Revolting

 History With RCS: Bonaparte had a good appreciation of the Republicanism of his day.

 

                Napoleon Bonaparte, a leading republican of Europe, was willing to become Emperor of France. Republican France welcomed Napoleon as Emperor! There may be a lesson or two to be learned from that bit of history.

                Napoleon did bring reforms to Europe in the fields of science, education and in a variety of cultural areas. Those works of his could be called republican.

                The legal system called the  the Napoleonic Code influenced most of the West and much of the East. It is extent in the U.S. state of Louisiana.

                Napoleon was a warrior, a leader of armies. Some say he won a war against Russia. To attack Russia he left home with about a half a million men, the largest army ever assembled in Europe until that time. He returned home with about 20,000 men and "the shirt on his back."

                He met his Waterloo in a battle against Prussia and GB in which Prussia saved Britain's bacon.

                After Waterloo Great Britain, Spain, Prussia, Russia, Austria and others  joined one another for suppressing liberal movements throughout Europe.

Lessons may begin with questions like:
Why do the histories of many revolutions seem revolting?
Why might a republican be willing to become an Emperor?
Why ought the citizens of a republic be responsible?
Where is your revolution headed?

Notions of Thai Beginnings

History With RCS and archaeology: Modern Thailand is famous South East Asian constitutional monarchy and tourist destination. This little piece will be mostly a few bits about the prehistory of the area.

                I do get notions when I think about Thailand, but intend to be factual here.

                Grain farming began in the Thai area before 9,000 BC; That's more than 11,000 years ago! At nearly the same time betel, bean, pea, pepper, and cucumber were grown. So the story begins not long after Noah's flood.

                There is strong evidence that the Spirit Cave near Mae Hong Son Province of NW Thailand was occupied from about 9,000 BC to about 5,500 BC.

                Bronze ( a wonderful metal created by ancient metallurgists and alchemists) appeared in Thailand in the 5th millennium BC. A very advanced metal working culture was widespread and flourishing before 1,500 BC and included iron.

                Early Thai peoples included Lao, Lanna, and Shan.

                The Buddhist kingdom of Sukhothai was founded in 1238 AD and is often considered the first Thai state. Than brings us well into the historic period. I'd guess that by about 1440 AD people in all of South East Asia and some beyond spoke of Thailand.

                I have given mostly facts and a few dates. However, as you might imagine, ever history has, at least, one story. You might have to dig a bit to get to it.

                In the 13th century a Thai kingdom existed in the northern highlands, centered on Chaing Saen, a predecessor of Lanna. Could Lanna be a place to begin finding the stories of Thailand?

                Thanks for Reading.

                    RCS

            

 

History, U.S. Wars

History With RCS: U. S. wars.

 

            There are a lot of them! Check our timeline blogs.

            We had no major wars from 1935 to 1940. 1897 was also a year with no major wars. I do not of any others. Including these years with no war we have averaged well over a war a year since 1776! 

            From 1899 to 1934 we had mostly just Banana Wars. Some of our tiny neighboring countries of Central America may object to my use of the word "just." We stepped on their labor movements hard. Those Banana Wars were among the most traumatic happenings in the entire history of  the people of the Central American Republics.

            When taking a close look at historic happenings it seems that we have hated the people of Haiti the most and for the longest time.  Still, that we have invaded Mexico 13 times since 1875 does not seem loving, nor even a good neighbor policy.

            I have not posted much about our wars on Mago Bill. I do remember posting on one of our early Indian Wars some time ago. I have another war post in draft, but I am returning to the states on business until October 19th. If you would like to read more opinion and facts about our wars on Mago Bill tell me so in the "Comment Section" at the foot of this post or of any other Mago Bill post.

            I the comments window you can also help me by correcting my errors or by telling use about American wars you have checked out. I would be interested in finding about that pert of our Revolutionary War which took place in  Gibraltar: or what part Mysore played in that same war: why Sweden was our ally in the First Barbary War; or about the German Coast Uprising in the Territory of Orleans: or why the US invaded Canada; and like that.

by Richard