The Empire (Star Wars Rebels)

This article is about the fictional Galactic Empire of the Star Wars franchise as portrayed specifically in the animated series Star Wars: Rebels.

Emblem of the Empire as seen on Imperial personnel and property in Star Wars: Rebels.

The Empire is the galaxy spanning tyrannical government opposed by the Rebels in the animated TV show Star Wars: Rebels. They serve as the primary antagonist of the show's narrative or rather as an asset of the Sith who fulfill that role. At the start of the show the Empire has been the galactic government for fifteen years.

History

The Republic was transformed into the Empire by decree of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine during the closing days of the Clone Wars.

Government

The Galactic Empire is de jure a constitutional dictatorship with the head of state being Emperor Palpatine and the legislature being the Imperial Senate.

Legislation

A notable legislation passed by the Senate is a ban on disruptors applying to both civilians and military personnel, which was passed following a massacre of the Lasat population during attempts at restoring order to the world.

Economy

The Empire inherited it's initial economic policies from the wartime Republic which preceded it. By the time of the show the Empire is in a transitionary phase moving the economy towards a third way economic model. All private citizens seeking to make a profit must have a license for any sales. The nationalization of farms involves the appropriation (by purchase or force) of private land. The former owners, if they sold the land, would then work the land as tenants renting the use of the land from the Imperial government while making a profit from their labor. Otherwise new tenants would work the land under the same arrangement. It's stated by the smuggler Lando Calrissian that the Empire doesn't want private land holders prospecting for valuable minerals and thus the transport and ownership of mining equipment is tightly regulated. This benefits the Mining Guild contracted to mine and prospect on government owned lands.

Labor

Following the Clone Wars a number of worlds saw large swarths of their population in Imperial custody. The use of prison and refugee labor as part of reconstruction following the Clone Wars eventually developed into enslavement. The people of Kashykk and Ryloth being examples of such in the show. Indentured servitude also exists in the Empire as a number of tenants working Imperial land are unable to pay the required rent and thus find themselves working to pay that which they cannot. Not every tenant is in this situation but the situation is still notable given the Empire's galaxy spanning authority.

Society

Empire Day

Empire Day is an event held every standard year to celebrate the declaration of the Empire by Palpatine who was Supreme Chancellor of the Republic during the Clone Wars. This declaration and the defeat of the Confederacy of Independent Systems that followed shortly after it is meant to be looked upon as the dawn of peace and order after a period of war and chaos.