Battle of Geonosis

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The Battle of Geonosis is the first open battle of the Clone Wars (22 BBY). It starts inside the Geonosian arena and ends as a large ground battle between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems.

Arena opening

Anakin Skywalker, Padme Amidala and Obi-Wan Kenobi are dragged into the arena as prisoners. Mace Windu leads a Jedi strike team — more than a third of the Jedi die before Yoda arrives with the clone army.

The ground battle

Republic walkers, AT-TEs and LAATs face the battle droid masses of the Trade Federation and its partners. Count Dooku escapes with the Death Star plans to Darth Sidious.

Aftermath

• The Clone Wars officially begin.
• The Republic gains an army that does not belong to it.
• The Jedi Order shifts from peacekeeper to wartime leadership.

Why it matters

Without Geonosis there is no Anakin as a general, no Order 66 and no Empire. The battle is the key bridge between the prequels and everything that follows.