First Order

The First Order was a military and political organization which was active approximately thirty years after the Battle of Endor. Inspired by the principles of the Galactic Empire, the First Order fought against the Resistance for control of the galaxy.

Description
The First Order was a military junta inspired by the Galactic Empire.

The organization was led by a figure who assumed the title of Supreme Leader. Approximately thirty years after the Battle of Endor, Snoke retained the title.

Like its predecessor, the First Order employed the use of stormtroopers, including variants such as flametroopers and snowtroopers, with the latter utilizing First Order snowspeeders. It also utilized Heavy Artillery Stormtroopers and Riot Control Stormtroopers, of whom Captain Phasma was a leader. The First Order also utilized TIE fighters as well as a Special Forces variant, and a new brand of Star Destroyer of which the Finalizer was a member. Its primary base of operations was known as Starkiller Base, an ice planet converted into a stronghold. The base housed a superweapon capable of destroying entire star systems. General Hux assumed command of the base.

Much like the old Empire, the First Order employed the services of Force-sensitives. Supreme Leader Snoke was known to be a powerful figure in the dark side of the Force, while Kylo Ren, who worked under him, was a member of the Knights of Ren. Despite having Force-sensitives within its ranks, the First Order did not employ the use of Sith or Inquisitors like its predecessor.

History
During the Galactic Civil War, the Alliance to Restore the Republic struck a major blow against the Galactic Empire during the Battle of Endor. With the deaths of Emperor Palpatine and his apprentice, Darth Vader, the battle severely shattered the now-leaderless Empire.

In the years that followed, the First Order emerged, inspired by the principles of the fallen government and led by former officers of the Empire. The First Order was active approximately thirty years after the Battle of Endor, and fought against the Resistance.

Behind the scenes
"That all came out of conversations about what would have happened if the Nazis all went to Argentina but then started working together again? What could be born of that? Could The First Order exist as a group that actually admired The Empire? Could the work of The Empire be seen as unfulfilled? And could Vader be a martyr? Could there be a need to see through what didn't get done?"

- J.J. Abrams

The First Order was created for the 2015 film Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens and was developed through conversations amongst the production team. According to J.J. Abrams, the film's director, the team wondered what would have happened if the Nazis who went into hiding in Argentina after World War II started working together again. Abrams hinted that the First Order would therefore be a group that admired the Galactic Empire and felt that its work was unfulfilled.

The First Order's exact nature during the development of the film was kept secret since the film's announcement. On August 10, 2015, the official Star Wars Twitter and GooglePlus accounts unveiled an image of the First Order congregating at Starkiller Base.

Appearances

 * Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure
 * Before the Awakening
 * Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens