Imperials vs Stormcloaks

I stayed out of it for quite a long time in my first Skyrim playthrough because I recognized the Imperials as being elitist colonizers with direct ties to the Thalmor and the Stormcloaks as being racist reactionaries that lacked a cohesive direction (while also ironically having direct ties to the Thalmor as well ).

However, I was walking near Whiterun at one point and a group of Imperial soldiers escorting a prisoner encountered me and started a dialogue which lead to them attacking me. I managed to free the prisoner who then encouraged me to join the Stormcloaks, which I immediately went and did.

I have to give credit to Skyrim for having such an immersive world like that. Playing Skyrim really felt like I was part of world that unfolded directly due to every action I made.