/u/Zircillius's posts in /r/askhistorians

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Obscene curse words were extraordinarily rare in American literature published before WWII, and nonexistent in pre-1960 studio films. Was cursing considered taboo in all segments of prewar society, or is this simply a result of puritanical censorship?

465 upvotes

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By the 1860s, the vast majority of Europe had abolished slavery. Knowing this, did the Confederate leaders in the US Civil War realize they were fighting to preserve an institution that couldn't survive in a modern age? Did they ever express doubts whether slavery could be sustained?

46 upvotes

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Recently the US press has been publishing polls claiming a near-majority of Americans predict a civil war in the coming decade. Is there precedent for such attitudes in prior eras (post-Reconstruction) of civil strife?

26 upvotes

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Why did the leaders of the French Revolution, unlike those of the American Revolution, fail to create an enduring constitutional republic?

16 upvotes

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Title	Upvotes	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
Obscene curse words were extraordinarily rare in American literature published before WWII, and nonexistent in pre-1960 studio films. Was cursing considered taboo in all segments of prewar society, or is this simply a result of puritanical censorship?	465
By the 1860s, the vast majority of Europe had abolished slavery. Knowing this, did the Confederate leaders in the US Civil War realize they were fighting to preserve an institution that couldn't survive in a modern age? Did they ever express doubts whether slavery could be sustained?	46
Recently the US press has been publishing polls claiming a near-majority of Americans predict a civil war in the coming decade. Is there precedent for such attitudes in prior eras (post-Reconstruction) of civil strife?	26
Why did the leaders of the French Revolution, unlike those of the American Revolution, fail to create an enduring constitutional republic?	16