Revisionist History

Goodbye, Farewell and Amen

8 snips
Jul 30, 2020
Explore the haunting legacy of one of the deadliest nights in history and how it remains largely forgotten. Delve into General Curtis LeMay's controversial role in WWII and the moral implications of firebombing Japan. Uncover the devastating impact of napalm during the Korean War, both on combatants and civilians. Reflect on the cultural representation of war in media, critiques of military strategy, and the lingering sorrow from tragedies committed in the name of power. A thought-provoking journey through history's darkest moments.
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ANECDOTE

LeMay's Rise to Power

  • In 1961, President Kennedy honored General LeMay at the White House.
  • LeMay was appointed Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, despite his controversial bombing campaign in WWII.
INSIGHT

Victors Write History

  • History is often written by the victors, as evidenced by LeMay's distinguished label despite civilian casualties.
  • LeMay himself acknowledged the potential for war crime charges if the war had been lost.
INSIGHT

The Lesser of Two Evils?

  • The firebombing of Tokyo is often justified as the lesser of two evils.
  • The alternative, a ground invasion, was projected to have even greater casualties and long-term consequences.
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