Today:
Welcome to this week's instalment of /r/AskHistorians' Sunday Digest (formerly the Day of Reflection). Nobody can read all the questions and answers that are posted here, so in this thread we invite you to share anything you'd like to highlight from the last week - an interesting discussion, an informative answer, an insightful question that was overlooked, or anything else.
Catching up...
/u/400-rabbits answered "Why didn't the Aztec Triple Alliance amongst the city states of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan break up after usurping the Tepanecs? Were there no incentive to turn against each other to become the hegemon?"
/u/611131 on "How Did The Banana Get To The Americas?"
/u/a_dissident_is_here answered "Why did so many more British soldiers than IRA fighters die during the Troubles?"
It's that time of week again! You know, when we take a look at the wilder side of /r/AskHistorians. That's right, it's time for "The Real Questions", where I shout out some of the unique, oddly specific, atypical, amusingly phrased, or otherwise interesting questions of the week, the ones that make me say "Finally, someone is asking the real questions."
Remember how last week I had the panic late in the evening because I hadn't done the Digest yet, only to realize it was Saturday and I wasn't late yet? Well, it happened again, but this time I was correct to have it. But we're here now!
Below are my entries for this week - questions with a ‡ have a link to an older thread. What do you think were the realest questions? And be sure to check out my full list of Real Questions.
This is also a chance to share those interesting yet overlooked questions that still cry out for the attention of experts. Feel free to post your own, or share which ones inspired you this week.
/u/VladimirBudinski asked How was the government of the Republic of Venice organized?
/u/Zeuvembie asked How Did Jurchen Shamanism Change During the Qing Dynasty?
/u/PeterFriedrichLudwig asked What impact did the massive influx of silver from South America to Europe in the 16th century have? Did the price for silver drop? Were European mines closed because they weren't profitable anymore?
Welcome one and all to the AskHistorians Digest! Easily my favorite (and busiest) time of the week. We’re quickly approaching the holiday season, so let me share the gift of some fantastic history threads to brighten your day. We’ve got something for everyone, and spanning an incredible number of topics.
Don’t forget to check out the weekly features, upvote all those hard working authors and leave a thanks now and again for them!
Big important thread to see! AskHistorians Calls, Will You Choose To Answer? The /r/AskHistorians Flair Application Thread XXII!
/u/HistoryCat42 joined us for My name is Hannah. I'm a PhD student studying the Dogs for Defense program and the war dogs of World War II. MA about Dogs for Defense, war dogs, and pets in the 1940s!
Then the fantastic new podcast episode; AskHistorians Podcast Episode 164 - Women in Medieval and Early Modern Scottish History.
Some great ideas in the Thursday Reading and Rec!
The always fun Friday Free For All!
/u/evil_deed_blues rocks the Saturday Showcase.
In a META so nice I’m linking it twice, we had Do the mods/answerers/askers of questions of this subreddit realise how important they are to armchair historians and those who wish to get better at what they "study?"
And with that we come to a close for another week. It’s been a blast, with some particularly awesome posts. Enjoy, and I’ll see you all next Sunday!