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The origins of the Trade Federation have been obscured by the many years since its foundation, but it is generally held that the Neimoidians joined with several other races in creating a cooperative trading endeavor spanning several planets. Most historians believe the Federation was probably a Neimoidian idea, as that race assumed leadership of the Federation throughout its whole first era. The Caritas and Filordi races were among the earliest recorded sentient species to join the fledgling Trade Federation. As the Trade Federation grew in power and scope, its leadership became synonymous with that of the planet Neimoidia, and the Federation's leadership position was merged with the royal rule of Neimoidia. Ultimately, the Federation's ties to Neimoidia were downplayed as the Federation took on the governing of more planets, and rule of Neimoidia was devolved to a Federation-appointed governor. The last vestige of the royal connection between the Trade Federation and Neimoidia is the retention of the title Viceroy for the highest-ranking Federation executive. The adoption of an aggressive expansionist policy led to a period of rapid annexation to the Federation of neighboring planets, hyperspace routes and star systems. The Federation had a reputation throughout this period for using strong-arm tactics to brow-beat local governments and populations into submission to Federation rule. As the Federation took on more and more of the daily governmental administration of these territories, it gained enough political sway to receive a seat in the Senate of the Old Republic.