The Second Millenium

Vince53 · Jul 24, 2015

TWO FLAGS FLYING

In 1861, Abraham Lincoln is sworn in as President, negotiations with the South fail, and the United States breaks into civil war over slavery and some smaller issues. Contrary to American myth, it was not the worst civil war in history (China had just lost 20 million killed in a civil war). Each side lost about 300,000 Americans killed. Strangely, there were few civilian deaths, as both sides were careful. Most military deaths were the result of disease, not combat.

Why did the North win?
1) Abraham Lincoln wouldn't quit
2) The North outweighed the South in population, wealth, manufacturing, and railroads
3) The Blockade strangled the South. Beginning as a ludicrous attempt to blockade the South's gigantic coast, by the end of the war, even the Confederate Navy couldn't get through.

Why did it take so long?
1) On a man-to.man basis, the South badly outfought the North.
2) Confederate military leaders ranged from "genius" down to "brilliant." The best Union military leaders were "competent."
3) The South usually had the advantage of defense.
4) The Southern people supported the war so enthusiastically that they sacrificed heavily enough to compensate for their shortages.

Vince53 · Jul 25, 2015

We return to 1861--a great year for Italians.

Having won a series of major victories, Italy declares itself independent. Victor Emmanuel is declared King, ruling most of the Italian Peninsula, but France and the Pope still hold large areas, including the city of Rome.

A US Army lieutenant falsely accuses an Apache chief of kidnapping some American settlers in Arizona. Already famous for leading his tribe to victory over Mexican forces trying to steal their land, the chief agrees to a peaceful meeting with the Americans. Breaking his word, the lieutenant arrests the chief, but “Having the Strength of an Oak” pulls out his knife and fights his way out. When the US murders the chief’s relatives, Cochise becomes a legend for destroying American settlements in Arizona.

Karl Marx writes that evolution provides the basis for Communism.

France and Spain combine their armies and navies to win a major victory over a much larger Vietnamese army. Eventually, France conquers all of Vietnam and will rule it for another century.

Alexander Stephens, Vice President of the Confederacy, declares that slavery is the natural condition of Blacks and the foundation of the Confederacy.

The first complete identified remains of Archaeopteryx are discovered in Germany. This half-bird, half-lizard will become the most famous of all fossils. Over a century later, scientific tests show that the discoverer faked the fossil by baking different creatures together in cement.

civilwarbuff · Jul 26, 2015

Vince53 said:
So much happens in 1471 that we'll be spending three days here.

Sixtus IV begins his thirteen year reign as Pope. He established the Sistine Chapel, furthered the arts, and strengthened the Spanish Inquisition. Have you ever heard of the Pazzi Family? They were rivals of the powerful Medici Family, and Pope Sixtus joined the Pazzis in an unsuccessful attempt to murder the leaders of the Medicis and seize their power. But although some Medicis were killed, the leaders of the conspiracy were executed, and the Pazzis faded away.

Sixtus organized wars between Italian cities so that he could place family members in charge, but an alliance of Italian princes forced him to make peace. He also approved the growing Portuguese trade in Black slaves. Although never married, he had several illegitimate children, some of whom he appointed to powerful positions. Some of them were executed by the Medicis.

Sixtus also built several forts in the Papal States, rebuilt thirty old churches, widened roads, improved the quality of the drinking water, enlarged the Vatican Library, paved streets, and built the first new bridge over the Tiber since the Romans.

civilwarbuff · Jul 26, 2015

Vince53 said:
So much happens in 1471 that we'll be spending three days here.

Sixtus IV begins his thirteen year reign as Pope. He established the Sistine Chapel, furthered the arts, and strengthened the Spanish Inquisition. Have you ever heard of the Pazzi Family? They were rivals of the powerful Medici Family, and Pope Sixtus joined the Pazzis in an unsuccessful attempt to murder the leaders of the Medicis and seize their power. But although some Medicis were killed, the leaders of the conspiracy were executed, and the Pazzis faded away.

Sixtus organized wars between Italian cities so that he could place family members in charge, but an alliance of Italian princes forced him to make peace. He also approved the growing Portuguese trade in Black slaves. Although never married, he had several illegitimate children, some of whom he appointed to powerful positions. Some of them were executed by the Medicis.

Sixtus also built several forts in the Papal States, rebuilt thirty old churches, widened roads, improved the quality of the drinking water, enlarged the Vatican Library, paved streets, and built the first new bridge over the Tiber since the Romans.

This must be a mistake since you said the same about the start of his reign in post 145. Please clarify if you have not already done so.

Vince53 · Jul 27, 2015

1862

The Union Army wins a series of major victories over the Confederates before the Confederates are able to win some major victories of their own. As a result, an East-West line stretches between Washington DC and Richmond, Virginia. From the southwest, however, Union forces continue to win a series of victories as they move east into the Confederacy.

Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson are two of America's most revered heroes. Personally courageous, noble, truthful, and virtuous, they are two shining Christian examples. So how could men like this have supported slavery?

1) The Southern media was effectively controlled by wealthy plantation owners, who censored news of slave revolts and information on the misery of the slaves. Most Southern Whites did not realize how unhappy the slaves were.
2) Most slaves were actually not much worse off than poor Southern Whites.
3) Scientists and Churches were united in teaching that Blacks were an inferior race that God had created to serve the Whites. Using inaccurate and outdated psychology and anthropology, educated people really did believe this, and they taught it to less-educated Whites.
4) Most Southerners never owned a slave and never mistreated Blacks.
5) If the South had actually had a free press, most Southern Whites would have voted to abolish slavery. Slavery drove down the need for labor, decreasing wages, and hurt most Southerners. If the South had won, wealthy slave owners would have been about the only beneficiaries.

Vince53 · Jul 28, 2015

We return to 1862

World War 2 begins. What?

Remember Chichijima and its debauched American colonists? On his way to Japan, Admiral Perry had claimed the island for the US, but let the colonists continue unaffected. This year, a modern Japanese warship appears and seizes the island. Humiliated by the US into modernizing, Japan learned a valuable lesson from European colonizers--peaceful, prosperous nations are easy targets for a nation with a strong military. The seizure of Chichijima is the beginning of the Japanese Empire, and Japan will continue to expand until it loses the Battle of Midway in WW2.

Taking advantage of the American Civil War, France invades Mexico. France needed Mexico's silver mines to finance its empire, and they hoped to use Mexico as a base for enforcing free trade with the rest of Latin America.

It's the slugfest of the century! The Confederates put metal sides on a captured Union warship, and the North hastily builds a smaller ironclad designed to fight the Confederate ship. The Monitor and the Virginia slug it out to a tie, and the age of wooden warships begins to close. But metal ships have difficulty on the ocean, and coaling stations are not available, so wooden warships survive for another half-century while science progresses.

May 5--"The Fifth of May." A hopelessly outnumbered, outarmed, and out-trained Mexican army wins such a smashing victory over France that it rings through the capitals of Europe. (But Mexico still loses the war later).

Otto von Bismarck becomes Prime minister of Prussia. He begins a series of wars that eventually unite all of Germany into a single German state, except for Austria.

Correctly believing that a small number of Jewish merchants were operating illegal cotton markets in occupied Southern areas, Ulysses S. Grant orders all Jews expelled from parts of three Southern states, Abraham Lincoln quickly orders it rescinded. The order was usually ignored, even by Grant, who later appointed more Jews to political office than any former President.

civilwarbuff · Jul 28, 2015

Vince53 said:
December 7, 2014

73 years ago today, my father stayed at his post after being wounded.

God bless him and the others of the Greatest Generation. :amen:

Vince53 · Jul 29, 2015

Welcome to 1863. "Let us cross over the river, and rest in the shade of the trees." Stonewall Jackson's last words.

Abraham Lincoln frees all slaves in areas in rebellion against the US. About 3.1 million of America's 4 million slaves are legally free, although most still live in Confederate areas.

The US begins building the first transcontinental railroad.

Facing starvation as White settlers keep taking away their land, the Shoshone Indians of the northwest US revolt. The US Army defeats them, slaughtering many of the survivors.

Jules Verne's first novel is published.

The fire extinguisher is invented.

The Red Cross holds its first meeting. Technically, there is no "International Red Cross." A committee with no binding authority supervises each nation's Red Cross.

Beloved Confederate General Stonewall Jackson is fatally wounded by his own sentries.

After a Japanese warlord begin attacking American and other vessels without provocation, a US warship takes on three Japanese warships, sinking two and damaging the third before retreating.

After Japanese officials murder a British merchant, the Royal Navy shells one of their cities for seven days.

civilwarbuff · Jul 29, 2015

Vince53 said:
For the very last time (I promise) we return to 1836.

Three weeks after his victory at the Alamo, Santa Anna orders his reluctant army to massacre 342 Texas prisoners. The Mexican Army had often released prisoners rather than kill them, but the Mexican government (before Santa Anna had declared himself dictator) had ordered all rebel prisoners executed. Mexican officers managed to spare dozens of prisoners, but after being ordered several times by Santa Anna, the massacre is carried out.

Less than seven weeks after his victory at the Alamo, Santa Anna has a large, scattered army to confront a 900 man Texan army. Allowing his exhausted men to take a siesta without posting guards, he is caught in a surprise attack by the Texans. In a furious 18 minute battle, 632 Mexicans and 9 Texans are killed, the Mexican Army flees in chaos, and the next day Santa Anna is captured. He signs a treaty to evacuate Texas and try to get the Mexican government (which had just overthrown him) to recognize Texas independence. Held prisoner for six months, he returns in disgrace to Mexico next year.

While war with Mexico will continue, Texas is now an independent republic.

And now I'd like some comments. Was it a good idea to spend so much time on the Alamo? Were readers offended at my presenting the Mexican side of the story? Was it a good idea to include music links? Comments appreciated.

Very well done in the limited space you have....there are always 2 perspectives (at least) in history....well done.

Vince53 · Jul 30, 2015

Leader of the Free World

Although still powerful, the South was clearly going to lose the Civil War. Confederate leaders launched a massive invasion of Pennsylvania, hoping to frighten the North into ending the war. Robert E. Lee's forces got off track, however, as they headed for the town of Gettysburg to capture badly-needed boots. There, on July 1-3, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg took place.

The fact that the battle even occurred was a major Confederate defeat. Hoping that a major victory would capture Philadelphia or even Washington DC, all the South would get was Gettysburg. Meanwhile, the North was frantically fortifying Philadelphia. Rejecting suggestions to head towards the US capital, Lee took a calculated risk that his superb army could overcome heavy Yankee defenses.

Total deaths were over 8,000. Pickett's Charge, with 2,000 deaths, was the worst 18 minutes in the history of the New World until the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. When it was was over, Lee withdrew, while a shattered Union Army watched him go.

In his legendary "Gettysburg Address," Abraham Lincoln explained the importance of the United States. Democracy itself was on trial, and if the US failed, it would justify even benevolent governments in opposing democracy. The success of the United States, on the other hand, would encourage the rest of the world to follow America's lead in granting freedom to its people.

Vince53 · Jul 31, 2015

Welcome to 1864!

Prussia and Austria invade Denmark in a territorial dispute.

The Confederate submarine "Hunley" becomes the first submarine to sink a ship. The Hunley itself is sunk, however, possibly because a Union bullet shatters its periscope, flooding the sub.

Frustrated as every top general he appoints can't beat the Confederates, Abraham Lincoln finally puts Ulysses S. Grant in charge of all Union armies. Grant had won a series of victories in the southwest while the rest of the Union Army was stalled. Grant immediately launches several major campaigns in the South, winning most of his battles. Reaching the eastern Confederacy, the Union burns Atlanta, Georgia and begins "The March to the Sea," destroying everything in its path.

"In God We Trust" is added to all US coins.

Denmark wins the last major naval battle involving wooden ships. But a few months later, a defeated Denmark cedes part of its territory to Prussian and Austria.

The Circassians were a Moslem group that was defeated by Russia. Russia then expels hundreds of thousands of them to the Ottoman Empire.

Vince53 · Aug 1, 2015

Sakes alive! It's 1865!

William Booth founds the Salvation Army. Organized among semi-military lines, its 1.5 million members are leaders in social welfare. It has been pointed out that more than 100% of their donations go directly to charity, because most of their workers are unpaid.

Running out of men, ammunition, and food, an outnumbered Confederate Army cannot withstand several simultaneous large Union advances. Even when they win, the Confederates cannot recover the cost. On April 3, a victorious United States Army enters Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate capital.

Hudson Taylor founds the Chinese Inland Mission.

"Alice in Wonderland" is published.

Gregor Mendel publishes his explanation of genetics. It will later revolutionize biology, but it is ignored for years.

The United States abolishes slavery except as punishment for crime.

Hopelessly outnumbered and out-supplied, his starving army too weak to fight, and the Confederate government having collapsed, Robert E. Lee knows that the US has the power to dictate harsh terms. He reluctantly agrees to meet with Ulysses S. Grant, and...

Vince53 · Aug 3, 2015

April 9, 1865 "With malice towards none..."

Hopelessly surrounded, outnumbered, and out-equipped, Robert E. Lee spares his starving troops from a massacre. Knowing that the North has the power to dictate harsh terms, he intends to offer himself to be hanged if Grant will spare Lee's men.

Instead, Lee is nearly overcome at the generosity of the terms. Because the US does not recognize the authority of the Confederate States, the terms are written by both Lincoln and Grant, not by Congress. If the Confederate soldiers will swear loyalty to the US, they can all go home. Confederate Army animals are to be distributed to the men with the longest service. Officers will keep their side-arms. No one will be executed. The Union Army will give food to the starving Southern Army.

Lee asks that Grant allow a Confederate wagon train, carrying food, to pass through the Union lines. Not wiling to humiliate Lee, Grant gives the order to allow the wagon train safe passage--he doesn't tell Lee that the North has captured the wagon train.

Vince53 · Aug 4, 2015

April 15, 1865

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,

The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,

The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,

While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;

But O heart! heart! heart!

O the bleeding drops of red,

Where on the deck my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead.

The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,

From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;

Exult O shores, and ring O bells!

But I with mournful tread,

Walk the deck my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead.

Vince53 · Aug 5, 2015

"...with charity towards all."

April 26, 1865

It was Grant's idea. Lincoln didn't want to do it. Sherman wanted to sow salt so the South would take longer to recover. After capturing Atlanta, Sherman was to burn it to the ground, and then destroy a 70 mile wide path in his "March to the Sea." Staggering under several major Union attacks at once, the South would now lose a major source of food for its already- hungry army. Soldiers from both sides were dying from disease, healthy Confederates would keep on fighting, and Grant wanted it to end.

It is understandable that Confederate General Joseph Johnson did not want to meet with Sherman. But Sherman kept sending messengers, and Johnson finally agreed. At their meeting, Sherman showed Johnson the facts: the last remaining Confederate Army was hopelessly surrounded, outnumbered, out-equipped, and starving. There was no one left to send them food, and nowhere left to go. Large Union forces were advancing from different directions to assist Sherman. Except for a few scattered forces, Johnson's army was all that was left of the Confederacy.

With President Lincoln dead, Congress was pushing for harsh surrender terms, but Sherman was still authorized to offer Lincoln's generous terms.

And William Tecumseh Sherman, one of the most hated men in US history, literally pleads with Johnson not to force the US to massacre Johnson's troops. And so, assuming command of all remaining Confederate forces, Johnson prevents a massacre and spares the South years of hopeless guerrilla warfare by surrendering.

Years later, Johnson will die of pneumonia from serving as a pallbearer and standing bare-headed in the rain during Sherman's funeral.

civilwarbuff · Aug 5, 2015

Vince53 said:
Years later, Johnson will die of pneumonia from serving as a pallbearer and standing bare-headed in the rain during Sherman's funeral.

You can disagree with his political viewpoints but Johnson was a man of Honor!

Vince53 · Aug 6, 2015

Finally! It is 1866!

French launches a small expedition against Korea after Korea executes some French missionaries. After losing several small battles, the French withdraw, and Korea wins its first war with the West.

in Tennessee, White Christian missionaries establish Fisk University for Blacks. Over time, it will become one of the highest-rated universities in the United States.

Jesse James pulls off is first bank robbery.

In California, miners pull a prank on the evolutionists when they hand them an Indian skull and claim they found it deep underground.

Italy (which still does not control its entire peninsula) forms an alliance with Prussia. The two are determined to weaken the Austrian Empire, which is a threat to both nations. Ten weeks later, war begins. Prussian quickly wins and ends the war on lenient terms, as it needs Austria as an ally. Italy gains one city from Austria, and the Habsburgs are permanently banned from German politics.

Paraguay loses the largest battle in South American history when it attacks "the Allies": Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

Vince53 · Aug 7, 2015

Thank Heaven for 1867!

Fearing that Britain would seize Alaska, Russia sells it to the US. This places America, not Britain, on Russia’s eastern border, and enables the US Navy to control the north Pacific. It also makes America, not Russia, responsible for protecting Alaska from Canada on the east.

Believe it or not, Russia got the better part of the deal. Despite the mineral, oil, and fur wealth of Alaska, the US has spent more money developing and defending Alaska than it has gotten back.

The US claims Midway Atoll, a group of five uninhabited Pacific Islands. And thus, the American Empire begins colonizing the Pacific Ocean. Although only 2.4 square miles, the atoll includes one island big enough for a major airfield and harbor. Roughly half-way between North America and Asia, Midway is actually part of the Hawaiian Island chain, but is not part of the modern state of Hawaii. The site of a major World War 2 battle, the atoll is a major wildlife preserve today with no permanent inhabitants.

July 1—The nation of Canada is born, as Britain unites it with two other colonies. Canada is now technically independent, but Britain retains some control. In 1982, Canada will become fully independent.

Vince53 · Aug 8, 2015

We return to 1867.

Meiji the Great begins his 44 year reign as Emperor of Japan. He will steadily consolidate his power and turn Japan into a modern industrial nation. With support from the warrior class, he successfully resists foreign control. And having achieved great power, he helps establish a government in which elected representatives and powerful nobles will actually rule Japan.

The Senne River flows through Brussels, Belgium. Polluted and difficult to navigate, it often floods the city. So Brussels spends the next four years covering it. Buildings and roads are constructed on top of the covering.

The Suez Canal is completed.

In England, Alfred Nobel patents dynamite.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire is established. It will survive until the end of WW 1.

Britain nearly doubles the number of men allowed to vote.

The Italian Army is defeated when it attacks the Papal capital of Rome.

Vince53 · Aug 10, 2015

You're not too late for 1868!

Shocked at how Western powers are able to bully them, the Japanese restore the Emperor, ending two centuries of Shogunate rule. The fifteen year old Emperor leads in the restoration, starting a one-year civil war with Shogun supporters. After about 8,5000 deaths, the war ends next year with the Emperor victorious. Britain actually helps the Emperor, wanting to keep French control out of Japan. This year, the Japanese population reaches 30 million.

US President Andrew Johnson is impeached for removing the Secretary of War. But he wins. Later, the US Supreme Court will rule that the President has to power to remove anyone he has the power to appoint. What actually happened? The Republican-controlled Congress wanted to impose harsh terms in the defeated South, and Johnson wanted to treat the South kindly.

Crow-Magnon Man is discovered. Actually, he is only a short man with a big head, and there are a lot of them alive today.

Ethiopia massacres 197 prisoners for requesting more food and water.

The Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution makes all Americans equal--legally. Blacks have to wait another century to have the US start enforcing it.

25,000 people are killed in a Peruvian earthquake.

Cuba begins an unsuccessful revolt against Spain that will cost 400,000 deaths over the next ten years.

Helium is discovered on the Sun by analyzing light rays.

The Second Millenium

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