Another question...why do they 'Re-enact' the civial war and not ANY OTHER WAR?

[angstlessk]

Like say..the Revolution...or the war to stop all wars...WWI? or the last world war WWII?

hell, let's re enact the Iraq war!...WTF?

[murielm99]

1. I don't think they re-enact it in the South, do they?

It seems like a Northern thing.

[MineralMan]

9. You're kidding, right?

Please tell me you're kidding...

There are reenactments in many places, including many in the South.

Here's a link with a schedule of many of them for 2011. See for yourself:

http://www.sutler.net/

[jwirr]

43. Interesting. I noticed the Michigan one. I wonder if they include the

Native American sharpshooters troop that was part of their history? I have several relatives who were part of the Sharp Shooters.

[Doctor Hurt]

10. sure they do.

Antietam and Fort Sumter are favorite reenactments, I believe.

[malletgirl02]

14. First Battle of Bull Run

or the Battle of Manassas to Southerners was re-enacted yesterday in Manassas, VA. There were also a many events last week and this weekend for the commemorating the 150 anniversary of the battle. At George Washington Ferry Farm, in Fredericksburg, VA there is a re-enactment of the Battle of Fredericksburg. So there are re-enactments in the south.

[Motown_Johnny]

85. honestly?

[RKP5637]

2. They're brainwashed! n/t

[Doctor Hurt]

3. most American's don't want to fly all over Europe

to reenact WWII.

and there are revolutionary war reenactors. But the battles were confined to a pretty small area on the east coast.

[southernyankeebelle]

12. I know in TN they have some sites that you can walk through and men will be

dressed in civil war outfits along with rifles. You can ask them question and they tell you all about how they live. I do think many people still think about the civil war and haven't forgotten it.

[jpak]

4. Because *they* lost and can whup the Yankees in their Obama-hatin' Confederate fantasy world

Those dastardly Yankees!!!111

:rofl:

[Ruby the Liberal]

5. Don't you remember the guy that ran for Congress in Ohio in 2010?

Boehner campaigned for the guy. Right about the time the photos of him in his Nazi re-enactment uniform hit the internet.

WWI and WWII reenactments are huge in some areas of the country.

Edit - here's a link: http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/10/12/candidate.nazi.outfit/index.html

They actually ran this freak against Marcy Kaptur. SMH

[LiberalEsto]

6. Because the south hasn't GOTTEN OVER IT

Seems to me it's a tad neurotic to keep rehashing a 150-year-old war as if it just happened last month.

[sudopod]

22. Well put nt

[enlightenment]

30. Then explain why so many reenactment groups are

in the North - with reenactment Union regiments.

Are they neurotic also - or just the Southerners?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

75. *crickets*

[NICO9000]

7. They like the costumes!

:crazy:

[KittyWampus]

8. There are Re-enactors of other wars. It's a hobby. Google Revolutionary War Reenactments 2011

and you'll get a list of events to go to.

There are also groups that do WW I and also WWII.

There are groups that do Renaissance & Medieval Reenactments etc.

[Baby Bear]

11. Who Cares?

I don't.

[kiva]

13. They do re-enact other wars, a Google check would

be helpful...maybe you could update your OP.

[Posteritatis]

52. Let's not let facts get in the way of a nice head of outrage, now.. (nt)

[MineralMan]

15. They also reenact the Revolutionary war.

Here's a schedule of such reenactments. Go see for yourself:

http://rwfia.org/Schedule.htm

[CleanGreenFuture]

20. The CNHP has Revolutionary War re-enactments.

http://www.nps.gov/colo/index.htm

[sad sally]

16. As George Carlin said, "How is it possible to have a Civil War?" n/t

[MineralMan]

17. Looks like your premise was incorrect on both counts.

Google is your friend.

[defendandprotect]

18. Agree -- Think they keep hoping for a different ending -- ???

[malletgirl02]

19. Colonial Wiliamsburg

In addition to the Revolutionary war, they re-enact general colonial life as well.

[Jane Austin]

21. The costumes are better. . . . . . . . . . . n/t

[Posteritatis]

50. That probably actually is a good chunk of it

I mean, yeah, a lot of them probably have a deep general interest in the period and so on and so forth, but I don't see too much of a difference between Civil War reenactors dressing up or, say, the SCA and other historical or quasi-historical groups.

Someone else in the thread mentioned Legio XII, who do a pretty fantastic job of Roman reenactment - and a proper set of legionary gear does look sorta badass.

[Drale]

23. Because the Civil War happened here in the US

and they do reenact other battles, I've seen Revolutionary war reenactments before.

[muriel_volestrangler]

24. Hard to find people who want to play the Nazis, or other bad guys

but horribly easy to find people happy to play the slave-defending army. Because "it was about states' rights". :eyes:

War re-enactment in England is mainly our Civil War too, FWIW.

Having said that, wasn't there a Repub politician who did like dressing up as some German WW2 brigade?

Ah, yes ; Rich Iott http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/why-is-this-gop-house-candidate-dressed-as-a-nazi/64319/

Iott lost. :D

[BiggJawn]

86. No it's not.

Shows how much you know, never been to a WWII reenactment, I gather?

[Davis_X_Machina]

25. How about the Gallic Wars...

...Legio XXIV ready for action.

[Confusious]

65. Does that include

Lego XXIV?

[BiggJawn]

87. Why the Gaul of those guys...

Did they have a guy as Asterix?

[WinkyDink]

26. Because BOTH SIDES were FROM and fought HERE? Just a thought . (Ever watch "Gone With the Wind"?)

[Warren DeMontague]

27. Because there's not a whole hell of a lot else you can do with a set of mutton chops.

[The Straight Story]

28. Because some people love history, and people do rre-enact other wars

As others have noted.

Now there is a problem with re-enacting other wars (Vietnam, WW2, etc) because those were not all on US soil.

Seems pretty simple really.

[Initech]

29. I think there's people in the south who believe if they reenact it enough...

They will change the outcome. Kind of like that one episode of South Park.

[kiva]

33. Then why do Americans reenact the Revolutionary War?

:shrug:

[stellanoir]

31. We have plenty of Revolutionary War antics in the NE.

Fife & Drum Corps, Tri Cornered Hats (sans tea bags), muskets, and all the assorted regalia.

Someone told me that one can get thrown out for wearing underwear or shades. Historical authenticity is a *must*.

Can't corroborate that info though.

Strange folk indeed.

Or as we like to say around here, "Only the finest in inbreeding."

Sadly, we glorify wars in all sorts of horrific ways in this once and maybe future fair land.

[BlueCheese]

102. I've seen clips of those re-enactments.

However, I have to ask how they know if you're wearing underwear?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

32. The War of 1812 would be fun

but Secret Service would frown on burning the White House every year or so.

I could get talked into a re-enactment of the 1813 Battle of York. It's fun to visit Toronto.

:hi:

[Odin2005]

44. LOL, get a Canadian riled up over the War of 1812 if you want some good fun!

"You fuckers burnt Washington!"
"That's payback for you assholes razing Toronto!"

:rofl:

[Posteritatis]

47. I was at a talk by Senator Dallaire a couple years ago...

He's from Quebec, so there's, ah, a bit of a rivalry between there and Toronto (or Ontario in general).

"So then we went down there and burned Washington. I don't see why they were so upset about it! As far as we were concerned it was repaying the kindness they did to us when they sacked York!"

[Odin2005]

71. LOL!

[cordelia]

34. Why would you or anyone else care

unless you choose to participate?

[Shandris]

35. 'Living History' is easier for a disinterested populace to glean details from.

You'd be amazed the kinds of people, people who wouldn't be caught dead picking up a History book, who suddenly are VERY interested in what happened when in the middle of a Living Gettysburg tour. If you've never done one (no, its not a war re-enactment, although they have those in Gettysburg also), you have absolutely no clue what you're talking about.

Not everything about the South is about holding slaves, just as not everything about the North was about freeing them. I find racists to be despicable, but godDAMN do we cast that aspersion EVERYWHERE.

[JVS]

36. I've seen reenactors for the French and Indian War in western PA...

because it's part of local history. I imagine that up in New England they have rev war reenactors. After the civil war, the weapons of warfare became too complicated and elaborate for credible reenactment. WWI reenactment would require digging trenches and simulating something like a 3 day artillery bombardment would be odd. I've heard of WWII reenactment, but one would have to limit things to small scale clashes without tanks and airplanes.

[Bunny]

63. Penn's Colony in Saxonburg is an annual festival where the focus in on the time

of the French and Indian War. It's all period costumes, and re-enactments of that war. It's pretty cool.


http://www.pennscolony.com/history.html

[TheMightyFavog]

66. There are WWII tanks and other vehicles in private hands...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9cxiZyYPmw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UanUEfC8f-4

[JVS]

91. Yeah, but you aren't exactly going to get the battle of Kursk going on.

[neverforget]

37. They re-enact the Battle of the Little Big Horn every year too

[jmowreader]

79. Who has to be Custer?

[BiggJawn]

88. The guy in the Arrow shirt... n/t

[jmowreader]

99. My best Custer joke

Custer and his troops were riding out to the Battle of Little Big Horn. Custer wanted to know what was on the other side of a ridge, so he sent one of his scouts ahead.

The guy comes back in two hours, reports in and says "Sir, I have good news and bad news."

'What's the bad news?'

"Sir, there are about a hundred thousand Indians on the other side of that ridge," the scout reported. "They're loaded for bear. We're all going to die."

'After hearing that, what could be good news?'

"The good news is, we don't have to go back to Fort Riley."

[rox63]

38. We've got Revolutionary War reenactments all over the place here in New England

Probably because a lot of the early war happened here.

[Odin2005]

39. They DO reenact the Revolutionary War.

Both took place on American soil, which is why reenacting them is popular.

[AsahinaKimi]

40. Maybe because its easier to get a Horse than a Tank?

Just sayin...

[frogmarch]

41. I know what you mean. Like you, I don't get

why some people are interested in things I'm not interested in.

War re-enactors, yeah, what's with them? Same with Internet gamers, people who like to fish, snow skiiers, crocheters of doilies - I don't get any of them either.

[kestrel91316]

42. I am personally aware of WW II AND Revolutionary War re-enacting. FWIW.

[ThomWV]

45. Sick fucks who adore war should be sent to fight in real ones.

[Ezlivin]

46. I help reenact the Cold War

It's a hell of a lot easier and I don't even have to get out into the weather.

[BiggJawn]

89. But you have to spend a lot of time under your desk, yes?

Head between the knees and a special room in the basement?

[MadHound]

48. Umm, they do have Revolutionary War reenactments.

They are pretty popular back East. Heck, they even have an entire town, Williamsburg, devoted to Revolutionary reenactment.

Then there is the Society for Creative Anachronisms, SCA. SCA is, technically, the largest militia group in the US and the largest reenactment group as well. They do Medieval and Renaissance reenactment, whacking away at each other with rattan or real swords and other weapons.

As far as reenacting WWI or WWII, or other such modern wars, well, I imagine that the reason there is no such large scale reenactment is sheer expense. With older reenactment scenarios, people can generally afford to outfit themselves as Civil War, medieval, or Revolutionary soldiers, but given the mechanization and technology of twentieth century wars, it would be prohibitively expensive to outfit oneself for twentieth century war. Sure, you can knit yourself a set of chainmail armor, or build a replica of a Civil War rifle, but it's damn hard, even for the most dedicated, to come up with a working replica of a Sopwith Camel or Sherman tank.

But don't give up, where there is a will, there will be a way, and who knows, in a few decades we might see the annual turn out for the reenacting of D-Day exceed the annual turnout for Pennsic:shrug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

51. There is a HUGE one each year in the OP's home state, just up

the road from Detroit.


Also, they do tons of French/Indian, War of 1812 reenactments at Mackinaw Island...also in the OP's home state.

[ScreamingMeemie]

49. The Revolutionary War is re-enacted every year, just a few miles north of your house...

Every year, Huckleberry Railroad and Crossroads Village does a massive re-enactment that is amazing to see. It makes me very sad that native Michiganders don't know the awesomeness that their own state holds.

[treestar]

53. Only pre-flying wars are re-enactable

I mean we can't have those historic re-enactors flying WWI or II era planes around, can we? Don't give these people ideas.

[Posteritatis]

62. Those happen now and then

I know there's some people who still take replica WWI aircraft - or in a couple of ridiculous cases, original airframes - up now and then, though that's more about the flying hobby than reenactments.

(Saw a video once of a Sopwith Camel and a Spitfire flying in formation for awhile - it was only barely possible physically. Incredible how much changed in twenty years.)

[treestar]

105. Oh goodness!

Takes guts to go up in a plane designed for that era!

[Posteritatis]

110. And I found the video in question!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6PnKUEFX8g

Just get a load of how the thing was acting while it was idling on the ground, never mind in the air.

[treestar]

113. and the noise!

As he said, you could hear it coming! That would be in your ears the whole flight!

[cali]

54. there are lots of Revolutionary War re-enactments. They happen here pretty frequently.

[JoePhilly]

55. They fantasize about changing the outcome.

[Philippine expat]

56. Actually there are re-enactments of most wars n/t

[laruemtt]

57. they're not very evolved? n/t

[Kievan Rus]

58. There's a lot of re-enactments of the American Revolutionary War

[nemo137]

59. They do.

My local history museum does Civil War Days, WWII Days, some kind of pioneer thing, and another living history site in the area does French and Indian and Revolutionary War reenactment. I've seen photos from Vietnam War reenactments and even Spanish Civil War ones. And that's just in the States. The UK does English Civil War and Napoleonic War reenactments, which are also fairly common on the continent, as are Roman and Medieval/Early Modern reenacting groups.

[Raine]

60. The Civil War is popular among American historians because it was fought on American soil.

Every single battle was in the US. American tourists are able visit all the battlefields easier than having to go to other countries.

I don't have a problem with it, I'm just glad that some Americans are interested in history that much. All kinds of wars are re-enacted, even medieval ones.

[Lucinda]

61. As you have seen in this thread, there are lots of others...and there are the SCA people

who relive pre-17th century European history. It's a history geek thing. I have friends who have done the SCA thing for years now.

[SmileyRose]

64. There are Revolutionary battle re-enactments quite frequently

A small portion of the population gets a kick out of playing dress up and pretending to live in another era for awhile. Enough of them to make a group. The joy for them isn't the WAR, it's the dress up and history.

Other wars have museums dedicated to them that re-enact in some fashion or another. Mighty Eight museum in Pooler Georgia is a fairly good one.

[The Hitman]

67. We should start renacting the Trojan War

That would actually be a lot of fun. Lengthy, but fun.

[ScreamingMeemie]

69. My next door neighbor reenacts Star Wars...kid you not.

He's part of a Stormtrooper battalion and everything. He's a huge nerd, but they're terrific neighbors.

[The Hitman]

90. Wow

Are there actual battles in the series that he reinacts (like with the EWOKs)? Or is this some kind of niche LARPing?

[ScreamingMeemie]

100. I've never been to one.

I'll have to ask him. He's got a website. I'll see if I can find it for you. His collection is vast and impressive.

[The Hitman]

112. haha

I'd love to see it, just for the pure hilarity of it all.

[spanone]

68. well, in the 60's we had a teevee show called 'hogan's heroes'

about how much fun it really was in those german prisoner of war camps....we loves our wars

[eShirl]

70. AYRTS? IA?

[Chan790]

72. Actually there are a lot of Revolutionary War re-enactors too.

My best friend from Freshman year of college is one, this is his group in NJ: http://outwatersmilitia.com/

The main problem with Rev. War re-enacting is that many of the most prominent battle sites were right outside the major east coast cities then...now they're developed land.

[Kaleva]

73. Here's a link to Imperial Rome reenactment groups in the US

http://www.romanempire.net/romepage/Links/roman_reenactment_groups.htm

[Marrah_G]

74. They re-enact alot of different wars

It's history buffs.

people have alot of different interests, not all of which we individually understand.

[AngryAmish]

76. They used to re-enact WWI in Soldier Field.

Thankfully, Dr. Herbert West was not there.

[Kaleva]

77. They continue to reenact the Huns sacking of Rome at every Eagles home game.

J/K! :)

[pipi_k]

78. hahahahahah!!! n/t

[Obamanaut]

80. There are reenactments of the US "civial" (sic) war in various places

in Europe - google can be your friend.

Others too!

Usually they are single battle reenactments, rather than the entire period.

[Nye Bevan]

81. There's this great tool called Google! You should try it sometimes!

[csziggy]

82. There are groups that re-enact American Revolutionary battles

http://www.revwar.com/reenact/master_list.html
http://www.friendsofmonmouth.org/reenactment.html

Whiskey Rebellion
http://www.livingpittsburgh.com/2011/05/18th-century-military-re-enactment/

War of 1812
http://www.mississinewa1812.com/

Mexican War
http://www.19th-century-us-history.com/event-calandar/mexican-war/index.shtml
http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/About_Us/News_and_Events/2011_San_Jacinto_Festival/

Spanish American War
http://www.spanamwar.com/reenct.htm

WWI
http://www.great-war-assoc.org/

WWII
http://www.reenactor.net/forums/index.php/page,17.html


It is not just the US that has re-enactments of various wars:
UK Re-enactments:
http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/LivingHistory.htm

Roman Army
http://www.romanarmy.net/

Puerto Rico
http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/battle-1797-reenactment-2011/

Ukraine
http://www.military-heritage.com/2011/02/historical-re-enactment-growing-world-wide/

Canada
http://www.imuc.org/

Portugal
http://peninsularwar200.org/

[LibertyLover]

83. Actually you are very wrong - there are re-enactors for many other wars

World War I, World War II, Vietnam, Korea,the American Revolution, the French Revolution,the English Civil War, the Napoleonic Wars, including the War of 1812, the French and Indian War, the Indian Wars, Japanese wars, Renaissance wars, medieval wars, Roman and Greek. I don't know of any Etruscan, Egyptian, Mesoamerican or Chinese, but that's probably because I'm not as wired into the reenacting community as my husband. There are lots of re-enactors for other wars besides the American Civil War.

[BiggJawn]

84. My daughter is a WWII reenactor

Sometimes she's a war correspondent, sometimes she's Russian sniper.

there's even SPARTANS!!!!

[krispos42]

92. Let me put it this way...

My kid's not on a Civil War motorcycle.

[DainBramaged]

93. I'm sorry, re-enacting killing your own countrymen is barbaric and unworthy of further comment.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

94. Only Civil War duds come in elastic waistbands?

[Original_Redstone]

95. WWII

I've been to a couple of places that does WWII re enactments BIG time. all in Paintball.

They have people then spend thousands on it. they make tanks, land mines artillery etc. The only part they havent started is airforces

[JHB]

96. Um, "they" DO reenact other wars...

American Revolution, English Civil War, assorted bits of the Thirty Years War, WW1, WW2, Vikings, Romans, Samurai....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_reenactment

[Original_Redstone]

97. Video

Here a teaser, it doesn't get interesting till a minute in tho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_dERoTis5Y&

[Stinky The Clown]

98. Google "reenactors" and you will find that other wars are also reenacted

True enough, the Civil War is the most reenacted, but most wars have active groups of reenactors.

[susanna]

101. One of the more interesting things I've seen...

Was the replica of Fort William Henry in upstate NY. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and regaled us with many tales of the French-Indian Wars in his home setting. I was ecstatic to find someone with such a mind and passion for history.

As for the Civil War, I happen to be from the first generation of my family born in the north. My ancestors settled widely throughout the south, and it was only mass production of automobiles which brought my parents here as children. I have heard stories from all sides; and for all that, I find the Civil War re-enactments to be a way to learn from our shared history as a nation. As a matter of fact, I find striking parallels to our modern dilemma of division and rancor between political factions.

I am a weird history geek, I guess. But I have always loved the quote: "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." I consider myself one of those trying not to be doomed.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

103. Not many battles to re-enact in Michigan, but

two "named" battles were fought during the war of 1812. One at a fort on Mackinac Island, the other on the shore of Lake Erie.

Info on Lake Erie (Battle of Raisin River)
http://www.riverraisinbattlefield.org/lacroixs2.htm

My understanding of the Mackinac battle: We declared war on England/Canada, but word was slow to get to Mackinac, so the U.S. forces didn't know about the declaration.
Here's how I would script the re-enactment:
Guys in fort: Hey, you on that boat: Are you friend or foe?
Guys in boat: We're Canadians, eh. We bring good beer.
Guys in fort: Beer? Ok, then, we have some venison steaks, come ashore.
Guys in boat: Hah! We fooled you. You're all prisoners. Drop your weapons and hand over those steaks.
After five minutes of re-enactment, all are friends again, and much beer and venison is consumed.

[onenote]

104. Why do some people post without checking facts?

There are reenactments of the Revolutionary War. It would have taken you ten seconds to figure that out.

[Scout]

106. there are Revolutionary War re-enactors n/t

[aikoaiko]

107. Your premise is incorrent, Some do reenact other wars like the Revolutionary War.

So a better question is why do you think some Americans only reenact the Civil War and not others?

[dipsydoodle]

108. Nostalgia for times gone by.

For many its putting a hobby put to use.

[WilliamPitt]

109. A very good friend of mine is a Revolutionary War re-enactor

He dons the whole outfit, musket and all, and performs with his group at various festivals and events.

So.

[mmonk]

111. Because it hasn't ended yet.