If not, then you know people you have.
If not, then you've seen the commercials and trailers.
If not... then its time to catch up to the rest of the world.
Anyways, being a self declared Star Wars Nerd has come with a price: everyone asking me questions about the movie. Many of the questions have to do with the politics of the galaxy.
- What is the difference between the New Republic and the Resistance?
- Why does the First Order destroy the Republic?
- What the heck is going on?
So lets break down...
First off, let's take a look at the three entities mentioned in the Opening Crawl...
The FIRST ORDER After the Battle of Endor, the Empire (which by this time had become fractured and divided) suffered a huge defeat at the Battle of Jakku (remember all the ruins that Rey scavenges?... that battle). Both the New Republic and the remnants of the Empire signed a peace treaty (called the Galactic Concordance) in which neither side with infringe on the sovereignty of the other, while promising not to increase militarization. Out of this situation the First Order rises under the leadership of Supreme Leader Snoke and the Knights of Ren. They secretly build up their military in violation of the peace treaty. The Knights of Ren, under the newly-turned Kylo Ren, obliterate the new Jedi Order and drive Luke Skywalker into hiding. |
The REPUBLIC After the defeat of the Empire at Jakku, Mon Mothma and the newly formed Republic take the Concordance and do even more, they actively begin to demilitarize, leaving a small Republic Fleet (under Admiral Ackbar) to guard the Capital, which changes annually depending on the vote of the Senate. The Republic is currently headquartered in Hosnian Prime System under the leadership of Chancellor Lanever Villecham. They refuse to believe that the First Order is militarizing, however secretly funds and supports... |
The RESISTANCE In response to the growing militarization of the First Order, Leia Organa forms a private military called the Resistance. It takes its crest from the former Rebel Alliance and is organized in a similar fashion. They openly oppose the First Order and are attempting to persuade the Republic that military action is the only course of action against the First Order. In addition, they are trying to find Luke Skywalker and reestablish the Jedi Order. |
When BB-8, carrying the missing map to Luke, escapes Jakku with Rey and Finn, Snoke fears that Skywalker will return and again reestablish the Jedi Order. Thus Hux decides to wipe out the Republic Capital to isolate the Resistance and back them into a corner so they can't seek Luke. So the destruction of Hosnian Prime is to cut the support to the Resistance, making them vulnerable and reveal their secret base... which in the end they do. The attack on Starkiller is really a desperate attempt to protect themselves.
That's why there really isn't that much of a reaction in the movie to the destruction of Hosnian Prime. It's there to drive the Resistance into desperate action, and it is only after the destruction of Starkiller that an envoy can be sent to Luke.
So What Does this mean for Episodes 8 and 9?
Obviously, there should be repercussions of the political events in the next two episodes. I mean... the entire Senate and billions of people just GOT WIPED OUT BY A GIANT LASER.
Keep in mind that these politics are a backdrop to the main plot of Rey and Kylo Ren and the Skywalkers. It creates the environment in which the plot can function in a real world, but the focus isn't on it. In fact, much of the criticism of the prequels (aside from Jar Jar... which is ....ugh) is based in the idea that there was too much politics and not enough plot. Star Wars has always been a family drama set within this deep, diverse galaxy.
And I predict that now that we have jumped back into a galaxy far, far away, the galaxy will get even bigger, and even more diverse..
Just some thoughts.
Sincerely,
An Average Nerd.
SOURCES:
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/New_Republic
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/First_Order
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Resistance
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Star_Wars%3A_Episode_VII_The_Force_Awakens