User blog comment:Hippogriff12/The Scarcity of Racists in Skyrim/@comment-5302371-20120728161339/@comment-3472264-20120729203303

@Thedoucheinthenorth Are you even aware of how the Empire gains its territory? It assimilates them it does not conquer them, the difference is that with assimilation each province was allowed to retain its uniqueness and remains mostly free of the Empire's influence with conquering the Empire would force its traditions and cultures upon each of the provinces and allow them no freedom whatsoever.

Do you know why the Empire was pressing Whiterun to choose them over the Stormcloaks? Tullius knew that even if Balgruuf was completely neutral Ulfric would attack and conquer Whiterun anyway because he follows the "If you're not with us you're against us" ideaology. Had Ulfric simply left Balgruuf alone Whiterun's contribution to either side would be very minimal, they would be neither a threat nor an asset to the Stormcloaks, and the Empire would not be attempting to sway Whiterun to their side.

Torygg didn't declare independance because no one had given him a reason to so at the time he had no reason to think that freedom was what was best for Skyrim. If Ulfric had talked with him and given him a few good reasons to do so and I know he would've given him a few good reasons it's very likely that he would've but again he jumped the gun and decided that there was no option other than to kill him.