askhistorians

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Nazi Germany and Japan were famously fanatical, long enduring casualties that would have caused most nations to capitulate. How unusual was this level of fanaticism historically?	7
What was the deal with London's "Lord Mayor's Day," held November 9th, in which the lord mayor's fool leaps into a bowl of custard, as Described in Shakespeare's Richard III. Did this really happen? Why did a fully clothed jester have to jump into custard?	7
The Philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson called Plutarch's lives, "The Bible for Heroes." How popular was it during the 17th and 18th centuries, and what sort of impact did it have?	7
What is the status of the "Great Man Theory" of history among historians? How has postmodern thought affected the theory?	7
Fascist Italy gave the Spanish Nationalists 600 planes and countless guns, bombs, and other equipment during the Spanish Civil War, despite not having enough equipment during their campaign against Ethiopia. Could Italy afford to be this generous? Did it deplete stockpiles needed for WWII?	7
How early in history did Italian-style pasta become affordable for the lower classes? Were Renaissance Germans, English, and French people able to afford pasta? Did they have to wait till the 18th century?	7
The Battle of Britain sapped Germany's resources at a time when it could have been preparing to fight Russia or cementing its hold on Europe. Did Germany have a realistic shot of winning the campaign, or was delusional to even try?	7
Did slavery predate capitalism and its antecedents?	7
When the Persian juggernaut descended on Greece, many city states collaborated or surrendered. But Athens, Sparta, and some other states fought and won. Did the winning coalition punish the collaborators?	7
For a few decades during the first century A.D., the Roman Empire was flooded with a huge variety of weird sex coins. Do we know what brought this on?	7

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