#91 Apr 2015 World Peace - Is It Possible?

As Canadians we have not experienced a global war on our soil. We have gone to battle for democracy in other countries and ultimately to preserve democracy in Canada. Now in 2015 the battle is coming closer but often still feels like the war is not ours.

We had a general understanding about the American Revolutionary War and the Civil War. As we traveled up the east coast of the US we encountered many battlefields, forts and museums conveying local events. Many locations had significant history in both wars.

In St. Augustine, Florida we explored Castillo de San Marcos. Construction of the fort began in 1672 and the fort was in continuous military possession for 251 years until it was deactivated in 1933. It was the scene of hard fought battles during several wars.

Fort Raleigh on Roanoke Island is just west of the Outer Banks, North Carolina.

In 1584 Sir Walter Raleigh sponsored England’s first sustained exploration and settlement of the coast of North America. England wanted to plant its flag in the soil of the New World to reap its treasures, by whatever means. Efforts to find the perfect spot (fertile, defensible, friendly) brought settlers to Roanoke Island. This was the site of the Lost Colonists whose fate has never been discovered.

The earthworks of the first fort have been reconstructed.

During the Civil War, Union forces took the island. Word spread among runaway enslaved persons that on “Roanoke Island you will find safe haven”. The army established a Freedman’s Colony to prepare the liberated slaves for life after the war.

Petersburg, Virginia was the site of a pivotal battle near the end of the Civil War. A video at The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier brings the daily struggles and hardships of the common soldier to life.

My thoughts and heart are with you at home, but my duty lies here with cause and comrade.

In Britain King George III ruled the British Empire as he saw fit. Never having visited most of his empire his laws were based on information from various officials, many who had little or no experience or understanding of the territories involved.

Thirteen American Colonies felt they were being restricted and taxed unfairly. European immigrants to the New World encountered challenges and freedoms that were unheard of in their home countries. Britain ruled the colonies as if they were in old Europe which had been settled for centuries.

Slavery, the most absolute form of involuntary servitude, has been an institution throughout the world since at least 4,000 B.C.

Nearly 10 million Africans were brought to the New World as slaves during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Some were treated with apparent kindness.

Many with cruelty.

Whatever the treatment from their masters, slaves had no freedom of choice.

Based on a true story, "Twelve Years a Slave" is a powerful depiction of slavery - whether born into slavery or shanghaied into slavery.

Ralph and I now have a better understanding of what happened during The American War of Independence and Civil War. Now "war" is more real for us and has generated more questions than answers.

Throughout history man has started wars for many different causes - religious beliefs, ownership of people/property, where and how to live, and many more reasons.

Whatever the justification for the actions of war, it is individual people who bear the consequences of those actions.

What would world peace look like?