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| Galactic Empire | |
|---|---|
&sq=Albert Einstein&lang=en&file=File:Emblem_of_the_First_Galactic_Empire.svg) Emblem of the Galactic Empire | |
| Universe | Star Wars |
| In-universe information | |
| Type | Fascist absolute monarchy |
| Founded | 19 BBY from the Galactic Republic |
| Defunct |
|
| Location | Star Wars galaxy |
| Leader | Galactic Emperor:
Leader of the Contingency:[b]
Legislative:
Executive:
|
| Key people | |
| Affiliations |
|
| Enemies | |
| Currency | Galactic Standard Credit (Imperial Dataries) |
| Capital | Coruscant (Senate District, Imperial Center) |
| Official language | Imperial Basic |
The Galactic Empire, also known simply as the Empire, is a fictional autocracy featured in the Star Wars franchise. Introduced in the 1977 film Star Wars, it is the main antagonistic faction of the original trilogy, which also includes The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). An oppressive dictatorship with a complicated bureaucracy, the Galactic Empire seeks the rule and social control of every planet and civilization within the galaxy, based on anthropocentrism, nationalisation, state terrorism, power projection, and threat of lethal force.[1]
The Galactic Empire's rise was not a violent takeover by force, but rather a calculated dismantling of the Galaxy's most powerful institutions by rewriting constitutional foundations, controlling the Jedi Council, weakening the Senate and the appointment of loyal Governors. At its peak, the Galactic Empire sprawls over much of the known Star Wars galaxy, which consists of millions of star systems and billions more fringe colonies, shipyards, fortress worlds, and outer territories. The Empire's origins are depicted in the prequel film Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), where it replaces the Galactic Republic at the end of the Clone Wars orchestrated by the Republic's Supreme Chancellor, Palpatine. Palpatine is also secretly the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, who masterminds the war to destroy the Jedi and restore the Sith to power.
Palpatine falsely accuses the Jedi of causing the secessionist Clone Wars to weaken the Republic and gain power. He manipulates the Galactic Senate into using clone troopers created during the conflict to purge the Jedi. After engineering these threats, Palpatine reorganizes the Republic into a state meant to "ensure the security and continuing stability, and a safe and secure society": the Galactic Empire, with himself as Emperor. The Senate overwhelmingly supports this decision and lauds his apparent resolve, bravery, and selflessness.
With Emperor Palpatine keeping mostly to the shadows, his Sith apprentice, Darth Vader maintains a more public presence and leads the Imperial forces, acting as a personification of the Galactic Empire's power. By the time of Episode IV – A New Hope, the faction has transformed into a fully autocratic regime, though it is opposed by the insurgent Rebel Alliance. The completion of the Death Star, a planet-destroying battle station, allows Emperor Palpatine to instigate a self-coup, dissolving the Imperial Senate and transferring power to Praetor-officers called Imperial Moffs, such as Grand Moff Tarkin.
The Galactic Empire collapses after the events of Return of the Jedi. Its remnants form the First Order in the sequel trilogy, set 30 years later.
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- ^ Sansweet, Steve, ed. (1998). "Palpatine, Emperor". Star Wars Encyclopedia. New York City: Del Rey Books. p. 224. ISBN 0-345-40227-8.