He who controls the past commands the future

In George Orwell‘s classic novel 1984 the world is in a state of perpetual war. Alliances between the three great empires come and go even though the people in former England believe there is only one true enemy – there always has been and there always will be. The party has the power to change this forever-enemy on a day-to-day basis, though.

Big Brother’s party controls the past in Orwell’s dystopia. Controlling the press, controlling every written word and controlling all other forms of media (would there have been an internet?) through the ministry of truth eliminates every possible point of reference for citizens and party members. You know the world was different yesterday. There is no way to prove it.

History is our only means for understanding both today and the future. Understanding history – even though we all believe in our own series of accounts – is vital to politics, international relations and social life today. Let’s see if we can dig up some interesting stuff on history at this place. Welcome.