Every Star Wars Character Who Contributed To Anakin"s Dark Side Turn

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Anakin Skywalker famously turned to the dark side throughout the Star Wars prequel trilogy, with his transition to becoming Darth Vader coming at the end of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, but many characters contributed to it. Anakin was stated in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace to be the Chosen One, which inadvertently put more pressure on him to succeed as a Jedi. While many factors contributed to Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side, his ultimate choice was built on the shoulders of others, as well.
One of the major issues that Jedi have to face is trying to keep their emotions out of their decisions; however, as a Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker struggled with this frequently. He had emotional attachments to several other people, most notably his secret wife, Senator Padme Amidala. Anakin’s desire to protect those he loved, like Padme and his mother Shmi, often led him to make questionable, if not outright horrible decisions that led him further down a dark path.
Palpatine

Palpatine was grooming Anakin for over a decade to become his newest Sith apprentice. Not only could Palpatine identify the uncertainty and darkness that resided within Anakin, but he actively used it to turn him toward the dark side. As Supreme Chancellor, Palpatine developed a camaraderie with the young Jedi that led Anakin to trust the Supreme Chancellor and even consider him a friend and mentor.
With Palpatine secretly being the elusive Sith Lord Darth Sidious, it was clear his end goal was wielding Anakin’s power for his own gain. The final twist in the game Palpatine played in grooming Anakin as his next apprentice was convincing the struggling Jedi that he could teach him how to save Padme from dying in Revenge of the Sith. Palpatine eventually acknowledged that he was the Sith Lord the Jedi had been hunting, but deflected off of that by promising to teach Anakin how to cheat death. Palpatine, through his mentorship with Anakin, was able to plant the seeds of distrust in the Jedi early, which made it easier for him to turn Anakin when he revealed himself to be a Sith Lord.
Obi-Wan Kenobi

Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi had just finished his apprenticeship under Qui-Gon Jinn when he became Anakin Skywalker’s master. On the surface, Obi-Wan was very hard on Anakin, scolding him in public and telling the Jedi Council he wasn’t ready for a solo mission in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. However, he truly cared for Anakin, and saw him as a brother, especially once they began fighting alongside each other in the Clone Wars. Obi-Wan usually playfully made fun of Anakin, but the pair worked really well together, which is probably why it hurt Anakin so much when Obi-Wan didn’t defend him when he wasn’t given the rank of Master.
For much of the back end of Revenge of the Sith, Anakin felt that Obi-Wan had betrayed him and was trying to also turn Padme against her husband. Obi-Wan had also given Anakin a reason not to trust him before. In a The Clone Wars season 4 arc, Obi-Wan fakes his death to gain information on one of Count Dooku’s plans. This means that Anakin had to believe his former master was assassinated. Anakin was very on edge and was willing to resort to violence to get to his master’s murderer to avenge the perceived death. Obi-Wan eventually showing up alive and revealing the decision for secrecy was his planted seeds of distrust in Anakin.
Qui-Gon Jinn

Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn was the reason why Anakin Skywalker from freed from slavery and started down the path of the Jedi. Upon meeting Anakin and having Obi-Wan confirm his Midi-chlorian count, Qui-Gon was convinced that Anakin was the Chosen One. While Qui-Gon had no idea what would become of Anakin, he brought the boy to the Jedi Temple and ultimately pushed for him to be Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Padawan. Freeing Anakin from a life of slavery was the right thing to do, but his becoming a Jedi eventually spelled the end for the entire Order.
Additionally, Anakin most likely wouldn’t have become Obi-Wan’s student if it wasn’t for Jinn’s death. In his dying breaths, Qui-Gon asked Obi-Wan to train Anakin, something that Obi-Wan couldn’t deny his master. If Qui-Gon had lived and trained Anakin himself, it’s possible that Anakin wouldn’t have turned to the dark side. Even though Obi-Wan was a good teacher, Qui-Gon would’ve been a better fit as Anakin’s master, as he was the father figure the boy needed. This isn’t to say that Obi-Wan wasn’t a good teacher, but his and Anakin’s personalities and opinions greatly differed, and brotherhood wasn't the right bond for Skywalker.