How much did Germany push for war in 1914?

I am following 100 years ago today on twitter, and every post about the build up to war seems to be that Germany is pushing Austria-Hungary to war with Serbia. Did Germany actively push for war so much? Was the Austro-Hungarian Empire stalling for another solution?

2 Answers 2014-07-14

Can historians recommend any good books about medieval warfare and life in France in the early 15th century?

Thank you.

3 Answers 2014-07-14

How accurate is this video about the Muslim conquest of Egypt?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDP6OHIZqrQ

1 Answers 2014-07-14

How did the majority of prisoners in Auschwitz die?

Hello, after watching few documentaries and having some basic knowledge about this part of history, I ended up being a little curious about this, how exactly did the SS exterminate their prisoners?

I recall about 0,5 mil prisoners stationed in Auschwitz itself (majority obviously died). A lot of people also mention the gassing, however after inspecting the blueprints of the gas rooms and the crematorium it is almost impossible to imagine so many people dying there (also very impractical to just drag so many corpses from the gassing rooms to the crematorium) were they shot or did they just die due to hunger or typhus?

(I am not tying to deny the gas chamber theory or the holocaust itself, if it does look like it then I apologize in advance).

2 Answers 2014-07-14

What biographies (or more general histories) would you advise for someone interested in learning more about Kemal Ataturk?

2 Answers 2014-07-14

Is there any plausible evidence for occurrences of single combat by "champions" or highly esteemed soldiers in the field of combat?

There are numerous mythic and literary references to the idea of two champions of their respective forces duelling to the death in single combat, but did this ever occur in reality? The notion obviously seems fanciful, but not completely out of the realm of possibility.

I know that sometimes military commanders would fight each other in battles when they are brought together by happenstance, but I'm interested in the idea of organised and spectated duels between people in military command.

1 Answers 2014-07-14

Monday Mysteries: What was it used for?

People dig up old junk all the time. Sometimes we know what it was used for; sometimes we don't. Today's mystery thread will focus on the latter. From the antikythera mechanism, to the neolithic venus figurines, to /u/an_ironic_username's brain, there is a whole host of things whose true purpose remains a mystery. Share one from your area of study!

3 Answers 2014-07-14

How did the British and the Germans produce propaganda films during WW2?

I'm writing an essay and I can't find many sources on this. I know about the Reichsministerium für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda and the Ministry of Information, but not much more than that. I've also found a few German primary sources - guidelines to propagandists and the like, and a British memorandum about the 'Principles and Objectives of British Wartime Propaganda'.

What I'm trying to find out is how a film would be made. What would Goebbels or Bracken do to get a film released? What were the institutions and personages that dealt with propaganda film? Were the films mainly commissioned from independent artists or were they produced 'in-house'?

I would be extremely grateful for any sources.

1 Answers 2014-07-14

What was the significance of the kantakouzenos family in the byzantine empire?

I know some people credit their civil war with ruining what was left of the empire Bonus: Can anyone tell me if the Cantacuzino family is related to them

2 Answers 2014-07-14

When did we start celebrating birthdays? What did birthday parties look like in the past?

1 Answers 2014-07-14

Why are so many reinsurers German?

I recently started working in insurance and found out that there are very few large reinsurers, but a very large number of them have a Germanic, and more specifically Bavarian or Swiss origin. For example: Hannover Re, Swiss Re, Munich Re and Gen Re.

Is there a historical reason for four of the top five reinsurers in the world to be from such a small area? Particularly since three of them were founded in the mid 19th century. Is it just coincidence because of the small number of reinsurers?

1 Answers 2014-07-14

Did the Carolingians have myths/legends?

I know that they were a pretty christian based society, but I'm interested in learning about their mythology and folklore. A google search brings up some stuff, but I'd like you guys to suggest me some 'further reading' or just put up anything you know. Thanks in advance!

EDIT: thank you guys- The lengths you went to answer my question were commendable! I now have a pretty substantual reading list here! Thanks!

2 Answers 2014-07-14

What percentage of the German population actually supported hitler and agreed with his views at the time of World War 2?

I am wondering their views on him while concentration camps and mass killings of Jews were going on, not their views on him before the war started. What percentage of the population agreed with his thoughts and what percentage thought what was going on was wrong?

2 Answers 2014-07-14

My father claims that Israel was created because the Jews helped steal research on the atomic bomb from the Germans and gave it to the allies who then agreed to help them get their own land. Does this have ANY historical merit whatsoever?

A quick google search doesn't give any credit to what he says. But I want to show him how far off he is

1 Answers 2014-07-14

In WWII if the Germans and Japanese each thought they were the superior race, how were they going to co-exist if they won the war?

2 Answers 2014-07-14

Been reading some of the Nixon tape transcripts, was Allende really enacting dictatorial measures?

1 Answers 2014-07-14

What did medieval people call autism

what did the people of those times call autsim or what did they describe it as and how would they treat.

1 Answers 2014-07-14

Serial killer Albert Fish's letter sent to one of his victim's mother mentioned that in the late 1800s a friend of his went to China, witnessed mass trade of human children for food/cannibilism, resulting in his taste for human flesh when he came back. How accurate is this?

Here is the occasionally NSFW text of the letter he sent (source):

Dear Mrs. Budd. In 1894 a friend of mine shipped as a deck hand on the Steamer Tacoma, Capt. John Davis. They sailed from San Francisco for Hong Kong, China. On arriving there he and two others went ashore and got drunk. When they returned the boat was gone. At that time there was famine in China. Meat of any kind was from $1–3 per pound. So great was the suffering among the very poor that all children under 12 were sold for food in order to keep others from starving. A boy or girl under 14 was not safe in the street. You could go in any shop and ask for steak—chops—or stew meat. Part of the naked body of a boy or girl would be brought out and just what you wanted cut from it. A boy or girl's behind which is the sweetest part of the body and sold as veal cutlet brought the highest price. John staid there so long he acquired a taste for human flesh. On his return to N.Y. he stole two boys, one 7 and one 11. Took them to his home stripped them naked tied them in a closet. Then burned everything they had on. Several times every day and night he spanked them – tortured them – to make their meat good and tender. First he killed the 11 year old boy, because he had the fattest ass and of course the most meat on it. Every part of his body was cooked and eaten except the head—bones and guts. He was roasted in the oven (all of his ass), boiled, broiled, fried and stewed. The little boy was next, went the same way. At that time, I was living at 409 E 100 St. near—right side. He told me so often how good human flesh was I made up my mind to taste it. On Sunday June the 3, 1928 I called on you at 406 W 15 St. Brought you pot cheese—strawberries. We had lunch. Grace sat in my lap and kissed me. I made up my mind to eat her. On the pretense of taking her to a party. You said yes she could go. I took her to an empty house in Westchester I had already picked out. When we got there, I told her to remain outside. She picked wildflowers. I went upstairs and stripped all my clothes off. I knew if I did not I would get her blood on them. When all was ready I went to the window and called her. Then I hid in a closet until she was in the room. When she saw me all naked she began to cry and tried to run down the stairs. I grabbed her and she said she would tell her mamma. First I stripped her naked. How she did kick – bite and scratch. I choked her to death, then cut her in small pieces so I could take my meat to my rooms. Cook and eat it. How sweet and tender her little ass was roasted in the oven. It took me 9 days to eat her entire body. I did not fuck her tho I could of had I wished. She died a virgin.

Source.

4 Answers 2014-07-14

Why do we see Japan in late 1944 as absoultely hopeless when Britain was in more or less the same situation in 1940 after the Fall of France?

4 Answers 2014-07-14

Maybe a microhistoric question. But are there any good books or documentaries on travelling in medieval era of the world?

I am beginning to grow a huge interest towards the stories of people back in time, and their, for example, travel journals.

I thought travel journals might be a good place to start studying about how the journeys went, when humans had to travel on foot, through the ever threatening wild nature and other humans. Their knowhows, biggest fears, travelling equipments.. Etc.

It is just immensely fascinating for me to imagine how we ventured on with courage and wisdom that have been passed on till then, regardless of physical disadvantages in the mother nature.

So if you please, I would like to know where would be a good place to start to study about the people's journeys back in medieval times (not necessarily only Europe)

1 Answers 2014-07-14

Is it true that the pearl in Empress Dowager Cixi's mouth was taken by Chiang Kai-sek and used to decorate Madam Chiang's shoes? How much destruction did Chiang do to Cixi's tomb?

1 Answers 2014-07-14

What was "winter" or off season like for American slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries. What was the day to day for those that normally picked cotton in the summers?

Other "duties"?

1 Answers 2014-07-14

When did the people of Canada begin to consider themselves as "Canadian" rather than just British citizens?

2 Answers 2014-07-14

Why did the Falklands war happen?

I know that the people had just prior voted to stay a part of the British Empire. I also know that the Falkland islands have little to no strategic value or resources. So why was there a war over it?

2 Answers 2014-07-14

Books of compiled medieval depictions, paintings, statues, etc, 7th through 16th centuries?

I was looking for books that have a compilation of many medieval pictures and paintings with descriptions. I love the sections in history books that have pictures of surviving depictions, I feel it gives me a more thorough understanding of the period. I was wondering if such a book exists and if anyone could guide me in the proper direction. Unfortunately Google is quite unhelpful considering the lack of accurate search terms.

2 Answers 2014-07-14

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