Japan’s Occupation of Manchuria in 1931 – The Risk of Allowing Aggression

Today, Japan is famous for cheap consumer electronics, fuel-efficient cars, and anime. It’s easy to forget that one hundred years ago it ranked as perhaps the most militarily aggressive nation on earth. Japan’s occupation of Manchuria in 1931 is a case in point. In fact, it’s an easy temptation to compare Japan’s occupation of Manchuria […]

Patriotism vs Nationalism. What’s the Difference? Does it Matter?

Of course the question of patriotism vs nationalism matters. Otherwise, why post about it? The better question, of course, is why the difference matters. That’s what I want to explore today. Patriotism vs Nationalism: What Patriotism Is The definition of patriotism, at its base, is wanting to see one’s country do well. Cheering your national […]

The Spalding World Tour of 1888-1889

The late 1800s was an age of imperialism, and Albert Spalding knew it. Powerful European nations struggled across the globe to carve out colonies and extend their military, economic, and cultural influence to the ends of the earth. America’s industrial interests were doing the same and, in its own way, the game of baseball was, […]