"Myths and misconceptions" Topic

This recent post TMP link made me think about common myths and misconceptions we hear all the time. At the risk of filling up the dawghouse I would propose the following poll:

What is your favorite historical myth?

I submit for your consideration:

The British lost the American War of Independence because they stupidly lined up in the open wearing red coats while those clever yanks hid behind trees.

Losses were so high in the American Civil War because the generals stupidly used Napoleonic tactics.

The Germans would have won WW II if Hitler had just listened to his generals.

not sure number three is a myth not going to say it was a sure thing but it would have been closer

Your first one beat me to the punch. I clicked on your thread and was ready to submit it!

How about "John Adams said that the population in the colonies was 1/3 Patriot, 1/3 Loyalist, 1/3 neutral." He was talking about the French Revolution.

The use of aluminium caused the loss of British warships in the Falklands

Bismarck was scuttled

Hood was destroyed because she had thin deck armour

That 300 Spartans held the pass all by themselves. The myth is the "300" part.

Rome fell because of stirrups.

My medieval history professor said of this myth: "It's actually useful, because it reminds us of the importance of technological development, but more important, it's easy to remember."

George Washington was not a slave owner, but an Abolitionist.

I was actually taught this in High School. I had been to Mt. Vernon and seen the slave barracks the previous summer o.0

Actually evidence has come to light that show the Bizmarck might have indeed been scuttled. On Nat-Geo's "Drain the Oceans" the 3D images show practically no below waterline damage done ergo how else could she have sunk

"Europeans introduced scalping to North America". Skulls with cut marks from scalping have been discovered that date from thousands of years before 1492. What the Europeans did introduce was paying a bounty for scalps.

I've got a couple:

The Spitfire won the battle of Britain by itself (Oh how the other pilots laughed!)

The introduction of the tank won WW1 by itself.

The Soviets outnumbered the Axis forces in the western Soviet Union when Operation Barbarossa was launched.

The winter of 1941/42' stopped the Axis advance on Moscow.

Jim, thse are only 3D models, the wreck of Bismarck is partially submerged in silt and much of the lower hull can't be seen. But there is torpedo damage evident on the actual wreck and the killer is the timelines, which don't allow anywhere near enough time between the order to scuttle being given (if indeed it was) and the ship sinking. Hence myth.

Vikings were a people, not a profession.

Since this came up in a current poll.

That the Russian winter and not the Russian strategy/army destroyed Napoleon's invasion force in 1812

That French tactical doctrine was just slamming columns at lines.

NATO air power defeated the Serbs in Kosovo

The moon is made of green cheese … which is obviously wrong … one can clearly see it's Swiss …

And the shop is out of it too,as well as every other cheese. ;^)

No, the shop has Camembert, but you shouldn't buy it because it's very runny.

Are you sure the moon isn't made of Moonster cheese?

Well now after all this … I'm going to have to go to the store and get a cheese plate !