Jay Honeck wrote:
What is your theory as to why we did this? I can think of a few, but
I'm not sure which are truly valid in the final analysis.

Uh, Matt -- reality check he You're asking a troll who specializes
in lame, one-sentence insults to provide thoughtful analysis of a
complex socio-economic and geopolitical question that has occupiedj --
and will continue to occupy -- historians and scholars for decades.

Good luck.

Entertainment, Jay, entertainment! You just have to have the right
expectations. :-)

Matt