Okay, another plot hole in ANH. The Empire, clearly a new faction, somehow overthrew a thousand generations old Jedi Order and Republic.
Also, “Before the dark times, before the Empire” is also a plot hole, because the Empire existing now contradicts the fact that they didn’t exist before the dark times and Empire. How did we go from the Empire being nonexistent to even existing in the first place? ANH should’ve given us 46,853 years of exposition explaining how the Empire came into existence and overthrew a thousand generations old Republic and Jedi Order so none of those two plot holes would exist.
See? Those are contradictions.
Having an offscreen history is not a plot hole. Having a nonsensical offscreen history (i.e. the events leading up to the ST), however, is best avoided if you want a strong foundation for your story.