DrunkenMage
Intoxicated Arch-Mage
The Nords fought against Talos, raised an army against him during the Battle of Sancre Tor. Which stands as a monument for the defeat of the Nordic invaders. They rose an army against him, after he had already proven his Thu'um in the Battle for the Reach. The Nords then turned on their own allies to join Talos, after he had defeated them.
The Imperials love and revere Talos, the man who was Tiber Septim, who is buried along with many of his bloodline within Cyrodiil.
The Nords are not stronger than the Imperial Army, which is made up of all races, they are also one of the most highly trained Military forces in Tamriel. Ulfric's entire boasting is about attacking the Aldmeri Dominion, which he can't do. Only the Empire can attack the Aldmeir Dominion, which is by geography. Cyrodiil is connected by two Aldmeri Dominion provinces, Skyrim is isolated and can't even mess with Cyrodiil. What Ulfric says, he can't afford a war with the Empire, funny how with all his boasting on how weak Imperials are, how weak the Empire is, they're afraid to upset Cyrodiil.
"We're ready to march on Solitude, but the Emperor's cousin is getting married! If royal blood was spilt, all of Cyrodiil would be up in arms. We can't afford an all out war with the Empire. So we'll bide our time for now." - Ulfric Stormcloak
Skyrim is isolated, unable to attack, now surrounded by provinces that hate them. Cyrodiil was Skyrim's only friend in the Empire. Now Ulfric has pissed them off. The now in control Stormcloaks unwilling to swallow their stubborn pride, will be their downfall. They only seek to alienate other races, unwilling to even trade with them. Nords thrive on trade, they excel at becoming Captain's in Merchant fleets. Now you have a xenophobic government that treats other races as lesser beings. Stormcloaks aren't Nords, they're nothing what a "True Nord" is, they like to say they are but they're not 'true' Nords. Half of Skyrim is against them, you're forcing Stormcloak control onto Nords, you're sacking Nord cities, overthrowing Nordic rulers, you kill more Nords than the Thalmor do.
The fighting for freedom is a lie, it's a war for the throne of Skyrim. Ulfric wants to become the High King, he wants songs and stories, which is something that also irritates Galmar. It doesn't matter how many die, hundreds or thousands as long as it makes for a good song about Ulfric Stormcloak.
Where is this fighting for freedom, when you take away the freedom of choice, the choice to stay out of the conflict.
Galmar: "If he's not with us, he's against us."
Ulfric: "He knows that. They all know that."
Join them or you're against them. Attacking a neutral city, well that makes sense when fighting for freedom.
The Dark Elves have been mistreated for awhile, not because they're spies. It's because they won't fight for the Stormcloaks, which is reasonable. Why should you fight for a group that mistreats you, ignores your pleas for assistance, the brother of their second in command wanders around their living area at the early hours of the morning shouting insults. They live in fear and poverty, unable to simply pack up and leave because they can't.
