ItвЂ™s stated the rulers had вЂњactively forgotten their previous highly detailed knowledge of AfricaвЂќ which had вЂњsignificant consequencesвЂќ. He further goes on to discuss the importance of visualisation in war with the example of The Berlin Conference (1885) where EuropeвЂ™s rulers divided Africa into colonies which has вЂњhad disastrous consequences to this dayвЂќ. Mirzoeff here uses the example of Napoleon who rose from lieutenant to eventually become emperor and states вЂњhe was famous for his visually deceptive tacticsвЂќ that were вЂњcentral to his famous victoriesвЂќ.

Over time we became able to develop maps and begin to visualise the battlefield from the air, the need for such skills became less important and more ordinary soldiers could rise in rank. Generals had to be creative, intelligent and cunning to succeed in war. Mirzoeff states вЂњHe had to add his imagination, insight and intuition to whatever he and his subordinates could see for themselvesвЂќ. In the past this was difficult as there wasnвЂ™t the technology we have today available to use to physically see the battlefield. This began with the introduction of generals whose job it was to visualise the battlefield to plan out the best strategy. Comparing to this to the more modern version of war where the battle is fought by ordinary people on behalf of those in power and the role of leaders began to change as war became more political. He begins discussing the history of how we visualised war discussing how Kings would fight battles against each other and be themselves involved in the conflict. Chapter 3 of Nicholas MirzoeffвЂ™s вЂHow to See the WorldвЂ™ explores how we visualise war.

How to use gmd speed time