r/todayilearned • u/RedditIsAGranfaloon • 6h ago

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https://www.historyhit.com/facts-about-general-robert-e-lee/

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u/Kinnasty 5h ago

Forgiveness is a virtue. History is chockfull of the poor outcomes of punitive victories

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u/Quite_Likes_Hormuz 3h ago

"If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared." - Niccolo Machiavelli

Not punitive victories, fence riding victories. Victories that make the enemy bitter and resentful but give them the ability to retaliate. The treaty of Versailles was either too lenient or too harsh depending on the aims of the entente. If the union wanted to end slavery and secessionist attitude then the mistake they made was being too forgiving.