askhistorians

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Every other Cold War proxy war seems to have involved Cuban expeditionary forces: Nicaragua, Syria, Ethiopia, Angola, and many more. How did a small nation have the resources and manpower to participate in these campaigns while being under constant threat from the US in their own backyard?	76
What is the origin of the idea among historians that the "Dark Ages" might not be a thing, and how were its first proponents received?	75
Decolonization in most of Africa started just before the second wave of feminism developed in the West. Was feminism (and women's rights) in the newly independent countries hampered by accusations of colonial influence by the new structures of power? If so, how did African feminists deal with it?	70
Did the pre-Roman Iberian falcata fulfill the same military and social functions that swords did in other ancient societies? If not, what was the relationship of those peoples with this unique weapon?	66
The Ram Khamhaeng stele, found by King Mongkut in 1833, had immense influence on Thai historiography. However, there are prominent scholars who doubt its authenticity. If it were a fake, how much does our knowledge of Thai history rely on that one artefact and would have to be completely rewritten?	61
The Portuguese War of the Two Brothers was fought (surprise!) between two brothers, Kings Pedro (liberal) against Miguel (absolutist). How was the personal relationship between them, from growing up together until they met in battle? Were there early signs of the brutal violence that was to come?	58
It's hard to imagine when looking at Portugal today, but for a short period after the 1974 Revolution the country was plagued by coup attempts and political violence. I've heard from teachers that armed conflict was almost certain. How close was peaceful Portugal to civil war in the 1970s?	58
In 1661 Samuel Pepys was told of an episode where an English noble made a French Duke cry "by making ugly faces as he was stepping to the King [of France], but undiscovered". What is the context here, why would the Duke cry? And did the Englishman suffer any consequences?	57
In a short time period and in the height of their success, the Beatles went from being a "silly love songs" boy band to a progressive countercultural group creating increasingly experimental music and art. Was it drugs? Marketing? Indian spirituality? What was the reason for this revolution?	54
I've read that the Kingdom of Kongo was highly organized, even before contact with Europeans. What was its state structure like, and how did its bureaucracy, territorial administration and military function?	52

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