Being Canada a country so large in natural resources and wealth, a small population and a common origin as British colonies, did the United States ever try to conquer or annex it? It almost seems like the logical thing to do and a wet geopolitical dream, if you were the US, especially considering that Canada served as a base for Imperial British troops. At least that's what I would do in EU4 or Hearts of Iron.

And just out of curiosity, did Canada ever try to take over the U. S.?

I've read here and there allegations that Sino-Soviet relations were at such a low point towards the end of the '60s that the Soviet Union was seriously contemplating a "preemptive" nuclear strike against the People's Republic of China, and that only an US diplomatic intervention assorted with its own nuclear threat eventually defused the situation. Are these allegations serious? Did the Sino-Soviet split really get that sour that the Soviets would actually plan to nuke China outright?

I was reading about the early days of British punk rock, and they would have to go to "sex shops" or to the "gay neighborhoods" in order to acquire such sartorial items. We associate black leather and spikes with punk rock now, but back then they were incorporating it from a source that very much preexisted them.

Also, I've been reading Patti Smith's 'Just Kids', and at one point Robert Mapplethorpe started dabbling in the aesthetic (chains, black leather, etc.) beginning in the late 60s. The implication was that this aesthetic had already existed at least for some time, and was nothing new.

How far back does it go? Who came up with it? It obviously predates punk rock, not to mention the people who were active just before it got going (Patti Smith, etc.).

Why weren't they attempting the same behind the Western Front? The RN had the German Navy bottled up for the most part after Jutland if I remember correctly.

I've been doing a lot of digging into the history, recently, but everything I've found has been drawn from European/colonial sources. (I'm teaching a class, not trying to get homework done, promise.) Does anyone know where I can find sources written by Native/First Nations people? I'd be thrilled with anything from translated primary sources to articles and books.

Edit: The book I'm teaching is fictional and set in New England but I am more than happy to have sources about the war in general as it's barely touched by most U.S. high schools, if it's even taught at all.

I would assume the majority of WW2 deaths in both the Soviet Union and Germany would be men from 18-30, and a male born in 1923 would be very likely to serve in the military.

Do we have any information about what happened to men born in that particular year, and has there been any analysis on the cultural effects of so many men dying so young?

I've watched a fair amount of Japanese media. Those that touch on WW2 typically neglect to mention that Japan started multiple unprovoked wars of aggression. For example, Grave of the Fireflies has no mention of why the protagonists are in the situation they are in. They're in that situation because the Empire of Japan launched wars of aggression against China, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. Those nations retaliated and despite it being clear Japan couldn't win they refused to surrender under bombed to the point of submission.

In addition, I've heard that Japanese textbooks neglect to address that Japan was the aggressor and ignore the war crimes they committed. Why is this? Germany is upfront about its aggression and war crimes but why isn't Japan?

I am working on my final project for history, and the assignment is to find the effects of globalization on a location of my choosing. I chose the Ottoman Empire, which I already know a lot about, however, it has been almost impossible finding any good primary sources regarding the Ottoman Empire from 1500 - 1700, for most of them are from the 19th and 20th century. Does anyone know where I could find some?

Whenever I see older photographs or period movies, the books are always hardcovers. When did we start having paperbacks and were there no paperbacks earlier and if so , why not?

With the number of bills written by lobbyists and outside interests, I was wondering if there was ever a Congressional equivalent of "Are you even reading this?" slipped in like a high school essay?

Stephen Morillo, in The Battle of Hastings: Sources and Interpretations, observed that Anglo-Saxon England was more 'feudal', and Normandy less so, prior to the Battle of Hastings than had once been thought. This has me wondering: how much of the classic English "feudalism" is nothing more than the survival of Anglo-Saxon structures, and how much is a Norman imposition?

Adolf Hitler's famous work could be considered the blueprint of the Nazi Party, but I it also seems to be reserved more for an "intellectual Nazi" and less for the poor. Did the average man own a copy, and if so, did he read it? Was it common in the Wehrmacht? How heavily did Hitler endorse his book?

In the 21st century we all know a good hygiene is beneficial to one's health but it seems like it wasn't something as important nearly a century ago. I'm curious to know when we began to wash our bodies for what reason.

At the time of America discovery, the ottomans were the strongest power in Europe, why didn't they cross the Atlantic?

Same question goes for the moors, after the fall of Andalusia I remember reading that the exiled Andalusians formed a marine to avenge their home (under the Lady al sayeda al hurra) why didn't they try to face Spain in the new world?

Hi. I am an avid reader of American history who over the years has neglected to read much on the pre-Columbian history of our land. I am trying to find 3 or 4 books to tackle that would give me the most complete understanding I can. Several Google searches seem to recommend Charles Mann's 1491. That appears to be touted as a good general overview. Any ideas for 2 or 3 more than might be a little more specific; maybe the best book on the slave trade, or another topic that could be more specific. Thanks.

I've heard it called a revolution, a civil war, but never both. I'm very curious as to which it is (if not both) and why that is so. Is there a reason for this?