Favorite bit of history

[unmerged(9440)]

Well, a new semester has started, as have the papers. So, I'm curious: what is your favorite subject of the history of Western civilization between the Reformation and the fall of the Taliban.

Basically, I haven't studied the period in-depth (EU2 was my introduction to the time), so I have absolutely no idea what to write on. Thanks for the input!

(and yes, I did post this in the 1419-1819 thread, but I figured this is a transcendent topic - wouldn't you?)

 

[BaronFoxxe]

How about Pirates. The golden age of Piracy falls well within your time frame. I would also tend to think it would be a unique topic.

Also There are many other choices: WWI, WWII, The Seven Years War, American Revolution, the Boer War, Franco-Prussian war, Napoleon, French and Indian war, Crimean War. If you are looking for a non-war topic, how about: the effects of the Rail Road, Imperialism vs. Mercantilism, The effects of central american gold on the Spanish economy, or the reforms of Czar Peter the Great.

 

[unmerged(9440)]

Cool, thanks.

Although, I'm still wondering what your favorite subject is.

 

[BaronFoxxe]

depends on the day to be honest. All things history can get my attention at one time or another. I tend towards Erwin Rommel and the North African Campaign as my most favored topic. But, I always go back to Pirates, the American Civil War and all things Habsburg(german line).

 

[unmerged(7465)]

Well the "Great Game" between Great Britian and Czarists Russian seems interesting to me at the moment. However I don't a whole lot about it, probably why its to interesting to me . Another topic that has facsinated(sp:I'm tired) recently has been African history, and more specific modern african history. Just how these countries were(and are still) being manipulated by the europeans and americans is amazing.

 

[unmerged(9600)]

My vote is:

The rising of tensions and the arms race between the Crimean War and WWI.

 

[unmerged(13083)]

The rise and fall of the fur trade in Canada.












What?

Its the perfect bed-time story.

 

[The Andy-Man]

I would say my favourite subject, and one you sim ply MUST do ( ) Is the Rise of Anglo-German antagonisms 1870-1914. And fouces on the economic and Industrial Rise of Germany and the Industrial Decline of Britain as its power began to diminish, though weather in 1914 Britain really was as weak as history books make out is debatable imo.

 

[unmerged(6657)]

Even though the two threads will be combined very soon, I will comment that I am becoming interested in post-WW2 history, i.e. 1950's. My in-laws grew up in post-war Poland and Germany, and my boss was born in 1947 Tokyo, so their stories made me a bit interested in the period.

 

[The Andy-Man]

Originally posted by UberYuber
Even though the two threads will be combined very soon, I will comment that I am becoming interested in post-WW2 history, i.e. 1950's. My in-laws grew up in post-war Poland and Germany, and my boss was born in 1947 Tokyo, so their stories made me a bit interested in the period.

Sounds like you could make a good study of both sides of the Curtain, and many forms of Capitalism vs Communism.

 

[PMLF]

I would say the Brazilian Empire history (1822-1889) and WW1.

 

[pithorr]

It's easy:
Golden Age of Poland: about 1450-1650...

 

[unmerged(8195)]

Originally posted by The Andy-Man
Is the Rise of Anglo-German antagonisms 1870-1914.

One of my favorites, too...and European diplomacy, conflict, and colonialism during that timeframe in general.

Also, the time period involving the American and French Revolutions through the Congress of Vienna. Fascinating figures and times. Probably cliche, though.

 

[unmerged(255)]

Originally posted by PMLF
I would say the Brazilian Empire history (1822-1889) and WW1.

...about which I know next to nothin, any reading suggestions?

 

[Ape]

Well, WW2, ACW and the times of Swedish militarism 1617-1721

 

[unmerged(6977)]

The challenges of everyday life, the Swing Age, the Rise of Jazz in popular culture, Parisian/Berlin nightlife 1920s and the underground cultural movements in Nazi Germany. Oh, and the war of course.

 

[PMLF]

Originally posted by tuna
...about which I know next to nothin, any reading suggestions?

I couldn't find any site in English about the Brazilian Empire.

An interesting site though is the link below, about Confederate American emmigration to Brazil after the US Civil War:

http://mi.essortment.com/postcivilwarr_rrid.htm

 

[unmerged(11464)]

Originally posted by pithorr
It's easy:
Golden Age of Poland: about 1450-1650...

I recently read about this period of Polish history because I was wondering why Poland is humongous on 1648 and 1763 maps I have and then its no where to be seen on the 1803 map. It was a very interesting read. The Poles went on quite a roller coster ride, they almost conquered Russia (iirc they took Moscow in 1610?) and they raised the Turks seige of Vienna. They were fighting in all directions, they were fighting the Turks, the Russians, the Swedes, the Cossacks not to mention all the civil wars they had. But I guess they failed in the end because they failed to centralize their government and they alienated the Eastern Orthodox peoples with in their borders.

I was planning on reading about some other failed superpowers like Turkey, Spain, or Sweden.

 

[pithorr]

Originally posted by squid
I recently read about this period of Polish history because I was wondering why Poland is humongous on 1648 and 1763 maps I have and then its no where to be seen on the 1803 map. It was a very interesting read. The Poles went on quite a roller coster ride, they almost conquered Russia (iirc they took Moscow in 1610?) and they raised the Turks seige of Vienna. They were fighting in all directions, they were fighting the Turks, the Russians, the Swedes, the Cossacks not to mention all the civil wars they had. But I guess they failed in the end because they failed to centralize their government and they alienated the Eastern Orthodox peoples with in their borders.

What a perfect summary!!!
Yes, we entered Moscow in 1610, however kept it only until 1612...

 

[unmerged(9440)]

Most fascinating! All of these sound really cool, but so far, it's pirates, Poland, and the Dutch East India company holding my interest in paper-writing, and I must say that the Canadian fur trade sounded absolutely rivetting