Many say that Africa posseses the most genetic diversity in the world. Im just wondering if this has lead to cases of interracism and conflict between different ethnic groups. I mean even in like Europe, you had the northern Italy vs Southern italy divide.

I mean, theres clearly a semitic component to most Ethiopian civilisations such as Aksum and Abyssinia. Most Ethiopians speak a semitic language. There are ancient jewish, Christian and Islamic communities in the Ethiopian highlands. The politically dominant groups, namely the Habeshas believe they are the descendents of a union between Queen Sheba and Solomon. Ethiopian civilisations such as Dmt, Aksum and Abyssinia had stronger links to other Arabian civilisations such as the Sabaens than other SSA civilisations. And genetically, most seem to have semitic admixture.

Right, so I've been reading about King George the third, and began wondering, what was the reaction of British citizens to the loss of the colonies? Did they think less of King George because he had lost that war? And how well informed were average British citizens during the American War for Independence, if, at all?

This question might be difficult to answer, especially the second part, but I'm curious about how humans managed to successfully travel to unknown continents and islands, particularly Greenland, Oceania, Madagascar, and Polynesia. Were they merely the successful few to find land?

How did they create boats that were capable of travelling huge distances, and how did they survive whilst on the boats?

Furthermore, I can't think what would inspire people to travel into the unknown ocean without any way of knowing that they'd find land - is there any knowledge of why they migrated?

This is my first question on this forum, so I apologize if I have worded this incorrectly or in the wrong forum. As a Canadian, I did of course learn about my own history throughout public and high school, however all we really had were textbooks that didn't go into the full details of history (essentially a summary), so that in the next grade you could learn more about it.

Is there any specific books, documentaries, or websites where I can find more information? Ranging from pre-colonial times to Modern times if possible, of any topic (warfare, architecture, daily life, ect.)

Is there a single book, accessible/interesting to a layman which which will teach me most/many of the big ideas and patterns in history ?

A hippie friend of mine was telling me that Tobacco was a sacred plant to American Natives, and that they would only use it in ceremonies, a few times a month. He went on to say that people now have an abusive relation with tobacco, and have strayed away from it's intended use.

I find that hard to believe, as a tobacco user. I can't imagine the natives didn't go about their day using it be it chewing or smoking, because the moment the Europeans arrived they sure as hell made a habit out of it.

While watching an episode of Sharpe from the 1990s, I found myself wondering how different the upper class Englishman accent would be in the actual Napoleonic timeframe. Would the British upperclassmen have the typical sort of Downton Abbey wealthy accent? If not, what did they sound like? What about French, German, or Scandinavian languages? What about spoken English found across North America? We can see clearly in period writing that it differed a fair bit, as would the vernacular of the day. But how different?

"By diffusion" like how Norse people had crosses and mjolnr at the same time without seeming contradiction, or how folk religions incorporated Jesus without being exclusively "Christian"

I know that the Norse people didn't convert until the 900ish. But I'm wondering how come tribes like the Franks and Gothics converted so easily.

Is Abraham Woodhall a real person? How about Ben Tallmedge? Was there really an agent in New York? Was Simcoe real or just something added to give the show a villain? Help me understand whats realistic and what was added in the name of the show.

Does anyone know any good books or documentaries about the Munster rebellion?

I understand that Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor was set more or less in his time period. I'm wondering specifically about things that would have been happening or popular at the time that are possibly referenced in the play, that would have been funny at the time. But due to our (my) lack of knowledge of the specific history of the time, the joke is lost on us.

One example springs to mind, but please feel free to give others. The Host of the Garter Inn says something about Germans being honest men. I don't know how the English regarded the Germans in this time period, so I don't know if this is being meant as sarcastic or sincere or something else entirely!

Or if there are other bits that you think I should know how funny they are in context, please share!

Are the reasons related to resources, geography, military strategy, religion, territorial aggrandizement, or something else?