Should historical wrongs be put right regardless the passing of time?

Question

Should British museum return all stolen / looted properties to their respective countries? Should native americans retake america and should aborigines retake australia and should
tibetans retake tibet ?

Answer 1

I'm of two minds on this issue. I can understand why countries want their national historical treasures back (especially the Greeks who want integral original artwork from the Parthenon returned to its original placement within), but on the other hand, millions of people get to view these treasured historical relics in museums, and quite likely wouldn't get the chance to see them anywhere else (have you priced a plane ticket to Greece lately?) Also, many of these historical treasures might not have survived at all had they not been safely ensconced in museums (remember the Taliban blowing up those 800 year old Buddhas?). So I think the best course of action is to leave things as they are now. Let the museums keep what they've already got (which in most cases is a fair representation of ancient cultures) and let the original countries (Greece, et al) put strict controls on any newly discovered antiquities so as to guarantee that they'll remain within their borders. But of course, that would be the logical thing to do, and this debate has become so political that logic seems to have gone out the window, so to speak.

Answer 2

Should stolen or looted items be returned? Absolutely. But I don't see the British Museum making any strides to return its Egyptian collection or the Rosetta Stone to Egypt, nor have I heard of Egypt making any demands. The Nazis plundered captured homes and removed all the artwork; that is currently being repatriated and returned to the descendants of the owners.

Other situations should not be reverted owing to the complexities involved, such as the native peoples retaking their countries. Congress recently passed a declaration against a foreign war atrocity that happened a century ago, which I thought was ridiculous.

Answer 3

NO!
I didn't take it - how can I, or better yet why should I, give something back to someone who might have taken it from someone else.
If a guy steals my car today - yeah, he has to give it back (or at least pay restitution AND go to jail.) But WE are not responsible for what took place hundreds or thousands of years ago.
My only exception would be the artwork and money looted (stolen) by the Nazis from the Jews which is currently sitting in vaults in Switzerland. Didn't they lose enough - like their lives - and it isn't doing anyone any good locked up in some dumb Swiss bank. At least they would have the chance to prove it belonged to them or their families.
As one fellow said - how 'bout we all go back to Rome? All roads LEAD to Rome, do they not?

Answer 4

Should the Anglo Saxons retake England. Should the Gauls retake France or our we going to live as multi-cultural societies.
A person called Adolf Hitler tried to retake Germany for the Aryans & look at the horror yhat he created. Next time think about your question before opening your mouth!!!!!

Answer 5

Let's be real. The scenarios which people paint regarding returned treasure, or land is not realistic. I say that those that have benefited from the past now have a responsibility to see that every society on earth benefits from what man has been able to accomplish. If any society prefers not to, so be it. We should stop our incessant greed NOW, and start to live in harmony, or as God is my witness, we will not be here for long; and believe me, we will not be missed, but rather, human existence will be viewed as a mistake not to be repeated.

Answer 6

We cannot be held responsible for the actions of our predessors.China took Tibet because it believes Tibet is the centre of the world and gives China kudos.

Answer 7

no, because we would not be where we are today....we are coming close to a united world order under one government. if you did that then everything would be back in the stone age. all civilizations would keep there inventions, they would keep there personal land, and not let anyone even step in it. Wars united countries together. for out of chaos brings order. for WWII brought the starting of the U.N.. and so on......

Answer 8

No. Otherwise most of the population of Europe (and those of European descent) would be sueing the Italians for making them slaves during the time of the Roman Empire !

Answer 9

Each case should be considered on its merits. Sometimes trying to put things right makes things worse

Answer 10

Not unless they're simple things that continue to have repercussions to the present day.