AskHistorians

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Mobutu gave an interview in which he said "we are not Europeans or westerners. We are bantus..., democracy can be applied, but not to the letter like in the West. Respect given to a chief is sacred". Did African dictators see themselves more as traditional chiefs and not servants of the people?	67
Could someone explain the history of Japanese business/work culture? Like the exchanging of business cards, radio calisthenics, who sits where during a meeting? Is it a product of the Meiji era? How did it endure into the late 20th century and into the 21st century?	67
I’m a marine fighting in the Pacific during WW2. At what point during the Pacific theater do I come to the realization that the Japanese just do not surrender? Do I even try to take them as prisoners or is that foolish?	66
How much training did the average Soviet soldier have during WW2?	65
In Medieval Europe, a serf was tied to the land, while a peasant was not. How exactly would people know which one I am, if I decided to leave?	65
How much discrimination did native black Britons face in the mid to late 19th century? Were there anything resembling black codes like in the American South?	64
How did royalty from the middle ages smell?	63
Can someone help clarify the historical attitude towards abortion rights within the Black American community. Did a shift in opinion occur over the past 50 years?	63
From 1933-1939, when Hitler was receiving praise from celebrities, politicians, etc. Did any future-persecuted group have anything good to say about him?	63
Many African countries were < ~50 yrs removed from their traditional borders at the time of their independence. Why did most African countries retain their European defined borders? For example; why didn't Nigeria return to Igboland, Hausa Kingdom and Yorubaland, or Uganda to the Buganda Kingdom?	62

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