AskHistorians Archive Observer

For Greek religion, where there different levels of devoutness? For example, were there some people who only worshipped on holidays, some who devoutly prayed every day, and were these different levels of devoutness considered acceptable?

1 Answers 2014-04-26

What is the difference between, Marxism, Socialism, and Communism??

5 Answers 2014-04-26

How and when did we start using the term 'Fuck You'?

How and when did we start using this? As English is not my native language, I find it funny that 'Fuck you.' is an insult. As opposed to wishing someone to have a wild night, wich is hardly insulting :).

1 Answers 2014-04-26

When in human history did the concept of the office take hold? How did it develop?

I mean actual offices, not The Office. Also, if anyone can recommend any particular related documentaries or texts, that'd be amazing.

4 Answers 2014-04-26

Did trade continue between cities in Western Europe in the century following the fall of the western Roman Empire? Would merchants have continued to use the roman roads?

1 Answers 2014-04-26

What happened to the Gauls when the Franks took over their land?

1 Answers 2014-04-26

How did the SS officers in Nazi Germany view the skulls on their caps?

I saw a sketch from That Mitchell and Webb Look about an SS officer who was uneasy about wearing the Totenkopf. How did they feel in real life about it? Did it seem sort of evil?

1 Answers 2014-04-26

Books on French colonial wars

Sorry to ask but I couldn't find anything in the book list. Is there any good books on the French Algerian war and the French Vietnam war? Thanks for the help

1 Answers 2014-04-26

Under the dictatorships of Franco and Salazar respectively, how were Spain and Portugal treated by other European countries?

I realise that in the grand scheme of things, many post-war governments thought that fascism was preferable to communism. But were these regimes simply tolerated or were they supported by neighbouring countries? What economic and political ties did they have?

1 Answers 2014-04-26

To what extent was Stalin responsible for the Korean war?

1 Answers 2014-04-26

What are a list of movies that are remarkably accurate for the time-period they portray?

1 Answers 2014-04-26

Having just read the answer about the history of the modern state of Israel, I realised I don't know why the Jews were displaced in the first place.

Most posts I see about Israel are about it's history from roughly WWI onwards. /u/tayaravaknin 's excellent post starts with late 1800s/early 1900s and implies that the Jews are a race of people without a homeland.

Why was this the case? When were they first ejected from their homeland and why?

Thanks.

EDIT: fixed the spelling of /u/tayaravaknin

1 Answers 2014-04-26

Were there ANY positive outcomes that came with the Vietnam War in the United States' favor?

1 Answers 2014-04-26

Around 1870-1910, did German people self-identify primarily as German or as Bavarian, Württembergian etc?

How strongly did the identity of the smaller German states persist?

1 Answers 2014-04-26

Where would the world be today if World War I had not happened?

1 Answers 2014-04-26

What happened to the military conspirators in the early 90s coup-attempt in the USSR?

I was just reading about the attempted military coup of the early 90s that resulted in Yeltsin dramatically standing on an armored vehicle in Moscow. The coup fell apart within a few days. What happened to the people involved in the coup after the fact?

1 Answers 2014-04-26

What was the main differences between East and West Berlin during the cold war?

How did people live their lives, why did so many try to escape the east side?

1 Answers 2014-04-26

What exactly makes the Nazis not Socialist? Isn't it in their name?

I'm sorry. I know they aren't, but I don't know why.

2 Answers 2014-04-26

Saturday Reading and Research | April 26, 2014

Saturday Reading and Research will focus on exactly that: the history you have been reading this week and the research you've been working on. It's also the prime thread for requesting books on a particular subject. As with all our weekly features, this thread will be lightly moderated.

So, encountered a recent biography of Stalin that revealed all about his addiction to ragtime piano? Delved into a horrendous piece of presentist and sexist psycho-evolutionary mumbo-jumbo and want to tell us about how bad it was? Need help finding the right book to give the historian in your family? Then this is the thread for you!

9 Answers 2014-04-26

Can anyone point me in the direction of original Martin Luther King speeches?

I was looking for an archive of all his speeches, not sure if this exists but figured I would ask. Anything related to Mr.King will be appreciated. Please and thank you.

1 Answers 2014-04-26

What are the most common historical misconceptions regarding Christianity?

2 Answers 2014-04-26

What were rebel flags like in the Dark Ages if two armies (Loyalists and Rebels) attacked ? Is there any record that it was Red/Black or is it that our understanding of rebels in the dark ages are minimal

The title asks as this text is optional but were they Red/Black flags in the dark ages probably speaking about 900-1450s Before 1500 were they always black and red or is it my minimal understanding of rebellions during that time. By rebels I mean peasant and ones that demand claim of the throne.

Thanks in Advance :D

3 Answers 2014-04-26

Was there much interaction between the Yuan Dynasty and the Ilkhanate?

I always wondered what the relationship between Hulagu and Kublai was, and if it improved, or fell apart in subsequent generations.

1 Answers 2014-04-26

What would you say is the most surprising or interesting origins for an English word?

6 Answers 2014-04-26

Cyprus has the "home" temple to Aphrodite at Paphos. What are some other locations of the "home" temple to different Grecian gods? What is the story behind their location being special to that god?

2 Answers 2014-04-26