I remember what my microbiology teacher said when the long and arduous course was about to begin. "As soon as it begins, it is over." Today, I am going to blog on two chapters and think on how this course is about to come to an end rather quickly. This week will mark the 8th week with two remaining. Thus far, I have enjoyed what Strayer has to say and his view on history. He keeps it simple and without saying it, he allows me to think more on what world history is and how that impacts me today.
For reasons unclear to me, I enjoy this part of history as it introduces several parallels that has a cause and effect on the years to come. There are countries that come together during conflict and then once our "friendship" ends, we go back to being strangers and being happy about slinging mud against each other.
"The Great War" (AKA: WW1)
Seriously, what is so great about it? Many lives were lost, countries were realigned, and the subordinate countries had to back to their rabbit hole and figure how their cause to them was good, and a bad idea to others. It's amazing to me how potentially the action of a few and in this case, one a Serbian Nationalist can cause such strife and war. Given the magnitude of this conflict, I find it rather humorous that people truly thought is was going to be over within a year - "the boys will be home by Christmas." (PG. 985).
Looking at the maps on PG 986 and 987, I get a sense of how much territory was at risk and how many chef's were in the kitchen making sure that their influence on the global recipe was made clear.
"The Great Depression"
Both of my parents were children of the Great Depression. I remember them talking about the food lines and how they could find a way to make $.05 last a day. That's a nickel not five dollars or five hundred dollars. Let's face it, war is terribly expensive. We have learned that during the span of this course and how countries and empires fell victim to bankrupting themselves at the expense of expansion of hatred of one another. It might be too easy to blame Herbert Hoover who was president and raise our arms high in praise for FDR and the introduction of his New Deal to help stimulate the economy and get people working. If anything else, getting the population morale up in order to help facilitate a positive response with the goal of moving forward.
It's amazing to me on how WWI and WWII is found in the same chapter? I am well aware that one can take an entire year on WWI or WWII and barely scratch the surface. What Strayer does is present these two marks in history as a crossroads in the American way of life and ideology.
Let's face it, Hitler was ruthless. However, he also felt that his fight was just as important for his people as did Mussolini, Stalin, and FDR did for theirs. What I didn't enjoy reading was Hitlers intent to rid itself of a population that he can blame for his countries rigor's. The Jew has become that part of history that it is so easy to blame and wage war against because of. . . .?
WWII like WWI, divided countries and with the US using the atomic bomb in "order to save lives," ended the war in the pacific. The Japanese who I have come to admire, were once an enemy of ours. It's amazing to think that at one time, we couldn't stand each other and now, we do our best to help each other. Perhaps I can see this part of history change in other parts of the world. However, I don't see anytime soon of our president breaking bread and raising a glass of wine to various parts of the Middle East.
Chapter 20 was part of my favorite piece of history. It went fast and Strayer put a lot of information into a short amount of page numbers. Again, he also put in a form that is easy to understand and I can and also allowed, to agree and disagree with certain parts of this history.
Chapter 21 opened up with a jovial sense of humor on how three people from three different countries view a a painting of Adam and Eve. Sure, I shared a laugh as well and then had to tear apart what the intent was. Each person wanted to show their own ideology and it was the Russian interpretation that was the most honest and transparent.
"Communism"
What does that word mean in today's society? Have we replaced it with other words and phrases to make sure the American people stay scared and skeptical of other ways of life in other countries?
I think at times during this period of history, truly, the American population was scared that another way of belief can actually challenge democracy. I am confident that the motors of propaganda was alive and well here like it was in other countries. What made our indifference loud and clear was our way to show how much we didn't like it. We waged war in Vietnam and Korea and our relationship with Russia went to go beyond strained.
There was mud-slinging in all parts of the world where strong male leaders wanted to keep their fists clinched and not let their soft sides show. I see what Strayer said on how all of this unwanted fear made the entire globe basically afraid of each other. I remember myself growing up in the 80's and feeling scared of someone dropping an H-Bomb in my back yard. When a young Patrick Swayze portrayed a splinter group fighting Russian's in "Red Dawn" that it only added to the American paranoia. I even remember my English teacher asking us to write a paper on what our actions would be if the Russian's invaded our school? The "Cold War" spanned a period of time that inflicted unwanted and needless stress on both sides of the globe. The French revolution was started by a group wanting change. Too bad we can't instill change with these global powers and put their ego to the side.
These two chapters were greatly written and the flow was beyond good. I found myself reading certain parts a couple of times and either raising my eyebrows in amazement or frown in disgust in the way we treat each other.
I am curious to see how the last two chapters reveal themselves as we come a close on this book.
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