base in their part of the galaxy. Taking many of the warships of the former Galactic Commonwealth, the Jedi created their own fleet. They opened up their borders to all those who wanted to be free of the Sith and the corruption of the former Galactic Commonwealth and began to rebuild their military strength.
By the year 231 ABY the Jedi Autocracy had become a military force to be reckoned with. With well over ten thousand warships in their fleet, the Jedi Empire as it had become known by the Sith was certainly a position of power in that sector of the galaxy. At least; until the Zao tenj arrived.
War[]
With the beginning of the Zao tenj invasion of the Sith Order of Decreto in 242 ABY the Jedi Council quickly concluded that it would not be long before the Zao tenj launched an invasion of the Jedi Autocracy. As such, they granted permission to Tai painj, their then Head-Of-Government to secure an alliance with the Sith. Within four years the Zao tenj had arrived in the galaxy, but the alliance was secure.
The Jedi Autocracy's forces meet the invading Zao tenj alongside their Sith allies at the battles of Chuck's Drift and Hardpoint One. Yet, despite their alliance, the Jedi and the Sith failed to completely forget their differences.
Counter-attack[]
After four more years of warfare, the time had come fot the Jedi and the Sith to counter-attack. For reason unknown to the Jedi, Yavin IV was chosen as the point for the counter-attack and sixteen Jedi were sent to assist the twenty-seven strong Sith force. The attack was a success and Yavin IV became the first planet in the galaxy in four years to be free of the Zao tenj. But then, the true differences between the Jedi and the Sith showed themselves when Gnu was invaded by the Jedi/Sith alliance.
Urai Fen, Jedi Master and commander of the invasion force on Gnu was killed by his own troops. With their commander lost, the alliance forces were forced into retreat and eventually, the planet was totally reclaimed by the Zao tenj, with many Jedi being captured.
Government and politics[]
Governmental changes between the Galactic Commonwealth and the Jedi Autocracy included a new constitution, a stronger judicial branch, and a better system of checks and balances that curbed the power that had been almost exclusively in the hands of the Senate. The new federalism properly defined the roles between the Jedi and their protected worlds.
The Jedi Autocracy was led by Grand Jedi Master and the Jedi Council, comprising of Jedi and a select few governmental leaders.
The new government was effectively an autocratic empire, giving control of the member worlds over the the Jedi entirely. Each planet was controlled by a single Jedi Over-Master, who dictated the planets day-by-day running.
Executive branch[]
The Autocracy, unlike the Galactic Commonwealth before it, was headed by the Jedi Grand Master. The Grand Master was a non-bloodline hereditary title, and when a heir was not chosen, the Grand Master was elected by receiving a majority of votes in the Jedi Council. The Grand Master also served as President of the Senate, following the similar structure of the old New Republic system. A major difference between the two systems was that the Grand Master of the Jedi Autocracy possessed more executive powers, designed to curb the power of the legislature. This form of checks and balances was one of the major differences that set the new government apart from the old. The Grand Master could, if need be, control the entire government on his own.
Legislative branch[]
The main legislative body of the Jedi Autocracy was the Jedi Council. The Council composed of the Jedi over-master from each member world. The powers of the Council were superficial to the powers of the Grand Master, and curbed under the new constitution by a series of checks and balances, namely increasing the powers of the executive branch, namely, the Grand Master himself. Despite these changes, the Council remained a powerful and important part of the Alliance government.
Judicial branch[]
The judicial branch of the Autocracy was by far the largest, and most well-funded of the governmental branches. The increase of judicial oversight and power was designed to help curb any legislative abuse or corruption, which was becoming increasingly common during the last years of the Galactic Commonwealth.
The judicial branch was made up almost entirely of the Jedi Order, which remained a distinct organization from the Jedi Autocracy.
Members[]
The collapse of the Jedi Order following the Sith Crusade provided a useful catalyst to unite the numerous worlds and governments of the Galaxy that had somehow remained independent of the Sith into one government. By the time of the signing of the constitution of the Galactic Commonwealth, the Commonwealth posed a serious military threat the Sith, one Darth Krayt, and later Darth Mahina, saw fit to simply choke off, rather than directly confront.
By the time the Jedi Autocracy took over from the Commonwealth, the Jedi had rebuilt their number to that before the Sith Crusade, and now stood as equals to the Sith in terms of military strength in that sector of the galaxy.