The Death Star was a controlled demolition! The Empire placed explosives inside to make it look like the rebellion destroyed it!
Palpatine knew the rebellion was against the Empire, but he knew that sympathy would be generated for them within the Senate if he just attacked them. Then again, that didn't stop him from attacking the Tantive IV. And so he destroyed the Death Star and convinced everyone that it was the rebellion, to get everyone on his side against the rebels. Then he could invade Hoth and supposedly take out the rebels, who all of a sudden have "weapons of mass destruction". Coincidentally, Hoth just happens to be rich in oil, a major necessity to the Empire.
It was fairly un-controlled.
Jesse "the nut" Ventura will probably claim it was.
平和
No. And, no.
No.
Did Palpatine know?
