Chapters 20-21
I never knew WWI started
accidently. Competing states, what spurred the growth and competition of
European countries also spurred the rivalries that started WWI w/ the assassination
of Archduke Ferdinand. The rigid alliances, and deep seeded pride and
nationalism. After I read the section, that conservative governments welcomed
the war because of the unrest of mounting class and center-based conflicts in
Europe, it seemed that it wasn’t an “accident” but a convenient distraction. It
also gave governments the occasion to create new (toys) weapons of destruction,
and to use them for their already developed elaborate war plans. I never knew
Mother’s day began in France to encourage child bearing because of the huge
loss of life in the War. Surprising too how a Treaty created to end the war,
started a new war that was even worse.
My mom and dad lived through the
great depression and would tell us stories about the times in San Mateo. The hoboes that would get off the train (in
San Mateo) and come to my great grandmother’s door for food and work. My great
grandfather owned a butcher shop downtown on B Street, and when people bought
meat on credit he recorded it in a small black book. During the depression, he
burned the book and released everyone in if from their debt. The details about
Roosevelt’s new deal reminded me so much of what Ben Bernanke and the Feds did
during the great recession. I wonder if we will look back and change the name
of the recession to a depression. But I think if Roosevelt’s protections from
the New Deal had not been in place it could have been so much worse.
Hitler,
Mussolini, what to say about them… The machinations of government are twisted. We
trust our governments way too much, and believe they are making the right
decisions for us. What always amazes me is how individual people can be
manipulated, and whipped into a frenzy, and the things they can do to others that
they can justify as the right thing to do. I often wonder what I would have
done if I were a German, or a French citizen watching the Jews marched into
cattle cars. Would I have the courage to speak out? I would hope so, but I’m
not sure…
WWII:
My mom was a burner in the shipyards in Marin in the Kaiser shipyards. My dad
was a tail gunner in a B24 bomber and flew 16 missions in the Pacific. We have
heard many stories from them about the war as well. My mom did not indicate she
was sad to leave her job when the men came home. My dad still talks about the
war with vivid description and memories. I can imagine as a young man and
woman, how it would change the course of your life. My mom always said our
generations Pearl Harbor was 9/11. Henry Luce proclaimed the 20th
century as the American century. I think the American Century ended with 9/11.
When
I read that WWII ended European colonialism, I was glad of it. But what did we
leave behind? It seems the legacy of colonialism still leaves a scar in so many
countries. The second WW tactic of Blitzkrieg reminds me of Shock and Awe of the
Iraq war. I had no idea 60 million people died in WWII and that half were
civilian deaths.
Chapter
21: When I first read about communism and Marxism, I thought, hey, this is
pretty interesting. But the way the rulers of China and Russia manipulated, forced
and eliminated elements to fit their needs was frightening. I thought it was
interesting that women were seen to be equal to men, but women were then
masculinized, instead of men being feminized. Men and women are different, just
as cultures are different and should be embraced for their uniqueness. Instead
of the melting pot, it is a mixed salad where all of the differences can be
seen instead of a blending and homogenizing.
It
was good to finally understand the Cuban Missile crisis, and I thank God china
was not involved or we would have all be gone! The “speak bitterness” meetings and
collectivization were interesting. They sounded so benign until I read that 2
million people were killed in the process! It seems that communism was forced
down so many people’s throats, and those that did not swallow were sentenced to
death, prison or sent to the gulag. Their resistance is a testament to the
desire for freedom, and individual rights. Our country is not perfect, but no
wonder so many people want to live in the U.S.
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