User blog comment:Spritydove/Deeper Thought into the Civil War/@comment-5229167-20120707030212/@comment-5135631-20120708093418

Just because they defeated the Empire in a war, doesn't mean they would sever all ties with them. Thing would be bad for a few years, but if the Empire is so smart-in-the-long-term and 'all in this together' as you say they are, they would be stupid not to trade with Skyrim. After all, Skyrim has food of it's own, Mead, Fish, plenty of land for farming. They would also trade with Hammerfell. Britain defeated Germany (or was one of the nations that defated Germany) in WWII, did they stop trading forever? No. Britain lost to America in the American revolution, but tthey didn't stop trading with them forever. Japan and China still trade after the Sino-Japanese war. The Empire would eventually trade with Skyrim if food starts running low, which I doubt it would. Bruma would defeinetly trade with Skyrim.

I think you'll find that no matter what you think of the Nordic views on patriotism, they're every bit as seasoned as the Redguards. Skyrim managed to be independent for the whole of the first era and most of the second era, they can do it again no matter the Thalmor threat.

Your second point, lonechosenwanderingvaultcourier, would depend on how many Nords were fighting for the Empire. I don't think he would be stupid enough to kill loads of Nords fighting for the Empire, but I've noticed a difference in a way the Stormcloaks treat prisoners to the Empire. The Empire simply executes them if they do not proclaim someone the rightful King. The Stormcloaks lock them up. I can't remember her name, I think it's Thraki, go see her at the Riften jail. She's not happy, but she's not dead. Saerland Law-Giver. Not happy either, but still alive. Me? Hadn't even made up my mind before the Empire nearly chopped off my head and did chop off another guys head. They would had us all executed. They executed Roggvir, even though when he opened the door he probably didn't know what just went on. He later proclaimed Ulfric the true King, and it cost him his head.

What if the Empire won? What about all the Nords who would be executed by them to please the Thalmor? Anyway, most Nords would probably join Ulfric after he wins a big battle, e.g. Whiterun.