History
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Contents |
History
The Founding Era
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.
Much of the Trade Federation's early success can be attributed to its brilliant droid manufacture. Droids were designed for heavy lifting, piloting, and finally for military application. Trade Federation inventors and researchers applied their current technologies to many other ares, creating profitable automated spy drones and starfighters, as well as complicated systems to automate the deployment of battle droids. With these innovations, the Federation was able to automate many aspects of its operations, cutting back on overhead costs and maximizing profits.
The Expansionist Era
In the days of the Old Republic's decline, the Trade Federation leveraged its efficiency and growth into galactic political favoritism. The Federation saw unprecedented growth in this period, largely due to back-room deals on Coruscant that kept Republic interference with annexation activities to a minimum. Many smaller worlds, aware of the change in the political climate, willingly joined the Federation. The Federation became a powerful regional government while still pursuing profit. This combination served the Federation very well; using its governmental status allowed Federation leadership to create wealthy trade routes, mining colonies and a vast infrastructure geared toward manufacture.
This period was marked by corruption both in the ranks of the Federation and the Old Republic political establishment. Budgetary deficits and legislative gridlock resulted in multiple taxes on trade routes, measures that harmed the Trade Federation's profit margins. In protest, the Federation took a high-risk political gamble, blockading the prominent planet of Naboo in protest. The blockade was initially a success, but a resistance movement broke the blockade, forcing the Federation to retreat in disgrace.
With the beginning of the Clone Wars, the trade Federation allied itself with the growing separatist movement, funneling funds, weapons and battle droids into the separatist side. The alliance proved to be a very unwise decision for the Federation, as the Jedi-led clone army crushed the separatist's military strength and exposed the Federation's involvement in the revolt. Nearly overnight, the Federation's influence began to evaporate, as clients abandoned the politically-embattled government. Many smaller planets and systems that had been pressed into joining the Federation abandoned their membership to take shelter under the banner of the newly-founded Galactic Empire. Bickering and infighting reduced the Neimoidian effectiveness at running the Federation. When the Empire dissolved the Imperial Senate, the last vestiges of the Trade Federation's political power were swept away. The Federation was now little more than a glorified shipping company that couldn't keep a Viceroy in place for more than a month or two. The final blow came with the complete collapse of its shipping trade routes and heavy taxes levied by local governments. The Federation defaulted on several loans to the Hapes Consortium, and was placed under the control of Hapan authorities by sectoral bankruptcy courts.
The Refoundation
With the formal loss of the Trade Federation a great opportunity presented itself for the right individual. An enterprising young Hapan named Corbin Esco approached the Hapes Consortium asking to purchase the rights to the Trade Federation logo, blueprints and meager assets. The prospect of recouping any of their losses from the Trade Federation bankruptcy enticed the Hapan authorities, who assented to the offer immediately. With the purchase, Esco assumed the title of Viceroy, and set about restructuring the Federation. Viceroy Esco purged the centuries-long prejudice in favor of Neimoidians, choosing instead to pursue talented beings from all races in the hopes of creating a solid base to build the new Federation.
Looking to start afresh as a business, Viceroy Esco decided to create a new base of operations for the Trade Federation in the Glythe Sector, a sparsely-populated sector rich in natural resources. The Federation's new headquarters were constructed in a small settlement on the planet Vinsoth, from which the company began a modest interplanetary trade operation.
Horizon Corporation, not taking the new Trade Federation seriously, attacked a flight of Y-wings in neutral space. The flight, on a reconnaissance mission for the Federation, immediately sent out a distress signal, and reported the attack. The action led the cabinet to declare war on Horizon Corporation. Over the following weeks, hostilities escalated between the Federation and Horizon, before a settlement was forged by Viceroy Esco to end the conflict.
Under Viceroy Esco, the Federation grew strong enough to be considered a regional power-broker again. The Glythe Sector began to experience real economic growth under the new Federation policies. A heavy emphasis on building and resource-gathering fueled a steady increase in population growth in the Glythe Sector, and several planets began to approach the Federation with requests to come under the umbrella of its prosperous system. By the time Viceroy Esco stepped down from his duties, the Trade Federation had undergone a transformation unlike few others the galaxy had seen: from a small organization on the brink of complete annihilation to a burgeoning government in its own right.
Rise of the Confederacy
Viceroy Slisik retired shortly after the founding of the CIS, leaving the cabinet to choose Horley Cyan to be the next Viceroy. Under his direction and with the aid of the new resources available to the CIS, Viceroy Cyan led the Federation to an era of construction and expansion. This expansion was larger than any the Federation had experienced since the Expansionist Era under the Neimoidian administration. To help him in these endeavors, Viceroy Cyan appointed a bright young officer named Bren Morgarr to be his Duceroy. Under the rule of Viceroy Cyan, Kuat Drive Yards, Combank, Haven Corporation and the Triumvirate Security Force joined the CIS, rounding out the conglomerate. Further, a huge expansion of operations in the Glythe sector was undertaken, securing a solid foundation of commercial, industrial and defensive infrastructure that still serves the Federation to this day.
War With Galactic Empire
Viceroy Cyan retired from office after a prosperous reign, looking for the challenge of new and exciting endeavors. At this time the cabinet sent a request to Corbin Esco, who had been on extended leave of absence, asking him to return and serve the Federation once again. Viceroy Esco decided to return for a second term of service, setting aside his desire for a peaceful retirement. It was not a moment too soon for Viceroy Esco to return to the Federation. The Federation had been under pressure from the Galactic Empire to agree to the Imperial State and Commerce Pact, a trade alliance that would undermine the operations of the Trade Federation and sacrifice the independence of the CIS. After due consideration and consultation with the cabinet, Viceroy Esco decided to decline the agreement, angering Emperor Vodo Bonias. The Galactic Empire declared war on the CIS for the rejection, forcing Kuat Drive Yards and Combank (both Empire-allied subsidiary corporations) to withdraw from the CIS.
Upon taking up his office, Viceroy Morgarr immediately contacted Imperial authorities with the intent to end the war that had ravaged the Federation-controlled sectors. A short truce was declared so that the sides could negotiate a long-term peace. When Viceroy Morgarr went to the peace summit, he was shocked to find the Empire proposing the Federation accept the Imperial State and Commerce Pact. Viceroy Morgarr again declined the pact, throwing Emperor Bonias into a rage. The Empire promptly declared war on the CIS again, and hostilities resumed.
The Golden Age
The driving force behind Viceroy Morgarr's reign was the desire to support the Federation even in the face of a large-scale war with the Galactic Empire. It was not enough to replace the organizations that had left the CIS, Viceroy Morgarr wanted to expand it more than ever before. Under his watch, Haor Chall Engineering, Lant Mining Corporation, The Order of Kampar, Triumvirate Mining Corporation, InterGalactic Banking Clan and Stars` End Entertainment all joined the CIS. Upon the resignation of his first Duceroy, Centauri Tyridius, Viceroy Morgarr appointed the CEO of Techno Union Jacob Jansen to the post. Under this Viceroy/Duceroy team, ambitious growth projects were completed and unprecedented population growth was achieved throughout Trade Federation systems. It was during this system that the Federation base on Lekua IV was completed. To cap these successes, the Farfin sector fell to Federation military forces, causing a much-needed respite in the war against the Empire. With these accomplishments completed, Viceroy Morgarr resigned, leaving the cabinet to appoint a successor. The cabinet made the easy choice to try to continue Viceroy Morgarr's success, settling on Duceroy Jacob Jansen.
Peace and Reform
Viceroy Jansen's first goal was to end the war with the Galactic Empire, a war that he long had felt was unnecessary and harmful to the Federation. Viceroy Jansen met privately with the Emperor, in a closed-door session. Nobody know what was said in that meeting, but when he emerged, Viceroy Jansen confirmed that a cease-fire had been brokered between the two governments. It was the beginning of increasing cooperation between the Federation and the Empire.
Stars` End Entertainment was dissolved, and much of the Haven Corporation's resources were merged with the Confederate Recycling Company. Eventually, the Confederate Recycling Company was renamed after the original Haven Corporation, and worked closely with the Trade Federation for many years. Starsign Shipyards was merged with Techno Union, and the Confederate Mining Corporation was merged with the Commerce Guild. Finally, after many small steps, the CIS was disbanded completely, with most remaining organizations absorbed into various arms of the Trade Federation with a few nationalized subsidiaries retained as close allies of the reorganized Federation. The newer, more efficient Federation thrived, seeing the completion of extensive mining and housing operations on Rafa V and a flurry of new recruits joining the government, eager to serve. With its reorganization firmly in place, the Trade Federation was ready to take its first steps into even greater galactic prominence.
Imperial Union and Beyond
With its new-found peace and purpose, the Trade Federation was ready to explore alliances with the other major governments of the galaxy. Viceroy Jansen was approached by the Galactic Empire with an offer to join the Imperial Union, an offer to which the cabinet and Directorate agreed. Such a step was significant, as it would inevitably push the Trade Federation toward the Imperial side of the galactic civil war, compromising the Federation's strictly-maintained neutrality. On Year 9, Day 295, the treaty making the Federation a member of the Imperial Union was ratified.
Under the ministry of Olwin Froon, plans for rapid and aggressive development of planets like Rafa V were installed, creating a hyper-local approach to economic development. By opening the projects up to any Federation members with the funds to build, the Ministry of Production fueled growth while further investing the officers and officials of the government. Further, by focusing on only a few planets at a time,the Ministry was able to keep a watchful eye on the construction, ensuring a proper balance of industry and services to serve the planet's population. Many planets were scanned and tapped for raw materials which could be used for the construction of ships, vehicles, building or other products. Nearly overnight, the Department of Logistics had its hands full with requests to move millions of tons of raw materials from everywhere to everywhere else. Under this system, the galaxy watched as the Trade Federation's formula for success embodied its original founding mandate, instilling honor and integrity wherever it went, while supplying profit for citizens, officials and members as well.
With the economic goals of the Trade Federation more than successfully met, Viceroy Jansen and Minister of Defence Kage Renbukai set about organizing and building up the tools to defend what the Federation had spent so much effort to create. Each of the Federation-controlled sectors was closed off to outside space traffic, requiring freighters, haulers and fighters alike to carry a Federation Flight Permit to fly in that space. Specific open-trade port planets and systems were designated, giving outsiders who had no permit a chance to funnel their goods into Federation territories. One such planet is Varno in the Glythe Sector. This system provided a measure of protection for the construction projects overseen by the Ministry of Production. Any intruders into Federation space could be identified and pursued more easily and quickly than ever before.
Once the borders of the Federation were brought under control, Viceroy Jansen and Minister Renbukai began to plan out an ambitious plan to grow the Trade Federation Navy into a well-oiled military machine. With the combined cooperation of the Ministries of Defence, Production and Interior, the Trade Federation began an overhaul and upgrade of the Federation Naval Forces, refitting or replacing hundreds of ships, from small freighters up to the mighty Lucrehulk Battleships. New fleets of Lucrehulks were commissioned and deployed to the Federation's sectors, adding a second layer of defense to the closed-off systems. However, Viceroy Jansen recognized the dangers of a completely-mobile defense. With a fleet alone, there was always the potential that the fleet might move away from their defense points, leaving the precious planets and systems vulnerable. With a fleet, it would also be difficult to maintain space superiority while keeping ships anchored to specific locations.
It was at this point that Duceroy Bub`ba Lou, who had served the Federation faithfully for many years, was forced to resign from his duties as Duceroy due to the many constraints on his time and health. Although under his watchful gaze the Federation had become a far more efficient organization, Duceroy Lou was still in high demand all over the Federation, putting down minor emergencies and helping to continue the reforms started by Viceroy Jansen. Rather than lose such a talented ally, Viceroy Jansen elected to nominate Duceroy Lou as his Regent, naming him next in succession for the position of Viceroy, but allowing him much more time to care for the Federation and his health. Regent Lou is still omnipresent in the Federation, and can be found working in almost any department on any day. Viceroy Jansen named Minister Renbukai his new Duceroy to replace Regent Lou.
Most recently, Viceroy Jansen led the Trade Federation into a powerful alliance with the Hapes Consortium. For the first time in history, each government pledged a full militaristic, economic and social alliance to the other. Viceroy Jansen signed the Trade Federation/Hapes Consortium Alliance with Hapan King Jessy James, ruler of the Hapes Consortium. The alliance began with an historic document signing in the Stenness Node's Aweris System. Together, Federation and Hapan military forces controlled and secured the Stenness Node Sector, a territorial acquisition from a trade with the Galactic Empire.
