Why did Anakin turn to the dark side?: a tentative theory

Rating: Null/10 (6 February 2013)

I had trouble with Anakins seemingly easy conversion from protector of the innocent to slayer of and have come up with a theory that has partially satisfied some concerns I had.
What we see from Jedi's for the most part is stoic habits of mind, lightsaber expertise along with demonstrating telekinetic powers. What we see less of is the ability to manipulate anothers mind, especially the weaker minds. We really only see this from Obi-Wan (using on the drug dealer in EpII & Guard in EpIV).
I contend that Palpatine's powers, similar to a Jedi's but more advanced on the mind control side, while having no power to revive the dead that he hinted at, used these mental powers to among other things 1)mask his true nature from those most likely to detect it 2)implant the vision into Anakins mind of his wifes impending death and suffering.
For Palpatine, Anakin presented the ideal Henchmen, he also knew the relative inexperience and weakness of his mind along with how to exploit his fundamentally self centred and flawed character. He correctly predicted that Anakin would forsake all that he had been raised and trained to believe, obey unquestioningly the most horrid orders, as long as he believed he could continue to possess his love.
Obi-Wan, the figure most likely to suspect Anakins tendencies, is often heard praising his skill in battle and courage but admonishing him to think, feel and live the correct principles of the Jedi way. These warnings are lost on Anakin, who while feeling indebted I'm sure, for all the Jedi order has done for him, has mastered the spectacular physical powers of the Jedi but given nothing but lip-service to the philosophy on which it is based.
Proximity to Palpatine, diminished Yoda's perceptive abilities. We see these abilities return long into his exile when he and Obi-Won share an exchange: Obi-Wan "That boy is our last hope" Yoda "No, there is another" referring to a potential Jedi he had never met nor anyone suspected of having powers.
What Padme would see in Anakin can be hard to imagine. But if we consider his good looks and power, the time the two had to spend together and bond in EpII, the feelings we associate with someone who has saved our lives, while an accomplished statesperson, she along with Anakin really was just a kid in love when it came to emotions of that sort.
I contend further she dies of a broken heart not so much over the awful contemplation of Anakin's wickedness, but she sees in herself a little of the weakness that Anakin displayed, along with suspecting that his deeds must be not just the random breaks from reality of a nut, but connected with her in some way. This feeling overcame any motherly instinct and desire to care for her new children. She gave up, as Anakin did before her.
As a concluding note, Anakin appearing in the final scene of EpVI alongside Obi-Wan and Yoda, smiling is unforgivable. The only similar example in history I can think of is the Catholic Church of ages past, forgiving the sins and admitting into heaven even the most terrible of criminals as long as they confess their sins on their death-bed, as Vader went a little way of doing toward the close of Jedi.
This is really just a brief summing up, I have much more to say, but space is limited. I have been reading some of the other reviews and few went into any depth on this issue, an issue I think is at the heart of the entire saga.