Playing through Skyrim, it is apparent that Markarth's main strategic value is its silver mines. Now, what I'm wondering is: why does the Empire (or Stormcloaks) need silver exactly? The currency appears to be minted in a gold alloy (not silver or electrum), and silver weapons are generally needed only for combating vampires and werewolves (not really a major priority for either group). Aside from making jewelry, what else can the Empire do with silver to make controlling the mines important?

And by that same token, why did the empire have that exclusivity on ebony trade in Morrowind? A point was made in Morrowind how lucrative ebony smuggling was, and that the Armistice granted exclusivity to trading ebony mined from Vvardenfell. Yet the legions almost never use ebony gear as war material (save for stuff like the Imperial Dragon Armor), so I'm wondering what other application godsblood actually had that made it valuable. (was it their space program?)

well silver can be sold at hig prices to fund the war effort it is a precious metal aftrer all,,,,,and ebony is the strongest metal in the land thats gunna sell lke no ones buisness