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History

Launched Q&A site for historians and history buffs.

Announcements

35  
May be too broad a subject, but I think a "history" site with tags like "<american revolution>" or "<WWII>" would make a lot more sense than lots of sites on specific historical topics. – Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 12:31
8  
I like the idea of having a "General History" site but it does require some boundaries (as seen from questions below): Does archaeology qualify? Human history or also natural world, etc? Should it stick to historical facts or how much subjectivity is allowed? How specific can a question be before it's off-topic? – Nick Gotch Jul 1 '10 at 0:16
24  
I don't think having a "General History" site is a bad idea either. Yes, the topic is a broad one, but Stack Overflow is a general computer programming site not restricted to a single language and it seems to work fine. If the History site is broken down into more specific divisions, you might miss some cross over questions like those involving US/Japanese relations at the time of Perry, etc. Where would you put that? US history? Western History? Eastern History? Asian History? It would fit in a 19th century site just fine, but not in a site dedicated to a specific geographical area. – kelleystar Jul 15 '10 at 14:53
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69 Example Questions (10 closed)

active newest votes
up vote 24 down vote
What were the reasons for <obscure and unknown war> between <small countries almost no one ever heard of> in <date far, far away>?
added by Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 6:22
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4  
On-topic: may be very specialized and of little interest to most people, but it's the kind of expert question which would make this site great. – Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 6:23
up vote 22 down vote
When and how did Thailand cease to be Siam and become the modern Thailand?
added by Daniel Bingham Jun 17 '10 at 8:06
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up vote 21 down vote
Why did Hitler attack Russia when he was still fighting England?
added by Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 6:18
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up vote 20 down vote
How can you tell that a historical source is trustworthy or not?
added by googletorp Jun 10 '10 at 6:30
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up vote 20 down vote
What cultures did, or do, perform human sacrifice on a regular basis?
added by Adam Davis Jun 10 '10 at 12:41
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up vote 19 down vote
What was the standard diet in [some ancient culture]?
added by Wilhelm Jun 18 '10 at 2:09
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up vote 13 down vote
Is there any evidence that [some prehistoric culture] learned [pottery] from [other prehistoric culture]?
added by Tadeusz A. Kadłubowski Jun 12 '10 at 6:55
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3  
Is archeology on topic? – Tadeusz A. Kadłubowski Jun 12 '10 at 6:56
3  
Its still human history - even if we study it with different methods than the academically delineated "history". If you're going to limit the site only to "history", then you're limiting the site along arbitrary academical lines draw in universities a century or two ago. Seems kind of silly. There's absolutely no reason not to include all of known human history - recorded or otherwise - in a Q&A for history enthusiasts. Often the same people interested in 500 years ago are just as interested in 5000 years ago. – Daniel Bingham Jun 17 '10 at 8:02
History is all about tracking down the clues that lead us to the truth (or at least, as much of the truth as we can gather.) If we only work with what was written and ignore physical clues (those given us by archeology) we can miss out on some pretty important information. – Artemis Jul 3 '10 at 16:33
up vote 11 down vote
When and how did the British begin to import and drink tea?
added by Daniel Bingham Jun 17 '10 at 8:07
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up vote 9 down vote
What treaty prescribes how many warships Canada and the US can have between their mutual waterway borders, and when and where was it signed?
added by Adam Davis Jun 10 '10 at 12:38
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up vote 8 down vote
Who built and successfully tested the first self propelled flying machine capable of carrying a human, and when was the first flight completed?
added by Adam Davis Jun 10 '10 at 12:44
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I would have thought this was ontopic. The answers would revolve around the few people that did this on both sides of the atlantic. – Adam Davis Jun 10 '10 at 13:28
I too think this is on-topic, because it's about how a very important civilization advancement (flight) was developed, and is not too much technical like the "magnetic core memory" one. – Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 13:46
2  
This sounds like a homework question. – rlb.usa Jun 10 '10 at 16:45
up vote 6 down vote
What sources are there that tell us about the lives of the poor in the Roman republic?
added by forefinger Jul 7 '10 at 6:17
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up vote 5 down vote
Which are good books on <historical topic>?
added by Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 6:19
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1  
Further reading is an important component of any historical discussion. Finding good texts is not always easy - especially when there are many texts on a subject. Asking the experts what to read is perfectly valid. – Daniel Bingham Jun 17 '10 at 7:58
up vote 5 down vote
What are the origins of [conflict / genocide / dispute / war / tradition]?
added by SilentGhost Jun 18 '10 at 11:27
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why is this not a good example? – SilentGhost Jul 18 '10 at 10:01
up vote 5 down vote
Who made/invented the first {device/instrument} and when?
added by Binoj Antony Jun 30 '10 at 10:30
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up vote 4 down vote
What's the significance of [bulls in the Aztec culture]?
added by rlb.usa, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Jul 13 '10 at 14:52
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Maybe more related to anthropology? – Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 17:03
No, that's perfectly fine history. The line between Anthropology and history is pretty blurry. It would be foolish and arrogant to limit the site to the recorded history of the Western world. – Daniel Bingham Jun 17 '10 at 7:59
up vote 4 down vote
What biases are most prevalent in American history textbooks?
added by Artemis Jul 3 '10 at 16:21
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I'm going for off-topic on the grounds that this is historiography, not history. It's also rather subjective, but interesting and related to history. – Artemis Jul 3 '10 at 16:49
@artemis: yet there is 0 off-topic vote – Louis Rhys Aug 24 '10 at 2:40
up vote 4 down vote
Is King Arthur a real historical figure or one based entirely on a fictional legend?
added by random Jul 9 '10 at 6:00
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up vote 3 down vote
Do you think that the NAM (Non aligned movement) played a significant role in preventing a third world war till now? [closed]
added by amolbk Jun 10 '10 at 15:30
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closed as off topic by Robert Harvey, antony.trupe, Wilhelm, Christian, Douglas S. Stones Jul 10 '10 at 13:12

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

How do you know there won't be a third world war anytime soon? – Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 17:04
Edited the question - limited it up to the present. I think in history we focus a lot on events that happened but miss out on those that could have, but were prevented or delayed. – amolbk Jun 11 '10 at 3:45
I think this is a legitimate on-topic example. It is a movement that has been a part of history. There hasn't been a third world war. Just because it is on going in the present does not mean it is not also part of history. – Daniel Bingham Jun 17 '10 at 7:58
it's subjective and argumentative – Louis Rhys Aug 23 '10 at 3:36
up vote 3 down vote
What was the clothing people wore in the [time period] in [nation/culture]?
added by Nick Gotch Jul 1 '10 at 0:06
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up vote 3 down vote
Why did the Spanish Armada fail?
added by forefinger Jul 7 '10 at 6:18
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up vote 3 down vote
Who fought in the 100 years war and did it really take 100 years?
added by random Jul 9 '10 at 5:50
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up vote 3 down vote
What was the main reason for World War I?
added by Am1rr3zA, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Aug 16 '10 at 11:26
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1  
you would want to separate out WWI and WWII – Tea Drinker Aug 7 '10 at 22:08
Agreed... although WWII was very much the result of WWI's ending. – Massimo Aug 9 '10 at 15:00
up vote 2 down vote
When was the first magnetic core memory used in a non-research setting? [closed]
added by Adam Davis Jun 10 '10 at 12:42
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closed as off topic by Massimo, DustyD, Christian, random, Mehper C. Palavuzlar Jul 12 '10 at 7:10

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

3  
I think this is off-topic, because this is a very specific technical detail of computer engineering; "when was the first computer invented?" or "when did computer come into general use" could have been on-topic. – Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 13:29
1  
Yeah, this is very specific history of computers. I think its "on-topic" in that they're welcome to try asking, but I don't think they'll likely get an answer. – Daniel Bingham Jun 18 '10 at 6:24
2  
Computer history isn't exactly what normally considered under the topic world history. – Christian Jun 28 '10 at 21:56
3  
There is a proposal to create specific History of Computing. This would good on topic there. I agree this is probably off topic for general history site. – Miro A. Jul 11 '10 at 18:13
yeah agree. this is much too computing-specific for a general history Q&A website. – Louis Rhys Sep 2 '10 at 2:22
up vote 2 down vote
What is historically known about the life of the Buddha around the time of his enlightenment?
added by Daniel Bingham Jun 17 '10 at 8:04
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up vote 2 down vote
Where can I find good primary sources about [the Spanish Inquisition]?
added by Artemis Jul 3 '10 at 16:24
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2  
Where nobody would expect it. – Massimo Jul 4 '10 at 14:57
up vote 2 down vote
What was Hitler's profession before he joined the army?
added by Mehper C. Palavuzlar Jul 11 '10 at 16:16
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this is not an important subject in history – Louis Rhys Aug 22 '10 at 9:01
up vote 2 down vote
What is the first official pact known in the history?
added by Mehper C. Palavuzlar Jul 11 '10 at 16:26
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up vote 2 down vote
What were the primary reasons for the origin of the Renaissance in Italy?
added by Noldorin Aug 9 '10 at 22:35
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(Slightly speculative, but a nice discussion point I think.) – Noldorin Aug 9 '10 at 22:36
up vote 2 down vote
What would the Ottoman Empire be like if WWI had not happened? Would it still exist? Or alternatively, for how much longer?
added by WikiSpeedia hang-around Aug 16 '10 at 11:36
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Are counterfactual history questions on-topic or off-topic? – WikiSpeedia hang-around Aug 16 '10 at 11:37
(Ottoman Empire: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire) – WikiSpeedia hang-around Aug 16 '10 at 11:40
Sounds like off-topic to me, but I love "what-if" questions! – Noldorin Aug 16 '10 at 14:39
@Peter, @Noldorin there's an alternate history proposal at area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/7875/… that this would probably be better on. – Richard Gadsden Sep 6 '10 at 16:40
up vote 2 down vote
Have there been any earlier events similar to [current event], and what were their repercussions?
added by naturalog Aug 16 '10 at 14:45
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up vote 1 down vote
Where was Atlantis exactly and when and how was it destroyed? [closed]
added by Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 6:06
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closed as off topic by Robert Harvey, Firas Assaad, Daniel Bingham, SilentGhost, David Thornley Jun 23 '10 at 3:33

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

Off-topic: we're talking about real history here. If proofs of Atlantis's existence are ever found, then this would of course become on-topic. – Massimo Jun 10 '10 at 6:06
1  
Perhaps a question about the legend of Atlantis and where it is referenced in historical texts would be on topic. – Daniel Bingham Jun 17 '10 at 7:56
It was off the coast of Bimini :) – orokusaki Jun 18 '10 at 15:04
up vote 1 down vote
What is the historical consensus on the effects - success or failure - of [insert President]'s [insert program]?
added by Daniel Bingham Jun 17 '10 at 8:06
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Why is this off-topic? Maybe the answer can be "there isn't a consensus", but certainly there is a consensus on some of them... – Daniel Bingham Jun 18 '10 at 6:21
@Daniel Bingham: Could "[insert President]" be "Jacques Chirac"? (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Chirac) – WikiSpeedia hang-around Jul 13 '10 at 14:54
@Peter Mortensen Uh, I don't see why not... is there a reason why not that you're getting at? – Daniel Bingham Jul 14 '10 at 10:49
@Daniel Bingham: perhaps it was thought of as US only? The UK has no President. – WikiSpeedia hang-around Jul 14 '10 at 10:58
1  
Meh... change it to [Leader of Country/People] and it's all good... – kelleystar Jul 15 '10 at 14:44
up vote 1 down vote
What is the influence of Roman/British law on the modern international law? [closed]
added by SilentGhost Jun 23 '10 at 12:38
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closed as off topic by Nick Gotch, random, Noldorin, JFW, Naveen Aug 27 '10 at 11:57

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.
up vote 1 down vote
What effects do separatist movements tend to have upon federal policies?
added by DonnyD Jun 26 '10 at 3:48
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I think this might need to be reworded. As such, it questions our ability to discuss the topic and is not a good example. Were it to ask what we can generalize about the topic, I think it would be on-topic. – Artemis Jul 3 '10 at 16:36
up vote 1 down vote
How did [such-and-such bill] affect the U.S. economy in [this decade]?
added by Artemis Jul 3 '10 at 16:40
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I would consider this off-topic by being too focused on government and economics, but I'd like to see what the rest of the community thinks. – Artemis Jul 3 '10 at 16:42
I think it's also subjective. The only way to know for sure how something that nebulous affects an economy would be to observe parallel universes. – mmyers Jul 7 '10 at 15:29
But it's a history question... – webjunkie Jul 12 '10 at 17:37
up vote 1 down vote
Who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun?
added by random Jul 9 '10 at 5:59
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up vote 1 down vote
Did U.S. Americans fight against the red army in the Russian revolution?
added by webjunkie Jul 12 '10 at 17:34
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Americans as the United States of America or Americans - citizens of the USA ? Or Americans as inhabitants of North and South America ? – Miro A. Jul 12 '10 at 20:37
up vote 1 down vote
What were the primary causes for the gradual decay of the Spanish (Habsburg) Empire and who did the power void favour?
added by Noldorin Jul 17 '10 at 12:59
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up vote 0 down vote
What fields, aside from teaching, can a professional historian go into and expect to make a reasonable living? [closed]
added by Adam Davis Jun 10 '10 at 12:45
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closed as off topic by Robert Harvey, antony.trupe, Massimo, Daniel LeCheminant, David Thornley Jun 24 '10 at 21:04

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

2  
Fast food and construction come to mind. Except maybe the "reasonable" part. – mmyers Jun 10 '10 at 16:24
Unfortunately, None :( – orokusaki Jun 18 '10 at 15:05
journalist is a reasonable bet. – Stefano Borini Sep 8 '10 at 20:37
up vote 0 down vote
What repercussions will [current event] have? [closed]
added by Roberto Bonvallet Jun 19 '10 at 3:26
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closed as off topic by Tadeusz A. Kadłubowski, mmyers, David Thornley, riadd, SilentGhost Jun 23 '10 at 11:45

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

3  
Just because the specific question may be on-topic in ten or twenty years doesn't mean it's on-topic now. – David Thornley Jun 23 '10 at 3:32
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