“Whenever the government of the United States shall break up, it will probably be in consequence of a false direction having been given to public opinion. This is the weak point of our defences, and the part to which the enemies of the system will direct all their attacks. Opinion can be so perverted as to cause the false to seem true; the enemy, a friend, and the friend, an enemy; the best interests of the nation to appear insignificant, and trifles of moment; in a word, the right the wrong, and the wrong, the right. In a country where opinion has sway, to seize upon it, is to seize upon power. As it is a rule of humanity that the upright and well-intentioned are comparatively passive, while the designing, dishonest and selfish are the most untiring in their efforts, the danger of public opinion’s getting a false direction is four-fold, since few men think for themselves.
It appears U.S. fell into a Thucydides trap, given that Russia was perceived as an emerging hegemonic power in the east, and the NATO was committed since the Bucharest Conference of 2008, to including Georgia and Ukraine into NATO, (despite assurances in the 90,s that NATO would not expand one inch further to the east). The assertion that “NATO was not looking ascendant in 2021” is ludicrous. Putin has affirmed repeatedly since 2008, that the inclusion of Ukraine in NATO was perceived as an existential threat, and a redline.
The Orange Revolution of 2004 and subsequent regime change coup in 2014, with Victoria Nuland in attendance), was perceived by Russia as a further act of aggression. The Minsk-2 agreements, facilitated by Germany and France, to dissuade Russia retaliation, has also been admitted by Angela Merkel, to be a deception in order to “buy time” for Ukraine. Indeed, NATO has trained and equipped an estimated 10k Ukrainian troops per year from 2014 to 2021.
As to the “unique and sovereign character of Ukraine, consider that Ukraine has shelled the civilian population of Donbas relentlessly since 2014.
Of further note, consider the following:
The Strangelovian Biden administration, just adopted this week, an unprecedented change in nuclear weapons policy doctrine, which clears the way for potential U.S. first strike, tactical nuke attack on Russian territory and forces in Ukraine. Putin countered in a speech this week that Russian policy will now afford preemptive, tactical nuke preemptive retaliation, if U.S. strike is determined to be imminent. What could go wrong?
Such is within context of a massive Winter offensive of 400,000 Russians troops on the immediate horizon, while a humanitarian disaster, with potential of millions of refugees throughout Ukraine unfolds. In Kiev, people are eating dog food, freezing, and shitting in ditches. Meanwhile, Ukrainian strategic stronghold in the city of Bahkmut is collapsing; 800 Ukrainian casualties per day being reported. Severe shortages of weapons, ammo, medical supplies, transportation, food, energy, and shelter. Ukrainian Commander describes situation on the ground as “Catastrophic”. . (Ref: The Duran, on Telegram, for daily updates out of Lindon and Greece). The U.S. UK, and EU have pushed their NATO expansionist, war of aggression wet dream, to the limit and have failed; the neo-con warmongers are now playing the threat of total war, and Nuclear Armageddon card. A Thucydides trap indeed, however, it is my contention that it’s NATO, U.S. UK, and EU that fell into a baited trap are doomed to extinction as hegemonic powers.
Cynthia, this article is like the piece of a puzzle that joins huge sections together for me. Otis not a complete puzzle yet, but I see more clearly the image that might be on the front of the box.
History seemed so abstract and impersonal in school…It’s obvious now that it’s designed to be that way. Your teachings bring a clarity that inspires me to take part in history unfolding today. What more could a writer hope for, particularly since writing awards seem more like PR stunts. And what more could a reader ask for than the truth revealed?
Excellent read! I think I learned about this bit of history a little while ago from either you or Matt. Maybe in a YouTube video? I can’t remember, but it’s fascinating!
That was extremely interesting! History never interested me when I was younger but it's fascinating to read pieces like yours. The world isn't so big after all. Yes, there are some awful people out there, but there are some great ones, too. Thank you for your reminder!
Thank you Cynthia for your tireless work to provide awareness and truthfulness.
I also follow Tom Luongo and Alex Krainer. From Alex - Last Wednesday (7 Dec. 2022) German magazine Die Zeit published an interview with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel in which she admitted that, "The 2014 Minsk Agreement was an attempt to give Ukraine time. They used that time to get stronger, which you can see today. Ukraine of 2014/15 is not Ukraine of today." So how does the "Ukraine of today" differ from the one in 2014? During the intervening eight years, Ukraine more than doubled the size of its military:
Ukraine's military personnel 2014 2020
Army 64,000 145,000
Paramilitary units 0 102,000
Air force 45,000 45,000
Navy 7,000 11,000
Airborne troops 5,500 8,000
Total 121,500 311,000
While Merkel's statements got only a scant coverage in western media, they got a lot of attention in China, India, and much of the rest of the world. They confirmed the view of western powers as bad faith actors, willing to enter into agreements they have no intention of honoring.
Wonderful explanation of how the US and (now our enemy “we’re told”) Russia. An additional level of understanding the history of the US and the countries that would have adopted prosperity for theirs. The list of those killed to prevent greater prosperity is long and explains much about the machinations done to prevent our prosperity continuing and to help spread empires (read tyranny). Excellent work! Thank you for sharing! We are still here and as more awaken, we the people will not be enslaved..
I'm sorry to break the news, but Lincoln was not against slavery. He was a racist who was against the intermingling of the "races" (whatever that means) and wanted "them" sent to Africa or a country in the Caribbean. There is no stronger evidence for his hypocrisy then his first inaugural address (1861) where he expressed his full support for the Corwin amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That amendment would have permanently protected slavery by preventing the federal government from interfering in its practice. Additionally, during the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, he clearly stated that he was not an abolitionist. When his wife Mary Todd inherited slaves they did not free them but instead sold them.
Lincoln was a typical politician who said a lot of contradictory things and did some truly horrible things. Thomas DiLorenzo has written several books refuting the Lincoln myth. A good place to start is "The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War".
Overall, Cynthia, I really appreciate your work. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
I have followed your work on the Russia-America relationship for a while. What is happening is tragic -- we could have had West-leaning Eurasian integration! I believe Putin when he says he only wants a 1962-type deal on Ukraine neutrality and missiles.
Here's my take on the big picture. The Neocons are the root of the problem. WW3 on deck. Comments welcome.
To add to The Happy Napster’s citing DiLorenzo and to correct even more Cynthia’s and Warren’s and Master Jack’s bias for Lincoln as Liberator rather than Dictator:
Ken Masugi is partially right about Tom DiLorenzo’s book, The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War (2002). It is "awful"—"awful"ly good, even great. Tom DiLorenzo has completely and irrevocably destroyed the myth, the legend, the fable, the fairy tale--the tall tale of Abraham Lincoln, American’s first military dictator and its first Presidente after the violent regime change of 1861.
THE INDICTMENT
Before discussing the reviews and reaction, let’s review DiLorenzo’s findings. He makes about 71 discrete factual, legal, political, or moral accusations or allegations against or about Lincoln or his subordinates as follows:
1. Saying contradictory things before different audiences.
2. Opposing racial equality.
3. Opposing giving blacks the right to vote, serve on juries or intermarry while allegedly supporting their natural rights.
4. Being a racist.
5. Supporting the legal rights of slaveholders.
6. Supporting Clay’s American System or mercantilism as his primary political agenda: national bank, high tariff, and internal improvements.
7. Supporting a political economy that encourages corruption and inefficiency.
8. Supporting a political economy that became the blueprint for modern American.
9. Being a wealthy railroad lawyer.
10. Never defending a runaway slave.
11. Defending a slaveholder against his runaway slave.
12. Favoring returning ex-slaves to Africa or sending them to Central America and Haiti.
13. Proposing to strengthen the Fugitive Slave law.
14. Opposing the extension of slavery in the territories so that "free white people" can settle there and because allowing them to become slave states would dilute Republican influence in Congress because of the three-fifths rule.
15. Opposing black citizenship in Illinois or their right to immigrate to that state.
16. Failing to use his legendary political skills to achieve peaceful emancipation as was accomplished elsewhere--Lincoln's war was the only "war of emancipation" in the 19th century.
17. Nullifying emancipation of slaves in Missouri and Georgia early in the war.
18. Stating that his primary motive was saving the union and not ending slavery.
19. Supporting a conscription law.
20. Sending troops into New York City to quell draft riots related to his emancipation proclamation, resulting in 300 to 1,000 deaths.
21. Starting a war that took the lives of 620,000 soldiers and 50,000 civilians and caused incalculable economic loss.
22. Being an enemy of free market capitalism.
23. Being an economic illiterate and espousing the labor theory of value.
24. Supporting a disastrous public works project in Illinois and continuing to support the same policies oblivious of the consequences.
25. Conjuring up a specious and deceptive argument against the historically-recognized right of state secession.
26. Lying about re-supplying the fed’s tax collection office known as Fort Sumter.
27. Refusing to see peace commissioners from the Confederacy offering to pay for all federal property in the South.
28. Refusing to see Napoleon III of France who offered to mediate the dispute.
29. Provoking Virginia to secede by taking military action against the Deep South.
30. Supporting a tariff and other policies that systematically redistributed wealth from the South to the North, causing great consternation in the South.
31. Invading the South without consulting Congress.
32. Illegally declaring martial law.
33. Illegally blockading ports.
34. Illegally suspending habeas corpus.
35. Illegally imprisoning thousands of Northern citizens.
36. Tolerating their subjection to inhumane conditions in prison.
37. Systematically attacking Northern newspapers and their employees, including by imprisonment.
38. Deporting his chief political enemy in the North, Congressman Clement L. Vallandigham of Ohio.
39. Confiscating private property and firearms.
40. Ignoring the Ninth and Tenth Amendments.
41. Tolerating the arrest of ministers who refused to pray for Lincoln.
42. Arresting several duly elected members of the Maryland Legislature along with the mayor of Baltimore and Maryland Congressman Henry May.
43. Placing Kansas and Kentucky under martial law.
44. Supporting a law that indemnified public officials for unlawful acts.
45. Laying the groundwork for the establishment of conscription and income taxation as permanent institutions.
46. Interfering with and rigging elections in Maryland and elsewhere in the North.
47. Censoring all telegraph communication.
48. Preventing opposition newspapers from being delivered by the post office.
49. Illegally creating the state of West Virginia out of the "indestructible" state of Virginia.
50. Tolerating or supporting mistreatment of citizens in conquered territory.
51. Taxing those citizens without their consent.
52. Executing those who refused to take a loyalty oath.
53. Closing churches and arresting ministers.
54. Burning and plundering Southern cites.
55. Quartering troops in private homes unlawfully.
56. Creating an enormous political patronage system.
57. Allowing an unjust mass execution of Sioux Indians in Minnesota.
58. Engineering a constitutional revolution through military force which destroyed state sovereignty and replaced it with rule by the Supreme Court (and the United States Army).
59. Laying the groundwork for the imperialist and militarist campaigns of the future as well as the welfare/warfare state.
60. Creating the dangerous precedent of establishing a strong consolidated state out of a decentralized confederation.
61. Effectively killing secession as a threat, thus encouraging the rise of our modern federal monolith.
62. Waging war on civilians by bombing, destruction of homes, and confiscation of food and farm equipment.
63. Tolerating an atmosphere which led to large numbers of rapes against Southern women, including slaves.
64. Using civilians as hostages.
65. Promoting a general because of his willingness to use his troops as cannon fodder.
66. DiLorenzo blames Lincoln for the predictable aftermath of the war: the plundering of the South by Lincoln’s allies.
67. Supporting government subsidies of the railroads leading to corruption and inefficiency.
68. Supporting a nationalized paper currency which is inherently inflationary.
69. Creating the federal tax bureaucracy and various taxes that are still with us.
70. Establishing precedents for centralized powers and suppression of liberties that continue to be cited today.
71. Ending slavery by means that created turbulence that continues to this day.
THE FIRST DEFENSE—SHOOT THE MESSENGER
Thus, DiLorenzo makes over seventy separate allegations against or about Lincoln or as part of his overall case against Lincoln. (Perhaps I missed a few or possibly there is a little duplication in my list.) What do DiLorenzo's reviewers say about these allegations? Very little. Instead of dealing with these charges, his opponents spent most of their efforts attacking a few citations. The only such alleged error that is anything other than a technicality or difference of opinion concerns Lincoln’s racism.”
It appears U.S. fell into a Thucydides trap, given that Russia was perceived as an emerging hegemonic power in the east, and the NATO was committed since the Bucharest Conference of 2008, to including Georgia and Ukraine into NATO, (despite assurances in the 90,s that NATO would not expand one inch further to the east). The assertion that “NATO was not looking ascendant in 2021” is ludicrous. Putin has affirmed repeatedly since 2008, that the inclusion of Ukraine in NATO was perceived as an existential threat, and a redline.
The Orange Revolution of 2004 and subsequent regime change coup in 2014, with Victoria Nuland in attendance), was perceived by Russia as a further act of aggression. The Minsk-2 agreements, facilitated by Germany and France, to dissuade Russia retaliation, has also been admitted by Angela Merkel, to be a deception in order to “buy time” for Ukraine. Indeed, NATO has trained and equipped an estimated 10k Ukrainian troops per year from 2014 to 2021.
As to the “unique and sovereign character of Ukraine, consider that Ukraine has shelled the civilian population of Donbas relentlessly since 2014.
Of further note, consider the following:
The Strangelovian Biden administration, just adopted this week, an unprecedented change in nuclear weapons policy doctrine, which clears the way for potential U.S. first strike, tactical nuke attack on Russian territory and forces in Ukraine. Putin countered in a speech this week that Russian policy will now afford preemptive, tactical nuke preemptive retaliation, if U.S. strike is determined to be imminent. What could go wrong?
Such is within context of a massive Winter offensive of 400,000 Russians troops on the immediate horizon, while a humanitarian disaster, with potential of millions of refugees throughout Ukraine unfolds. In Kiev, people are eating dog food, freezing, and shitting in ditches. Meanwhile, Ukrainian strategic stronghold in the city of Bahkmut is collapsing; 800 Ukrainian casualties per day being reported. Severe shortages of weapons, ammo, medical supplies, transportation, food, energy, and shelter. Ukrainian Commander describes situation on the ground as “Catastrophic”. . (Ref: The Duran, on Telegram, for daily updates out of Lindon and Greece). The U.S. UK, and EU have pushed their NATO expansionist, war of aggression wet dream, to the limit and have failed; the neo-con warmongers are now playing the threat of total war, and Nuclear Armageddon card. A Thucydides trap indeed, however, it is my contention that it’s NATO, U.S. UK, and EU that fell into a baited trap are doomed to extinction as hegemonic powers.
Most excellent analysis. 5 Stars! Upgrading to paid.
Cynthia, this article is like the piece of a puzzle that joins huge sections together for me. Otis not a complete puzzle yet, but I see more clearly the image that might be on the front of the box.
History seemed so abstract and impersonal in school…It’s obvious now that it’s designed to be that way. Your teachings bring a clarity that inspires me to take part in history unfolding today. What more could a writer hope for, particularly since writing awards seem more like PR stunts. And what more could a reader ask for than the truth revealed?
Many thanks for your dedication.
Excellent read! I think I learned about this bit of history a little while ago from either you or Matt. Maybe in a YouTube video? I can’t remember, but it’s fascinating!
That was extremely interesting! History never interested me when I was younger but it's fascinating to read pieces like yours. The world isn't so big after all. Yes, there are some awful people out there, but there are some great ones, too. Thank you for your reminder!
Nice slice of history about the repeated hegemony of nations. It’s wonderful opening this window on the past about Russia.
Thank you Cynthia for your tireless work to provide awareness and truthfulness.
I also follow Tom Luongo and Alex Krainer. From Alex - Last Wednesday (7 Dec. 2022) German magazine Die Zeit published an interview with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel in which she admitted that, "The 2014 Minsk Agreement was an attempt to give Ukraine time. They used that time to get stronger, which you can see today. Ukraine of 2014/15 is not Ukraine of today." So how does the "Ukraine of today" differ from the one in 2014? During the intervening eight years, Ukraine more than doubled the size of its military:
Ukraine's military personnel 2014 2020
Army 64,000 145,000
Paramilitary units 0 102,000
Air force 45,000 45,000
Navy 7,000 11,000
Airborne troops 5,500 8,000
Total 121,500 311,000
While Merkel's statements got only a scant coverage in western media, they got a lot of attention in China, India, and much of the rest of the world. They confirmed the view of western powers as bad faith actors, willing to enter into agreements they have no intention of honoring.
Wonderful explanation of how the US and (now our enemy “we’re told”) Russia. An additional level of understanding the history of the US and the countries that would have adopted prosperity for theirs. The list of those killed to prevent greater prosperity is long and explains much about the machinations done to prevent our prosperity continuing and to help spread empires (read tyranny). Excellent work! Thank you for sharing! We are still here and as more awaken, we the people will not be enslaved..
God bless you.🙏🙏
I'm sorry to break the news, but Lincoln was not against slavery. He was a racist who was against the intermingling of the "races" (whatever that means) and wanted "them" sent to Africa or a country in the Caribbean. There is no stronger evidence for his hypocrisy then his first inaugural address (1861) where he expressed his full support for the Corwin amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That amendment would have permanently protected slavery by preventing the federal government from interfering in its practice. Additionally, during the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, he clearly stated that he was not an abolitionist. When his wife Mary Todd inherited slaves they did not free them but instead sold them.
Lincoln was a typical politician who said a lot of contradictory things and did some truly horrible things. Thomas DiLorenzo has written several books refuting the Lincoln myth. A good place to start is "The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War".
Overall, Cynthia, I really appreciate your work. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Kind regards,
Andrew - TheNAP.org
I have followed your work on the Russia-America relationship for a while. What is happening is tragic -- we could have had West-leaning Eurasian integration! I believe Putin when he says he only wants a 1962-type deal on Ukraine neutrality and missiles.
Here's my take on the big picture. The Neocons are the root of the problem. WW3 on deck. Comments welcome.
https://elliottmiddleton.substack.com/p/the-narrative-pivots
To add to The Happy Napster’s citing DiLorenzo and to correct even more Cynthia’s and Warren’s and Master Jack’s bias for Lincoln as Liberator rather than Dictator:
DiLorenzo and His Critics on the Lincoln Myth Mises.org 04/15/2003 James Ostrowski https://mises.org/library/dilorenzo-and-his-critics-lincoln-myth
“INTRODUCTION
Ken Masugi is partially right about Tom DiLorenzo’s book, The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War (2002). It is "awful"—"awful"ly good, even great. Tom DiLorenzo has completely and irrevocably destroyed the myth, the legend, the fable, the fairy tale--the tall tale of Abraham Lincoln, American’s first military dictator and its first Presidente after the violent regime change of 1861.
THE INDICTMENT
Before discussing the reviews and reaction, let’s review DiLorenzo’s findings. He makes about 71 discrete factual, legal, political, or moral accusations or allegations against or about Lincoln or his subordinates as follows:
1. Saying contradictory things before different audiences.
2. Opposing racial equality.
3. Opposing giving blacks the right to vote, serve on juries or intermarry while allegedly supporting their natural rights.
4. Being a racist.
5. Supporting the legal rights of slaveholders.
6. Supporting Clay’s American System or mercantilism as his primary political agenda: national bank, high tariff, and internal improvements.
7. Supporting a political economy that encourages corruption and inefficiency.
8. Supporting a political economy that became the blueprint for modern American.
9. Being a wealthy railroad lawyer.
10. Never defending a runaway slave.
11. Defending a slaveholder against his runaway slave.
12. Favoring returning ex-slaves to Africa or sending them to Central America and Haiti.
13. Proposing to strengthen the Fugitive Slave law.
14. Opposing the extension of slavery in the territories so that "free white people" can settle there and because allowing them to become slave states would dilute Republican influence in Congress because of the three-fifths rule.
15. Opposing black citizenship in Illinois or their right to immigrate to that state.
16. Failing to use his legendary political skills to achieve peaceful emancipation as was accomplished elsewhere--Lincoln's war was the only "war of emancipation" in the 19th century.
17. Nullifying emancipation of slaves in Missouri and Georgia early in the war.
18. Stating that his primary motive was saving the union and not ending slavery.
19. Supporting a conscription law.
20. Sending troops into New York City to quell draft riots related to his emancipation proclamation, resulting in 300 to 1,000 deaths.
21. Starting a war that took the lives of 620,000 soldiers and 50,000 civilians and caused incalculable economic loss.
22. Being an enemy of free market capitalism.
23. Being an economic illiterate and espousing the labor theory of value.
24. Supporting a disastrous public works project in Illinois and continuing to support the same policies oblivious of the consequences.
25. Conjuring up a specious and deceptive argument against the historically-recognized right of state secession.
26. Lying about re-supplying the fed’s tax collection office known as Fort Sumter.
27. Refusing to see peace commissioners from the Confederacy offering to pay for all federal property in the South.
28. Refusing to see Napoleon III of France who offered to mediate the dispute.
29. Provoking Virginia to secede by taking military action against the Deep South.
30. Supporting a tariff and other policies that systematically redistributed wealth from the South to the North, causing great consternation in the South.
31. Invading the South without consulting Congress.
32. Illegally declaring martial law.
33. Illegally blockading ports.
34. Illegally suspending habeas corpus.
35. Illegally imprisoning thousands of Northern citizens.
36. Tolerating their subjection to inhumane conditions in prison.
37. Systematically attacking Northern newspapers and their employees, including by imprisonment.
38. Deporting his chief political enemy in the North, Congressman Clement L. Vallandigham of Ohio.
39. Confiscating private property and firearms.
40. Ignoring the Ninth and Tenth Amendments.
41. Tolerating the arrest of ministers who refused to pray for Lincoln.
42. Arresting several duly elected members of the Maryland Legislature along with the mayor of Baltimore and Maryland Congressman Henry May.
43. Placing Kansas and Kentucky under martial law.
44. Supporting a law that indemnified public officials for unlawful acts.
45. Laying the groundwork for the establishment of conscription and income taxation as permanent institutions.
46. Interfering with and rigging elections in Maryland and elsewhere in the North.
47. Censoring all telegraph communication.
48. Preventing opposition newspapers from being delivered by the post office.
49. Illegally creating the state of West Virginia out of the "indestructible" state of Virginia.
50. Tolerating or supporting mistreatment of citizens in conquered territory.
51. Taxing those citizens without their consent.
52. Executing those who refused to take a loyalty oath.
53. Closing churches and arresting ministers.
54. Burning and plundering Southern cites.
55. Quartering troops in private homes unlawfully.
56. Creating an enormous political patronage system.
57. Allowing an unjust mass execution of Sioux Indians in Minnesota.
58. Engineering a constitutional revolution through military force which destroyed state sovereignty and replaced it with rule by the Supreme Court (and the United States Army).
59. Laying the groundwork for the imperialist and militarist campaigns of the future as well as the welfare/warfare state.
60. Creating the dangerous precedent of establishing a strong consolidated state out of a decentralized confederation.
61. Effectively killing secession as a threat, thus encouraging the rise of our modern federal monolith.
62. Waging war on civilians by bombing, destruction of homes, and confiscation of food and farm equipment.
63. Tolerating an atmosphere which led to large numbers of rapes against Southern women, including slaves.
64. Using civilians as hostages.
65. Promoting a general because of his willingness to use his troops as cannon fodder.
66. DiLorenzo blames Lincoln for the predictable aftermath of the war: the plundering of the South by Lincoln’s allies.
67. Supporting government subsidies of the railroads leading to corruption and inefficiency.
68. Supporting a nationalized paper currency which is inherently inflationary.
69. Creating the federal tax bureaucracy and various taxes that are still with us.
70. Establishing precedents for centralized powers and suppression of liberties that continue to be cited today.
71. Ending slavery by means that created turbulence that continues to this day.
THE FIRST DEFENSE—SHOOT THE MESSENGER
Thus, DiLorenzo makes over seventy separate allegations against or about Lincoln or as part of his overall case against Lincoln. (Perhaps I missed a few or possibly there is a little duplication in my list.) What do DiLorenzo's reviewers say about these allegations? Very little. Instead of dealing with these charges, his opponents spent most of their efforts attacking a few citations. The only such alleged error that is anything other than a technicality or difference of opinion concerns Lincoln’s racism.”