The romance of the dogfight: a cautionary tale for historians

Article Abstract:

The romantic ideology of the lone aviator is often appealed to in war histories, which use pictures of World War I dogfights in conjunction with textual descriptions of the slaughter of trench warfare. The most popular dogfight photographs come from the 'Cockburn-Lange Collection,' long identified as fakes. However, because of the cultural faith in the credibility of photographs, their authenticity is too rarely questioned. The dogfight photos romanticize warfare and contribute to its legitimization by connecting it with aesthetic values.

Social aspects, Photography, World War I, 1914-1918, War photography, Fighter plane combat, Photography in historiography

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George Washington's romance: plotting the Federal City, 1791-1800

Article Abstract:

George Washington chose the plan for what was originally called the Federal City designed by Pierre L'Enfant, one that incorporated the marketplace and government influences. Initially underfunded, Washington, D.C. was unfinished for several decades but gradually became a flexible, speculative political landscape.

United States, Federalism, Behavior, Influence, Illustration, Washington, D.C., Washington, George (American president)

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Spirituals, freedom songs, and lieux de memoire: African-American music and the routes of memory

Article Abstract:

The author examines French historian Pierre Nora's concept that the US has undergone a change in historical memory over time. The influence of spirituals on the folk memory of African-Americans is discussed.

Criticism and interpretation, African American songs, Spirituals (Songs), Nora, Pierre

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