Lessons in History

To round out my associates degree, I needed one history course to complete all my electives. Thinking it would be a piece of cake, I signed up for AMERICAN HISTORY 202. My preconceived ideas was that it was going to be about memorizing amendments and various battles and peoples of importance. However, as I course the pages of history once again, in my late thirties, I am starting see more than just the bits and pieces, but the sum total, the "big picture" of all these little dates and facts.

I was particulary overwhelmed by a passage from the 1500's. I wanted to share a section of the book I'm reading called THE AMERICAN PROMISE-A History of the United States-4th Edition, James L. Roaork, Michael P. Johnson, Patricia Cline Cohen, Sarah Stage, Alan Lawson, Susan M. Hartman, Copyright 2009.

"Both Charles V and Phillip II fought wars through out the world during the 16th century. Mexican silver funneled throught the royal treasury into the hands of military suppliers, soldiers and sailors wherever in the world Spanish forces fought. New World treasure was dissipated in military adventures that served the goals of the monarchy but did little to benefit most Spaniards.

In a sense, American wealth made the Spanish monarchy too rich and too powerful among the states of Europe since it fueled grandiose Spanish ambitions. The ambitions of Charles V and Phillip II were so great that the expenses of constant warfare far outstripped the revenues arriving from New Spain. To help meet military expenditures, both kings raised taxes in Spain more than fivefold during the 16th century. Since the nobility, by far the wealthiest class, was exempt from taxation, the burdensome new taxes fell mostly on poor peasants. The ambitions of the monarchy impovershed the vast majority of Spain's population and brought the nation to the brink of bankruptcy. When taxes failed to produce enough revenue to fight its wars, the monarchy borrowed heavily from European bankers. By the end of the 16th century, interest payemnts on royal debts swallowed two-thirds of the crown's annual revenues. In retrospect, the riches from New Spain proved a short-term blessing but a long term curse."

Wow! I could not get over the similarities between our present day situation. I thought our country taught history to avoid making the same mistakes!?! As King Solomon said, "There is nothing new under the sun." He was so right having only few years of history to reflect on.

May we ponder these painful lessons as we vote and make choices for the future of America. May God have mercy on us.