Summary

• From the rise of the Empire to its ultimate fall, key moments shaped its reign and downfall, led by Sheev Palpatine and Darth Vader.
• The Empire fell after a redeemed Darth Vader killed his master, leading to rebel victories and the end of the Galactic Civil War.
• While the Empire's legacy was one of death and destruction, the rebel triumph brought temporary peace to the galaxy.

The Galactic Empire is one of the most important periods of Sith Lord who orchestrated the Clone Wars and the ultimate fall of the Galactic Empire. With the help of his apprentice, Darth Vader, Palpatine was able to keep the galaxy under his command and few who opposed him were allowed to continue in their ways.

The Empire famously fell after a redeemed Darth Vader killed his master while on the second Death Star, leading to rebel victories that would end the Galactic Civil War and restore peace to the galaxy. The Republic had been fairly unstable well before Palpatine’s involvement, but he was able to utilize those weaknesses to accomplish his goal of destroying the Jedi Order and taking control of the galaxy. Palpatine’s downfall was ultimately becoming too secure in his position, and underestimating the Rebel Alliance and their forces. Here's a glimpse at all the key events of the Empire's reign.

7 The Fall Of The Galactic Republic

19 BBY

The fall of the Galactic Republic has been seen multiple times throughout multiple Star Wars movies and TV shows, many of which depict the execution of Order 66 and the decimation of the Jedi Order. Palpatine planned this so that the galaxy could unite under him after the supposed betrayal of the Jedi. Using microchips that were implanted inside the clones from birth, Palpatine was essentially able to remove all free will and have the Jedi’s army turn against them in an instant. At the same time, Palpatine promised to rebuild the galaxy under his watchful eye as its newest Emperor.

6 The Dark Times

19 BBY to 5 BBY

The Dark Times in Star Wars mainly refers to most of Palpatine’s rule as Emperor. During this time, any surviving Jedi were hunted by Imperial Inquisitors, and Imperial forces were decimating planets and their natural resources for their own purposes, leaving them in ruin after they served their purpose. The large amount of suffering throughout the galaxy eventually led to unrest, which would plant the seeds for rebellion and sympathy for the rebel cause.

5 The Age Of Rebellion

5 BBY to 0 ABY

The Rebel Alliance began as many different rebel cells throughout the galaxy that would eventually unite to take down the Empire. Shows like Andor have shown how the rebels were able to build their forces largely undetected because of their seemingly random movements and attacks. At the beginning of this time, many acts of rebellion were small and seemingly insignificant, but also led to the recruitment of locals, thus boosting the enlistment of the rebel cause.

4 The First Death Star Becomes Operational

0 BBY

Rogue One showed how the Rebel Alliance obtained the stolen plans for the Death Star; however, before the Rebels could destroy the space station, it caused much destruction. In Rogue One, the Death Star destroyed Jedha City in a test launch, then destroyed the Imperial base on Scarif where the plans were transmitted from, and finally Leia Organa’s home world of Alderaan. The construction of the Death Star took over a decade and was seen as Palpatine’s final step toward pure domination over the galaxy, as he had a way to take care of worlds that did not follow orders.

3 The Battle Of Scarif Kickstarts The Galactic Civil War

0 BBY

Just around the same time as the Death Star’s completion, the Battle of Scarif kickstarted the Galactic Civil War. Though the mission to obtain the Death Star plans was not sanctioned by the Rebel Alliance, a small group of rebels went to infiltrate the planet. Though the battle cost many rebel lives once the space battle began, it ultimately led to the rebels getting the plans for the Death Star, which led to Luke Skywalker destroying it - something that was seen as the first major victory for the rebels.

2 Palpatine is Defeated at the Battle of Endor

4 ABY

In what was supposed to be a major victory for Palpatine and the Empire, the Battle of Endor actually saw the defeat of the Sith Lord. Palpatine had been the one to give intel to the rebels, setting a trap where he was looking to eliminate as many of them as possible. The ground forces on Endor got an assist from the Ewoks, while Luke Skywalker helped redeem his father, Darth Vader, aboard the second Death Star, leading to Vader killing his master. The victory at Endor meant that the rebels would win the war and defeat the Empire.

1 The Galactic Civil War Officially Ends at the Battle of Jakku

5 ABY

Battles continued throughout the galaxy for a year after the victory at Endor, though it was mostly a losing cause for any remaining Imperials. After the the New Republic did not view them as major threats to the newly established government. Jakku was seen in live-action in Star Wars: The Force Awakens where Rey Skywalker works as a scavenger on the planet, dismantling Imperial Star Destroyers.

While the Empire only lasted about 25 years, its legacy will be ed as one of death and destruction. However, the rebel triumph over the regime temporarily brought peace to the galaxy, though the New Republic was not without its faults. Many worlds, big and small alike, were destroyed because of the Empire and many could never recover from the damage caused. While the Empire was a horrible entity, it did serve as the backdrop for most of Star Wars’ world-building, as it always seemed to be creeping around the corner.

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