In recent years, the terms "revisionism" and "revisionist" have become dirty words. However, revisionism in and of itself has its place and is important for "setting the record straight".
One example of this is in relation to the Titanic.
The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912. The book "The Sinking of the Titanic: Survivor Stories" by Marshall Logan was published later that same year, and drew heavily from interviews and accounts gleaned directly from the survivors of the ordeal. Any books published from that time until 1985 were merely summations or retellings of these eye-witness testimonies.
However, upon discovery of the wreckage of the Titanic in 1985 by the Robert Ballard's Argo/Jason expedition, and Ballard's mapping of the wreckage during the subsequent DSV Alvin expedition in 1986, many details about the events of April 15, 1912 needed revision.
For example, where beforehand it had to be inferred from the varying testimonies of those present, the exact location and the extent of the damage caused by the iceberg was clarified. Also, based on the location of the wreckage, it is now believed that the location given in Titanic's distress signal was inaccurate, which explains why nearby vessels who heard Titanic's distress calls—such as the SS Carpathia—took so long to locate the survivors. These changes were made in new publications about the fate of the grand ship. These are just two examples of a multitude of additional knowledge that was gained from the Titanic wreckage.
Whereas previously books after the publication of the first account in 1912 had little to add, accounts published after 1985 had a fountain of new information to analyze and report. As long as these additions and changes to the accounts from 1912 were accurate and reflected the actual discoveries of the wreckage expeditions, they were not only appropriate, but necessary.
Another example of appropriate revisionism is in regard to the Beer Hall Putsch, a failed coup orchestrated by Hitler.
On November 8, 1923, six hundred and three Nazi SA surrounded the beer hall where Hitler often gave orations and set up a machine gun the auditorium, entrapping several hundred people. The following morning, "[Hitler] led about 2,500-3,000 supporters in the direction of the Bavarian Defense Ministry. On their way, the marchers were blocked by a group of state police officers. The two groups exchanged fire, and four police officers were killed along with 16 Nazis" (History.com).
There is one problem with this account: it was later discovered that one of the sixteen "martyrs", Karl Georg Kuhn, was actually just a bystander. Why then, is he so often seen as a Nazi? Because of Mein Kampf.
After the putsch, Hitler was arrested, tried, convicted, and sent to Landsberg jail. While incarcerated Hitler wrote his infamous book. "By October 16 [1924], Hitler had written and 'signed' the book’s dedication to his sixteen followers who had died during the putsch on November 9, 1923. They were all listed by name, including the sole bystander who had been killed but was appropriated by Hitler into a list of 'martyrs' and would go down in history as a Nazi supporter" (Range, page 249).
Revisionism was needed in this instance to clear the good name of Mr. Kuhn, who was actually a revered protestant minister. It is unfortunate that he was ever associated with the putsch, or considered a Nazi martyr.
It is clear to see that there are many instances where revisionism is accurate and needed. However, "revisionism" that perpetuates falsehoods, is intended to mislead, or is changed to push an agenda is unethical and reprehensible. When this is the case, it is not revisionism, but pure fiction. This happens far too often.
In the coming weeks, I will be expanding on some of the falsehoods that revisionists have told, and how you can avoid falling prey to their dangerous ideologies. It is our duty as Americans to do our own research, to not be blinded by these falsehoods, and to make decisions based on actual historic events.
*Dinesh D'Souza was the first to coin the phrase "Shame Narrative" in his book—and movie by the same title-—America: Imagine the World Without Her".
Sources:
Dinesh D’Souza. America, Imagine the World Without Her.
History.com. Beer Hall Putsch.
Logan Marshall. The Sinking of the Titanic: Survival Stories
Peter Ross Range. 1924: The Year that Made Hitler.
Robert D. Ballard. The Discovery of the Titanic. 1987
Wendell Berry. The Hidden Wound.
No comments:
Post a Comment