According to speculation I have read on other boards, most people believe that the canon ending to the war will result in Stormcloak victory and further destruction of the Empire, leading into the next Elder Scrolls game, where the Dominion have conquered much of Tamriel regardless. Why be on the wrong side of history?
Given that the Stormcloaks rely on Ulfric and he does in fact die 50% of the time in-game. The Empire could fall in the next TES game, or it won't. Everyone has their own opinion on what will be the next canon, and Bethesda very rarely stray from the main quest when they reference past events.
What I see as the most likely canons is Skyrim will be ignored, mentioned to be having infighting, that the Redguards or Dunmer took advantage of a weak Skyrim in order to enact revenge for centuries of border invasions.
As to "why be on the wrong side of history?" There is no wrong side, both the Empire and Stormcloaks have the same goals in mind just with different methods. I may support the Empire in this current faction vs faction, but I wouldn't care one way or another. Personally I'd like to see the Colovian Estates spring up again.
Let's also ignore the idea that the Thalmor ignited this civil war by demanding the outlawing of Talos worship.
Talos worship wasn't what sparked the outbreak. Talos has been outlawed for twenty six years, what turned Ulfric against the Empire was his arrest and his father dying.
It was always their goal to divide man against man.
Their stated goal is the return of a New Merethic Era. Turning the Nords against each other is to keep the Empire and Skyrim distracted from the main threat.
Stormcloaks. Obviously. The civil war quest line is a direct copy of the history of the American Revolution.
No it isn't.
The stormcloaks are the Americans, the empire is England, and the forsworn are the native Americans (getting screwed, as per usual).
The Empire is Skyrim. Skyrim itself has a large amount of political power within the Empire, in fact they've had Imperial leadership by the balls at times in getting their way.
Skyrim has had an easy ride in the Empire for centuries
I CANT SUPPORT LITERAL IMPERIALISTS. The founding fathers would be so disappoint.
The Nords are about as Imperialist as the Imperials.
b) Ulfric is literally the only Jarl to actually invite the dark elves into the city after the Red Mountain disaster (seriously, where else is there a refugee population in skyrim?)
Ulfric invited refugees into the city 185 years ago... Did he invent the wheel too?
The Stormcloaks just want the freedom to govern themselves, which is something every society deserves, the freedom to decide their own destiny.
Stormcloaks =/= Nords. If Stormcloaks wanted to govern themselves, they'd split the province. Not attack the Western Holds so they could conquer them and force everyone to accept Ulfric as the King. Ulfric wouldn't allow the Moot to meet until everyone supported him, in case he lost the vote to become High King.
"We will do whatever I decide is in the best interests of Skyrim. Are we clear?" - Ulfric Stormcloak
Also, why can't you join the forsworn? That drives me crazy, you should be able to join them, and maybe you can make deals with either the Imperials or the Stormcloaks to assist them in the war and gain land in payment or something (again, like in the revolutionary war).
1) The original Stormcloaks slaughtered the Forsworn when they attempted to form their own kingdom, they were seeking recognition from the Empire at that time.
2) The Stormcloaks plan to enslave all the Forsworn to dig up silver to bring them wealth. So getting assistance and giving them land would not go down well.
3) Forsworn don't like the Empire much either, they tend to lump everyone together.