AskHistorians

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The story of Marco Polo seems to have been expanded significantly centuries after his journey to the east occurred. What evidence do historians have that he actually went to China and the Mongol court?	649
Marco Polo said he helped the Mongols conquer the Chinese city of Xiangyang by teaching them how to build mangonels. According to Chinese and Mongol records, Xiangyang fell in 1273. Marco Polo did not go to China until 1275. How is this possible?	130
Marco Polo claimed human flesh was sold for food in the meat markets in Fujian. Is there any evidence that cannibalism was this commonplace or even tolerated in 13th century China?	111
In “The Travels of Marco Polo”, Marco Polo claims that he travelled to an island in the Indian Ocean inhabited by men with dog-heads, dog teeth, covered with fur, and had long tails. Did contemporary readers believe his story?	71
Squanto introduced himself to the Piligrims with a name that roughly translates into, “The wrath of God”. Why did he do this?	47
Why didn’t Woodrow Wilson support self-determination for the Irish after WW1 ?	9
Are there any written records or oral tradition from ancient peoples who inhabited modern day Korea, Manchuria, the far eastern parts of Russia, etc., that mention crossing the Bering strait or trading with the people who lived in modern day Alaska?	7
After capturing Kyiv in 1920, Józef Piłsudski is supposed to have said something to the effect of “Whoever takes Kyiv is doomed to defeat.” What did he mean by that?	5
Why was Singapore regarded as “unconquerable” before World War 2?	5
Did Phoenicians use human blood to consecrate newly built ships by rolling them over slaves while alive?	3

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