Category · 75 questions
History
Who gets remembered, who decides, and which stories we choose to tell.
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75 entriesAre Holocaust comparisons OK?
Jewish and Romani people are in the position where a tragic event in their family history is used as many people's universal example of a genocide, or just evil in general for some. When is it appropriate to compare things to the Nazi's atrocities?
Can history be written objectively?
Most historians aim to report on history without bias, but is it really possible to be objective? It is often said that history is written by the winners; are the winners capable of stepping back and writing history from a neutral point of view, or are they only capable of writing from their own?
Did Alexander Hamilton's financial plan put America first?
Of all the founding fathers of the American nation, Alexander Hamilton remains one of the most enigmatic and controversial characters. In his role as Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton submitted a financial plan to Congress designed to reduce the national debt by creating a national bank and encouraging economic diversification and the establishment of a manufacturing economy. But more than 200 years later, questions remain over the plan’s effectiveness and Hamilton’s motives.
Did British colonial powers invent the Indian caste system?
The four-tiered caste system gives Hindu society a strict hierarchical structure, with teachers and religious leaders at the top, and the fifth "undesirable" category performing "unclean" work. Where did it come from? Was it a colonial invention? Or are its roots embedded in ancient Indian culture?
Did nationalism predate nation states?
Today, we are used to both the nation-state and the idea of nationalism. However, it may be possible to have one without the other. Authors have written about nationalism for centuries, but the nation state as we know it has existed a relatively short amount of time. So, did nationalism predate the nation?
Did the Cold War End?
Despite the Cold War officially thought to have ended with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, relations between the United States and Russia has remained tense. Chilly relationships between Russia and Western countries begs the question if the Cold War of the late-1900s ever truly ended or rather still exists today.
Does Atlantis exist?
Atlantis is an Island which features in Plato's dialogues Timaeus and Critias. It is said to have existed about 9000 years before the birth of Solon. According to Plato, Atlantis was a successful and wealthy Island, eventually destroyed by its greed. Despite the broad acceptance that Atlantis is fictional, it has exerted a high level of influence on culture, history and conspiracy theories. Various locations have been touted as 'Atlantis', and many are keen to locate the legendary island.
Does History repeat itself ?
Everyone knows the old saying, "history repeats itself," but is there any truth to this? Do people really never learn from history, or is this just a convenient way to explain away bad the things that have happened? Does history really repeat itself, and are we helpless to stop it?
Has the Rosetta Stone been cracked?
Has the Rosetta Stone been fully deciphered, unlocking ancient Egyptian writing? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that the Rosetta Stone has been cracked, and that it has not.
How did Amelia Earhart die?
Amelia Earhart's disappearance and presumed death in the midst of her attempt to circumnavigate the globe by plane has long been an international interest. Many believe her plane crashed in Pacific and that she and her companion perished, but others believe in more unusual theories.
How do we think about removing controversial statues in the US?
Throughout the US, activists are calling for the removal of controversial statues, which most often depict individuals with slavery or colonization ties. These statues have long been a subject of debate, but the American public’s renewed attention to systemic, racially-motivated violence has brought this conversation into the forefront of public discourse. According to those in favor of removal, these monuments glorify individuals who supported racist institutions. They stand as relics to white supremacy and racial terror. Others argue that these statues must remain because they are a part of our story. Although this is a heinous aspect of our past, removing these statues would be an attempt to whitewash America’s history. So, what are the opinions around this debate?
How do we think about taking down controversial statues in the UK?
In June 2020 protestors circulated a hit list of controversial UK statues to be taken down. These included Gandhi, Winston Churchill and Robert Baden-Powell. Campaigners say these statues must be ripped down because they contribute to racialised systemic violence. In turn, this trickles down into every facet of public life and subordinates ethnic minorities. On the other side, groups made up of mostly far right activists say this is deeply offensive. They see this lobby as a violent mob that have been undeservedly handed a mandate to whitewash UK history. So, who are these groups, what do they think, and why?
How does coronavirus compare to other pandemics?
COVID-19 has been devastating, affecting people across the world and killing thousands. However, it is far from the first pandemic of its kind. From the Spanish flu to the bubonic plague, throughout history pandemics have killed huge amounts of the population. Is the coronavirus pandemic the worst in history? Or have previous pandemics been worse?
How should a country apologize for their past actions and how long?
When we live in a globalized society, we face a need to cooperate with different countries. Japan has tried to fix its relationship with Korea for a while, but the relationship seems to be getting worse. How can a country apologize for a past action and how long do the reparations take?
How were the Pyramids at Giza built?
The Pyramids at Giza are an engineering marvel from Egypt’s Old Kingdom period. The largest, the Great Pyramid, is 455 feet high and was constructed from approximately 2.3 million blocks weighing 2.5 tons each. There are many theories as to how the pyramids were built using primitive technology.
Is a world without any borders a good idea?
Nation-states maintain borders for safety, maintaining political jurisdiction. Yet, some forms of open borders exist between nation-states: the Schengen Agreement in the European Union, borders between India and Nepal, Ireland and the U.K., and the CA4 Border Control Agreement in Central America. Most nation-states maintain strict border controls, restricting travel between countries and barring entry to migrants. Millions of people risk their lives trying to cross borders into other countries. Some are fleeing violence and war; others are looking for better economic opportunities or to be reunited with family members. Borders protect but they also actively promote death and suffering, as seen in the strategic placement of border patrol along the US-Mexico borderlands. What are the possibilities of a world without borders?
Should confederate monuments be removed?
Whether or not confederate monuments should be removed is hotly debated. On one hand, confederacy has a negative history. Automatically, it’s associated with slavery and Civil War. On the other hand, confederate monuments are simply a representation of history. Shouldn’t all history, good or bad, be put on display?
Should there be a united Ireland?
The status of Northern Ireland has been the subject of intense debate and decades of violence known as the Troubles, which started in the 1960s. Though Northern Ireland has been at peace since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the question of whether Northern Island should remain in the United Kingdom or join the Republic of Ireland remains a source of contention. Should there be a united Ireland?
Should there be reparations for slavery?
More than 150 years since the end of slavery, racial inequality is still evident in the United States. Black Americans have an average household wealth just a tenth of white families, face housing and banking discrimination, and higher policing. Reparations for slavery is either a path towards equality or a path to further division.
To what extent did the Italian Renaissance change Europe?
There is a debate as to how different the Renaissance truly was from the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages or "The Dark Ages" is seen as a time of cultural decline, but how much really changed?
Was Bolivian President Evo Morales ousted in a coup?
Bolivia has been a site of political upheaval since Evo Morales, president of the country for 13 consecutive years, declared his victory in the October 20th election. The streets have been filled with both violent and peaceful protestors. Some argue against the legitimacy of the vote. Others defend the re-election of the left-wing, indigenous leader. On November 10th, Morales resigned and sought political asylum in Mexico.
Was Boris Johnson's move to prorogue parliament legal?
Boris Johnson took the decision to prorogue parliament for five weeks in the run-up to Britain's deadline for leaving the EU on October 31. His government argues that he was legally able to do so. The preceding parliamentary session was the longest on record and the prorogation was designed to bring it to a natural close. Opposition MPs believe Johnson's motives were to stymy debate and were, therefore, unconstitutional.
Was Harold Wilson a KGB spy?
Was the British prime minister Harold Wilson a Soviet agent, as Cold War rumours alleged? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that Harold Wilson was a KGB spy, and that he was not.
Was Joseph Stalin a successful leader?
Was Joseph Stalin a successful leader, whatever the human cost? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that Stalin was a successful leader, and that he was not.
Was Nazi Germany built on consent or coercion of the population?
By 1934, Hitler considered the National Socialist revolution in Germany to be complete. Yet, although powerful in his own right, Hitler could not have executed such a successful ascent in Germany political life alone. Thus, was Hitler's successful rise and Nazi Germany's infamous future built on the consent or coercion of its citizens?
Was Obama a good president?
President Barack Obama was a new kind of leader, who broke barriers and opened doors, swagger and class, and respected around the world. But was he a good president?
Was patriarchy invented or inevitable?
Did male dominance arise through chance and choice, or was it bound to happen? This entry sets out the two positions on the origins of patriarchy — that it was invented, and that it was inevitable.
Was Persephone kidnapped?
Persephone, wife to Hades, daughter of Demeter and Zeus. The myth of Persephone says that she was kidnapped by Hades and that she is allowed to visit her mother Demeter for six months out of the year...or does it? Was Persephone kidnapped, or did she go willingly?
Was UN leader Dag Hammarskjold murdered?
Did UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold die by accident, or was he killed? This entry sets out the two positions on the 1961 plane crash that took his life — that he was murdered, and that he was not.
Was Winston Churchill a hero?
Prime Minister Winston Churchill was a leader and character who supported the British People through a world war. Should we consider Winston Churchill a hero, or do some of his actions suggest we remember him in another way?
Were Indian police complicit in the Palghar lynching?
On 16 April 2020, two Hindu priests and their driver were killed. This happened after the men were stopped by a crowd of men at a checkpoint amid coronavirus lockdown, accused of being thieves or child kidnappers, and then taken away and killed. The presence of the police at the scene has caused a debate about their role in the killings.
Were the moon landings faked?
NASA sent six successful Apollo missions to the Moon. Twelve astronauts in total landed on the Moon's surface. Critics suggest that all missions were faked and no one has landed on the Moon. They say that related photos and videos were actually taken in a studio.
Were the Salem Witch Trials justified?
Were the 1692 Salem witch trials in any way justified? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that the trials were justified, and that they were not — examining the hysteria and the lives it claimed.
Were the US bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki justified?
Was President Harry Truman justified when he authorised the use of nuclear weapons against Japanese civilians? Did the bombings end the war with fewer deaths than an American invasion of Japan would have resulted in? Or was the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki unimportant to Japanese military leaders when they decided to surrender?
Were there any positives to European Colonialism?
European empires from the early modern period to the twentieth century dominated much of the globe. Scholarship on Imperialism has focused on the destruction and exploitation that these European colonies wrought on their subjects and territories. However, were there any positive results from this process?
What are the conspiracy theories about Barack Obama?
This entry catalogues the conspiracy theories about Barack Obama — among them the false 'birther' claim that he is not American, and baseless allegations that he is a Muslim terrorist, a communist or a dictator. The entry documents these debunked claims.
What are the conspiracy theories about Grand Duchess of Russia Anastasia?
This entry catalogues the conspiracy theories surrounding Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia, shot with her family in 1918 — that she secretly survived, and that Dmitry Medvedev is a descendant of Tsar Nicholas II.
What are the conspiracy theories about the Bermuda triangle?
This entry maps the theories offered to explain disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle — from rogue waves, compass-disrupting magnetic forces and methane bubbles to Atlantis and aliens — alongside the view that there is no mystery at all.
What are the conspiracy theories around 9/11?
This entry catalogues the conspiracy theories circulated about the September 11, 2001 attacks — claims of insider trading, official foreknowledge, a deliberate air-defence 'stand down', and Israeli involvement. It documents these contested claims, which run counter to the established record.
What are the conspiracy theories around Michael Jackson's death?
This entry catalogues the theories surrounding Michael Jackson's 2009 death — that he faked it to escape debt and is still alive, that he was murdered, and that he was killed by a drug overdose.
What are the conspiracy theories around the Sandy Hook massacre?
This entry catalogues the conspiracy theories circulated about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting — that the massacre was staged, never happened, or used 'crisis actors'. All are thoroughly debunked; the entry documents them as false beliefs, not facts.
What are the forms of European anti-Semitism?
Anti-Semitism is prejudice or hatred against Jews. Those feelings are tied to a number of different issues and express themselves in different ways. Unfortunately, these views still exist in places around the world.
What are the theories around aviator Amelia Earhart's disappearance?
What became of the aviator Amelia Earhart, who vanished over the Pacific in 1937? This entry maps the theories — that she crashed near Howland Island, was captured by the Japanese, lived on under another name, was marooned as a castaway, or lies in the Buka Island wreck.
What caused Henry VIII's erratic behaviour later in life?
What turned Henry VIII from a vigorous young king into an erratic, tyrannical ruler? This entry maps the explanations — a jousting head injury, mental illness, syphilis, and the chronic pain of his leg ulcers.
What caused the American Civil War?
The American Civil War (1861-1865) officially began with the battle of Fort Sumter on April 12th-13th, 1861 and fundamentally shifted the trajectory of American history. Arguably the first instance of modern total war for the United States, the war impacted virtually every facet of American society. However, different perceptions of its origins and legacy persist across regions and demographics in the United States. One of the most contentious differences in opinion is around what the primary cause of the Civil War is.
What caused the French Revolution?
The French Revolution lasted 10 years, from 1789 to 1799. The Ancien Regime was overthrown in favor of a constitutional monarchy, and King Louis XVI's was executed. It eventually became the First French Republic.
What events led to the American Revolution?
What lit the fuse of the American Revolution? This entry maps the events that fed colonial anger, setting out the roles of the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts in driving the thirteen colonies toward rebellion.
What happened at Chernobyl?
On April 26, 1986, one of the most devastating nuclear disasters in history occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat, Ukraine. An explosion at Chernobyl's reactor number 4 destroyed the facility's protections against nuclear radiation and sent massive quantities of radioactive fallout into the atmosphere. Was the catastrophe simply a tragic failure of nuclear safety systems? Or did something more than a mere accident happen at Chernobyl?
What happened to Korean Airlines flight 007?
In 1983 a Soviet fighter shot down Korean Air Lines Flight 007, killing all aboard. This entry maps the dispute over what the plane was — an innocent passenger jet that strayed off course, and a deliberate spy-surveillance flight.
What happened to Malaysia Airlines flight 370?
The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in 2014 remains aviation's great mystery. This entry maps the leading theories — a power interruption, crew hypoxia, and the possible involvement of passengers, crew, cargo or a suicidal pilot.
What happened to the lost colony of Roanoke?
Roanoke Island, off the coast of what is now North Carolina, was colonized in May of 1587. John White, in charge of the colony, left that August to retrieve more supplies from England, leaving behind roughly 115 colonists on the island. White’s timing was poor and was unable to return to Roanoke until 1590. When he arrived, he found the entire colony had vanished, the only clue to their disappearance was the word “Croatoan” carved into a tree. Since then, what has happened to the colonist at Roanoke has plagued history and mystery buffs alike.
What happened to the two princes in the Tower of London?
In 1483, the sudden death of King Edward IV left the throne of England in the hands of his 12 year old son. Edward IV's son, Edward V, and his brother were taken into custody by their uncle at the Tower of London, and disappeared shortly after. Although there has been much speculation as to what happened to them over the years, no one truly knows the fate of the two princes.
What happened with the Deepwater Horizon explosion?
This entry maps the explanations offered for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil-rig disaster — from BP's documented mismanagement to a string of conspiracy theories blaming submarines, eco-saboteurs, the US government, big business and divine retribution.
What is the intellectual framing of the UK statues debate?
In June 2020 Bristol protestors rioting against the murder of George Floyd tore down a statue of Edward Colston. Having hauled it from its plinth, they eventually abandoned the statue in the city's harbour. Hundreds of onlookers gathered to watch, viewing this as a momentous step in the fight against racism. Colston is known as the man who built Bristol. He bequeathed his enormous fortune to the city upon his death. 300 years on, the scale of his legacy is visceral in Bristol's landmarks and architecture, and the names of its schools, concert halls, streets, restaurants, pubs and cathedral. Yet, his fortune was built on slavery, leading many to argue that the statue props up institutional racism in the UK. Since Colston's toppling, activists have circulated lists of hundreds more controversial statues they say must be removed to end racial inequality. Others call this type of campaigning problematic. They view the destruction of monuments as historical whitewashing. For them, this trend is an affront to British history that does not confront the real issues at play. So, who are these groups, what do they think, and why?
What is the significance of the 32 symbols found in caves all over Europe?
What do the recurring symbols painted in Ice Age caves across Europe mean? This entry maps the interpretations — that they are a precursor to writing, that negative handprints signalled 'I was here', and that they rewrite the timeline of human art.
What is the significance of the Peace of Westphalia?
This entry maps the significance attributed to the 1648 Peace of Westphalia — from ending the Thirty Years' War and extending religious tolerance to establishing precedents for state sovereignty, diplomacy and the European balance of power.
What role did Fidel Castro play in the Cuban Revolution?
Fidel Castro was the Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and the President of Cuba from 1976 to 2008. Castro led the 1959 Cuban Revolution, which ousted the U.S backed military-dictator Fulgencio Batista. Under Castro, Cuba became a single-party communist state in which most industries were entirely nationalized. Castro played various roles in the Cuban Revolution and the formation of Cuba's economic and political system, with many of his educational and healthcare related reforms still being evident in the nation's current government.
What was Italy's Immigration Debate in 2018 about?
In 2016, over 180,000 migrants reached Italy by irregular means. During the first ten months of 2018, this number had dropped to under 21,000. Although the number of unauthorized immigrants in Italy has been decreasing over the last decade, racial tensions have increased after a mix of anti-immigrant campaigns, fake news and horrific tragedies. As a result, “immigration” is the nation’s most discussed issue. There are currently over 5 million regular immigrants in Italy. The IDOS research centre estimated that the number of unauthorized immigrants would be about 500.000. Many of them are asylum seekers whose claim to international protection was denied. Some can’t go back to their country due to bureaucratic problems, some others receive the "foglio di via" (expulsion paper) but the authorities fail to make sure that they actually leave the nation. What do Italians think about it?
What were the causes of the English Reformation?
The English Reformation in the 16th century began when Henry VIII was not able to divorce his wife. The English Reformation was part of a larger European movement, fuelled by the printing press and a number of charismatic theologians.
Where did the speakers of Proto-Indo-European live?
Proto-Indo-European is the ancient ancestor of many of the world's languages, including Russian, Farsi, English, and Greek. However, since it was never written and was spoken around 5000 years ago, scientists are still unsure of who its speakers were and where--and when--they lived.
Where does 420 come from?
For stoners worldwide, the 20th of April has long represented a day of celebration. Known commonly as '4:20' participants spend the day smoking cannabis and glorifying the culture that comes with it. But why? Competing theories exist over its origins. So, where does 420 come from?
Where is Blackbeard's treasure?
Did the pirate Blackbeard leave behind a hidden fortune, and where? This entry gathers the rival claims about the treasure's location — among them Beaufort in North Carolina, the Caribbean, Virginia's Chesapeake Bay and the Cayman Islands.
Where is the ark of the covenant today?
Where is the lost Ark of the Covenant? This entry gathers the rival claims about its resting place — among them Mount Nebo, Ethiopia, southern Africa, Chartres Cathedral, Rome, Ireland and Tutankhamun's tomb.
Where is the City of Troy?
The City of Troy is known for being the location of the famous Trojan war between the Greeks and Trojans. This war is described in Homer's Iliad, an Ancient Greek epic poem. But was Troy just a literary or mythological location or does it really exist to this day? If so, where is it?
Where is the stolen Nazi gold?
What became of the gold looted by the Nazis during the Second World War? This entry gathers the rival claims about where the stolen Nazi gold ended up — among them the Vatican, Switzerland and Portugal.
Who bore responsibility for the start of World War I?
Lasting from 1914 to 1918, World War 1 claimed over 16 million lives, bolstered military technology, and brought world powers to the European theater to fight till ultimate destruction. Who can be blamed for the carnage seen throughout this conflict?
Who is responsible for the Holocaust?
Across German-occupied Europe, Nazi German collaborators proved successful in their destruction of two-thirds of European Jewry: systematically murdering six million Jews and five million non-Jews. But, who is truly culpable for this mass murder of eleven million people?
Who killed John F. Kennedy?
On November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Decades later, his death is still considered one of the biggest mysteries of American history. Despite the Warren Commission concluding that Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated JFK, there is still a conspiracy surrounding whether or not he was the actual assassin, and if he was working alone. Who actually assassinated John F. Kennedy, and were they working for a larger organization?
Who was Jack the Ripper?
Jack the Ripper was one of the most notorious serial killers in history. In 1888, the Ripper was suspected of brutally killing at least five women in and around the Whitechapel district in the East End of London. The Ripper killings were the focus of an intensive police investigation and garnered enormous attention from the public and media, but the case went unsolved, and the identity of the Ripper remains a subject of widespread debate over a century later. So who was Jack the Ripper? Was he one of the contemporaneous suspects, or one revealed by historical and scientific research? Was he even a man - or, for that matter, was he real at all?
Who was Rasputin?
This entry maps the legends and theories surrounding Grigori Rasputin, mystic to Russia's last royal family — from claims of hypnotic spiritual powers to fringe tales that he was an immortal, an alien, or a British plant.
Who was the fifth man, in the Cambridge spy ring?
The Cambridge spy ring betrayed British secrets to the Soviets — but who was its elusive 'fifth man'? This entry gathers the names put forward, among them Baron Rothschild, Leonard Henry, Guy Liddell and Andrew Gow.
Who were the Sea People who attacked Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean during the Late Bronze Age Collapse?
During the 12th Century BC sea-faring invaders contributed to what is known as the Late Bronze Age Collapse. Greece, Egypt, the Levant, and the Hittites were all impacted. Known in the Egyptian sources as a confederation of ethnic groups, the identity and origins of the Sea People is contested.
Why did Abraham Lincoln want to abolish slavery?
Abraham Lincoln is painted as a hero in American history books, but his true position on slavery during the Civil War has been debated by historians. Abraham Lincoln's motives were unclear and questionable.
Why did the US lose the Vietnam War?
The Vietnam War was a failure for the United States. Despite expending more than $141 billion, and 56,000 American lives, the world’s largest military superpower was unable to achieve its sole strategic objective: to prevent Vietnam from falling under communist control. Historians are divided over the reasons that led to US defeat.
Why do the French hate the British?
The French and British neighbours have a long history of cultural interactions, wars, trade, and maintain very different cultures and language. There is generally a distain for the British from the French, but what are the reasons behind this?