tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66830846050448550322024-03-13T10:54:14.761-07:00History BuffThis blog discusses our history, reviews historic sites and the need to preserve our heritage.History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-49289695321202176032023-05-23T12:55:00.002-07:002023-05-23T12:55:22.182-07:00<p style="text-align: center;"> <b>HERITAGE OF THE BRANDYWINE VALLEY</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span> </span>The Brandywine Valley outside Philadelphia is a region of rolling hills, dairies, equestrian ranches and amber-leafed maples in the Fall. It was also an important part of our nation's heritage. When <br />William Penn was granted title to roughly 45,000 square miles of territory in what would become the colony of Pennsylvania on March 4, 1681, he had no idea it would be the template for creating the nation we know today. In so many respects, Pennsylvania was a crucible which helped form the society, the economy and the government we have now more than 300 years later.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> A new book <b><i>"Heritage of the Brandywine Valley"</i></b> highlights this rich heritage, delving into the fascinating details of the Lenni-Lenape Indians, early settlers, conflicts, grist and powder mills, the Underground Railroad and world-changing events which occurred there over the last three centuries. William Penn named the first three counties- Chester, Bucks and Philadelphia- as the blueprint of his "Holy experiment" and his framework for the government of Pennsylvania in many ways laid the groundwork for principles enshrined in the U<i>.S. Constitution </i>more than a century later. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span> The Brandywine Valley was home to so many patriots, soldiers, statesmen, authors, inventors and scientists who all</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iXjeuoB8hFDU0j3AcaT5wyUy_UHmIacpa0xbCD9TtySDk3u9zyZo-YBwu8-xE0FFvZVRRYxX5jf87h-5Hw4r2gV-Whb7cwrADsAkluVv8MQLe8cOU5h-vZIc35YSw1VJDWPml94BXoq-bS9QL6MC1m4mKptZvOU1yVK5e1TMe5-DkN2vqVNQXy2f/s3331/Heritage%20Cover%20-%20back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3331" data-original-width="2460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iXjeuoB8hFDU0j3AcaT5wyUy_UHmIacpa0xbCD9TtySDk3u9zyZo-YBwu8-xE0FFvZVRRYxX5jf87h-5Hw4r2gV-Whb7cwrADsAkluVv8MQLe8cOU5h-vZIc35YSw1VJDWPml94BXoq-bS9QL6MC1m4mKptZvOU1yVK5e1TMe5-DkN2vqVNQXy2f/s320/Heritage%20Cover%20-%20back.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfIDKFj8_mLBUfZMSonubPnba7AVMbmr-eeLefbi5_7T4ANziVDk1TvfPD-jXNzNjLAeByTcKwIYnS9ZzPKFk7wDAwvdCrgVogI1ZzKWjP-cYfK9E1qpH6MFkxat7mz351wpAJe3-ewIY4tVHyM8mopPiscy_6rBOHl3cPZYKbYccs9uBcIJaak6e/s3295/Heritage%20Cover%20-%20front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3295" data-original-width="2424" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfIDKFj8_mLBUfZMSonubPnba7AVMbmr-eeLefbi5_7T4ANziVDk1TvfPD-jXNzNjLAeByTcKwIYnS9ZzPKFk7wDAwvdCrgVogI1ZzKWjP-cYfK9E1qpH6MFkxat7mz351wpAJe3-ewIY4tVHyM8mopPiscy_6rBOHl3cPZYKbYccs9uBcIJaak6e/s320/Heritage%20Cover%20-%20front.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br /> participated in creating the framework for the American economic and banking systems, our governmental structure and discoveries in science, medicine, technology and business which literally changed the world. Learning of the achievements of just some of the early players in this drama, you come to understand just how important men like E.I. du Pont, Thomas McKean, John Morton, Humphry Marshall, Samuel Barber, Bayard Taylor, William Darlington and others were in shaping the country we all know today.<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span>This series will delve into the fascinating history of this region in the coming weeks and provide readers with interesting and useful information for better understanding our rich heritage. By understanding the past, we are better prepared for the future...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-19274698278229093702022-02-11T12:16:00.001-08:002022-02-11T12:18:39.270-08:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYzURy62RScdE8pTK5JwLlChfazRwu7sm5aseLIJ8lLwiwY8gNBG2eILn6khYkFBeMegKtq3YySIBXytCOVUz7-NSIb8_Rv9VNF2z-cR5XaSwAHmJM-B1dQAy1afrFEw8veZTwwUqEC9QYuRaZ17LsMXQMD5UbN1jVf51caRCjjaDtZ9_wPQUXdo-Z=s940" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="940" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYzURy62RScdE8pTK5JwLlChfazRwu7sm5aseLIJ8lLwiwY8gNBG2eILn6khYkFBeMegKtq3YySIBXytCOVUz7-NSIb8_Rv9VNF2z-cR5XaSwAHmJM-B1dQAy1afrFEw8veZTwwUqEC9QYuRaZ17LsMXQMD5UbN1jVf51caRCjjaDtZ9_wPQUXdo-Z=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHO WAS WILLIAM PENN? Many people in this area know the name William Penn (1644- 1718), but few know much about him. Did you know that the reason he was granted land in the New World was because his father- an Admiral in the British Navy- was owed money by King Charles II of England? Did you know he was a devout Quaker who was jailed at least four times for his beliefs? Or that he only spent a total of four years (1682- 1684; 1699- 1701) in his colony of Pennsylvania, returned to England and died there penniless because a trusted advisor had cheated him out of huge sums of money? It seems many people- even historians- don't know much about the man who created one of England's most prosperous colonies and introduced numerous legal reforms that were in some ways a model for our Constitution. William Penn wrote dozens of books and pamphlets on religious freedom and was a beacon for thousands of others who followed him to his colony for a chance to live their lives in peace, without fear of persecution. He also made Pennsylvania a place where individuals could pursue their dreams, run their businesses and enjoy the liberties which we have today.</span><p></p>History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-23996742935198528232018-09-24T13:52:00.004-07:002018-09-24T13:52:42.350-07:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PART II: The du Ponts, the Founding Fathers and the creation <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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by Gene Pisasale<o:p></o:p></div>
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When he wrote a letter to Alexander Hamilton in 1801 asking
about an investment in property along the Brandywine for the site of a mill,
E.I. du Pont was building a relationship with the man considered by many
historians as the architect of the American financial system. Hamilton had long
been a proponent of diversifying the colonial economy away from a strong
dependence on agriculture and imported goods, toward greater domestic
capabilities in manufacturing. As the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury,
Hamilton wrote about the importance of domestically produced goods (including
gunpowder) in his “Report on the Subject of Manufactures” presented to Congress
on December 5, 1791, saying “There seems to be a moral certainty, that the
trade of a country which is both manufacturing and Agricultural will be more
lucrative and prosperous, than that of a Country which is merely Agricultural.”
Du Pont shared Hamilton’s views on manufacturing and its importance to the
economic stability of the nation. The Du Pont powder works would help the young
country through many crises- and set in motion a revolution in technology that
continues today.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gunpowder and its many variations, including blasting powder
(mixtures of charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate) allowed colonists
to protect themselves against Indians and hostile elements, as well as blast
through rocks and tree stumps while clearing fields for cultivation. As the republic
expanded westward, the demand for gunpowder increased exponentially. President
Thomas Jefferson recognized the strategic importance of the du Pont powder
mills, meeting with E.I. du Pont and the Marquis de Lafayette to requisition
supplies for the U.S. government, the scene depicted in a painting by artist
Stanley Arthurs. Well-known artists captured the importance of Du Pont
products. Howard Pyle showed Du Pont powder wagons delivering gunpowder to
Commodore Perry before the critical Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the nation grew, so too did demand for gunpowder and
other specialized products. Du Pont management fatefully declined to sell
gunpowder to any southern states which had seceded during the Civil War,
instead providing critical supplies for the North, helping the Union to
prevail. By the dawn of the 20<sup>th</sup> century, demand for a wide array of
items for industry and consumers prompted Du Pont management to diversify into
new lines, including coatings and other chemical derivatives. Du Pont created
the Experimental Station near Wilmington, Delaware to broaden its repertoire to
meet an expanding array of needs, including the newly formed automotive
industry, as well as applications in construction, mining, manufacturing,
aerospace and consumer products. Du Pont supplied crucial materials to the United
States government throughout World War I and II, its nylon allowing the
creation of parachutes for the liberation of Europe. Consumers benefited in
many ways: women gained a new item of apparel (nylon stockings), as well as
numerous products for the home and personal use.<o:p></o:p></div>
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By the 1950s, Du Pont was at the forefront of research into
a myriad of applications derived from research in its laboratories, providing
literally hundreds of new products for business, industrial, personal and
leisure use. ‘Better living through chemistry’ became an often-quoted dogma of
the new capabilities of science which allowed people to live better lives, be
more comfortable and safer in their homes and workers throughout all industries
to function more effectively. Teflon, Rayon, Lycra, Kevlar, Corian and many
other creations improved how people lived while altering the landscape of
society. As the company celebrated its 200<sup>th</sup> anniversary in 2002,
CEO Chad Holliday’s letter to shareholders stated it well: “Our heritage of
science and discovery has delivered products and technologies that have helped
feed, clothe, shelter and heal people for generations… we set in motion the
materials revolution that has transformed the look, feel and structure of the
world we live in.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Take a look around. The things you see today- in your home,
your office, your car, at the country club, the gym, the concert hall and many
other venues- exist largely because a young man named du Pont 216 years ago had
an idea and put it into motion, changing the course of history. <br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gene Pisasale is an
historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. His nine books
focus on American history. His newest work, titled Hemingway, Cuba and the
Great Blue River explores the people, places and things the Nobel Prize winning
author loved about the island and nearby Gulf Stream. Gene can be contacted by
e-mail at</i> <a href="mailto:Gene@GenePisasale.com">Gene@GenePisasale.com</a>.
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">His website is</i> <a href="http://www.genepisasale.com/">www.GenePisasale.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-84781167404212977232018-09-01T07:41:00.003-07:002018-09-01T07:41:46.092-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
The Value of Labor and Ideas</div>
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As we approach Labor Day 2018, this author is looking back 40 years to 1978, when a new adventure began- graduate school at The University of Texas at Austin. Training to become a petroleum geologist, my graduate education was not only the most arduous, laborious effort I'd experienced to that time- it was a transforming event in my life. Very few worthwhile accomplishments occur from chance; most are the result of hard work and dedication. On this Labor Day weekend, a look at the nature of work- and the inspiration that creates great achievements- is in order.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The University of Texas at Austin</td></tr>
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<br /> Work can be physical, mental or a combination of both. "Pure" physical labor like digging ditches or stacking boxes still requires a degree of mental exercise. Mental work- efforts of the imagination, thorough analysis and creativity can produce startling results like cures for serious diseases, great works of art and music, technologies which see inside the atom and explore the realms of the universe. Labor- both physical and mental- has led the ascent of mankind from its earliest humble origins to modern society in the 21st century. From the wheel to the international space station, the transcontinental railroad to the internet- the toil of labor has led to the ongoing progression of mankind.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, meeting at Promontory Point, Utah, 1869</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The International Space Station</td></tr>
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<br /> So on this Labor Day, take a look around. Examine your own labors over the years and the projects you have accomplished, as well as those of family, friends, inventors, statesmen, artists, musicians, engineers, doctors, physicists, researchers and everyone from the man who collects your trash to the physician who protects your health. It is all possible because they each put forth the labor to achieve something worthwhile in building a better world...</div>
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History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-45255743412340731522018-08-21T13:45:00.002-07:002018-08-21T13:45:17.691-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The History of America in One Family</b></div>
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<b> </b> As an historian, I'm continually fascinated by the people and events which have shaped our heritage. America was begun as an idea for self-government, a place where people, rich and poor, liberal and conservative, could start a new life and make something for themselves, create a 'new life' much better than what they had known before. The du Pont family is perhaps the greatest example of this, Pierre Samuel du Pont arriving in America on January 1, 1800 seeking shelter from the tyranny he had known in France. His descendants- notably E.I. du Pont and his heirs- started a gunpowder business which literally changed the world.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmS7V4Tv26QoJ3WLToSp644vyoWu-9g__IjbKH1y6dqG_JJy5xtezUoVI4iZ3EtSOOPHbHOO4wISRPRrxsrdXYKEhyhhIXW61YWM5AHhle8TqQmIsdaLNaZuVe3nw22zUzWFlRZf9wf0/s1600/Pierre_Samuel_du_Pont_de_Nemours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmS7V4Tv26QoJ3WLToSp644vyoWu-9g__IjbKH1y6dqG_JJy5xtezUoVI4iZ3EtSOOPHbHOO4wISRPRrxsrdXYKEhyhhIXW61YWM5AHhle8TqQmIsdaLNaZuVe3nw22zUzWFlRZf9wf0/s1600/Pierre_Samuel_du_Pont_de_Nemours.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pierre Samuel du Pont, the patriarch of the du Pont family</td></tr>
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<br /> The history of the du Pont family is a subject which could easily encompass dozens of volumes, yet the most important thing to know is that they were entrepreneurs hoping to build a better life and succeed in a new land, shielded from the obstructions and violence of Europe. Turning a hunting trip into the kernel of an idea- a plan to make higher quality gunpowder- E.I. du Pont started his manufacturing complex on the banks of the Brandywine River outside Wilmington, Delaware in 1802. From humble beginnings, an enterprise that would become one of the largest corporations in the world began- and succeeded- for more than two centuries, spanning the globe with its products and innovations.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2unqI6ICQnKjZcvDuPuMOQ8epK6iiVaBKpQm6IT3xK7Bn43DjFQhGC1sJWHt0DFz2-gAeIu-6Cn7PAQR7KpZ6k629gfLx4QF6wQOf7i18r6PcWtyHBbvwucdGfAugwm8O4GLUkSeGLFw/s1600/DU+PONT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="709" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2unqI6ICQnKjZcvDuPuMOQ8epK6iiVaBKpQm6IT3xK7Bn43DjFQhGC1sJWHt0DFz2-gAeIu-6Cn7PAQR7KpZ6k629gfLx4QF6wQOf7i18r6PcWtyHBbvwucdGfAugwm8O4GLUkSeGLFw/s320/DU+PONT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E.I. du Pont, the founder of the Du Pont Company</td></tr>
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<br /> The story of du Pont really is in many ways the story of America. Not many people know that the du Ponts were instrumental in the creation of our republic- helping to bring about the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War. Later members of the du Pont family befriended several of the Founding Fathers- Jefferson, Franklin and Alexander Hamilton among them. Hamilton became the du Pont family attorney- a fact somewhat unrecognized in the literature and in many academic circles. The du Ponts had a hand in crafting the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States. Later the Du Pont Company supplied crucial gunpowder used in every conflict from the War of 1812 up through World War II. Their many innovative products, including nylon used in parachutes for Allied soldiers fighting the Nazis allowed western democracies to triumph over evil, securing a safer and better world.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logo used by Du Pont for its many innovations</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The legacy of the Du Pont Company is based on a simple product- gunpowder</td></tr>
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<br /> So while it may seem a bit simplistic to say that one family had a major influence on American history- in the case of the du Ponts, it is true. This story is captured eloquently in many books, notable <b><i>Du Pont: From the Banks of the Brandywine to Miracles of Science </i></b>by Adrian Kinnane. This author is about to begin a three-part series of articles on this topic- with the possibility of a future book on this subject, highlighting this fascinating story that every American should know. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Du Pont: From the Banks of the Brandywine to Miracles of Science" by Adrian Kinnane</td></tr>
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History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-38514832204966654802018-08-11T15:38:00.002-07:002018-08-11T15:38:46.770-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>America: The Last Best Hope</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"America: The Last Best Hope", Volume I, by William J. Bennett</td></tr>
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<br /> For many people, history is boring. It reminds them of that teacher they had in fourth grade who put them to sleep- and convinced them that the subject was about as exciting as watching plants grow. Yet, every so often, an author or historian captures the attention of his (or her) readers with a narrative so well written, so fascinating and filled with critical information, conveyed in an easy-to-read style that people change their minds and say: "That is <b><i>really</i></b> interesting!" Such is the case with the two-volume work <b><i>America: The Last Best Hope</i></b> by William J. Bennett, the Secretary of Education under President Ronald Reagan.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Louisiana Purchase, signed by President Thomas Jefferson in 1803</td></tr>
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<br /> How do you make history "come alive"? By writing in a conversational style that makes readers feel as if they're sitting around a dinner table, or even a campfire, chatting over a cup of coffee about subjects they never knew, but always had some interest in. You keep readers' attention by filling the narrative with details that illuminate the past, displaying scenes of epic events with clarity- using vital information often overlooked by most historians. William J. Bennett achieves this level of mastery in this two-volume work, which covers America from the early colonial period through President Reagan's second term.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Ulysses S. Grant on the U.S. $50 bill</td></tr>
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<br /> Bennett's narrative should be of interest to anyone seeking a more thorough understanding of this experiment in democracy we call America. From Thomas Jefferson's crowning achievement as President- the Louisiana Purchase- to his utter failure with the Embargo of 1807... to Ulysses S. Grant's unshakable integrity despite being surrounded by self-serving scoundrels... to the fact that Hubert Humphrey's family background was rooted in the pharmacy business (a fact which he used in a complaint against political factions aligned against him), readers will be thrilled to learn that politics and government are often filled with humorous episodes and anecdotes which go unreported.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senator Hubert Humphrey, whose family was in the pharmacy business</td></tr>
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<br /> This author thoroughly enjoyed both volumes of <b><i>America: The Last Best Hope</i></b>. Bennett is a learned man, a gifted writer- and a great storyteller- something that should never be overlooked by persons wishing to convey history in a meaningful way. The story he tells- the heritage of this great experiment in freedom- should fascinate any citizen because... it is the story of us all...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate, admonishing Soviet President Gorbachev: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"</td></tr>
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History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-56115374923516500192018-08-06T12:01:00.001-07:002018-08-06T12:01:02.622-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Day That Changed the World</b></div>
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<b> </b>On August 6, 1945 the Enola Gay, an American B-29 bomber dropped the world's first atomic weapon on Hiroshima, Japan on the orders of U.S. President Harry Truman in an attempt to end World War II. The Japanese were relentless during the war, killing and terrorizing hundreds of thousands of Allied soldiers and civilians throughout the Far East, vowing to never surrender. The bomb- the direct result of the top secret Manhattan Project started under President Franklin Roosevelt- immediately killed 80,000 people, injuring 35,000; another 60,000 would die later from the effects of nuclear fallout. Despite the devastation, which included thousands of structures destroyed, Japanese Emperor Hirohito refused to end the war. It would take another horrific bomb dropped three days later on the Japanese city of Nagasaki to prompt the Japanese to give up their fight.</div>
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Historians and geopolitical observers have debated these events for decades, some arguing that nuclear weapons can never be justified under any circumstances, others (mostly military experts) noting that this use of nuclear weapons DID end the war, which had raged for almost six years and taken millions of lives. Some people today, in the year 2018 say that there are no circumstances which could possibly justify their usage, regardless of war. Truman knew that the war would rage on for years, the Japanese never surrendering, unless he did something drastic to cause them to relent. More war would mean tens, possibly hundreds of thousands of American lives being lost- and this was unacceptable to him. It is this historian's view that, while the results of the bombings were horrible and essentially unimaginable to us today, Truman made the right decision. Japan surrendered days later, a ceremony aboard the <i>USS </i>Missouri with General Douglas MacArthur overseeing the historic event.</div>
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The lessons of history are often hard to learn. Sometimes we need to see horror so that we can prevent even greater ones from occurring in the future. It is ironic that today Japan is an ally of the United States. Not many people dwell on the fact that Japan brutally attacked our sailors at Pearl Harbor, killing thousands on that day in December 1941. We have the perspective of history now which allows us to review the past, learn from our mistakes and make a better world. On this historic anniversary, let us say a simple prayer for all those who perished at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and throughout World War II... to let them know we have learned our lessons well...</div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-82326426406605910342018-07-29T15:54:00.003-07:002018-07-29T15:54:23.036-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Southeastern Pennsylvania Region: </b></div>
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<b>Crucible for Independence and the American Economy</b></div>
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<b> </b>Of all the thirteen original British colonies in North America, Pennsylvania stands at the head of the pack. Pennsylvania was the only one which had all the critical ingredients in abundance for economic growth over the decades following the Declaration of Independence: coal, petroleum, timber and iron ore, all of which fueled the Industrial Revolution. No other state had these raw materials in such abundance. In fact, Pennsylvania was the home of the nation's iron (and later, steel) industry, well before the Mesabi Range in Michigan brought crucial resources to the nation. The home of the nation's oil industry was not in Texas- as many people might guess- but in Pennsylvania, where in 1859, "Colonel" Edwin Drake drilled the country's first oil well. Aside from leading the nation in the production of natural resources for 100 years- Pennsylvania's (and the colonies') largest city- Philadelphia was the crucible for the independence movement. Both the Declaration and the U.S. Constitution were created and signed in Philadelphia.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighuFndvhUD-ZjQC2AsS3JdDY7c61A5V9lEl3TVqPrAXVTXgs4kYDzCfVtRtxSVQJpq3xPsSLL-4piQh2VfuwHXxE9DfTe8nDLJRU4LZzSFlEnVyhrzefrZFoZXsIs9-zPddDVCq3cs5s/s1600/Drake-first-oil-well-3000-3x2gty-56e6bfc95f9b5854a9f94566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="768" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighuFndvhUD-ZjQC2AsS3JdDY7c61A5V9lEl3TVqPrAXVTXgs4kYDzCfVtRtxSVQJpq3xPsSLL-4piQh2VfuwHXxE9DfTe8nDLJRU4LZzSFlEnVyhrzefrZFoZXsIs9-zPddDVCq3cs5s/s320/Drake-first-oil-well-3000-3x2gty-56e6bfc95f9b5854a9f94566.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drake's oil well, which fueled the Industrial Revolution</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colonial Philadelphia, the largest city in the British North American colonies</td></tr>
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<br /> It is no wonder that thousands of people flocked to Philadelphia- the largest city in the America- for work, for opportunity, for the chance to lead a better life. After his shop was trashed by anarchists revolting against King Louis XVI in Paris, E.I. du Pont and family came to America to start a new life- and began their powder works operations on the banks of the Brandywine Creek in 1802. The du Ponts were friends with some of the Founding Fathers- including President Thomas Jefferson. The family participated in a small way in the Louisiana Purchase and later supplied gunpowder and explosives for every war from the War of 1812 up through World War II. No other family can lay claim to as much influence in the history of American growth and independence as the du Ponts- and their homes around the city of Wilmington, Delaware are a showcase for that history. A brief visit to Nemours- the palatial estate built by Alfred I. du Pont highlights some of these important connections.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvB1yDedvJn38zQSaLgK8Vsi8-kTu6SVwbygucRGfq8yjNJm4H7lPOC_XtOtaKSS6oq_KP6rtLgzIZkgN7JXCTNpVHMts95MjuAIb_0qGFoK49uMEPlDzajUJxAObP4VC-NLjhB9Ptw8/s1600/Nemours-Gardens-4359-web0_416c0477-5056-b3a8-4928f0c6ab93e504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvB1yDedvJn38zQSaLgK8Vsi8-kTu6SVwbygucRGfq8yjNJm4H7lPOC_XtOtaKSS6oq_KP6rtLgzIZkgN7JXCTNpVHMts95MjuAIb_0qGFoK49uMEPlDzajUJxAObP4VC-NLjhB9Ptw8/s320/Nemours-Gardens-4359-web0_416c0477-5056-b3a8-4928f0c6ab93e504.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nemours Estate outside Wilmington, Delaware</td></tr>
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Living in the Brandywine Valley outside Philadelphia is a historian's dream. Aside from the Battle of the Brandywine which raged nearby, Valley Forge and many other important sites sit nearby. The area has numerous museums displaying this rich heritage- and anyone wishing to know more about our colonial history should take the time to visit the region. Within 50 miles of Philadelphia lie dozens of fascinating buildings and sites to explore. As an historian, I feel blessed to live in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, just down the road from Brandywine Battlefield and not far from nearly all these important locations.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArVXC4cst20cSIaTotJ9Oo7KXGQ1z2zAlRDyzYHICnBvfQ8TAKA4pbJjrY78vogp0NX_ZLTP9fu45J1hts1DfoLfTjTKYvPBac7YJGzXSxpYL0F7pMBD-Od_pQ1fEM76OPkunp7F1LHY/s1600/battle-of-the-brandywine-american-revolution-c-1777-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArVXC4cst20cSIaTotJ9Oo7KXGQ1z2zAlRDyzYHICnBvfQ8TAKA4pbJjrY78vogp0NX_ZLTP9fu45J1hts1DfoLfTjTKYvPBac7YJGzXSxpYL0F7pMBD-Od_pQ1fEM76OPkunp7F1LHY/s320/battle-of-the-brandywine-american-revolution-c-1777-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle of the Brandywine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7s8webHHFrgqjVAfUl8897nUdrivACP6FAGrGs_yPOEwsYMpe-lz9bQu8wSQvw-KMAJhr0ivcIndLbrpOBnQljTEYlalB2eoXh4X6KRmWvWAqWvW778R_7Y0VOoJa1Occww5vOY66eA/s1600/Declaration-of-Independence-20186213-1140x592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="1140" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7s8webHHFrgqjVAfUl8897nUdrivACP6FAGrGs_yPOEwsYMpe-lz9bQu8wSQvw-KMAJhr0ivcIndLbrpOBnQljTEYlalB2eoXh4X6KRmWvWAqWvW778R_7Y0VOoJa1Occww5vOY66eA/s320/Declaration-of-Independence-20186213-1140x592.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Declaration of Independence</td></tr>
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So- if you're looking for a place to explore and want to get in touch with America's heritage, you cannot do better than a visit to Philadelphia and the many surrounding areas so rich in our history. Make it at least a two to three day trip, minimum- if you want to experience it all. You'll come away with a much richer understanding of the roots of the American system, our economy and our way of life. </div>
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History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-83214829984849779892018-07-22T15:47:00.000-07:002018-07-25T14:04:44.912-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What is the proper role of government?</b></div>
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<b><i>"If men were angels, there would be no need for government..."</i></b></div>
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<b> -- James Madison, "Father of the U.S. Constitution"</b></div>
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From ancient times, when pharaohs and kings ruled with unshakable authority over thousands of their poor, uneducated constituents to the present day when the notion of a king or queen seems a throwback to a less civilized era, people have discussed the true nature and role of government. Historians, philosophers and social scientists have asked the question: "Why do we need government?" The answer, although rooted in the complexity of the human soul (as Madison hinted) is relatively simple. We need a system under which people can live their lives in freedom, without fear of an overbearing dictator or persecution, to pursue their chosen objectives absent an intrusive third party destructive to their aims.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Magna Carta</td></tr>
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Perceptions of government have evolved dramatically over the centuries. In the year 1215, barons in England revolting against the king drew up the Magna Carta, now recognized as one of the foundational documents of western civilization. Residents in the thirteen American colonies in the 1760s and 1770s felt the strong arm of King George III and the British Parliament- and reacted by starting a revolution which changed the course of human history. Philosophers from Aristotle and Socrates to Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau and Montesquieu have opined on the proper role of government in human affairs- and the debate continues today. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French political philosopher Montesquieu</td></tr>
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President Abraham Lincoln said <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">“The legitimate object of government is to do for... people whatever they need... but can not do... for themselves..." Recently some in the United States have called for greater government involvement in people's lives; completely free health care, free education up through the college level, a guaranteed income and many other benefits. <b>FACT CHECK: Nothing in life is FREE.</b> Whenever someone states that the government provides something for free, everyone must realize that while there may not be an immediate charge or cost to that person, <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">someone is paying for (or subsidizing) it, </u>almost always through higher taxes, fees or other forms of revenue generation. While it is tempting to think that the government will provide some things for us at no charge, we must always ask two questions: 1) </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Who is really paying for this?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">and 2) </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Should I be providing this for myself?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> After thoughtful consideration, the most logical answers are: 1) other people ARE paying for it and 2) a person should think very carefully before taking advantage of anything advertised as "FREE". </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> Economists have long espoused the concept of price elasticity of demand: if something has a very low cost and is desirable, people will utilize ever greater quantities of it; if the price is high, demand for that item (or service) will be lessened. Those who propose FREE health care, free college education, a guaranteed income and other government-supported initiatives are ignoring something very basic: there is a COST for everything and demand for anything labeled as FREE will be essentially unlimited. Having the government provide services which are generally in high demand- and label them as FREE is an invitation to fiscal disaster and an <b><i>ever increasing role</i></b> of government in the lives of all citizens. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Madison, considered by many historians as the "Father of the Constitution"</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /> The Founding Fathers <b><i>revolted against</i></b> what they felt was unacceptable government intervention in their lives. America was founded on the idea that people should have a direct voice in the operations and the limitations of government- and a say in how much intervention (in the form of taxes and government guidelines) is warranted and necessary. The U.S. Constitution was created to delineate- and limit- the authority and powers of government- and the first Ten Amendments (now known as the Bill of Rights) restrict governmental powers and codify the rights and privileges of ordinary citizens. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> The French philosopher Montesquieu stated that "Government should be set up so that no man need be afraid of another..." Montesquieu meant that no man should be afraid of other citizens OR representatives of government. Montesquieu had a strong influence on the thinking of James Madison and the other Founding Fathers. <b><i>Madison WAS right. </i></b>If men were angels, we would not need government. Reasonable people can disagree on the proper extent of the role government should take in our lives. Those wanting smaller, less intrusive government often find themselves strongly opposed to people wanting to expand government's role. However, it is highly likely that if Madison and the other Founding Fathers were alive today, touring 21st century America, most of them would be shocked by the extent that government has grown- and the level of its intervention into the lives of its citizens. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The United States Constitution</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /> It is this author's view that- as Lincoln said- government should not do for people what they can and should do for themselves. Having government maintain essential functions (military, police, healthy, clean food, air and water, safe pharmaceuticals, workplace and public safety, etc.) is fair and reasonable, but any "overreach" into the personal lives of citizens should be very limited and avoided. The truly helpless and indigent should receive assistance whenever possible; we are a rich enough country to help those who cannot afford it due to no fault of their own (physical or mental handicap, disasters, etc.). By maintaining fair, but strict limits on the role and intervention of government in our lives, we guarantee that personal freedoms are not infringed and society functions with a greater degree of self-sufficiency- exactly what the Founding Fathers envisioned. </span></div>
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History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-20266585842285301082018-07-15T10:56:00.001-07:002018-07-15T10:56:29.538-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
What I learned about Alexander Hamilton</div>
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This week marks a solemn event: 214 years ago, on July 14, 1804, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr faced off in their now infamous duel in which Hamilton was mortally wounded. They met early in the morning on the banks of the Hudson River in Weehawken, New Jersey, as dueling was illegal in New York and mostly frowned upon and rarely prosecuted across the river. Attending the annual meeting of the Alexander Hamilton Awareness (AHA) Society in New York City, I discovered some things I didn't know or only had limited information on regarding this very important Founding Father. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Burr- Hamilton duel</td></tr>
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<br /> Today we call them "duels", but in several letters exchanged between the two men, it was referred to as an "interview". Most people today would shudder to think that their upcoming job interview might be fatal- and this one was for Hamilton. Agreeing in advance to "throw away" his shot, Hamilton deliberately missed Burr... but Burr- the sitting Vice President of the United States- shot directly at Hamilton, severely wounding him in the abdomen, the bullet piercing his liver and lodging in his spine. Hamilton lay in agony for over 30 hours at the home of his friend William Bayard, Jr., where he passed away the next day. </div>
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Hamilton and Burr had much in common. They had both fought in the American Revolution, both practiced law as attorneys in New York- and sometimes even shared the same court cases. Yet over time, Hamilton came to distrust Burr, who'd defeated Hamilton's father-in-law Philip Schuyler for the Senate seat in New York. In the year 1800, Burr nearly defeated Thomas Jefferson for the Presidency, a contest in which Hamilton threw his support to Jefferson. Four years later, Burr sought the governorship of New York- another battle in which Hamilton opposed his candidacy. Again Burr lost- and his hatred for Hamilton grew to immeasurable heights. After Hamilton disparaged Burr in a private meeting with friends, Hamilton's comments made their way to Burr, enraging him to the point where he insisted on a duel.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aaron Burr</td></tr>
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<br /> Hamilton was highly perplexed with this development- as his own son Philip (his first) was killed in a duel just three years earlier, defending his father's honor. When Philip was killed he was just 19 years old- and his mother Eliza was pregnant with her eighth child, who she later named Philip in his honor. In the Burr- Hamilton duel, the same pistols were used- and it was fought at the same spot along the Hudson where Philip had been killed. Young Philip's death was so traumatic to Hamilton, he was said by friends to be severely depressed for months afterwards. His daughter was so disturbed by Philip's death, she had a nervous breakdown and never recovered, basically an invalid for the rest of her life.</div>
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Alexander Hamilton was just 47 1/2 years old when he died. The nation was in mourning; thousands of people followed the procession to his funeral. He was buried on the grounds of Trinity Church in lower Manhattan, a large white marble monument marking his grave. His wife Eliza was so distraught, she could not attend the funeral service. Eliza dearly loved her husband- and spent the next 50 years dedicated to keeping his memory alive, insisting that his personal papers be preserved so that the nation would understand his many achievements. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author as Alexander Hamilton in 2014 at the reenactment of the Battle of the Brandywine</td></tr>
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<br /> Alexander Hamilton was, in my opinion as an historian, the most gifted of the Founding Fathers. His writings and speeches from an early age reflected his profound and thorough understanding of numerous disciplines, including finance, banking, investments, commerce, human rights, law, the workings of government and many other topics. He was George Washington's most trusted aide-de-camp during four critical and tumultuous years of the American Revolution and fought bravely- and successfully- at the climactic final battle of Yorktown. Later when he served as our nation's first Secretary of the Treasury, Washington trusted his recommendations and decided to follow Hamilton's guidance despite protests from Jefferson, Attorney General Edmund Randolph and many others. As brothers-in-arms on the battlefield, Washington and Hamilton survived the war together. in the following years, Washington used Hamilton's guidance as the young republic struggled to overcome its massive debt burden, bickering among the states and many crises which ensued. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The First Bank of the United States in Philadelphia</td></tr>
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Alexander Hamilton- more than any other human being- is responsible for the financial and economic survival of America. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution- which gives Congress powers to tax and levy duties to generate revenue, pay down and issue debt, regulate commerce and other functions- <b><i>has Hamilton's fingerprints all over it.</i></b> Article I, Section 8 is the<b><i> lifeblood</i></b> of the Constitution- and without Hamilton, it would not have been written so effectively and successfully as a critical tool for the struggling nation. More than any of the Founding Fathers, Hamilton fully understood that the country could not survive without generating revenue- and he created the financial system- including the First Bank of the United States (precursor to the Federal Reserve System), along with a solid framework for commerce and the securities markets to thrive. Hamilton also knew that the nation needed a strong manufacturing base- a critical piece of a diversified economic framework- and thus foreshadowed what we now call "modern portfolio theory". The "portfolio" was the U.S. economy- and Hamilton helped it diversify successfully away from a strong dependence on agriculture and into what we now know as a fully modern, efficient economy.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Alexander Hamilton" by John Trumbull</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Alexander Hamilton: Architect of the American Financial System</i></b> by Gene Pisasale </td></tr>
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<br /> I have a special link to Alexander Hamilton. At the AHA meeting in New York, I was both pleased and honored to see my book "Alexander Hamilton: Architect of the American Financial System" on the shelves available for purchase at Federal Hall, a National Memorial site where Washington took the oath of office in April 1789. The book is the result of my Master's Degree in American history which I completed in 2017- almost exactly 260 years after Hamilton was born. Without Hamilton, the nation may have struggled for years, possibly decades. Instead, it became the strongest, most successful country on Earth. Absent his recommendations and policies, America today would be a very different place- likely far weaker and more vulnerable to financial crises and attacks from enemy nations. So now, as a grateful nation we should all say <b><i>"Thank you"</i></b>. </div>
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History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-6257521453827975412018-07-04T11:41:00.003-07:002018-07-04T11:41:50.336-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>America: A Look Back Over 242 Years</b></div>
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<b><i> "America is great because she is good."</i></b></div>
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--Alexis de Tocqueville, <b><i>Democracy in America</i></b> (1835)</div>
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In 1831, French historian Alexis de Tocqueville was sent to America by his government to study our prison system. Over the next year, he toured several states and parts of Canada observing the way people lived, how they conducted business and how our government functioned. His efforts were focused somewhat less on the prison system and much more on the attributes of the American way of life. His now famous quote is simple, yet so comprehensive in its scope. He had come from Europe, where Kings and Queens still ruled and social stratification kept the ruling class and wealthy citizens dominant over the vast majority of people. In short, for de Tocqueville- America was a very special place.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexis de Tocqueville's <b><i>Democracy in America</i></b></td></tr>
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In America, de Tocqueville experienced a society in which- at least according to its Constitution- most people had a chance to achieve and live a good life, with basic human rights and opportunity to succeed without an overbearing government or aristocracy holding them back. Slavery was the glaring exception- millions of blacks, mostly in the southern states, lived in servitude to plantation owners who controlled their fate and held strong influence over the workings of the American government. Thirty years after his visit, the scourge of slavery would ignite a horrendous Civil War which nearly destroyed what President Abraham Lincoln called "the last best hope of Earth."</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall Street, New York with Federal Hall in the 1830s</td></tr>
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In his book <b><i>America: The Last Best Hope</i></b>, former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett describes the beginnings of our nation, our struggle for independence and the many subsequent challenges that America faced. Throughout his two-volume work, Bennett highlights the one undeniable fact: despite its many flaws, America truly <i><b>is</b></i> unique among the nations of the world, benefiting from the insights of wise men who created a republic which- 242 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence- is still strong, millions of people every year attempting to come here to enjoy the many freedoms and blessings we sometimes take for granted.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>America: The Last Best Hope</i></b> by William J. Bennett</td></tr>
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<i>TIME</i> <i>Magazine</i> now has a special edition out titled "Founding Fathers: The American Visionaries Who Created a Great Nation." Like de Tocqueville, the editors of <i>TIME</i> recognize the special nature of our country, our system of government and what has over more than two centuries become the most successful and admired nation on the planet. To the Founding Fathers, to all those who have served our country in uniform, in government and throughout all levels of society, here's wishing you all a very happy, safe and splendid Fourth of July. </div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-41468141711046523972018-06-29T12:35:00.006-07:002018-06-29T12:35:59.260-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What is America's role in the world?</b></div>
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<b> </b> In his Farewell Address written in 1796, President George Washington warned the nation<b> </b>about the dangers of alliances with foreign governments, knowing those relationships could be double-edged swords used to both help- and harm- the young republic. Some historians have considered his words a bit ironic, as the thirteen colonies would almost certainly have <i>lost</i> the Revolutionary War <i>without</i> the assistance of France. In the 222 years since he shared those feelings, America has grown into the leading world power, even though we struggled through numerous foreign wars and a cataclysmic domestic conflict, a Great Depression and several periods when it appeared we had lost our way. By the middle of the 20th century, it was abundantly clear that our nation was not only a beacon of freedom in a chaotic world, but also a great and dependable friend helping dozens of countries in need. It is only by remaining true to long held principles that America has maintained its standing (economic, military, technological) and will continue to garner respect from nations around the globe.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloV3Kk9qLHujQYq4_gB0WYbW36jGWdMX5_c-voNMDmMUNjfaVuQJa_sFvLCh4Ijj0JQzuIfNFRFXdQ3KIOSd33yWOV6bkb1yyttzpJWDfF6SZJDgctBpaiz_Tuv4ukT6JlA4Dee4BBFQ/s1600/washington_portrait-P.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="1038" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloV3Kk9qLHujQYq4_gB0WYbW36jGWdMX5_c-voNMDmMUNjfaVuQJa_sFvLCh4Ijj0JQzuIfNFRFXdQ3KIOSd33yWOV6bkb1yyttzpJWDfF6SZJDgctBpaiz_Tuv4ukT6JlA4Dee4BBFQ/s320/washington_portrait-P.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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At what <i>price</i> do we gain respect? When the Marshall Plan was proposed following World War II, many critics complained that America was using taxpayer dollars to rebuild and strengthen <b><i>other</i></b> countries, in their view a misguided effort and a waste of precious resources. Yet without the Marshall Plan, many war-ravaged countries might have become even more unstable and vulnerable to aggressive actions from ruthless dictators. The creation of NATO in 1949 further reiterated America's dedication to maintaining peace in a volatile and dangerous world. Many political observers have asked "Should America be the policeman of the world?" The answer is complicated; on one level, simple and another, quite complex.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5MyS11ERGk8I5GJss3OIJx8bbC7X-Uh6_ziZL87Z-O0PS-uzpEIK95EEoV8u_h-3LsFDeOfn78DrLP-gg6zDftuQiNOK6J40eyKWwjEMgixfVLUo2SNk4op-YVSF3eY1aV5X_mvezY4/s1600/VE_day_newspaper-P.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="1038" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5MyS11ERGk8I5GJss3OIJx8bbC7X-Uh6_ziZL87Z-O0PS-uzpEIK95EEoV8u_h-3LsFDeOfn78DrLP-gg6zDftuQiNOK6J40eyKWwjEMgixfVLUo2SNk4op-YVSF3eY1aV5X_mvezY4/s320/VE_day_newspaper-P.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is undeniable that without America's assistance, the two world wars would have ended quite differently. France, Poland, Austria and many other countries would have remained in the grips of brutal dictators. The course of history would have been altered- from one of liberty and rule of law to despotism and widespread human suffering. Quite simply, without America's help, the world would be a much darker place, with hundreds of millions of people living in tyranny. We 'did the right thing.' Do we <b><i>always</i></b> do the right thing? It is often not easy- many geopolitical situations complex and fraught with peril. American politicians have made, shall we say, <b><i>questionable</i></b> choices in using resources and military might, the Vietnam War being the best relatively recent example. Although our men and women in uniform during that conflict fought hard and served proudly, the justification for war was not clear to many and to the average American, the long term objective was even more elusive. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf44xxbP5hprzdeod8z8p5YohuYofGCz9fGYYwL0eP0MRN3Or-kVbWokQn9ylN7YxiZ7qBhIfe4-xojaHux1wQ2ElUFDQwmR5glT4InjhQDI81HxRUn1CCAXN9tcnsyZgQ13GbfPr3uHI/s1600/ReaganBerlin-1250x650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1250" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf44xxbP5hprzdeod8z8p5YohuYofGCz9fGYYwL0eP0MRN3Or-kVbWokQn9ylN7YxiZ7qBhIfe4-xojaHux1wQ2ElUFDQwmR5glT4InjhQDI81HxRUn1CCAXN9tcnsyZgQ13GbfPr3uHI/s320/ReaganBerlin-1250x650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In 1989, President Reagan ignored the recommendations of his advisers and stood at the Brandenburg Gate, saying "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" He knew that it was wrong to keep people locked up in a system which took away their most basic freedoms, to live, to work, to travel. America does <b><i>not</i></b> have unlimited resources. We cannot send soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to fight in every "hot spot" around the world. We <i><b>can</b></i> remain true to our 'moral compass'- something hard to find in many leaders of this era. When our leaders stay true to the "core" principles for which the Founding Fathers dedicated their "lives, liberty and sacred honor", America stands tall, engaging productively with allies, opposing enemies and reaffirming its dedication to freedom for all people. </div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-30301888501073560392018-06-20T15:24:00.002-07:002018-06-20T15:24:47.879-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What Would the Founding Fathers Think of America Today?</b></div>
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This question has been asked numerous times over many decades, with the disclaimer that, by definition, all of them (George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison and the others) would be stunned by the advances in technology which have transformed society. More fundamentally, the question should focus on three key areas: 1) how the government functions, 2) the rights and personal freedoms of citizens and 3) the overall well being of people in general, along with the safety and security of the nation. On these topics, many historians would expect a wide variance of opinion from this group.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGVn3hVjLbkE3ebZZ7jN1lIuJ3mdD87Yr5saGlCMwxpoRC1AaCtOyfX7KvC0AQBGwWvZm3KCwzCYouPfcc6qrvelraisp-2rq37dhZyy3amXQqDbvOot_pydhr-ZhxHpxZMhpiIEYEKY/s1600/FOUNDING+FATHERS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGVn3hVjLbkE3ebZZ7jN1lIuJ3mdD87Yr5saGlCMwxpoRC1AaCtOyfX7KvC0AQBGwWvZm3KCwzCYouPfcc6qrvelraisp-2rq37dhZyy3amXQqDbvOot_pydhr-ZhxHpxZMhpiIEYEKY/s320/FOUNDING+FATHERS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the issue of how well the government functions in America today, all of the Founding Fathers would be disappointed seeing how one political party faces off against another, often causing near paralysis in Washington. George Washington never officially belonged to a political party, even though many historians have labeled him a Federalist. In his Farewell Address written in September 1796, Washington warned the nation of the dangers that could arise when political groups fought against each other and geographic or sectional factions tried to gain advantage over people in other regions. </div>
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Political parties as we know them today didn't exist until Thomas Jefferson ran for President in the year 1800- and we've had them ever since. Jefferson and every President after him has belonged to a political party- and they are here to stay, whether we like them or not. Parties are not the problem; bickering among politicians which avoids resolving serious issues <b><i>IS</i></b> the real problem. As the Father of the Constitution, James Madison would likely be surprised at the myriad of laws, regulations and procedures now on the books, at least some of which appear counterproductive and even self-defeating. Seeing the ongoing paralysis of government, Madison, along with Hamilton and the others might strongly support revamping the U.S. House and Senate rules and procedures, as well as nullifying many laws in existence which they would question regarding efficiency and operations of government so as to allow real, practical solutions to problems.</div>
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Regarding the rights and personal freedoms of citizens, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton might actually agree- that today's government has far too strong an influence on the daily activities of all Americans. From personal choices regarding their own health- the most important issue for <b><i>all</i></b> people- to laws and regulations on business, the environment and other areas, most of the Founders would likely be appalled at how much the government today does to influence the lives of every American. Personal liberty to them was paramount; <b><i>they founded a new nation</i></b> on the concept. In today's world, they would all act aggressively to change the way government interacts with and guides the actions of people. </div>
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With respect to the overall well being of the average citizen, the Founders would all be impressed that today, in the year 2018, the majority of Americans are reasonably healthy, enjoy decent housing, education available to all and a variety of conveniences which make their lives much easier than the conditions which existed 240 years ago. Regarding the safety and security of the nation, Washington would perhaps be the most dismayed to learn that the country he presided over is now facing numerous threats- from terrorism, to rampant crime in certain regions and the tidal wave of illegal immigration. Hamilton would be thrilled that the economic, banking and securities systems he put in place have made America the most successful and powerful nation in the world, while Jefferson and Madison would question the influence of wealthy businessmen and corporations in general. Adams, Franklin and the others would question just how strong and safe a nation can be if it cannot protect against nuclear weapons or maintain the integrity of its borders.</div>
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Perhaps all the Founding Fathers would agree on one point: the framework they put in place more than two centuries ago is <b><i>still working</i></b>, despite its many flaws. For that, they would all be ecstatic- and quite proud...</div>
<br />History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-80160310122862484632018-06-13T13:41:00.004-07:002018-06-13T13:53:50.311-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What is the meaning- and value- of history?</b></div>
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<b><i>"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." </i></b></div>
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<b> --George Santayana</b></div>
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<b> </b>The above quote by Harvard-trained philosopher George<b> </b>Santayana has been mentioned numerous times over the last fifty years by statesmen, writers, scholars and yes- historians- in an attempt to stress the importance of knowing something about the heritage of one's own country and how it fits into the long flow of history. Yet is is much more than that. Understanding the history of our nation is but a starting point for a long and potentially fascinating journey around the world, a trip that can provide us a connection with other cultures and a glimpse of their importance in the story of us all.</div>
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The first question all historians are faced with is a daunting one: what does history actually <i>mean</i>? The old saying that "History is written by the victors" is only partially true. Each new generation of historians- whether they hail from a large, powerful nation or a smaller player in the world- gets a chance to evaluate the ebb and flow of human history, actions by politicians, kings, tyrants and warlords, along with those of unsung heroes- to determine the importance each played in bringing us all to where we are today. It is a certainty that every President, Prime Minister, scientist, philosopher, artist and inventor will be viewed differently 20... 50... 100 or more years after their own passing from the world stage than they were during their lifetime. Proof of this lies in the fact that Presidents including Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower are now ranked far more favorably than they were when they left office. It is this necessary period of reflection that allows historians- and all people- to gain a greater understanding of the importance and long term ramifications of actions and events. With a longer period for comparison, we get insights we never had before. Those insights themselves will change over time- and that is precisely the <i>meaning</i> of history.</div>
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The second question is much less challenging: what is the <i>value</i> of history? By fully assessing a long series of events, how each one caused certain repercussions while others had minimal impact- we can all make more accurate projections about what is likely to occur in the future. Great historians like James McPherson, author of the classic Civil War narrative <b><i>Battle Cry of Freedom</i></b> tell us this story in a unique and effective way so as to bring new insights and new perspectives to us all. Clearly having the benefit of decades, even centuries of human activities to review rather than just a few over a short period of time provides a platform for predictions for the years ahead. Santayana appreciated that, saying: "We must welcome the future, remembering that soon it will be the past and... respect the past, remembering that it was once all that was humanly possible." </div>
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So let's celebrate our heritage- along with that of other nations- as we gain a richer understanding of the global narrative of emperors and kings, wars, natural disasters, great inventions and the minds which created them...as we appreciate our past... and look forward to our future...</div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-75244053877094583532018-06-06T13:03:00.001-07:002018-06-06T13:03:06.553-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Remembering the Day That Saved the Free World</b></div>
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On June 6, 1944, Allied forces under the overall command of General Dwight Eisenhower stormed the beaches of Normandy to take on the German troops entrenched all along the coastline of France. Called "Operation Overlord", the liberation of France with the Allied coastal invasion was the largest armada assembled in modern history, originally planned during the darkest days of World War II when the Nazis were in control of large portions of Europe with a stranglehold that appeared unbreakable. Eisenhower spoke personally with the troops beforehand, telling them all that they were embarked "on a great crusade" to save the world. His speech must have inspired thousands of them.</div>
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The invasion was almost called off due to inclement weather. Eisenhower actually took a big chance with the operation, as he'd been given a brief window of time to launch the attack. Luckily the weather held out and the naval forces were able to land thousands of men on Omaha, Juno, Gold, Utah and Sword Beach. Repelled at first with blistering machine gun and mortar fire, the Allies finally overcame the German positions, albeit with very heavy casualties.</div>
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Today, 74 years later, it is worth pondering what was accomplished that fateful day. The old adage: "If the Allies hadn't won, we'd all be speaking German" is not too far off the mark. The Nazi war machine was overwhelming, brutal and successful in taking control of France, Austria, Poland and several other countries. Although Hitler and his commanders made glaring overcommitments of men and assets that were unsustainable, it is quite possible that, if he had limited his troops to just one or two areas, he could have succeeded. Instead he badly miscalculated in trying to create a vast new German empire which was doomed to fail due to limited resources- and the world benefited from his error.</div>
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The ranks of World War II veterans are thinning rapidly; the youngest person to serve, starting as late as 1945, would today be at least 90 years old. We're losing about 400 WWII veterans every day. One young man wants to make sure their stories are heard. Rishi Sharma- a 20 year old from Redondo Beach, California has made it his mission to interview every living WWII vet. He's traveled to 45 states and Canada and spoken with 870 of them over the last few years. Rishi talks with many of them on the phone, some in person, videotaping their comments to be stored in a "living history" WWII database. Although he realizes it is a nearly impossible task, Rishi persists and is determined to reach as many as he can. He documents his experiences and those of the veterans on his website www.heroesofthesecondworldwar.org. </div>
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Tom Brokaw called them <b><i>"The Greatest Generation."</i></b> While all our veterans should be thanked and honored for their service, those who fought in World War II- on the beaches of Normandy, in the horrific Battle of the Bulge, in the Pacific Theater at the bloody battles of Midway, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, all across Africa and Asia- somehow deserve a very special "Thank you." Without their efforts, hundreds of millions of people around the world might have been forced into lives of desperation and tyranny. Because of them, today... we live in freedom. </div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-88088201268578609992018-05-29T15:26:00.002-07:002018-05-30T03:35:14.949-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>President Ulysses S. Grant- A Second Look</b></div>
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The true test of the value and importance of anything- a book, a piece of music, a work of art, even a person- is time. Often it takes years, sometimes decades to discern the many nuances of actions not apparent at first glance and this period of reflection is necessary to understand those things "unseen" originally, or hidden by the interplay of personalities and tumult of the times in which they were experienced. It is almost a certainty that the actions of statesmen and Presidents will be viewed somewhat differently 20... 50... 100 years after they leave office. If only due to the benefit of a longer term perspective- and the often lengthy gap between initial action and long term consequences- historians and biographers take a "second look" at the actions of Presidents and the secular repercussions of those actions. This is why Presidents like Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower- both rated somewhat poorly immediately after they left the Oval Office- are now typically rated much more favorably, often in the top ten of all Chief Executives. It is with this same perspective that this historian now takes a fresh look at President Ulysses S. Grant.</div>
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Hiram Walker Grant (1822- 1885) had a "colorful" life. After serving with distinction in the Mexican-American War- a conflict he personally opposed- he began drinking heavily and resigned from the Army in 1854. Grant struggled through a few different jobs, but by the outset of the Civil War in 1861 was ready to get back into action and was reappointed as a Colonel of the 21st Illinois infantry. It was during the Civil War that Grant's star began to rise. Showing a fearless attitude pursuing Confederate forces in battle, he became Lincoln's favorite officer. Lincoln recognized Grant's fighting abilities and promoted him because of his many successes on the battlefield, during a period when several other Generals failed to achieve measurable success. Presiding over the crucial victory at Vicksburg and later accepting the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Grant was lauded as the greatest hero of the Civil War. By 1868, following Andrew Johnson's term, Grant was encouraged as a war hero to run for the Presidency and was selected unanimously for the nomination of the Republican Party.</div>
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Grant served two terms as President, during a period filled with great uncertainty over the direction of the nation and his own personal struggles with scandals- five in total- that rocked his Administration, even though he was largely disconnected from the events. Historians have rated his team- and their associates- as some of the most corrupt to ever hold public office. Grant's first Vice President Schuyler Colfax was accused of accepting deeply discounted shares of stock in the Credit Mobilier company which helped in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. Shortly after Grant took office, James Fisk and Jay Gould attempted to corner the market in gold with help from Grant's brother-in-law, causing the Panic of 1869. Grant's Treasury Secretary William Richardson was forced to resign over a kickback scandal related to tax collections. From the start to the end of his two terms, it seems that scandal followed Grant wherever he went, even though he was personally viewed as an honest man. The financial Panic of 1873- one of the worst in American history- did nothing to help his reputation and deepened people's suspicions concerning his effectiveness and success as President.</div>
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After he left office in 1877, his reputation tarnished due almost exclusively to the corrupt practices of others, Grant did not have long to live. He went on a global tour around Europe, Africa and Asia which allowed him to meet Queen Victoria and Pope leo XIII. He also dabbled in politics, nearly gaining the nomination of his party in the election of 1880. In 1884- only seven years after leaving the Oval Office- he started experiencing sharp pains in his throat. Being a lifelong cigar smoker and heavy drinker, his personal habits may have played a role in his health deteriorating. Grant was later diagnosed with throat cancer. He went downhill quickly over the next year, losing his voice and dropping in weight by more than 60 pounds. He wanted to write his memoirs to allow his wife and family to survive with the royalties- but did not have much longer on this Earth.</div>
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Determined to write an accurate account of his life, including detailed descriptions of critical Civil War battles, Grant began working on his memoirs after being offered a $25,000 advance by Mark Twain. Grant worked tirelessly over the following months to tell his life story in bold, unadulterated prose, a work that has been recognized as one of the greatest by a American President.</div>
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In a 1962 historian's poll, Grant ranked near "the bottom of his class"- 30th out of 31 Presidents. As often happens over time, perceptions of Presidential accomplishment changed- and Grant is no exception. A 2018 poll ranked Grant 21st out of 45 Presidents- the "upper half" of his peer group- quite an improvement over the five decades. What changed? Recognition of Grant's honest and admirable character, as well as evaluation of his accomplishments during the difficult period of Reconstruction, including passage of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, among many other things. Grant sharply opposed people who tried to intimidate blacks against voting- notably the Ku Klux Klan- and as President authorized mass arrests of persons participating in aggressive, terrorist actions against Negroes. He created what is now known as the National Park System, with the first one- Yellowstone in 1872, so he can be considered America's first conservationist President. Grant also signed the Specie Act of 1875 supporting "hard money"- a move designed to allow the U.S. Treasury to accumulate sufficient gold reserves to accommodate any requests for conversion of paper currency into coin, a move which strengthened public confidence in the U.S. Treasury and America's currency. Grant also appointed four Justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, some of whom wrote precedent-setting opinions and served with distinction.</div>
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Overall, despite the public perception of his links to scandal, Ulysses S. Grant is now viewed much more favorably by scholars and historians. Ron Chernow's book <b><i>Grant</i></b> (2017) takes a fresh look at the 18th president, granting him a much better- and fairer- review than many of those written in previous decades. </div>
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Time changes everything. To his credit, Grant's reputation has improved markedly in recent years. Due to his extensive service to our nation during a very challenging period of our history, Ulysses S. Grant deserves a "second look"- and at least a "Thank you" from all Americans. </div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-91872699831403690532018-05-22T15:09:00.006-07:002018-05-22T15:09:57.746-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>How the United States Constitution Changed the World</b></div>
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<b><i>"Miracles do not occur at random, nor was it the author of this book who said there was a miracle at Philadelphia in the year 1787. George Washington said it, and James Madison. They used the word in writing to their friends, Washington to Lafayette, Madison to Thomas Jefferson."</i></b></div>
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--Catherine Drinker Bowen in <b><i>Miracle at Philadelphia</i></b></div>
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"We the people..." So begins the most important governing document written in the last 250 years. The U.S. Constitution was truly something new under the sun. Never before had a new nation been forged with the powerful words of the <b><i>governed</i></b>. For centuries, kings, aristocrats and tyrants had spoken of what the lower classes and peasants would be <b><i>required</i></b> to do. </div>
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When the 55 delegates from every state except Rhode Island met in Philadelphia in May 1787, they did not know they might produce a document that would change the course of human history. This really was a novel creation, one which outlined how people... would govern... <i>themselves</i>, without an overbearing King or group of wealthy aristocrats dictating the terms and calling the shots. <b><i>From a notion... emerged... a new nation.</i></b></div>
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<br /> Pennsylvanians played a special role in this process. With eight delegates including the wise and respected Benjamin Franklin, shrewd financier Robert Morris and political operative Gouverneur Morris, they had more participants and perspectives to share than any other state, even the powerful Virginia delegation, with George Washington and James Madison among their seven representatives.</div>
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<br /> Several attempts at unification for the colonies were made in the decade before this meeting. The <i>Declaration of Independence</i>- signed in the same chamber eleven years before, while inspiring, was more of a statement of protest against the British government than anything resembling a legally binding document. The <i>Articles of Confederation</i>- signed in 1777, ratified in 1781 when the Revolutionary War was almost over- was a best attempt to coordinate the activities of the thirteen colonies which considered themselves completely separate, independent entities. It failed to form a true and binding union because few of the colonies wanted to grant authority to a centralized authority. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Articles of Confederation</td></tr>
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<br /> When the Constitutional Convention ended on September 17, 1787 the delegates were not even sure if they had accomplished something that was "legal"- as they had been appointed only to propose changes to the Articles, "not to design a new government", as historian Pauline Meier stated in her book <b><i>Ratification</i></b>. The delegates shrewdly wrote in Article VII ( the ending to their document) that "the Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution..." They understood that getting all thirteen states to agree on anything so groundbreaking as a Constitution would be- like any large group deciding over where to have lunch- a major challenge.</div>
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The seven Articles in the U.S. Constitution embodied the first time that a group of enlightened citizens spelled out exactly what rights they had as residents of each individual state and what powers a centralized government had over those states. Knowing that it was critical to have citizens delineating those powers, the very first Article they wrote details the authority granted to Congress- peopled by citizens of those states- Article II details the powers and responsibilities of the Chief Executive (President); Article III those of the Judiciary system represented by the courts.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Article I, United States Constitution</td></tr>
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<br /> I would not be writing these words today with the many freedoms I enjoy if Alexander Hamilton had not participated in the Constitutional Convention. Perhaps the most gifted of the Founding Fathers, Hamilton knew that the republic- <i>any republic</i>- would falter and crumble if it could not generate sufficient revenue to pay off its debts and provide funds for government operations. Article I, Section 8 has his fingerprints all over it. This details the powers of Congress to issue and pay down debt, regulate trade and commerce, enact taxes, duties and tariffs to generate revenue and issue coin and currency. Without Article I, Section 8, our struggling nation would have have descended into chaos and bankruptcy. It is the <i>lifeblood of the Constitution</i>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander Hamilton</td></tr>
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<br /> To gauge the importance of the U.S. Constitution, take a look around the world. All those countries which enjoy the most freedoms and the greatest prosperity are, in some form, constitutional republics with representative governments outlining the responsibilities and authority of that government as well as the rights granted to its citizens. The nations which have faltered or continue to struggle which have the least freedom- Cuba, North Korea, Iran and others- are either Communist dictatorships or theocratic monarchies which deny their citizens the many rights and privileges all Americans enjoy. It is no accident that America is the freest AND most prosperous nation on Earth. The Founding Fathers got it right. Although the original Constitution was modified numerous times (twenty-seven Amendments as of this writing), it set a standard unmatched by any other country.</div>
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The United States Constitution is the oldest continuously operating document outlining the powers and authority of government and the rights of its citizens. It remains a guiding beacon for all nations, all peoples and cultures around the world. Despite its flaws, the American system of government- and its guiding document, the Constitution- remain an inspiration to all who seek freedom and justice in an uncertain world.</div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-63108605548251549782018-05-14T13:23:00.001-07:002018-05-14T13:23:13.110-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Is America Still 'The Last Best Hope of Earth'?"</b></div>
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In his excellent book <b><i>America- The Last Best Hope</i></b>, former Secretary of Education William Bennett revisits a quote from President Abraham Lincoln who said these words in a letter to the United States Congress two months after he issued the Emancipation Proclamation: <i>"We shall nobly save or meanly lose this last best hope of earth."</i> Lincoln was talking about the possibility that the Union could be destroyed or irreparably harmed if the Confederacy succeeded in fracturing the nation. That nation- born of noble ideas and dedicated to pursuing liberty and freedom- could easily have faltered if the South prevailed. If that had happened, the painstaking work of the Founding Fathers would have been merely a footnote in a much darker narrative where the forces of evil prevailed, our country was wounded and mankind became all the worse for it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Abraham Lincoln</td></tr>
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<br /> In a speech he planned to give on that fateful day in Dallas in November 1963, President John F. Kennedy said <i>"We in this country are the watchmen on the walls of world freedom."</i> More than 50 years have passed since then and both citizens and politicians have widely varying viewpoints on whether the U.S. should be involved in engagements around the globe. Yet his words remain true today. No other country commits the resources, the manpower or the effort necessary to combat brutal dictators, rogue regimes and now- terrorists- abundant on the global stage. What kind of world would we have today if brave American soldiers had <b><i>not</i></b> fought in World War I or World War II? How safe would the Middle East and the rest of the world be today if the U.S. had not defeated Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War and later, taken action against the terrorists who struck on September 11, 2001? For more than a century, America has "stepped up to the plate" and aided nations in need, thwarting brutal governments and other elements who tried to destroy essential freedoms enjoyed by hundreds of millions of people.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kennedy motorcade in Dallas, November 22, 1963</td></tr>
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<br /> Fast forward to the year 2018. America still has troops on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea and other hot spots around the globe. <i>Why?</i> There are two reasons: 1) they remain highly unstable areas, threatened by violence and terrorism and 2) no other country is likely to commit the resources necessary to achieve stability in these regions. The phrase "The U.S. should not be the world's policeman" generates a lot of discussion- for good reason. Peace and stability <i>should </i>be goals shared by all nations, yet the level of commitment to those goals varies dramatically from country to country. America has been blessed to partner with strong allies like England, France and other nations in various conflicts over the years, but it appears to some people that we always shoulder the greatest burden. Why should the U.S. perennially be the leader in fighting wars and promoting stability in countries thousands of miles away? The answer is quite simple: without our efforts, the world would be a far more dangerous place.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American soldiers raising the flag on Iwo Jima</td></tr>
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<br /> Lincoln was right. His words ring true today, more than 150 years after he wrote them. Kennedy's planned remarks are just as vital in the year 2018 as they were that day in Dallas. America <b><i>IS</i></b> the world's greatest superpower- and with that comes many responsibilities. If America falters, the world becomes a much darker, more unstable place, susceptible to tyrants and rogue regimes. The United States remains- and hopefully always will be- the last best hope of Earth. </div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-364161514294019642018-05-09T12:00:00.001-07:002018-05-10T14:12:58.488-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Do Americans Understand How Our Government Works?</b></div>
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<b> </b>If you've ever seen an episode of Watters' World on television, where Jesse Watters goes out on the street asking people questions about America, our government and our history, you know that many Americans are, shall we say... challenged in their understanding of those topics. Some people interviewed could not say which occurred first- the Civil War or the Revolutionary War. Some blacks interviewed surprisingly could not name the U.S.President who freed the slaves. It is thus not a revelation that many Americans do not know- or have little understanding of how our government works. </div>
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The Founding Fathers were an enlightened crew. They understood that a republic needed a mechanism by which it could allow itself to function while respecting the inherent rights of mankind. They also knew that the government would need to enact laws which guided the actions of its citizens. When delegates to the Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia from May through September 1787, they already had a basic framework to utilize: the British Parliamentary system. Most among the group were highly skeptical of too much power or authority residing in one person or group, so they created a tripartite structure to avoid many of the pitfalls of other governmental systems around the world, notably the British system with its all-powerful King. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">British King George III</td></tr>
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James Madison was one of several highly intelligent delegates to the Convention. His plan for the three branches of government- the Legislative, the Executive and the Judicial Branches- allowed for "checks and balances" necessary to sustain a fledgling democracy. Many people today think that America is a pure "democracy". That is not accurate. We are a representative republic, whose citizens do not give an "up or down" vote on every issue or law, but vote for representatives who will decide those matters. Citizens concede that authority to their elected representatives and if they don't approve of their actions, citizens get the chance to vote them out of office. While some people may like the idea of having the power to make those decisions every day for themselves, such a system realistically could not function, as it would collapse under its own weight, ending in chaos.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Decision in Philadelphia</i></b>, which describes the creation of the U.S. Constitution</td></tr>
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The Legislative Branch consists of the U.S. House of Representatives, whose members serve two year terms and the Senate, whose members serve six year terms. The House and the Senate make the laws of the land. The House was patterned after the British House of Commons, which has a direct tie to its citizens through regular elections. The Senate was patterned after the British House of Lords. The House holds "the purse strings", as all appropriations for expenditures and debt must be approved by its members. The Founding Fathers intentionally gave the House this authority because they wanted citizens to have regular input into how the country was being run. This structure allows citizens to vote every two years for those representatives who will be most prudent in their actions and spend taxpayer funds most wisely.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Madison, considered by many as the "Father of the Constitution"</td></tr>
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The Executive Branch is represented by the President. He executes the laws passed by Congress, acts as Commander-in-Chief of the military and the representative of our nation on the world stage. The President holds many powers which he can use by Executive authority, including the right to make treaties (approved by Congress), appoint Cabinet officers who will oversee various areas of government and the economy and also deal with foreign powers. The Founders specifically wanted to limit the authority of the Chief Executive because they were well aware that an overbearing King could act as a tyrant, taking away many of what they considered to be God-given rights.</div>
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The Judicial Branch consists of the Supreme Court, the District and Appellate Courts and others both in the Federal government and throughout all the states. The Judicial Branch decides what laws and actions are in accordance with the Constitution. It has the authority to decide what is, in effect "legal" or not. As anyone who's been involved in a lawsuit knows, the legal system in America can be a confusing and frustrating place. What might seem reasonable and fair to the average person can actually be illegal or disallowed under our system of justice. Example: many people believe all representatives should be under term limits, so as to prevent them from being in positions of authority for too long. Yet term limits were actually declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court a while back. If you want term limits, you'll have to work for a Constitutional Amendment which puts them in place someday.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The United States Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C.</td></tr>
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There's one problem with a democracy: <b><i><u>someone</u></i></b> has to get the final say on what is lawful and how the government and citizens conduct their activities. Without this ultimate authority, the republic- any republic- would quickly devolve into anarchy, as competing factions disagreed and thwarted the efforts of parties they opposed. So the Founders decided to give ultimate authority not to the President... and not even to Congress, elected by the people themselves, but to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court technically holds <b><i>more power and authority</i></b> than either of the two other branches because it decides what is lawful- in accordance with the Constitution. In effect, its nine Justices have the final say over what laws are acceptable, what policies can continue and in some respects, how people can live their daily lives. If they decide that a law, a policy or an action taken by a government official, a business or a person is unconstitutional, they have the power to declare it so and make it illegal. This may seem unfair to some, since the Justices are <b><i>not</i></b> elected by the people and have no term limits on their service... but it's the best system we have...</div>
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Winston Churchill once said "Democracy is the worst form of government... except for all the rest." The Founding Fathers knew that those in positions of authority- like Kings- could sometimes abuse that power and take actions harmful to citizens and to the functioning of society. Alexander Hamilton stated it clearly: "Give all the power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all the power to a few, they will oppress the many." Despite its flaws, the American system of government remains the best and most effective system devised by man. It is envied by hundreds of millions of people around the world who live under despotic regimes and brutal dictatorships. The Founders understood that over time, changes to the system would become necessary. That is why they allowed for Amendments to the Constitution. The first ten of those Amendments became what is now referred to as the Bill of Rights. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0NzVJf0eXGGMaqlRKIu0j8_deN8TiCCtqnaHXx3O-li0ikhl3XCbgqdrdczPMPWAmTsldz5fX6F5_04v2IrazDs0mcanZ5XcTDX_hqya7nAmuCzIqPfw1Skki9wOL-6HU8qflsuri8A/s1600/Alexander_Hamilton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="663" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0NzVJf0eXGGMaqlRKIu0j8_deN8TiCCtqnaHXx3O-li0ikhl3XCbgqdrdczPMPWAmTsldz5fX6F5_04v2IrazDs0mcanZ5XcTDX_hqya7nAmuCzIqPfw1Skki9wOL-6HU8qflsuri8A/s320/Alexander_Hamilton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander Hamilton, delegate to the Constitutional Convention</td></tr>
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Thomas Jefferson maintained that a republic could not survive unless its citizens were educated, well informed on the topics of the day and made their voices heard. So, if you don't like the way our government works, contact your Senators and your Congressman. Write to the President and tell him how you feel. You'll be making your voice heard... and actively participating in this grand experiment we call America. </div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-39720907173927731102018-04-30T08:18:00.001-07:002018-04-30T08:18:03.650-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Korea- The Forgotten War</b></div>
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When North Korean forces invaded their neighbor South Korea on June 25, 1950, tensions had already been simmering for decades. Korea was annexed by Japan in 1910 following years of rivalry between China and Russia, both countries competing for control of the nation. Former Secretary of State Dean Acheson in his book <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Korean War </i>notes that the Allied Powers during World War II had agreed to allow Korea to be free and independent with the United States overseeing operations in the South and Russia doing the same in the North, areas roughly demarcated by what became famous as "the 38th parallel". By 1948, after years of deliberation by members of the United Nations, the Republic of Korea came into existence with its government controlling the southern territory. The People's Republic of Korea came into being with the support of the Russians later that same year, controlling the northern area. That North Korean troops- supported by Russia and China- subsequently invaded the South came as little surprise to experienced politicians in the U.S. President Harry Truman would not tolerate this and ordered American military forces there two days after the aggression.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Troops near the 38th parallel in Korea</td></tr>
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In 1950, many Americans knew little about Korea. Some couldn't locate it on a map. Over the next two years, they would learn not only how brutal the conflict had become, but also that the U.S. had entered a war that appeared at the time to be un-winnable. The first Winter of the war in 1950- 1951 took its toll on the American forces. In <b><i>This Kind of War</i></b>, author T.R. Fehrenbach stated "The cold would destroy as many men as enemy bullets." U.S. Marines took 22 1/2 hours to march just 9 1/2 miles near the area known as the Chosin Reservoir. Names like Inchon, Panmunjom and Heartbreak Ridge entered the news reports, as did word of mass killings of South Korean civilians by the Communists at Taejon. Although Americans had experienced reports of military setbacks and war atrocities less than a decade before during World War II, these new announcements, along with mixed results and setbacks for U.S. troops left many with the sense that this war was different. A world away from home- fought in a country with no direct ties to the U.S.- it was hard for many to rationalize the sacrifice of American lives.</div>
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The Korean War influenced the political future of two of its main protagonists- General Douglas MacArthur- who'd been sharply critical of Truman's lack of aggressiveness- was relieved of command. He later gave a speech before the United States Congress in which he spoke the now famous phrase: "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away..." President Truman was widely criticized for replacing MacArthur and for lack of success in the war effort; partly due to this, he decided not to run for reelection in 1952. His "police action" was really an undeclared war- something many Americans were uncomfortable with. Citizens were also skeptical about the "domino theory"- the thinking that if one country falls to the Communists, others will follow. It was hard for people to rationalize how countries thousands of miles away and their government- far different from ours- could impact their own way of life and freedom. Added to this was the impression that- for the first time- the U.S. was faced with truly losing a war, a notion that didn't sit well with many who were war weary from the previous decade.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General Douglas MacArthur</td></tr>
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The Korean War ended on July 27, 1953, roughly three years after it had begun when an armistice was signed. Technically this was merely a truce- not a genuine peace agreement ending all hostilities. President Dwight Eisenhower had accomplished what Truman could not- making good on his promise to end American involvement. Eisenhower had also very wisely avoided the use of nuclear weapons, which some advisers had recommended. Total American deaths in the war were initially reported at over 50,000, but a later analysis revised that number to around 36,000- enough to cause millions of Americans to scratch their heads and ask "Why did we get involved?" Many just wanted to put this unpleasant episode out of their minds- and over the years, it was considered by some historians as "the forgotten war."</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American troops fighting in Korea</td></tr>
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Over the more than six decades since the armistice, the North Korean Communist regimes led by a family of rulers beginning with Kim Il Sung have waged an ongoing war of propaganda and military threats directed at South Korea, the U.S. and its allies. American troops have been in South Korea since the armistice, positioned along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a region which has witnessed numerous clashes and killings over the years. In the last twenty years, North Korea has aggressively pursued a nuclear weapons program, despite warnings from the U.S. and other nations that such moves were unacceptable. Various U.S. Presidents have tried- with very little success- to entice North Korea to abandon its nuclear program and become a productive, peace-loving member of the world community. Nonetheless, North Korea has, up until recently, largely disregarded the threat of sanctions and outside military force as it pursued its nuclear strategy.</div>
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After seeing many years of failed efforts to halt North Korea's nuclear program, President Donald Trump used more aggressive tactics. He not only ramped up severe sanctions against the country, backed in part by China- he also threatened "fire and fury" if North Korea were to attack the U.S. or any of out allies. The announcement in late April 2018 that North and South Korea had agreed to end hostilities caused political observers around the world to take note. Was this really a definitive change toward peace and de-nuclearization by North Korea, or just another bluff in its long-standing efforts to thwart the western powers? Would their aggressive moves- including numerous missile launches toward Japan and other countries- truly end? It is difficult to fully analyze at this point in time, but President Trump deserves at least some credit for ushering in this new atmosphere of peace. Skeptics might argue that North Korea is playing its hand wisely, as their nation and its millions of people are on the brink of starvation, possibly in severe financial trouble- so their move toward reconciliation is merely a method of gaining western assistance to avoid collapse. Time will tell. With President Trump scheduled to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks, an unprecedented move for a U.S. President- perhaps we will see the skies clearing, sunshine bathing the region in warmth... and a much overdue peace. </div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-67765888809524782392018-04-23T14:54:00.002-07:002018-04-24T03:54:08.665-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What Does It Mean to Be An American?</b></div>
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<b> </b>President Reagan once said that you can go to Germany and not become a German. You can go to France and never become a Frenchman. Yet nearly a million immigrants are admitted into the United States every year- all of them wanting to become Americans. Why are they coming here- and what does this experiment in democracy really mean to them, to all of us citizens, to people around the world?</div>
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They're coming here- to America- because our nation and system of government are the most successful in the history of mankind. Aside from the nearly one million persons admitted legally into the U.S. each year, many times that number attempt to enter illegally, most of the latter group risking their lives doing so. Some pay thousands of dollars to so-called "coyotes" to transport them across the border, often in unsanitary, horribly overcrowded trucks where their very survival is uncertain. Yet they come, year after year... the tide unending. What exactly are they coming for?</div>
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They all come to be part of the greatest republic in the world, where they hope to pursue their dreams without an oppressive government or rogue elements usurping their rights or threatening their well being. They come to have a chance at living a better life, feeding their families, creating a better environment for their children. Despite the risks of injury or even death, the flow never stops... because they all know that America is unique in human history. Never before had citizens- with very limited resources- overthrown an overbearing mother nation and established their own republic guided by a Constitution which protected individual rights while outlining- and limiting- the powers of government. The Founding Fathers crafted the Constitution and subsequently the Bill of Rights to guarantee that citizens would be able to live their lives in freedom, without the constant threat of having their liberties taken away.</div>
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In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville came to America at the request of the French government to study the American prison system. After traveling around the country for nine months, he decided to focus more on the American political system and way of life. He came away profoundly impressed with what he experienced, which he considered the blossoming of democracy few countries had ever seen. In his book "Democracy in America", de Tocqueville said "America is great because it is good." He recognized that America was quite unique, a very special place unlike almost any other nation. Three decades later, President Abraham Lincoln shared the same insights in his letter to Congress. In 1862, amidst the turmoil of the Civil War, Lincoln realized that it was absolutely critical to preserve this ongoing experiment in democracy, saying "We shall nobly save or meanly lose this last best hope of earth." </div>
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In the 156 years since Lincoln wrote those words, it has become apparent to hundreds of millions of people around the world that America really IS a unique place. Americans have greater freedom, enjoy a higher standard of living and greater economic prosperity than those in any other nation in the world. Being an American means we can enjoy numerous freedoms and benefits only dreamed about by people in other countries like Cuba, North Korea and Iran. Being an American is to be truly blessed, but that blessing comes with a responsibility. We must be actively engaged with our political leaders, voicing our concerns when they take actions that unfairly limit or threaten those freedoms. We also need to be active participants in this great experiment- so that it never fades or becomes a footnote in a history book. To ensure that this experiment does not end in failure, we all need to be a living, breathing part of our government, our society, our communities- to make this all continue... for generations yet to come...</div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-40117718931549724382018-04-16T17:47:00.003-07:002018-04-16T17:47:58.417-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Remembering the "War to End All Wars"</b></div>
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When Barbara Tuchman's book <b><i>"The Guns of August"</i></b> was released nearly six decades ago, it turned the world's attention on a major conflict that subsequently became dwarfed by the enormous impact of World War II. Yet the subject of her Pulitzer Prize winning book- World War I- was almost as gargantuan in scope militarily, geographically and socially, with 70 million military personnel engaged and more than 16 million persons killed in places ranging from Europe to Africa, the Middle East and China. Also called "the Great War", World War I had a profound impact upon the world order, with the Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and German empires being radically rearranged or going out of existence, national borders redrawn and nine countries created or restored. </div>
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World War I started with a spark- Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, setting off a diplomatic crisis in the Balkans, the region southeast of Europe which had witnessed turmoil for centuries. Terms like "trench warfare" and "the western front" came into use as politicians tried to describe the scope of this conflict. As nations around Europe began taking sides, it became clear that a major war was imminent. A month after the assassination, Austro-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Germany subsequently declared war on Russia. Russia urged members of what was called the Triple Entente (which included France and Great Britain, as well as Russia) to take a military position and prepare for engagement. The Allies (including Russia, France and Great Britain) faced off against the Central Powers, led by Austro-Hungary and Germany. An interesting footnote of this conflict is the fact that both Japan and Italy joined the Allies (as did the United States, a bit later in the war). Italy and Japan would align themselves with Germany 25 years later in World War II.</div>
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The United States was a tardy latecomer to this war, as millions of Americans saw it as "a European affair" in which they did NOT want to be involved. President Woodrow Wilson had a platform running for reelection in 1916 using the slogan "He'll keep us out of war." However, when the British ship Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat, killing over 100 Americans, tensions in the U.S. rose to a boiling point. Later sinkings of several American merchant ships- and the interception of the "Zimmerman telegram" from Germany linking help from Mexico in the war with later assistance to gain back territory held by the United States- caused President Wilson to declare war on Germany on April 6, 1917.</div>
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Some of the largest and most devastating battles in world history occurred in World War I, including the Battle of the Marne and the Battle of the Somme, the latter producing a nearly unthinkable one million casualties (killed and wounded). Chemical warfare reared its ugly head for the first time, mustard gas and other agents causing soldiers to gasp for breath as they dug into their trenches for protection. The war also produced dramatic advances in weaponry as tanks were used for the first time, bringing a new element onto the battlefield. </div>
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By 1918, the casualties on all sides were staggering. Germany was finally defeated and ready to come to the negotiating table. The Treaty of Versailles signed on November 11, 1918 attempted to treat all parties fairly, but it had many critics. British economist John Maynard Keynes felt the treaty was unduly harsh towards German and he predicted it would sew the seeds of another war. Keynes was right. Political leaders in Germany felt they had been singled out and treated unfairly. The German economy deteriorated sharply; the deutschmark experienced hyperinflation to the point where citizens were unsure of their nation's future and the economy sank into a downward spiral. These conditions led a disgruntled artist named Adolf Hitler to help form a new political party which would take control in the 1930s. </div>
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All those who fought in this great conflict have long since passed from the scene. They're no longer around to teach us its lessons. So, what have we learned from World War I? At a minimum, we should now realize that massive global conflicts cause irreparable damage to families, to communities, to entire nations. In the 21st century, most civilized countries now recognize that chemical weapons are unacceptable tools of warfare. It is unfortunate that some leaders like Syria's Bashar Assad do not subscribe to this line of thinking. Perhaps the war has taught most nations that such weapons must finally be eradicated from the face of the Earth, but that assumption may be too optimistic. It is hoped that today- a century after this war ended- all political leaders around the globe will think twice before engaging in conflicts which could negatively impact the entire world. </div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-43973342442039153732018-04-09T11:16:00.000-07:002018-04-09T11:16:02.615-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Why do Americans continue to be fascinated with the Civil War?</b></div>
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The Civil War ended more than 150 years ago, but millions of Americans continue to buy books, see movies and attend lectures concerning this period in our history. Thousands of narratives have been written on this conflict, with hundreds on the Battle of Gettysburg alone- and there appears to be no end in sight to this continuing avalanche of material. <i>Why? </i>Perhaps it is because the Civil War truly IS one of the most interesting and thought-provoking times in our heritage,when brother fought against brother, the nation was being ripped apart and this experiment in democracy almost came to an end- but managed to survive despite long odds. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The American Civil War</td></tr>
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The Civil War began on April 12, 1861 when Confederate soldiers fired upon Federal Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor. The real "break" came months before, when several southern states seceded after the election of Abraham Lincoln in November 1860. South Carolina was the first, followed by others as they attempted to form a new nation devoted to allowing slavery to survive. The abomination of slavery had been around for thousands of years- since Biblical times- but by the 19th century, many nations around the world began reconsidering their support for the atrocious practice. As the economy of the southern states was largely dependent on agriculture- and slaves supplied very inexpensive labor to support those activities- slave-owning plantation owners considered anyone promoting an end to slavery a direct threat to their sovereignty and way of life. Numerous events including those in "bleeding Kansas" pitted slave owners against abolitionists, the result being ever rising tensions as the nation seemed to be veering toward anarchy. Politicians in southern states openly stated their desire to form a separate country where they and their constituents would be free to own slaves- mere chattel, in their view- to pursue the lifestyle they desired. Thousands of abolitionists throughout the country- mainly in the North- felt slavery was a horrific stain on human dignity and had to be ended.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Battle of Fort Sumter which started the Civil War</td></tr>
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When the Confederate States of America was formed, it was a "nation" unlikely to survive. Roughly 90% of the manufacturing capacity of the country was in northern states, as was the bulk of our railroads and telegraph lines. No politicians in the newly formed Confederacy had ever run a Treasury before and few of them had any legal experience writing a Constitution. The shots fired in April 1861 may have seemed like the sounds of freedom to those rebels in Charleston, but little did they know how much misery and mayhem they would portend. The Confederacy did manage to get one of the very best Generals ever to serve in the U.S. Army- Robert E. Lee, who agonized over the decision to fight against his own country. Yet the Confederacy was really doomed from the start with limited money, natural resources and industrial capacity to fight such a conflict. It is astonishing that the Confederacy managed to survive for four years before that slave-owning experiment came to an end.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead soldiers on the field of battle at Gettysburg</td></tr>
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By the time Lee decided to surrender- April 9, 1865- the Confederacy was in a shambles, the southern economy ruined, hundreds of millions of dollars of land and equipment damaged or destroyed through the course of the war. Roughly 600,000 persons or 2% of the population was killed during the Civil War; today's equivalent would be more than 6 million people- an unthinkable number. Southern politicians supporting secession likely had little idea that their efforts would not form a new country- but nearly <i>destroy their own</i> way of life. By 1895- 30 years after the war ended- the economic output of just one northern state- New York- equaled the entire economic output of ALL the southern states combined. After the war, northern states thrived as railroads and new technology helped business to boom, new markets to develop and commerce to thrive. By contrast, southern states were merely trying to heal the wounds opened decades before.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox</td></tr>
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As we look back on this episode in our history, it is helpful to note that it was not all bad. The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution were ratified due to what happened during the Civil War. In the decades following these Amendments, laws allowing blacks to freely live their lives, own businesses and become productive citizens were adopted around the country. Some of the first black representatives in Congress came from southern states, eager to participate in this experiment we call America. So instead of thinking of this period as a disaster, perhaps we should consider a rebirth of freedom, a necessary conflict that produced many great accomplishments which we enjoy today. </div>
History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-53150791402629558602018-04-02T15:11:00.000-07:002018-04-04T12:44:12.967-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Who is Your Favorite President?</b></div>
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Most people when asked are eager to state their favorite President, but few of them know the details which make- or don't make- a particular President well respected among his peers. The "Presidential Club" is an elite group with a limited number of members- only 45 so far- and getting into this club takes an enormous amount of skill- or sometimes luck. Some men have taken the office upon the death of a sitting President, others have striven for many years and finally attained the lofty position. This essay will not attempt to analyze each one of these men, as such an analysis would be far too comprehensive for this narrative. Instead, I will simply list those who I- as a professional historian- feel merit the "Top Ten" ranking.</div>
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1. George Washington regularly is ranked at the top of the list of American Presidents or easily within the top three by most historians. Why? There are numerous reasons, but among the most important is the fact that he functioned well in a very difficult environment- a young, struggling nation- with no precedents, limited resources and many opportunities to fail. Instead, his calm demeanor and intelligence managed to get the country on a firm footing and allow him to "pass the baton" to the next man who took office without controversy or anarchy in the streets. </div>
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2. Abraham Lincoln also receives high marks from most historians and in some polls out- ranks Washington. Lincoln also took office at a very challenging time- the nation was literally fracturing- and he served the country well, winning the Civil War and ending the abomination of slavery with his Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln held great promise for a second term, but was assassinated before he had a chance to further his successes. </div>
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3. Thomas Jefferson is often regarded more for his penning of the Declaration of Independence than his time in the Oval Office, but his tenure did produce enormous benefits for America. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the country and brought a vast amount of land and resources to the growing nation. Although his embargo nearly crippled the country, Jefferson's crowning achievement with this purchase remains one of the most important acts by a Chief Executive.</div>
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4. James Polk is not a well known name outside of scholarly circles, but he had a huge influence on the course that America took. His success winning the Mexican-American War from 1846- 1848 allowed the negotiation of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that brought another enormous land purchase into our realm, again doubling the size of the nation by adding territory in what is now the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, California, Colorado and Wyoming, with vast reserves of gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper and other metals that helped fuel the latter stages of the Industrial Revolution. This purchase helped America rise to the top tier of world powers in the following decades. Polk is also well regarded for something that few Presidents do- keeping his promise to run for only one term.</div>
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5. James Madison is often thought of as the "Father of the Constitution" and this moniker would normally be enough to rank him among America's greatest statesmen, but his time in the Presidency did bring another major accomplishment- winning the "Second War of Independence" from England. The War of 1812 was not popular- some northeastern states even threatened to secede- but it did prove that America was a power to be reckoned with. Even though the war ended in roughly a stalemate, it proved that our nation was strong, could defend itself and rank among the "power players" in the western hemisphere.</div>
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6. Franklin Delano Roosevelt is often ranked by historians in the top five- sometimes the top three Presidents, but here I give him sixth place for a few reasons. He did take office at a horrendous time- the midst of the Great Depression- and he managed to keep the country functioning through a variety of programs, some well liked, others harshly criticized. Roosevelt did manage to get us through the Depression- even though it took a ramp-up for World War II to do it. He also gave people hope when so many millions were without it. He built up the military when it was sorely needed and managed to appoint a great General- Eisenhower- to help win the war, which he did. Despite the fact that unemployment was still at 14% in 1940- seven years after he took office- Roosevelt helped move the nation through two of its greatest crises successfully.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN2OnxTg5yGwRTJ9hSwASWB28yhF68qP5A2IjnrKtuGR1qPQ4q1r-dS_3yX5Fth79IbdBS2uTDDQTModhfkpgoB6XaO7jbI6DrV_9kJa46d5rGBGzVwKpAE6FUparsfswGrBLO2lqw04/s1600/Theodore_Roosevelt_laughing_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="620" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN2OnxTg5yGwRTJ9hSwASWB28yhF68qP5A2IjnrKtuGR1qPQ4q1r-dS_3yX5Fth79IbdBS2uTDDQTModhfkpgoB6XaO7jbI6DrV_9kJa46d5rGBGzVwKpAE6FUparsfswGrBLO2lqw04/s320/Theodore_Roosevelt_laughing_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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7. Theodore Roosevelt was a relative of FDR and is often ranked among the top ten U.S. Presidents for good reasons. He helped bring the nation into the twentieth century and was not shy about telling people who we were and what we stood for. "Walk softly and carry a big stick" was one of his favorite phrases and he was proud to use America's growing power and prestige to accomplish great things- the construction and opening of the Panama Canal being just one of them. </div>
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8. Harry Truman left office thinking he might be forgotten, but his accomplishments have been lauded as some of the best of any American President. He successfully took the reigns when FDR died and steered the nation to victory over Japan, ending World War II. His use of the atomic bomb still draws harsh criticism from some scholars, but it was warranted and the right thing to do in saving perhaps hundreds of thousands of lives. Truman also broke down the "color barrier" in the military and was, like Teddy Roosevelt, not shy about his feelings. Truman's "star" got a huge boost when the book "Truman" by David McCullough was released and he has remained in the top tier ever since.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzz441ISO-6oni8HGhEhQVQa_NrHU0wOzo1QCdJvclHGOvmsEYmDjil0bEUc0exDCb-wbgqPREaUasVgxEPOtK7i7F6ucB-gyGG5BbkjW2T1GFJnw0xtwWZTJW1EInmSyrV2EkAqzvKo/s1600/Eisenhower_SF_NEW_HD_1104x622-16x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1104" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzz441ISO-6oni8HGhEhQVQa_NrHU0wOzo1QCdJvclHGOvmsEYmDjil0bEUc0exDCb-wbgqPREaUasVgxEPOtK7i7F6ucB-gyGG5BbkjW2T1GFJnw0xtwWZTJW1EInmSyrV2EkAqzvKo/s320/Eisenhower_SF_NEW_HD_1104x622-16x9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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9. Dwight Eisenhower was ranked in the bottom third of American Presidents when he left office in January 1961, but has since risen dramatically in ranking, now regularly rated in the top ten. Why? Eisenhower presided over an economy that was healthy and strong, with few periods of weakness, he established the Interstate Highway System which helped revolutionize transportation around America- and he shepherded in two states- Alaska and Hawaii. Eisenhower also successfully ended the Korean War, following Truman's questionable handling of that conflict. "Ike" is now a favorite among historians and for good reason- he deserves a top ranking.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6fwVW6A48Dd9DesS_fgyXA6iGQ2k53EZ9zA1dlysEYyvt5sadtu-Bq_qmtTFojiH_Wv2tUEfCFGfiDVd4sAc7jpSZCzJgmqeSeJiKrS3itVZznoqWzxSv-d_RaKo33VyHhzbcjayeNk/s1600/ronald_reagan_1982_1050x700-1050x700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1050" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6fwVW6A48Dd9DesS_fgyXA6iGQ2k53EZ9zA1dlysEYyvt5sadtu-Bq_qmtTFojiH_Wv2tUEfCFGfiDVd4sAc7jpSZCzJgmqeSeJiKrS3itVZznoqWzxSv-d_RaKo33VyHhzbcjayeNk/s320/ronald_reagan_1982_1050x700-1050x700.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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10. Ronald Reagan was often derided in the media as a weak intellect, a "B-movie" actor with few talents and limited understanding of how to run a government. Yet he showed his critics they were all wrong. Not only had he successfully run our largest state (by population) California- he took office knowing exactly what he stood for and wanted to do. He also surprised his critics by NOT starting a war (he actually signed the first comprehensive nuclear weapons treaty with the Soviet Union) and managed to serve at a time of general economic prosperity and progress for the country (despite a nasty recession in 1983). Reagan was regularly underestimated- and he was proud of showing his critics what he could accomplish. His famous words "Mr.Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" are now part of Cold War history and proof that he could win this- the longest of any American "war" -without firing a shot. </div>
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People today often rank John F. Kennedy among the very best Presidents, but his accomplishments were mixed (he presided over the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion and also allowed the Berlin Wall to go up without a struggle; he did successfully "stare down" Cuba and the Soviet Union during the Cuban missile crisis). The facts about "Camelot" are now regularly debated, as are his many extramarital "flings" while President. It is this historian's view that Kennedy gets an "Incomplete" grade as President, simply because we'll never know what he could have accomplished had he lived. Other Presidents, including Lyndon Johnson are often given high marks, but have numerous shortcomings in my view which will prevent them from being ranked among the greatest in that office. It is hoped that this brief review at least opens the eyes of some Americans and gets them to think about our nation- and the men who have helped make it great. </div>
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History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683084605044855032.post-91768919877225011172018-03-25T13:41:00.002-07:002018-03-25T13:41:38.825-07:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Could You Pass a Civics Test?”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNy0lYn0V9TT63ZkKs5sMJkOC6Inw6YyvBCJLuwBy3HYtxuleoxibLrF3gOl8zVRTRlGEK4Rbv_STL91BZOjqG08q7rsg3CFPMtXydLQeLS_5Rur7EyFsi8Edu75q4A8o2b3upzAUe9Q/s1600/Washington_Crossing_the_Delaware_by_Emanuel_Leutze%252C_MMA-NYC%252C_1851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1280" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNy0lYn0V9TT63ZkKs5sMJkOC6Inw6YyvBCJLuwBy3HYtxuleoxibLrF3gOl8zVRTRlGEK4Rbv_STL91BZOjqG08q7rsg3CFPMtXydLQeLS_5Rur7EyFsi8Edu75q4A8o2b3upzAUe9Q/s320/Washington_Crossing_the_Delaware_by_Emanuel_Leutze%252C_MMA-NYC%252C_1851.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Washington Crossing the Delaware" by Emanuel Leutze</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines civics as “the study of the rights and
duties of citizens and of how government works.” Civics was taught in both
public and private schools for decades, but appears to have dropped off the
radar screen in recent years. Sadly, the general public seems to be fairly
deficient in knowledge of our government, how it works and our history. Jesse
Watters on Fox News in a segment called “Watters’ World’ for years interviewed
people on the street, asking very basic questions like “Which happened first-
the American Revolution or the Civil War?” As hard as this may be to believe,
some people got this one wrong. Thomas Jefferson maintained that being an educated
citizen, well informed on the important topics of the day was critical in
keeping our republic functioning. He would be stunned that many people today do
not know even the most basic things which he and the other Founding Fathers
helped put in place to form the country and governmental system we enjoy. Here
are five “test” questions to determine if you could pass a civics test (answers
at the end):<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->What second war did America fight against
England, after the American Revolution?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Who were the first three Presidents of the
United States?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->During what years was the American Civil War
fought?<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Who was the longest serving U.S. President?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->What transaction, arranged under Thomas
Jefferson, doubled the size of the United States?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Understanding
the important events in our history is just one part of being a well-informed
citizen. Knowing how our government works is equally important. As Watters
revealed on his television segment, many Americans don’t know the most basic
things which helped to form the foundation for our republic. Some people do not
know that the U.S. Constitution- not the Declaration of Independence- forms the
framework for our democracy. If people don’t know what the basic founding
documents stand for, how can they hope to successfully navigate the twists and
turns of modern society, especially if they are confronted with a legal
challenge of some sort?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some
people today when they think of “Civics” feel they’re ranking their favorite
type of Honda. With the multitude of electronic diversions- video games, cell
phones, I-pads and the internet, it is no wonder that many young people (those
under the age of 25) have chosen to spend more time watching or engaging with their
favorite toy rather than learning about the system of government and its
history which now allows them to enjoy those same pleasures. Many millions in
North Korea would likely be thrilled to have access to those diversions, but
are prevented from doing so by their government. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is ironic that some of the best informed people in America are newly formed
citizens. A quick look at sample questions on the citizenship exam shows that
those who aspire to become citizens must understand quite a bit about our
government and our heritage. It’s a good bet that many of those people
interviewed by Jesse Watters on the street would fail this same test. It is
perhaps even more shocking that a sizable percentage of kids graduating from
high schools across America would also get low marks on this exam. This is both
sad and disturbing, because many of them take for granted what millions of
people yearn for coming to this nation from around the world, to be part of
this dream we call America.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ANSWERS:</b> 1) The War of 1812, 2) George Washington, John Adams,
Thomas Jefferson, 3) 1861- 1865, 4) Franklin D. Roosevelt (elected to four
terms, served just over three; a later Amendment to the Constitution allowed
only two terms for all Presidents), 5) the Louisiana Purchase. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />History Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658814407521672799noreply@blogger.com0