[oldE]

PB,
In some aspects you are correct. Time does tend to diminish the impact of the lives of many and indeed the lives of empires. But we still feel the effects of the Roman empire two millenia later.
I feel your dismissal of the events of the first half of the 20th century to be a bit narrow in focus. What might be the consequence if the Axis had been unopposed?
There would likely be no Jewish presence in Europe. Korea would not be divided, but would be a territory of Japan. Forget Hyundai and Samsung. North America would have pulled into its isolationist shell like a turtle.
The scars of those military occupations would be felt for centuries. They are certainly felt today, as there are those alive who remember.
The young men and women who went to war had little idea of the long term effects of their commitment, but those of us alive today who reap the benefits, should not dismiss that so lightly.

Best
Les