18th Century Sword Fighting: A Few Tips From the Sword Master to his Students
Defense and status. Swordsmanship has been the subject of fascination for a long time in popular culture and history. It was one of the most used side arms during ancient times and became a symbol of status and self-defense in the Middle Ages and during the early modern age. It wasnât very convenient for an honorable nobleman to carry around a spear or some other battlefield weapon, so the sword was the proper solution to present yourself in front of the world, but also to protect yourself if attacked. The one who carried a sword needed to master the art of fighting. In the 18th century, that art demanded sharp skills and elegant moves.
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How Did One Optimistic Report From the Stasi Foreshadow the Collapse of Communism?
During the early 80âs, increased tensions marked the new phase of the Cold War. Besides external, the Eastern Bloc countries faced many internal problems as well. The governments of these countries, especially the USSR, tried to spread optimism. But they didnât see (or didnât want to see) that everything would collapse soon. Therefore, itâs interesting to see how the secret reports full of optimism actually revealed the real state of affairs.
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âPublic functionaries alone are exceptedâ: Napoleonâs Passport System in Europe
One of the many ways Napoleon Bonaparte attempted to control populations was the mandating of passports. Passports in various forms have been around for centuries but not in the manner most people associate with them today.
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The Fall of the Iron Curtain in One Photo
A symbolic depiction of the end of the Cold War.
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âNever really subdued nor reconciled to our ruleâ: The 1842 Retreat from Kabul
The massacre of Major General Sir William Elphinstoneâs army and its auxiliaries in early 1842 while attempting to retreat from Kabul, Afghanistan, was a shock to British statesmen and the public. The expeditionary force, many of whom were sent there in 1839 to assert British control, was made up of roughly 700 British soldiers, 3,800 Indian troops, and 14,000 civilians and workers attached to lend it support. Lord Auckland, the Governor General of India, was so shocked upon learning of the disaster that he had a stroke.
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