If free trade is mutually beneficial, what is the logic behind conquering countries for their resources? Japan in China in the 30s for example, when the Japanese invaded Manchuria to get the mineral resources, why not just buy them? Is conquest cheaper? Did it make the average Japanese citizen better off? And any other examples/countries would be fine to prove the point, I'm not only curious about Japan specifically

It seems to me that the Scramble for Africa went on without much opposition except a few wars here and there. Most of the fighting was among the European powers and not between them and the natives.

I don't get it. It seems to me that nationalism and independence movements started only after 1950s. There were almost no initial resistance from the natives (from what I understand, based on my limited knowledge on the topic from wikipedia).

• How can a humongous continent be totally conquered by European powers without any opposition from the natives?

Or were the natives so outgunned that it was impossible for them to stand up against the Europeans? Or was there any other reasons?

I was told that most knights didn't really behave chivalrously (god I hope that's a real word) and that cheating in jousts was common. Is this the case? I realize that this is a highly subjective question, but any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

I'm going to be working with an organization the help them organize and catalogue some of their historical documents and items. We're looking for something that will allow the item to be:

1. Categorized
2. Described
3. Pictures Added
4. Location where stored
5. Misc Comments

Do you all have any suggestions for a nice inexpensive software? There are a lot of items, like from small tokens to books to a few paintings.

We're really trying to start a good in house program to realize what exactly we have before figuring out what needs to be sent off to be housed in better conditions and what can be kept on site.

DO you have any suggestions? We can't really afford Museum quality software, so on the less expensive area is prefered.

Thank you in advance!

I'm trying to understand under what circumstances he was working. Some of his female anatomy is EXTREMELY off -- did he not have, say, even ancient Greek and Roman sculpture to look at as a better reference for the female form?

I've recently been listening to Dan Carlin's Hardcore History series on WW1 and it has inspired me to learn more regarding the Great Wars.

Does anyone have good, fact based documentaries? Although this might sound calloused, I'm less interested in the "human" side of the wars and more interested on the strategical and tactical side of things.

If you don't know any good documentaries, book recommendations would be helpful as well. Thanks!

The spring offensive launched by the Germans in 1918 was ultimately a failure that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Germany's best troops and the squandering of significant material resources. The Germany army found itself overstretched and was soon back on the defensive as the allies launched their own "100 Days offensive" that would end in armistice.

That said, in comparison to the major allied offensives of 1916 and 1917 which failed to capture significant amounts of territory, the Germany spring offensives captured vast tracts of albeit strategically useless country side and threw the British and French armies back 50 miles in some places.

What explains the near successes of these massive German offensives while similar allied offensives never achieved similar "breakthroughs" into open country?

I think most people know the Soviets were less than kind to their enemies or anyone they percieved as their enemies or even rivals. What was done with American and British servicemen who were held by the germans, or hidden by the locals? Were they simply turned back over to the allies or would they be in turn held and questioned by the Soviets. Was abuse/mistreatment of allied POWs by the Soviets a thing?

Like, did British people have a channel dedicated to American TV shows, or was there simply no access to it until more advanced TV services became available?

Obviously many opposed their government holding onto empires that were uneconomical and going through vicious civil war but was there ever domestic opposition on the basis of its morality? Eg. Were there British Parliament members who advocated for the abolishment of the empire?

Wouldn't it be easier to defect through a forest or in a small border village, rather than through the Wall, with all its guards and ligthts and attention?

EDIT (Strikethrough): I can't believe that the Berlin Wall had been the weakest point in the borders between East and West Germany.

I have recently been watching the fantastic The Great War youtube channel and it has brought up one of my biggest historical questions. With Western Europe divided among huge, incredibly powerful nations, how have the smaller countries (especially ones without great natural resources and TBH, not great land or large populations) been able to hold off France and Germany (or England looking for mainland European land) during the late 19th and first half of the 20th centuries and before (like against the Holy Roman Empire and whatnot)

I also am just fascinated how a country like the Netherlands or Portugal was able to have such a vast overseas empire with not much land at home.

Note: This curiosity probably all extends from playing Civ4 Earth map too much and realizing I probably couldn't conquer shit while having like 3 tiles of workable land. :)

Hi,

I have a couple of questions about medieval sieges.

First off, I know that the majority of the wars/battles were won by sieges. It's just not clear to me what that means.

Was a siege as a simple as just planting your army outside a castle and wait? What would be reasons for losing a siege/surrendering a castle for the defenders? I can imagine if there is no more food left, but were there other reasons? What would be a reason for an attacking force to break their siege?

I apologise if the time frame is to vague, but I don't know enough about medieval times to specify.

Thanks