Posted on 09/07/2008 1:11:27 PM PDT by WesternCulture
Articles dealing with two of the greatest military leaders of all time;
- Gustavus Adolphus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustavus_Adolphus
- Charles XII
In contrast to other military leaders, much in favor of using the command “GO!!”, Charles XII had a habit of riding forth and saying to his men:
COME!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_XII
Gustavus Adolphus — yup, in my books, right up there with Marlborough and Arthur Wellesley Duke of Wellington.
Yet, the world’s leading power and that France, Spain, Austria and Holland excersised much of influence over world affairs.”
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They forgot to teach the author about Portugal also.
“They forgot to teach the author about Portugal also.”
- Portugal was rather influential at that time, but only as a colonial power and a bringer of severe inflation to the European Continent through importing gold from South America.
I have been to Portugal and admire the Portugese for several reasons, but I think it’s safe to say that during the period of 1620-1720 (which I deal with above), Sweden did more for the advancement of Western Civilization than Portugal and Spain did.
Secular leaders had little to do with the rise and strength of Protestantism.
The real strength of Protestantism came from the vast and real revivals that came during that time period where thousands upon thousands repented and were born again as new creatures in Christ.
God may have used these two leaders in some sort of tangential way, but it was the Holy Spirit led revivals that changed the world during this time-frame.
Bump.
Portugal was slowly fading as a major force, especially by 1700 but in the 1600’s I think they were still a player.
“Secular leaders had little to do with the rise and strength of Protestantism.”
- Not with the rise and basic strength of Protestantism itself perhaps.
But, never forget the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre (Massacre de la Saint-Barthélemy).
If Sweden wouldn’t have intervened and wouldn’t have laid siege to Germany for 15 years, this part of Europe would definitely have been Catholic today, the Nordic countries probably would’ve been too and perhaps even Britain and the US!
If you asked most Americans, we would say: Sweden is land of the most:
In other words, Sweden is now what America will become, if the Dems achieve a permanent majority.
You want us to remember Gustavus Adolfus and Charles XII?
How about YOU remember your own Viking warrior past -- see if you can find out where your ancestors kept their gonads!
Yikes, the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre! My family had to leave France due to persecution. They ended up in the Netherlands. Lots of them are still there :) We were Hugenots.
“However, if Swedes in general would shut up and admit to ourselves that we, actually, are better at deciding world affairs by competent military intervention than amateur attempts at high-level diplomacy, much could be gained.”
Amen to that. It would be a timely and welcome revelation, considering Putin’s recent activities.
“Portugal was slowly fading as a major force, especially by 1700 but in the 1600’s I think they were still a player.”
- During the 1600’s they still had some influence, I agree, but it can’t be compared to what Gustavus Adolphus accomplished (with the aid of German Protestant sympathizers it ought to be said); namely gaining control of a major part of the European continent in record time, making German cities fall like domino bricks relying on a base consisting of a tiny, at that time backward nation with a population of a mere 1 million.
Being a nation of one million and deciding over the future development of mankind on two occasions within a century is something highly unique.
If you ever happen to come across Peter the Great of Russia or any 17th century Pope anytime in your afterlife, avoid bringing up the topic of Sweden.
“girly men”
- Personally, I’m looking forward to the next time Sweden will take on USA in a hockey rink.
Are you?
mine too...eventually arrived in Charleston but after Nantes a few generations later
“Yikes, the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre! My family had to leave France due to persecution. They ended up in the Netherlands. Lots of them are still there :) We were Hugenots.”
- In general, the Medici family have been promoters of human advancement but the instigation of the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre by Catherine de’ Medici (aka Caterina Maria Romula di Lorenzo de’ Medici) constituted a great crime which never will be forgotten.
Be proud of your Hugenot origin, fellow freeper!
The second is the Battle of Lepanto, in which Catholic naval forces defeated the Ottoman fleet in 1571. After that, the Ottomans focused on trying to take over Europe by land and because of the fragmentation caused by the Protestant revolt, they almost succeeded, if it weren't for King Jan Sobieski and his Flying Hussars defeating them at Vienna in 1683.
With just a cursory look at the Swedish Armed Forces, you can find some kit that is streets ahead of what we have in the UK, and the US.
Ever seen the similarities in design between the Saab Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon? I don’t think its a coincidence.
Working closely with BAE Systems they are producing much of their own weapons and equipment for their forces such as;
* Stridsfordon 90 IFV.
* Saab JAS 39 Gripen.
* Visby Stealth Corvette (streets ahead of what the US is trying)
And they have some hundreds of personnel deployed to Afghanistan as we speak.
“This article omits three great accomplishments that were occurring about the same time on Europe’s southern flank. All three involve Catholic forces defending the continent against Mohammedan hordes. The first is the successful defense of Malta, which led to the Knights of Malta’s naval check against North African pirates. When Napoleon forced the Knights out around the turn of the 19th century, there was power vacuum until the U.S. Navy defeated the Barbary Pirates.”
- I agree these accomplishments to be of major importance, at least from certain angles.
But, ever since the Dark Ages we Europeans have had these troubles with the Mohammedans.
The rise of Protestantism meant something new.
Renaissance Florence and perhaps Pico della Mirandola more than any other intellectual (the only person known to having made Girolamo Savonarola shut up!) paved the way.
BUT, it was the northern European countries, especially Great Britain, who brought about the greatest revolution of all time; namely the revolution of science and industry.
Protestantism goes hand in hand with this accomplishment and Sweden settled the issue once and for all on Northern European soil.
Catholicism was defeated and since then, human progress in the spirit of people (who actually were Catholics) like Pico della Mirandola, Leonardo da Vinci, Coperinicus and Gallileo Gallilei has been our guiding light.
The basic notion behind all of this is the rebel idea of Pico della Mirandola consisting in the belief that God loves humanity so much he actually trusts us with freedom of thought and liberty of action.
and now the pews of the once great Protestant Churches of The Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia, England...are empty as European culture continues to disintegrate.
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