I really enjoy history and the reading of it. I especially enjoy the explanation of why. Why did they do this or that ? The explanation can be as interesting as the action. I try to find as many point of views on the subject as possible. The outcome of the story is dependent upon the teller. Underlining motives are of great interest and essential to the understanding of history. I have found the motives are usually self evident and involve no great plot or scheme. It all must be digested in the context of the times.
Every action is done for the benefit of someone. Nothing is done just because somebody became bored. If you can determine who is benefiting then you can determine the motive. The old saying, follow the money, holds true. The money may not always be cash, but future gain or position in society may be at stake. This has been so since the beginning of man. I'm certain some one, some where, first traded something of value to gain an advantage over his fellow man. And I'm equally as certain it was person of greater wealth taking advantage of the lesser man. Whether they traded for weapons,food or property, it was so. It is the way of the world.
It is interesting also how future generations may deny the truth in the matter. The story becomes one of benevolence or philanthropy. The unscrupulous behavior pushed into the darkness of history. That is not to say all actions have a sinister or evil intent. I would say they do have an agenda though. Whether that agenda is to profit, or make amends for past actions, there is a purpose. This is the truth of history I find fascinating.
The truth in history can be an uncomfortable thing. It can be inconvenient as well. The things of the past can leave long and lasting scars. Sometimes these scars transfer from one generation to the next. Over generations the true reasons for these actions become lost or blurred. These are those proverbial " skeletons in the closet. " The things we would rather not examine too closely. Every person, indeed every society harbors these skeletons. An understanding of them is an understanding of the past. When you understand the past,the future begins to make more sense. Life is not a series of random actions. There is meaning behind each one. A study of history is a quest for these meanings.
Every action is done for the benefit of someone. Nothing is done just because somebody became bored. If you can determine who is benefiting then you can determine the motive. The old saying, follow the money, holds true. The money may not always be cash, but future gain or position in society may be at stake. This has been so since the beginning of man. I'm certain some one, some where, first traded something of value to gain an advantage over his fellow man. And I'm equally as certain it was person of greater wealth taking advantage of the lesser man. Whether they traded for weapons,food or property, it was so. It is the way of the world.
It is interesting also how future generations may deny the truth in the matter. The story becomes one of benevolence or philanthropy. The unscrupulous behavior pushed into the darkness of history. That is not to say all actions have a sinister or evil intent. I would say they do have an agenda though. Whether that agenda is to profit, or make amends for past actions, there is a purpose. This is the truth of history I find fascinating.
The truth in history can be an uncomfortable thing. It can be inconvenient as well. The things of the past can leave long and lasting scars. Sometimes these scars transfer from one generation to the next. Over generations the true reasons for these actions become lost or blurred. These are those proverbial " skeletons in the closet. " The things we would rather not examine too closely. Every person, indeed every society harbors these skeletons. An understanding of them is an understanding of the past. When you understand the past,the future begins to make more sense. Life is not a series of random actions. There is meaning behind each one. A study of history is a quest for these meanings.
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