/r/AskHistorians

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Why have the Scandinavian countries been able to be immune from the political chaos and coups that gripped various parts of Europe in the early 20th century? What was so vital and strong about the Scandinavian practice of liberal democracy that kept them free from that turmoil?

530 upvotes • KevTravels

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No American cities had police departments until 1854, how was crime handled in the 2 centuries before then?

530 upvotes • Nouseriously

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Why are Japanese castles built of wood as opposed to stone?

529 upvotes • cpt_reynolds

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In the 5th century both the Roman Empire and China were invaded by nomadic peoples and were divided. But why did the idea of unified China survive while Europe developed into many different states that never unified?

529 upvotes • jamesdakrn

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Mecca and Medina are closed off to non-Muslims. Is this a recent rule put in by the Al-Saud or have non-Muslims always been prohibited from entering the two holy cities?

529 upvotes • mochamauka

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1050 CE: I'm a countryside farmer in what is now eastern France (Burgundy). Who do I consider a foreigner? Is a Christian in Dijon a foreigner? What about a Jew in Dijon? Or either in Paris? Is a guy in the next valley a foreigner? How does a foreigner become "one of ours?"

529 upvotes • screwyoushadowban

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How did glory holes evolve and when were they most popular? NSFW

529 upvotes • Jimfromoregon77

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Did medieval soldiers have a concept of fitness?

529 upvotes • matt675

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How rational was Churchill’s decision to resist the Nazi’s alone?

529 upvotes • oracle427

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What's the single weirdest historical event or fact you are aware of?

528 upvotes • Jake_91_420

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Title	Upvotes	Author	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
Why have the Scandinavian countries been able to be immune from the political chaos and coups that gripped various parts of Europe in the early 20th century? What was so vital and strong about the Scandinavian practice of liberal democracy that kept them free from that turmoil?	530	KevTravels
No American cities had police departments until 1854, how was crime handled in the 2 centuries before then?	530	Nouseriously
Why are Japanese castles built of wood as opposed to stone?	529	cpt_reynolds
In the 5th century both the Roman Empire and China were invaded by nomadic peoples and were divided. But why did the idea of unified China survive while Europe developed into many different states that never unified?	529	jamesdakrn
Mecca and Medina are closed off to non-Muslims. Is this a recent rule put in by the Al-Saud or have non-Muslims always been prohibited from entering the two holy cities?	529	mochamauka
1050 CE: I'm a countryside farmer in what is now eastern France (Burgundy). Who do I consider a foreigner? Is a Christian in Dijon a foreigner? What about a Jew in Dijon? Or either in Paris? Is a guy in the next valley a foreigner? How does a foreigner become "one of ours?"	529	screwyoushadowban
How did glory holes evolve and when were they most popular? NSFW	529	Jimfromoregon77
Did medieval soldiers have a concept of fitness?	529	matt675
How rational was Churchill’s decision to resist the Nazi’s alone?	529	oracle427
What's the single weirdest historical event or fact you are aware of?	528	Jake_91_420