2006-12-22 02:33:48 · 13 answers · asked by dgirl9258 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Patton once said: "compared to war, all other human activity is trivial by comparison".
2006-12-22 02:39:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
"All civilsations in their early stages were based on success in war." Sir Kenneth Clark, Civilisation
I have remembered this quote, and this question of yours has provided me with an opportunity to use it. So, it is not only the United States alone, but all of our civilisations would be better understood if we understood the wars; the reasons, the people, the decisions, the costs, the results, the effects on their peoples.
I have found that not only learning about the wars of the U.S., but many other civilisation as well, makes for some great reading!
2006-12-22 04:33:04 · answer #2 · answered by WMD 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's necessary to understand the concepts and outcomes of wars in order to understand all the world, let alone US history.
The study of conflicts allows us to better grasp the shape of our economy, our governement and our society in general.
Wars are only a part of the process of developing governments. History in general is necessary to study because it teaches us to better understand where we may be heading - that we can learn from our mistakes as well as our triumphs.
Think of it this way - when you make a mistake in your life, you learn from it and hopefully never repeat it. Learning from studying History is the same thing, only on a huge scale!
2006-12-22 02:40:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some say
"War is Diplomacy Failed."
Others Say,
"War is the Extension of Democracy"
I Say,
"Without War, America Would still be British, Slavery would still be Here, and Europe would be Speaking German."
War is how man Proves his Point. War is Ideological, it is not Physical...
And Patton was a Strange, But Great man. He is one of the Reasons Europe doesn't Speak German.
2006-12-22 04:43:33 · answer #4 · answered by farcehorde 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To truly understand history, you need to understand war. It is one more component in the diplomatic arsenal, some would say the final one. Despite what many say, the main cause of war is to gain some diplomatic advantage, usually territory but it can be used to just awe your opponents into giving you what you want. Before Hitler went completely mad, he used it skilfully, knowing that the smaller nations in Europe were no match for his army and so overran them and used the thought of a major war and its all its resultant horrors to keep the likes of Chamberlain in appeasement mode.
So, to understand history, you need to understand the causes of war among other things. It is not the only thing you need to have a grasp of, but it is one of them.
I have noticed a later poster said 'WW2 led to the great depression', I hope he meant WW1.
2006-12-22 03:51:17 · answer #5 · answered by Elizabeth Howard 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Really, you don't have to understand war to understand US history. Wars are all fought the same way until we get to Viet Nam and after.
To understand US history, you must first understand what a representative Democracy is and how the people SHOULD use it.
To quote "V", "People should not fear its government. Government should fear its people."
In the US, the government doesn't have a need to fear its people because the people are complacent and apathetic. How many people of voting age have voted in the last three elections? Any guess?
Find that answer, and you will understand not only America's history but you will understand its future.
2006-12-22 02:46:05 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It was an American General that said "it's a good thing war is so terrible, we should become fond of it...", or something similar. War is a world phenomena....we don't have the corner on the market....
2006-12-22 04:31:57 · answer #7 · answered by Its not me Its u 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because not one important gain in U.S. history was gotten without war. The land could not be occupied without warring against native Americans.It could not have become a country without revolting against England. To abolish slavery it needed to war against itself. Over the years it appointed itself the protector of democracy and so also went war for other countries seeking to establish democracy.
2006-12-22 02:57:25 · answer #8 · answered by babydoll 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Anyone who understands war is a tool for the system. And George S. Patton was a lunatic.
2006-12-22 02:42:17 · answer #9 · answered by billnted 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋
cuz the government wats us to see where the hell they messed up so they can fix it cuz if they dont protect us we can over throw it and and most wars lead to sufferig in america for example world war 2 lead to the great depression
2006-12-22 04:49:12 · answer #10 · answered by MasonWilliams 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋