askhistorians

Title	Upvotes	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
It seems that Western nations did not have a problem sustaining immense casualties during the two world wars, but nowadays those same nations are very casualty averse. What prompted this shift in values? Did the Vietnam conflict play a role?	1147
In one of his books, anthropologist Michael Harner mentions a strange village called Macas, founded in 1599 by survivors of a Spanish massacre. Its inhabitants are all white Spanish-speakers despite it being located deep in the Amazon. Could anyone tell me more about this place and its history?	654
According to William of Newburgh, it was a fairly common occurrence for undead corpses to leave their tombs and terrorize villages in 12th century Europe. Why are there many supposed eyewitness accounts regarding the undead during this time?	571
In the famous painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware River, there are chunks of ice surrounding the boats. Was it colder in 1776 compared to today?	128
Suicide was considered a valid way to preserve personal honor, but is viewed as a profoundly negative act in the west today. What caused western attitudes towards suicide to shift? Is it possible to identify when it happened?	101
Psychoanalysis is said to have begun with Freud around the start of the 20th century. To whom would a person suffering depression go for treatment before then? Was this the responsibility of the clergy, or would a physician be able to offer treatment?	9
In 1850, William T. Sherman married his foster sister. Was such a union considered unusual at the time, or was it fairly normal?	8
Aristotle mentions Plato having "unwritten teachings" that he would only transmit orally. What were these teachings? Is it possible to infer their contents from Plato's former students, or even later Platonic thinkers?	8
In 1923, Turkey gained its independence. Did anyone take note of the fact that the country shared its name with, well, turkeys? Was there a sense of humor or irony in the newspapers at the time?	3
To what extent did Thomas Hobbes' "Leviathan" influence governments in the West? Was there any sort of backlash against democracy upon its circulation, or did it merely prompt discussion?	2

« < > »