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History
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Hey I was watching Shogun for the third time and noticed this in Blackthorne's ship. Looks like a fondue fountain but with moving water. I was wondering if anyone knows what it is or what is called to learn about it. Got curious, you know. Thanks.
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"Columbia demands her children!" Anti-Lincoln, anti-civil war propaganda (US, 1864) [Context and Commentary in OP]
(lemmy.blahaj.zone)
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/16753141
"Columbia demands her children!" Anti-Lincoln, anti-civil war propaganda (US, 1864)
Sourced from the US National Library of Congress
An impassioned attack on Abraham Lincoln and the human toll of the Union war effort. Columbia, wearing a liberty cap and a skirt made of an American flag, demands, "Mr. Lincoln, give me back my 500,000 sons!!!" At the right, Lincoln, unfazed, sits at a writing desk, his leg thrown over the chair back. A proclamation calling for "500 Thous. More Troops," signed by him, lies at his feet. He replies, "Well the fact is--by the way that reminds me of a Story!!!" The artist refers to the false report published by the "New York World" that Lincoln joked on the battlefield of Antietam. (See "The Commander-in-Chief Conciliating the Soldier's Votes," no. 1864-30.)
Author: Baker, Joseph E., approximately 1837-1914.
Created / Published: [Boston : s.n.], 1864.
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/16751749
The Householder’s Handbook explained how to prepare a home for nuclear attack: Whitewash the house, tape windows and create a safe core in one of the rooms. It listed medicines, food, and supplies needed and explained what to do if there was a nuclear attack. Householders would be able to occupy themselves and their families in preparing for the worst.
Even before the 80’s version, Protect and Survive and the CND peace movement’s riposte – Protest and Survive, the handbook seemed remarkably naïve. A 20-megaton bomb detonated 500 feet above St Paul’s Cathedral in central London would have created a blast wave destroying or damaging buildings for up to 17 kilometres and deliver a lethal dose of radiation for nearly five kilometres.
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Is It Time?
I have a question. Is it time for our historians, political scientists, and public figures to clarify the historical relationship between Russia and the nations that came under its protection? It seems essential not to separate the historical truth of Tsarist Russia and the Soviet Union.
Russia’s Support to Its Neighbors
It’s time to talk about the vast assistance Russia and its people provided to the countries that were part of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. This help extended beyond economic development and defense against aggressors. Russia also supported cultural development, education, and healthcare.
The Aftermath of the Soviet Union’s Collapse
The collapse of the Soviet Union brought forth social and political changes that no Soviet citizen, raised in the spirit of unbreakable friendship among peoples, could have imagined. I recall when Shevardnadze, then the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Georgia, said that the sun rises in the north for Georgia, implying the strong friendship between the Russian and Georgian people. Before that, Georgia’s sun used to rise in the south, from Iran. Nowadays, it seems the sun rises from the West for Georgia.
Divisive Leadership in Post-Soviet Georgia
I bring up Georgia because its history is familiar to me. I graduated with honors from the History Department of Tbilisi University. On the example of Russian-Georgian relations, we can see the common pattern that shaped Russia’s relationship with the former Soviet republics. Unfortunately, similar political events have occurred in several of these countries, and the outcomes are often negative for their people.
Ethnic Tensions in Post-Soviet Georgia
After gaining independence, Georgia’s president Gamsakhurdia divided the country into two groups: Georgians with full political rights and non-Georgians, primarily Russians and Ossetians, who were stripped of their rights. A similar pattern can be seen in the Baltic states, Ukraine, and other republics, where ethnocracy has taken root—except in Russia, where people of all ethnicities remained equal citizens without discrimination.
Russia’s Role in Protecting Ethnic Minorities
Facing injustice, ethnic minorities often sought protection from stronger states, and Russia had to step in. The people of South Ossetia, for example, found themselves in a dire situation by 1988, and Russia took responsibility, defending South Ossetia’s independence.
Gamsakhurdia’s Hostility Toward Ossetians
The anti-Ossetian rhetoric was rooted in a false narrative created by Georgian historians, suggesting that Ossetians were mere guests who should return to the northern Caucasus. Gamsakhurdia’s infamous statement, “Ossetians are garbage to be swept away by a Georgian broom,” exemplifies this hostility. Had Russian troops delayed even by a day, Georgia, armed with American, Ukrainian, and Czech weapons, would have succeeded in annihilating the Ossetian population.
Russia’s Response and International Criticism
Russia had no choice but to intervene and later recognize South Ossetia’s independence. Similarly, after protecting the Abkhaz people, Russia recognized Abkhazia’s independence. And yet, Russia, which saved these nations from genocide, is now labeled an aggressor and occupier.
Crimea and the Historical Oversight
In 1954, Khrushchev gave Crimea to Ukraine like a gift, without asking the people of Crimea if they wanted this. Years later, when the Crimeans overwhelmingly voted to return to Russia, the world accused Russia of aggression. There’s a strange twist in world politics today: nations that protect others are branded aggressors, while those reviving fascist ideologies are supported.
The Importance of Historical Awareness
One of the reasons why many in the former Soviet republics blindly support these ideologies is their lack of understanding of Russian history. Russia has never been an aggressor or occupier. It has often had to liberate others, which is why it’s crucial to create TV programs and media content that share this truth, backed by facts and documents.
The Danger Ahead
What’s happening in Ukraine is not just a civil war. It’s a reflection of a grim future being prepared for all of humanity. The U.S. is trying to draw Russia into a war against Europe because it wants a war-torn Europe and Russia.
Time for Vigilance
We must not allow anyone to desecrate the sacrifices made by the Russian people to save others from invaders and oppressors. Nationalism is fertile ground for fascism. The phrase “Georgia for Georgians” eerily echoes “Georgia über alles” and “Glory to Ukraine” alongside “Ukraine über alles.”
Let’s remember the words of Czech patriot Julius Fučík: “People, be vigilant. I loved you.” The fascists hanged him. Isn’t it time for vigilance once again?
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The Challenge of October 1917
I can't describe what happened in our country, the Russian Empire, in October 1917, as anything other than a challenge. I have lived through this challenge for 61 years. Like all of us who lived under so-called socialism for that long, I can give a somewhat truthful assessment of the system. I understand the negative aspects of the political and economic system that governed most of my active life, and I only experienced capitalism as a retiree.
Life Under Soviet Rule
When your entire way of life changes so dramatically at 61, it’s not easy to adjust. It’s no surprise that many of my peers passed away in the 1990s. As we approach the 100th anniversary of this dramatic event, heated debates continue—is it a curse or a blessing? I’m not going to give a definitive judgment on either system. All political and social systems have both good and bad aspects. What we called socialism, in my opinion, wasn’t even real socialism.
Lack of Freedom and Harsh Soviet Laws
As a historian, I feel I can say that what we had was closer to slavery. The working class, peasants, and even part of the intellectual elite were in a semi-enslaved state. We had no personal freedom, no right to own property, and we had to follow the party's orders in every aspect of life, even in private matters. Fear ruled over us—being five minutes late to work could result in criminal punishment.
In 1950, I was drafted into the Soviet Army. On our first day in the barracks, we were introduced to a law from the Supreme Soviet that said leaving the base without permission for more than five minutes would result in punishment. The first time, you'd get time in the guardhouse; the second time, you'd face a military tribunal, and any punishment wouldn’t count towards your mandatory service. These were the "humane" laws of the Soviet era.
Post-Stalin Era and Reflecting on Soviet Achievements
To be fair, after Stalin’s death, the laws did become more lenient. I could go on about the many negative aspects of communism, but enough has already been written—countless books, films, and videos have covered it all.
I want to point out, however, that we Russians are exceptional at criticizing ourselves and throwing dirt on our own history. Yes, Stalin and the Soviet government should be condemned for the brutal, unjustified repressions, but we should also remember the incredible heroism of the Soviet people. In just 10 years, they transformed a war-torn, backward country into a powerful industrial nation, strong enough to withstand the entire military force of Europe. It’s not accurate to say we defeated German fascism—we defeated fascist Europe.
Memorials for Heroism and the Legacy of Soviet History
Today, we have thorough studies on the brutal, inhumane repression policies of the Bolsheviks. Memorials have been built so that those horrors are never repeated, which is right and just. But has the heroic labor of our workers and peasants, who prepared the country for war, been studied with the same rigor? What about the children of the war, who never had a childhood? Who replaced adults in factories and fields, and rebuilt the country after it was destroyed by Europeans? Shouldn't we also have memorials dedicated to their heroism and self-sacrifice?
Leaving only monuments to the repressed isn't right. Future generations, 300 or 400 years from now, might think our ancestors did nothing but repress and kill. If we only preserve the memory of the Gulag, we risk fostering hatred and disdain for the heroic generation of the early 20th century. Our people, who endured great trials in the 20th century, deserve respect and honor.
The Complex Legacy of Stalin
As for Stalin, I was 23 when he died, and by that time, I had witnessed the ugly "cult of personality" firsthand. Words can't describe it—you had to live through it to understand the madness. But as the saying goes, "a king is made by his court." It wasn’t Stalin who wrote songs and ballads about himself or built monuments to himself. Those who now fiercely criticize Stalin are the descendants of the ones who helped create the cult. Even filmmakers like Mikhalkov benefited from Stalin-era prizes.
Stalin's role in our country's history is terrible, but as a Russian citizen, I wonder what would have happened if Trotsky had taken over after Lenin’s death. Or Zinoviev, Kamenev, or Bukharin, who were ready to sacrifice Russia for the sake of world revolution. Marxist theory states that socialism can only win in all civilized countries at once, so they were willing to let Russia fall for that goal. Can any of today’s critics imagine what would have become of Russia in that case?
I’m not here to defend Stalin. I'm simply discussing the undeniable facts of our country's history. A war against Russia was inevitable, and Stalin knew this. He was preparing the country for the unavoidable conflict. Fascism was growing in Germany and spreading across Europe, encouraged by the U.S. and the U.K., who were grooming it for war against the USSR.
Many historians claim that if there had been no Bolsheviks, there would have been no war against Russia. I strongly disagree. Russia has always had to defend its freedom and independence, long before the Bolsheviks.
The Global Significance of the October Revolution
To sum up, the October Revolution wasn't just a coup—it was an event of global historical significance. It began the dismantling of the global colonial system, sparked liberation movements worldwide, improved conditions for workers and peasants, and changed the course of world history. The Revolution also destroyed European fascism, but sadly, at the cost of the great Russian people, who now face growing Russophobia as “thanks.”
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A fellow officer said his body was a collander upon seeing him at a bath
34 wounds in total, and lived to 80
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Irish independence poster, 1981 (The woman is former British PM Margaret Thatcher)
(lemmy.blahaj.zone)
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/16483707
Drawing
Marienberg/Saxony, 4. April 1943
42x30cm
© German Historical Museum, Berlin
Inv.-No.: Thu 61/144
The hand-drawn and hand-coloured map sketch illustrates Great German fantasies of the “New Europe” under German rule: The “East” supplies the German Empire, enlarged by conquests, with products from industry and agriculture.
(obligatory fuck Nazis)
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A Unified History Textbook
The President of the country has issued a directive to quickly create a standardized history textbook for schools. The idea is to teach the history of the country based solely on historical documents and facts, rather than allowing individual interpretations. This decision by the President is correct, though somewhat delayed. Creating such a textbook, which would present the country's past from a single perspective, is no easy task. Over the past 20 years, some misguided patriots and so-called scholars have already managed to distort and desecrate the history of the country and its historical figures. Some have even suggested that the period from 1917 to 1991 should be completely erased from Russian history. However, I can’t imagine how they plan to do that. I lived through 61 years of Soviet rule, so I know firsthand what that period was like.
In this brief work, I don’t aim to either praise or criticize the Soviet period. I can only say that it is the history of my homeland. The good things make me proud, while the bad things cause me pain. As a historian by education, my long life gives me the basis to say that there has never been a socio-political system that satisfied all layers of society, and I believe it is impossible to create such a system. The Soviet system had many flaws, as has been widely discussed. There was both the dark side, such as mass repression, and the bright side, such as the industrialization that was crucial for the victory in the Great Patriotic War. There was also the space breakthrough and the creation of the nuclear shield, which protected and continues to protect the country from potential aggression.
Questions on Soviet History
I don’t intend to either vilify or glorify the Soviet system. But as a historian, I have questions that remain unanswered by modern scholars and political scientists. For instance, after the fall of Tsarism, was there any other political force that could have preserved Russia within the borders of the Russian Empire, other than the Bolsheviks? If there was, why didn’t they succeed? If we hadn’t built a powerful industrial base, how would we have defended our country’s freedom and independence? All this was achieved relying solely on internal resources, without foreign investment.
The Role of Leaders in History
Another question: If leaders like Bukharin, Zinoviev, Trotsky, Kamenev, Yeltsin, Khrushchev, Gorbachev, or Brezhnev had been in charge during the Great Patriotic War, would we have won? I believe that answers to these questions should guide the evaluation of Stalin’s actions. It's important to remember that Stalin did not wield great power before the 1930s. His policies, such as industrialization and collectivization, faced significant opposition from influential party members. The cult of personality around Stalin only developed later. My generation remembers well how he was glorified, and it’s true that speaking out of line could result in severe punishment. But does that mean everyone who was repressed was an innocent victim? Not necessarily. The country was surrounded by deadly enemies, and even today, some of our neighbors are not very friendly towards us.
Reflecting on the Past and Present
When some people today label Stalin as a criminal and compare him to Hitler, I want to ask them: how do they reconcile this with the pride millions of Soviet citizens feel for their medals won in battles for their homeland? These are complex issues that deserve careful thought. It’s also worth noting that Stalin returned the Kuril Islands, Port Arthur, and Kaliningrad to Russia—facts that are often overlooked by our historians. Finally, I would like to point out the stark difference between what Stalin left behind for his children and what Yeltsin left for his heirs. Stalin didn’t even own a personal apartment, while today we see the luxurious lifestyles of Russia’s modern rulers.
The Challenges of Writing History
Creating a history textbook that satisfies everyone in our society is incredibly challenging. Perhaps our historians, political scientists, and journalists should express their views on this matter more openly, aiming to find a more acceptable version of the textbook. It’s important to remember that history isn’t just about highlighting the dark sides. We should respect and take pride in the achievements of our ancestors. At the same time, we should also focus on the present, addressing the issues that arose in the tumultuous 1990s. Unfortunately, capitalism has not yet delivered the desired results for our country and its people.
The Complexity of Evaluating Historical Figures
In conclusion, it's essential to approach evaluations of any historical figure with objectivity. For example, I agree with historian Roy Medvedev’s assessment of Stalin, which is based on thorough and serious research. In the planned history textbook, it will be difficult to cover Stalin's activities, including the events of 1937, relations with Germany, and the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. I clearly remember the criticism and uproar over this pact. But I would ask those critics one question: what would have happened if we hadn’t moved the border 150 kilometers westward before Germany’s sudden advance?
The moral character of the Romanov dynasty is also worth discussing. Where people live well, there are no revolutions or mass killings. The current trend in political literature to idealize the Romanovs overlooks their flaws. Let’s not present Tsarism in an overly positive light, and let’s recognize the role it played in leaving Russia trailing behind Europe today.
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