10 Mistakes Humanity Tragically Repeated
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VOICE OVER: Peter DeGiglio
WRITTEN BY: Joshua Garvin
These mistakes continue to rear their ugly heads. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at the worst errors that seem to have been repeated over and again throughout human history. Our countdown of mistakes humankind tragically repeated includes Empiralist Misadventures Turn Into Quagmires, Republics Falling to Tyranny, Pandemics, and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the worst errors that seem to have been repeated over and again throughout human history.
For the English-speaking world, the 20th century began with one imperialist quagmire, the Boer War, and was, in part, defined by another, the Vietnam War. Both saw powerful nations – the UK and U.S. – seeking to impose control over smaller, resistant countries, driven by strategic and economic interests. The Boer War was fueled by Britain's desire to control South Africa's mineral wealth. To achieve this, they employed brutal tactics, leaving scorched earth and concentration camps in their wake. Similarly, the Vietnam War was rooted in Cold War ideology, as the U.S. aimed to contain communism. In both wars, foreign powers underestimated local resistance. These conflicts were moral, financial, and tactical quicksand, inflicting immense human suffering and widespread devastation.
If history has taught us anything, it's that greed and hubris are often at the heart of human tragedies. The Johnstown Flood, St. Francis Dam failure, and Banqiao Dam disaster were a trio of foreseeable catastrophes. In each case, flawed engineering, poor oversight, and disregard for safety warnings set the stage for massive loss of life. The Johnstown Flood occurred when a poorly maintained dam collapsed, destroying entire towns. Similarly, the St. Francis Dam in California failed due to structural flaws, flooding communities downstream. In China, the Banqiao Dam was overwhelmed by unprecedented rainfall. This exacerbated problems stemming from design failures and political mismanagement, causing the dam to collapse, killing thousands. Though decades apart, these disasters highlight the repeated risk of underestimating nature’s power.
Time and time again, America and the world pay the price for a cycle of laissez-faire economics and deregulation. In the 1920s, minimal government oversight allowed for rampant speculation and risky investments in the stock market. By the end of the decade, the stock market crashed and spread economic devastation around the world. Similarly, in the early 2000s, decades of financial deregulation enabled irresponsible lending practices. The housing market was utterly poisoned by subprime mortgages, leading to a bubble that burst in 2008. Both crises were fueled by the belief that markets could self-regulate. Unchecked greed and the erosion of safeguards created systemic risks. The resultant unemployment, widespread foreclosures, and economic collapse reflected the dangers of prioritizing short-term profits over long-term stability.
Democratic institutions are only as strong as a nation's willingness to keep it afloat. Instability and internal strife work hand-in-hand to bring democracies to their knees. The Roman and Weimar Republics each struggled with political polarization, economic crises, and corruption. Discontent and distrust in institutions spread like viruses, weaponized by ambitious authoritarians. The Roman Republic’s decline was marked by social unrest and economic inequality. Elites struggled for power. Amidst the chaos, Julius Caesar rose quickly and eventually established imperial rule. Likewise, the Weimar Republic was strangled by hyperinflation and factionalism. Political extremists took advantage of the uncertainty and eventually seized power. In the end, Adolf Hitler rose to prominence, dominating both Germany and most of Europe.
Attacking first has often determined the outcome of a war. Some of those outcomes, though, weren't so rosy for the attackers. In 1588, Spain’s armada set out to crush England’s growing navy and restore Catholic rule, only to be slammed by powerful storms. Decimated, the survivors were ultimately outmaneuvered by England's smaller ships. Spain's attack led to England's centuries' long dominance over the seas. In 1941, Japan, too, sought to hamstring their naval rival. Their attack on Pearl harbor was swift and devastating. It did not, however, deliver a crippling blow to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Instead, it galvanized America, dragging it into World War II. In each instance, the attacked nation went on to become the world's most formidable superpower.
The Peloponnesian War and World War I both erupted when a spiraling web of alliances escalated local conflicts into devastating, region-wide wars. In ancient Greece, tensions between Athens and Sparta - along with their respective allies - led to the Peloponnesian War. This prolonged struggle destabilized the entire Greek world. Many city-states were left weakened or destroyed. World War I began thanks to a series of military treaties between European powers. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand triggered a diplomatic and military chain reaction, pulling nations into a catastrophic global conflict. Both wars ended with a deadly aftermath: the Peloponnesian War left Greece in ruins and vulnerable to conquest. WWI’s devastation left political instability and economic collapse, leading to the rise of fascism in Europe.
The Holocaust and the Rwandan Genocide share chilling similarities in both their origins and outcomes. Both were driven by deeply ingrained ethnic hatred, propaganda, and political manipulation. The Nazis systematically dehumanized Jews through years of anti-Semitic rhetoric. Eventually, they industrialized their bigotry, killing upwards of 12 million people - half of them Jewish. In Rwanda, the Tutsi minority was demonized by extremist Hutu leaders. After ginning up that hatred to a fever pitch, the killing began. In just 100 days, Hutus slaughtered more than 500,000 Tutsis. Both genocides were marked by the use of state machinery to orchestrate mass murder, while other nations stood by, either complicit or indifferent. Both massacres left profound scars and a haunting legacy of loss.
Democracy may be a net good, but majoritarianism if left unchecked and under the right circumstances can cause mass hysteria. With a dash of fear and a pinch of paranoia, bad actors could use a desire to root out perceived threats to cause great harm. In Salem, Massachusetts, accusations of witchcraft spiraled out of control. Witch trials led to executions based on flimsy evidence and fear of the supernatural. Centuries later, Senator Joe McCarthyism spearheaded his own witch hunt, this time for communists. Those accused of subversion were blacklisted and persecuted, often without real evidence. In both cases, authorities used public fear to conduct aggressive and unjust campaigns against alleged enemies, ruining lives in the process and fostering deep societal distrust.
Human civilization has been ravaged by deadly pandemics over and over throughout history. The Spanish Flu and COVID-19 happened a century apart, but it seems that not everyone chose to learn from the past. Discontent with public health measures spread widely during each pandemic, exacerbating the situation. Governments implemented shutdowns to curb the spread, but uneven compliance and politicized responses prolonged the crises. During the Spanish Flu, anti-mask leagues and public pushback against restrictions mirrored the protests and skepticism surrounding COVID-19 measures. The Spanish Flu eventually subsided as the virus mutated into less lethal strains, whereas COVID-19's global impact was mitigated by vaccines and evolving public health strategies.
Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia and Hitler's 1941 Operation Barbarossa share strikingly similar fates. Overambition would doom both campaigns, in no small part due to harsh Russian winter. Napoleon sought to subdue Russia and expand his empire eastward. Unfortunately, his massive army stretched their supply lines too far. Their scorched-earth tactics alienated locals, making it doubly difficult to find supplies. In the end, they were finished off by the brutal cold. Over a century later, Hitler’s invasion followed a similar trajectory. Confident in a quick victory, the German army advanced deep into Soviet territory. They were met with fierce resistance, hampered by logistical failures, and nearly frozen solid. Initial success only encouraged the reckless invasions, ultimately leading to crippling and catastrophic retreats.
Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. What are some historical echoes that you hope don’t repeat again? Let us know in the comments below.
Empiralist Misadventures Turn Into Quagmires
The Boer War (1899-1902) & The Vietnam War (1955-1975)For the English-speaking world, the 20th century began with one imperialist quagmire, the Boer War, and was, in part, defined by another, the Vietnam War. Both saw powerful nations – the UK and U.S. – seeking to impose control over smaller, resistant countries, driven by strategic and economic interests. The Boer War was fueled by Britain's desire to control South Africa's mineral wealth. To achieve this, they employed brutal tactics, leaving scorched earth and concentration camps in their wake. Similarly, the Vietnam War was rooted in Cold War ideology, as the U.S. aimed to contain communism. In both wars, foreign powers underestimated local resistance. These conflicts were moral, financial, and tactical quicksand, inflicting immense human suffering and widespread devastation.
Rushed Engineering Collapsing Dams
Johnstown Flood (1889), The St. Francis Dam (1928), & The Banqiao Dam (1975)If history has taught us anything, it's that greed and hubris are often at the heart of human tragedies. The Johnstown Flood, St. Francis Dam failure, and Banqiao Dam disaster were a trio of foreseeable catastrophes. In each case, flawed engineering, poor oversight, and disregard for safety warnings set the stage for massive loss of life. The Johnstown Flood occurred when a poorly maintained dam collapsed, destroying entire towns. Similarly, the St. Francis Dam in California failed due to structural flaws, flooding communities downstream. In China, the Banqiao Dam was overwhelmed by unprecedented rainfall. This exacerbated problems stemming from design failures and political mismanagement, causing the dam to collapse, killing thousands. Though decades apart, these disasters highlight the repeated risk of underestimating nature’s power.
Deregulation Helps Lead to Economic Collapse
The Great Depression (1929-39) & The Great Recession (2007-09)Time and time again, America and the world pay the price for a cycle of laissez-faire economics and deregulation. In the 1920s, minimal government oversight allowed for rampant speculation and risky investments in the stock market. By the end of the decade, the stock market crashed and spread economic devastation around the world. Similarly, in the early 2000s, decades of financial deregulation enabled irresponsible lending practices. The housing market was utterly poisoned by subprime mortgages, leading to a bubble that burst in 2008. Both crises were fueled by the belief that markets could self-regulate. Unchecked greed and the erosion of safeguards created systemic risks. The resultant unemployment, widespread foreclosures, and economic collapse reflected the dangers of prioritizing short-term profits over long-term stability.
Republics Falling to Tyranny
The Roman Republic’s & The Weimar Republic’s Falls (27 BCE & 1933)Democratic institutions are only as strong as a nation's willingness to keep it afloat. Instability and internal strife work hand-in-hand to bring democracies to their knees. The Roman and Weimar Republics each struggled with political polarization, economic crises, and corruption. Discontent and distrust in institutions spread like viruses, weaponized by ambitious authoritarians. The Roman Republic’s decline was marked by social unrest and economic inequality. Elites struggled for power. Amidst the chaos, Julius Caesar rose quickly and eventually established imperial rule. Likewise, the Weimar Republic was strangled by hyperinflation and factionalism. Political extremists took advantage of the uncertainty and eventually seized power. In the end, Adolf Hitler rose to prominence, dominating both Germany and most of Europe.
The Attacks that Created Empires
The Spanish Armada (1588) & The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941)Attacking first has often determined the outcome of a war. Some of those outcomes, though, weren't so rosy for the attackers. In 1588, Spain’s armada set out to crush England’s growing navy and restore Catholic rule, only to be slammed by powerful storms. Decimated, the survivors were ultimately outmaneuvered by England's smaller ships. Spain's attack led to England's centuries' long dominance over the seas. In 1941, Japan, too, sought to hamstring their naval rival. Their attack on Pearl harbor was swift and devastating. It did not, however, deliver a crippling blow to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Instead, it galvanized America, dragging it into World War II. In each instance, the attacked nation went on to become the world's most formidable superpower.
Spiraling Alliances
The Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE) & WWI (1914-18)The Peloponnesian War and World War I both erupted when a spiraling web of alliances escalated local conflicts into devastating, region-wide wars. In ancient Greece, tensions between Athens and Sparta - along with their respective allies - led to the Peloponnesian War. This prolonged struggle destabilized the entire Greek world. Many city-states were left weakened or destroyed. World War I began thanks to a series of military treaties between European powers. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand triggered a diplomatic and military chain reaction, pulling nations into a catastrophic global conflict. Both wars ended with a deadly aftermath: the Peloponnesian War left Greece in ruins and vulnerable to conquest. WWI’s devastation left political instability and economic collapse, leading to the rise of fascism in Europe.
Human Atrocities
The Holocaust (1941-45) & Rwandan Genocide (1994)The Holocaust and the Rwandan Genocide share chilling similarities in both their origins and outcomes. Both were driven by deeply ingrained ethnic hatred, propaganda, and political manipulation. The Nazis systematically dehumanized Jews through years of anti-Semitic rhetoric. Eventually, they industrialized their bigotry, killing upwards of 12 million people - half of them Jewish. In Rwanda, the Tutsi minority was demonized by extremist Hutu leaders. After ginning up that hatred to a fever pitch, the killing began. In just 100 days, Hutus slaughtered more than 500,000 Tutsis. Both genocides were marked by the use of state machinery to orchestrate mass murder, while other nations stood by, either complicit or indifferent. Both massacres left profound scars and a haunting legacy of loss.
Fear & Paranoia
The Salem Witch Trials (1692-93) & The Second Red Scare (1947-57)Democracy may be a net good, but majoritarianism if left unchecked and under the right circumstances can cause mass hysteria. With a dash of fear and a pinch of paranoia, bad actors could use a desire to root out perceived threats to cause great harm. In Salem, Massachusetts, accusations of witchcraft spiraled out of control. Witch trials led to executions based on flimsy evidence and fear of the supernatural. Centuries later, Senator Joe McCarthyism spearheaded his own witch hunt, this time for communists. Those accused of subversion were blacklisted and persecuted, often without real evidence. In both cases, authorities used public fear to conduct aggressive and unjust campaigns against alleged enemies, ruining lives in the process and fostering deep societal distrust.
Pandemics
The Spanish Flu (1918) & Covid-19 (2020)Human civilization has been ravaged by deadly pandemics over and over throughout history. The Spanish Flu and COVID-19 happened a century apart, but it seems that not everyone chose to learn from the past. Discontent with public health measures spread widely during each pandemic, exacerbating the situation. Governments implemented shutdowns to curb the spread, but uneven compliance and politicized responses prolonged the crises. During the Spanish Flu, anti-mask leagues and public pushback against restrictions mirrored the protests and skepticism surrounding COVID-19 measures. The Spanish Flu eventually subsided as the virus mutated into less lethal strains, whereas COVID-19's global impact was mitigated by vaccines and evolving public health strategies.
Military Miscalculations
Napoleon (1812) & Hitler (1941) Saw Their Conquests Die in RussiaNapoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia and Hitler's 1941 Operation Barbarossa share strikingly similar fates. Overambition would doom both campaigns, in no small part due to harsh Russian winter. Napoleon sought to subdue Russia and expand his empire eastward. Unfortunately, his massive army stretched their supply lines too far. Their scorched-earth tactics alienated locals, making it doubly difficult to find supplies. In the end, they were finished off by the brutal cold. Over a century later, Hitler’s invasion followed a similar trajectory. Confident in a quick victory, the German army advanced deep into Soviet territory. They were met with fierce resistance, hampered by logistical failures, and nearly frozen solid. Initial success only encouraged the reckless invasions, ultimately leading to crippling and catastrophic retreats.
Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. What are some historical echoes that you hope don’t repeat again? Let us know in the comments below.
