askhistorians

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Between 1952 and 1982, 27 Formula One drivers and 2 marshalls were killed during a race weekend; an average of one death every year. How did the sport survive this? Why didn't it face massive outrage from the fans, the press and the drivers themselves?	9
As part of the 1935 Italian Fascist invasion of Ethiopia, 3 full army divisions were sent to Italian Libya. Why were so many men sent to a territory that did not border Ethiopia? Were the Italians expecting a revival of Libyan guerrillas, or a British or French intervention against them?	9
In the 3 major Liberation Wars fought at the same time by Africans against Portugal in the 1960/70s, only Guineans achieved a Portuguese military defeat by 1974. Why was Guinea "Portugal's Vietnam", while Angolans and Mozambicans (in larger and farther away countries) had less military success?	9
Ferrari is the only Formula One team that has entered every single F1 championship in history, from the first season in 1950 to today (and they aren't going anywhere soon). What explains Ferrari's longevity in the sport when most teams fold after a few years?	8
If the Renaissance is the rebirth from the "Dark Ages", but modern historians agree that the Dark Ages weren't really a thing...what does that mean for the Renaissance? Will we also stop using the term in the future?	8
How were Romani people treated by the Allies during WW2?	7
The Donation of Constantine was famously exposed as a forgery by the solid arguments of Lorenzo Valla in the 15th century. How innovative was this? Did most Medieval scholars have a healthy skepticism towards the veracity of historical documents, or was it common to take anything old at face value?	7
The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest of the Giza pyramids, but also the largest and tallest one. Why did later Pharaohs chose to build noticeably smaller pyramids next to it, and didn't try to surpass it?	7
What's myth and what's truth about the Great Emu War?	7
I've seen brief mentions of French soldiers fighting in the Portuguese Civil War of 1828-1834. Why were they fighting in Portugal and how were they recieved, especially as memories of the devastation and massacres caused by the French invasions 30 years before would still be fresh in everyones mind?	6

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