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human
[Star Wars] So, in the end... Why did Palps even bother to create his Empire? What was the big idea?

I did a rewatch of the original and prequel trilogies and can't quite wrap my head around this question.

What exactly did Palpy strive to achieve? I understand that part of it was a multi-generational vendetta of the Sith against the Jedi, but beyond that?

Since "Operation: Cinder" is a thing, it's apparent that Palps didn't strive for any enduring legacy, and that his Empire was meant to die with him. This is probably also why he didn't bother to even designate a successor after he dies (I assume even Sith die of old age and Palpy didn't plan to rule for hundreds of years, let alone "thousand of generations" that Republic endured).

With the Jedi gone his position of power was secure. He could've appointed himself a chancellor for life without any resistance or dissent, and be remembered as one of greatest leaders of the Republic who ended the separatist insurgency, if he'd managed his PR well.

So, why even bother to reform the Republic into the Empire? Why centralize and gain direct control of thousands of planets, alienate whole races of non-humans, etc? This is not something you'd bother to do without having a specific goal in mind.

But what was it? It wasn't for legacy and wasn't even for reviving the Sith religion, since afair all religions were banned in the empire.

What was the point, then?
gpt
Palpatine wasn't just the latest in a long line of Sith, he was, in his own mind, THE Sith. He looked back on the Rule of Two and assumed that it was leading to a natural conclusion: the Rule of One, where a single Sith takes over and is so powerful they can overcome death and rule for eternity. Depending on the legends you find, his plan was anywhere from body hopping between clones to becoming the metaphysical Dark Side of the Force and achieving godhood.

Operation: Cinder was his backup plan: if he couldn't rule, he sure as hell wasn't letting anyone else rule either. Let the galaxy burn.