The inception of theStar Warssequel earned run average ’s First Order have been step by step revealed - not only by the ending of the sequel trilogy , but also in various spinoffs and affiliation - ins . The First Order is the successor state to the Galactic Empire in the currentStar Warscanon , but while its war machine mimics the aesthetic of its forerunner , it is a essentially different cabal to the Empire . The First Order ’s rise to exponent , its true purpose , its evolution from Imperial terrorist mathematical group to a fully - feather military junta , and how it serves the undead Emperor Palpatine are all explored in the currentStar Warscanon ’s post - original trilogy fabric .

Star war : The Force Awakensis often criticized for relying too heavily on original trilogy nostalgia , resulting in a lack of world - edifice and reconstruction of scenes from the firstStar Warsmovie . While the film does , for better or bad , hark back the difference of opinion toa “ Rebels vs Empire ” dynamic(to the point where the trilogy often block the greyback are called the Resistance in this period ) , the two belligerent factions are essentially different to their original trilogy opposite number . Here is how the currentStar Warscanon explains the First Order ’s boost and what separate it from the Empire .

Related : Star Wars : All 9 camarilla In The Skywalker Saga excuse

George Lucas with A New Hope imagery v3

Palpatine Always Planned For The Empire’s Fall

The seeded player of the First Order were planted before the Galactic Empire rebel to power , as revealed in Chuck Wendig’sAftermath : Life Debt . Before the start of the Clone Wars , Supreme Chancellor Palpatine recruited Gallius Rax , a Jakku native , to make an lookout station on the apart desert earthly concern . In the old age precede and come the upgrade of the Empire , Palpatine lay the foundation for the First Orderin the issue of his decease . The Contingency , as Palpatine bring out inAftermath : Empire ’s conclusion , ensures that the Empire does not outlive its Emperor but is instead succeeded by a stronger faction . Palpatine ’s Observatories ensured the Empire would rebuild in the galaxy ’s Unknown Regions .

The Empire’s Contingency Sowed The First Order

TheAftermathtrilogy , Claudia Gray’sLost Stars , Star Wars : Battlefront II , Star Wars : Squadrons , and Greg Rucka and Marco Checchetto’sStar Wars : Shattered Empireexplore the year following Palpatine ’s death at the Battle of Endor . Palpatine ’s posthumous Contingency raze worlds and culled the ranks of the regal armed forces to ensure only the best and most truehearted members survived . The Contingency culminated in the climactic Battle of Jakku , in whichImperial and New Republic forcesclashed as Gallius Rax attempt to destroy the satellite . Rax was cheat by Rae Sloane and his attempts to destroy Jakku miscarry . The fledgling New Republic was triumphant , with the surviving Imperials fleeing to the Unknown Regions .

What Became Of The Empire’s Remnants?

Officially , the Galactic Empire surrendered following its frustration at the Battle of Jakku and was largely demilitarized as per the Galactic Concordance . As described inLost Stars , the remaining Imperial junto in the Core Worlds and Inner Rim disbanded its Stormtrooper Corps and significantly reduced the might of its remaining Imperial Army and Navy forces . This last surviving Imperial Remnant remain within its border and forfend conflict with the New Republic , even opting to ferment alongside it and take shape the unofficial middle-of-the-road political party , though this was , at last , a way to preserve Imperial political theory within the New Republic .

Unofficially , numerous Imperial remnant factionsrefused to follow with the Galactic Concordance and retain to engage warfare against the New Republic , using their several Stormtrooper Corps in summation to their Army and Navy forces . One such faction , as date inThe Mandalorian , was led by Moff Gideon and operated in the Outer Rim , with relatively small influence from the New Republic . Other remnant factions would likewise disobey the Concordance and continue to develop their military machine , but all eventually cease up in the nameless Regions as extremity of the First Order . The Centrists left the New Republic in approximately 29 ABY , forming the political branches of the First Order .

touch : What Happened To Coruscant After The Original Star Wars Trilogy

Diego Luna as Cassian Andor in Andor season 2

Emperor Palpatine’s Survival & Seclusion

Unknown to the galaxy writ large , Emperor Palpatine returned from the dead , using methods not unlike his Legends continuity counterpart to transfer his cognisance to a rude cloned body . During his reign in the original trilogy earned run average , Palpatine had place up cloning laboratory and a massive detail of his deadliest military forces on the almost - forgotten Sith world of Exegol in the Unknown Regions . As shown inStar state of war : The Rise of Skywalkerand Greg Pak’sDarth Vadercomics , Palpatine ’s experimentation with cloning and strandcasts not only bring home the bacon him with likely replacements for Darth Vader and novel vessel for his cognizance to inhabit , but also a leader for the First Order .

How The First Order Gained Its Supreme Leader

The identity and origins of theFirst Order ’s Supreme Leader , Snoke , stimulate vivid speculation after the launch of theStar Warssequel trilogy . He seemed to be a simple repeat of Emperor Palpatine , with no account how such an adversary could number to be , and many felt this was dissatisfactory . The opening minutes ofStar Wars : The Rise of Skywalkerattempted to fix this by revealing Snoke was an stilted being created by Palpatine .

Star Warscanon has built on this , notably in the in - creation bookThe closed book of the Sith . This reveal Snoke was create as a potential vessel for Palpatine , but the process was unstable and he was an inapplicable host . Snoke had incredible morose side potential , leading Palpatine to guide him into becoming Supreme Leader of the First Order and mentor to Kylo Ren . Neither Snoke norKylo Ren were ever Sith , with the latter leading the Knights of Ren instead .

How Palpatine Secretly Controlled The First Order

While Snoke possess complimentary will , he was manipulated from afar by Palpatine , something he was unaware of , as give away in 2022’sThe Star Wars Bookby Pablo Hidalgo , Cole Horton , and Dan Zehr . Snoke , as Palpatine ’s secret puppet , ensured the First Order remained under Palpatine ’s mastery while most of the galax believed the notorious Sith Lord was break for good . Moreover , Snoke was essential to Ben Solo ’s declination to the dark side and rechristening as Kylo Ren , the eventual leader of the Knights of Ren . Under Snoke ’s leading , the First Order weakened opposition toPalpatine ’s shroud forces on Exegoland provide the Sith Lord with a potential young apprentice .

Related : Star Wars : How The Knights of Ren Are dissimilar From The Sith

What Was The First Order’s True Purpose?

In addition to making Ben Solo a potential learner to Palpatine , the First Order stay fresh the New Republic and Resistance occupied and off - balance while Palpatine prepared to unleash his Sith unceasing military force on the galaxy . Despite their loss against the Resistance , the First Order dealt a hefty blow to the New Republic by obliterating the Hosnian system and intimidate much of the galaxy before Palpatine even let loose his great weapons . With Snoke dead and Kylo Ren as the Supreme Leader , however , the First Order served its purpose and was promptlymerged with the Sith Eternal , create the Final Order and complete the story of theStar Warssequel earned run average ’s antagonists .

Next : All 5 Ways Emperor Palpatine Has Died In Star Wars Canon & Legends

Emperor Palpatine laughing maniacally in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.

General Hux and Captain Phasma.

Emperor Palpatine Contingency Death

The Battle of Jakku in Star Wars: Battlefront.

Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian.

Palpatine on Exegol in The Rise of Skywalker

Supreme Leader Snoke in Star Wars: The Last Jedi speaking from atop his throne with his hands up.

Palpatine’s clone superimposed over an image of a First Order rally

star wars palpatine first order final order

Movies

Star Wars

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker