Seeing as no one has posted comments there in most of a year, I'll put my thoughts here. First, as Tex said, you could write a better/more informed essay after gathering more, or even all the data available concerning the Empire. The EU has all kinds of information about the Empire, and the attrocities that were commited in its name. Second, Alderaan by itself shoots your arguement to kingdom-come. A regional government's actions do not justify the slaughtering of the regional populace. Third, the Empire did not REALLY form legally. Palpy just said, 'We're now an Empire, and I'm your emperor.' Sure, the Senate cheered, but that was more from Palpy's charisma than the fact they were an Empire, IMO. Fourth, unless I'm mistaken, Captain Antilles was dead when Vader "lets go." I had other points, but I got distracted before I could get them down.