Category: A Rationale
Posted by: Admin
Unsurprisingly the history featuring here reflects my history, the history I have studied and that of those I have come in contact with. It is therefore specific, subjective as to topic, perhaps eclectic and ever changing. History is another window to look through in the search for understanding and explanation....
Category: British Empire
Posted by: Admin
Donald MacRaild admires a novel account of the rise of the Anglo-world
Recent years have seen a growing vogue for examining a vast geographical unit called "the British World", whose primary adhesives are the English language and a shared inheritance of cultural stock from Britain and Ireland. Yet many historians have a problem with the British World as a concept. Whereas the British Empire has a well-established meaning, even if it is impossible to capture its full range in a single volume, does the British World, as a shared anglophone culture zone, have the same purchase?
On reading James Belich's massive analytical interpretation, we must conclude that it does have meaning, but only if it is rolled up into a still larger entity: the Anglophone World.
Recent years have seen a growing vogue for examining a vast geographical unit called "the British World", whose primary adhesives are the English language and a shared inheritance of cultural stock from Britain and Ireland. Yet many historians have a problem with the British World as a concept. Whereas the British Empire has a well-established meaning, even if it is impossible to capture its full range in a single volume, does the British World, as a shared anglophone culture zone, have the same purchase?
On reading James Belich's massive analytical interpretation, we must conclude that it does have meaning, but only if it is rolled up into a still larger entity: the Anglophone World.
Category: History making
Posted by: Admin
This debate is important.... I would, for America, read - western economies generally.......
July 3, 2009 nyt
Op-Ed Columnist
On July Fourth, we think about our country and its future. But these days it’s impossible to think about America and its future role in the world without also thinking about China. This was the subject of a combative discussion this week at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
The agent provocateur was Niall Ferguson of Harvard. China and the U.S., he argued, used to have a symbiotic relationship and formed a tightly integrated unit that he calls Chimerica.
July 3, 2009 nyt
Op-Ed Columnist
On July Fourth, we think about our country and its future. But these days it’s impossible to think about America and its future role in the world without also thinking about China. This was the subject of a combative discussion this week at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
The agent provocateur was Niall Ferguson of Harvard. China and the U.S., he argued, used to have a symbiotic relationship and formed a tightly integrated unit that he calls Chimerica.
23/01: Just the beginning
Category: History making
Posted by: Admin
The Obama inauguration, viewed from the distant and somewhat English shores of New Zealand seemed an extraordinary event - vast attendance, U.S. national astonishment at the feat of racial equality it appeared to symbolise, unparalleled belief in the capacity of a government led by this man to lift the U.S. (if not the world) from its current economic woes and a passionate energy not seen since the Kennedy years - before a single thing has been done.
New meaning is lent to the term "peaking early". Much as the great majority would no doubt love to see this presidency unfold into the life saving endeavour its commencement touts it as, it is difficult to see this as anything but the peak - it can't be upstaged - surely only negatives can follow. A great pity given the sincerity of the passion being poured into the expectation - or is it so high that, in fact, Obama can do no wrong... or at least will never be seen as having done anything wrong any more than Lincoln will ever be seen as a one time slave owner.
New meaning is lent to the term "peaking early". Much as the great majority would no doubt love to see this presidency unfold into the life saving endeavour its commencement touts it as, it is difficult to see this as anything but the peak - it can't be upstaged - surely only negatives can follow. A great pity given the sincerity of the passion being poured into the expectation - or is it so high that, in fact, Obama can do no wrong... or at least will never be seen as having done anything wrong any more than Lincoln will ever be seen as a one time slave owner.
Category: History making
Posted by: Admin
(CNN) -- Barack Obama told supporters that "change has come to America" as he claimed victory in a historic presidential election.
"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you -- we as a people will get there," Obama said in Chicago, Illinois, before an estimated crowd of up to 240,000 people.
With Obama's projected win, he will become the first African-American to win the White House.
Obama had an overwhelming victory over Sen. John McCain, who pledged Tuesday night to help Obama lead. Video Watch Obama pay tribute to McCain »
"Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much, and tonight, I remain her servant," McCain said.
McCain called Obama to congratulate him, and Obama told the Arizona senator he was eager to sit down and talk about how the two of them can work together.
President Bush also called Obama to offer his congratulations.
Bush told Obama he was about to begin one of the great journeys of his life, and invited him to visit the White House as soon as it could be arranged, according to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.
Obama will be working with a heavily Democratic Congress. Democrats picked up Senate seats in New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia, among others.
"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you -- we as a people will get there," Obama said in Chicago, Illinois, before an estimated crowd of up to 240,000 people.
With Obama's projected win, he will become the first African-American to win the White House.
Obama had an overwhelming victory over Sen. John McCain, who pledged Tuesday night to help Obama lead. Video Watch Obama pay tribute to McCain »
"Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much, and tonight, I remain her servant," McCain said.
McCain called Obama to congratulate him, and Obama told the Arizona senator he was eager to sit down and talk about how the two of them can work together.
President Bush also called Obama to offer his congratulations.
Bush told Obama he was about to begin one of the great journeys of his life, and invited him to visit the White House as soon as it could be arranged, according to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.
Obama will be working with a heavily Democratic Congress. Democrats picked up Senate seats in New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia, among others.
Incredible images of urban yesteryear in the U.S.
12/07: Violent Victoria
Category: British Empire
Posted by: Admin
"Victoria’s Wars", Saul David, Penguin Books, London 2007
Where Saul David’s book of unparalleled detail, “the Indian mutiny” tended to almost bog down in (undoubtedly accurate and carefully researched), detail, Victoria’s Wars strikes absolutely the right balance between historical research and pace.
Where Saul David’s book of unparalleled detail, “the Indian mutiny” tended to almost bog down in (undoubtedly accurate and carefully researched), detail, Victoria’s Wars strikes absolutely the right balance between historical research and pace.
02/07: Largest Settlement to Date
Category: History making
Posted by: Admin
Treelords a first step for Tuhoe
By TIM DONOGHUE - The Dominion Post | Thursday, 26 June 2008
The Tuhoe people came in from the Urewera mist to Parliament and signed their first agreement with any government.
Tamati Kruger, senior Tuhoe signatory for the $500 million central North Island forestry deal which seven iwi signed at Parliament yesterday, went out of his way to play down the significance of the tribe's first deal with a government.
By TIM DONOGHUE - The Dominion Post | Thursday, 26 June 2008
The Tuhoe people came in from the Urewera mist to Parliament and signed their first agreement with any government.
Tamati Kruger, senior Tuhoe signatory for the $500 million central North Island forestry deal which seven iwi signed at Parliament yesterday, went out of his way to play down the significance of the tribe's first deal with a government.
Category: History making
Posted by: Admin
Humans reached New Zealand no earlier than AD1280, much later than previously indicated...
The following sits in the history page because of its importance in N.Z. history. But the story is as interesting in terms of problems in explanation as it is in and of itself.
"Radiocarbon dating of the bones of Pacific rat, kiore, suggests the first Maori settlers arrived no earlier than that date.
Previous dating of rat bones had suggested that human contact took place about 200BC. Project leader Janet Wilmshurst, from Landcare Research, says the rats must have come with people on board canoes because they cannot swim far.
Dr Wilmshurst says the findings are supported by evidence such as rat-gnawed seeds, archaelogical sites and Maori whakapapa. She says the technique will be used in other countries in the Pacific to establish human settlement there accurately.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand
Now to the explanatory problems.....
The following sits in the history page because of its importance in N.Z. history. But the story is as interesting in terms of problems in explanation as it is in and of itself.
"Radiocarbon dating of the bones of Pacific rat, kiore, suggests the first Maori settlers arrived no earlier than that date.
Previous dating of rat bones had suggested that human contact took place about 200BC. Project leader Janet Wilmshurst, from Landcare Research, says the rats must have come with people on board canoes because they cannot swim far.
Dr Wilmshurst says the findings are supported by evidence such as rat-gnawed seeds, archaelogical sites and Maori whakapapa. She says the technique will be used in other countries in the Pacific to establish human settlement there accurately.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand
Now to the explanatory problems.....
Category: History making
Posted by: Admin
The Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and China (NZ-China FTA) was signed on the 7th of April 2008 in Beijing, bringing to the end a negotiation process that spanned fifteen rounds over three years.
New Zealand is the first developed country to negotiate a free trade agreement with China.
Securing preferential access to China's economy has the potential to deliver significant gains to our exporters. It is the fastest growing major economy, currently growing at 9.5 percent per annum. China is our fourth largest trading partner, taking over $1.6 billion of New Zealand's merchandise exports and over $1 billion of services. China's middle class is now estimated to be more than 100 million people and growing - which will fuel the demand for New Zealand's agricultural products. There should also be gains to New Zealand's manufacturers and services operators.
Other countries are also lining up to negotiate preferential trade agreements with China. New Zealand's negotiations with China will keep our exporters in the 'game' and help defend existing market shares - particularly in areas where China is already New Zealand's largest international customer - such as milk powder, wool and education.
New Zealand is the first developed country to negotiate a free trade agreement with China.
Securing preferential access to China's economy has the potential to deliver significant gains to our exporters. It is the fastest growing major economy, currently growing at 9.5 percent per annum. China is our fourth largest trading partner, taking over $1.6 billion of New Zealand's merchandise exports and over $1 billion of services. China's middle class is now estimated to be more than 100 million people and growing - which will fuel the demand for New Zealand's agricultural products. There should also be gains to New Zealand's manufacturers and services operators.
Other countries are also lining up to negotiate preferential trade agreements with China. New Zealand's negotiations with China will keep our exporters in the 'game' and help defend existing market shares - particularly in areas where China is already New Zealand's largest international customer - such as milk powder, wool and education.
Ministry Foreign Affairs and Trade
