NationStates Jolt Archive

1. What is your favorite war to study?

I like the Thirty Years War... the outstanding personalities of the age such as Gustavus Adolphus and Wallenstein are fascinating to study, the military innovations of the age and the politics and backstabbing going on are very interesting.

2. What is the war that makes the bloodthirsty warmonger inside of you giddy?

The Mexican-American War... we declared war on flimsy grounds, threw pacifist hippies in prison, invaded the spics with a huge force and sacked Mexico City... we got a huge chunk of land and if it weren't for the man with a conscience Slidell we would've conquered all of Mexico, and the Mexicans would be rich and happy under the star spangled banner instead of diahrrea-stricken and clamoring to come up north.

Favorite war to study? Vietnam War. I know quite a bit about it, actually.

I like the 30 year war as well. Allthough it sounds a bit odd, that war was the start of Brandenburg-Prussias rise as a great power.

The 100 years' war had a profound impact on history, as well as the 30 years' war. I enjoyed studying both. But, to be fair, the 30 years war had the Defenstration of Prague... That's still the most awesome thing ever. :-D

Warmongerish? hrm.... Perhaps the Seven Days War? Hard to say... I'm constantly a bloodthisty warmonger ;)

In reply to your analysis of the Mexican-American war, I firmly believe that proclaiming war on flimsy ground to ruthlessly and greedily take for your own good, using bloody and unfair war tactics, is profoundly wrong. Any parallels to the war in Iraq? And to your comments about mexico's current state, a large reason they are in the state of poverty they are in is because of that war and the opression that is spawned. And don't get all nationalistic with your "star-spangled banner" business. Nationalism started both world wars.

Taz

Vietnam War is pretty much the only war I know well. I know a bit about WWII, but if you asked me to name certain places, generals, or dates, I'd go, "huh?" :confused:

1. World War I. It has no real cause on the surface, but it was caused by an extremely complex web the empires of Europe have weaved: alliances, militarism, extreme nationalism, etc.
2. The Mexican War. It needed only to defend Texas. Instead, we got about half the nation. And if James Polk wasn't so generous, today, all of Mexico would be states in the union.

1. World War I. It has no real cause on the surface, but it was caused by an extremely complex web the empires of Europe have weaved: alliances, militarism, extreme nationalism, etc

I'm interested in it, too, even though it was an unjust war...


[QUOTE=Purly Euclid]And if James Polk wasn't so generous, today, all of Mexico would be states in the union

Really?

i of course think my favorite war is the biggest war ever on american soil the american civil war

and to the bloodthirsty question american civil war again those guys charged lines of rifles and got mowed down 600,000 people died in that war

2. The Mexican War. It needed only to defend Texas. Instead, we got about half the nation. And if James Polk wasn't so generous, today, all of Mexico would be states in the union.
And now they owe you like the French?

Any of the Napoleonic Wars (it's sad if you can't admire the genius that was Napoleon, truly one of the greatest generals who ever lived). I also have a liking for the Franco-Prussian War, as it was basically a miniature WWI, testing out the exact same tactics that would be used a few decades later. Ah, the matrilleuse; I gotta get me one of those. Prussia under Bismarck was a truly beautiful thing. Too bad none of Bismarck's successors could equal him, which resulted in both World Wars.

And now they owe you like the French?
No. They just now know who's been the boss for the past 150 years. Ever heard of the Zimmerman Note? I'm sure you have, as you're German. Anyhow, even if the message reached Mexico, they'd never act. They knew their troops would be annihilated once the Mexicans crossed the Rio Grande.

Any of the Napoleonic Wars (it's sad if you can't admire the genius that was Napoleon, truly one of the greatest generals who ever lived). I also have a liking for the Franco-Prussian War, as it was basically a miniature WWI, testing out the exact same tactics that would be used a few decades later. Ah, the matrilleuse; I gotta get me one of those. Prussia under Bismarck was a truly beautiful thing. Too bad none of Bismarck's successors could equal him, which resulted in both World Wars.

I agree with the historian who said Napoleon was "as great as a man can be without virtue."

Really?
Sure. What the US conquered in that war all became states in the Union. Besides, after 150 years, Mexicans wouldn't mind rule from Washington.

I really enjoyed studying WW2.. not even the war itself, but, everything that led up to it... which I guess is kind of sadistic, but....

The 100 years' war had a profound impact on history, as well as the 30 years' war. I enjoyed studying both. But, to be fair, the 30 years war had the Defenstration of Prague... That's still the most awesome thing ever. :-D

Warmongerish? hrm.... Perhaps the Seven Days War? Hard to say... I'm constantly a bloodthisty warmonger ;)

In reply to your analysis of the Mexican-American war, I firmly believe that proclaiming war on flimsy ground to ruthlessly and greedily take for your own good, using bloody and unfair war tactics, is profoundly wrong. Any parallels to the war in Iraq? And to your comments about mexico's current state, a large reason they are in the state of poverty they are in is because of that war and the opression that is spawned. And don't get all nationalistic with your "star-spangled banner" business. Nationalism started both world wars.

Taz
Well don't get so testy. I'm not for Iraq War and duh there were bad things about the Mexican War such as the expansion of slavery and the casualties on both sides. I'm not sure if I would've supported it if I were living back then. Anyways my second question is for fun not to seriously get into a bloodthirsty mood.

But I do stand by my belief that had all of Mexico been conquered by the USA then the Mexicans today would be better off, economically.

There is not such thing as a "favorite war" unless you're a bit twisted. I would love to believe we would never have to go to war, however the greed and power hungry humans that inhabit this earth are making this impossible. Not to mention what men do in the name of their "religion" Nope, no favorite war.. just sadness that it ever needs to take place at all.

Any of the Napoleonic Wars (it's sad if you can't admire the genius that was Napoleon, truly one of the greatest generals who ever lived). I also have a liking for the Franco-Prussian War, as it was basically a miniature WWI, testing out the exact same tactics that would be used a few decades later. Ah, the matrilleuse; I gotta get me one of those. Prussia under Bismarck was a truly beautiful thing. Too bad none of Bismarck's successors could equal him, which resulted in both World Wars.
Yeah. Damn shame. Bismarck was truly a brilliant statesman.

I enjoy studying the American Civil War immensly. None other was such an unnecessary tragedy brought about by greed and [lust for power. Not to mention the horribly incompetent aftermath commonly known as Reconstruction, and the lies spread to a nation by a cunning party seeking power only for itself no matter the cost for others.

There is not such thing as a "favorite war" unless you're a bit twisted.
Well, we are. Haven't you figured that out by now? :p ;) It's a guy thing.

I enjoy studying the American Civil War immensly. None other was such an unnecessary tragedy brought about by greed and for power. Not to mention the horribly incompetent aftermath commonly known as Reconstruction, and the lies spread to a nation by a cunning party seeking power only for itself no matter the cost for others.

Agreed. Read, for example, 'The Real Lincoln,' by Thomas DiLorenzo (sp?).

"There are no good wars, with the exception of World War I, World War II and the Star Wars trilogy."

- Bart Simpson

There is not such thing as a "favorite war" unless you're a bit twisted. I would love to believe we would never have to go to war, however the greed and power hungry humans that inhabit this earth are making this impossible. Not to mention what men do in the name of their "religion" Nope, no favorite war.. just sadness that it ever needs to take place at all.

........... *snores*.......

Huh, what? Sorry, dozed off there a bit. I had this wonderful dream though, where everyone could solve their problems peacefully and noone ever had to compete with anyone else. And the sugar plum fairies tasted pretty good too.

Sorry about that... I had to do it. Luv ya Stephistan.

........... *snores*.......

Huh, what? Sorry, dozed off there a bit. I had this wonderful dream though, where everyone could solve their problems peacefully and noone ever had to compete with anyone else. And the sugar plum fairies tasted pretty good too.

Sorry about that... I had to do it. Luv ya Stephistan.

Lol :p

i enjoy studying about the punic wars, since they probably shaped western history to this day...but i would like to study more about the some of the European wars of history

........... *snores*.......

Huh, what? Sorry, dozed off there a bit. I had this wonderful dream though, where everyone could solve their problems peacefully and noone ever had to compete with anyone else. And the sugar plum fairies tasted pretty good too.

Sorry about that... I had to do it. Luv ya Stephistan.

As stated in my post, I hold no delusions, but wouldn't it be nice.. a girl can dream can't she?

bump

The World Wars are my area of expertise, but anything from the the Seven Year's War to present I am at least knowledgeable in. Before that, I know more then the average person, but not as much as I should as a historian.

I don't get the question- it's a bit like asking what my "favourite" disease or epidemic is.
Whats to like about it?
"War..Hunh!.....What..is..it good for? ABSOLUTELY NUTHIN'.....say it again!"

And its not a "guy thing" I'm a guy,and whilst I admit I enjoy war movies,the real thing still upsets me

I don't get the question- it's a bit like asking what my "favourite" disease or epidemic is.
Whats to like about it?
"War..Hunh!.....What..is..it good for? ABSOLUTELY NUTHIN'.....say it again!"
My favorite disease is the clap!

Are you a woman?I take it you've never had the clap.

Uh oh. Maybe I hit a raw nerve. I'm a guy and I've never had the clap. Thought it has a funny name though.

That's the funny thing about the clap.
It's not funny.
What I mean is,most people seem to think it just makes your wang sting a bit,but if you don't catch it early,you can end up with a swollen,hideously coloured,disfigured penis with what can only be described as what looks like puffed rice growing under the foreskin.
I've never had it, but I saw it in a Family Health Encyclopeadia once,and i almost lost my lunch.

King Philip's War was one of the best. Guerilla warfare, merciless slaughter on both sides, political intrigue, religion, war debts, rallying of the people, whatever you could want. What other war held someone along the lines of "The Angel of Hadley" a fugitive from England who saved the town of Hadley by rallying the men of the town in its defense. It was also the last major war between New England and the Indians, and ended with thousands of Indian corpses and their power broken.

World War One appeals to my inner bloodthirsty nature. The deployment of the submarine and the machine gun and the first wide scale usage of chemical weapons. Need I say more? Old world tactics met new world weaponry, and the slaughter was incredible.

My favorite disease? The flu, its ability to evolve and adapt to any circumstance, when combined with its incredible rate of spreading, makes it a truly admirable organism. Close seconds would be AIDS (though not as proficient at spreading, it is even better at adaptation), and anything related to E. Coli bacterium (Watch that puppy reproduce, well now its puppies, and now their are even more).

you are fucking sick!
Have you had any friends or relatives die from any of these diseases? Flu is a killer too,you know,not just in 3rd world countries.

It isn't sick, just practical, extremely so. My brother was nearly downgraded from the chain of life by the flu, and food poisoning has laid me out flat numerous times. The point is, however, when the chips are down all that matters is who can get who first. Diseases, while they hardly receive any fan mail, are the epitome of evolutionary development, perfect in every way.

1) World War 2, by far. Largest conflict in scope; epic battles.

2) Mongols and Huns.

WW11 realy their is nothing cooler I also like comparing it to the war against terror.

WW11 realy their is nothing cooler I also like comparing it to the war against terror.
Whoa...what happened to 3-10?

that little war that lasted 30mins was pretty cool. Between Zanzibar and Great Britain, I believe.

How about the War of Jenkins' Ear, fought between Britain and Spain?

Sometime after the Spanish Armada was defeated in 1588, Britain sent an ambassador, named Jenkins, to Spain in order to discuss a peace treaty. In response, the Spanish sliced off Jenkins' right ear, which he took back to England and presented to the King.

There was a war that followed this, though I am unfamiliar with the conduct or outcome. The pretense, however, is easily the best pretense of any war I have studied.

1. Three Kingdoms period in China. So much history and lore in that era; some of the greatest battles of the time period, and no one in the Western world seems to know of them.

2. The Mongols and Huns. Amazing pillaging forces, especially the Mongols. It is not easy to create the largest nation/empire in history after all.

3. the Children's Crusade. Not even a real war, and its outcome was tragic to say the least.

WW II is what I really like to read about. But I'll read about any conflict. I read a book a few months back about the Hundred Years War. I was like a soap opera for guys. The monarchies of both countries were so scheming and back stabbing. It was great.

WW II is what I really like to read about. But I'll read about any conflict. I read a book a few months back about the Hundred Years War. I was like a soap opera for guys. The monarchies of both countries were so scheming and back stabbing. It was great.
That and it was more than a hundred years too. The name is actually underrepresenting the time frame, which is absurd.

1- The cold war, i think, is the most entertaining of wars. I know, no one actually got killed, except a few spies and a few other suspected spies, (commie mutant traitors all of them)...
It's fun to look at how many times nutcase poloticians almost destroyed the entire world. Brinksmanship is such a scary thing. And the KGB were so very good at what they did.
And, have you ever watched Doctor Strangelove?

2- Admitedly, Cold wars do not sate bloodlust, but i've always been mostly interested in tactics over gore. for pure bloodlust, i'd say any war involving Japan, since they were culturally stylish and bloodthirsty in the old days.

for tactics, I like Henry V, partially since he broke chivalry to whup up on the French.
And for Glory, my real hero is Robert The Bruce: He freed Scotland from the English (at least for a while) and was awsome. I don't care what nationality you are, you've got to admit, that's inspiring.

World war one, real imperiums,rapid technical advances and old tactics.
What a perfect combination for a epic bloody war. Boer Wars and other colonial wars also appeal to me. More modern wars aren't that intesting.