I firmly believe Order 66 in Star Wars is the most terrorizing thing the Empire has done (and here’s why)

The Galactic Empire has committed several heinous crimes throughout the history of Star Wars. Whether it is the many genocides or destroying planets, the Empire has shown time and again the extent of their evil. But the one that effectively made the Empire the ultimate threat to the galaxy was Order 66.

When Emperor Palpatine puts out the protocol in Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith, Jedis who were working with the stormtroopers are all executed. The protocol constructively took away any scope of hope for the survivors and resulted in the death of millions across the galaxy.

The calculated move by Palpatine ensured that they took the Jedis by surprise, thus eliminating them more efficiently. Order 66 resulted in the death of several Jedis, and forcing the few remaining ones including Yoda and Obi Wan Kenobi to go into hiding. The fall of the Jedi Order became the tipping point in the story as the Empire took over the galaxy. In Star Wars original trilogy and the subsequent sequel movies, Jedis become a myth with just a few surviving members.

What is Order 66 in Star Wars?

During the era of the Galactic Republic, the stormtroopers and Jedi Knights fought together in the Clone Wars. Jedi Knights were responsible for leading the stormtroopers to fight the droid armies. However, Emperor Palpatine had a bigger game in play as he plotted not just the Clone Wars but also the subsequent actions.

In Revenge of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker finally embraces the dark side and takes on the name Darth Vader. With Darth Vader by his side, Palpatine sends out a transmission to the army. Unknown to Jedis, the stormtroopers were secretly programmed to completely eradicate the Jedi Order as per the Order 66 protocol.

What follows is a shocking massacre of Jedis, who were fighting on the frontlines with the stormtroopers. Palpatine also orders Darth Vader to kill the Jedis and younglings at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Anakin's true evil self finally surfaces as Darth Vader, making him appear more terrifying than ever.

As we would see in the Disney+ series Obi Wan Kenobi, even after the Empire took over the galaxy, the command to eliminate any Jedi stayed in effect. The inquisitors and Darth Vader were responsible for hunting down all Jedis and killing them immediately. Several thousand Jedis were killed in the purge.

Order 66 remains the most terrifying step carried out by the Empire because Jedi Knights, who are well attuned with the force and aware of such schemes in advance could not anticipate it. Jedis are the representation of light in the galaxy and the end of the Jedi order took away the hope of the people.

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