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Blood Rites

Blood Rites. Origins and History of the Passions of War Barbara Ehrenreich. Why have humans been drawn to war?. Ecstasy of War. Rational undertaking Continuation of policy. Ecstasy of War. Two theories of war Means to seek and advance interests Primitive violent drive. Ecstasy of War.

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Blood Rites

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  1. Blood Rites Origins and History of the Passions of War Barbara Ehrenreich

  2. Why have humans been drawn to war?

  3. Ecstasy of War • Rational undertaking • Continuation of policy

  4. Ecstasy of War • Two theories of war • Means to seek and advance interests • Primitive violent drive

  5. Ecstasy of War • Hand to hand • See enemy face to face • Fight or Flight response • Using large muscles, heart rate increases • Emotions and passions flow

  6. Ecstasy of War • Long Distance • Less personal • Don’t see the enemy • Push a button • Keep cool, steady, and aim

  7. Ecstasy of War • There is no standard warfare personality type • Much of war is preparation and waiting • Men have avoided going to war

  8. Sacred Meat • Blood sacrifice was a religious ritual • Ritual shared by all ancient religions • Demonstrations of power to kill • Sacrifice would channel aggressive energy • Instead of killing one another they would kill the victim • Intimidate the masses

  9. True Mark of the Beast • Hunting is bred in our genes • Humans have no natural defenses like other land animals • Large brains • Allowed for tool making • Strategize • Coordinate as a group

  10. True Mark of the Beast • Opposing Theory • Man received major sustenance from gathering • Diet contained little meat • Ate meat left over from animal kills • Protection if the predator came back to the kill site

  11. True Mark of the Beast • Two overlapping eras • Man was prey • Man became predator • Developed distance weapons, such as the bow and arrow 15,000 years ago • Became the most dominant predator

  12. The Rebellion Against the Beast • Defense against predators • Fight or flight response • Safety and strength in numbers • Groups pull together by external threats • World War I • September 11

  13. A Rough Male Sport • First evidence of war was 12,000 years ago • Roots come from conflict with animals • Possible decline of game forced humans to war • Turned to agriculture and herds • Raids for sustenance

  14. A Rough Male Sport • Bands of men (eventually armies) would raid agriculture and herds • Revenge became a motivator • Either fight back or be annihilated • Enhance warrior status in the community • Defined manhood • Woman’s status began to decline

  15. Warrior Elite • Feudal system in Japan and Europe • Warrior depended on non-warrior • Grow the food, make the armor and sword, take care of the horses • Warrior would protect community in exchange

  16. Warrior Elite • Another option was to raid and rob communities for support (Mongols) • Warriors find adventure, camaraderie, emotions, proof of manhood, territory, loot, and honor in death • Special warrior lineage

  17. Sacralization of War • Killing meant facing God’s wrath • Invaders of Europe began changing the mind of the church • Crusades in the holy land • Crusades against heretics

  18. Guns and Democratization • New technology and tactics changed warfare • Opponents were further away • Able to increase the size of the fighting force • Bows and arrows and guns leveled the playing field • Foot soldier became important • Drills became integral part of training

  19. Guns and Democratization • Effects of the Revolutionary War • Guerrilla tactics instead of marching and firing on command • Rise of nationalism (patriotism) • Effectiveness of killing with a gun • Everyman could be a warrior • Rise of nations

  20. War Worship-Germany • Nazism was closest thing to nationalism religion • Nazi holidays • Mien Kampf was the bible • Oath taking paralleled religious rites • Infused state symbols into religion • Swastika • Hitler believed he was a messiah

  21. War Worship-Japan • Shinto became national religion • Patriotism became intertwined with Shinto • Nation body with citizens willing to give their lives • Samurai code- honor in death • War dead are worshipped as gods

  22. War Worship- United States • America displays patriotism which is unique from nationalism • Separate church and state prevents infusing state symbol with religion • Special holidays, parades, flag, etc.

  23. Further Evolution of War in the 20th Century • War persists • It’s not dying, but transforming • More lethal than ever • Anyone can purchase military supplies • Hollywood glorifies war • Gun is user friendly • Gender differences are slowly fading • War instills passions • Courage, altruism, and belonging to something larger than ourselves

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