[February 7, 2023] My favorite military historian Victor Davis Hanson has a recent article on the uses and abuses of military history. Once again, he is turning our heads toward a better understanding of our responsibility to encourage learning about war so we don’t repeat past mistakes.
“War accelerates and intensifies the human experience.”
Military history is based upon the idea that human nature is unchanging. Thus, studying history, especially military history, offers valuable, practical, indispensable lessons about wars past and future. In simple words, we learn about past mistakes so that we may not repeat them in the future.
“Yet for a discipline that is both ancient and relevant, military history is relatively little studied these days.”
Dr. Hanson believes that our failure to study military history properly is not from a lack of interest, far from it. Still, the deficit is from our education elites, who see little value in such studies.
“The consensus is that the decline of military history has not been caused by the American people’s innate lack of interest in studying the nature of war, and especially not by the American experience with armed conflict. Rather, the fault is found in the interests and prejudices of our educated civilian elites in higher education, politics, and the media.”
This follows a “parallel decline in historical education” trend in our higher education systems. Dr. Hanson gives the example of this decline by pointing out the depravity of U.S. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, when testifying before Congress, were more concerned about unproven and wildly biased views of “white privilege” as the biggest threat to America.
“Implying that white males collectively are intrinsically suspect of improper behavior seems a near-suicidal U.S. Army policy, given that the group died at a rate double its percentages in the general population in both Afghanistan and Iraq.”
The intense focus on racial identity in our democracy is damaging to the security of America.
“But such fetishization of ethnic and racial identity in a multiracial, multiethnic modern democracy is dangerous business for a military. Historically, the accentuation of difference more often tends to erode battlefield efficacy.”
In the decades ahead, there will be a fierce price to pay for this lack of wisdom.
I recommend reading the complete article here: https://newcriterion.com/issues/2023/1/uses-abuses-of-military-history
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Victor Davis Hanson has much insight into how our history can be and should be used properly. The many lessons we learn are invaluable and it is the whole point of studying history in the first place. Learn from others, esp. learn not to make major mistakes that could easily been avoided.
Good point Emma. 😎
VDH is a great historian and has a great perspective on recent history.
We have a long way to go to fix this woke problem that is not just destroying the family unit but our society as a whole. Then the whackos can take over and enslave us all. Funny thing that Blacks in America are really into slavery for themselves under the guise of wokeness.
Yeah, never thought of that, that the blacks are the ones who WANT SLAVERY for themselves today. What’s up with that?
Two great minds. General Satterfield and Victor Davis Hanson.
Pow, Gen. Satterfield nails it again with a very very relevant article. Ignore history and accept the consequences.
Yes, and we are doing exactly that in our schools. While there are many reasons for this lack of responsibility, in the end, it is our fault for not demanding better teaching of the classics, basic 3Rs, and reading great books. Now every child gets a trophy and told they are the best thing in the world. Wrong. And now we are starting to pay a heavy price.
As a High School teacher, I’m sure you are seeing this in real time. Sorry that you have to see it’s destruction first hand.
Hang in there Mr. TJ. We’re with you. Stand up for what is clearly right and step on those things that are wrong.
Nothing any longer surprises me at how far our educational system has fallen over the past decades. This is not a new phenomena but one we can start to reverse and our lives depend upon correcting the woke course we’ve taken. And, this is important, remember those who championed the work, neo-Marxist behavior. Remember them well. Publish their names in bold. Never let them use an excuse for their grotesque and damaging ideology.
The total incompetence of our higher education system is staggering.
OUCH, “Dr. Hanson gives the example of this decline by pointing out the depravity of U.S. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, when testifying before Congress, were more concerned about unproven and wildly biased views of “white privilege” as the biggest threat to America.”
Double ouch. Both “men” should be brought up on the charges of either total incompetence or charged criminally. The latter would be preferrable.
The entire Biden-Harris administration is corrupt and incompetent to the core.
Jonny, that is obvious, now the question is what to do about it other than “voting” which is rigged by Democrats and nothing is being done about it. Hey, how about becoming more politically active. Don’t take their garbage in silence. Speak up. That’s more of what I’m doing to help get the word out.
Yes, good thinking. But don’t take this lying down. Stand up for what is right. Otherwise you cannot look yourself in the mirror at night.
Just a quick note to all readers of this blog, that if you want to read about history from someone who was there, then get a copy of “Our Longest Year in Iraq” by Gen. Satterfield. This book should be read by all of us. It supports what Gen. Satterfield does by giving us a daily dose of real leadership. Get your copy now. Don’t wait. Wisdom awaits.
Right. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
No excuses folks.
Great book, great general. Great stuff here. Read this blog daily.
Yes, and if you don’t get a copy, then don’t come crying back to me when you read something here that references Gen. Satterfield’s newest books. Come on. Get with it and read the book.
Good comment as usualy Winston. Thanks. And get his latest book too, “55 rules for a good life.”