From the first saga:
The Old Republic was the Republic of legend, greater
than distance or time. No need to note where it was or
whence it came, only to know that ... it was the Republic
Once, under the wise rule of the Senate and the protection
of the Jedi Knights, the Republic throve and grew. But, as
often happens when wealth and power pass beyond the
admirable and attain the awesome, then appear those evil
ones who have greed to match.
So it was with the Republic at its height. Like the greatest
of trees, able to withstand any external attack, the Republic
rotted from within though the danger was not visible from
the outside.
Aided and abetted by restless, power-hungry individuals
whithin the government, and the massive organs of com-
merce, the ambitious Senator Palpatine caused himself to be
elected President of the Republic.
Once secure in office he declared himself Emperor, shut-
ting himself away from populace. Soon he was controlled
by the very assistants and boot-lickers he had appointed to
high office, and the cries of the people for justice did not
reach his ears.
Having exterminated through treachery and deception
the Jedi Knights, guardians of justice in the galaxy, the
Imperial Governors and bureaucrats prepared to institute a
reign of terror among the disheartenend worlds in the galaxy.
Many used the Imperial forces and the name of the increas-
ingly isolated Emperor to further their own personal ambi-
tions.
A small number of systems rebelled at these new outrages.
Declaring themselves opposed to the New Order, they began
the great battle to restore the Old Republic.
From the beginning they were vastly outnumbered by the
systems held in thrall by the Emperor. In those first dark
days it seemed certain the bright flame of resistance would
be extinguished before it could cast light of new truth
across a galaxy of oppressed and beaten peoples ...
