Galactic Empire (Star Wars)

• 1. The False Flag War

  ›

  In the year 22 BBY, a trade dispute on the planet Naboo triggered a chain of events that would eventually destroy democracy across the galaxy. Senator Palpatine convinced Queen Padmé Amidala to call for a vote of no confidence in Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum. This political maneuver allowed Palpatine to be elected as the new Supreme Chancellor. The Jedi Council sat calmly while corruption festered in the heart of the Republic. They believed they had permanently eradicated the Sith menace and ushered an unprecedented 1000-year era of peace and justice. Yet beneath their solemn chants lay arrogance masked as wisdom. Palpatine's ascension came with the final layer of poison instilled into a governmental system already on the brink of collapse. When the two-year-long Separatists Crisis resumed, fighting intensified in Episode II. The Galactic Senate granted Palpatine emergency powers to deal with the crisis. He promised safety at the cost of individual freedoms while tightening his own control over every facet of society.

  107

• 2. The Purge And The New Order

  ›

  Palpatine revealed himself as a Sith Lord to Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, promising to save Padmé from dying in childbirth. Skywalker reported this true identity to the Jedi Council, confirming their worst-case scenario and triggering a constitutional crisis. Jedi Master Mace Windu confronted Palpatine but fell for his trap when he broke the Jedi Code. The execution that he provoked was the ultimate hypocrisy and treason. Once the Jedi became hypocrites and traitors, their moral authority died. This was exactly what Palpatine desired when he conveniently cut the recordings from that room. Anakin came to Palpatine's aid and helped him kill Windu. Desperate to save Padmé, Anakin pledged himself to the dark side of the Force and became Darth Vader. Palpatine declared the Jedi to be traitors, providing irrefutable evidence that they were the masterminds behind the Clone Wars. He all but exterminated the Jedi Order in a galaxy-wide slaughter. Vader then immediately ended the Clone War by transmitting deactivation codes to all Separatist droids in the galaxy. Having won the war with GAR liberators occupying every known star system, Palpatine ordered them to annex planets and suppress sectors.

  25321

• 3. Nazi Aesthetics And Historical Parallels

  ›

  Star Wars creator George Lucas sought to make the First Galactic Empire aesthetically and thematically similar to Nazi Germany. He wanted it to appear fascist and based on rigid control of society that dissolved a previous democracy. Similar to Nazi Germany, the Galactic Empire is a dictatorship led by an all-powerful supreme ruler. The title of the Empire's main soldiers, the stormtroopers, is somewhat similar to the name given to Adolf Hitler's SA paramilitary bodyguards. The visual appearance of Darth Vader in his all-black uniform combined with his fanatical obedience to Palpatine has allusion to the black-uniformed Nazi SS. According to a Lucasfilm-authorized source, Darth Vader's relationship with Palpatine is akin to SS leader Heinrich Himmler's relationship with Hitler. The uniforms of Imperial military officers also bear resemblance to uniforms used in Nazi Germany as well as 19th century Polish ulans who wore tunics like the Empire's officers wear. In addition to Nazi Germany, there was at least one portion of the Galactic Empire that was based on the Soviet Union. This included various military personnel and TIE Fighters flying in formation as Palpatine arrived on the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi.

  8101112

• 4. The Tarkin Doctrine And Fear

  ›

  Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin presented a plan to Palpatine in 18 BBY that outlined the Empire's goal and structure. He believed rule could be established and maintained through fear of force rather than force itself. Tarkin believed grand displays of power when combined with oppressive means of terrorizing communities could suppress dissent. The instrument of this power included Imperial Stormtroopers, a massive fleet of 25,000 Star Destroyers, and the Death Star. Plans for the Death Star first appear in Attack of the Clones and construction began at the end of Revenge of the Sith. Tarkin demonstrated this power in A New Hope when he destroyed Alderaan as a show of force. Politically, Alderaan's destruction was a watershed moment for most Imperial loyalists. It revealed the Empire's willingness to kill loyalists on Alderaan along with millions of innocents just to prove a point to a rebellious Senator. Tarkin's doctrine meant to perpetually tighten the noose eventually got undermined by people realizing that no one was actually safe.

  42223

• 5. Real World Inspiration And Reception

  ›

  George Lucas indicated that the Galactic Empire's struggle against a smaller guerrilla force was inspired by the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War. He expressed surprise at how relatively few people spoke up against the war during that period. Palpatine's rise to power has been related to political strongmen such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolf Hitler, and especially Augustus Caesar. By consolidating power and proclaiming himself emperor, Palpatine mirrors Augustus Caesar who manipulated the Roman Senate as Palpatine did with the Galactic Senate. Many Imperial officers speak with Received Pronunciation accent known in-universe as Coruscanti. Irvin Kershner deliberately cast British actors as high-rank imperials for The Empire Strikes Back to mirror the composition of the American revolution. Henderson noted in 1997 that the Empire desires the creation of totalitarian order and utilizes excessive force and violence to achieve their ends. The franchise achieved critical reception and commercial success while establishing the Empire as a symbol of fascism in cinema.

  8111216

• 6. State Collapse And Remnants

  ›

  The dual loss of the Emperor and his right-hand Commander-in-Chief created a power vacuum of chaos and instability. Most intelligent competent and experienced military officers were killed at the Battle of Endor. By design, Palpatine desired the Empire had no clear line of succession since he intended to rule ad infinitum. Revolts infighting fiefdoms and warlordism gradually fractured the Empire apart more effectively than any damage capable of being inflicted by the Rebel Alliance. A year after the Battle of Endor, the bolstered Rebellion defeated the weakened Empire during the Battle of Jakku and formally established the New Republic. By the time of The Mandalorian set five years after the Battle of Endor, the Galactic Empire no longer existed as an official government or major power. Its former leaders who are now warlords compete with each other over the power vacuum left behind. One Imperial remnant established a base on the planet Nevarro where bounty hunter Din Djarin was hired to acquire Grogu. The most successful remnants reformed as the First Order led by Supreme Leader Snoke and former Imperial officers.

  2028