AskHistorians

Title	Upvotes	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
How was Joseph Goebbels able to achieve such a high position of power within the Nazi party when he himself was disabled and physically handicapped, contrary to the Nazi parties ideals?	1420
Before smoking was widely known to be as unhealthy as it is, what would smokers think was wrong with them when they started suffering from things like "smokers cough" (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or other similar ailments?	1197
In most fiction featuring a dwarven race, they are commonly portrayed as legendary smiths that always dwell within the mountains. How did this trope come to pass, and is there any historical (mythological or otherwise) basis for this characterization?	364
A common trope in medieval themed films has the leaders from both sides searching and finding each other on the open field for a "final battle". Have there ever been any occasions of this actually happening?	145
How were able-bodied men who didn't join the military treated after the WW2 veterans returned?	120
Has second amendment case law ever considered weapons other than firearms?	108
What were investigative procedures like for crimes committed in colonial America? If I were to have committed murder, how likely was I to get away with it provided I took even the most basic of precautions?	77
Are there any records of murders/serial killings among Native American tribes prior to heavy European influence?	55
The Soviet military had a reputation of being an extreme way of life. How did they deal with morale, and did the USSR sponsor morale programs like the US military did?	42
Slavery during Roman times is portrayed in media as being less of a race issue and more of a "we conquered you" issue. How accurate is this and did racism play any part into slavery during that time?	29

« < > »