Star Wars Confirms Tough Reality About The Fall of The Empire and Rise of The New Republic

Star Wars has finally disclosed the definitive end of the Galactic Empire, a development that underscores the precarious nature of the New Republic. After the explosive climax of the Battle of Endor and the fall of Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader, remnants of the Empire continued to resist for an entire year. This struggle culminated in the pivotal event known as the Battle of Jakku, which left a considerable amount of debris littered across the desert planet, featured in The Force Awakens. Although the battle resulted in the official surrender of the Empire, the subsequent treaty provided little promise for lasting peace across the galaxy.

Established under the banner of the Galactic Concordance, the peace treaty was formalized following the events at Jakku, as detailed in Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath: Empire’s End, released in 2017. Recently, the comics series Battle of Jakku: Last Stand #4, penned by Alex Segura and illustrated by Jethro Morales, presents the first visual representation of this “historic”event. Yet, to claim that this treaty signified a genuine resolution to the galaxy’s enduring conflicts with the Empire is to overlook a more complex and darker reality.

Galaxy’s Major Issues Post-Empire

Contradicting a Darker Narrative

Jakku Aftermath of Imperial Surrender in Last Stand #4

The Galactic Concordance was ratified by New Republic Chancellor Mon Mothma and Imperial Grand Vizier Mas Amedda, a long-time confidant of Palpatine’s. Though he was positioned as the Imperial leader after the Emperor’s demise, Amedda wielded negligible power, with the Imperial Navy placed under the command of Counselor Gallius Rax, a secret apprentice of Palpatine charged with executing ominous contingency measures. Thus, the image of Amedda and Mothma exchanging handshakes lacks any real equity, portraying a hollow victory.

Even after Rax’s death during the Battle of Jakku, where he failed to annihilate both the New Republic and Imperial forces as mandated by Palpatine, he still guided Grand Admiral Sloane to the surviving factions of the Empire. These elements would ultimately retreat to the Unknown Regions, paving the way for the rise of the First Order. Moreover, the Empire was fragmented into various factions scattered across the Outer Rim, rendering the enforcement of the Galactic Concordance impractical.

Enduring Flaws of the New Republic

The Rise of the First Order

Although the New Republic ascended as the governing body following the ratification of the Concordance, the latent threat of Imperial remnants persisted. The treaty with Amedda, a mere figurehead, crafted an appealing narrative for the transition of powers. As depicted in various New Republic Era narratives such as The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, the echoes of the Empire continued through factions like the shadow council, the resurgence of Grand Admiral Thrawn, and the emergence of the First Order led by Snoke and Kylo Ren, culminating in Palpatine’s resurrection and the subsequent unveiling of a formidable new superweapon.

In the aftermath of Jakku, “The New Republic was seemingly so desperate for peace that it lacked full accountability…”

This desperation allowed Imperial ideologies to take root and flourish in secrecy until it was inexorably too late. This flawed approach highlighted the weaknesses of the New Republic, regardless of its noble intentions laid out in the expansive Star Wars narrative.

Pick up Battle of Jakku: Last Stand #4, currently available from Marvel Comics.