The republic has fallen

May the 4th be with you

May 04, 2025

selective focus photography of Star Wars Stormtroopers — Photo by Agnieszka Stankiewicz on Unsplash

Today is May 4th. Otherwise know as "May the 4th" - a play on words referring to "may the force be with you" from Star Wars.

Star Wars has many parallels to fascism and imperialism, and has a narrative deeper than good guys vs. bad guys. The entire story - from prequels to sequels - illustrates how a functioning republic can collapse into fascism.

Sounds familiar?

Below I've made a table (switched to a list because the table was unreadable) comparing key elements of the Star Wars story to Nazi Germany and America.

1. The Galactic Republic

U.S. Parallel: The U.S. Republic — democratic foundations gradually undermined from within.
Nazi Germany Parallel: The Weimar Republic — fragile, divided, weakened by economic and political crises.
Quote: “So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause.” — Padmé Amidala

2. Chancellor Palpatine

U.S. Parallel: Authoritarian figures exploiting fear and crisis (e.g., Trump, Bush post-9/11).
Nazi Germany Parallel: Hitler’s legal rise to power via democratic systems, followed by emergency powers.
Quote: “I am the Senate.” — Palpatine

3. The Clone Wars

U.S. Parallel: Endless military engagements (Afghanistan, Iraq) framed as freedom missions.
Nazi Germany Parallel: The Reichstag fire and rapid militarization to confront “enemies of the state.”
Quote: “The war is over. The separatists have been defeated.” — Palpatine

4. Order 66

U.S. Parallel: The rise of the surveillance state and suppression of dissent post-9/11.
Nazi Germany Parallel: The Night of the Long Knives — mass purges of internal opposition.
Quote: (Silent, symbolizing betrayal and sudden totalitarian shift)

5. The Jedi Council

U.S. Parallel: Liberal institutions and intellectuals — slow, complicit, or silent in the face of rising authoritarianism.
Nazi Germany Parallel: Conservatives who enabled Hitler, believing they could control him.
Quote: “The Council’s decisions are final.” — Mace Windu

6. Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader

U.S. Parallel: Radicalized youth or elites (e.g., Jan 6 attackers) turned violent enforcers.
Nazi Germany Parallel: Hitler Youth and SS drawn to power, purpose, and identity.
Quote: “If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy!” — Anakin

7. The Empire

U.S. Parallel: Corporate-state fusion, endless war, mass surveillance, and nationalism.
Nazi Germany Parallel: A totalitarian state based on fear, propaganda, and violence.
Quote: “A safe and secure society!” — Palpatine

8. Stormtroopers

U.S. Parallel: Militarized police, ICE, and federal agencies suppressing protests and dissent.
Nazi Germany Parallel: SA and SS troops enforcing loyalty and crushing opposition.
Quote: (Their uniform and silence speak for themselves)

9. Rebel Alliance

U.S. Parallel: Activists, whistleblowers, anti-fascist movements, climate defenders.
Nazi Germany Parallel: Small resistance cells like the White Rose and other dissidents.
Quote: “Rebellions are built on hope.” — Jyn Erso

10. The Death Star

U.S. Parallel: Drone warfare, nuclear weapons, and technological deterrence.
Nazi Germany Parallel: Blitzkrieg, total war doctrine, and V-2 rocket terror.
Quote: “Fear will keep the local systems in line.” — Tarkin

11. The Tarkin Doctrine

U.S. Parallel: Rule through fear, disinformation, and exaggerated threats (e.g., crime, terrorism).
Nazi Germany Parallel: Gestapo terror, Hitler’s rhetoric about enemies within and without.
Quote: (Same as above)

12. The Destruction of Alderaan

U.S. Parallel: Indifference to civilian casualties (e.g., drone strikes, economic sanctions).
Nazi Germany Parallel: Leveling of resistance cities, scorched earth tactics.
Quote: “You would prefer another target?” — Tarkin

13. Senate Dissolution

U.S. Parallel: Voter suppression, gerrymandering, court-packing, breakdown of checks and balances.
Nazi Germany Parallel: The Reichstag rendered irrelevant after Hitler’s consolidation of power.
Quote: “The last remnants of the old Republic have been swept away.” — Palpatine

14. Imperial Propaganda

U.S. Parallel: State-aligned media, partisan news, social media manipulation.
Nazi Germany Parallel: Goebbels' propaganda machine glorifying Hitler and demonizing others.
Quote: “The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed...” — Palpatine

15. Coruscant

U.S. Parallel: Washington D.C., Wall Street, and Silicon Valley elites — distant from everyday suffering.
Nazi Germany Parallel: Berlin — hub of policy, privilege, and propaganda.
Quote: (A visual metaphor of opulence vs. galactic poverty)

16. Rise of the First Order

U.S. Parallel: Post-Obama far-right populism, white nationalism, and neo-fascist resurgence.
Nazi Germany Parallel: The Nazi revival myth, vengeance for “humiliation” post-WWI.
Quote: “Let the past die. Kill it if you have to.” — Kylo Ren

17. Kylo Ren

U.S. Parallel: Disaffected men drawn to violent ideology, longing for meaning and control.
Nazi Germany Parallel: Radicalized youth, attracted by power and myth.
Quote: (Same as above)

18. Snoke / Revived Palpatine

U.S. Parallel: Hidden power brokers, legacy elites manipulating both sides.
Nazi Germany Parallel: German aristocracy, bankers, and military industrialists behind the scenes.
Quote: “I have been every voice you have ever heard inside your head.” — Palpatine

19. The Resistance

U.S. Parallel: Civil society, journalists, underground networks still fighting authoritarian drift.
Nazi Germany Parallel: Students, clergy, soldiers who resisted at great cost.
Quote: “We are the spark that’ll light the fire that’ll burn the First Order down.” — Poe Dameron