I had a character that was on the stormcloaks and I made a new one to see what the empire/imperial was like. I blindly joined their side not knowing if they were bad or good. I dont know much about the lore but is the empire/imperial bad and trying to rule Skyrim and make everything bad?

Well, the Stormcloaks are kind of well, racist.
Empire? Not really.

They just want to keep order, hell Ulfric won't even allow Argonians into his city, and I'm pretty sure he hates everyone who isn't a Nord.

Depends on how you look at it:
You could see the stormcloaks as the 'good guys' for taking back a province which they consider theirs.
or you could see the imperials as the 'good' faction for trying to protect their empire and keep order

ok cool thanks

the empire is actually just how you expect an empire to be.... has his ups and downs

and the stormcloaks do actually only fight for their believes, but also have a downside -> racists.

soooo. i would say. you play a nord? -> stormcloaks.

something else? -> imperials or nothing

Many within the Empire are either corrupt, resigned to the thought of another war, or outright in the Thalmor's pocket.

The choice in Skyrim's Civil War is between a corrupt, long-standing power with lofty ideals, and a new, rising power that aspires to greatness but is rather poorly organized and anarchistic at present.

Depends on what you mean by bad...

Tell that to Hadvar, just because he is a Nord doesn't mean hes an absolutely racist fool

No matter which side you join, chances are at some point you will feel bad and regret it and wonder if you joined the right side. The Empire is not some benevolent thing that will make the world wonderful and prosperous - right now it's kinda crappy, actually. But I wouldn't call it bad. The Stormcloak's aren't bad either. There are good and bad people on each side. It's up to you to look at the facts and sort through the propaganda to choose which side you most believe in, and accept the consequences for that choice.

oh, ok i said it wrong. i don't say nords are racist... i say the stormcloaks are. so a nord could also go to the imperials, but what i meant is that the only really good choice for stormcloaks is a nord.

The same applies to Ralof and the Stormcloaks. Honestly, any rebel force is going to attract undesirable types.

Define bad

At least the empire doesn't do what Ulfric does to the native reachmen (forsworn).

The empire isnt bad theyre just weak, and willing to sellout to the Thalmar if it keeps the emperor in his seat.
And about the racism claims - you know Hadjiits arent allowed in Solitude?

The Empire are not really bad, it depends who you think are wrong, the Stormcloaks in some respects are the bad guys for starting the civil war when Ulfric killed High King Torryg. But they are fighting to stop the Thalmor take control of Skyrim.

Because After the signing White-Gold Concordat by the Aldmeri Dominion and the Empire it ended the Great War on conditions that Talos worship was banned and cession of southern Hammerfall which the Nords didn't like. Most of eastern Skyrim rebelled under Ulfric's governorship however only wanted what was best for Nords.

So the Empire isn't bad but trying to keep the peace by being the Thalmor's puppet.

The Empire beliefs unity is the only way to keep the Thalmor at bay. The Stormcloaks believe death and possibly failure are better then giving up their ancient traditions. Neither is bad but both have their bad sides.

The Empire is bloated and corrupt. It's not just nor enlightened. The stormcloaks are fairly racist rebels. What they do might jeopardize the entire Empire, the people in all the provinces. On the other hand they might save their culture. It;s a big blob of grey.

There are ppl in the empire that are bad and those that are good (the emporer was cool) but same goes for the stormcloaks (ulfric is the biggest [censored] in the game aside from maybe cicero).

But both sides have an unlying theme of "badness" the sotrmcloaks are somewhat racist favouring nords and hating elves while the empire bands freedom of religion ie the worship of talos. Pretty balanced sides IMO

Can I make a request?

Sure, what can I do for you?

Do you know "The Age of Aggression"?

Only true Imperials request that one.

*Sings*

Neither side is "bad", such is the way of most wars. They both have their beliefs, the Stormcloaks state that the Empire is a puppet of the Thalmor, whereas the Empire states they are the only thing keeping the Thalmor out of Skyrim. The Empire does want to enfore the Thalmor's laws, but they must for the time being do so unless they are to be totally wiped out. If they are wiped out who is to stop the Thalmor from taking total control? The Stolmcloaks? Not likely...

The civil war is just distracting the Empire from building back it's army and morale, so the Thalmor use that to their advantages. If you read a certain Falmor missive, you will see that they are glad of the Helgen incident, because it kept the war going...

The rebel scum have been infecting the minds of people with their propaganda, I see.

Neither good or bad. It's an Empire trying to survive and protect its citizen.

Don't worry, This 'rebellion' will be crushed like any other.

Neither and both.

To me this is one of the best things Bethesda has done. Reality isn't black and white.

Personally, I have a hard times siding with the empire ever regardless of race. I can't ever imagine supporting a government that would willingly bend its knee to an enemy and allow them to roam the countryside kidnapping and killing its citizens.

They both have good or bad sides. The point is that if the Empire wins the war the Thalmor can still be defeated, if Stormcloacks do then the Thalmor are gonna win

Didn't Ulfric ordered the execution of everyone that was associated to the forsworn be they man women or children that started their murdering ways?