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Alliance to Restore the Republic

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Alliance to Restore the Republic
Political information
Type of government

Resistance movement

Founding document

Declaration of Rebellion/Corellian Treaty

Constitution

Alliance Charter

Head of State

Chief of State

Head of Government

Chief of State

Commander-in-chief

Alliance Commander-in-Chief

Executive branch

Chief of State, Cabinet

Legislative branch

Advisory Council

Societal information
Capital

Various, inc.: Chrellis, Brigia, Orion IV, Dantooine

Official language

Galactic Basic Standard

Currency

Alliance Credit

National holiday

Galactic Union Day

Historical information
Formed from
Date of establishment

2 BBY by the Corellian Treaty

Date of reorganization

4 ABY, as Alliance of Free Planets

Era(s)
[Source]
"They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally, they became heroes."
―Leia Organa[src]

The Alliance to Restore the Republic (also known as the Rebel Alliance and informally as the Rebellion), was a loose alliance of planetary-level, system-level and sector-level resistance forces formed in direct military opposition to the Galactic Empire. It was originally formed by a group of Loyalists determined to preserve the ideals of the Galactic Republic, which had transformed into the Empire. This grew to include former Separatists, neutral systems, and defecting Imperials. While less numerous and less powerful than the Imperial Military, the Alliance possessed a strong will to fight, dedicated soldiers, and brilliant commanders.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early foundations

"Vote for Palpatine. Vote for the Empire. Make Mon Mothma vote for him too. Be good little Senators. Mind your manners and keep your heads down. And keep doing all those things we can't talk about. All those things I can't know. Promise me, Bail."
―Padmé Amidala to Bail Organa, during the Declaration of a New Order[src]
Mon Mothma and Bail Organa, among others, discuss the formation of the Rebel Alliance.
Mon Mothma and Bail Organa, among others, discuss the formation of the Rebel Alliance.

It is hard to pinpoint the exact moment that rebellion against Palpatine began, but its earliest known roots took place shortly before the end of the Clone Wars. By this time, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine had accumulated a massive power base, and with the passing of the Sector Governance Decree, installed his own officers and troops on Republic worlds. Senators such as Bail Organa and Mon Mothma saw this as a move towards dictatorship, as opposed to a way of reinforcing the democracy they served. Meeting with other trusted Senators, Organa and Mothma formed the Delegation of 2000, arguably the first organization to which the future Rebellion can be connected.

Members of the Delegation drew up a Petition of 2000, attempting to force the Chancellor to lay down his emergency powers and pursue a peaceful resolution to the war. Palpatine rejected this however, and soon after, transformed the Republic into the Galactic Empire, installing himself as Emperor with the support of much of the Galactic Senate. Many of those who had signed the Petition of 2,000 were imprisoned, killed or forced into exile, though Organa and Mothma managed to elude Palpatine's attention—in part thanks to the advice of the late Padmé Amidala, pleading with Bail not to attract attention to his secret resistance against Palpatine, during the very session of congress that saw the birth of the Empire. Bail kept his word, and, slowly, he and Mon Mothma began to build a de facto resistance against Palpatine's regime.

[edit] Armed resistance

Rebel troops and armor patrol in actions against the Imperial Army.
Rebel troops and armor patrol in actions against the Imperial Army.
"The Empire maintains order, and people like you disrupt that order."
―Sarkli[src]

In the following years, as Palpatine's Empire grew in size and power, small resistance cells began to spring up on planets across the galaxy. These small and unorganized groups periodically raided Imperial installations, including sabotage that directly affected the Imperial construction of the Death Star. These groups were a mixed bunch, ranging from loyalists still holding on to the ideals of the Republic to former Separatists. As these early resistance cells became known to one another, former enemies became unexpected allies.

[edit] Massacre at Ghorman

When Imperial warships under the command of Wilhuff Tarkin landed on top of protesters against high Imperial taxation, killing hundreds, many in the galaxy began to wonder if this new Empire was in fact malevolent. Many career officers whose service records stretched back to the Republic, like Jan Dodonna, resigned or retired from Imperial service. Bail Organa, long opposed to armed resistance began to rethink his own role in the scheme of the brewing rebellion. Yet, with so many countless cells of rebels unorganized and uncoordinated, there seemed to be no chance of mounting a serious resistance to Palpatine’s regime.[1]

[edit] Cantham House

Discussion between Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Garm Bel Iblis continued at the Cantham House Meetings on Imperial Center. These meetings were informal, designed to gauge the respective leaders' commitment to open rebellion. Mon Mothma of Chandrila was by far the most outspoken critic to the Emperor, having been forced to go underground to avoid capture or death by Imperial agents. It was a last minute call from her friend and colleague Bail Organa that spared this future leader of the galaxy. It would take a coordinated alliance of rebels to fully pose a threat to the Empire.

[edit] Corellian Treaty

Less than two years before the Battle of Yavin, the three main resistance forces of Chandrila, Alderaan, and Corellia joined forces and signed the Corellian Treaty. The Treaty was named for Garm Bel Iblis, as the Senator of Corellia, who had organized and personally guaranteed security for the three groups attending the meetings that led to the signing of the Treaty. This was the founding document of the Alliance to Restore the Republic, or Rebel Alliance, and set out the structure and framework of the Alliance. For the first time, scattered resistance groups began to unite and form into a real threat to the Empire. It was during these meetings that the Declaration of Rebellion was ratified. Mon Mothma was selected to be the Chief of State for the new Alliance, though this would cause some considerable friction between her and Garm Bel Iblis. However, Bail Organa was able to keep the peace within the Alliance. Despite the fact that it was still small and woefully outnumbered, the Rebel Alliance was finally a reality.

[edit] New allies and weapons

"Time to retire those Z-95 Headhunters!"
―Raymus Antilles, after the victory at Fresia[src]

The most notable equipment contributions included the defection of some Incom Corporation staff and all relevant material involved in the development of an advanced starfighter, the T-65 X-wing, which was acquired at the Battle of Fresia. With this advanced fighter, Rebel pilots had a clear advantage over the more numerous yet unshielded TIE fighters. Mon Mothma then secured an alliance with the Mon Calamari, who openly joined the Rebel Alliance and used their renowned skill in ship construction to supply badly needed capital ships that could take on the Imperial Navy. Their considerable fleet of Mon Calamari Star Cruisers gave the newly formed Alliance substantial firepower. Part of the Alliance's strategy was the doctrine of space denial. That is, the Alliance would attack Imperial shipping in hit and run raids; both to disrupt Imperial supplies and operations, and to confiscate desperately needed materials. In these situations, their fighters had hyperdrive capability along prearranged routes which would allow this kind of harassment and escape before the Empire could react.

[edit] Destruction of Alderaan

Rebel propaganda efforts after the destruction of Alderaan.
Rebel propaganda efforts after the destruction of Alderaan.
"You may fire when ready."
―Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin giving the order to destroy Alderaan[src]

Through their intelligence network, the Alliance learned of the construction of the Death Star, an enormous terror weapon capable of destroying an entire planet, intended to secure the Empire's power. An operation headed by Princess Leia was successful in retrieving the schematics of the station, but Darth Vader discovered the act and captured Leia. In an effort to get the young princess to divulge the location of the secret Rebel base, Grand Moff Tarkin threatened to destroy her home planet of Alderaan. Yet, even after Leia gave him the location of an abandoned Rebel base, Tarkin ordered the Death Star to fire its primary weapon—a planet-destroying superlaser. Leia watched as billions of her fellow Alderaanians were murdered by the vicious superweapon. The Alliance would use this act as a propaganda tool to recruit more people into its ranks.[2]

[edit] A New Hope

"Remember, Luke. The Force will be with you. Always."
―Obi-Wan Kenobi[src]

The Force was with the Alliance. Luke Skywalker, a young man from Tatooine, came under the tutelage of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, after stormtroopers destroyed his farm and killed his uncle and aunt. The aged Jedi had been watching Luke for a long time. Knowing his family history and importance to defeating the Emperor, Obi-Wan began training the boy as a Jedi. The duo, along with the droids C-3PO and R2-D2, secured passage on a freighter, Millennium Falcon. With the help of smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca, the group managed to free the Princess and deliver the plans to the Alliance. As a result, the Alliance succeeded in attacking and destroying the battle station, and also, in Luke, they gained their only loyal member with training in the use of the Force and the skills of the purged Jedi Knights.[2]

[edit] Galactic Civil War

Rebel Pilots before the attack on the First Death Star.
Rebel Pilots before the attack on the First Death Star.
"In the past, we'd secretly enjoyed putting down a local insurrection or two, […] but these Rebels were different. They were organized, they were growing, and they were everywhere."
―Journal of the 501st[src]

As a result of the Battle of Yavin, the Rebel Alliance gained credibility as a legitimate military opponent to the Empire. Between the effects of the battle and the dissolution of the Imperial Senate, thousands of star systems openly joined the Alliance in the months following the Death Star's destruction. As a result, the Empire began occupying worlds it had allowed to remain untouched earlier, both actions resulting in an escalation of the war.

The Alliance could afford to waste no time following its major victory at Yavin. Following numerous raids on their Yavin 4 base, the Alliance relocated temporarily to a base on Thila while setting up a more permanent establishment on the ice planet Hoth. There were some setbacks, namely Garm Bel Iblis leaving the Alliance following a major disagreement with Mon Mothma. This was a blow to the Alliance, though it was offset by the joining of Borsk Fey'lya and his sizable faction of Bothans. Mon Mothma took steps to create a true navy for the Alliance, raising the Mon Calamari Ackbar to the rank of Admiral and appointing him to be Supreme Commander of the Rebel Fleet. Under Ackbar's leadership the fleet grew in size and ability. Along with the headquarters of the Rebel Alliance, Ackbar's fleet was the most important asset of the Rebellion. During this time Luke, Han, Leia, and their companions proved to be the most valuable Alliance members, performing countless crucial missions.

The ensuing battles around the galaxy were a number of engagements between either side. Many were Rebel soldiers fighting to sabotage Imperial weapons or destroy Imperial facilities. A large number of people were inspired by the defeats of the Empire to join the Rebellion. However the might and oppressive nature of the Empire inspired others to join the Imperial Military.

[edit] Loss of Hoth

A holo memorial honored fallen Rebel pilots.
A holo memorial honored fallen Rebel pilots.

The Alliance suffered a setback when Echo Base, Alliance High Command's main base of operations, was discovered by an Imperial Probe droid and was overrun by Darth Vader's forces. The Alliance was forced to scatter, fearful of losing another main base. High Command transferred to the Rebel Fleet, using Ackbar's flagship Home One as their mobile base of operations. Despite the presence of new allies like Lando Calrissian, the Rebellion was in dire straits. Rebel hero Han Solo was captured while in Calrissian's hospitality, and sent to Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine. The secret shipyards in the Vergesso Asteroids were destroyed by Darth Vader's fleet. It was a dark time for the Alliance.[3]

[edit] Victory at Endor

The new Death Star served as the backdrop for the Battle of Endor.
The new Death Star served as the backdrop for the Battle of Endor.

News that the Empire was nearing completion on a new and more powerful space station, Death Star II, forced the Alliance to take its greatest risk. The entire Rebel Fleet was amassed near Sullust. The subsequent Battle of Endor was a massive victory for the Alliance. Palpatine was dead, his Death Star destroyed, and Vader redeemed.[4]

[edit] Imperial Remnant

About six months after the death of the Emperor at Endor, Mon Mothma declared the Rebellion (which became the Alliance of Free Planets) to be at an end, and she declared the New Republic to be established as the successor state. The Alliance to Restore the Republic had succeeded—a new Republic was to be born, though in many people's eyes the movement only gained real legitimacy with the capture of Coruscant by Rogue Squadron and New Republic forces in 6 ABY.

Although conflict would still continue for a long time with the Imperial Remnant, the New Republic would become the dominant power in the galaxy until a conflict began with the extra-galactic Yuuzhan Vong, who would fragment the New Republic. It was replaced with the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances, which was born from the ashes of the New Republic and founded by former Rebel leaders.

[edit] Command hierarchy and administration

There were two main organizations that composed the main structure of the Alliance. These were the civil government and the military.

[edit] Civil government

"The Alliance was structured to wage war, not rule in peace. It was a benign dictatorship empowered to lead a Rebellion, not govern a galaxy."
―Voren Na'al[src]

The Alliance civil government was responsible for handling the numerous jobs of any planetary civil government—including protecting the Alliance peoples, revenue gathering, maintenance of vital services, foreign relations and defense. Many of these functions were left to each member world or government of the Alliance, such as Mon Calamari or the Atrivis sector. The civil government of the Alliance was broken down as follows:

[edit] The Chief of State

The Chief of State was the head of the Alliance. Essentially an elected dictatorship, the Chief of State had virtually unlimited power over the Alliance. Elections were held every two years, though in practice this was only a formality as Mon Mothma had unanimous support amongst the Alliance members. According to the Corellian Treaty, the position of Chief of State "will be abolished when the Emperor is deposed, killed, or resigns his position of power." When this happened, it was the duty of the Advisory Council to assume executive control of the Alliance and convene a Constitutional Convention to form a new Galactic Republic.

[edit] The Advisory Council

The Advisory Council was composed of representatives of seven Alliance governments who had given the most lives in battle to defeating the Empire. This council was the primary advisory body to the Chief of State, responsible for approving or disapproving the proposals of the Chief of State. Furthermore, the Advisory Council had the right to dismiss a Chief of State with a two-thirds majority vote, providing a check to the powers of the Chief. During most of the history of the Alliance, worlds like Alderaan, Mon Calamari, and Sullust were members of the Advisory Council, due to their extreme devotion and high losses of life suffered in Alliance service.

[edit] The Alliance Cabinet

The Rebel Alliance Cabinet was the device from which the Chief of State could maintain and run the Alliance. Each member was selected by Mon Mothma for their devotion, intelligence, and ability to get things done. The Cabinet was composed of the following ministries:

  • Minister of Finance—responsible for overseeing Alliance funds.
  • Minister of Education—maintained Alliance Intelligence and oversees propaganda.
  • Minister of State—handled relations with other non-member governments.
  • Minister of Industry—controlled all Alliance factories and production.
  • Minister of Supply—maintained supply chain for Alliance military forces.
  • Minister of War—advised Chief of State on directing Alliance military forces.

[edit] The Allied Commands

The Alliance Allied Commands were the individual governments of worlds, organizations, and groups that were members of the Alliance. Each Allied Command varied slightly depending on how each member world was organized, though in practice Allied Commands mimicked the structure of the Alliance government. Allied Commands ranged from member worlds like Mon Calamari or Alderaan to whole sectors like Atrivis or Churnis.

[edit] Alliance military

       Main article: Alliance Military
"Everyone in the Rebellion is here for a reason. Everyone was affected by the Empire in one way or another. Everyone has a story to tell. Most of them are tragic."
―Wedge Antilles[src]

The Alliance military was charged with defeating the forces of the Galactic Empire and bringing down the Emperor’s reign of power, a task to which all Rebel military personnel pledged themselves.

[edit] Known bases

[edit] Alliance worlds

Though the Rebels lacked the resources of the Empire, they did control planets.

[edit] Senior personnel

[edit] Command

Supreme Allied Commands

[edit] Appearances

[edit] Sources

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ↑ Rebel Alliance Sourcebook
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
  3. ↑ Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
  4. ↑ Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

[edit] External links


Preceded by:
Separatist holdouts 		Major Rebellion Movements
Founded between 19 and 1 BBY 		Succeeded by:
Alliance of Free Planets
Retrieved from "http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Alliance_to_Restore_the_Republic"

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