does history really repeat itself?

Question

is that really possible

Answer 1

It isn't possible in the literal sense, since conditions change so much between different moments in history. Human minds have developed to see sameness where there are in fact many differences.

Still, in the broader and more figurative sense, the idea that history repeats itself is important. By looking back through history and seeing how individuals and societies reacted to various events, we can get an idea of how people will act in similar circumstances in the present. History is also an important component of how a given society sees itself, and for that reason can also influence how that society responds to a given happening.

The problem with historical work is that it tends to present moments in history as if large groups of people have a unitary mind, and as if there is a clear causal chain - x led to y which led to z. This is a gross oversimplification that has helped lead some to believe that history really does repeat itself, in the more literal sense. A quick look at the world around us, and the widely diverging views and experiences which characterize individuals within a nation at any moment in history, is enough to prove that we have to take all historical narratives with reservations, and must be careful of drawing overly broad conclusions on the basis of the same.

Answer 2

American Civil War... current Iraq War (no, not Vietnam & Iraq; the former was to free a country, the latter is to control it).

In both these wars, a President stretched the Constitutional limits of his power, fought a war some thought was not worth the cost, freed an oppressed people, and was left with a deeply-divided country to reconstruct.

Yet people love Lincoln and hate Bush. History repeats themes, but it mixes them up differently every time. The details will never be exactly the same. And since you and me count as though details, we're free to attempt just about whatever we want.

Answer 3

Ever had déja vu?

Even if exact events do not literally repeat ("You can't step into the same river twice" -- Heraclitus), the statement "History repeats itself" is still relevant. We only catalog or remember certain aspects of history that are meaningful for us. Sequences of these memorable aspects can and do often repeat; otherwise there would be no value in recording them.

Answer 4

Only when people refuse to learn from history.

We went to Iraq in 1991 because we saw Saddam as a growing new Hitler. But only the people who saw World War 2 saw it. The young generation of today saw nothing and accuse America of being a bully.

The current war between Muslim versus Christian did also happen in the past... many centuries ago... and the muslim had an empire as big as the Roman Empire. It is about to happen again if we don't stop them right now.

Answer 5

Yes, especially if what happens mirroring what has happened in history, is not taught to the younger generations in the time it is needed most. A constant awareness by our professors and bright minds of the present is what's needed to over come this dilemma. And of course redirecting from corporate sponsors out for their own agenda.

Answer 6

Of course it does.War.....My history teacher told me something else but I forgot...But YES history does repeat itself.

Answer 7

no, i dont think so. well, it is a proverb which the old people used to say in old days.according to me history cant repeat itself.

Answer 8

1. Napoleon and Hitler

Napoleon was born on 1760.
Hitler was born on 1889.
(difference is 129 years)

Napoleon became a ruler on 1804.
Hitler became a ruler on 1933.
(difference is 129 years)

Napoleon entered Vienna on 1812.
Hitler entered Vienna on 1941.
(difference is 129 years)

Napoleon lost war on 1816.
Hitler lost war on 1945.
(difference is 129 years)

2. Lincoln and Kennedy
Lincoln was born on 1818.
Kennedy was born on 1918.
(difference is 100 years)

Lincoln became a president on 1860.
Kennedy became a president on 1960.
(difference is 100 years)

Both were murdered on Friday. Both in wife's presence. Both were shut into head.
Lincoln was murdered in "Kennedy" theatre. Kennedy was murdered in "Lincoln" car.

Not long before his death, Lincoln visited a Monroe town in Maryland. Not long before his death, Kennedy had an affair with Marylin Monroe.

Both were Southerns. Both were democrates. Both were senators.

John Wilkes Buth was born on 1839.
Lee Harvey Osvald was born on 1939.
(difference is 100 years)

Buth ran from theatre and was catched on a garret. Osvald ran from the garret and was arrested in a theatre.

Lincoln's successor is Johnson.
Kennedy's successor is Johnson.

The 1st one, Andrew Johnson, was born on 1808.
The 2nd one, Lindon Johnson, was born on 1808.
(difference is 100 years)

These facts are well-known in Russia.

Answer 9

Yeah, Of course.

Answer 10

i believe so; check for example the evolution of fashion or any other department you want