/r/askhistorians
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Filippo Brunelleschi seems to have been an almost impossibly gifted genius, single-handedly jumpstarting the Renaissance in both architecture and painting. What do we know of his educational background and personal life, and how did he establish a relationship with his Medici patrons?
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The upcoming film “The Greatest Showman” seems to portray P.T. Barnum as a friend and champion of “freaks,” with song lyrics like “Everyone deserves a chance to shine.” Was Barnum that progressive and inclusive? Or did he just exploit the “freaks” for his own profit?
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Is there a sort of "World History Book" that gives a general overview over all the important eras, nations and events so that I have a sorta overview of things I want to read more about?
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I am an illiterate English agricultural worker in Warwickshire in 1642. How much understanding do I have of why a civil war is brewing? Do I have much choice whether I fight and who I fight for? If so, how would I decide which army to join?
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Was Shakespeare's depiction of Shylock typical for its day? Would Shakespeare have encountered any Jews in day-to-day life? Would the forced conversion at the end of 'The Merchant of Venice' be viewed as a 'happy ending' in its time, or would its negative characteristics be understood?
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What's the origin of angels in the Abrahamic religions? Did they exist in related Semitic polytheism? Are they imported/co-opted gods? Were there ever any cults or off-shoots that worshiped them?
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During the American Civil War, monitors from the European Powers traveled to America to examine the course of the war. What were the general assessments of both armies from these monitors? What was their response to a hastily built rebel army consistently defeating the US in the opening years?
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