Exactly.Ok so I finally understand the relationship between the resistance/rebellion/first power thanks to various forums that explain the books.
The new republic demilitarized sometime in between rotj and tfa but kept a star-fleet. The republic also signed a peace treaty with the first order giving them control of some Outer Rim planets.
Leia foresaw that the first power would be a problem and created the Resistance, which is rag tag of fighters who are secretly funded by the Republic.
When Hux is giving his Nazi speech he also mentions that the Republic violated the treaty by supporting the resistance, which was his excuse for destroying those five planets.
There's more to the story but that's the gist of it.
And after literally having their capital planet and many members of the Senate obliterated, between TFA and VIII or during Episode 8 the Republic is going to be furious and scrambling for available forces. Much more so than the OR just before the Clone Wars.
Since VIII will be similair to the ESB in terms of tone and darkness, I wonder if it wil involve the Republic quickly mobilizing across the Galaxy and 'striking back' (
![heh :heh: :heh:](https://www.thecoli.com/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/heh.png)