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Question: Does anyone have any examples of people who were once respected but in hindsight became disliked or vice versa!?
I'm writing an essay on how history changes our views and what was heresy becomes orthodoxy!. Like, here's an example, Oliver Cromwell was a republican hero and in the Victorian era was a hero of Empire (early colonialism), but in the 1980's during The Troubles the British and Irish saw him as a villain because of his massacre of the Irish!. If you get what I mean!.!.!. =) So any examples of people where society's view of them has been changed like that!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
This is a great question and there are many examples of this type of change in perception throughout history!.

John Brown was a radical abolitionist who was usually perceived negatively by historians but I think that today he is portrayed much more favorably for his strong anti-slavery stance!. He was actually ahead of his time!. The same can be said for many of the radical Republicans before, during and after the Civil War, including Thaddeus Steves, Charles Sumner and John Fremont!.

Andrew Jackson was typically seen as a hero in the eyes of Americans!. Today, his reputation is held in disdain for his treament of the Indians!. Same can be said of many of the founding fathers who were historically venerated by Americans, but are now disdained by many Americans for allowing slavery to survive and, in some cases, for being slaveholders themselves!.

Of course, views on Christopher Columbus have certainly changed!. There are often protest movements held throughout the country to revoke Columbus Day as a national holiday!.

Perspectives on old sports heroes have changed dramatically over the years!. Athletes such as Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle, as we learn more about them, are now seen as either drunkards and/or womanizers or something else!. On the other hand, the boxer Max Schmeling was hated by many people around the world, but now we know much more about him, such as his heroics in saving Jews in Europe!.

I hope this helps!.



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President Woodrow Wilson!.
Practically a card carrying member of the KKK who sent race relations in this country back 100 years!.

Pretty much the entire Bush family, from funding the nazis during WWII, to the destruction of the Savings and Loan Banks, to the Miami "hanging chad" fiasco!.

Rush Limbaugh, Mr Holier-Than-Thou pill popping drug addict!.

Mel Gibson and his drunken anti-Semite rampage!.

President Andrew Jackson, Native America killer!.

General George Custer!.

Fidel Castro!.

Joan of Arc, first an angel, then burned at the stake!.!.!.!.though remembered fondly much later!.

Colonel Oliver North!. (but he was only following orders like a good Marine would)

Britney Spears!. (I still like her music though)

Margaret Trudeau, ex-wife of famous Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau!.

Shoeless Joe Jackson!. (he took the money but still scored)

Pete Rose!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Tintin was just good clean fun but now people don't like his author hergé's depiction of blacks!.

Albert Schweitzer was revered in the 50s but his reputation has never recovered from james Cameron's articles on him!.

Douglas Haig, commander of British forces in WWI, was admired as a war-winner, then mercilessly vilified as a butcher, though in the last 20 years he has been to some extent rehabilitated, at least among historians!.

The word 'rehabilitated' reminds me that in the West this practice is private enterprise, but under the soviets it was state-sponsored!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Winston Churchill - he went through many up and downs!. He was the scapegoat for the Dardanelles but the hero of World War 2!. He switched parties - twice! - and was vilified, yet proven right in the end!.

Harry S Truman - when he left office in 1952 he wasn't well liked!. But nowadays he is hailed as one of the great presidents!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

J!. Edger Hoover, head of the FBI
Senator Joseph McCarthy
Ronald Reagan
Walt Disney
Howard Hughes
Robert Oppenheimer
Christopher Columbus
Ray Kroc, "founder" of McDonald'sWww@QuestionHome@Com

Well people thought bush would make a good president but he turned out like crap!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Michael Jackson ha ha
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Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War who originally fought for the American Continental Army, but switched sides to the British Empire!. As a general still on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and attempted unsuccessfully to surrender it to the British!. After this he served with British forces as a Loyalist!.
Arnold is considered by many to be the best general and most accomplished leader in the Continental Army!. Without Arnold's earlier contributions to their cause, the American Revolution might well have been lost; but after he switched sides, his name became a byword for treason in the United States!.
Arnold distinguished himself early in the war through acts of cunning and bravery!. His many successful campaigns included the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga (1775), victory at the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain in 1776, the battles of Danbury and Ridgefield in Connecticut (after which he was promoted to Major General) and the Battle of Saratoga in 1777!.
In spite of his success, Arnold was passed over for promotion by the Continental Congress while other general officers took credit for his many accomplishments!. As his personal debts mounted, Congress investigated his accounts, and charges of corruption were brought by political adversaries!. Frustrated, bitter, disaffected by the assaults on his honor and strongly opposed to the new American alliance with France, Arnold changed sides!. In July 1780, he sought and obtained command of West Point in order to surrender it to the British!. Arnold's scheme was detected when American forces captured British Major John André carrying papers that revealed Arnold's plan!.Www@QuestionHome@Com