askhistorians

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I’m an Irishman during the troubles, a member of the UVF or the IRA asks whether I’m a Protestant or a Catholic. I know that I could be hurt or killed if I give the “wrong” answer, what would happen if I say I’m an atheist or agnostic?	200
I read somewhere that the Middle East and South Asia has historically been more tolerant of transexuals than homosexuals as they view gender identity differently than Western countries. Is this true and, if so, what do scholars think is the reason behind it?	116
In the Irish folksong "Oro Se Do Bheatha Bhaile" there's a lyric that says "Only Gaels are them, not French and Spanish" in reference to warriors coming to Ireland. Why wouldn't the Irish like France and Spain seeing as they were often enemies of Britain?	113
I found this quote regarding the German elections prior to Hitler's seizure of control: "The Communists", wrote Bullock, "openly announced that they would prefer to see the Nazis in power rather than lift a finger to save the republic." Was this true?	86
The Persian fleet at the Battle of Salamis had, at minimum, a fleet of 600 ships. Where were the shipyards that built this massive fleet and where was the lumber harvested?	24
Erik the Red killed a man after he murdered some of his thralls when they caused a landslide that destroyed his neighbor's house. Based off Icelandic slavery, was this act an act of revenge, as in Erik considered them to be somewhat family?	8
Did Russians believe in a ideology similar to Manifest Destiny when Siberia was conquered?	7
At what point in time did it become commonplace for English-speakers to refer to the planet as Earth? What did they call it before?	5
Are there any records of explorers or scientists who visited the Americas during the Age of Discovery expressing disappointment that, for the most part, the flora and fauna of the Americas is similar to that of Europe's?	4

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