/u/LukeInTheSkyWith's posts in /r/AskHistorians
What is the basis for the myth of Aboriginal people in Australia being counted under the Fauna and Flora Act (essentially as animals)? Was there ever such legislation, either in name or effect on the native Australians? Why is it often assumed that the 1967 referendum repelled this?
12 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
What would be the most likely fate of someone who cheated on a monarch in the Sengoku period in Japan?
12 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
During Napoleonic wars, how were larger quantities of gunpowder stored and how often were these places blown up, be it accidentally or on purpose?
12 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
Is it true that public bathhouses in 13th century England were often connected to bakeries and used the heat from the ovens to keep the water warm?
12 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
When the Barefoot Doctor's Manual was published in 1974 in the West, two thirds of it containing conventional medical knowledge were cut out, leaving only the traditional practices. Was this done to save costs on the "redundant" pages? How did this contribute to spreading of alternative medicine?
12 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
When Benoît de Maillet's Telliamed was published, he put the "heretical" ideas (i.e. estimating the age of the Earth to be over 2 billion years) into the mouth of the titular character, an Indian philosopher. How much knowledge of Indian culture could an 18th century French natural historian obtain?
11 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
We've all heard abour poisoning of the wells used as an explanation of disease outbreaks and being subsequently blamed on the Jewish population. Has anyone in medieval times ever truly utilized spoiling of important water sources as a war/terror tactic?
11 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
I know there was at least a discussion amongst the British to use blankets as a vector for spreading smallpox in N. America, in 1760s. What about purely European conflicts? Does biological warfare make any notable appearances in 17-18th century, at least as an idea?
11 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list