Updating Sir Edward

[steve_holmes_11]

Interesting question.
I'm inspired to look into the time elapsed between the event, and the recognition of its world-changing qualities.

I'll bear three elements in mind:
1. A settling time - did the "land fit for heroes" materialise, was the "great enemy" permantly laid low?
2. The tendency for participants and their promoters to re-write the narrative.
3. The immediate power of (Deep movie trailer voice) - "Nothing would ever be the same again" - our tendency to overestimate the importance of the present.

Won't hijack this thread, but might start another after I've had a dig about my history books.

[fsn]

Interesting question.
I'm inspired to look into the time elapsed between the event, and the recognition of its world-changing qualities.

I'll bear three elements in mind:
1. A settling time - did the "land fit for heroes" materialise, was the "great enemy" permantly laid low?
2. The tendency for participants and their promoters to re-write the narrative.
3. The immediate power of (Deep movie trailer voice) - "Nothing would ever be the same again" - our tendency to overestimate the importance of the present.

Won't hijack this thread, but might start another after I've had a dig about my history books.

This thread had come to a natural end, so hijack away.
Be interested to see your take.

I am surprised that no voices were raised in support of the ACW. 

[Dr Dave]

But you said no ACW?

But if you allow, Most decisive battles (when so many weren't) I'd go for:

Vicksburg - for dooming the Confederacy
Spotsylvania - for demonstrating that the trick is to ignore your defeat and press on. It boosted the Army of the Potomac's resolve and faith in Grant and made the Rebs realise that this was now attritional warfare.
Nashville - possibly the only time a field army broke and ran, so pretty decisive and also left the Deep South at Sherman's (limited) mercy

I've not included Gettysburg since it's obvious who's going to win that one right from the start

[Leman]

I must have been very fortunate to go to a school where the O level syllabus included the First Afghan War, the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, Magenta and Solferino, the ACW and the FPW. However, even with that lot we missed out on Konnigratz. Fortunately my dad bought me the book by Gordon Craig (still on my bookshelf), and Airfix magazine did a series on preparing their figures for the APW (a lot of reliance on WWI Germans as I recall).