Was it neutral or did it choose a side? How did it react with the Germans almost taking out France? Did it give any aid?

I recently learned that Wooly Mammoths were around during the construction of the pyramids and that got me thinking that maybe a people domesticated them at some point.

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For example, English speakers called Iran "Persia," until the 1930s when Iran asked them to call them "Iran." What are reasons behind this move? Why did Iran care while Egypt seemingly does not? What motivates nations to make the change (or even everyday speakers?) Do they suggest the change in only certain languages?

Whenever I see current affairs, I always think "how is it possible that Saudi Arabia is an ally of the US when their values so dramatically conflict with our own?" I know the answer is for geo-political and economic reasons, but I never understood why in the power struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran for dominance in the Middle East, the US ended up allying with Saudi Arabia and the Russians ended up allying with Iran. Why was it that way and not the other way around?

Both took place during similar times in European history, relatively speaking. Is there any particular reason for this? Did one's occurrence influence the other's?

Given that Eleanor was the Duchess of Aquitaine, she was a very, very desirable bride. Did Louis VII have any idea of who the "contenders" were, if the annulment was going to be granted, and did he try to shape the balance of politics -- as in, who would be the second husband of Eleanor -- in any way?

I promise that this is purely out of curiosity and not a question born of a homework assignment.

I'm currently taking a course on the history of the Middle-East, and in learning about the history of modern Iraq we were told that Abdullah I was in line for the first kingship of Iraq but was instead moved to the kingship of Transjordan by the English and French to make way for Faisal I to rule Iraq.

I asked our professor why this was the case instead of simply installing Faisal I in Transjordan, but he didn't have an answer for me. I'm hoping this subreddit does. Thank you.

More specifically, what were the social economical and Political factors in the end of the Regime? I've heard that Nicholas II wasn't very in touch with his own empire and did not wish to give any of his power away to local anatomy, why was this? Why did he go to the front lines of the eastern Front during a time of instability inside Russia? and finally, could Nicholas have prevented his own downfall and how?

Specifically the Briton Celts, been looking but all I can find is Roman names for the Celts.

He has the title of eternal leader and his son and grandson have an equally religious love towards them from the people of North Korea even though their communist state supposedly detests religion. What caused this?

Historian-in-training here. I'm in a 400-level (senior/final year) history class on American Violence. I stupidly picked a vague topic for the area of my final paper in this class: The Lincoln County War. I was planning on narrowing it down after I'd done some research. I know, noobtastic mistake.

Now I'm floundering, (surprise!) because after doing that research, I've realized my original idea won't work. I wanted to write about the difference between the way John Chisum and Billy the Kid are treated differently by history and popular culture. Was Chisum given a pass to do whatever he wanted because he was a rich guy? Etc.

After some investigation, this topic really isn't working, and I can't switch now. I would appreciate any advice AskHistorians can give me on two things:

1. A new thesis I'm chewing on to see if I can make it work is "Was violence in the old west really as prevalent as popular culture paints it, or were vigilante acts like those surrounding the Lincoln Co. War the exception rather than the rule?" I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on this. Is that way too general for a paper of this length? This is a mini-paper (only 6 pages), so I need a very refined and specific thesis statement that I can outline in a couple of thousand words and then do a few thousand words of analysis on.

2. I need suggestions for lines of investigation for evidence that I should dig into. I already have a few research materials, including Garrett's The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid, newspaper accounts of the events of the Lincoln Co. War, and Waldrep & Bellesiles' Documenting American Violence which has some related primary sources from the era. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Oh, and the deadline is in two weeks. I'm a fast writer, so if I get a direction and get on track by this weekend I should be good. Hope I'm not totally effed.

In say, 14th-15th century France or England, would a typical knight own a castle? If not, what rank of noble would you usually need to be before it was normal to have a castle?

If a knight didn't live in a castle, what would his house be like? Did all knights have their own homes, or did some of them live with nobles of higher rank?

How many people and of what rank would you expect to live in or around a single castle? How many people would a typical knight have authority over? Of those, how many would be 'men at arms'?

Also, does anyone have a rough idea of what percentage of a medieval knight's (or indeed any other feudal noble) total wealth would be in their personal arms, armour, warhorses, etc. vs. property? Would they have any other significant wealth, such as cash, investments, shares in business?