Poll

Do Today's Historians Focus Too Much on Military History?

Yes18%18% - 9
No, there should be more of a military focus24%24% - 12
No, historians today are balanced in their views57%57% - 28
Other0%0% - 0
Total: 49
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7186|Argentina
If you check the threads here we are basically talking of War and Military History.  Yes, there are some threads about Religion too.  But, most of the topics in D&ST are Military related.  The same happens with Historians.
Do people, including historians, focus too much on the military history of nations? Or do you think otherwise? Do you think that military history is more important than the cultural, socio-economial and non-military technological developments of the past?

Last edited by sergeriver (2007-02-23 11:37:10)

Bertster7
Confused Pothead
+1,101|7010|SE London

No, wars are of immense historical importance. They are often catalysts for massive changes.

Last edited by Bertster7 (2007-02-23 11:41:01)

ProudLimey
Member
+3|6865
It really depends on what era of history you mean. Do you mean history in general, or modern history? I am studying history at degree level (predominatly medieval) and the coverage is quite balanced. Again, it depends which specific area of history you are studying...

Last edited by ProudLimey (2007-02-23 11:48:26)

sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7186|Argentina

ProudLimey wrote:

It really depends on what era of history you mean. Do you mean history in general, or modern history? I am studying history at degree level (predominatly medieval) and the coverage is quite balanced. Again, it depends which specific area of history you are studying...
No particular era.
ProudLimey
Member
+3|6865

sergeriver wrote:

No particular era.
Okay, they're balanced.
usmarine2007
Banned
+374|6796|Columbus, Ohio
Big guns are cool.
silo1180
The Farewell Tour
+79|6851|San Antonio, TX
A nation that was a military super-power in the past may not be the same today.  There's talk like China has such massive numbers (of troops) that no one would do well against them, but with the technology we have today, that may not hold true. 

Many countries have taken on more defensive role than in the past.  In other words, it's not so much about reaching out anymore, it's more about taking care of what's mine.  Recent events have shown that the taking of a foreign land is not a successful venture.

But IMO, none of these histories hold a great deal of importance in modern times.  A peaceful nation could elect the wrong leaders and that would change their direction.  A citizen could make a discovery that would be conveted by other nations, the original nation would then need to update it's forces to protect that resource.

As always, it is important to remember our past or we're doomed to repeat it, but I just think it stays in the past where it belongs.
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7186|Argentina

usmarine2007 wrote:

Big guns are cool.
What about the Paleolithic period guns?
usmarine2007
Banned
+374|6796|Columbus, Ohio

sergeriver wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

Big guns are cool.
What about the Paleolithic period guns?
TBH, WWI weapons bore me.  The only things I will watch / read are WWII or later.
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7186|Argentina

usmarine2007 wrote:

sergeriver wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

Big guns are cool.
What about the Paleolithic period guns?
TBH, WWI weapons bore me.  The only things I will watch / read are WWII or later.
But History started before WWII.  So, you only like history of the last 60 years.
usmarine2007
Banned
+374|6796|Columbus, Ohio

sergeriver wrote:

But History started before WWII.  So, you only like history of the last 60 years.
Military.....yes.   The tactics of the civil and revol wars make me sick.
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7186|Argentina

usmarine2007 wrote:

sergeriver wrote:

But History started before WWII.  So, you only like history of the last 60 years.
Military.....yes.   The tactics of the civil and revol wars make me sick.
Did you read about Ancient China, Japan, Persia, etc?  It's pretty interesting as a matter of fact.
usmarine2007
Banned
+374|6796|Columbus, Ohio

sergeriver wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

sergeriver wrote:

But History started before WWII.  So, you only like history of the last 60 years.
Military.....yes.   The tactics of the civil and revol wars make me sick.
Did you read about Ancient China, Japan, Persia, etc?  It's pretty interesting as a matter of fact.
I don't read much.  But I am addicted to the History Channel.  But when shows come on about those time periods, I start flippin thru the channels for some reason.
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7186|Argentina

usmarine2007 wrote:

sergeriver wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:


Military.....yes.   The tactics of the civil and revol wars make me sick.
Did you read about Ancient China, Japan, Persia, etc?  It's pretty interesting as a matter of fact.
I don't read much.  But I am addicted to the History Channel.  But when shows come on about those time periods, I start flippin thru the channels for some reason.
I love the History Channel and those periods as well.
ProudLimey
Member
+3|6865
History is like Marmite. You either love it or you hate it.
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7186|Argentina
We should have a History subforum.
usmarine2007
Banned
+374|6796|Columbus, Ohio

sergeriver wrote:

We should have a History subforum.
You know damn well it will turn into all Iraq.
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7186|Argentina

usmarine2007 wrote:

sergeriver wrote:

We should have a History subforum.
You know damn well it will turn into all Iraq.
Iraq is present, not History.  Bah, it's history.
Turquoise
O Canada
+1,596|6834|North Carolina
I voted Yes, but admittedly, war is very significant in the course of history.

I think historians are now better at balancing things more toward other significant things like social issues, technology, science, economics, etc.

The History Channel is one of many indications that historians are generally moving in the right balanced direction IMHO.  Their programming is still somewhat preoccupied with war, but they cover so many other topics as well.
usmarine2007
Banned
+374|6796|Columbus, Ohio

Turquoise wrote:

Their programming is still somewhat preoccupied with war, but they cover so many other topics as well.
I am addicted to modern marvels.  I can watch that show no matter what they are talking about.
Turquoise
O Canada
+1,596|6834|North Carolina

usmarine2007 wrote:

Turquoise wrote:

Their programming is still somewhat preoccupied with war, but they cover so many other topics as well.
I am addicted to modern marvels.  I can watch that show no matter what they are talking about.
Same here...  I don't watch much TV, but aside from Comedy Central, History Channel is one of my faves.

Modern Marvels is a good one, as is Man-Moment-Machine.  The Leonardo Da Vinci episode of MMM was really cool.
{M5}Sniper3
Typical white person.
+389|7188|San Antonio, Texas

usmarine2007 wrote:

Turquoise wrote:

Their programming is still somewhat preoccupied with war, but they cover so many other topics as well.
I am addicted to modern marvels.  I can watch that show no matter what they are talking about.
Same with future weapons.
Smitty5613
Member
+46|6955|Middle of nowhere, California
i love learning about military history, especially WW2 and Vietnam.... i think we should learn A LOT more about it....
Smitty5613
Member
+46|6955|Middle of nowhere, California

Turquoise wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

Turquoise wrote:

Their programming is still somewhat preoccupied with war, but they cover so many other topics as well.
I am addicted to modern marvels.  I can watch that show no matter what they are talking about.
Same here...  I don't watch much TV, but aside from Comedy Central, History Channel is one of my faves.

Modern Marvels is a good one, as is Man-Moment-Machine.  The Leonardo Da Vinci episode of MMM was really cool.
Shoot Out, and Dogfights are my favorites...
Fancy_Pollux
Connoisseur of Fine Wine
+1,306|7075

Bertster7 wrote:

No, wars are of immense historical importance. They are often catalysts for massive changes.
Agreed. This question is kind of pointless.

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