AskHistorians

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As I understand it, American popular culture outstrips even its military in terms of international influence; how, why, and when did this become apparent? Are they following in the footsteps of other great powers in this regard, or is this a 20th century-and-beyond form of power?	13
Wikipedia lists the five oldest companies in the world, and more than half of all companies over 200 years old, as being in Japan. Are there any academic theories why so many of the world's oldest companies are Japanese?	13
With presumably a significant increase in the population as a result of their service, was there an affect on public attitudes towards the disabled caused by the American Civil War, or the Great War in Europe?	13
Communist rebels were very successful at overthrowing despotic regimes in the 20th century; did the Communist Party ever come close to winning power democratically? Were they ideologically opposed to such an approach, or are.there other reasons they had more success through other means?	13
Where does the stereotype of the 'difficult, tortured, artistic genius' come from?	13
Was the Senate's response to Caesar's conquests in Gaul typical? Were other generals held accountable for wars of aggression, or were they trying to make an example out of him?	13
Americans credit William Tecumseh Sherman with creating the doctrine of "total war". Was he applying lessons from the past, or was this truly a new approach?	13
I have a friend whose last name is Luna, who told me the family name was rooted in his ancestors' eccentricity. Where did the association between the moon and madness come from? Is it cross-cultural? Is it specific to the west?	13
Does Caligula deserve his awful reputation?	13
I've read (in some prestigious publications- NYT, NPR), that the public interstate system was designed with racial segregation in mind; how big of a role did this play in its development, and is it generally accepted among historians that this was the intent (to promote segregation)?	13

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