Alcohol being an widely socially accepted drug, how is it that in the United States it was banned on a federal level? Was there a consensus it was bad for public health amongst the public, or merely the effect of well organised lobbying groups? What were their motivations?

I have also heard that it was sometimes called the league of German mattresses, is there any truth to that?

China was not industralized and severely weakened after the war. Why were they deemed important enough to recieve such great powers?

I know that the River Thames in London has an interesting history and has been crucial to the economy and development of the surrounding areas.

But I would like to know if there has ever been the threat of invasion or an attack in that area? I remember reading an article that states that a scout or invading force was seen on the Thames and was really interested to find out if that was true.

Thank you.

Edit: By Southeast Asian kingdoms, I meant the small kingdoms located in the Indonesian archipelago, Philippine archipelago, Malaysia, and Borneo.

To clarify what I'm trying to ask, I want to know what kinds of technology do they use in these places and whether they compare to the ones in East Asia.

The origin of chess seems to lie in an Indian game in which all four branches of the military (infantry, cavalry, elephants, chariots) were represented. While I imagine that elephants can do things which horses cannot, why keep chariots when cavalry is available? Were they not abandoned throughout the world because they were inferior? Consider that they are less mobile and prone to break and the overall fighting power of horses is reduced if one man focuses alone on guiding them while every man is a fighter and a rider at the same time in cavalry. So what are the advantages of chariots?

By installing a puppet government, or keeping an occupation force in Paris or whatever. Didn't they absolutely defeat and occupy France? How did it rise and become an enemy again prior to 1914?

I've read some troubling accusations on facebook, that entire classes of these children may have been intentionally murdered and buried in mass graves. Not one to take such things on faith, I wonder if anyone here can speak to these assertions?

I'm curious if anyone would have any information about what it would be like to be the parents of the Dalai Lama shortly after his "reincarnation"? I was mostly wondering if there are any historical records on some fame associated or if the parents really aren't talked about.

Thanks for any information!

I'm trying to find some more information about what life was like for pioneers taking advantage of the homestead acts in the mid 1800s. I know that they had to build a house, and grow crops, and stuff like that. How did they go about creating something from nothing, though?

I am looking for an in depth view of life for the most "rugged" pioneers, the ones who had to dig their own wells, tame their own buffalo, etc. If you don't have a direct response, perhaps some of you can offer some materials that will help me find what I'm looking for?

In this modern era there are many things that we don't find historic, but just trends. However, there are exceptions like Donald Trump, the first person with no political experience at all to become president. But I am talking about people, songs, etc.

Such as Elvis, he was a historic singer! King of Rock. What would, today, this generation, be considered historic? Twenty One Pilots? Chainsmokers? They both have gained immense popularity over the last year. What about all of YouTube, possibly the most recognizable site ever. With the thousands of people making money off of filming their life or filming them playing video games. Could that be considered historic?

So, I was inspired to finally ask this question after reading u/PangeranDipanagara's wonderful answer about the spread of Islam in Southeast Asia. Indonesia is Australia's closest neighbor, separated by only ~500 miles at their nearest point. Yet the Malay Archipelago has been a center of global trade for millennia while Australia languished in isolation, unknown to the rest of the world.

Wikipedia tells me that me that Makassan sailors from Sulawesi came to Australia from "at least the 18th century" and had contact with the local people. Do we have a concept of what this contact would have entailed and is there any speculation about it's occurrence before the 1700's? What impact did this first contact leave on the Aboriginal people of Australia, especially in the religious and cultural spheres?

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Hey every one, bot sure if this is against the rules, but I took a look through the sub and could find a good answer. I also googled around a lot and would like to hear some real life experiances.

How did you become a Historian? Did you go to school for archeology or just history?

I'm asking because I'm interested in getting into the field. I'm 22 and after years of doing jobs I know what I really want to pursue. I just want to hear how every got to where they are and the path they took to get there.

Thanks!

I know Romans worshiped all the Olympian gods, but they gave special consideration to Saturn, a Titan, who tried to eat Zeus and the other Olympians. As far as I'm aware, the Greeks didn't worship Saturn, at least not to such a degree as the Olympians. The Greeks considered Zeus to be the leader of the gods and special consideration was given to him as far as I know. How come the Romans not only worshiped Saturn but considered him such an important figure in the Pantheon, perhaps placing his worship above that of Zeus?