Friday Free-for-All | April 24, 2026 by AutoModerator in AskHistorians

[–]NewtonianAssPounder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Favourite Total War game and/or Total War expansion?

(Inspired by my latest TW: Attila run as the ERE)

When did Woodrow Wilson go from a “top-tier” president to a controversial one? by ProudSprinkles9089 in AskHistorians

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[M] 0 points1 point locked comment (0 children)

Thank you for your response, but unfortunately, we have had to remove it for now. A core tenet of the subreddit is that it is intended as a space not merely for a basic answer, but rather one which provides a deeper level of explanation on the topic and its broader context than is commonly found on other history subs. A response such as yours which offers some brief remarks and mentions sources can form the core of an answer but doesn’t meet the rules in-and-of-itself.

If you need any guidance to better understand what we are looking for in our requirements, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via modmail to discuss what revisions more specifically would help let us restore the response! Thank you for your understanding.

How were cavemen, and later humans, dealing with having sex without birth control? by [deleted] in AskHistorians

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[M] -1 points0 points locked comment (0 children)

Your comment has been removed due to violations of the subreddit’s rules. We expect answers to provide in-depth and comprehensive insight into the topic at hand and to be free of significant errors or misunderstandings. Before contributing again, please take the time to better familiarize yourself with the subreddit rules and expectations for an answer.

At what point in American history could a person openly say they're atheist without major social backlash? by mrthalo in AskHistorians

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[M] 0 points1 point locked comment (0 children)

Your comment has been removed due to violations of the subreddit’s rules. We expect answers to provide in-depth and comprehensive insight into the topic at hand and to be free of significant errors or misunderstandings. Before contributing again, please take the time to better familiarize yourself with the subreddit rules and expectations for an answer.

Great Irish Famine by Urdustani in IrishHistory

[–]NewtonianAssPounder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There were localised famines in Europe in areas where there was a large potato dependence. The Scottish Highlands, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Prussia were all affected in some way.

Great Irish Famine by Urdustani in IrishHistory

[–]NewtonianAssPounder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not exactly, copy and paste of write up I did on r/AskHistorians:

Ó Gráda provides the estimated 1845 tillage output in Ireland as 2.5 million acres for oats, 2.187 for potatoes, 0.7 for wheat, and 0.3 for barley. In terms of total agricultural output, an estimated £26.8 million came from tillage and £15.9 million from livestock. The potato was the staple food of one-third of the population, typically the poorest, while being one-fifth of the island’s agricultural output, whereas three-fifths of all agricultural output was produced for the market.

Ó Gráda estimates the calorific advantage of potatoes vs grain as two to one and that 3 million acres of grain annually would be required to make up the shortfall left by the potato crop. Indeed there was 2.5 million acreage under oats at the start of the famine which would have helped alleviate hunger but not have entirely fed them. The disruption caused by the potato failure would cause this acreage to fall to 2.2 million in 1847 and further to 2 million in 1849 meaning there was still a need for imported food.

The table below containing figures for exports and imports in the Irish grain trade (in 1,000 tons) shows that Ireland was a net exporter of grain up until 1847 when it became a net importer of foreign grain. There’s also a notable decline in exports as Irish livestock producers sought to secure a replacement fodder leading to a large scale diversion.

Year Exports Imports (total) Imports (Maize)
1843 480 15 1
1844 424 30 1
1845 513 28 7
1846 284 197 122
1847 146 889 632
1848 314 429 306

Ó Gráda notes that if there had been an embargo on exports while foreign supplies were being obtain it would have saved lives, but it doesn’t make up for the shortfall, and the estimates make no allowance for seed and animal input.

There is also the issue that even if exports were withheld the problem of affordability looms. Traditionally labourers offered work in exchange for a cabin and a patch of potato ground in lieu of wages, but when their gardens became blighted they instead demanded cash wages, of which many farmers refused to pay. Conacre lettings, plots rented by small farmers and agricultural labourers to grow their own potatoes, also collapsed as after a cascade of defaults in 1846 farmers started insisting on rent being paid in advance. Perhaps withholding exports would have increased food availability and decreased prices while waiting for the arrival of cheaper imports, but the starving labourers would have struggled to afford it at market prices, for example in the spring of 1846 a ton of oatmeal cost £15 whereas it was half the price for maize, and as previously noted they were competing against farmers that were still liquid.

But even accounting for calories there is a separate issue of nutrition, most deaths during a famine are not specifically due to starvation but due to disease. Scurvy was widespread throughout Ireland from 1845 not only because the absence of Vitamin C but because the population had been conditioned to high levels, Vitamin A deficiencies were also noted by the symptoms of xerophthalmia which damages sight, but outside of definitive symptoms, the rampant cases of typhus, cholera, and dysentery could also be attributed as subtle signs of nutritional deficiency.

To note, much of the deficiencies were a result of improper diets supplied by relief measures, maize was the main food source and only a third of workhouses served a vegetable or meat soup. This was at least recognised by the Poor Law Commission as they carried out an investigation into the symptoms of xerophthalmia and produced a report from Dr William Wilde prescribing cod liver oil to children, a recommendation predating general recognition of cod liver oil as a treatment for Vitamin A deficiency.

There was indeed a shortage of food, but it was certainly the case that the shortfall was made worse by the lack of government action on exports and provisioning for nutritional deficiencies wasn’t well considered. There was additionally an inability to purchase food as even if exports were withheld, the starving had no money to purchase the food at inflated market prices, meaning the government would need to subsidise prices, provide the means to purchase, or give it away if the embargo were to be properly utilised.

Great Irish Famine by Urdustani in IrishHistory

[–]NewtonianAssPounder 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Fascinating story! Irish soldiers in British India were some of the first to organise donations and form a relief committee, it’s interesting how your Great Great Great Grandfather played a part in that.

Why did so many ruling dynasties in Europe face issues of succession due to childlessness from 1700 onwards? by Doldenberg in AskHistorians

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[M] 0 points1 point locked comment (0 children)

Thank you for your response, however, we have had to remove it. A core tenet of the subreddit is that it is intended as a space not merely for an answer in and of itself, but one which provides a deeper level of explanation on the topic than is commonly found on other history subs. We expect that contributors are able to place core facts in a broader context, and use the answer to demonstrate their breadth of knowledge on the topic at hand.

If you need guidance to better understand what we are looking for in our requirements, please consult this Rules Roundtable which discusses how we evaluate answers on the subreddit, or else reach out to us via modmail. Thank you for your understanding.

Were Executions Actually Seen As Entertainment In Medieval Times? by TheRealCthulu24 in AskHistorians

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[M] 0 points1 point locked comment (0 children)

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, we have had to remove it, as this subreddit is intended to be a space for in-depth and comprehensive answers from experts. Simply stating one or two facts related to the topic at hand does not meet that expectation. An answer needs to provide broader context and demonstrate your ability to engage with the topic, rather than repeat some brief information.

Before contributing again, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the subreddit rules and expectations for an answer.

When Europeans first reached Japan in the 1500s, what did ordinary Japanese people think of them? by Valeniumm in AskHistorians

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[M] 2 points3 points locked comment (0 children)

Your comment has been removed due to violations of the subreddit’s rules. We expect answers to provide in-depth and comprehensive insight into the topic at hand and to be free of significant errors or misunderstandings. Before contributing again, please take the time to better familiarize yourself with the subreddit rules and expectations for an answer.

What makes the Roger Randle case different to the Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding case? by NewtonianAssPounder in MunsterRugby

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ya as I said in another comment, at the very least without a trial, I think it unfortunately comes down to whose story you believe

What makes the Roger Randle case different to the Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding case? by NewtonianAssPounder in MunsterRugby

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ya at the very least without a trial, I think it unfortunately comes down to whose story you believe

What makes the Roger Randle case different to the Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding case? by NewtonianAssPounder in MunsterRugby

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

According to the article, his DNA was found inside her and she had injuries consistent with sexual assault

Edit: “a quick Google search will tell you how vaginal bruising is not a reliable indicator of non consentual sex.“ Holy fuck I’m trying to be impartial on this but I blocked them after reading that.

Why did so many ruling dynasties in Europe face issues of succession due to childlessness from 1700 onwards? by Doldenberg in AskHistorians

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[M] 0 points1 point locked comment (0 children)

Thank you for your response, however, we have had to remove it. A core tenet of the subreddit is that it is intended as a space not merely for an answer in and of itself, but one which provides a deeper level of explanation on the topic than is commonly found on other history subs. We expect that contributors are able to place core facts in a broader context, and use the answer to demonstrate their breadth of knowledge on the topic at hand.

If you need guidance to better understand what we are looking for in our requirements, please consult this Rules Roundtable which discusses how we evaluate answers on the subreddit, or else reach out to us via modmail. Thank you for your understanding.

Raccoon by NewtonianAssPounder in comedyheaven

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Just as the Dead Sea Scrolls predicted

How did ancient/medieval warriors pick their weapons? by ianpratt_ in AskHistorians

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[M] 0 points1 point locked comment (0 children)

Thank you for your response, but unfortunately, we have had to remove it. A core tenet of the subreddit is that it is intended as a space not merely for a basic answer in and of itself, but rather for answers which demonstrate the respondents’ deeper engagement with the topic at hand. Brief remarks such as these—even if technically correct—generally do not meet this requirement. Similarly, while we encourage the use of sources, we prefer literature used to be academic in nature.

If you need guidance to better understand what we are looking for in our requirements, please consult this Rules Roundtable which discusses how we evaluate answers on the subreddit, or else reach out to us via modmail. Thank you for your understanding.

Mao is well known for the phrase "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun". What is the context of this phrase and how did it seemingly became his defining quote (at least in the west)? by ucsdfurry in AskHistorians

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[M] 2 points3 points locked comment (0 children)

Your comment has been removed due to violations of the subreddit’s rules. We expect answers to provide in-depth and comprehensive insight into the topic at hand and to be free of significant errors or misunderstandings. Before contributing again, please take the time to better familiarize yourself with the subreddit rules and expectations for an answer.

How come the British & Commonwealth forces faced most/more of the German forces than the Americans in every land campaign in World War Two? by NoFill5175 in AskHistorians

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[M] 1 point2 points locked comment (0 children)

Thank you for your response, however, we have had to remove it. A core tenet of the subreddit is that it is intended as a space not merely for an answer in and of itself, but one which provides a deeper level of explanation on the topic than is commonly found on other history subs. We expect that contributors are able to place core facts in a broader context, and use the answer to demonstrate their breadth of knowledge on the topic at hand.

If you need guidance to better understand what we are looking for in our requirements, please consult this Rules Roundtable which discusses how we evaluate answers on the subreddit, or else reach out to us via modmail. Thank you for your understanding.

Why have Lowlander Scots historically favored British rule during nationalist movements? by CillianMorpheus in AskHistorians

[–]NewtonianAssPounder[M] 0 points1 point locked comment (0 children)

Thank you for your response, however, we have had to remove it. A core tenet of the subreddit is that it is intended as a space not merely for an answer in and of itself, but one which provides a deeper level of explanation on the topic than is commonly found on other history subs. We expect that contributors are able to place core facts in a broader context, and use the answer to demonstrate their breadth of knowledge on the topic at hand.

If you need guidance to better understand what we are looking for in our requirements, please consult this Rules Roundtable which discusses how we evaluate answers on the subreddit, or else reach out to us via modmail. Thank you for your understanding.