AskHistorians

Title	Upvotes	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
Pre industrial revolution state security forces? Did any exist before the secret service/KGB/london police. Or was it simply "the kings bodyguards"? I'm interested in investigative policing and state secrets/espionage.	11
The bridge on the river Kwai and the thai-burma railway is said to be the greatest/most horrific construction project of WWII. What are some other massive projects WWII POW's worked on?	10
When WWII started, how did the US train so many officers to go out and lead men so quickly? What was the selection process? Was it still "you're rich so you get to be an officer"? Like in past wars?	9
Are there ancient sources for near death experiences and "seeing the light" etc? Are they the same or similar to todays experiences?	8
Historians: Do you find asian history prior to mass media and newspapers to be short on details? It seems to me very matter fact when it comes to lineage and things like this, with very little focus on the why.	6
What was Gandhi's role in splitting Pakistan and Bangladesh from India?	6
Is there historical precedent where a country has continued to trade with another country it is at war with? The modern situation of americas companies operating in china were there to be a war is interesting.	6
Was there a public media lead-up to operation overlord in 1944? Was the public aware at all that the largest amphibious landing in the history of mankind was imminent but not sure where? Was there media speculation?	5
Buy war bonds! Was a frequent rallying cry in America for the war effort in WWII. How long were the terms of the bond and what return could the average American expect and what percentage of Americans participated?	3
Besides willow, what other plants or concoctions did the native americans(north and south america) use for pain relief?	3

« < > »