Why Darth Vader Believed Destroying Alderaan was a Mistake - Star Wars Explained

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Composer: Whitesand (Martynas Lau)
Year: 2017
Title: Eternity

Additional Music Terminus by: Scott Buckley
Released under CC-BY 4.0.

[ThatGUY]

Tarkin was an odd man. Brutal, efficient, and utterly lacking in any ability to think long term.

The destruction of Alderaan was probably the single biggest strategic blunder of the empire’s existence as it not only lead deprived the Empire of a valuable planet, it lead to an explosion of support for the Rebellion and mass Imperial defections

[havcost]

Even Palpatine was shocked and a bit conflicted about the planet's destruction and that's saying something

[Salemchevy]

Even as a Jedi anakin was surprisingly a good military general. As a sith lord he was a monster but in terms of military actions he surprisingly fair to people that had some sense. I am sure that Vader was thinking if we destroy the planet it would give us more control in terms of fear but it would cause more to rebel since the empire can just destroy a planet at will

[sammielopez]

You know you are messed up when even Vader thinks you’re insane .

[Raptormon]

Darth Vader was actually right about destroying Alderaan being a mistake.
The biggest mistake that costed the Empire its own demise, as many countless planets and systems turned on the Empire and joined the rebellion afterwards.

[Michael-kdho]

It ultimately became a perfect storm of circumstances.

Remember that just recently Palpatine finally dissolved the Imperial Senate, thus eliminating bureaucratic control over much of the systems. It was the final step towards turning the Empire into a full military dictatorship, with moffs in firect control over systems with their fleets The Death Star was to be the core of that "Tarkin Doctrine".

Then the Empire destroys a core world of the old Rebublic, and a loyal one to boot - Bail and Lea aside, Alderaan was never in open rebellion against the Empire. Thus, Tarkin presented the galaxy with an intresting choice - rebel against the Empire and die, or remain loyal and...die.

And then the rebels destroyed the Death Star...

[bigj]

The destruction of Alderaan was definitely the “Are we the bad guys?” moment for a lot of Imperials.

[TheFukkles]

Tarkin was drunk on power in this moment. Vader could see that, and while respecting its darkside alignment he also had the appropriate amount of caution. After all, he knows what it means to lose oneself to the pride before the fall.

[studinthemaking]

When a sith lord thinks your totally insane. You are at a whole new level of craziness.

[EAcapuccino]

It's easy to forget how intelligent and forward planning Vader was despite his day to day suffering

He and Admiral Thrawn already viewed the Death Star as counterproductive to the empires integrity.

[Gor]

Vader knew exactly what destruction of Alderaan meant. He knew how strong Rebellion would become. And he was right. Palpatine knew it too. He was upset and angry. He saw what could happen. Vader's view was very pragmatic and intelligent. Tarkin was completely disrespectful towards Vader. He grew too ambitious and careless. Vader was right in a way, Tarkin was a lunatic. May the Force be with you too😊

[michaelpowell-ngatchou]

I like the idea that the career Imperials were less rational than the Sith.

[roycehuepers]

4:20

Only 1 common man has Vader said is his equal... Boba Fett. Because Fett was as skilled in combat as Vader, had honor, was as ruthless as Vader, but also understand that he couldn't fight Vader directly, but didn’t fear him. It was a mutual respect. Tarkin was just a glorified accountant

[AndrewJamesWilliams]

Alderaan's destruction was the Empire's greatest mistake one that took even Sidious by surprise as while he had given Tarkin the authority to destroy a planet he didn't expect it to be Alderaan one of the most peaceful, beautiful and influential worlds in the galaxy. It's loss sent a wave of shock, grief and then rage against the Empire for this horrific crime from the core worlds - who suddenly realised that there wealth and political power didn't shield them from the madness of the Empire as it always had before - to the outer rim. When the battlestation was subsequently destroyed by the Rebel Alliance it ultimately sealed the Empire's downfall.

[Devil]

You know it’s in the red when even Vader was like “this dude has lost his mind..”. But this is also the issue in Vader’s position. He had no rank in the empire he was kinda just a right hand man but those with high rank had say so that’s why it was easy for Tarkin to talk stupid to Vader

[RaphBlade]

I imagine after being redeemed, Anakin's view Alderaan's destruction probably changed to being disgusted with Tarkin's actions and probably felt guilty for what he as Vader and the Empire put Leia through!

[shadowwriter]

Honestly, blowing up Alderaan was like Tarkin shooting the Empire in the foot. Along with turning Imperials who were from Alderaan against the Empire but turning most of the systems against the Empire that were (probably) close to the core worlds. Had Tarkin blown up another planet that wasn't loyal to the Empire then things might have been different; granted, blowing up a planet is evil that cannot really be fathomed but at the very least there might have been less push back to worlds that were still loyal to, or would have remained loyal to, the Empire

[chasepalestrant]

When you put into consideration what Tarkin did to a Pirate Queen after he caught her during his younger year's it kind of puts into perspective just how messed up he is. For anyone wondering Tarkin sent the Pirate leader into a storage crate and sent that slowly flying into a sun.

[robertagu]

Vaders Death views are rather noble minded in some ways. He used calculation an no passion or personal feelings unless someone's really asking for it. Even seemingly merciful for a Sith when it suited him from some the stories. Helping hint at an allow for his eventual redemption. Conducting himself rather honorably for a villain. Something most villains seldom do.

[justinhamm]

Tarkin was the ultimate Villain in this era of the Star Wars universe. Even Palpatine said he didn't want rule over a galaxy of the dead. Leia in the radio drama accused Tarkin of being in war with life itself. The cold military industrial complex.... is without peace, compassion, no does it have passion (sith).