2006-09-04 15:05:02 · 12 answers · asked by intheskeye 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Who writes the history books or has something to benefit by the terminology.
The American forces under Georges Washington, were they an insurgency, or were they patriots? By today's America's standards, they were patriots. But to King Georges and the people back in England, they were nothing but rebels.
The same could have been said of Robert Bruce (crowned King Robert in 1306) during the campaigns of Edward I (Longshanks) and Edward II in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. Actually, between the Battle of Falkirk (1298) and the Battle of Bannockburn (1314), he was running a guerilla campagin not unlike that of the current day Iraqi insurgency. To this day, Scots still see Robert Bruce and William Wallace as heroes, even if they were rebels and insurgents to the English kings.
After all, to quote the movie Braveheart, "History is written by those who hang heroes".
2006-09-04 15:30:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what side of the weapon you happen to be on. From what I understand it's all very relative. The Israeli's were branded as terrorists before the state of Israel was formed, and I'm sure that some of the Palestinian leaders will also find their way into historical rehabilitation if and when there is a state of Palestine. During the American Revolution all the leaders from George Washington on down were looked upon by the British as traitors but from the revolutionaries view point the British were oppressors. It's very hard to label people until you've walked their walk and talked their talk but it's something we all need to learn and very quickly if we are to have a hope of trying to solve some of our most pressing problems.
2006-09-04 22:24:58 · answer #2 · answered by ron k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are on opposite sides. In Iraq, for example, those police officers risking their lives to support law and order in their country are patriots. The insurgents, on the other hand, are trying to destroy the government.
IOTTMCO
2006-09-04 22:11:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Patriots do not murder their own people, Insurgents do. Insurgents try to force people into their way of thinking, and only their way.
2006-09-04 22:12:39 · answer #4 · answered by fm548us 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Patriots fight to defend the needs of others. Insurgents fight to satisfy their own needs.
2006-09-04 22:21:25 · answer #5 · answered by superlawyerdude 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Point-of-view.
2006-09-04 22:10:08 · answer #6 · answered by Ren Hoek 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The difference is entirely based on your perspective.
2006-09-04 22:07:42 · answer #7 · answered by dm_scorpio 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The spelling and the side you are standing on when the bomb goes off.
2006-09-04 23:09:29 · answer #8 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
point of view
2006-09-04 22:09:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whether you're the defender or the aggressor, but you already knew that........ :)
2006-09-04 22:08:19 · answer #10 · answered by David R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋