There are many sayings about revolutions, but my favorite is simply, “Revolutions are messy.” This seems to sum up the majority of the world’s revolutions, despite who wins or loses. The problem for Americans is that our Revolution was easy compared to most, so we tend to think all revolutions are as easy. If … Continue reading Revolutions are Messy
Author: James Finck
Dr. James W. Finck was raised in the shadows of history in the great state of Virginia. Growing up it was difficult to travel too far without running into a monument or battlefield from the Revolutionary or Civil War. In this environment, Finck developed a love for studying the past and from his youth knew that he wanted to make it his life’s work. Finck received a B.A. from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. He then studied under James I. Robertson and William C. Davis at Virginia Tech, while earning a Master’s degree. Finally, he received his Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas, under the direction of Daniel Sutherland. For five years, Finck taught at the University of Texas-Pan American before accepting his current position as American Historian at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in 2011. At a small liberal arts institution, Finck considers himself a generalist in history, but his specialties are the Civil War and American Politics. Finck has established himself in Oklahoma with the creation of the Oklahoma Civil War Symposium, which has brought in leading Civil War scholars for the past eight years, and he has spoken at many venues around Oklahoma, especially working with the Honey Spring Battlefield. Finck is the author of Divided Loyalties: Kentucky’s Struggle for Armed Neutrality in the Civil War, as well as Images of America: Chickasha. Finck is also the author of the syndicated newspaper column “Historically Speaking.”
McGirt V. Oklahoma
I am fortunate to have guest writers every so often. George Burnett was Assistant Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma and is uniquely qualified to write on the recent Supreme Court decision of McGirt v. Oklahoma. Issue: Whether the State of Oklahoma had jurisdiction to prosecute Jimcy McGirt in state court or whether … Continue reading McGirt V. Oklahoma
Historical Forgiveness
I study history because I think we can benefit from learning from mistakes of those before us. Why make mistakes that others have already made? It may seem odd to look at the Middle East, a region that has struggled with freedom and peace. Yet, historically speaking, I believe there is something we can … Continue reading Historical Forgiveness
4th of July
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. These words were accepted by our Continental Congress 244 days ago today and no words have ever been more important. … Continue reading 4th of July
Class Notes
My summer semester has come to an end so for the time being this will be my last class note. I may still post something from time to time, and will post my Historically Speaking column, but the daily postings will not start again until my semester starts in August. This fall I am teaching … Continue reading Class Notes
Class Notes
In 1969, Nixon announced the Nixon Doctrine, meaning that the US would no longer lead the defense of the rest of the world. We would provide a nuclear umbrella, but allies would have to defend themselves. This was the same time he was pulling troops out of Vietnam and telling the South Vietnamese they would … Continue reading Class Notes
Class Notes
Before the release of Hamilton this week on Disney+ there are a few historical facts that should be known. The real Alexander Hamilton is the most important Founding Father when it comes to the creation of the United States. However, he was also was also an elitist who wanted a King and did not support … Continue reading Class Notes
Class Notes
Music played a major part in the counterculture movement in the 1960s. One of the most successful American bands at the time was the Beach Boys, but they were not taken seriously as other artists. The Beach Boys mostly sang about surfing, cars, and girls. Brian Wilson, possibly the most brilliant American musician of all … Continue reading Class Notes
Class Notes
In George W. Bush’s book Decision Points, he said his greatest regret was the mission accomplished banner on the USS Abraham Lincoln. It was something that has haunted him ever since. Bush’s mistake is reminiscent of President Johnson trying to calm America’s fears over the Vietnam War, telling them they were winning and the war … Continue reading Class Notes
Class Notes
Ho Chi Mihn has a more complicated history than most know. He was in France and became a supporter of President Wilson after WWI. He particularly liked Wilson’s self-determination, or the concept that all people should govern themselves. He later fought alongside the US in World War II against the Japanese. He became disillusioned with … Continue reading Class Notes
