The Clone Wars: Peacekeepers to Generals

During the time of the Republic. Chancellor Palpatine requested that the Jedi accompany Senator Amidala back to her home world of Naboo. Mace Windu (portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson) replies "We're keepers of the peace, not soldiers."

The Jedi held the ideology of peacekeeping for their entire history. The lightsaber was more of a ceremonial tool than a weapon. That all changed when the Jedi were forced into "protecting the republic". The monk-like protectors became everything from front-line soldiers to highly respected military generals.

The Jedi ended up losing who they were during the three-year-long conflict. The galaxy as a whole saw the Jedi as murderers and thieves. By the end of The Clone Wars, Palpatine was able to claim that the Jedi were taking over, and everyone believed him.

The Jedi became so dogmatic that they didn't believe that the Sith would be able to come back. The ultimate downfall of the Jedi can be attributed to them not being willing to change their ways.

Anakin "the chosen one" Skywalker was not given any sort of emotional help in regards to his fear of loss. The Jedi told him, "Fear is a path to the dark side" which only scared him more.

The Republic was able to force the Jedi into helping lead a war against a political enemy led by the Sith. Due to the fact that the Jedi were the protectors of the Republic, the 10,000 Jedi knights would have to join a war led by a puppet master who was at the head of both sides of the war.