askhistorians

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In the U.S. children are usually taught about the rise of civilization focusing on the fertile crescent and history classes then focus on the west. Is there a similar but opposite bias in educating children in China or do they take a broader view?	948
The Western Front during World War I seems like hell on Earth. How widespread were attempts at desertion and how successful were they? What sort of obstacles would someone trying to desert face?	154
I've been reading about World War 1, it seems as if the Austro-Hungarian army exhibited a truly unbelievable degree of incompetence. Was it really that bad? Would the outcome of the war have likely been substantially different if they were simply moderately competent?	145
How difficult would it have been for an American during World War I or World War II to avoid the draft by simply ignoring notices and moving around the country? How widespread was such a thing? Presumably this meant abandoning their identity from before the war?	55
People have this mental image of the Greeks uniting against the Xerxes when the Persian empire invaded, but many of the Greek cities actually sided with the Persians. When the Persians were later defeated, did those cities that sided with the Invaders face any consequences?	43
A lot of art was lost or destroyed during the two World wars. What especially notable in famous works of art were destroyed or lost during the two wars?	40
I also a resident of Pompeii in the year 79. What if anything could I have done during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius to increase the likelihood of my survival? How far would I have had to have been to probably survive? Are there stories of any residents escaping?	38
The Texas Revolution ended after a portion of the armies of each side fought and the Texans captured the president of Mexico. How capable would both sides have been to keep fighting had Santa Ana not been captured? Who would have been more likely to win in that instance?	25
Triarii were spearmem in the back of Roman lines. They were also the oldest troops. I just heard a theory that they may have served almost as morale officers of sorts, to stop or discourage retreats. How much supports this theory have among scholars?	16
During the medieval period in Europe, what were common fates for common soldiers if they were not ransomed, when a war was over?	14

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