1. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (or is it?)…
Despite the best efforts of those committed to preserving peace, the Republic is slowly torn apart by dark forces that claim many of the Republic’s own protectors.
The Senate is powerless to stop the Republic from splitting apart, and all seems lost until a new hero leads the forces of good to triumph once and for all over evil…

2. What George Lucas never told you…

3. Early 19th Century Politicsis =
Early 19th Century Politics

4. The Dark Side A force that tears apart the Republic…
The Secessionists/
Slavery
Darth Sidious/
Dark Side =

5. John C Calhoun = Anakin Skywalker
Begins career on the good side and crosses over later
Advocates strong central power early in his career
He seeks to crush dissent after he switches to the Dark Side

6. Steps Toward the Dark Side
Tariff of 1828 = Death of Anakin’s Mother
South Carolina Exposition = Slaughter of the Tuskan Raiders
The Compromise of 1850 = final move to Dark Side

7. Henry Clay = Yoda Leaders of their respective movements for many years
Often called on to save the day when all else fails
Wise, but ability to read future sometimes clouded
A Great Compromiser this one was

8. Andrew Jackson = Mace Windu
Renowned and skillful warrior
Has doubts about Anakin/Calhoun
Refuses to back down from a challenge; at one point is rescued by Yoda/Clay

9. Obi-Wan Kenobi = John Brown
One of Republic’s top warriors
Fights one of earliest battles against the Dark Side (Kansas)
Returns to combat to fight Darth Vader before dying (Harper’s Ferry)
Influences the Republic’s soldiers even after death (John Brown’s Body)

10. Trade Federation = S.C. & Planter Aristocracy
First to defy the Republic’s power
Most active against the Republic

11. Luke Skywalker = Abe Lincoln
Comes from humble beginnings
Gains renown in a short period of time
Leads his forces to victory against the Dark Side
Shows empathy for his enemies

12. R2D2 = Ken Burns Preserver of Documents Projects images
Story is told from his point of view

13. Chewbacca = Shelby Foote
Lovable character
Has Strong Opinions
Shaped by background
experience
Crucial to helping us
Understand the cause

14. C3P0 = Gen Little Mac McClellan
Good communicator with the troops, yet timid in battle

15. Boba Fet = Stonewall Jackson
Militarily skillful and respected
Both come to untimely deaths

16. Princess Lea = Clara Barton
Always in the midst of battle providing a helping hand.
Oh, and similar hair cuts

17. Ewoks = The Underground Railraod
Key grass roots movement, able to topple the dark side (slavery) through indigenous efforts

18. Destruction of 1st Death Star = Emancipation Proclamation
Boosts morale of fighters
Is not the final defeat of the Dark Side

19. Ulysses S Grant = Han Solo
Often accused of being ill-groomed
Unlikely choice to lead Republic’s army
Distinguishes himself in smaller battles
Helps plan the final battles of the war

20. Millennium Falcon = USS Monitor
envied modes of mobile attack complete with turrets

21. Gettysburg/Picket’s Charge = Snow planet Hoth
-arguable a mistake from which the Dark Side never fully psychologically recovered
-The farthest point of significant attack and the high-water mark of the CSA

22. Jabba the Hut = The Copperheads
Threaten the Union’s leadership and struggle though not aligned with the South
Deftly handled by Abraham Lincoln’s Union Party
Like Clement Vallandigham, Jabba is a “man without a country”

23. Oops, wrong powerpoint!

24. Lando Calrissian = General Sherman
Leads final, crushing attack on the enemy and destroys it

25. Reconstruction Darth Maul = KKK Jar Jar Binks = Andrew Johnson
Violent disguised evil
Jar Jar Binks = Andrew Johnson
Inept, clumsy and almost forced out by popular demand

26. And so ends the tumultuous 19th century of politics…a period of heroes and villains, republics and galaxies, and ultimately an eternal battle of good versus evil.