The political institutions of “Star Wars”-such as the Senate, Republic and Empire-and the pseudo-Latin names of characters such as chancellors Valorum and Palpatine echo those of ancient Rome. “It was really about the Vietnam War, and that was the period where Nixon was trying to run for a term, which got me to thinking historically about how do democracies get turned into dictatorships? Because the democracies aren’t overthrown they’re given away.”Ĭredit: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty images But he pretended to be a really nice guy.” In a 2005 interview published in the Chicago Tribune, Lucas said he originally conceived “Star Wars” as a reaction to Nixon’s presidency. He subverted the senate and finally took over and became an imperial guy and he was really evil. Rinzler’s “The Making of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,” when asked if Emperor Palpatine was a Jedi during a 1981 story conference, Lucas responded, “No, he was a politician. Poster for “Star Wars.” (Credit: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty images)Īlthough there are parallels between Emperor Palpatine and dictators such as Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte, the direct inspiration for the saga’s evil antagonist was actually an American president.

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