Unintended Second and Third Order Effects

What is it that shapes the sense of determination within us. There are no end of examples where individuals throughout history have applied their personal will towards a particular endstate. And what moves them to act? Well this is one of my favorites and recounts an early experience of Andrew Jackson during the American Revolution. This is not an isolated case, have any other examples? Hank

"The Declaration of Independence was signed when young Andrew was nine years old and at thirteen he joined the Continental Army as a courier. The Revolution took a toll on the Jackson family. All three boys saw active service. One of Andrew's older brothers, Hugh, died after the Battle of Stono Ferry, South Carolina in 1779, and two years later Andrew and his other brother Robert were taken prisoner for a few weeks in April 1781. While they were captives a British officer ordered them to clean his boots. The boys refused, the officer struck them with his sword and Andrew's hand was cut to the bone. Because of his ill treatment Jackson harbored a bitter resentment towards the British until his death."

How could that British officer know the consequences his disrepectful behavior and arrogance would have to Andrew Jackson's stubborness? This coupled with his aggressive behaviors and effect on the men he would subsequently train and lead in combat. Does it give us pause to consider the possible effect(s) of our and our unit's actions? Hank

http://statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/nc/bio/public/jackson.htm