AskHistorians

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George Washington is praised for resigning his command at the end of the Revolutionary War instead of proclaiming himself King. But was that ever a realistic option for him?	2054
Many cultures had customary dowry, paid by the parents of a bride to her groom. Meanwhile, other cultures, often in the same or similar region and period, had a bride price, paid by the groom to the parents of the bride. What factors led to such diametrically opposite customs?	1720
In the early years of the United States, the US Marshals were the Federal law enforcement service. Why was a new agency (FBI) created to take over their role, with the Marshals relegated to mostly court order enforcement and escort, rather than continue using them as the general Federal LEO service?	1638
Did the Roman Military have "special forces"?	1394
Why is Pyrrhus of Epirus considered a great general, when he essentially lost every foreign war he started?	909
In 1956, the Soviet Union crushed the Hungarian Revolution with 30,000 troops. In 1968, the Warsaw Pact had to use nearly 500,000 troops to invade Czechoslovakia during the Prague Spring. Why such a big discrepancy to stop what ostensibly was a "softer" revolution in 1968 than 1956?	364
In the musical Hamilton, Aaron Burr is portrayed as an unprincipled individual who has no political positions or motives except seeking power. Is this historically accurate?	299
Before the Age of Sail, did most goods travel through a few merchants travelling large distances, or through many merchants travelling small distances?	277
Why are the Revolutions of 1848 considered a failure, when they led to major changes such as the overthrow of the French monarchy and the rise of modern Liberalism, Nationalism, and Socialism forces in Europe?	192
Do historians actually consider the last successful invasion of England to have happened in 1066?	164

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