Want to understand the 21st century? Study the 20th century.
If we look at history, we see how it informs today in a profound way. For instance, after centuries of rule by the Czars, the common Russian people, impoverished and with valid grievances,were open to the socialist message of Lenin and Trotsky. The resulting Bolshevik Revolution led to civil war and eventually communist rule. This upheaval allowed a strong man to arise: Joseph Stalin.
Under Stalin’s iron rule, the government encroached on every area of life. Property and businesses were seized. The government tried to socially engineer economic outcomes, and that failed miserably on every hand. Millions of Russians literally starved to death.
Multiple millions died in the gulags.
As the years unfolded, the Russian people suffered in unimaginable ways. 750,000 were executed in The Great Purge. The Great Purge was followed by the horrors of World War II.
Stalin went down in history as one of the most brutal dictators in history. He is likely responsible for more deaths than anyone else in human history – even more than Hitler. Oh, and by the way, Stalin was highly intelligent with a charismatic personality. He had a personal library of 20,000 books – most of which contained his personal notes as he had read them. He was known to read several books per week. He knew exactly what he was doing.
A history lesson is in order with the rising popularity of Socialism in America – especially among our young. The grievances and divisions that give rise to Socialism are not solved by it. Socialism has never in world history delivered what it promises. It will not work this time either.
Not only does Socialism never deliver on its promises, but it has far worse consequences than disappointment. Socialism always ends with poverty, despondency, and, eventually dictatorship where the government controls everything.
Communist Russia broke apart when the Iron Curtain fell. Out of that chaos, freedom did not last long. As the 20th century came to an end, a new Czar was rising, Vladimir Putin. The rise of Socialism had not delivered on a single promise in 100 years of Russian history.
I fear too many people are easily manipulated by social media. Too many people do not know basic history – to our nation’s peril.
gregcorbin.com 