Jurgarik Greycloak
Techno master of Tamriel.
That is still not proving that Skyrim needs the Empire. Sorry, still not convinced.
Yeah... food and resources? Pff, who needs those. Who cares that the farms in Skyrim struggle by with the exception of Rorikstead. At least one farm will supply some of the population, those that die off were too weak anyway.
Though it actually doesn't matter, I don't intend to convince you. Chances are Hammerfell would probably invade and take over most of Skyrim, be friendly lore wise and I can see it happening due to all the things Skyrim did to them in the past. Skyrim hasn't been this weakened since the First Era. Some will want to take advantage of it, no doubt. Also it gives Bethesda a way to not have Imperial or Stormcloak victory since it depends on the PC's choice, to be lore friendly and not pick favorites, neither the Stormcloaks or the Empire will win in Skyrim anyway. They will both lose most likely.
How do you know? why do you think all this without the lore to back up any of it?
Just admit that you lost this on, and we can all move on.