Simon Schama on the British Empire

[bbagginz]

The same old story of empire - Mr Schama's words also perfectly describe the current global hedgemon: the United States

[christophmahler]

@bbagginz

«By repetition that which at first appeared merely a matter of chance and contingency becomes a real and ratified existence.»

('The Philosophy of History', part III, section II; Georg Hegel; 1840)

[KasveLipiel09]

We shall watch this film and note down the main theses and the questions at the end of this shórt film. Can someone tell me something about the author for my background knowledge?

Und wenn jemand aus meinem Kurs dies liest, so grüße ich ihn^^

[dukes0916]

Tell you what... Ken Burns is great, but Mr. Schama is the master! I fell in love with English Docs with The World At War when I was a kid! And Simon (dare I use his first name!) seems to have brought the art of historic story-telling to its hieght! You make an excellent point about the absense of first-hand references! I can't help but wonder if he was taking a page from Oliver, and presenting a sort of 'impassioned detachment' while offering his accounts for effect.

[christophmahler]

Thank You for pointing out towards the work of Ken Burns.

I did not knew him. Obviously the 'Ken Burns effect' in cinematography is worth to take note of - when it comes to historical documentaries.

You would probably recognize a clip from the WORLD AT WAR series in one of my playlists.

[nate91han]

@christophmahler as a german historian, what is your opinion of the deutsches kaiserriech from 1871-1914? Was kleindeutschland the best route to unification? Do you think that the gov't should have done more to aid small industry/farming as well as big business? What are german views on bismarck's anti-socialist and kulturkampf campaigns? Were socialists in the Reichstag too eager to support nationalism over their constituency? Did the kaiser's influence accurately reflect prussian tradition?

[christophmahler]

Your questions seem to relate to the last question posed in the video clip - just in reference to Germany, rather than to Great Britain:

'How was it, that we ended up with the wrong empire ?'

Thank You for posing thoughtful questions.

I will need some time to think about it.

[christophmahler]

@nate91han

I apologize for the time it took me to consider my views.

My short - non-academic - reply goes as follows:

The best route to solve the 'German question' would be a decentralized confederation - including Poland and Belgium.

Legislation, the police and the courts - in general - must not be corrupted by economic interests.

[christophmahler]

@nate91han

(continuation)

Bismarcks campaigns against domestic opponents to Prussian hegemony were unsuccessful.

There had been approaches to replace them with nationalism.

Historians that admire the statemanship of Bismarck are rare today.

The support of war credits divided German socialism.

The rule of Wilhelm the II. was not as absolute as that of Frederick the II. - or the 'Soldier-King'.

[christophmahler]

I am not sure to which Oliver You refer to - maybe You remember the episode of HISTORY OF BRITAIN about the English Revolution.

In general I still feel woken to life, when reading the medieval aphorism:

«'To know oneself is' according to Apollo, 'practically the highest wisdom'»

("The Metalogicon"; Book IV, Chapter 40; John Salisbury; 1159)

[TheConciseStatement]

Because there's no RIGHT empire. It's an empire. It's where your little men trample over everyone else's little men, in order to take over the world.

I'm stunned by how many people are convinced that the British, the American, the Russian, the German, the Greek, the Roman, or the Muslim idea of world domination was somehow the nice one.

Anyone can create a universal language or ideology if you kill and enslave for it. Progress through co-operation - now there's a real hard earned achievement.

[rudeydudey05]

I just watched the whole series on DVD, Schama is brilliant.

[christophmahler]

Thank You for Your polite comment and Your review !

I notice, that You mentioned, having moved some years ago. Therefore You might be interested in this series as well:

"The American future - a history" by Schama from 2008.

[Emoheartbreakerangel]

I watched all 5 of the DVD's and Simeon did a great job making history interesting! Another thing I liked about the DVD's is the soundtrack, I really love listening to the BBC Choir. The music really sounds heavenly.

[christophmahler]

Yes, I would like to see many more series produced in that way.

The combination of primary sources, archaeological sites, contemporary artefacts and a form of presentation, that speaks to imagination - seems to me quite a decent standard.

I just wish, the series would have been based more on personal experiences - to avoid the impression as if historical processes can be narrated from a fully 'angelic' point of view by a single person.

[LairdKeir]

My favourite section was in the last episode, "The Two Winstons", where it starts with Swinging London rejecting the past and history itself until 1965 when history came back with a vengeance.

[Pryste]

I own this series on DVD, and it's brilliant. Simon doesn't pull any punches and delivers an unbiased account of things. Certainly worth every penny.

[christophmahler]

I would also recommend to buy the series as an introduction to modern history !

I had also the impression of a rather balanced presentation of opposing views. Critical statements can be found about British history, without gloryfying ancient local or continental counterparts.

I did miss a sharp investigation of British diplomacy from the 18th to the 20th century though - from the Great Game, the Commonwealth, to the Atlantic Charta.

[christophmahler]

Despite the academic ignorance in more present events, the series shines with its artistic shooting and presenting of historical places and artefacts, with imaginative animations and a tasteful musical background. The style of personal story-telling gives the series a warm atmosphere.

[IoannaaM]

Schama's documentaries are the best I've ever read and seen on British History! I bow infront of his power and art of presenting it!