I know the Americans had the Glenn Miller band and Bob Hope touring around the European theater in WWII, but how far back does this practice go? And was this practice common in other countries? Were there German or Japanese musicians and comedians touring the front in WWII or further back?

I have been fascinated with American history leading up to the Civil War as well as African American history in the US as a whole. I have never been to the South, but would love to explore different ideas of "Southern" mentality. As far as it's helpful to generalize, what are the roots of the culture and what are the various aspects of its identity?

From World War I through Vietnam and in use by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the "spring offensive" is a term I've seen used countless times to describe an outburst of attacks which occur this time of year. But why? Does the typical spring climate prove advantageous to combatants? Where did the spring offensive originate, and why is it so globally pervasive?

Good day gentle people!

I have been searching for a series of detailed chronological political histories of nations and empires. can you give any direction? thank you!

I am an Atheist, but I have always been of the opinion that Jesus did indeed exist as a historical man - in context, a radical Middle-Eastern Jewish preacher in 1st century Palestine. The evidence for his existence should not be held to a magnificently higher standard than other historical figures.

Even though I am an Atheist, I think there is an ideological desire to undermine the authenticity of the existence of Jesus.

Either way, thoughts?

Compared to the campaigns fought in Europe and North Africa, and the campaign in the pacific for that matter, the Burma campaign fought between the Allies and Japan and Thailand is comparatively rarely discussed, despite its very high body count on both sides and strategic importance for China and India. Why is this the case?

Just wondering since the Pharaoh was a "God King" and usurping that title would be rather difficult for someone born outside the Royal Family to suddenly say they were chosen by the Gods, although I know one of the Tuthmosis by saying the Sphnix of Giza chose him as Pharaoh. Was it similar to the Chinese Mandate of Heaven or was the whole idea of a "God King" not strictly adhered to by the Egyptian Nobility and/or Peasantry?

Were Varangians Orthodox? Norse? Did it vary from person to person, or was there instead some institution demanding them to heed a certain faith? Did their faith change over the course of the Byzantine Empire?

I had always thought that the prewar German naval construction (and the threat perceived therein) was based around the construction of several battleships, and not on small, experimental craft like submarines.

I'm interested in reading about Habsburg Austria--from roughly the period of the Privilegium Maius (1358) to it's ultimate disintegration at the end of WWI.

I realize this is a huge time range so I am sure it may not be possible to find one or even two titles that cover all of it. But if anyone has any suggestions that cover at least some of this range in good depth I would love to learn as much as I can. I'm on a quest to become familiar with the general history of all the historical European great powers from the early modern period onward.

I am probably most interested in the part of their dominions that centered on the contiguous possessions that included Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia but am not opposed to reading about their other presence in places like Spain, the Netherlands, and Italy.

Hello /r/askhistorians,

I'm currently reading Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations". In the preface of the book, the publisher notes how Marcus had to deal with a Roman army revolt in Britain. The timeline for this I suppose would be from Aurelius's reign from ~160-180 CE.

I consider myself above average in knowledge of Roman history, but can't seem to recall any mention of a Roman army rebeling in this period/area. Any ideas of what the publisher is referring to?

Thanks, and I appreciate any replies!!

Hello, wanting to see what people think on this subject. Is there definitive proof, or just what's in the gospels? The internet is full of bias, so redditors, what's your take? Thanks in advance.

I can definitely see the hand of three stage Maoist guerilla doctrine behind Al Qaeda's strategy, but cannot find an example of Che Guevara's ideas being successfully applied even in communist conflicts. Could do with someone differentiating between the two sets of ideas and using a modern conflict as a case study to show why this is...

EDIT: missed out the word 'succesfully'