The Clone Wars brought turmoil to the galaxy, with the clone army fighting tirelessly against the Separatist movement. Forming friendships and developing unique personalities, these clones were essential in the war effort. However, following Order 66 and the fall of the Galactic Republic, their fate became uncertain.
In this article, Lacoon will explore what happened to the clones after Order 66 and how their tragic end reflects real-world issues war veterans face.
The Creation of the Clone Army
The clone army was created by Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas, who believed that the galaxy would soon fall into conflict and that an army loyal to the Jedi and the Council was necessary.
Despite opposition from the Jedi Council, Sifo-Dyas commissioned the Kaminoans to create the clone army without authorization.
Sensing an opportunity, the Sith ordered Sifo-Dyas’ death. Darth Tyranus took over the project, ensuring the clones were implanted with a biochip that would force them to follow Palpatine’s commands.
The Tragic Fate of the Clones
The clones’ lives were tragically short, as their aging process was accelerated to ensure a constant supply of soldiers. After the Clone Wars ended, many clones retired or died off.
Some, like the ones depicted in Obi-Wan Kenobi, ended up abandoned and forgotten by the Empire. These clones’ fate parallels real-life enlisted men’s experiences after large-scale conflicts like WW1, WW2, and Vietnam.
The Clone Troopers Weren’t Needed After Order 66 – What Happened To The Clones After Order 66?
With the execution of Order 66 and the rise of Emperor Palpatine, the need for clone troopers decreased. The Empire began recruiting regular humans instead, and the remaining clones were deemed unfit for military duty and retired.
Some joined the Rebellion, like Rex in Star Wars Rebels, while others, like the Bad Batch, actively fought against the Empire for decades.
By the time of the original Star Wars trilogy, most Jango Fett clones had died, and they were completely extinct by Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The Empire’s Betrayal of Its Clone Troopers
Obi-Wan Kenobi season 1, episode 2, highlights the harsh reality faced by some surviving Clone Wars veterans abandoned by the Empire. These clones, like the one played by Temuera Morrison, ended up as beggars in the streets due to a lack of institutional support.
This is the first time Star Wars tackles the real-world issue of destitute war veterans, showing how some clones share the same fate.
How Abandoning Clones Fixed A Stormtrooper Problem
The fate of the clones also explains the infamous poor aim of the Empire’s Stormtroopers. As the Empire switched from clones to human conscripts to save costs, the quality of training suffered.
Consequently, Stormtroopers possessed a different accuracy than their Clone Trooper predecessors.
Palpatine’s strategy of relying on large numbers of poorly trained soldiers ultimately failed, as evidenced by the downfall of the Empire.
Conclusion
The fate of the clone army after Order 66 is a tragic story of mass-produced soldiers forced to betray the Republic, only to be discarded by the very Empire they helped create.
Their end not only highlights the consequences of using disposable troops but also mirrors the real-world struggles war veterans face.
Had the Empire continued to rely on genetically superior clones with elite training, the galaxy might have been a very different place during the time of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Related Articles:
