Deng Xiaoping was more democratic than Mao, so much so that Mao had him exiled. If so why did he maintain the Communist rule in China after Mao's death?

As you might have heard, President Obama sang Amazing Grace a few days ago. I am wondering, did this happen before?

In the context of my limited knowledge of modern history, the two countries seem to have formed an unlikely alliance. So what am I missing? Was it strictly an economics issue?

Bonus question, how many democracies has it overthrown?

Is this a myth, or is it true, and if so why?

I am currently reading Herodotus. And in it, he specifically mentions that he has learned the name of each of the 300 Spartans that died in the battle. But (after the main part of the force had withdrawn) there were also the Thebans and the Thespians fighting as well.

Why is it that there is so much glory for the Spartans and not these other people that fought to the death alongside of them?

Also, sorry for any facts I may have wrong or have misinterpreted.

One of the biggest differences between the United States and Rome in the late Republic is how politics played a role in society. When did patrician and plebeian males start learning about politics, and at what age?

I was doing homework and George Washington has come up a lot as a student, but never really focused on his military career in comparison to other officers at the time. Some specific points I want to know is, who were the more "brilliant" tacticians of the day, what where they doing at the time and what was their relationship to him and maybe vice versa.

Thank you for any information.

I have a feeling this is true, but I don't know enough about law to be sure.

I know it's a very broad question, and as such - I'm not expecting a very specific answer. Just trying to understand how economic systems in various places and times looked like.

Also did any other air forces except the RAF bomb Germany? Were the air raids any more or less ethical than Nazi bombings in Britain?

My dad has been reading David McCullough's The Wright Brothers, and though he has enjoyed it immensely, he wishes there was more information on the technical side of their work. McCullough is an excellent historian, but he tends to focus on the human/social side of things; my dad is an electrical engineer, so the technical details fascinate him as much as the interpersonal stuff does. Does anyone know of any books that cover the technical aspect of the development of flight leading up to and including the Wright brothers? I hope this is the right place to ask this.

From what I read, they had something similar to a communistic set up where everyone was assigned work, was doled out clothing and food, and had a good system of overseers. I don't know if communism would be the correct term however.