How did the Empire in Return of the Jedi have a new Death Star (DS2) ready in a relatively short time, when it apparently took decades to build the first, smaller one (DS1--the one destroyed in the original movie)?
The answer is a combination of factors:
"9/11 phenomenon": When the "petty, insignificant rebellion" was just that--petty and insignificant--there was less pressure to get the thing built, and so the Emperor was satisfied with taking decades. After DS1 was destroyed and the Rebellion increased in intensity, there was both impetus and justification for diverting resources to such a military project.DS2 was rushed: Notice the structure is lacking pieces, almost like a Jenga game. The focus was on getting the main weapons system up and online.DS2 had higher relative priority: Note Vader's and the Emperor's personal presence.DS2 had specific focus: DS1 was being used for a number of functions, like holding prisoners. DS2 has no indication of being anything other than a dedicated weapons platform.DS2 had less secure design: DS1 was vulnerable only through a small thermal exhaust port. DS2 was structurally by design far more open to penetration by attacking craft. (This is an unfortunate common byproduct of rushing such projects, one which will not occur under my own fuehrership.)New technology: After decades, something had to develop.Lessons learned: The experience of building DS1 taught lessons and shortcuts for DS2.Increased efficiency: DS1 was built largely on the pre-Empire infrastructure of the Republic, and republics/democracies are never as efficient as the kind of system I would run..., ur, I mean, an authoritarian empire--"[The Emperor] is most displeased with your apparent lack of progress." The decades gave the Empire time to change institutions. Note the reference at the beginning of Episode 4--the original movie--to the Emperor finally getting rid of the Senate--"The last remnants of the old Republic have been swept away".Resources freed up: No more need to support that poor planet Alderaan (it was destroyed).Reduced activities by the Rebellion: After destroying DS1, the Rebels basically spent their time freezing their asses off on Hoth and running like scared taun-tauns. No apparent attacks were launched, whereas there is indication that during DS1's time they had done SOMETHING to be considered a "rebellion."Increased activity of The Force: The Dark Side had gradually increased its knowledge of The Force, and the little non-partisan Midi-Chlorians were more energetic than ever with Luke's self-proclaimed ascension to "Jedi Knight" status.Probably less comfortable on DS2: I'll bet the storm troopers' quarters weren't even wired for Internet yet, and the MWR ("Morale, Recreation, and Welfare") facilities weren't completed. (The thing was probably build by the Navy, not the Air Force! LOLOL).Probable aid from Ewoks: Far more intelligent and better fighters than the Gungans ("Meesa Jar-Jar Binks! Messa no have a boomba!"), the Ewoks likely aided Imperial operations since the Empire established their home as a "sanctuary moon," before the little ingrates turned away from their benefactors.
Thus, we see how the true good guys of the movie series--the Imperials--could indeed have produced a follow-up Death Star so quickly. It is truly unfortunate how, according to the historical documents, they lost. Perhaps our people will learn: (from the conservative Weekly Standard) "The Case for the Empire" - http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/001/248ipzbt.asp?nopager=1