The Madness of Men’s March: A Historical, Psychological, and Sociocultural Exploration
Table of Contents
Introduction
From ancient wars to modern insurrections, the collective madness of men marching toward destruction has shaped civilizations. This article dissects the interplay of history, psychology, and culture that fuels such phenomena...
Historical Context: When Men Marched into Madness
Ancient and Medieval Precedents
The Crusades (1096–1291): Driven by papal indulgences and feudal ambition, the Crusades saw European knights and peasants alike commit atrocities...
Modern Examples
World War I: Nationalistic fervor and propaganda led 9 million soldiers to their deaths in trench warfare...
Psychological Underpinnings: The Mind of the Mob
Deindividuation: Psychologist Gustave LeBon’s The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind (1895) argues that in crowds, individuals shed personal responsibility...
Neurochemistry: Testosterone surges in group settings correlate with aggression, as shown in a 2017 study by Eisenegger et al...
Case Studies: From Crusades to Capitol Riots
The 2021 U.S. Capitol Riot
On January 6, 2021, a mob of 2,000–2,500 individuals stormed the U.S. Capitol. Fueled by misinformation about election fraud, the crowd exhibited...
- Demographics: 86% of arrested participants were male (Source: NPR).
- Motivations: QAnon conspiracies and perceived political betrayal.
