query stringlengths 19 300 | pos list | neg list | task stringclasses 1 value | instruction dict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Are the "genies" from Japanese folk tales the same as the genies in Middle-Eastern mythology, or are they a completely different creature? | [
"Can you provide the context and title for one of these tales? I'm also guessing the Kanji or original text isn't in the story as that would provide the most context if you had it. From an inital guess I would say he's translating the Japanese Yōkai into Genie to make it more readable and relatable to a Western Aud... | [
"It appears that dragons are everywhere because the word dragon is used to describe any reptilian mythical creature. For example, Chinese dragons and European dragons aren't the same thing. European dragons are generally evil and breath fire. Chinese dragons are often benevolent and are associated with water. So th... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit question:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit comment:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit comment:"
} |
How good of a reconstruction was Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki vessel? | [
"It's outside my speciality, though it collides with it at an odd angle, but I feel it might be worth pointing out for anyone who knows of Thor Heyerdahl and the Kon Tiki, that the vessel is not a reconstruction of any vessel used in Oceania and is definitely not Polynesian. Heyerdahl was basing his construction of... | [
"There were no vikings until the mid 6th century, when Danes began raiding the Frankish empire. As far as Scandinavians in 100BCE worshipping Thor is concerned, we're not entirely certain, but there's a pretty good chance, based on some of the images we have preserved on cliffs and other rock formations. Jens Peter... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Any books about the moors time in Spain you would recommend? | [
"I posted some recommendations as well as links in these two related threads: * [Jews and Christians in al-Andalus](_URL_0_): especially worth checking the recommentation by /u/mrhumphries75 * [What are the best books on the history of the Iberian peninsula under Muslim rule?](_URL_1_)"
] | [
"What are some of the primary sources that you have found? This sounds interesting. Would you recommend any books for a fun read?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit paragraph:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit paragraph:"
} |
Sonderfahndungsliste G.B. - is the complete list available? | [
"Hi, you can find a complete list [here.](_URL_0_) Hope this helps."
] | [
"It think Gerhard Weinberg conclusively demonstrated that it was, in fact, dictated by Hitler to his typist in June and July 1928. It was then kept secret until it was found among German documents retrieved by the United States. I'm not sure why you said the German version of Wikipedia doesn't recognize it as authe... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the title:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
What is something commonly taught in high school history (USA or Canada) that is false? | [
"My father is a history teacher in the US, although he, like me, is English. HE wouldn't say he teaches anything that is factually false but there are often times when the textbooks and his fellow teachers put interpretations onto events which he strongly disagrees with and believes to not be true, although it is s... | [
"Well, if the point of history is to prevent it from repeating itself - I don't think anyone is going to 'rediscover the americas'. From that perspective, I disagree with that being the reason history is taught. History, IMO, is taught because it represents why many decisions are made, culturally, politically, etc.... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit answer:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit answer:"
} |
What's the real truth behind the missing Sphinx nose? | [
"A [drawing from 1738](_URL_2_) depicts it without the nose, so it definitely wasn't Napoleon who did it. Following the trail from [Wikipedia](_URL_0_), [here](_URL_1_) is a quote with source: > Finally, an article by Ulrich Haarmann, \"Regional Sentiment in Medieval Islamic Egypt,\" published in the University of... | [
"What is the black meteorite stone imbedded in the Kaaba?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit comment:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit comment:"
} |
In recent years, the Roman authorities have called for corporate sponsorships of the city's ancient ruins to help assist with the costs of their upkeep. What are the costs and benefits of such an agreement? What's the academic consensus on whether or not it's "worth it"? | [
"Obviously it depends on how it is implemented, but archaeology is always short of money, and while I understand a certain visceral reaction to The Coliseum Brought to You by Macdonalds, I don't see a real difference between this and the feudal lords, wealthy businessmen and colonial authorities that have tradition... | [
"Because this issue is far to politicized in the United States and treated as a zero sum game. Corporate shareholders want to hear profits, not about how the company is working with the labor unions to ensure everything is hunky dory"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the title:",
"pos": "Represent the text:",
"neg": "Represent the text:"
} |
Is there a "wrong side" of history? | [
"Being on the \"wrong side\" of history is a political thing, not a historical thing. All it means is that years from now, opponents of gay marriage will be seen the same way as opponents of desegregation, and things like that."
] | [
"How would you define \"winning\" a presidential debate?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the post:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Is there really a 'wrong side of history'? | [
"'The wrong side of history' as a phrase means that an issue that is currently controversial will in the future be seen as obviously one sided. For example slavery in the 19th century had supporters and opponents, now in the 21st century the vast majority agree that its' supporters were wrong. When Obama uses the ... | [
"How would you define \"winning\" a presidential debate?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the title:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Is the baby-boomer generation the first generation to never be forced to participate in war? | [
"Your questions are little all over the place, but you initial assumption is wrong. The Baby Boomer generation fought in the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War had a compulsory draft, so the young men of the generation were forced to participate in war."
] | [
"To be blunt, it's usually the youth that has the stamina and political idealism to foment dissent. Having a lot of them out on their asses where they have the free time to get angry at the gov't can very well lead to a situation where they're angry enough to start organizing. Older and more affluent demographics t... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Suppose you're Roman (circa AD250) boy from well to do family. How would your elders feel about you having sex with (family owned) slaves as soon you get old enough to want to (let's say 12 or 13)? | [
"On that note, would the gender of you or your slave make a difference?"
] | [
"It's biologically programmed. Look any literally any other species that reproduces via mating, as soon as they're ready to reproduce they just go at it > I'll admit that I've felt uncomfortable at myself for taking second glances at high school kids as an adult) You shouldn't feel uncomfortable. Assuming that it ... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit question:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Did anyone ever use "great circle" style routes before airplanes? | [
"Anyone that travels from point A to point B without turning left or right is using a great circle route. Great circle is just a way to describe what a direct route looks like on a flat map. It comes from the fact that if you continued past your destination using the same heading, you would eventually end up where ... | [
"They use satellites/satellite imagery to create the maps, not planes."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the title:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Was ther ever an attempt to design a nuclear *powered* cannon? | [
"The closest thing that comes to mind were the investigations into using nuclear-detonation powered propulsion for rockets, like in [Project Orion](_URL_1_). Using nuclear charges to accelerate small masses would be extremely wasteful — each shot would cost millions of dollars, with little to gain from it (compare... | [
"It is to a large degree a technology experiment. They decided to try a large number of new technologies on the same ship, and over time it will become apparent which are most valuable. For example: - Stealthy design - Boat launching bay - Rocket-based cannon system - High electric generating capacity"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit question:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Extra Credits just finished another series about history. This time about the events leading up to World War 1 and I'm curious what you all think of it. | [
"/u/notamacropus did an analysis of the first three parts of this series [here](_URL_0_) over a week ago. I hope that he/she (or another qualified expert) is able to come around and analyze the fourth and final part for historical accuracy."
] | [
"I took a USSR class in college and have some books I can recommend you. * Magnetic Mountain * The Myth of the Eastern Front * Everything Was Forever, Until It Was No More * A History of Modern Russia I would highly recommend \"The Myth of the Eastern Front\" if you want to learn about USSR and WW2. It is an amazi... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit passage:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit passage about Education:"
} |
Hello, historians. I'm looking for some comprehensive documentaries to check out about WWI and WWII. Any recommendations? | [
"I would recommend \"The World at War\" for an excellent documentary on WW2."
] | [
"I'm looking for recommendations for books to read if I want an overview of the history of the LGBT+ movement in the United States but don't have any previous background knowledge in the subject."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query about Education:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit paragraph about Education:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit paragraph about Literature:"
} |
Were people really that nasty during during the 1600-1700's? | [
"I'm not able to give a full response at the moment, leaving this here to remind me. Very quickly, this is a popular myth started by the fact that people did not \"bathe\" before running water made the process easy to fill a large tub with warm/hot water. However, this does not mean, as you mentioned, that the did ... | [
"Yes. Slavery in Rome was not tied to race/skin color like it was in the United States during the 1700-1800s"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the question:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Truth Behind Illiad? Oddysey? | [
"Have you read it? It's just a really interesting story that holds up to this day, first of all. So that would account for some of its popularity. It also gave examples of moral ideals for the Greeks, as well as examples of poor behaviour (Paris). Also had religious/mythological significance."
] | [
"Sleep - Shake Unconscious - Splash Coma - Wait and Hope Vegetative State - Wait and Bury"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit argument:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit argument:"
} |
Vikings and Valhalla | [
"[Here is an answer](_URL_0_) I posted a bit ago dealing with some of the ideas surrounding the Viking afterlife and Valhalla. It doesn't directly address your main question, but it touches a bit on some salient points. If you want me to explain/expand anything, just let me know. u/bloodswan (tagging myself to appe... | [
"British Empire -- > Post-WW2 / Cold War America -- > British and American pop culture -- > Silicon Valley."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the title:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Creating a Course on the Fall/Decline of Civilizations and Empires | [
"Not sure what the requirements would be for discussion on a question like this, so I'll just name some favorites. [*Dirt: Erosion of Civlizations*](_URL_0_). I recommend the book because it is well-sourced and concise, with good graphics. The linked YouTube video actually goes into the subject in a more technical ... | [
"Next Week's Theme: 'Royalty, Nobility, and the Exercise of Power' To be followed by: \"Eastern Europe\""
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit sentence:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit sentence:"
} |
A relative's old letters from the 1940s-1960s. Are they of any historical use? | [
"Please don't throw them away! A massive problem for historians trying to study the day to day lives of people outside the ruling classes of society is the lack of written documents concerning their lives. The problem is, as you have said, that people regard these letters as superfluous due to their content and don... | [
"Do you have a particular geographical region or time period in mind? You're more likely to get a good answer if you are more specific than \"people in the past\"."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit paragraph:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit paragraph:"
} |
Need help choosing a topic for state exam history research study | [
"Well, what are you interested in? That's where you should start. Is there any particular area that gets your attention? A decade? A century? A country? Something?"
] | [
"Part of an essay prompt on your take-home final."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit paragraph:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit paragraph:"
} |
Netflix's Marco Polo | [
"hi! you may be interested in these recent posts * [In the Netflix series \"Marco Polo,\" Marco Polo, a Venetian, has a relatively easy time communicating with people in the Mongol court. Would actual western traders be able to communicate effectively without translators? If so, how?](_URL_0_) * [In Netflix's Marco... | [
"Star Wars Episode VII: The Jar Jar Binks Adventures"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Netflix's Marco Polo, what does it get right? | [
"The question's been asked a few times - [here](_URL_0_)'s one version with a lot of comments."
] | [
"Netflix as plenty of T.V series to watch. Like, what are you talking about really?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit post:"
} |
In the first pages of Origin of Species, Darwin lists a host of scientists who each preceded him in concluding that species change over time due to environmental factors. He is quite humble about his role. Why then does mainstream history remember Darwin above them? | [
"All comments have been very helpful. I admit my question comes from ignorance of these previous scientists, their ideas and how their work was seen by the scientific community and the public. Now I understand how easily Darwin’s work could be read by the lay audience and how the method (natural selection) was diff... | [
"How big is the \"big history\" movement? As an undergrad, one of my professors started her class by having us write a one page paper explaining what history is. I wrote that it covers all events since the big bang and received a comment reflecting her training which stated that historians focus solely on past hum... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the question:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Sunday Digest | Interesting & Overlooked Posts | March 02, 2015–March 08, 2015 | [
"I would love to recommend [Why was the Hungarian Uprising of 1956 significant to the Cold War?] (_URL_0_) as the various perspective from many posters such as /u/CptBuck, /u/Lina1611, /u/Kameniev and /u/TheLegitimist help me appreciate more the nuance behind the Hungarian Uprising, and makes the thread quite an en... | [
"It's a bit unclear what you're interested in. (Early US education? Mann? Cremin's perspective?) But here are some resources that may help: > Binder, Frederick M. The Age of the Common School: 1830-1865. New York: Wiley, 1974. > > Glenn, Jr., Charles Leslie. The Myth of the Common School. Amherst: University of M... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query about News:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document about News:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Panel of Historians: Book Suggestions | [
"**Modern Chinese History** *The Search for Modern China* by Jonathan Spence. This is quite literally *the* book for understanding everything from the mid-late Qing (1600s) up to the 1980s. Spence does a great job of charting the change and continuity of a society like China which is incredibly organized around tra... | [
"Next Week's Theme: 'Royalty, Nobility, and the Exercise of Power' To be followed by: \"Eastern Europe\""
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query about Literature:",
"pos": "Represent the argument about Literature:",
"neg": "Represent the argument:"
} |
Sunday Digest | Interesting & Overlooked Posts | May 09, 2016–May 15, 2016 | [
"I've got a long list because I have no life. * [Homosexuality in Alutiiq culture](_URL_1_) by /u/the_Alaskan, it was fascinating to learn about the akhnuohiki. * [Popular Western narrative paints Soviet leadership as consisting largely of hypocrites and opportunists as opposed to \"true believers\" in Communism. H... | [
"It's a bit unclear what you're interested in. (Early US education? Mann? Cremin's perspective?) But here are some resources that may help: > Binder, Frederick M. The Age of the Common School: 1830-1865. New York: Wiley, 1974. > > Glenn, Jr., Charles Leslie. The Myth of the Common School. Amherst: University of M... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit question about News:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document about News:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Did pirates and/or people have hooks for hands? | [
"Actually, simple hooks attached to the forearm with leather straps are among the earliest of functional prosthetic devices, and certainly would have been more usable than simple pegs. Although some surgeons did develop \"fancier\" prostheses (e.g. Paré), these would have been too expensive for most amputees, and p... | [
"Did sailors generally know the name of the ships they're fighting?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the question:",
"pos": "Represent the paragraph:",
"neg": "Represent the paragraph:"
} |
When Captain Cook "discovered" Hawaii did he bump into it out of dumb luck or was he given information about it from other pacific island people. | [
"This isn't specific to Captain Cook. But when talking about finding islands in the Pacific, most have a large population of seabirds. These birds can be found 2-300 miles away from their home island, well beyond what you can survey from the crows nest of a ship. This in turn gives even the smallest islands a muc... | [
"If you see birds flying from a particular direction from the sea, there is an excellent chance that there's some land in that direction. It didn't take the Polynesians long to figure that one out."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query:",
"pos": "Represent the text:",
"neg": "Represent the text about history:"
} |
Rules Roundtable #2: Explaining the Rules Regarding Links and Quotes | [
"> What about linking to previous answers Please do not plagiarize previous answers. Ping the original author, give them due credit for the effort they already made in learning the subject matter and write a good answer based on their knowledge."
] | [
"Next Week's Theme: 'Royalty, Nobility, and the Exercise of Power' To be followed by: \"Eastern Europe\""
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit question:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit text:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit text:"
} |
What sort of outfit is this man wearing? | [
"Do you have any more info that could be helpful? Where did you find it? Is it a family heirloom, and if so, where-ish do you think your ancestors were 100ish years ago? Anything that could help steer people in the right direction would be great."
] | [
"It’s respectful, what else would you call them?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the question:",
"pos": "Represent the sentence:",
"neg": "Represent the sentence:"
} |
After World War One, the Allies (GB, France, US, Japan) invaded Russia, with the purpose of helping the Whites. How big of a force did each power send? What did they actually do (were there other interests)? What was the individual public reactions to their troops being involved in another country? | [
"you can see /u/woodydidhecouldhe 's answer [here](_URL_1_) for the American portion of this."
] | [
"Japan were similarly motivated as the Germans. Their motivations were not as much about race as in Germany but they wanted to reinstate the Japanese empire to its former glory just like the Germans wanted to reinstate the Holy Roman Empire to its former glory. The Germans and Japanese did not have any common goals... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the question:",
"pos": "Represent the text:",
"neg": "Represent the text:"
} |
History Teachers, Professors, Fans, or anything of the like, will you help me? (x-post from r/AskReddit) | [
"Hello there! I wouldn't mind this at all. My field is modern military history, so if you wouldn't mind interviewing a Swede, I'd certainly be up for it."
] | [
"Stuff You Missed In History Class Also, /r/AskHistorians has their own podcast. Check it out."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title about Education:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit post about Education:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit post:"
} |
Archeologists are always talking about "fertility symbols" created thousands of years ago. Wasn't some of it just plain old, but very crude, pornography? | [
"Follow up question; what is the earliest example of something being porn and not just art? How can historians even tell?"
] | [
"A soldier might have been, but probably not your average citizen. Ancient art tended to portray the ideals of their society, the same way we Photoshop a celebrity today. For example (and I'm not kidding about this), there's a difference in dick size between Greek and Roman statues due to their respective views on ... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit post:"
} |
Is there any truth to the story that Archimedes was killed while drawing a circle? | [
"The main sources for the death of Archimedes are Plutarch (in the *Life of Marcellus*) and Livy. Both describe in some detail the siege and fall of Syracuse, the city Archimedes defended with his many devices and inventions. Neither report the famous line. However, both state that Archimedes was killed by a Roman ... | [
"The \"heart\" symbol was actually create by a poet who based off of the shape of a woman's bosom whilst bending over."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
What were the salt tablets given to soldiers fighting in Vietnam? | [
"The were essentially that, \"Salt Pills\". At the time they were given as a supplement when it was suspected that sodium levels would be dipping low due to heavy perspiration in the tropical environment. It was a common practice to provide them to workers in hot factories and athletes at the time. Their use is muc... | [
"It was applied to wounds topically as a paste by the British and the Russian soliders during World War II to prevent infections."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
When was the most peaceful moment globally in the past 3000 years? | [
"a popular question! check out this section of the FAQ* for previous responses [War-Free Periods in History](_URL_0_) *see the link on the sidebar or the wiki tab"
] | [
"When specifically is the story set, ancient Egypt existed for over 3000 years?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
I Love Lucy and American opinions on race in the 1950's | [
"Not to forestall further answers to this question, as there's always more that can be said and other perspectives to be explained, but you might find /u/EvilAnagram's answer [in this old thread: 'Was there any backlash against Lucy and and Desi Arnaz's mixed race relationship? Was it even considered mixed? Was the... | [
"What drugs were popular in 19th century Britain?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query:",
"pos": "Represent the comment:",
"neg": "Represent the comment:"
} |
What are some great ancient stories to read for a beginner hobbyist historian? | [
"Read one of the ancient historians like Thucydides, Herodotus, Livy, or Tacitus. I like Thucydides'account of the Peloponnesian war the best."
] | [
"That's a pretty big topic, so it'll be hard to get you good recommendations. Is there a particular region or aspect of Latin American culture you're interested in?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit text:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit text about Education:"
} |
Why is this person spinning thread depicted with a crown, a beard, and women's clothing in this 15th century miniature illustrating a French translation of Facta et dicta memorabilia? | [
"I note that in the 15th century a crown with arches above the circlet was an imperial crown. Unless Wilgefortis or the bearded lady of limerick was supposed to be an emperor or empress they probably would not have been depicted with an imperial crown. Being merely royal or noble would usually not be enough to be d... | [
"According to Sir Michael Dummett's \"The Game of Tarot\", the first mention of Tarot came from the upper classes of Italy in the 15th century for a card game still played in parts of Italy today. The Roma traditionally practiced palmistry. The first reference to the Roma and Tarot came in the highly fanciful \"Doc... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
'Sussex', 'Essex', 'Wessex' - What is the historical significance of places ending in 'sex'? | [
"You're barking up the wrong tree. The suffix indicates \"Saxons\" as in \"South Saxons,\" East Saxons,\" and \"West Saxons.\" Although I am certain there were many examples of both, the suffix has nothing to do with either vice or virtue. But nice try!"
] | [
"Manchester's original Latin place name was either *Mamucium* or *Mancunium*, depending on the source and time. Over many centuries, this ended up becoming the name *Manchester* that's used today. *Mancunian* is simply derived from the older place name. A side note, but it's not uncommon in the UK for demonyms to b... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
When did we start using the word "okay"? | [
"Wow. Thank you so much! I'm Swedish my self but I'm very interested in languages and the history of them. I was actually watching the mini series \"Saints & Strangers\" on Netflix. It's about the Mayflower and the first settlers of New Plymouth. It was really bugging me when a woman repeatedly used the phrase \"It... | [
"What do you mean safe? Do you know what a check is?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit argument:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit argument:"
} |
When did the "Ancien Régime" begin? | [
"Generally, the Ancien Regime was the French state before the Revolution, it doesn't necessarily have a beginning as it involves the King of France being the King of France. As for Louis XVIII, it doesn't apply to him as he is a Restoration King rather than an Ancien Regime King with the Revolution being the main d... | [
"Where would I go for material on the medieval monarchy in France? Ideally from the emergence of the Capetians to sometime in the Early Modern Era."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the post:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document about Literature:"
} |
Where can I get a tl;dr/simple rundown of Greek mythology, specifically the gods and titans | [
"This is exactly what [Wikipedia](_URL_0_) is good for. It hyperlinks to articles on more specific topics (such as more detailed breakdowns of the Olympians)."
] | [
"The mythology is the combination or sum of many individual myths thriving in or surrounding a culture while mythos usually refers to one specific myth or the myths surrounding a person/phenomenon. Contrast greek mythology (all the myths of ancient Greece and their study) to the mythos of the superiority of greek w... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
What could £100 buy the average English citizen in 1890? | [
"I'm not sure if this will be of any help but I have some old Irish newspapers from the 1890s. Ireland was part of the sterling area. I looked over some of the advertising and found some items that might interest you. A starting salary for a teacher was £100 per year. A live in domestic servant was getting £26 per ... | [
"Someone is willing to pay $50,000 for it."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit paragraph:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit paragraph:"
} |
selfIs there a definitive book/encyclopaedia of Australian Indigenous history? | [
"You might be interested in u/Reedstilt's recommendations [here,](_URL_0_) though they might not be what you wanted."
] | [
"Does anyone know of any good texts on Sassanid Persian culture?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit comment:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit comment about Literature:"
} |
Was Britian in the 70/80s really as violent as depicited in the movie 'The Iron Lady'? | [
"I was just reading an article about the fighting between neo-Nazis and anti-fascists in Britain in the 80s. Basically, both sides had a policy of 'winning the streets,' which amounted to political gang fights between organizations like the BNP and National Front on one side, and Anti-Fascist Action on the other. T... | [
"The same reason British television tries to adapt American tv shows. For example: In With The Flynn's(Grounded For life), Brighton Belle's(Golden Girls), Love By You(Mad About You), Nobody's Perfect(Maude), Upper Hand(Who's The Boss), Days like These(That 70's Show), Married for Life(Married with Children) and so ... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
AskHistorians Podcast Episode 009 Discussion Thread - ANZAC Day | [
"I have never done an interview like that before! Thank you for the opportunity. If anyone has questions, I am more than happy to go into much more detail than I was able to in the podcast. It was tricky to make everything simple, and I was nervous. My accent is also not so good!"
] | [
"Next Week's Theme: 'Royalty, Nobility, and the Exercise of Power' To be followed by: \"Eastern Europe\""
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
I was wondering if this was the right subreddit for questions about my Great-Grandfathers Military rank | [
"Unteroffizier in Luftwaffe, maybe. There is a similar picture here: _URL_2_ The hat looks like the Luftwaffe hat here: _URL_0_ If you increased the contrast, you might see more detail on the collar insignia, but it looks like one of these: _URL_1_"
] | [
"Just asked this in the other sticky, but maybe this is the better place for it: Does anyone have any good book recommendations about the Nigerian Civil War or about Biafra as a country?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document about Literature:"
} |
What did common people in Europe do for fun/leisure in 1790-1820? | [
"I'm by no means an expert on this, but I am a very avid reader of 19th century literature (particularly Russian though). From what I've read, I gather that people lounged together a lot (some times someone read outloud, some times some one read quietly while the women knitted or played music, other times they just... | [
"Yes. Slavery in Rome was not tied to race/skin color like it was in the United States during the 1700-1800s"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit sentence:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit sentence:"
} |
How widely accepted is the notion that the Venus of Willendorf is a self-portrait? | [
"Any assertion along these - or any specific lines - can only be fantasy. The art is from remote prehistory, and we cannot know the intention of the artist. No credible archaeologist would claim that it is a self-portrait, because no one can know what it is, so anyone asserts that any scenario was the case lacks cr... | [
"A representation of a person or thing. Usually a statue or object in the likeness of a person or a god."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the question:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Viking Names, the English Language, and their Translation. | [
"Well, modern English is influenced a good bit by Old Norse. The bynames and patronymics you talk about are, because of that influence, easily translated to English. For example: Eírikr bloðöx = Eric Bloodaxe Eírikr rauði = Eric the Red Ivarr beinlauss = Ivar the Boneless (though legless is a possibility, too) Hrol... | [
"Next Week's Theme: 'Royalty, Nobility, and the Exercise of Power' To be followed by: \"Eastern Europe\""
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit passage:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit passage:"
} |
Questions for a Hundred Years War History Project | [
"From [the rules](_URL_0_): > **Is this the right place for your question?** > Questions should be about what did happen, not what could have happened. Questions of that type should be posted in /r/HistoricalWhatIf. > **Homework** > Our users aren't here to do your homework for you, but they might be willing to... | [
"Next Week's Theme: 'Royalty, Nobility, and the Exercise of Power' To be followed by: \"Eastern Europe\""
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Today I was told that the first mint workers of the US mint were required to work in the nude in order to prevent theft of coins. Is there any actual truth to this? | [
"Some quick research and I am lead to believe this is not the case. There is no documentation of this from anything that I've found. There is evidence that the mint kept a careful account of how many coins it minted, 11,178 in its first issue. That accounting alone would make it hard to steal. I'm going to have to... | [
"As a follow up I heard it said several times that the Romans would use urine as mouthwash. Is there any truth to that?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the question:",
"pos": "Represent the sentence:",
"neg": "Represent the sentence:"
} |
What is the transliteration for "Sic Transit Gloria Mundi" in Ancient Latin script. | [
"Ancient Latin script used the alphabet ABCDEFZHIKLMNOPQRSTVX, with G, created from C, substituted for Z in the 3rd century BC; so the only difference would be Mundi = MVNDI = > SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MVNDI, since there were no minuscule letters. Or did you mean Roman cursive?"
] | [
"Related question, but: Why Greek? Why not Egyptian hieroglyphs instead? Why not Cyrillic? Or Mandarin characters?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit argument:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit argument about Education:"
} |
How important were the Scottish in determining the outcome of WWI? | [
"I wish I had a better answer to give you, but I don't -- it's nearly 6AM here, I'm sick, and cannot sleep. Two notes, though: - As [this letter](_URL_0_) in *The Herald* today, citing James Edmonds' *Official History* (1923-1949) notes, the proportion of Scottish fatalities was greater than that of the French, the... | [
"Was any Asian country capable of helping the United States during the revolutionary war?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the title:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Carl Sagan: 'If the Ionian philosophy had prevailed, we might have been travelling in the stars' How accurate is this? | [
"Though I cannot talk about Ionian Philosophy, the idea that if things happened slightly differently, we would be much more technologically advance, is a biased anti-religious fallacy. Here is a post by u/restricteddata on how the medieval Catholic church did not hide scientific progress. _URL_1_"
] | [
"It means there is the potential for life there, both before we get there and after we arrive. It's the same kind of excitement generated in Europe when they found the Americas."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query:",
"pos": "Represent the comment:",
"neg": "Represent the comment about science:"
} |
I am a typical working class American in the 1880s. How much alcohol do I drink? How much of my income goes toward alcohol? | [
"I think this is a bit against the rules, but I'm hoping everyone will let it slide. I was googling around while we wait for a pro to answer your question, and I found this really fascinating referenced break down of victorian finances. It's not american, but I thought you might enjoy going through the information ... | [
"Because many alcoholics spend their money on alcohol rather than food. Also depends on their drink of choice, a beer drinker will take in more calories and therefore be larger on average than one who drink primarily spirits."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit text:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit text:"
} |
Why didn't Iceland collapse after exhausting the supply of timber on the island? | [
"OP, where did you read that Iceland once had 40% forested land? And how was that calculated?"
] | [
"A complete global banking disaster. The world's economy would collapse. Look, Iceland is a wonderful, beautiful country, but there's not much outside of Iceland that is dependent on the financial health of its banks. When the financial system in the US collapses, well, the dominos start falling all over the planet... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit text:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit text about Economics:"
} |
What's the longest continuous period of time that the US military has spent not involved in some sort of conflict somewhere on Earth? | [
"Depends how you define it. If you want to count [every U.S military operation ever](_URL_0_) I don't believe a year ever went by where the American military wasn't doing something."
] | [
"> How is this happening when the US military has more money devoted to it than pretty much everything else on the entire planet? The US military probably *does* more things than any other military on the planet. Most militaries have a hard time operating outside their own country for any amount of time and doing s... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
The Hindenburg disaster: The real cause for the decline of air travel by balloon? | [
"I would argue it's less history, more business. You've got to look at speed (airplanes are faster), cost to build (airplanes require less material), and passenger capacity (typically greater on a plane). Plus, after WWII, you had an amazing airplane industry ready to retool for peacetime passenger planes, a huge p... | [
"The Hindenburg was a German Airship. At the time, the nazis were the ruling party. Hence the swastika."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the post:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
What happened to garum? | [
"There was an [excellent article](_URL_0_) on garum just last month! There the author describes two factors that contributed to the downfall of garum: higher taxes on salt, which was crucial to its production, and increased pirate attacks on coastal towns, which were detrimental to the industry. It also mentions a ... | [
"In a related question, where the hell do Brits get the \"F\" in Lieutenant?!"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit argument:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit argument:"
} |
Concerning Howard Zinn's "A People's History Of The United States" and sources | [
"The [wiki](_URL_2_) has links to several popular questions on this book: * [Let's have a serious talk about Howard Zinn, Presentism, Bias, and discussing current affairs](_URL_3_) * [I'm thinking of reading A People's History by Howard Zinn and as I'm from England and not well informed about much of the USA's hist... | [
"Well, if you want general history books about the US from the right and from the left, then read *A People's History of the United States* by Howard Zinn (left) And from the right, *A Patriot's History of the United States*."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the question:",
"pos": "Represent the sentence:",
"neg": "Represent the sentence:"
} |
What happens to the Treaty of Trianon in 2020? | [
"We're not in the business of predicting the future, but I guess you're asking if an 'expiry date' was agreed for the treaty when it was signed in 1920?"
] | [
"Technically, it was never in effect so nothing at the moment. In order for it to have gone into effect, it would have had to be ratified by at least 6 of the 12 countries that account for 85% of the groups economic output by February 2018. When the time comes to vote, The US will most likely vote no and it will be... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the question:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
What was the first machine? | [
"It really depends on how you define machine, or technology in general. I would look at a machine as a non-animal object that makes our lives easier. In a sense, you could say that a heavy stick or rock was the first machine. It really is the first technology. It's something that we, as humans, realised would help ... | [
"Why did you think this was the right sub?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
in the 1940 were the people building the first computers aware of Babbage's work and his Difference engine? | [
"People like Turing were certainly familiar with Babbage. Babbage was well-renowned and a [Royal Fellow](_URL_1_). Whether on a mechanical or electrical computer, computer science remains the same, just like astronomy is not determined by what telescope one uses. Babbage really laid foundations for Computer Science... | [
"Programs were often hard wired, literally wired, in a plug board, on early machines. So the input data and program were part of the machine. Before the advances in the ABC (Atanasoff–Berry Computer) became common, the results were analog voltages that had to be read out, or actual decimal memory they had to be re... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Does asking Questions about the Second Wizarding War, also known as the Potter War, break the 20 year rule? | [
"Yes, but as the war ended in 1998, only Historians from 2018+ in the possession of time turners may respond to the questions. I would of course caution anyone that attempting to use a time-turner for such a temporally long trip is extremely dangerous however, so only the most experienced Wizards and Witches should... | [
"I don't have the reference tools here with me (or the time to expound thoroughly on my answer right now), but to the best of my knowledge, the Wizarding world was only oppressed in the sense of being forced to hide by social conventions, as an ostensible minority. I may be completely out in left field here, but it... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
How was social security handled in Hitler's Reich? | [
"It's a tough question to answer simply because a good portion of the Nazi Party's governance in Germany was in the midst of a world war. Research suggests a state pension system that would mirror social security, but for the most part research suggests that existing state pensions, based on the hyperinflated and b... | [
"Was any Asian country capable of helping the United States during the revolutionary war?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit question:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit passage:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit passage:"
} |
What was happening in France at the time of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables (1810's-1830's)? | [
"Okay, so most likely your book is glossing over the Waterloo and more historical parts that explain the politics behind it. After the defeat of Napoleon, the Bourbons returned to power and worked to undo the reforms of the Revolution. Most of Europe was under a reactionary phase which was more repressive and fearf... | [
"Gen X are the post Baby Boomers: 1960's - early 1980's. Gen Y/Millenials: Early 1980's- Early 2000's"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit sentence:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit sentence:"
} |
Why were the Brythonic people unable to protect themselves? | [
"It should be noted that Picts *were* Brythonic (in that they spoke a Brythonic or P-Celtic language), as that descriptor is a primarily linguistic one. The Irish ethnonym for the Picts was *Cruthin*, which is likely a Q-Celtic corruption of *Pritani* or *Britani*, and was probably a term used to describe any Brito... | [
"Britain was occupied by Rome from 43 AD to 410 AD, which is shorter than most other areas. During that time, the island was never fully occupied, and they always lived besides the Anglo-Saxons in Scotland. The geographic isolation also plays an important role. On the main land, Spain, France and Italy may have be... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Making a video about US baby name popularity 1880-2013. Could you double-check this info? | [
"Just speculation, but the name Peyton, might have been boosted by the character, Peyton Sawyer, in the popular TV show, \"One Tree Hill\", (2003-2012) played by Hilarie Burton?"
] | [
"Popular names usually picked (or not picked) based on popular people at the time. I wish I knew of some good specific good examples. [Here](_URL_1_) is a time line of male names in the US over time, pretty cool! [Here](_URL_0_) is the same thing for female names."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit answer:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit answer:"
} |
The Cherry Blossoms, Statue of Liberty and the Panda Bears are all famous gifts that other nations have given the US. What famous gifts (if any) has the US given other states? | [
"A statue of George Washington sits in Trafalgar Square in London. Washington said he would never step foot on British soil again. When the statue was sent over, a bunch of dirt from Virginia was also sent and put under the statue. We also sent another statue of George Washington to Argentina to celebrate their fi... | [
"It's not the same thing. England is a country. The United Kingdom is a country made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Britain and Great Britain is the island on which England, Scotland and Wales is on. You've basically asked the equivalent of asking an American why the US has so many different n... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document about Geography:"
} |
Hesiods three generations of man. | [
"I think that you're looking for a historical origin to something that's primarily a literary trope. The world's going to hell and the general sense of cosmological decline that will lead to the world's destruction is somewhat common in mythological stories, and the idea that destruction came about due to sin (the ... | [
"Related: what happened to the similar but different term Lakonia?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit paragraph:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit paragraph:"
} |
People have a fascination with inside North Korea. Was it like this during the existence of the USSR? | [
"I have visited North Korea on holiday. Can the friendly historians comment on what were the options for the average Westerner to travel to the USSR in the 70a and 80s (say)?"
] | [
"Just the US as far as I know. To the rest of the world he was just another dictator. Possibly something to do with the proximity of communism to the US."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query:",
"pos": "Represent the answer:",
"neg": "Represent the answer:"
} |
WW2 — Is it true that American deliveries to the USSR through the Persian corridor alone were sufficient to maintain 60 divisions? | [
"Just curious - where did you get this question from? It's so specific I feel like it must be from something."
] | [
"1-The invasion of the Soviet Union sealed the fate of the European Axis Powers, there was no way that the Axis could defeat the Soviet Union 2- Bombing of Pearl Harbor- Same with Germany, Japan had no chance to defeating the United States, Germany's stupid decision to declare war on the United States made their vi... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Sunday Digest | Interesting & Overlooked Posts | January 28, 2019–February 03, 2019 | [
"Shoutout to recent flair /u/y_sengaku for answering my question on Novgorod-Mongol relations of the early 1200s [here](_URL_1_). EDIT: And a huge thank you to /u/GeekAesthete for answering my question on [religion and film in US film studios in the 50s](_URL_0_) on my third question attempt!"
] | [
"It's a bit unclear what you're interested in. (Early US education? Mann? Cremin's perspective?) But here are some resources that may help: > Binder, Frederick M. The Age of the Common School: 1830-1865. New York: Wiley, 1974. > > Glenn, Jr., Charles Leslie. The Myth of the Common School. Amherst: University of M... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query about News:",
"pos": "Represent the document about News:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Help with formulating a question for a History thesis. | [
"Hi - we as mods have approved this thread, because while this is a homework question, it is asking for clarification or resources, rather than the answer itself, which is fine according to [our rules](_URL_1_). This policy is further explained in this [Rules Roundtable thread](_URL_3_) and this [META Thread](_URL_... | [
"Part of an essay prompt on your take-home final."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit answer:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit answer:"
} |
Good historical blogs to follow | [
"Everyone's favorite Top Quality Contributor /u/MikeDash runs a great blog (that I wish he would update more even though I understand he's busy!) called [A Blast From the Past](_URL_0_)"
] | [
"Many new people don't read the sidebar, so no matter how good it is, it won't help everyone. Those that read the sidebar will see the FAQ, the booklists, etc. But if you want to write a tutorial \"how to do historical research\", by all means do so - you've got your work cut out for you."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit question:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
How much influence did the book "Rights of Man" actually have in Britain and France? | [
"Roy Porter's *Enlightenment* puts it this way: > The first part of his *Rights of Man* was published in March 1791 at 3s [shillings] - dear enough, the government hoped, to keep it out of the hands of the swinish multitude. Within a few weeks, however, aided by the London Constitutional Society, which distributed... | [
"First, it's important to realize these ideas of religious freedom, personal liberty etc.. came from various English, Scottish and French philosophers. This era was known as the Enlightenment in European society. The majority, if not all, of the Founding Fathers in America knew of the ideologies and wished to incor... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the post:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Organ meats are nutrient dense and have been eaten throughout history. When did this trend start to fade? | [
"Can you clarify a specific region? Organ meats are still eaten very commonly throughout the world on just about every continent. Do you mean specifically in America? Western or Southern Europe?"
] | [
"It’s very possible. And despite what others are saying: There is no need for nutritional carbohydrates. The body can make as much glucose as it needs from other energy sources. There is no need to eat the whole animal. The fact that peoples which have a traditional diet of all meat tend to eat the whole animal jus... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
When did weight-lifting and bodybuilding as we know it start? Were they aware of how to get big? | [
"From my fairly limited understanding, bodybuilding as we know it in terms of ultra-low bodyfat with huge amounts of mass is fairly recent. Even earlier \"bodybuilders\" weren't that big by today's standard, but I'd attribute that to a lack of access to anabolic steroids. For example [Eugen Sandow](_URL_3_) and [C... | [
"Lifters build up their body to lift. Bodybuilders build up their body to look ripped."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the post:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
What technology was created during the Cold War, and is some of it still in use today? | [
"You've likely eaten out of a material designed for use in Cold War missiles--CorningWare. Since it was designed (in 1958) to be able to deal with very high temperatures as well as thermal shock (big changes in temperature), it was readily adapted to cookware. The iconic blue pattern was added and a classic was bor... | [
"We have. Anti-ballistic missile defense systems (ABM) have comprised a huge research and development cost since the 1980's. The US alone has spent something like almost 1 trillion dollars since the 80's developing ABM technology. The systems are currently deployed throughout parts of the US and the world. How well... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit post:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit argument:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit argument:"
} |
U.S History books that do not have a Eurocentric/"white" focus? | [
"Okay so this is a huge huge topic so i'll give you some of my personal favorites and/or quality works. **African Americans** * *Freedom Struggles: African Americans and World War I*- Adriane Lentz-Smith * *Black Newspapers and America's War for Democracy 1914-1920*- William G. Jordan * *The Double V: How Wars, Pro... | [
"Textbooks tend to be dry, quite surface level and often present dubious versions of historical events very mater of factly. I would recomend looking into either a textbook that has high remarks for accessibility or into a general audience book with a broad scope (in my field the standard is Ian Shaw's \"Oxford His... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document about Education:"
} |
What were the consequences of the 'innovation controversy' in Han dynasty China? | [
"This was a fierce and ongoing debate in warring states and Han China. It really gets to the essential questions of nature vs human creation, continuity vs disruption, and the ethics of change vs stability and stasis. I don't know much about the lives of Han intellectuals per se, and so I cannot answer some of your... | [
"Could the rebuilding of Japan after WWII be considered a partial colonization by the United States?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the title:",
"pos": "Represent the comment:",
"neg": "Represent the comment:"
} |
Sunday Digest | Interesting & Overlooked Posts | April 10, 2017–April 16, 2017 | [
"I haven't written that many in-depth answers lately, but this week I wrote three, and so I just wanted to toot my own horn, if you'll indulge me. * [Why are the Balkans a home for so many different ethnic groups?](_URL_1_) was already highlighted, but I also spent a long time on * [whether women are more liable ... | [
"1. The First Salute by Barbara Tuchman 2. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown 3. The Civil War by Shelby Foote 4. Reconstruction by Eric Foner 5. The Proud Tower by Barbara Tuchman 6. Parting the Waters by Taylor Branch 7. Brute Force: Allied Strategy and Tactics in the Second World War by John Ellis 8. The... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title about News:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit text about News:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit text:"
} |
Can r/AskHistorians tell me what is going on in this photo? | [
"It looks like this man is using an early model IBM Selectric Typerwriter. They were introduced in 1961. As for the helmet, I have no idea what it is, but it looks like vacuum tubes are decorating it. Solid state circuits replaced vacuum tubes during the 1960s and narrows this photo down to the early 1960s."
] | [
"What about the US election do you want explained, specifically?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit sentence:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit sentence:"
} |
How were the British so incredibly successful at counterspying during WW2? | [
"Essentially, at the begnning of the war, the British interned all German nationals. At one stroke this pretty much crippled the German espionage network in the UK. Additionally, since the Nazi administration was built in a hap-hazard way, not much thought had been given to espionage and the commander of the Nazi ... | [
"The best counter intelligence example I can give is the British government spreading the rumor about carrots improving your vision, specifically night vision, in order to throw off German intelligence from learning about their improvements in radar technology during WW2."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit answer:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit answer:"
} |
Ever since "Ancient Aliens" was thoroughly debunked, I can no longer trust The History Channel. Am I right in feeling this way? | [
"They put out a program on the mound builders about 15 years ago which hinted that they might have been built by immigrants from the Old World. The program was sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Just about lobbed my remote at the screen."
] | [
"I've seen quite a few of his movies and never found them even slightly interesting. What am I missing?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the question:",
"pos": "Represent the passage:",
"neg": "Represent the passage:"
} |
If I was a slaveowner in the Antebellum South who treated his slaves with kindness, would I be looked down upon by my neighbors? | [
"Followup question for OP: what does 'kindness' mean to you in the context of US slavery? Are you thinking that some slave owner could have treated his slaves like a (extremely callous) modern businesses might treat their employees? For example, paying them? Allowing weekends off? Allowing them off the work site? A... | [
"Because today we also realize that our racism in WWII was unjust and lead to innocent people being harassed or worse because they happened to share heritage with people we were at war with. We as a society have become more tolerant and, well, nicer."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the post:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
What was the inspiration for Eisenhower's requirement of stretches of highway long enough to land a commercial airplane? | [
"Not true. Somewhat tackled before here: [_URL_0_](_URL_2_) There is a grain of reality behind the story, though. Dispersed basing is a real thing in Europe, with occasional stretches of Autobahn which can be converted to airstrip use. It's a skill which the US Air Force hasn't been practicing in years, though. [_... | [
"Diane Canwell wrote a comprehensive account in her book \"The Berlin Airlift\" back in 2008. The problem that worried the Americans the most was how to deliver coal to Berlin for home heating during the winter. When they asked Curtis LeMay if the US Air Force could air lift the coal, he replied \"This Air Force ca... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit question:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Tell me about tobacco | [
"I've been reading \"Red Gold\" by John Hemming which follows the Portuguese in Brazil. He describes as several of the French and Portuguese settlers 'going native' and picking up tobacco; this was generally frowned upon as a 'heathen' activity. I wish I had more to share, but I haven't gotten that deep into the b... | [
"Rave you read from both to confirm that they work?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query:",
"pos": "Represent the post:",
"neg": "Represent the post:"
} |
Richard lll found. Now what? | [
"[Everyone's interested in King Richard III! Find all the threads here...](_URL_0_)"
] | [
"Looks like Charles I of Great Britain to me."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit query:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Were there any nationalities other than British on the Mayflower? | [
"I just made a quick scan of Nathaniel Philbrick's \"Mayflower\" and couldn't find any passengers who weren't English. Several of the children had been born in Leiden, Holland, while the Pilgrims were living there. Of the crew of the *Mayflower* whose names are recorded, all are English."
] | [
"A related question were there public figures at the time who were apologists that tried to justify for the actions of the Japanese military at Pearl Harbor?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
The War at Home: A Panel AMA on the Home Fronts of World Wars One and Two | [
"I asked a WWI question a while back with no luck: how did Australians, Canadians and other members of the Commonwealth feel about being sent to fight a far off European war? Did they remember the wartime conscription debates differently after the war?"
] | [
"1. The First Salute by Barbara Tuchman 2. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown 3. The Civil War by Shelby Foote 4. Reconstruction by Eric Foner 5. The Proud Tower by Barbara Tuchman 6. Parting the Waters by Taylor Branch 7. Brute Force: Allied Strategy and Tactics in the Second World War by John Ellis 8. The... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the Reddit title:",
"pos": "Represent the Reddit document:",
"neg": "Represent the Reddit document:"
} |
Where There Any Punishments on Aircraft Carriers after Aircraft and Hellicopters were Pushed Overboard to Make More Room for Vietnamese Emigres after the Fall of Saigon? | [
"No, the aircraft that the South Vietnamese shipped and landed and on carriers were not US government property, they were South Vietnamese. Since that country ceased to exist with the Fall of Saigon, there was no sort of punishment for the pilots or aircraft carrier crews. Many South Vietnamese F-5 Freedom Fighters... | [
"Being Black Does Actually Have (Relatively Minor) Health Consequences, It's Just That They're Obviated By Modern Life. There's An Energy Cost To Have Extra Melanin, Even A Small One, So If You Don't Need It It Won't Be Selected For. Melanin Reduces Vitamin-D Uptake From The Sun If Sunlight Is Lower Than You're Ada... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the post:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Looking for a historical Witch's perspective. | [
"I'm not sure it is what you are looking for but the mayor of Bamberg; Johannes Junius was accused of Witchcraft in 1624 and sent a letter to his daughter pleading his innocence. [Transciption available here.](_URL_1_) Whilst it isn't a diary of an actual devil worshipping, spell casting, witch of superstition is d... | [
"Have an \"in\" with a prominent Party member."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query:",
"pos": "Represent the sentence:",
"neg": "Represent the sentence:"
} |
Can someone explain the "invention of privacy" to me? | [
"hi! you may be interested in some earlier posts, mostly featuring flaired user /u/vertexoflife * [When/why did \"private parts\" become so private?](_URL_0_) * [When did people start having sex in private? (Or is this a question for AskPrehistorians?)](_URL_2_) * [People historically had a lot of kids, and also hi... | [
"Excuse my ignorance and laziness but can somebody give me a TL;DR on sea org?"
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query:",
"pos": "Represent the document:",
"neg": "Represent the document:"
} |
Is it true that privacy is a modern invention? | [
"/u/Searocksandtrees has composed a [list of threads](_URL_4_) on this topic, and /u/vertexoflife is flaired for this very topic."
] | [
"In Canada heath care is considered a human right. In the United States it's considered a commodity."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the post:",
"pos": "Represent the passage:",
"neg": "Represent the passage:"
} |
How was attendance managed at the Roman Games | [
"Going off this, is it true that the Colosseum in Rome could empty itself of spectators in only five minutes? It seems like quick exits and restrictive entries are mutually exclusive. Did they have temporary entry barriers they then removed , sort of like how a modern stadium might have banks of doors that open onl... | [
"Most of the time they are playing at the largest venue in the area."
] | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the query about history:",
"pos": "Represent the comment about history:",
"neg": "Represent the comment:"
} |
I'm interested in the armaments industry leading up to the First World War. Which companies were the biggest players? Did smaller nations buy their arms from larger ones like is done today? Were there instances of arms races between the European powers? | [
"Large companies like Vickers-Armstrong, Creusot, Schneider, Putilov, Krupp, and Skoda were among the biggest weapons suppliers before the war. Smaller countries like Serbia were able to purchase weapons from pretty much any suppliers in Europe it seems, with French, Russian, and even German and Austro-Hungarian we... | [
"This reputation, in part, can be seen as an offshoot of the German arms industry dominance in tree 1800/1900s when they basically armed every other nation on a continent (China, Africa, most of South America, etc) with high quality firearms, typically better than anything locally produced. Even today many of those... | eli5_question_answer | {
"query": "Represent the title:",
"pos": "Represent the comment:",
"neg": "Represent the comment:"
} |
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