With Star Wars: The Clone Wars making its triumphant return to Disney+, fans have been able to see the direct continuation of Ahsoka Tano's journey as she turned her back on the Jedi Order that had raised her and her master, Anakin Skywalker. This decision came as a result of the Jedi Council's inability to see her innocence after she was falsely accused of a crime committed by her fellow Jedi, Barriss Offee. It was these set of events that created doubts within Ahsoka about the integrity of the Jedi Order.
Now, after traveling into the lower levels of Coruscant in the show's final season, Ahsoka learns that these doubts are common among the citizens of the Galactic Republic. After crash landing on her runway, Ahsoka is introduced to Trace Martez, a mechanic of the lower levels that represents the common individual. Speaking to her, Ashoka learns that the galaxy blames the Jedi for the war between the Republic and Separatists. While viewers of the show have only seen the heroic side of the Jedi, for the most part, it actually makes sense for the galaxy to see them as the instigators of this war.
Looking at the initial purpose of the Jedi, they were meant to be guardians of the peace. This a sentiment that is is promised to be explored in the upcoming High Republic series where fans will get a look at the Jedi at the height of their power. Looking at the Clone Wars era, though, the Jedi were forced to become military leaders which served to corrupt the perception of the public.
When it came to the face of the war for many citizens, many members of the Republic associated the Jedi with the war. For one, the Order stood out, with their own uniforms and lightsaber, among the crowds of clones that populated every planet. Since they led the charge into battle and led the Grand Army of the Republic, this was viewed as their war. As Jedi revealed their skills in combat, like Mace Windu, the galaxy came to see the Jedi as harbingers of war -- and they were not entirely wrong to view things this way.
Looking at the first great battle of the Clone Wars, it was a conflict started by the Jedi and involved hundreds of members of the Order. Although Anakin and Padmé were only trying to help Obi-Wan Kenobi, their capture forced the Jedi Order to use the recently-discovered Clone Army to save them. As the news of this battle spread, many would have heard about how the Jedi descended into the coliseum of Geonosis. This battle would have served to many as an indication of the Jedi's thirst for war.
While the Jedi did themselves no favors, it's also extremely likely that Chancellor Palpatine also added to these flames. Within a short period of time, Palpatine would be able to convince the galaxy that the Jedi had attempted to seize power, resulting in their destruction. For average citizens, they only came to know the Jedi for their lightsaber and skills. As the war continued, their frustration turned them against their former peacekeepers and paved the path for the rise of the Galactic Empire.
Streaming on Disney+, the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars stars Matt Lanter as Anakin Skywalker, Ashley Eckstein as Ahsoka Tano, Dee Bradley Baker as Captain Rex and the clone troopers, James Arnold Taylor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan and Sam Witwer as Maul. A new episode arrives each Friday.