History Game

Darth Bagel said:

Fun fact: "We" Presbyterians played an integral role in the American Revolution, some even refer to it as "The Presbyterian Rebellion". Many often don't realize how much the Revolution was influenced by Presbyterian thought and personnel. A loyalist once wrote that, "I fix all the blame of these extraordinary proceedings upon the Presbyterians".

Many colonists traced their roots to (or were themselves) Presbyterians who fled England because Presbyterianism was by-and-large rejected by the majority. Presbyterianism was the state religion of England for roughly ten years after the Glorious Revolution, but when Cromwell was ousted, Anglicanism was reinstated and Presbyterianism was a pariah of a religion. Since Presbyterianism doesn't recognize any kind of 'head' the same way the Roman Catholic Church and Episcopal/Anglican Churches do, it was this worldview that fueled the Revolution in many ways.

Click to expand...

Hmm I didn't know that. Great information!

*Me is excited and waves "History geeks ftw" - flag*


Favorite moment/era is First world war. I can't name any particular moment in it. It was a complicated and ugly mess, a monumental symphony of madness. Not at all so black and white story as the second one. The complexity and the brutality of it keeps fascinating me. It was thing that had cost so high it was absurd and yet for the participants it achieved very little, if anything at all.


Favorite characters are:

Favorite good guy is Francis of Assisi - He is the most godly person I can think of, I'm aware of the hagiographic biases about this kind of characters, but nevertheless, he is very impressive character. He lived in the era of crusades, at the height of church power and corruption and went other way, giving his money away and getting nothing for himself. I like the contrast.

Favorite bad guy is Stalin - Reading about Stalin is for me the same kind of thing as watching horror movies is for most people. It was horrible and I hate what happened but in some wierd way, I'm fascinated by it. I've never had similar interest to other evil dictators.

If you love Roman history YankeeGirl, you should hook up with my friend who is also really into it. You two would probably have geeky conversations about history all night. LOL

Uh.
I dont know. In nz history is anything from the past 50 years.

I wonder if listening to Michael Jacksons' HIStory counts.
I think, apart from the bible, MJ was the most interesting character of recent memory.

Why?
I remember growing up that he was like the ultimate in cool. As a child, he just had the x-factor. Nobody could dance like he could, or reach into the depths of soul that he did when he sang, or craft such amazing music.
He was almost like this wizard except he was genuine, funny and vulnerable.
On his concert tours fans would go absolutely nuts. He got mobbed. It was because people just LOVED him. Loved his songs, his message, the way he could dance and get everyone excited and enjoying life.

He had an element of mystery about him. And people hated him without reason. I never understood why some people were so vicious about him, prolly jealousy. He had the number one album of all time. He inspired a lot of people.
And he was all about giving back, especially to children, caring for the earth, animals, nature.

He was known worldwide, and i think he had a lot of impact on everyone. He was like this christ like figure, you could see Jesus in his eyes.
It was really sad what happened to him, how he got falsely accused. I dont know whats happened to Neverland ranch now but I suppose people can still go there. Or gary indiana where he grew up from humble beginnings.

Im on a michaeljacksonathon. He was a great entertainer. But also, a dad, at the end of the day who wanted to show his children that he still had it. And the fans would just yell out i love you..and he would respond i love you more!

What superstar does that today? In todays world, they seem to be all about themselves.

Especially for this site I'm going to go with the German resistance to Hitler and Hans Oster will narrowly shade Dietrich Bonheoffer as favorite character.

Both were involved in plots against Hitler from before WW II. The first plot organized by the Abwehr centered conspiracy was to take place just after the invasion of Czechoslovakia. That plot was to capture Hitler and try him or declare him insane. But Oster planned to double cross everyone and plotted with the man who would lead the capture to make sure Hitler was accidentally caught in a crossfire and killed. Oster was a smart and cold blooded man, he saw and was willing to act on things others either did not see or were unwilling to take to their logical conclusions.

Early on the Abwehr centered resistance to Hitler was passing information to the British and was seeking a negotiated end to Hitler. That suffered a major setback with The Venlo Incident, still little known, perhaps because it is a bit embarrassing to the British. In any case Payne Best was captured and there was distrust between the conspirators and the British as a result. In an ironic twist it was Payne Best who carried Bonheoffer's last words to Bishop Bell after both were in a select group of prisoners near the end of the war.

EDIT: I always get unsure about Payne so I went to the wiki page. I left that open and went back after posting and noticed a link regarding transported prisoners. Thought some might find it interesting. Quite a few rather important prisoners liberated by regular German military.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_of_concentration_camp_inmates_to_Tyrol

Goodbook said:

What superstar does that today? In todays world, they seem to be all about themselves.

Click to expand...

Have you heard of Justin Bieber?

He's actually really good. Well worth a listen. I think you'll see the parallel to Jackson

.

Leah71 said:

I find the time period of Atoninus Pius a peaceful time. I am also interested in the rise of the T'ang Dynasty in the early 7th Century.

As far as historical figures I admire, being vile, disgusting, evil, worthless, repulsive, non-Christian female I have no doubt my list will shock, horrify, disgust, anger and enrage the righteous TRUE Christian MEN.

Sun Tzu (Sunzi)
Tokugawa Ieyasu
Caius Iulius Caesar ((Julius) Caesar)
Marcus Iunius Brustus
Gaiseric
Elias Lonnrot
Marcus Aurelius
Epictetus

I know my post will insight intense anger and righteous rage from TRUE Christians so I will report flaming myself on my own post to try and calm the righteous anger this will cause.

Click to expand...

You shouldn't allow other people's opinion of yourself influence how you see yourself. My grandfather was one of the worst human beings I have ever met, but he also did things that were truly remarkable and selfless. No one is 100% bad.

.

Leah71 said:

Not according to your kind.

Click to expand...

I'm one of my kind and I just stated that you cant be a truly bad person. Everyone makes choices in life, some good, some bad, but they are each person's decisions.

.

Leah71 said:

What is that supposed to mean?

Click to expand...

It means that your choices are yours to make. If, by my kind you mean Christian, well, Christians aren't allowed to judge others.

keith99 said:

Especially for this site I'm going to go with the German resistance to Hitler and Hans Oster will narrowly shade Dietrich Bonheoffer as favorite character.

Both were involved in plots against Hitler from before WW II. The first plot organized by the Abwehr centered conspiracy was to take place just after the invasion of Czechoslovakia. That plot was to capture Hitler and try him or declare him insane. But Oster planned to double cross everyone and plotted with the man who would lead the capture to make sure Hitler was accidentally caught in a crossfire and killed. Oster was a smart and cold blooded man, he saw and was willing to act on things others either did not see or were unwilling to take to their logical conclusions.

Early on the Abwehr centered resistance to Hitler was passing information to the British and was seeking a negotiated end to Hitler. That suffered a major setback with The Venlo Incident, still little known, perhaps because it is a bit embarrassing to the British. In any case Payne Best was captured and there was distrust between the conspirators and the British as a result. In an ironic twist it was Payne Best who carried Bonheoffer's last words to Bishop Bell after both were in a select group of prisoners near the end of the war.

EDIT: I always get unsure about Payne so I went to the wiki page. I left that open and went back after posting and noticed a link regarding transported prisoners. Thought some might find it interesting. Quite a few rather important prisoners liberated by regular German military.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_of_concentration_camp_inmates_to_Tyrol

Click to expand...

Have you read Eric Metaxas' book about Bonhoeffer? If not you might enjoy it.

One of my favorite historical figures is something of an unsung hero considering his military career reads like an action movie, and he was a writer, poet, linguist, and professor, and later, a Governor. His name was Joshua L. Chamberlain.

"We were not a moment too soon; for the enemy having gained their desired point of attack came to a front, and rushed forward with an impetuosity which showed their sanguine expectations. Their astonishment however was evident, when emerging from their cover, they met instead of an unsuspecting flank, a firm and ready front. A strong fire opened at once from both sides, and with great effect- the enemy still advancing until they came within ten paces of our line, where our steady and telling volleys brought them to a stand. From that moment began a struggle fierce and bloody beyond any that I have witnessed, and which lasted in all its fury, a full hour. The two lines met, and broke and mingled in the shock.

At times I saw around me more of the enemy than of my own men. The edge of conflict swayed to and fro- now one and now the other party holding the contested ground. Three times our line was forced back, but only to rally and repulse the enemy. As often as the enemy's line was broken and routed, a new line was unmasked, which advanced with fresh vigor. Our "sixty rounds" were rapidly reduced; I sent several messengers to the rear for ammunition, and also for reinforcements.

In the mean time we seized the opportunity of a momentary lull, to gather ammunition and more serviceable arms, from the dead and dying on the field.
With these we met the enemy's last and fiercest assault. Their own rifles and their own bullets were turned against them. In the midst of this struggle, our ammunition utterly failed. The enemy were close upon us with a fresh line, pouring on us a terrible fire.

Half the left wing already lay on the field. Although I had brought two companies from the right to its support, it was now scarcely more than a skirmish line. The heroic energy of my officers could avail no more. Our gallant line writhed & shrunk before the fire it could not repel. It was too evident that we could maintain the defensive no longer. As a last, desperate resort, I ordered a charge. The word "fix bayonets" flew from man to man. The click of the steel seemed to give new zeal to all. The men dashed forward with a shout."

-JoshuaL.Chamberlain ~ his official report on the Battle of Gettysburg.

Chamberlain had been ordered to hold the hill at all costs. And he was outnumbered ten to one.

I would like to have met William Holland Thomas, the commanding officer of the only truly racially integrated military unit during the Civil War. Some of my ancestors fought in his command, Thomas Legion. It was also the only unit that never lost an engagement during the war. They fought the last battle of the Civil War east of the Mississippi. He was the adopted son of Chief Junaluska and became the only white Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

mojoboy31 said:

Chamberlain had been ordered to hold the hill at all costs. And he was outnumbered ten to one.

Click to expand...

That's interesting, I've just now started to watch documentaries on US Civil War. Just found 20 pieces series on it and going to watch it. Pretty unknown topic for me so far. Or well, I know the big picture, but I'm trying to take a closer look now.

For anyone who likes a good underdog story in war history, I recommend taking a look at the Soviet Unions invasion of Finland in 1939, known as The Winter War. It's a classic underdog story, for example, the balance in tanks was something like 4000 vs 30 and something like that in aircrafts too. The war ended up in stalemate, and has become much romanticed piece of scandinavian history.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_War