Ask Dr. Professor History

Ask Dr. Professor History Wendell E. Shaw, who has gained acclaim as the only faculty member in Vince College’s Department of History to have a Ph.D. from an accredited institution, has returned to the college after an extended absence in Thailand. Professor Shaw has graciously agreed to resume his popular feature "Ask Dr. Professor History," where he bring his substantial base of knowledge and research to bear in answering questions from readers on all subjects historical. This week, his focus is on questions regarding major disasters. Dear Dr. Professor [History], What really caused the Titanic to sink? Darren Fostin Annandale, VA Dear Mr. Fostin, Have you forgotten your junior high school history? Is that why you have written in seeking this most basic and widely known information that has ever been explored for your benefit in popular culture? The Titanic sunk due to the German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. Dr. Prof. History Dear [Dr.] Professor History: Why did the Soviet Union not admit that a disaster had taken place at the Chernobyl nuclear facility in 1986 until several days after it occurred? Couldn’t nearby European nations have provided aid to reduce the fallout? Terry Guilford Worcester, MA Dear Mr. Guilford: "Admit"? The very basis of your question reveals the depths of arrogance to which the Western nations have always sunk. The Soviet Union was perfectly capable of handling what was a minor and easily-contained matter involving a few puffs of “bad air” and did not need to ask for any help from decadent Europeans or their American allies, who were likely too busy eating hamburgers and listening to Huey Lewis (& The News) to respond in time. The Soviet Union was at the zenith of their intellectual and military might at the time and acted rapidly and efficiently in tending to this blip on the radar. And they didn’t have to do it while listening to “Uptown Girl” on their “Walkman.” The good news was that Chernobyl was saved and is now as it was then a vibrant city. Dr. Prof. History Dear Dr. [Professor] History, What can you tell me about the famous 1946 Hartford circus fire Anne Choi Troy, Michigan Dear Ms. Choi: I can tell you that no such event took place. Grow up. Dr. Prof. History Dear Mr. [Dr. Professor] History: How did the U.S. space program change following the explosion of the Challenger shuttle in the 1980s? Phillip Weston Tacoma, WA Dear Mr. Weston: Your ignorance is shocking. The shuttle “Challenger,” which was of course not on a mission of “science, discovery and exploration,” as was said at the time, but was in fact a spy ship to monitor the habits of Cuban President Fidel Castro, was destroyed because of U.S. support for the Contras in Central America. Though, of course, no projectile was launched from the ground to accomplish this feat; rather, it was the result of 40 years of unceasing American hubris. The aftermath of this was the grounding of the Shuttle Fleet until such time as the American people realized that ordinary citizens do not belong in outer space, they belong on farms. And they didn’t launch if it was too cold. Dr. Prof. History Dear [Dr. Professor History], What, in your opinion, is the biggest disaster in human history? Pompeii? 9/11? The Indonesian Tsunami? Peter Juliano Hinsville, GA Dear Mr. Juliano, At last, a half-way decent question. The biggest disaster in human history occurred on 21 June 1870. Forever ingrained in our hearts and minds no matter how many years pass, it is known as the Newark (UK) Rail Crash, in which two trains collided in Nottinghamshire, England, claiming 18 lives and injuring an astounding 40 others. According to the leading text on the subject, “The investigation found that an axle had broken on the goods train, and the excursion train collided with the debris on the track.” It was a black day in human civilization. Dr. Prof. History Readers: Address all correspondence to "Dr. Professor History" at drprofessorhistory@vincecollege.com. Beginning September 1, 2008, all letters not properly addressed to "Dr. Professor History" will be immediately discarded without response. © Vince College Review. All Rights Reserved. 2008.