20-20 hindsight or historical analysis, how do we determine which is which?

Hindsight depends on research. It looks both at the "man on the ground" whose view of action is probably skewed. and the "big picture" of those who initiated the action, who may have little understanding of how these actions affect the man on the ground. A good researcher looks at both and tries to tell the whole story. He or she must be careful not to insert current thinking into the story. Only what is known at the time must be considered. The revisionist takes current thinking and injects it into the past, "He should have been aware", etc.

 

If you said "Analysis" instead of "Hindsight", I'd be 100% behind you.

 

I think you might be right. I started out to write one thing and it turned into another. "Analysis" might be a better word. Hindsight is a term laden with meaning which only serves the revisionist. Thanks for the correction.