Two ruthless leaders shaped the military dominance of their respective regimes—General Armitage Hux, played by Domhnall Gleeson, and Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin, played by Peter Cushing. Both commanded vast fleets, wielded terrifying superweapons, and enforced their governments’ will through fear and calculated brutality. The Galactic Empire and the First Order relied on their strategic minds to maintain control over the galaxy.
Although both men held immense power, their leadership styles, military tactics, and ultimate legacies differed greatly. Tarkin ruled through calculated fear, shaping Imperial doctrine with his unyielding strategic vision. Hux sought to restore Imperial rule under the First Order but faced internal struggles and a lack of control over his own leadership structure. One was a seasoned strategist who had the Emperor’s trust, while the other was a younger officer seeking to carve his own path to power.
Rise to Power
Tarkin: The Architect of Imperial Fear
Wilhuff Tarkin’s rise began long before the Empire existed. Born into the aristocratic Tarkin family of Eriadu, he was trained from an early age in military discipline, political maneuvering, and ruthless efficiency. His early years in the Republic Outland Regions Security Force hardened his mind and tactics. Tarkin understood that control over lawless regions required absolute authority, and he applied this philosophy throughout his career.
Recognizing his potential, Chancellor Palpatine brought Tarkin into his inner circle, where he worked closely with the future Emperor during the Clone Wars. As the Republic transformed into the Galactic Empire, Tarkin was rewarded with the rank of Grand Moff—an unprecedented title granting direct control over entire sectors. His greatest contribution was the Tarkin Doctrine, a philosophy that dictated ruling through overwhelming military power and fear. This ideology shaped the Empire’s approach to governance and led to the construction of the Death Star, a weapon designed to make rebellion impossible.
Hux: The Ambitious Architect of the First Order
Armitage Hux’s rise was entirely different. Unlike Tarkin, who built his reputation through military service, Hux was the product of Imperial remnants that survived after the Battle of Endor. Born to Brendol Hux, a high-ranking officer in the Empire, Armitage was raised in secrecy, trained from childhood to believe in the absolute superiority of Imperial rule. The remnants of the Empire fled into the Unknown Regions, where they restructured and slowly rebuilt, forming what would become the First Order.
Hux grew up among the officers and strategists who dreamed of restoring the Empire. Unlike Tarkin, who gained his position through battlefield experience, Hux relied on political cunning, technological advancements, and brutal indoctrination tactics to gain power. The introduction of a new stormtrooper program—where children were stolen, brainwashed, and raised as perfect soldiers—was Hux’s vision for the future. This program created the highly disciplined First Order Stormtrooper Corps, ensuring absolute obedience to his command.
Once Supreme Leader Snoke came to power, Hux was elevated to General, overseeing the First Order’s military forces. His greatest achievement was the creation of Starkiller Base, a superweapon designed to surpass even the Death Star.
Military Strategy and Leadership Style
Tarkin: Precision and Unyielding Control
Tarkin’s leadership was defined by calculated efficiency, fear-based rule, and absolute control over his subordinates. The Imperial military was vast and complex, yet Tarkin ensured discipline through brutality and unwavering enforcement of order. Unlike many Imperial officers, Tarkin did not rely solely on Sith Lords or force-sensitive individuals to maintain control. Instead, he commanded respect through intelligence and sheer force of will.
A defining moment of Tarkin’s strategy was the destruction of Alderaan. When Princess Leia Organa was captured and interrogated aboard the Death Star, Tarkin demonstrated his belief in absolute fear as a weapon. Instead of executing her outright, he gave her a false choice—reveal the location of the Rebel base, or watch Alderaan be destroyed. Even after Leia provided a false location, he proceeded with the destruction, proving that the Death Star was more than a military weapon—it was a political tool designed to eliminate resistance before it could begin.
Under Tarkin’s rule, the Imperial fleet operated with precision and ruthlessness. The Empire did not merely defeat its enemies; it eradicated any possibility of dissent. His command style ensured that Imperial officers obeyed without hesitation, fearing the consequences of failure. Even Darth Vader, who often executed Imperial commanders, treated Tarkin as an equal, a rare sign of respect from the Sith Lord.
Hux: Technological Superiority and Indoctrination
Hux’s leadership focused on efficiency, military innovation, and ideological supremacy. Unlike Tarkin, who relied on calculated brutality, Hux prioritized order and complete submission from his forces. The First Order was not just a successor to the Empire—it was an evolution of its military doctrine, removing what Hux saw as weaknesses in the Imperial system.
The First Order’s military machine was built on the indoctrination of child soldiers. Unlike the stormtroopers of the Empire, who were often conscripts or volunteers, Hux’s stormtroopers were taken at birth, conditioned to obey without question, and trained to be utterly loyal. This ensured that the First Order’s army was free of disloyalty, cowardice, or political infighting—at least in theory.
Starkiller Base represented Hux’s vision for galactic domination. Unlike the Death Star, which destroyed planets one at a time, Starkiller Base wiped out entire star systems with a single blast. This was not merely an escalation of the Empire’s tactics—it was a statement. Hux sought to erase the New Republic in one swift strike, ensuring that resistance would be impossible.
Relationship with Superiors
Tarkin held the Emperor’s trust and commanded the Imperial military with near-autonomy. Unlike most officers, who feared Darth Vader’s wrath, Tarkin worked alongside the Sith Lord as an equal. This granted immense power within the Empire, allowing strategic decisions without interference. The Emperor saw Tarkin as a necessary tool for maintaining order.
Hux’s relationship with Supreme Leader Snoke was far weaker. Although given control over the First Order’s military, Hux constantly faced internal power struggles, particularly with Kylo Ren. Unlike Tarkin, who commanded Vader’s respect, Hux and Kylo Ren were constantly at odds. This internal conflict weakened the First Order’s chain of command.
The Downfall
Tarkin’s overconfidence led to the destruction of the Death Star. Refusing to evacuate, he underestimated the Rebel Alliance and believed that the station was invulnerable. His belief in the Tarkin Doctrine blinded him to the possibility of failure, leading to his death in the explosion.
Hux’s downfall came from his own ambition and betrayal. After Snoke’s death, Kylo Ren took control of the First Order. Hux, unwilling to serve under Ren, secretly aided the Resistance in an attempt to undermine Ren’s rule. This act of treason was discovered, leading to his execution by Allegiant General Pryde. Unlike Tarkin, who died as a loyal Imperial leader, Hux perished as a traitor to his own cause.
Legacy
Tarkin’s military philosophy influenced Imperial remnants, the First Order, and even the Sith Eternal. His belief in ruling through fear continued long after his death, shaping future superweapons and military strategies.
Hux’s legacy was more short-lived. The First Order collapsed under Kylo Ren’s unstable rule, and the Sith Eternal replaced it. Hux’s dream of a restored Empire died with him.
The Verdict
Tarkin ruled an empire with absolute authority. Hux tried to rebuild it but failed.
One was a leader of fear and strategy. The other was a man consumed by ambition and internal conflict. Tarkin defined Imperial power. Hux was a product of its remnants.
