askhistorians

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To what extent could the Mexican Revolution from 1910 to 1920 be considered to be (or not to be) a socialist revolution?	43
Based on portraits I've seen of 18th-century Western Europeans, it seems to me that facial hair was almost never worn by a man of status. Are there any records of reactions to 18th c. Western European men of status breaking this apparently very strict norm?	43
To Ancient Greeks, were all non-Greeks "barbarians," or only those they deemed culturally less sophisticated? For example, were Persians (in no way less sophisticated than Greeks, only different) "barbarians"? When did the term gain a connotation of cultural inferiority rather than mere difference?	43
Was R. Budd Dwyer likely innocent of the charges that drove him to commit suicide on live TV?	42
Scandinavian stave churches look quite distinctive as far as European churches go. Is there any evidence that they represent the survival of a pre-Christian architectural style? Can we conclude with any degree of certainty that temples to Odin or Thor would have looked similar?	42
What motivated Afro-Caribbean people to migrate to the US circa 1870-1965? Why did they decide not only to leave home (a decision never taken lightly), but also to relocate to a country that legally and socially regarded them as second-class citizens?	42
With the passing of Billy Graham, to what extent did he pave the way for the politicized evangelism of the likes of Falwell in the 80s? (third attempt)	41
Where and when does the stereotype of stoic, disciplined, and punctual Northern Europeans vs effusive, relaxed, and perpetually late Southern Europeans arise? Was this perception inverted when S. Europeans were more dominant (e.g., during the Roman Empire or the peak of the Spanish Empire)?	41
At least in the English-speaking world from ca. 1500-1900, men wrote their male friends very effusive letters and poems that we'd only expect in romantic relationships today. How does that square with supposedly stricter gender norms back then? Why did this form of friendly communication die out?	40
The states of Georgia, Maryland, New York, North and South Carolina, and Virginia are all named after British royals. Why weren't these names changed following American independence? Was there any public debate about whether to keep or change them? [Second attempt]	40

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