askhistorians

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Prior to the 20th century, how clear were the lines between Eastern Slav “nationalities” (Ukrainian vs. Russian vs. Belarusian etc.), both at the literate and common level? Was there a linguistic/cultural continuum?	14
Recommended books on late medieval/early modern (c. 1400 - 1600) Italy which are not primarily about the Renaissance? (Interested in statebuilding, politics, international relations, and economics)	13
A "US Secretary of State" carries an odd bundle of responsibilities: foreign policy, immigration, elections, and record keeping/legitimization (e.g., presidential seal & tracking constitutional amendment). What precedents influenced its 18th century creation and 19th century development?	12
[Book Recommendation Request] What are histories of Edo period Japan which focus on the broader society (in all its diversity) rather than high politics or culture? In particular, I am interested in the tensions between its official ideology and reality, and how life changed during the period	12
Why were the Western Allies (viz. UK & France) unwilling to accept Soviet overtures for a defensive alliance c. 1936-9, when they were willing to support much weaker states like Poland?	12
The Tariff of 1828 makes no sense to me. It was passed under the Adams administration, benefited the Lower North, yet is cited as a major reason for why that region broke against Adams for Jackson. How did it become identified with the emerging Democratic Party in those crucial states?	11
The Democratic Party had consistently dominated Antebellum politics, being able to grant the South's key demands while keeping Northern public opinion placated. Is there a consensus about why Democratic leaders so (uncharacteristically) miscalculated the Northern response to Kansas-Nebraska in 1854?	11
50 years ago, the "Brenner Debate" raged about what caused certain areas of Europe (viz. Britain) to dramatic increases in agricultural productivity c. 1600. What are the most important books on this "Second Agricultural Revolution" from the past decade?	10
The 9th and 10th century Hungarian Raids get glossed as them simply extracting booty. Given that the main sources of wealth in Early Medieval Europe were land, labor, and court/ecclesiastical positions, to what extent did the Hungarians try and broaden their extraction beyond movable wealth?	10
Reading Froissart, I’m struck by the importance of city leaders (The Calais’ Burghers, The Prevost of Paris). What are good books on urban politics of the 14th century, especially navigating their relationship with both the central government and The Mob?	9

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