Galactic Empire (Star Wars)

Origins of the Empire

The Galactic Empire was born out of the old Galactic Republic. However, the seeds of change were planted during the Clone Wars, the epic war between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems.

Related Topics:
Galactic Republic - Clone Wars - Confederacy of Independent Systems

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When the extent of the Separatist threat became clear, the Senate was forced to grant Palpatine emergency supreme powers, which he used to form the Grand Army of the Republic. This conflict allowed Chancellor Palpatine to remain in office well past the limits set forth by the Galactic Constitution. Palpatine promised to step down once peace was restored to the galaxy.

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Palpatine was an effective and efficient leader who quickly brought an end to corruption in the Senate by greatly increasing the power of the Chancellor. Eventually, the Senate lost most of its power and became little more than an advisory council to the Chancellor. The Jedi began to distrust the Chancellor's motives, fearing he had come under the influence of the dreaded Sith. Palpatine was, in fact, the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, and had been playing the Republic and the Separatists against each other.

Related Topics:
Sith - Darth Sidious

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As the war dragged on, the Chancellor's power continued to grow until he became a virtual dictator. When it became clear that Palpatine was a Sith Lord, the Jedi tried and failed to remove him from office against the laws of the Galactic Constitution despite the fact that he was reelected to continue in office. In an emergency special Senate session, Palpatine declared the Jedi traitors and enemies of the Republic. Secure in his power and position, Palpatine issued the Declaration of a New Order and declared himself Emperor almost nineteen years before the Battle of Yavin.

Related Topics:
Dictator - Battle of Yavin

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"...The Republic will be reorganized into the first GALACTIC EMPIRE, for a safe and secure society!" - Palpatine, after telling the Senate of the Jedi plot to take over the Republic

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Palpatine's Empire promised to trade frailty for strength, chaos for order, and uncertainty for decisiveness. The citizens of the newly formed government enthusiastically supported the vision outlined in the Declaration. Most of the Senate supported him as well, though several more cautious senators chose to watch to see how he would handle the affairs of state while only a few conscientious ones like Padmé Amidala and Bail Organa realized the disaster that had just occurred. The transition from Republic to Empire was relatively smooth; in retrospect, the foundation of the Empire had already been set down during Palpatine’s chancellorship.

Related Topics:
Padmé Amidala - Bail Organa

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Led by Darth Vader, the Emperor's army of clone stormtroopers and other organizations of Sith/Dark Jedi agents all but exterminated the Jedi Order, seemingly eliminating the last threat to his power. During the first years of the Empire, Coruscant was renamed Imperial Center and the galaxy saw the single largest military buildup in history as well as new era for the Republic. Popular support for the policies of Palpatine’s administration was high.

Related Topics:
Darth Vader - Dark Jedi - Exterminated the Jedi Order - Coruscant

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