by WebbPA » Thu Jan 29, 2004 1:14 am
I thought of Washington about 3 days after my first post. Then I thought, naah, the Euros will trash him. After all, he was a contemporary of Napoleon and European history at the time was much more important than American history.
In the end I could support the Washington theory the same way I could support my Elizabeth I/Victoria theory. I'm not bound by this theory but it is as follows: Who is more important, the leader (whatever) who makes an empire possible, or the leader who brings it to its fruition?
As a couple of examples:
1. Roman Empire - If Rome had lost the Punic Wars to Hannibal there would never have been a Roman Empire, no JC, no Augustus, no Holy Roman Empire, etc. I like the popular Christian theory that the Roman Empire was an instrument of God to spread Christianity throughout the world. Who was more important, then, Scipio Aemilianus, who finally defeated Hannibal and ensured the existence of Rome, or JC, who ensured the existence of the Empire.
2. England - If the Spanish Armada successfully invaded England or destroyed its navy Spain would have been the master of the New World. Would Spain have fared better against Washington? If Spain wiped out the British navy (assuming occupation was impossible) what would have been the state of the Empire at Victoria's ascension?
3. Washington - Fortunately for America, Napoleon was occupying British troops, allowing Washington to fight against a mininal occupying army. (Didn't Lyndon Johnson learn anything from this war?)
Washington made American freedom possible, leading (primarily because of its unlimited natiral resources) to its preemience. In the end, however, America freedom was inevitable. If Washington wasn't there someone else would have been there.
In a similar vein WW2 was an inevitable result of WW1. If Hitler had not started it someone else (German) would have. That person may not have been as ruthless as Hitler. In such event he may have been satisfied with the occupation of Europe and a secure Russian border
Anyway, some things to think about.
