AskHistorians

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In the 2014 Film "Fury" American troops within Germany in April 1945 are portrayed with extremely low morale, filthy uniforms, and lacking basic sanitation. Was this the state of the US Army in 1945?	127
It's a common theme in gangster movies where the "family" does everything in its power to gain legitimacy in the eyes of the government and have their crimes either become absolved or legal. Has their ever been a recorded case where a crime family has gone "legit"?	123
In the movie Django Unchained a character called Dr King Schultz is portrayed as a Liberal minded German Bounty Hunter who is appalled at American Slavery but while also carrying around an almost Prussian like identity. Is he based on any historical precedent/would a person like him exist in 1858?	90
A common perception of The Pinkertons is of corporate and government thugs who would abuse and even murder any opposition from strikers to political dissidents in late 19th century America. Is this based on any historical truth or simply a bastardization of history?	84
Why is the German Bismarck one of the most famous ships in history if its combat record was abysmal and the fact that it was sunk in its first legitimate naval action?	83
Where did the "Psycho Vietnam Vet" stereotype come from?	66
How historically accurate was the video game Red Dead Redemption?	56
By executive order decree, President Roosevelt banned all voluntary enlistments into the US armed services in late 1942. Apart from being drafted, how would a person enlist to fight during WW2?	52
It is the American South circa 1865-1877. I'm a 18 year old orphan who lost his parents during the war. Without options for a job I enlist in the US Army. What is the post war enlistment process like? What will my training be? Will I be treated differently since my family supported the Confederacy?	38
How did Denmark react upon the release of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet"?	32

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