Star Wars: 10 Reasons The Galactic Empire Wasn't As Bad As Everyone Thinks
10. It Drove Technology Forwards
The movies never make it very clear how very little technical innovation there was in the galaxy under the Old Republic, but expanded universe material has demonstrated that technology for the large part stood still for thousands of years. The types of weapons, ships, shields and communication being used millennia ago were still prominent, and largely unchanged, from the versions utilised in The Phantom Menace. It is difficult to understand why there was so little advancement under the Republic, perhaps the government was happy with its Jedi protectors and saw no need to further develop technology. Alternatively, perhaps the Jedi themselves actively discouraged further research into new ideas; more powerful weapons, armour and shielding would make their powers less influential after all. Whatever the case under the Empire the stand still ended. New types of spacecraft were developed, research into new weapons and materials conducted and the galaxys brightest minds set the task of further improving and innovating. Looking firmly to the future the Emperor was able to end the technological stagnation that had plagued much of the civilised galaxy. In the few years the Empire was in power, they achieved more progress than the Republic managed in hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
