Back Qalaktik imperiya (Ulduz müharibələri) Azerbaijani Impalaeriezh Galaktek Breton Imperi Galàctic (La guerra de les galàxies) Catalan Galaktické impérium Czech Det Galaktiske Imperium Danish Γαλαξιακή Αυτοκρατορία (Ο Πόλεμος των Άστρων) Greek Imperio Galáctico Spanish Galaktika Impeerium Estonian امپراتوری کهکشانی (جنگ ستارگان) Persian Galaktinen Imperiumi Finnish
| Galactic Empire | |
|---|---|
&sq=Marvel SecretInvasion&lang=en&file=File:Emblem_of_the_First_Galactic_Empire.svg) Emblem of the Galactic Empire | |
| Universe | Star Wars |
| In-universe information | |
| Type | Constitutional Monarchy (de jure 19 BBY to 0 BBY) Absolute Monarchy (de facto 19 BBY to 0 BBY // de jure 0 BBY to 4 ABY) [1][2][3][4][5] |
| Founded | 19 BBY from the Galactic Republic |
| Defunct |
|
| Location | 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.[6]
The Galactic Empire's rise was not a violent takeover by force, but rather a calculated gleichschaltung-like 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 habitable star systems and billions more fringe colonies, shipyards, fortress worlds, and outer territories. The Empire's origins are depicted in the prequel film 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 political 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 ad infinitum. 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, commander-in-chief Darth Vader maintains a more public presence and leads the Imperial forces, acting as a national 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 Alliance to Restore the Republic. 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.
- ^ Brooker, Will (2009). Star Wars. London: British Film Institute. pp. 54–56. ISBN 9781844571845.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: checksum (help) "Palpatine’s rise to power reflects Adolf Hitler’s transformation from chancellor to Führer. The Empire, in its bureaucratic efficiency, fascist imagery, and centralized authority, represents the ultimate fascist state." - ^ Kapell, Matthew Wilhelm; Lawrence, John Shelton (2006). Finding the Force of the Star Wars Franchise: Fans, Merchandise, and Critics. New York: Peter Lang Publishing. pp. 33–41. ISBN 9780820463335.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: checksum (help) "The Galactic Empire exhibits the core features of totalitarian regimes: hierarchical power, propaganda, suppression of dissent, and the deification of its leader." - ^ Luceno, James (2014). Tarkin. New York: Del Rey. pp. 112–120. ISBN 9780345511522. "Palpatine believed order could only be imposed by centralized authority... The Empire must present a face of power, not compromise. Fear will keep the systems in line."
- ^ Bray, Adam; Hidalgo, Pablo; Reynolds, Tricia (2017). Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia. New York: DK Publishing. pp. 78–81. ISBN 9781465459626. "The Galactic Empire operated as an authoritarian regime, using military force, fear, and propaganda to ensure control over the galaxy."
- ^ Lucas, George (2004). Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy [Documentary]. USA: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Retrieved 2025-05-29. "It’s a dictatorship. It works on fear. People are afraid to speak out against it... The Empire is like Nazi Germany. Everything is very efficient and very controlled." — George Lucas
- ^ Sansweet, Steve, ed. (1998). "Palpatine, Emperor". Star Wars Encyclopedia. New York City: Del Rey Books. p. 224. ISBN 0-345-40227-8.
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