Galactic Empire (Star Wars)

Galactic Empire
Emblem of the Galactic Empire
Universe	Star Wars
In-universe information
Type	Fascist absolute monarchy
Founded	19 BBY from the Galactic Republic
Defunct	4 ABY: fractured into the Imperial remnants during the Battle of Endor 5 ABY: dissolved after the Battle of Jakku, succeeded by the New Republic By 21 ABY: partly reorganized (29 ABY: publicly formed) into the First Order
Location	Star Wars galaxy
Leader	Galactic Emperor: Sheev Palpatine/Darth Sidious (19 BBY–4 ABY)[a] Leader of the Contingency:[b] Mas Amedda (4–5 ABY) (Emperor de jure) Gallius Rax (5 ABY) (Counselor to the Empire) Rae Sloane (5 ABY) Legislative: Imperial Senate (19–0 BBY) Executive: Imperial Ruling Council (19 BBY–4 ABY) Imperial High Command (19 BBY–4 ABY) Council of Moffs (14 BBY–4 ABY) Imperial Future Council (4 ABY) Shadow Council (5 ABY, 9 ABY)
Key people	Emperor Palpatine Commander-in-Chief Darth Vader Grand Vizier Mas Amedda Grand Moff Tarkin Grand Admiral Thrawn The Grand Inquisitor Moff Gideon
Affiliations	Sith Order Sith Empire (precursor) Stormtroopers
Enemies	Jedi Order Rebel Alliance Grysk
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]

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 officers 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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