Also, as a follow up, Does anybody know what the first "Maritime" power was?

Did any of them pass? If so, how were they received publicly?

My knowledge of Republican and Imperial Rome is limited, and greatly influenced by Mike Duncan's History of Rome podcast. That being the case, it seems to me that the Roman Senate was always more concerned about preserving their own wealth and power rather than the welfare of its citizenry. Further, it was little more than a rubber stamping body during the imperial period.

Why did the founding fathers choose to emulate them and adopt its name?

The death of that Japanese soldier who surrendered in the 70s got me wondering what factors made the Japanese so much more fanatical than other combatants, at least to va lay perspective. Sure, the Russians & Nazis were brutal, but it seems the Japanese were unique in their unwillingness to surrender, and to instead take on suicide missions, kamikaze strikes, banzai charges, etc.

So I just wonder what cultural factors were at play here. For instance, the only modern equivalent to that willingness to die for one's cause is religious fervor. Yet I've been under the impression that Shinto was more of a cultural/ceremonial tradition than a passionate faith that inspired its followers to lay down their lives for advancement in the afterlife.

Is this a post war change? Just what benefit did an individual Japanese citizens think would come to them in exchange for sacrificing their lives? Did they really believe the emperor was literally a god, or was this more ceremonial? Was there any significant opposition to the war in Japanese society?

Was homosexuality/bisexuality regarded as normal in these times? How did his followers feel about this?

I have heard of the battle of Ain Jalut where the Mongols were defeated by the Mamlukes, but I was wondering whether there were any other instances where the Mongols were stifled significantly.

Bill Murray says it ended the war because without gold the Nazi's couldn't secure supplies.

I'm taking AP US History right now, and a few weeks ago as we talked about Polk's presidency the events leading up to the Civil War, I suggested jokingly that the Gadsden Purchase was actually the cause leading up to the south's secession.

Recently, I stumbled across more information about the motives behind the Gadsden Purchase. It turns out the land was purchased in order to make a southern route more feasible for the transcontinental railroad. This intensified the debate over whether or not the northern or southern route would be taken for the railroad, and led to higher sensationalist tensions in congress which led to the civil war.

There's a chance I may be entering a full-on debate with him about this topic, so I'd love some more input as to how the Gadsden purchase could have played a role in the path to secession.

I am an undergraduate history major and I really can't decide what field to focus on for my masters. I love so many different places in history it becomes overwhelming. I am choosing between United States History, European History, and Asian History. If you could just tell me something awesome about your area of expertise it might help thanks! Btw you guys are awesome! Great Responses!

Title explains my question. I know the language has developed much since this time period, but I'm interested to see how similar we really are. Direct me to further reading if possible.

In the current media (movies, and books; not the "news") why is industrialization always portrayed as such an evil? Bad guys in everything from Kung Fu Panda 2 to The Lord of The Rings all seem to show any type of factory or assembly line type of activity as inherently evil. Given the actual long term benefits of an industrial society to the masses, as seen in the current western society that actually evolved from it, why is this?

... Yes I am very aware of the the growing pains/labor/monopoly issues etc. that have been long ago been addressed. My question is why we still seeing this now?