User blog comment:Cyrice1/Stormcloaks or Imperials/@comment-5132685-20120709093200/@comment-2086180-20120709130532

The Stormcloaks aren't the same group that defeated the Snow Elves, the Companions are. The Empire is not an invading army trying to conquer Skyrim - why do so many people seem to think this? - Skyrim has always been part of the Empire, they are defending their land against the Stormcloaks.

The Empire didn't sign the White-Gold concordat before the Great war started, they signed it when they were near defeat so that they could try to regain strength, because both sides were geatly weakened and men reproduce faster than mer.

As I said they are not living under occupation and their way of life was pretty much unchanged until Ulfric began his uprising. Many nords still worshipped Talos in private but now the Thalmor are actively hunting them down.