Guest phoenixrising Report post Posted March 20, 2003 I like 20th century history, particularly before and after World War II. I'm very interested in aircraft so I love to watch/read about the evolution from the Wright Flyer to the latest jets like the F-22. I find wars interesting too, particularly WWII and the American Civil War. It's interesting how little things suddenly affect battles and wars and can decide who wins and who loses. A history folder for the forums would definitely be cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Brian Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Kotz, I have lots of love for you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gthureson Report post Posted March 20, 2003 WWII: Alwaysa favorite amongst history majors, if only because there are so many points where different decisions could have altered the course of the war. In retrospect, the result seems assured, but the more you study and read, the clearer it becomes that the Germans had a chance to win the thing before 1942. Not saying that would have been a good thing, but for armchair generals it means there are always 'What If' scenarios to think about. Pretty much any European history after that. I'm pretty ethno-centric in what history interests me, I admit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Psycho Diablo Report post Posted March 20, 2003 I wish I'd have found this thread earlier.. My interests range anywhere from Ancient Egypt, to Chinese and Japanese history.(particularly the Warring States period..) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Blue Bacchus Report post Posted March 20, 2003 The Civil War Era, The Late 1700s, Feudal Japan, WWII, and of course the Middle Ages. You can learn alot from History. I just hope people learn from living History these past two years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted March 20, 2003 WWII: Alwaysa favorite amongst history majors, if only because there are so many points where different decisions could have altered the course of the war. In retrospect, the result seems assured, but the more you study and read, the clearer it becomes that the Germans had a chance to win the thing before 1942. Not saying that would have been a good thing, but for armchair generals it means there are always 'What If' scenarios to think about. Pretty much any European history after that. I'm pretty ethno-centric in what history interests me, I admit. The invasion of Russia had many what if scenarios. Would Germany of been more wise to go directly into Moscow, and not have 3 seperate Army groups. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Tyler McClelland Report post Posted March 20, 2003 I still reccomend the French revolution to everyone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest KanadianKrusty Report post Posted March 20, 2003 -20th century history -All wars fought -French revolution -Middle ages ANYTHING dammit, it's all good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Tyler McClelland Report post Posted March 20, 2003 YAY! One other French revo fan. It's fascinating shit as to how it all got out of hand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MrRant Report post Posted March 20, 2003 A history folder for the forums would definitely be cool. ViewedAskew Forums . Since I think this would be a good idea as well I created a Social Studies folder for this type of discussion. Feel free to give it a shot and see if a folder like that will take off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gthureson Report post Posted March 21, 2003 WWII: Alwaysa favorite amongst history majors, if only because there are so many points where different decisions could have altered the course of the war. In retrospect, the result seems assured, but the more you study and read, the clearer it becomes that the Germans had a chance to win the thing before 1942. Not saying that would have been a good thing, but for armchair generals it means there are always 'What If' scenarios to think about. Pretty much any European history after that. I'm pretty ethno-centric in what history interests me, I admit. The invasion of Russia had many what if scenarios. Would Germany of been more wise to go directly into Moscow, and not have 3 seperate Army groups. I apologize for any weird spacing right now, my space bar is being tempermental. Honestly, they should have followed through on Sea Lion before considering going east. While war with Russia was unavoidable, and if the Germans hadn't of stabbed the Soviets in the back, the Soviets were going to do it to them when they were ready. But the German General Staff was correct when they said they should knock Britain out of the war while they had them on the ropes. Main problem there is that Donitz had told Hitler in 1938 that the German Navy wouldn't be ready to take on the British until 1948, so they would have gotten clobbered crossing the Channel. However, in hindsight, it would have been nothing compared to the Soviet campaign and it would have had the added bonus of taking out the British. The Brits got their men out of Dunkirk, but they left behind their equipment. If they had actually committed to Sea Lion, I think they could have pulled it off, at a cost. The cost would have been worth it to deny a staging area for an landing in France, and would have meant the Western front was secure if you did have a burning need to adventure in Russia. They also should have actually committed resources to the Afrika Korps, and not half-assed it. Rommel realized he could knock the Brits out of the theatre with 2 more divisions at his command, but he never got them. The entire Soviet campaign was supposedly for the Caucusus oil fields. They could have committed 3 or 4 more divisions to North Africa, knocked the British out, then had clear sailing into Arabia and Iraq, and secured oil there. At far less of a cost. By the time 2 more divisions were committed, it was too late. British reinforcements were arriving in Egypt, and the Americans were launching Torch. Unfortunately, sound planning was removed when the General Staff allowed their autonomy to be stripped away by Hitler. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest phoenixrising Report post Posted March 21, 2003 Sea Lion might have worked IMO if a decision made during the Battle of Britain went the other way. Originally the Luftwaffe bombers were tasked with hitting British bases, including Fighter Command bases. By all acoounts they were doing a good job. Then British bombers hit Berlin - a small raid, more damaging mentally rather than militarily - and Hitler gave the order to start bombing British cities. When they did that Fighter Command was able to recover (albeit at a heavy cost in British civilian casualties) and eventually win the Battle of Britain. Had the Luftwaffe completed the destruction of Fighter Command they would have been able to range at will over England and Sea Lion would have been a success. Of course the British Navy could have intercepted the invasion fleet...or would they have been hammered by the Luftwaffe bombers? So many what ifs... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest goodhelmet Report post Posted March 22, 2003 i have three areas of history that i find fascinating... the vietnam war- not just the war itself but EVERYTHING associated throughout such as the counterculture, the music (pro and against), the fallout, the Vietnamese culture and pre-war history, the media's impact, the literature and poetry, and the social events at home occuring during the time period (civil unrest, assassinations, johnson's great society, etc.). this is probably the most fascinating time period in modern history. ww1- my second favorite war but because of my interest in the events and mindset of the European countries during this time frame. the history of mexico- a really fascinating country with some of the most fascinating events to occur in the world pre and post Columbus. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest snuffbox Report post Posted March 22, 2003 the vietnam war- not just the war itself but EVERYTHING associated throughout such as the counterculture, the music (pro and against), the fallout, the Vietnamese culture and pre-war history, the media's impact, the literature and poetry, and the social events at home occuring during the time period (civil unrest, assassinations, johnson's great society, etc.). this is probably the most fascinating time period in modern history. I agree. Of all history, I find the 1960s and the Vietnam era to be most intriguing. For several reasons, -The clouded deaths of JFK, Bobby, MLK, and other assorted controversies/conspiracies (Chappaquiddick etc) -All the bullshit of the war itself, causes, reasons, events, protests,profiteering -Counterculture , music(CSNY, Dylan, etc), Woodstock, films, literature(Kesey etc) -Politics, LBJs Great Society(Congress passing most all of Jack Kennedys ideals after his assasination, as pushed by his veep Johnson), Nixon, foreign, etc -Vietnam itself, its people, situation, leaders, etc -And probably most importantly, my dad, a veteran of the war Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
