Why the Stormcloaks rebellion hurts Skyrim

So I saw a post about how the Empire is corrupt and I would just like to make my counter argument.

Now I'm not saying the Empire is without fault, there is a lot of stagnation and bureaucracy in the Cyrodilic Government, but that still doesn't justify an violent, childish movement, fuelled by racism and let by a power hungry fool.

Well to get to the heart of the story, you have to go back to the beginning.

4E 168, Titus Mede II rises to the throne of a crippled empire, as Cyrodil recovers from the Oblivion crisis the Thalmor take Valenwood and Elsweyr. Black Marsh had left the empire with the events of the Oblivion Crisis and Morrowind had never truly recovered from its conflict. Titus Mede barely had time to get comfortable when the Thalmor came knocking, when the emperor refuse their ultimatum they gifted him a cart filled with the head of every Blades agent from Summerset and Valenwood.

The Great War

And so began The Great War, a massive clash between the might of The Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion. Try as they may The Empire was no match, the Dominion quickly took they southern coast line of Hammerfell as the rest of their forces attacked Cyrodil. The Empire won a number of victories, and for every defeat they made the Dominion bleed, so the Thalmor called for a treaty.

Some call Titus Mede II a coward, who surrendered to the Thalmor, a man who gave in when the Empire needed him. But when that ambassador sent that ultimatum he defied, and when he was presented the heads of countless Blades agents he prepared for war. The battles that raged for the next four years were bloody, and both sides saw countless casualties. Eventually the Aldmeri Dominion brokered peace from a position of power, allowing them to ban Talos Worship and insert themselves into imperial politics.

The Markarth Incident

During the conflict of the Great War the Reachmen took Markarth. In exchange for being able to worship Talos, Ulfric was asked to remove the invaders from the city. With Ulfric at it's head the militia took the city, staging a number of executions, and torturing the civilians for information when they went underground. The imperials knew that the Thalmor would not overlook the breach of the treaty but they let Ulfric worship his god. When the Thalmor pressed them, they imprisoned him.

The rise of a Rebel

During the war Ulfric fought along side soldiers such as Galmar Stone-fist and Legate Rikke, he was captured during the conflict and tortured. After Elenwen learned he was the son of a jarl he was fed information that he was crucial to the capture of the imperial city before 'escaping'. After the Markarth incident and his father's death during his incarceration he took the seat of jarl. Fanned the flame of hatred toward the Empire and the Thalmor, creating what came to be known as the Stormcloak Rebellion.

The Death of a King

In order to prove that the Empire was weak Ulfric challenged the high king to single combat, if he refused Ulfric point was proven, if he accepted the high king would have to fight a tested veteran with training in the Thu'um that was his senior by many years.

What I hate most isn't the rebellion itself but Ulfric, he was selfish putting his own desires above the Empire and calling the traitors when the disagreed. If he had faith in the Empire instead of trying to cut his own path in blood then the Empire could have regained strength to fight back. Searching around the Blue Palace you learn that Torygg looked up to him, he would have joined Ulfric if he had only asked. The Thalmor knew that Ulfric would cause strife, they knew that as long as the conflict continued that the empire was weakened. Sneaking into the Thalmor embassy, you'll find that the Thalmor refer to the war as "First War with the Empire". They are already planning their next attack and the only thing that the rebellion does is make it easier for them.

FP edit: Just hoping to beat that Stormcloak supporter on FP, remember attack the argument not the person arguing.