/r/askhistorians

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Does Spain take any responsibility for what the conquistadors did to the natives of South America? I’m aware that most natives died from disease, but the conquistadors also murdered or enslaved thousands to millions of people, and wiped out entire civilizations and their knowledge.

897 upvotes • Themaster0fwar

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The Ottomans were one of the largest empires of all time, yet Turkish is not spoken as much around the world as many other languages. Was their influence not as significant over time as, let’s say, the British Empire?

897 upvotes • Awesk

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Slavery was abolished in Saudi Arabia and Yemen in 1962, the UAE in 1964, and Oman in 1970. Was owning slaves still commonplace in Arab nations during the 20th Century, or had it been dying out on its own? Did abolishment face resistance?

896 upvotes • raminus

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Does Gangs of New York accurately portray New York in the 1860s?

896 upvotes • KingPeanutButter

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Why did the crescent and star become symbol of Islam?

896 upvotes • tasztasz

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Why are some colours common as surnames, whereas others [are] absolutely not?

896 upvotes • Zimmozsa

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Why did Winston Churchill lose the 1945 elections despite leading Britain to victory against the Nazis?

895 upvotes • JASON9818

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I'm a Soviet citizen in the 1960s. I'm feeling a bit creative and would like to spruce up my flat with some decorations. What are my options for obtaining wallpaper, paint, etc?

895 upvotes • BreaksFull

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Why didn't Japan surrender after the first atomic bomb?

894 upvotes • turkey236

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Trotskyist author Ted Grant claimed that British Army with support by MI5 planned a coup in 1970 if Labor Party (dominated by left-wing internal groups ) came to power. Is this true?

894 upvotes • Shashank1000

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Title	Upvotes	Author	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
Does Spain take any responsibility for what the conquistadors did to the natives of South America? I’m aware that most natives died from disease, but the conquistadors also murdered or enslaved thousands to millions of people, and wiped out entire civilizations and their knowledge.	897	Themaster0fwar
The Ottomans were one of the largest empires of all time, yet Turkish is not spoken as much around the world as many other languages. Was their influence not as significant over time as, let’s say, the British Empire?	897	Awesk
Slavery was abolished in Saudi Arabia and Yemen in 1962, the UAE in 1964, and Oman in 1970. Was owning slaves still commonplace in Arab nations during the 20th Century, or had it been dying out on its own? Did abolishment face resistance?	896	raminus
Does Gangs of New York accurately portray New York in the 1860s?	896	KingPeanutButter
Why did the crescent and star become symbol of Islam?	896	tasztasz
Why are some colours common as surnames, whereas others [are] absolutely not?	896	Zimmozsa
Why did Winston Churchill lose the 1945 elections despite leading Britain to victory against the Nazis?	895	JASON9818
I'm a Soviet citizen in the 1960s. I'm feeling a bit creative and would like to spruce up my flat with some decorations. What are my options for obtaining wallpaper, paint, etc?	895	BreaksFull
Why didn't Japan surrender after the first atomic bomb?	894	turkey236
Trotskyist author Ted Grant claimed that British Army with support by MI5 planned a coup in 1970 if Labor Party (dominated by left-wing internal groups ) came to power. Is this true?	894	Shashank1000