History Thesis Topics: List of 69 Outstanding Ideas

history thesis topic ideas

Unless you plan to go for a Ph.D. in history, a thesis will be the most significant academic writing of your life. It shows your in-depth knowledge of a subject, your ability to think logically, creatively, and originally. Besides, it’s a great way to demonstrate how good your writing is.

But finding an appropriate title for your thesis is a challenging task. You may feel unsure about any idea until you see the rest of them. So, what can help you?

A history thesis topics list, of course. In this article, you’ll consider a wide variety of ideas about historical events and figures. There are some tips on picking the right one for you. With a little explanation of the basics, you’ll differentiate the Bachelor’s thesis from the Master’s one in a second.

  • ☝️ How to Choose?
  • ⭐ Top-12 Thesis Ideas
  • 🚀 American History
  • ⚔️ European History
  • 🎨 Art History
  • 📚 MA Thesis Topics
  • 🦉 MPhil Thesis Ideas
  • 👨‍🏫 Thesis vs. Dissertation

☝ How to Choose a History Thesis Topic?

Before picking a topic about history, you have to understand what you’re looking for. Take into account that you’re going to spend plenty of time writing your thesis. So, you need to find an idea that engages you and is worthy of your time. Don’t go for a random history topic that you do not feel passionate about.

Searching for an idea, follow the tips below:

  • Find a topic that interests you . You’ll most probably write your thesis for a whole semester or even longer. That’s why you should determine something that doesn’t bore easily. At least those countless hours in the library will be spent with pleasure. The more the idea challenges and intrigues you, the less you’ll procrastinate and suffer from writing. No one can tell you what to write about. Your advisor can help you specify the topic, but it is up to you what to write about.
  • Look for a topic that creates a trajectory for further research . You may not pursue it later, but having an opportunity to do so is a significant advantage. If you decide to pursue a further degree, you will already be familiar with the topic well. Take a look at available works in a free essays database to get a clearer picture of what can be further explored.
  • Find a professor who will become your thesis advisor . Bring some thesis ideas up and see what your instructor suggests. It’s a good thing to have several research topics in mind—the instructor can help you determine the best one.
  • Think beyond the graduation date . Whether you are going to start a career or continue your studies, your thesis should help you in achieving your goals. What may your employer look for in your paper? What do you need to be successful in your job or further research? It’s good to approach the issue with some level of practicality. See if you can apply the skills and information you’ve acquired to your professional life.
  • Strive for originality but stay within your studies context . Try to make your title unique to grasp attention and intrigue from the get-go. At the same time, don’t fall outside the scope of your field. Before picking a topic, do some research to understand the field deeper. This way, you’ll see what exactly you would like to address.
  • Make sure your title fits the requirements . Open your university guidelines for the thesis work and find this out before anything else. Ask your thesis advisor as well to give you honest feedback.

You don't have to choose a thesis topic that reflects the latest craze in your field.

⭐ Top-12 History Thesis Ideas

  • Civil War — the role of women.
  • The Watergate Scandal.
  • Contemporary art history.
  • The Napoleonic Wars.
  • Causes of World War 2.
  • Impact of the Black Plague.
  • The Cuban Missile Crisis.
  • Japanese-American conflict.
  • The Vietnam anti-war protests.
  • Origins of the Great Famine in Ireland.
  • The French Revolution.
  • The rule of Elizabeth I.

📝 History Thesis Topics for Bachelor’s Degree

Usually, American Universities don’t require students to write a Senior Thesis. However, you still have an option to choose one. You can write a thesis as a part of your program completion. It will take a lot of time, energy, and effort. But, in the end, you will be able to produce a prime piece of academic writing.

Strive to write anywhere from 60 to 100 pages. You will also dedicate a lot of time writing and polishing it afterward. Make sure to leave enough time for that too.

What’s the first step?

Look for a thesis advisor you know you will enjoy working with. Consider all the professors you’ve interacted with at your university and pick several. Approach them and see if they are accepting new students for thesis supervision.

Make sure to choose a history thesis paper topic that your advisor knows a lot about. At some point, you will become very knowledgeable about the history thesis topic you chose. It will be crucial to have someone who can direct you.

There are several reasons why you should consider writing a thesis for a Bachelor’s Degree in history:

  • It provides you with essential experience in writing, researching, and brainstorming ideas. It can later help you in your academic or professional life.
  • You can deeply understand a subject that interests you.
  • You can improve your reading skills.
  • If you have to use foreign sources, you can also increase your foreign language skills.

Having a strong position on the history thesis topic is great.

Are you still wondering what historical thesis ideas are appropriate? Then, this list is perfect for you.

🚀 American History Thesis Topics

  • African American history in the United States : disfranchisement and segregation in 1890-1900
  • Early American History and the lost colony of Roanoke
  • The construction of race in American culture and history. It’s not a secret that race is a social construct. In American culture and history, it plays a critical role. In the thesis, you will have a chance to research the mechanisms through which the race was constructed. Movies, literary representations, articles, what else? It’s up to you to find out what can be relevant.
  • World War 2 through personal letters and diaries . This thesis can be personal and will not leave people indifferent. Examination of diaries, notes, and personal accounts can be fascinating. You won’t be bored doing historical research. Maybe you even have some in your own family? Worth checking it out.
  • Guilt over Slavery in the United States: a historical examination
  • Gender equality in American education . A comparative study of Germany, Russia, The United States
  • New York City and its historical geography. NYC is one of the captivating American cities. Writing a thesis about its historical geography is not an easy task. Gladly, you have tons of information available to you.

You can examine various documents for your history thesis topic.

  • Rocket Science as one of the most significant innovations of the 20th century
  • Examining the Role of Privilege within the Ivy League Universities
  • Role of American Public Health in a Post-9/11 World

⚔ European History Thesis Topics

  • Formation and development of the European Union during the 20th century
  • Feminist perspective on the representation of women in Roman Art
  • Religion and Nation in Europe in the 19th century
  • Construction of National Identity in Post-Soviet Latvia. What did contribute to developing a national identity of post-soviet Latvia? First of all, its independence and belonging to the European Union. In this thesis, talk about colonization and colonial identity. Consider the policies Latvian government implemented to build a Latvian character. What is it? What are the essential characteristics of it?
  • Composition and religious hierarchy in The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci
  • Representation of Jews in Late Medieval Period in Europe
  • Problems of political leadership in Athens of 404-355 BCE
  • The French Renaissance Court and its structural hierarchy. This topic is interesting yet complex. Its complexity comes not from the name but the nature of the French Renaissance Court. You need to have a clear idea of how the royal court is built and is operating. Find relevant historians of that time, and, hopefully, you can speak some French.
  • Immigrational Politics of the United Kingdom. The problem of multiculturism at the beginning of 1960-1980.
  • Orientalism or the Middle East through the prism of Western scholars in the XIX century. In this thesis, start by exploring the notion of Orientalism. Edward Said will be a good point of departure and one of the most fundamental works to cite and read. You can agree with his argument or disagree with it. Nevertheless, find the relevant evidence for your point of view.

🎨 Art History Thesis Topics

  • Medicine in Ancient Rome with a focus on surgeries through paintings. This thesis topic is rich. Numerous Ancient Roman paintings depict surgeries and medical treatments. Find the most interesting ones and talk about innovations in medicine. What was the point of recording medical procedures in art? Truly a topic that can captivate anyone.
  • Vincent Van Gogh: A phycological analysis of the artist’s last years . In this thesis, examine his artworks together with the personal letters. Look at the words he used, as well as the images he painted. You need it to comprehend what was happening in Vincent’s life in his last years. Some art therapists claim that the artist had bipolar disorder. Examine those views. However, be careful not to give any medical diagnosis yourself.

Analyze how Vincent Van Gogh's life and mental health issues affected his art.

  • Plato on Punishment and Vice: the notion of punishment in The Republic. You cannot get a degree without reading the most fundamental text of the Western Academy, The Republic . In this thesis, you should simply focus on the ideas of punishment and vice. Plato wrote a lot regarding the morals and the laws. Try to discern what exactly he meant. Extract his views regarding capital punishment and punitive justice.
  • Modern Art in Europe, with a specific focus on Italy
  • Trade in Medieval Europe with a focus on Africa through art
  • The erotism of art of Ancient Rome
  • Synthesis of sculpture and paintings in Spanish art of the 17th century
  • Neoclassicism in French art of the 1900s-1910s
  • Surrealism in Art as the quintessence between realism and hyper-realism

📋 History Thesis Topics for Master’s Degree

In the United States, to enter a graduate degree in history, a bachelor’s degree is required. Most of the time, students will have to submit several recommendation letters. Plus, they need GRE scores and writing samples. Add to this several essays explaining the purpose of going to university again, and there you have it.

Bachelor’s thesis can serve as your writing sample.

It is common to have several completion requirements. They can include basic courses, language tests, and a master’s thesis at the end of the program. However, it depends on the department and the university.

Keep in mind that there are several credits that students should obtain to get a degree. It differs from university to university as well. In most of the programs throughout the United States, they are required to complete 30-32 credits to get an M.A. degree. This number usually corresponds to 8-9 classes.

If you are pursuing an M.A., you’re in luck. There is an excellent chance that you will be able to choose if you would like to write a thesis or not. If you are pursuing an M.Phil., then you will have to write your thesis because it’s a research degree.

No matter if you are pursuing an M.A. or an M.Phil., this historical thesis ideas can help you find a title:

📚 MA Thesis Topics in History

  • Apotheosis of the Philippine Historical Political Tradition
  • Kerala History: Syrian Christians in the region in the 18th century
  • History of Modern India with a focus on women’s rights
  • The history of theater in the American South and the main characteristics of the Southern Drama. This thesis includes a lot of aspects starting from playwriting in Charleston to drama in New Orleans. Then there are War Drama, Black Drama, etc. Try to find a good balance to fit all of the main characteristics of the Southern Drama and theater.
  • New Deal and its impacts on events leading to the Great Depression
  • Mistakes of the Soviet side in WW2. WWII was the deadliest military conflict of the 20th century. In this thesis, talk about the biggest mistakes the Red Army made during the war. Some of those can include signing to the Non-Aggression Pact with Hitler. Plus, there were anti-tank dogs and the Molovot-Ribbentrop Pact.

The initial period of World War II for the USSR was a real catastrophe for the Red Army's tanks.

  • Military strategies that allowed Napoleon to win crucial battles
  • Mussolini & Hitler : connection along with its consequences for Italy
  • Queen Victoria’s politics and the way it has changed British history
  • The Development of Strategic Bombing Doctrine Between the World Wars
  • Historical Creation of a Black Elite in the United States
  • Through Imperial Eyes: Race and British Reactions to the American Slavery Question
  • Gertrude Bell’s Influence in the Formation of Iraq. Gertrude Bell is a crucial figure in Islamic studies. She contributed a lot to the formation of Iraq. In this thesis, explore her unique contribution and approach to building a modern state of the country. She was highly trusted by British politicians and by Arab leaders.
  • Baptist church history as a way to escape slavery

🦉 MPhil Thesis Topics in History

  • Investigating the impact of WWI on trade blocks. A case study of the European Union
  • Women in WWII: sexual objectification of women through magazines and advertisement. Women played an integral part in WWII. In this thesis, explore the role of sexual imagery in the advertising industry during the war.
  • Sudan-American relationships in 1989-2000: US Foreign Policy and Genocide in Sudan
  • Criticism of the war on drugs during the Ronald Reagan administration
  • The political evolution of the Southern States during the Reconstruction Era
  • Everest Expeditions in British Popular Culture, 1920-1960. Explore how Everest Expeditions were depicted in British movies. Analyze the subject via comics, journals, and visual art in the first part of the 20th century.
  • Impact of Otto von Bismarck on German Liberalism

Otto von Bismarck was a prime minister of Prussia and founder of the German Empire.

  • Discrimination of German immigrants in the USA during WW2
  • The Fourth International and the Spanish Civil War
  • Political and economic aspects of the crisis in Venetian Diplomacy in the 1500s
  • The connection between institutionalized racism and police violence in the United States. There are several dimensions to racism. In this thesis, look for a connection between structural racism and police violence in the US. Compare the numbers, look at the stories. See if this data exposes any hidden bias.
  • An image of the Medieval Period in Post Modern Art
  • A comparative analysis of the Four Quran English Translation. In this thesis, discuss why and how the Quran can be translated. Also, you should look at the four translations. Try to determine which one is the closest. To do that, you need to have an advanced level of Arabic.
  • The psychological effect of war on American soldiers in Vietnam

👨‍🏫 Differences between a Thesis and Dissertation

Understanding the difference between a thesis and a dissertation is essential. Would you like to obtain a master’s and a doctoral degree? Then read attentively. In the United States, both thesis and dissertation are vital for this purpose.

The prominent differences that you have to realize are the following:

  • A dissertation is required to graduate with a doctoral degree. A thesis is a culmination of a master’s program.
  • A dissertation is written to add a new piece of knowledge to the field. A thesis is to show that you have enough knowledge about the field.
  • A dissertation usually takes several semesters, sometimes even years, to complete. A thesis does not require this amount of time. It can be finished within months.
  • A dissertation can be seen as an academic book. A master’s thesis is a long research paper.

A dissertation has to be defended, while the master's thesis doesn't require defense in most universities.

Let’s see the main characteristics of a bachelor’s thesis, a master’s thesis, an MPhil’s thesis, and a dissertation:

  • A Bachelor’s Thesis (honors thesis). It’s a research-based paper that allows undergraduate students to put their knowledge into practice. The paper is usually 40-60 pages long. It includes an introduction, main body, conclusion, and bibliography.
  • A Master’s Thesis. It’s a piece of original scholarly work. A mater’s thesis is written under the close supervision of an academic advisor. It attempts to bring some fresh look or a new perspective to a field of study. The length of a master’s thesis can vary. Usually, it doesn’t go beyond 100 pages.
  • An MPhil’s Thesis (Master of Philosophy). It’s a specific type of thesis. As it was stated earlier, most American Universities don’t grant this degree. A few schools give it under specific circumstances. Doctoral students should accomplish all the course work and pass their exams. Then, this degree can be granted to them. A more colloquial way to call this degree is “all but dissertation.” In other cases, this degree is granted to students who are doing their postgraduate research.
  • A Dissertation. It’s a major piece of academic writing. It’s independent, shows critical and thinking ability. A dissertation is meant to illustrate academic knowledge, originality of work, and research skills. The length usually stays within 200-300 pages.

Each thesis and dissertation has its distinct structure.

Any thesis or dissertation is a monumental work. Choose a topic that you are passionate about. Make sure it’s researchable and clear, but at the same time memorable. Spend time writing, proofreading, editing, and talking to your advisor about your ideas and academic goals.

Remember that it is okay to get frustrated and tired at times. If it happens to you, stop working for a bit and relax. Good luck and congratulations on your soon to be graduation! We hope this article was helpful. Share it with those who may need a history thesis topic or a piece of advice.

🔗 References

  • MPhil in History: University of Oxford
  • How to Pick a Masters Thesis Topic: Peter Campbell for Medium
  • How Do I Choose A Thesis Topic: Grad School Hub
  • Writing a Senior Thesis: Undergraduate Program, Department of History, Brandeis University
  • The Bachelor’s Thesis, Bachelor EE: University of Twente
  • Guidelines for the Preparation of Your Master’s Thesis: the Office of Graduate Studies and Research: University of Nebraska at Kearney
  • Guidelines for Writing a Master’s Thesis for MA Degree: Jeremy Bailey, Susan Scarrow, University of Houston
  • What is a dissertation? How it is different from an essay: The Royal Literary Fund
  • What is the Difference Between a Thesis and a Dissertation: The Best Master’s Degrees
  • Share via Facebook
  • Share via Twitter
  • Share via LinkedIn
  • Share via email

You might also like

How to Survive When You Study Away from Home?

How to Survive When You Study Away from Home?

Going to College as an Older Student

Going to College as an Older Student

25 Simple Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Students

25 Simple Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Students

one pixel image

Home — Blog — Topic Ideas — Thesis Topics in History: The List of 100 Perfect Ideas

Thesis Topics in History: The List of 100 Perfect Ideas

history thesis examples

When choosing a thesis topic in history, several essential factors come into play. Firstly, consider your passion and interest in the subject matter. Opt for a topic that genuinely intrigues you, as this will motivate and drive your research efforts. Secondly, strive for originality and significance. Look for gaps in the existing historical literature and propose a fresh perspective or a novel approach to a well-studied topic. Your goal should be to contribute new insights and knowledge to the field. If your ideas are recognized, then perhaps in the future some history thesis examples will be written based on them.

Feasibility is crucial in selecting a thesis topic. Ensure that you have access to the necessary primary and secondary sources, archives, or data required to support your research. Additionally, consider the relevance of your chosen topic to current historical debates or contemporary issues. Demonstrating the significance of your research in the broader context adds depth and impact to your work.

Ultimately, the result you should strive for is a well-crafted thesis topic that not only showcases your academic prowess but also excites and captivates your readers or academic committee. Your chosen topic should be engaging, thought-provoking, and capable of advancing the collective understanding of historical events or phenomena. By meticulously selecting a compelling thesis topic and conducting thorough research, you can embark on a rewarding journey of scholarly exploration and contribute meaningfully to the ever-evolving field of history.

✨ Top-20 History Thesis Ideas

  • The Role of Media in Shaping Public Perception during the Cold War
  • The Great Depression: Economic and Social Impacts on American Society
  • The Age of Exploration: Cultural Exchanges and Global Interactions
  • Women's Suffrage Movement: Analyzing Strategies and Achievements
  • The French Revolution: Causes, Consequences, and Historical Interpretations
  • The African-American Civil Rights Movement Essay : Leaders, Strategies, and Legacies
  • The Rise and Fall of Ancient Empires: Lessons from Mesopotamia and Egypt
  • World War II: Examining the Global Impact and Lessons Learned
  • The Scientific Revolution: Advancements in Science and their Societal Impact
  • Slavery and Abolition: A Comparative Study of Different Regions
  • The Cultural Exchange along the Silk Road: Connecting East and West
  • The Age of Imperialism: Colonialism, Resistance, and Global Consequences
  • The Renaissance and Its Influence on Art, Literature, and Politics
  • The Native American Experience: Examining Histories and Perspectives
  • The Impact of the Protestant Reformation on European Society and Religion
  • The Construction and Fall of the Berlin Wall: Symbolism and Global Implications
  • The Spanish Inquisition: Religious Orthodoxy and Power Dynamics
  • The Industrial Revolution: Changes in Work, Society, and the Environment
  • The Mongol Empire: Conquest, Governance, and Cultural Integration
  • The Crusades: Motivations, Outcomes, and Effects on Christian-Muslim Relations

✍️ History Thesis Topics for Bachelor's Degree: Tips and Tricks

Writing a diploma thesis in history is a significant milestone for university graduates. It allows students to showcase their research skills, critical thinking, and expertise in the subject. Crafting a compelling and well-structured thesis requires careful planning and adherence to specific guidelines. Here are some recommendations and criteria to consider when undertaking a history dissertation:

  • Topic Selection: Choose a topic that genuinely interests you and aligns with your academic passions. A well-chosen topic will keep you motivated throughout the research process.
  • Originality: Strive for originality in your research. Identify gaps in existing historical literature and propose a unique perspective or fresh analysis.
  • Research Depth: Conduct thorough research using a variety of primary and secondary sources. Academic journals, historical documents, and reputable books are essential resources.
  • Structure and Format: Follow the prescribed structure and format provided by your university or department. Adhere to proper citation and referencing guidelines.
  • Word Count: Depending on your university's requirements, diploma theses in history typically range from 60 to 100 pages. However, check the specific word count guidelines for your institution.
  • Abstract: Include a clear and concise abstract that summarizes the key objectives, research methods, and findings of your thesis.
  • Introduction: Introduce your topic, provide background information, and state your research question or thesis statement.
  • Literature Review: Review relevant literature to demonstrate your understanding of existing research on the topic.
  • Methodology: Explain the research methods and approaches you used to collect and analyze data.
  • Analysis and Findings: Present your research findings and analyze them in the context of your research question.
  • Conclusion: Summarize your main arguments, discuss the implications of your findings, and suggest avenues for future research.
  • References: Provide a comprehensive list of all the sources you cited in your thesis.

When starting your dissertation, begin with extensive reading and research to gain a solid understanding of the topic. Take notes and organize your sources efficiently. Create a detailed outline that will serve as a roadmap for your writing process. Seek guidance from your advisor or professors throughout your research journey, as their insights and feedback will be invaluable.

As you write, maintain a clear and coherent writing style, and avoid excessive jargon. Use headings and subheadings to structure your thesis logically. Remember to proofread and edit your work carefully to ensure accuracy and clarity.

In conclusion, writing a diploma thesis in history requires dedication, critical thinking, and meticulous research. By following these recommendations and adhering to the given criteria, you can create a compelling and well-argued thesis that contributes meaningfully to the field of history. Embrace this opportunity to delve into the past, unearth new insights, and leave a lasting academic legacy as you embark on this exciting academic journey.

If you still have not found suitable historical theses, then we continued the list with examples, one of which is right for you

🌆American History Thesis Topics

  • The American Revolution : Causes, Consequences, and Legacies
  • 1950s Body Image History
  • The 1950s vs Modern Era
  • 1960s Entertainment
  • Abigail Adams Letter Rhetorical Analysis
  • Abigail Williams in The Crucible
  • American Imperialism: Factors, Impact, and Legacy
  • The American and French Revolutions: Causes, Key Events, and Outcomes
  • A Comparative Analysis of Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine
  • About The Underground Railroad
  • Colin Kaepernick Argument: a Controversial Figure in American Sports
  • Mitch Landrieu Speech Analysis
  • Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X in the Civil Rights Movement
  • Causes of the Civil War
  • Harlem: A Community Profile Examination
  • Harriet Hollywood Film
  • Manifest Destiny: Expansion, Impact, and Legacy
  • A Day Of Infamy: Speech Analysis
  • The Lasting Impact of Slavery
  • How the Columbian Exchange Benefited Europe and North America

🗺️ Ideas for Thesis Topics in European History

  • The Life of Adolf Hitler: Understanding the Emergence of a Monster
  • Biography of Adolf Hitler
  • Factors Contributing to the Fall of the Roman Empire
  • Alexander The Great: a Rhetorical Analysis
  • Christopher Columbus: Legacy and Impact
  • Julius Caesar: Funeral Speech Analysis
  • The Industrial Revolution in Europe: Technological Advancements and Social Changes
  • The Cold War in Europe: Superpower Rivalries and the Division of the Continent
  • The Age of Exploration: European Voyages and Global Encounters
  • The Profound Impact of the Black Death
  • The Russian Revolution : Revolution and the Formation of the Soviet Union
  • The Crusades: Religious Wars and Their Influence on Europe and the Middle East
  • The Treaty of Versailles: Evaluating Its Role in Shaping Post-World War I Europe
  • The Spanish Inquisition: Investigating Religious Persecution and Its Consequences
  • The Age of Imperialism: European Colonization and Its Global Consequences
  • The Holocaust : Examining the Holocaust and the Dark Chapters of European History
  • The Berlin Wall: The Divided City and Its Symbolism during the Cold War
  • The Byzantine Empire: A Comprehensive Study of Its Contributions and Decline
  • The Napoleonic Era: Napoleon Bonaparte's Impact on European Politics and Warfare
  • The Reformation and Counter-Reformation: Religious Conflicts and Their Resolutions in Europe

🎭 Ideas for Art History Thesis Topics

  • The Renaissance Masters : Analyzing the Artistic Achievements of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael
  • Impressionism and Its Influence on Modern Art
  • The Evolution of Abstract Art: From Kandinsky to Pollock
  • Women in Art: Celebrating Female Artists and Their Impact on Art History
  • A Great And Mighty Walk Analysis
  • Compare Reverend Hale and John Proctor
  • Mark Antony's Speech: A Masterclass in Rhetoric
  • Iconography and Symbolism in Religious Art
  • African Art and Cultural Identity
  • Surrealism: Exploring Dreams and the Subconscious in Art
  • The Art of Ancient Civilizations: Uncovering the Aesthetics of Egypt, Greece, and Rome
  • The Birth of Modern Photography: Pioneering Photographers and Their Contributions to Art
  • Investigating the Relationship between Artistic Expression and Sociopolitical Movements
  • Postmodernism in Art: Deconstructing Boundaries and Challenging Tradition
  • The Harlem Renaissance: African-American Art and Culture in the 1920s
  • Pop Art: Examining the Pop Culture Movement and Its Influence on Contemporary Art
  • Islamic Art and Architecture: Tracing Aesthetics across Different Eras and Regions
  • Asian Art and Cultural Heritage: A Comparative Study of China, Japan, and India
  • Exploring the Intersection of Digital Media and Creative Expression
  • The Role of Museums in Shaping Art History

📒 History Thesis Topics for Master’s Degree

Choosing an appropriate history dissertation topic for your master's degree is a key step. It is important to choose a subject that matches academic interests and hobbies. The theme should also offer room for originality and contribution to the existing body of historical knowledge. A master's thesis in history is a comprehensive academic work, often 80 to 100 pages or more. This requires careful research, analysis of primary and secondary sources, and critical evaluation of historical arguments. In addition, the dissertation must comply with the guidelines and formatting requirements set by the academic institution. Seeking advice from faculty advisors and professors is invaluable in the dissertation writing process. Their experience and feedback can determine the direction of the research and ensure its scientific rigor. Here are some examples of possible History Thesis Topics for Master's Degree that can serve as a basis for you:

  • Abigail Williams: A Villain Analysis
  • Early Colonial Government Policies Still in Use Today
  • A Kingdom Strange: Analysis
  • History of Egypt
  • Compare and Contrast Inca and Aztecs
  • Positive Effects of Colonialism in Africa
  • Benefits of Colonialism to Europeans and the Colonies
  • Japan’s Rise and Fall in the Global Electronics Market
  • Information On The Holocaust
  • An Analysis of the Leadership Style of Mahatma Gandhi
  • Comparison and Contrast of Egypt and Mayans
  • Oppression: Contemporary Manifestations, and Resistance
  • Analyzing Cultural Exchange along the Ancient Silk Road
  • Medieval Queens: Agents of Power and Diplomacy
  • Ottoman Empire: Socio-Political Changes and Legacy
  • The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Africa's Role and Impact on the America
  • The Fall of Ancient Civilizations: Lessons from Rome and Greece
  • Reevaluating the Causes and Impacts of the American Revolution
  • Propaganda in World War II: Shaping Public Perception
  • The Impact of the Russian Revolution: Political Ideologies and Social Shifts

In conclusion, theses and dissertations serve different purposes and have different requirements depending on the academic level. Each represents a milestone in the student's academic journey, and mastering the arts of research, analysis, and critical thinking is essential to success at every level. Whether you are writing a short abstract or a comprehensive dissertation, the pursuit of knowledge and scientific contributions remains at the center of all academic research. And of course, to prepare a quality thesis, you will have to start choosing your topic among the many history thesis examples. We hope that we have helped you with finding an idea to start. And in the following articles we will try to develop this topic so that you can write an interesting and individual thesis.

topics in history

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

history thesis topic ideas

  • How it works

Useful Links

How much will your dissertation cost?

Have an expert academic write your dissertation paper!

Dissertation Services

Dissertation Services

Get unlimited topic ideas and a dissertation plan for just £45.00

Order topics and plan

Order topics and plan

Get 1 free topic in your area of study with aim and justification

Yes I want the free topic

Yes I want the free topic

History Dissertation Topics

Published by Grace Graffin at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On October 5, 2023

Introduction

Choosing the most appropriate topic for a history dissertation can be tricky. Before selecting a topic, it is imperative to have an in-depth knowledge of the historical events or phenomena you wish to evaluate. Complete comprehension of a topic area is necessary before you can go about the task of completing your dissertation.

To help you get started with brainstorming for history topic ideas, we have developed a list of the latest topics that can be used for writing your history dissertation.

PhD qualified writers of our team have developed these topics, so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting  a brief research proposal  from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an  introduction  to the topic,  research question ,  aim and objectives ,  literature review  along with the proposed  methodology  of research to be conducted.  Let us know  if you need any help in getting started.

Check our  dissertation examples  to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

Review the full list of  dissertation topics for 2022 here.

2022 History Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: who was responsible for european civil wars an exploratory study identifying the determinants of the 1870 franco-prussian war.

Research Aim: This research aims to determine various political, social, and economic factors which caused European civil wars. It will use the 1870 Franco-Prussian War as a case study to analyse which political, social, or economic forces played their part in exaggerating this war. Moreover, it will use various historical lenses to evaluate the available evidence in this area to determine the factors objectively. Lastly, it will recommend ways through a historical viewpoint that could’ve saved lives in these wars.

Topic 2: What were the Socio-Economic Discontents of the Second Industrial Revolution? A Marx-Engels Perspective

Research Aim: This study identifies various socio-economic discontents of the second industrial revolution through the Marx-Engels communist lens. It will analyse how the second industrial revolution brought undesirable socio-economic changes in Europe and the rest of the world. It will develop a socio-economic framework by using Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’s critique of capitalism and social class theory to show the second industrial revolution divided the entire world into two classes. Moreover, it will show how imperialist powers used the second industrial revolution to change the world order.

Topic 3: Did Mongols Bring Social Change in Ancient Arab? Impact of Mongols Invasion on Ancient Arab Culture and Traditions

Research Aim: This research intends to analyse the social change brought by Mongols in ancient Arab. It will find the impact of the Mongols’ invasion on ancient Arab culture and traditions by identifying channels such as slavery, forced marriages, etc., through which Mongols brought a cultural change. Moreover, it will find whether Arabs could come back to their original state or modern Arabs have their traits? And through which ways did ancient Arabs resist those changes?

Topic 4: What is Common among the United States’ Iraq, Japan, Afghanistan, and Cuba Invasions? A Comparative Study Finding the United States Common Political and Economic Motives

Research Aim: This study compares the United States’ Iraq, Japan, Korea, Afghanistan, and Cuba invasions. It will identify the United States’ common political and economic motives among these invasions, which gave it an incentive to pursue. It will be a multidisciplinary study exploring geopolitical, geo-economic, geo-strategic, and historical aspects of the invasions. Moreover, it will also compare the post-invasion situation of these countries to show how these countries dealt with it and how can which didn’t recover from invasion can improve.

Topic 5: The Life and Work of William Shakespeare: His Influence on The Modern Theater- A Critique of Dr. Johnson

Research Aim: This study sheds light on the life and work of William Shakespeare by analysing his role in modern theater. It will try to highlight his contribution in the field of literature and theater but through the approach of Dr. Johnson. Johnson’s works will be evaluated to see whether William Shakespeare has done something significant for modern theater or it is just a one-sided view of William Shakespeare’s followers. It will analyse various works of William Shakespeare from Johnson’s critical lens to provide an objective assessment.

Covid-19 History Research Topics

Topic 1: the history of coronavirus..

Research Aim: This study will explore the historical facts and theories related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Topic 3: History of Spanish flu

Research Aim: In 1918, a deadly pandemic called Spanish flu hit the world, and many people lost their lives. This study will highlight the history of the disease, symptoms, and similarities with the present crisis of COVID-19.

Topic 3: The history of various types of pandemics and their consequences

Research Aim: This study will investigate the history of various types of pandemics and their consequences on people’s health, economy, and the world’s transformation after it.

History Research Topics 2021

Topic 1: types of communications in history.

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the types of communications in history

Topic 2: Terrorism and its impact on people's life

Research Aim: This research aims to address terrorism’s impact on people’s life

Topic 3: Treaty of Lausanne and the world's predictions about Turkey in 2023

Research Aim: This research aims to conduct a study on the Treaty of Lausanne and the world’s predictions about Turkey in 2023

Topic 4: Mythological stories and their impact on the youth

Research Aim: This research aims to study the impact of mythological stories on the youth.

Dissertation Topics from the Nineteenth Century

Topic 1: analysis of church wealth expropriation and political conflict in 19th century colombia..

Research Aim: The research will explore the events of political violence after independence in Colombia regarding the redefinition of the Catholic Church’s property rights. The study primarily focuses on the country after 1850 to measure the influence of that expropriation of the Church’s assets on political violence.

Topic 2: Exploring the impact of 19th-century development of refrigeration on The American meatpacking industry.

Research Aim: The city of Chicago in the United States is known to be the center of modern refrigeration development due to it being the hub of the meatpacking industry. The proposed research will analyse Chicago’s meatpacking sector’s development and its significant role in developing critical technologies such as refrigeration. The study will examine the development of refrigerated transport and cold storage units to comprehend the city’s meatpacking industry’s local and later global success throughout the 19th century.

Topic 3: Examining the impact of the telegraph in the United States of America

Research Aim: The research uses document analysis to examine the influence of the invention of the telegraph in the United States of America. Specifically, the study will analyse how the telegraph revolutionized communication and news broadcasting to newspapers over national and international networks.

Topic 4: The impact of industrial conflict and technology on the development of technical education in 19th-century England.

Research Aim: The research will analyze the role that 19th-century employers played in training and educating the young industrial workers in England. The purpose of the study is to comprehend the various factors that influenced the development of technical education while discovering the reason for antagonistic relations with skilled workers, which may have caused the Great Strike and Lockout of 1897.

Topic 5: The impact of changing gender relations on childbearing populations in the 19th-century Netherlands.

Research Aim: The research will look to comprehend the changes in childbearing patterns using a sequence analysis approach. The study will also try to understand the association between gender relations, historical fertility records, and women’s reproductive patterns in the 19th century Netherlands.

Topic 6: Examining the shift of hierarchical and ethnocentric foreign relations to the western model of international relations in 19th-century Japan.

Research Aim: The research will analyse the 19th century, a period of transition in Japanese foreign policy. The study will mainly focus on the Russo-Japanese relations using document analysis to assess the four stages of shift that led Japan from an ethnocentric foreign policymaker to the Western-type without colonization and defeat in war.

History and Religious Dissertations

Topic 1: the impact of popular culture on evangelical christians in america..

Research Aim: The research uses document analysis to examine the impact that popular culture has had in shaping Evangelical Christian thought in the United States from the 1960s to the 2000s. The study focuses on analysing the variables that have allowed Evangelicalism to becoming a middle-class populist movement.

Topic 2: Fertility, feminism, and the American revolution

Research Aim: The research using document analysis, analyses the impact of the American Revolution on declining birth rates in the colonies and the increase of family limitation among white free women. The research will investigate the intentions of founding American women on their rejection of abundant fertility and a patriarchal family and the existent or non-existent role that colonial Christians played.

Topic 3: The decline of irrational and magical ideologies in England 1500-1600.

Research Aim: The research analyses how the introduction of religion, specifically early Christianity, had an impact on declining the conventional thought processes that used irrationality or magic as their basis. The research will use document analysis as its research method.

Topic 4: The impact of religion on innovation, 1604.

Research Aim: The research examines how Sir Frances Bacon’s epistle “Of Innovations” argues for the positive potential of innovation from the understanding of the Biblical scriptures. The study will also explore the relationship between Bacon and the English Protestant Church.

Topic 5: The role of churches and religion in World War II.

Research Aim: The research looks to examine the role of churches in Europe during WWII. The study will also analyse their religious ideologies and their deeds as institutions to impact the perceptions of World War II. The research will be conducted using document analysis.

History and Sociology Dissertations

Topic 1: race, poverty, and food deserts in cardiff, 1980-2016..

Research Aim: The research examines the demographic and spatial patterns that have shaped access to supermarkets in low-income neighbourhoods in Cardiff from 1980 to 2016. The research methods used will be quantitative.

Topic 2: Impact of World War II rationing on British cuisine

Research Aim: The research analyses the impact of rationing items by the British Ministry of Food on the specific culture from the 1940s to the 1980s. The research uses variables of socio-economic classes and geographic locations of the country to examine the cultural impacts it had on the British palate during the time. The research methods will include quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Topic 3: Impact of religious doctrines and ideologies on racism and racist factions in the USA.

Research Aim: The research analyses the relationship between different Christian sects and racial prejudice among groups of Christians based on geographic location (North or South) in the United States after the 2016 presidential elections. The research will be quantitative in nature but will incorporate qualitative techniques of historical document analysis to examine how racism in the country has changed since the Civil Rights Era of the United States.

Topic 4: The historical development and impact of public transportation in Shanghai, China, 1843-1937.

Research Aim: The research will analyze the impact of public transportation on the development of Shanghai’s urban landscape using the variables of tradition vs modernity, state and social relationships, and technology and society relations. The research will provide a historical analysis of the city from the British and the Opium Wars’ colonization to the 20th century. The study will use qualitative document analysis and quantitative techniques as research methods.

Topic 5: The impact of water resource management, technological solutions, and urban growth after World War II on Atlanta, Georgia.

Research Aim: The purpose of the dissertation is to examine the origins of water-related issues in Atlanta by discovering the challenges that public officials, activists, and engineers faced in the area in terms of planning and enacting an effective environmental policy after World War II in the metropolitan area of Atlanta. The research will use historical document analysis as its methodology.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service !

Historical People and Events Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: examining the events and people giving rise to winston churchill.

Research Aim: The research examines the network of friends and colleagues of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill on how they influenced the primer’s reputation after his retirement and death. The study will analyze the history of the Churchill Archives Centre, Cambridge, and the influence that Sir John Colville had on shaping Churchill’s image.

Topic 2: The rise of the right-wing woman in 20th-century Britain- Analysing Margaret Thatcher and Mary Whitehouse

Research Aim: The relationship between conservative powerhouses Margaret Thatcher and Mary Whitehouse was well known to the public for its traditional undertones. The research will examine the relationship between the two women using document analysis, particularly the public presentation relationship, to better understand the importance of conservative women in Britain. The research will analyze the twentieth-century political and cultural contexts that gave rise to these two women.

Topic 3: Examining the cooperative transformational leadership of Nelson Mandela and F. W. de Klerk.

Research Aim: The research will study the transfer of power in South Africa by focusing on the cooperative leadership strategies, policies, and personal characteristics of leaders such as Nelson Mandela and F. W. de Klerk. The research will examine how these two leaders could bring systematic revolution through democratic and peaceful means.

Topic 4: Pablo Picasso- The making of “Guernica” and its historical context.

Research Aim: The research will analyze the history of paintings of people suffering from convulsion of war, explicitly focusing on Goya. The paper will examine the factors and influences on Pablo Picasso that lead to the development of “Guernica.” The research will analyze how Picasso depicted real history snatches with symbolism that resonated with people.

Topic 5: Analysing the role of women in the Crusade Movement.

Research Aim: The research examines women’s contribution to the Crusades and its impact on propaganda, recruitment, organization of the crusades, and financing of the campaigns. The study will also survey their roles in looking after families and properties while also giving liturgical support at home for those on the crusade campaigns.

Topic 6: The impact of the Harlem Renaissance on urban landscaping, Jazz music, and literature.

Research Aim: The research will examine the Great Migration of the 1910s in the United States, where a concentration of African American population moved North causing demographic shifts. The study will analyse Toni Morrison’s Jazz, Persia Walker’s Black Orchid Blues, and other works regarding music and urbanization.

Topic 23: John F. Kennedy- Rise of American foreign power and South Vietnam.

Research Aim: The research will analyze John F. Kennedy’s foreign policy strategies’ central themes. The paper examines the themes of counterinsurgency, credibility, and commitment in South Asia, particularly South Vietnam, to improve his credibility after the Bay of Pigs incident. The paper will observe the president’s fascination regarding psychological warfare, military forces, and countering ‘communism’ aggression in Southeast Asia.

Italian Unification History Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: the preservation of italy- analysing the fragility of italian unity 1866-68..

Research Aim: The research analyses the impact of the Austro-Prussian War at its conclusion in July 1866. The paper analyses factors such as the fall of the Liberal government in Britain that impacted the fragility of the Italian Unification. The paper examines the historical event through the bilateral relationship between a newly rising Italy and Britain.

Topic 2: Analysing the Italian post-unification period- Racial and colonial factors influencing modern Italians.

Research Aim: The research will analyse the rise of Italian fascism with the premise that it rose from the failures of previous liberal governments. The study particularly examines the first Liberal period after unification which led to the explosion of civil war in the South of Italy. The study will analyse the racial and colonial factors that influenced the competition with Western European nations for imperialistic endeavours.

Topic 3: Prison system management in 19th-century Italian prisons after unification.

Research Aim: The research analyses accounting practices in prisons using documentation analysis of the prison management system of major Italian States in the early 19th century. The study aims to use various accounting methods to uncover the potentially socially damaging tools of accounting in prison reforms to discipline individuals of lesser status.

Topic 4: The impact of the mafia on Italian education after unification.

Research Aim: The research will use historical point data to analyse the impact the Mafia had on the level of education between 1874 to 1913. The particular geographic constraint of the study will be restricted to Sicily, Italy, after the unification of the Italian Kingdom in 1861.

German Unification History Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: examining the parties and problems of governance in the german empire..

Research Aim: The research will examine using document analysis the various processes for political restructuring that caused the founding of many political parties, interest groups, and civic associations. The research analyses how the Federal Republic strategized to transfer German Democratic Republic citizens’ sovereign rights to international institutions and the Federal Republic institutions.

Topic 2: Analysing the collapse of the GDR and the re-unification of Germany.

Research Aim: The research will analyse the factors and influences surrounding the collapse of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from 1898 to 1990 and the reunifications of East and West Germany. The research will also analyse the role of businesses with regards to the collapse, particularly the German business elites and their relationship with the Soviet Union.

Topic 3: Analysing the impact of Bismarck on the capitulation of German liberalism.

Research Aim: The research will analyse the impact the German National Liberal party of 1866 to 1867 had to support Otto von Bismarck’s policy of German unification. The study will examine the political stakes involved and the philosophy of Realpolitik on the Unification of the German Empire.

Topic 4: The impact of radical nationalism and political change after Bismarck.

Research Aim: The research will examine the factors that gave rise to the radicalization of the German right under the politics of Otto von Bismarck. The study looks to find evidence of German fascism prior to World War II. To conduct the research, a thorough document analysis will be done with an extensive literature review.

World War I Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: the response of german immigrants to discrimination in the usa during world war i.

Research Aim: The research will examine the impact of caste-based discrimination on assimilation patterns of immigrant minorities, specifically German immigrants in the United States during WWI. The study will understand if discriminated minority groups increase their assimilation efforts to avoid discrimination and public harassment. The research will use naming patterns of children and records of petitions of naturalisations to conduct the study empirically.

Topic 2: Analysing the impact of affective experience and popular emotion on WWI International Relations.

Research Aim: The research will examine the factors of communal emotion and mass emotion during the outbreak of WWI to demonstrate the political significance of widespread sentiment. The research looks to study the factors with regard to contemporary populism.

Topic 3: The impact of military service in WWI on the economic status of American Veterans?

Research Aim: The research will analyse the different registration regimes during the WWI draft to find their impact on economic outcomes. The research will use empirical from 1900 to 1930 United States to study short term impact of military service while the United States census of 1960 is used to determine the long term impacts. The data collected will be of household income and draft population of the time in WW1.

Topic 4: Examining the Impact of Quarrying Companies Royal Engineers in WWI to support British armies on the Western Front.

Research Aim: The research will examine the history of the Quarrying Companies unit within the Royal Engineers in WWI. The study will analyse the impact that the group had on British armies on the Western Front, particularly for the aid of the British Expeditionary Forces until its disbandment in 1919.

The Great Depression (Britain 1918-1939) Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: the impact of the great depression on labour productivity..

Research Aim: The research will examine the labour productivity of the UK manufacturing industry during the Great Depression. The research will be of empirical methodology and collect data of actual hours of work, real output, and employment statistics. The study will prove that during the Great Depression, output per work-hour was counter-cyclical between 1929 and 1932.

Topic 2: Analysing the discourse of British newspapers during the Great Depression.

Research Aim: The research will use document analysis and text analysis to examine the rhetoric of British newspapers when unemployment rises. The study will accurately analyse the Great Depression in Britain by determining how the stigmatisation of poverty changes in the rhetoric of newspapers when discussing unemployment.

Topic 3: The Impact of the Great Depression on British Women Migration 1925-1935.

Research Aim: The research will analyse the impact that the Great Depression had on the migration of women out of Britain to the rest of its empire. The study will use empirical data to analyze the Society for Oversea Settlement of British Women (SOSBW). The research will assess if the society’s training programme influenced the employment and migration of women.

Topic 4: The Great Depression and British industrial growth- Analysing economic factors contributing to the Great Depression in Britain.

Research Aim: The research will analyse the British deceleration of industrial growth and the percentage rate of growth as the cause of the Great Depression in Britain. The research will examine the contribution of the Industrial Revolution and its initial rapid percentage of rate of growth causing ‘retardation.’ The study will be empirical and analyse historical patterns of Britain’s national economy.

Second World War Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: analysing brazilian aviation in world war ii.

Research Aim: The research will analyse the extent to which Brazilians were actively engaged in combat on the Brazilian coast and in the European theatre. The study will primarily focus on the global conflict through the Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB, or the Brazilian Air Force development before participation in the Second World War.

Topic 2: The impact of invention secrecy in World War II.

Research Aim: The research will examine the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent secrecy orders which put over 11,000 US patent applications given secrecy orders. The study will analyse how this policy impacted keeping technology from the public during the war effort, specifically radar, electronics, and synthetic materials.

Topic 3: Analysing aerial photographic intelligence in WWII by British geologists.

Research Aim: The research will examine the period of WWII from 1939 to 1945, when intelligence was collected from aerial photographs by the Allied Central Interpretation Unit. The study will assess the history of aerial photographic information based on geology contributing to the Allied landings in Normandy in 1944.

Topic 4: Analysing British propaganda in the United States during WWII.

Research Aim: The research will analyse the strategies that British propagandists used to understand the American opinion of WWII during the war and for post-war relationships. The study will investigate the policies and factors that contributed to keeping the wartime alliance and creating an acceptable political climate in the United States for post-war cooperation.

Order a Proposal

Worried about your dissertation proposal? Not sure where to start?

  • Choose any deadline
  • Plagiarism free
  • Unlimited free amendments
  • Free anti-plagiarism report
  • Completed to match exact requirements

Order a Proposal

History of Nazi Germany Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: the impact of discrimination against jewish managers on firm performance in nazi germany..

Research Aim: The research will examine the large-scale increase in discrimination in Nazi Germany to cause the dismissal of qualified Jewish managers in large firms. The study will analyse the persistent stock prices of firms, dividend payments, and return on assets after the discriminatory removal of Jewish managers.

Topic 2: Examining children’s literature in Nazi Germany

Research Aim: The research will analyse children’s literature which was propagandised between 1933 and 1945 under the National Socialists party. The paper will examine the various themes, specifically the Nordic German worldview, and how German values were distorted to produce a homogenous folk community.

Topic 3: Shifting from liberal education of the Weimar Republic to Nazi educational reforms- Analysing educational reforms under the Nazi government.

Research Aim: The research will examine education reform that the National Socialist government implemented in elementary education. The research will look to accumulate personal accounts of families and students who experienced the era to better comprehend the educational reforms. The study seems to under how these educational reforms moulded student ideologies.

Topic 4: The effects of antisemitism in film comedy in Nazi Germany,

Research Aim: The research will explore the themes of antisemitism in film comedy produced during the reign of the Nazi party in Germany. The research will study how themes impacted the perceptions of people living in Germany post-war. The research will use document analysis and empirical analysis to document and examine the themes and attitudes.

History of Cinema Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: analysing the history and politics of bollywood..

Research Aim: The research will explore the various events in Indian film history that have allowed it to become a global sensation. The paper will analyse its market-driven triumph against Hollywood imports starting from the 1930s. The paper will also examine the nationalist social views of films produced in Bollywood during the 1950s.

Topic 2: The role of cinematic depictions influencing popular understanding of the Spanish Civil War.

Research Aim: The research will examine the role that cinema played in shaping the understanding of the Spanish Civil War. The study will focus on fictional films that were produced in Spain and Hollywood between the 1940s and the early years of the 21st century.

Topic 3: Analysing distinctive characteristics of Korean films.

Research Aim: The research will analyse the characteristics of Korean films and examine their historical development. The research will focus on the eras of the Japanese colonial period to 1945 when the American army occupied South Korea. The study will analyse the role of censorship throughout this time period in producing Korean films.

Topic 4: Examining the history of cinema in Britain since 1896.

Research Aim: The research will explore the development of cinema exhibitions and cinema-going in Britain in 1896. They will analyse various factors that led to the rapid growth of cinema in Britain just before WWI. The study will examine factors such as the position of cinema, development of modern spaces, artistic respectability, the invention of sound, and cinema as individual entertainment.

History of Racism Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: analysing the factors influencing institutional racism in america..

Research Aim: The research will explore the complicated history of racism in the United States. It will analyse how racism has become embedded throughout American society from land ownership, education, healthcare, employment, and the criminal justice system. The research will use a mixed-methods research approach to gather data.

Topic 2: Examining the relationship between racism and environmental deregulation in the Trump Era.

Research Aim: The research will analyse the possible relationship between environmental deregulation and racism between 2016 and 2017 under the Trump Administration. The study will primarily collect data from executive actions, ecological events, and tweets from the President during this time period. The study will document racist events that were targeted at people of colour, Asians, Arabs, South Asians, Muslims, and indigenous persons.

Topic 3: Analysing the experience of racism in English schools towards Eastern European Migrants.

Research Aim: The research will use qualitative design to analyse the experience of racism faced by students of Eastern European descent. The research will use the framework proposed by the Critical Race Theory and Critical Conceptions of Whiteness to conduct the study. The research will focus on the racism experienced by these students as marginal whiteness for their various linguistic accents.

Topic 4: The impact of racism on Afro-Italian entrepreneurship.

Research Aim: The research will use qualitative data to analyse the participation of Afro-Italian women entrepreneurs in start-ups relating to beauty, style, and hair care lines. The study explores the obstacles that young black women entrepreneurs face in Italian due to racism and how their inclusion in small economies changes the perception of Blackness and Black womanhood related to Italian material culture.

Also Read: Religion, Theology and Philosophy Dissertation Topics

Hire an Expert Writer

Orders completed by our expert writers are

  • Formally drafted in an academic style
  • Free Amendments and 100% Plagiarism Free – or your money back!
  • 100% Confidential and Timely Delivery!
  • Appreciated by thousands of clients. Check client reviews

expert writers

History of Spanish Civil War Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: examining the role of international nurses during the spanish civil war..

Research Aim: The research will use document analysis, primarily memoirs, to explore the life and work of international nursed participation during the Spanish Civil War. The study will examine their role with regard to contributions made to Spanish nursing during the war.

Topic 2: Examining republican propaganda during the Spanish Civil War.

Research Aim: The research will explore the propaganda used by the Republicans of the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939 to support their ideology of the war. The paper will focus on three primary forms of media – newspapers, cinema, and music. The study will conduct the analysis using historical context to examine its effectiveness in propagating the Republican messages.

Topic 3: The history of British Battalions in the International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War.

Research Aim: The research will examine the role, experiences, and contributions of British volunteers to the Spanish Republic through the British Battalion of the 15th International Brigade. The study will accurately analyse the motivations of the volunteers to join the International Brigades and participate in the Spanish Civil War.

Topic 4: British cultural perspectives on the Spanish Civil War.

Research Aim: The research will explore the cultural perspectives of the political understanding of the British responses to the Spanish Civil War. The study will examine the mass culture and personal experiences of British visitors to Spain in the 1930s.

History of the United States Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: the impact of ‘the frontier’ on american expansion and imperialism..

Research Aim: The research explores the idea of ‘manifest destiny, its connection to the American frontier, and its impact on imperialism. The study focuses on how the American perception of savagery and civilisation is related to expanding the American frontier.

Topic 2: Analysing the American public opinion on the War in Vietnam.

Research Aim: The research uses empirical data to analyse the American public attitude with regard to the Vietnam Wat. The data will be analysed using demographic groups and perception studies. The study will investigate how these perceptions eventually shaped government policy preferences during the Vietnam War.

Topic 3: Analysing the inaugural speeches of re-elected US presidents since WWII.

Research Aim: The research identifies, analyses, and assesses the use of individual style in inaugural speeches of re-elected US presidents since WWII. The research will be conducted using document analysis of lexical and semantic levels. The study will assess how the inaugural addresses are shaped to reflect the public policy of re-elected presidents.

Topic 4: Analysing the rise of white power and paramilitary groups in the United States.

Research Aim: The research analyses the rise and expansion of white nationalists, racist far-right groups using government publications, journalistic accounts, and archival records. The research focuses on the failure in Vietnam, giving rise to white power movements. The study will examine various events to assess the factors and significance that caused an increase in paramilitary groups in the United States.

Topic 5: Examining the rise of new white nationalism in America.

Research Aim: The research will use data acquired from speeches, books, and internet sources written by white nationalists to assess the shift of white nationalist ideas of oppression of other races to a view of victimhood of white nationalists. The research will use an extensive literature review to document the development of white nationalism in American history while also considering the development of social media.

Historic Events of Early Twentieth Century Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: the creation of uniquely american musical sounds; changes in classical music from the 19th to 20th century..

Research Aim: The research explores the changes in American classical music, shifting from its traditional European origins to a more defined American sound. The study will contend that historical events such as the upheaval and shifts of society during the American Civil War were the main factors of the creation of new American classical music.

Topic 2: The influence of political parties on democracy and party-state relations in the 20th-century.

Research Aim: The research will analyse institutional reforms of party-state relations, including constitutions, electoral laws, and party laws in France and Italy during the 20th century. The study will examine the impact of party entanglement on contributing to democratisation in Europe.

Topic 3: The impact of suspicion and distrust on conflict coverage- A case study of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Research Aim: The research will use inductive-qualitative analysis to examine the journalistic narratives of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To do so, the factors of suspicion of information sources, awareness of being under suspicion, and distrust of peer journalists are used to examine the trust of journalists and the dilemma they face in hostile environments.

Also Read: Project Management Dissertation Topics

Important Notes:

As a student of history looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing history theories – i.e., to add value and interest to your research topic.

The field of history is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like literature , linguistics , politics , international relations , and more. That is why it is imperative to create a history dissertation topic that is particular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic; it is the basis of your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the very initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best history dissertation topics that fulfill your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and can also be practically implemented. Take a look at some of our sample history dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure your History Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

  • A Title Page
  • Acknowledgments
  • Declaration
  • Abstract: A summary of the research completed
  • Table of Contents
  • Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems to be addressed. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
  • Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature available on the chosen research topic, in light of research questions to be addressed. The purpose is to highlight and discuss the relative weaknesses and strengths of the selected research area while identifying any research gaps. Break down of the topic, and key terms can have a positive impact on your dissertation and your tutor.
  • Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
  • Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts, and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
  • Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of the results in this chapter, and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section is to establish the link between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
  • References : Make sure to complete this in accordance with your University’s requirements
  • Bibliography
  • Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, or graphs that were used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

About ResearchProspect Ltd

ResearchProspect is a  UK based academic writing service  that provides help with  Dissertation Proposal Writing ,  Ph.D. Proposal Writing ,  Dissertation Writing ,  Dissertation Editing, and Improvement .

Our team of writers  is highly qualified. They are experts in their respective fields. They have been working for us for a long time. Thus, they are well aware of the issues and the trends of the subject they specialize in.

Free Dissertation Topic

Phone Number

Academic Level Select Academic Level Undergraduate Graduate PHD

Academic Subject

Area of Research

You May Also Like

Choosing the right Asset Management dissertation topic can be a nightmare for many students. The topic of your dissertation determines how well it ranks. This is due to the fact that your topics are the first thing your readers will notice about your article.

Here’s a list of the 65 latest and most controversial yet interesting dissertation topics on gender to help you with your gender dissertation and research.

One of the challenging things that demand a lot of creativity is coming up with original journalism dissertation topics. In contrast to other disciplines, journalism dissertations are judged based on the interviewee’s quality of information.

USEFUL LINKS

LEARNING RESOURCES

secure connection

COMPANY DETAILS

Research-Prospect-Writing-Service

  • How It Works
  • How It Works
  • PhD thesis writing
  • Master thesis writing
  • Bachelor thesis writing
  • Dissertation writing service
  • Dissertation abstract writing
  • Thesis proposal writing
  • Thesis editing service
  • Thesis proofreading service
  • Thesis formatting service
  • Coursework writing service
  • Research paper writing service
  • Architecture thesis writing
  • Computer science thesis writing
  • Engineering thesis writing
  • History thesis writing
  • MBA thesis writing
  • Nursing dissertation writing
  • Psychology dissertation writing
  • Sociology thesis writing
  • Statistics dissertation writing
  • Buy dissertation online
  • Write my dissertation
  • Cheap thesis
  • Cheap dissertation
  • Custom dissertation
  • Dissertation help
  • Pay for thesis
  • Pay for dissertation
  • Senior thesis
  • Write my thesis

60+ History Research Paper Topics From Our Top Writers

History Research Paper Topics

Finding that fascinating topic for history research paper can be a pain in some students’ necks. In this article, we reveal our only suggestions of ideas for good history research topics.

Whether you need United States history research paper topics, Europe and across the world, we have you covered. We have selected relevant topics with a clear statement to jumpstart your writing process. Check out our ultimate list of American history research paper topics for college students:

US History Research Paper Topics

  • What was the history and culture of Native Americans before the invasion by Europeans?
  • How did 9/11 change the US foreign policy?
  • Why did Japan target Pearl Harbor and how significant was it to the US?
  • Why did American Revolution leaders fail to achieve equality for everyone?
  • What traditions define Independence Day in the US?
  • What events led to the abolishment of slavery?
  • Who were the initial inhabitants of the US, and how was it found?
  • Did the US have to use two atomic bombs on Japan?

World History Research Paper Topics

  • What happened in Germany after the fall of Hitler and the Nazis?
  • Communism and why it is considered it is considered a lousy system historically.
  • Explain why nationalism is a primary source of identity everywhere else but has failed among the Arab States
  • In what ways did the assassination of John F. Kennedy change the course of US politics?
  • Who was Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, and what were the impacts of his ideas on the Islam world?
  • What was the primary intention of the US dropping atomic bombs on Japan? Was it to end the war or to prevent the Soviet Union from amassing influence in Asia?
  • Why is the fall of Constantinople in 1453 perceived as the saddest moment in the history of humankind?

European History Research Paper Topics

  • Why Eastern Europe has always trailed Western Europe in terms of development
  • Which other country used women in World War Two other than Russia?
  • What was Hitler’s reasoning for attacking the Soviets during WWII?
  • What European nation has the most influential culture in history?
  • What are some of the events that shifted France and England’s relationship from enemies to allies?
  • Point out some of the differences between feudalism in Eastern Europe and Western Europe
  • How were European countries affected by the Industrial Revolution?
  • Define the factors the led to the mass degradation of French women in the aftermath of WWII

Ancient History Research Paper Topics

  • Explain how philosophy became so popular in Ancient Greece
  • What are some of the similarities between Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome?
  • Alexander the Great; who was he, and why is he considered one of the most outstanding leaders in history?
  • In what way was ancient Egypt unique from Ancient Rome and Greece?
  • Point out the difference and similarities between Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome
  • What is the origin of democracy in Ancient Greece, and how did it come to be in general?
  • What is the story of Theagenes of Thasos, the strongest fighter in Ancient Rome?

Modern World History Research Topics

  • What was the status of women in the USSR through the 20th century?
  • Why didn’t any western countries intervene in Communist China in the mid-20th century?
  • What was the necessity of using an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
  • What are some of the reasons behind US policies towards immigrants in the 21st century?
  • What is the price of industrialization to the American nation?
  • What are some of the most prominent inventors and industrialists in the modern-day world?
  • How did industrialization influence social movements in the USA?
  • Explain American foreign policy from the start of the 21st century

History Topics To Write About Africa

  • How Idi Amin did change the world’s attitude to Uganda
  • In what ways is the Democratic Republic of Congo different from its neighboring countries?
  • Why did it take until the 19th century for European powers to start colonizing Sub-Saharan Africa?
  • How were oil and petroleum discovered in Ethiopia?
  • Explain why North Africa went from the wealthiest regions during times of the Roman Empire to a regional backwater
  • Historically speaking, what are the wealthiest countries in Africa, and what contributed to the wealth in those counties?
  • What are some of the post-colonial drawbacks that Africa has had to deal with in recent times?
  • What was the African continent’s state in the 1600s? Was it similar to Asia and Europe?
  • What religions were practiced in Africa before being influenced by Europe and Asia?
  • What were some of the most potent African empires between the 6th and the 8th century?
  • What were the consequences of German Warfare in Africa in 1884?

Middle East Historical Research Paper Topics

  • The Sumerians; what made the first great civilization of humankind?
  • What are some of the less known facts about the Byzantine Empire?
  • Explain how the Ottoman Empire spread to the Middle East
  • Which countries in the Middle East have been powerful economically throughout history?
  • In what ways were the Byzantine and Roman cultures adapted to and incorporated in the Middle East?
  • What are the main events that altered the Middle East in modern history?

African American History

  • What were some of the impacts of Martin Luther King’s speech on the African American community?
  • What was the position of black Americans during the industrial age?
  • What were the struggles of the African American population after the Civil War?
  • What are some of the beliefs and traditions of African American culture?
  • In what way did the African American women help during WWII?
  • What did the 14th amendment have to offer the black community?
  • What are some of the legends and cultural traits in black history?

Music History Research Paper Topics

  • What is the history of the film industry and classical composers?
  • How Classical German composers influenced further music development
  • How classical melody has been impacted by technology
  • Discuss the origins of classical composing
  • Analyzing Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
  • A study of early music history and the evolution of musical instruments

History papers carry a lot of weight, allowing college students to learn the culture, traditions, and past of other nations. With our vast range of ideas, you should have a smooth time selecting an ideal topic.

Remember, you can always find research paper writing help online. Online writing services provide cheap, yet quality research papers that are carefully crafted by expert writers. What are you waiting for when help is only a few clicks away?

Criminal Justice Thesis Topics

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment * Error message

Name * Error message

Email * Error message

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

As Putin continues killing civilians, bombing kindergartens, and threatening WWIII, Ukraine fights for the world's peaceful future.

Ukraine Live Updates

Search on OralHistory.ws Blog

Navigating the Past: Inspiring History Thesis Topics

Avatar

History, a narrative woven over millennia, is a fascinating realm of human triumphs, tragedies, and transformations. This tapestry of time brims with tales waiting to be told, making it a rich domain for research. However, zeroing in on the perfect thesis topic can be a formidable challenge for history students. This article aims to lighten this task, suggesting a diverse range of history thesis topics, each with potential for exploration and analysis.

Table of content

The Significance of History Studies

History forms the backbone of our collective consciousness. By unraveling the intricacies of the past, and we learn lessons, recognize patterns, and deepen our understanding of human behavior and societal development. Historical studies impart knowledge and skills – critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication. These competencies prove vital across academic and professional domains. The meticulous process of drafting a history thesis adds another feather to your cap – research proficiency. This skill is essential in an age fueled by knowledge and innovation.

How to Select Your History Thesis Topic: A Detailed Guide

Choosing a thesis topic is like selecting a thread from the elaborate fabric of history to follow and unravel, revealing the design beneath the surface. To help guide this critical process, here are several key points to consider:

  • Follow Your Interests

Passion often breeds the best work. Select a topic that genuinely fascinates you, something that you are excited to explore further. Remember, your thesis will likely involve countless research, writing, and revising hours. Passion for your topic will keep you engaged and motivated throughout this process.

  • Seek Relevance

Choose a topic that aligns with your academic or career goals. For example, a thesis on diplomatic history or major international events could be beneficial if you intend to pursue a career in diplomacy or international relations.

  • Look for Unexplored Areas

Aim for a topic that fills a gap in the current research or brings a fresh perspective to a familiar issue. Innovative, original research is always valued in academia.

  • Gauge the Scope

The scope of your topic should be manageable within your available time and resources. A topic too broad might spread your research thin, while a narrow topic might limit your analysis.

  • Evaluate Sources

Ensure enough information about your topic is available. The availability of primary and secondary sources is critical to construct a compelling argument.

  • Seek Feedback

Discuss your potential topics with your professors or mentors. They can provide valuable insights and guide you toward a suitable thesis topic.

Evolution and Refinement

Remember, choosing your thesis topic is not a one-time event but an evolving process. As you delve deeper into your research, your initial topic might transform, narrowing down or branching out to encompass other related issues. This is a natural part of the research process.

Remember, writing a history thesis is not just an academic exercise; it’s a personal journey into the past. Your chosen topic will become a companion for your thesis, guiding your intellectual growth and enhancing your understanding of history. Choose wisely, and you will find a topic that meets academic standards and provides a fulfilling and enlightening experience.

Thesis Topics on Historical Events

Historical events are not merely footnotes in the annals of time; they are turning points that shape the trajectory of history. Researching such events offers rich insights into the factors that led to them, their immediate repercussions, and their long-term impact on human societies and civilizations.

Topic Examples:

  • The Lasting Impact of the Cuban Missile Crisis
  • An Analysis of the Causes and Consequences of the Arab Spring
  • The Ripple Effect of the American Civil Rights Movement
  • Implications of the French Revolution on Modern Democracy
  • The Immediate and Long-Term Effects of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
  • The Role of the Magna Carta in Shaping British Constitutional Law
  • The Impact of the Black Death on Medieval Europe
  • The Cultural Revolution in China: Causes and Effects
  • The Influence of the American Revolution on Other Colonies
  • The Aftermath of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings
  • The Role of the Crusades in Shaping Christian-Muslim Relations
  • An In-depth Analysis of the Vietnam War
  • The Political and Social Consequences of the Indian Mutiny of 1857
  • The Role of the Suez Crisis in Redefining Global Power Dynamics
  • The Causes and Consequences of the Fall of the Soviet Union
  • The Holocaust: An Examination of the Factors That Led to Genocide
  • The Impact of the Spanish Inquisition on Religious Freedom
  • The Implications of the Meiji Restoration on Japanese Modernization
  • The Partition of India: Causes and Aftermath
  • The Influence of the American Civil War on Slavery Abolition Movements
  • The Legacy of the October Revolution in Contemporary Russia
  • The Influence of the Gold Rush on California’s Development
  • The Implications of the Industrial Revolution on Working Conditions
  • The Role of the Boston Tea Party in the American Revolution
  • The Political and Social Impact of the Watergate Scandal
  • The Causes and Effects of the Rwandan Genocide
  • The Impacts of the Bubonic Plague on the Byzantine Empire
  • The Influence of the Arab-Israeli War on Middle Eastern Politics
  • The Effects of the Columbian Exchange on the New World
  • The Role of the Punic Wars in the Rise of Rome
  • The Impact of the War of 1812 on American National Identity
  • The Causes and Consequences of the Peloponnesian War
  • The Long-Term Implications of the Napoleonic Wars on Europe

Thesis Topics on Historical Figures

Historical figures are the faces of history. Their decisions, actions, and beliefs shape societies and chart the course of history. Researching these individuals offers an intimate understanding of their lives and times, providing a human touch to the grand narrative of history.

  • Gandhi’s Philosophy of Non-violence: Its Impact and Relevance in the Modern World
  • The Role of Queen Elizabeth I in Shaping British History
  • Winston Churchill’s Leadership During World War II: A Critical Analysis
  • The Influence of Cleopatra on Egyptian and Roman Politics
  • The Contributions of Galileo Galilei to the Scientific Revolution
  • The Life and Work of Leonardo Da Vinci: Impact on Renaissance Art and Science
  • Martin Luther King Jr.’s Role in the Civil Rights Movement
  • The Political and Military Strategies of Alexander the Great
  • The Role of Nelson Mandela in Ending Apartheid
  • The Scientific Contributions of Isaac Newton
  • The Leadership of George Washington during the American Revolution
  • The Role of Margaret Thatcher in Modernizing Britain
  • The Impact of Napoleon Bonaparte on European Politics
  • The Influence of Christopher Columbus on the Age of Discovery
  • The Role of William Shakespeare in Shaping English Literature
  • The Achievements and Failures of Julius Caesar
  • The Role of Mao Zedong in the Chinese Revolution
  • The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln
  • The Contributions of Nikola Tesla to Modern Electricity
  • The Role of Sigmund Freud in Shaping Modern Psychology
  • The Influence of Joan of Arc on the Hundred Years’ War
  • The Role of Susan B. Anthony in the Women’s Suffrage Movement
  • The Literary Contributions of Mark Twain
  • The Military Tactics of Genghis Khan
  • The Role of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the New Deal
  • The Contributions of Charles Darwin to the Theory of Evolution
  • The Influence of Pablo Picasso on Modern Art
  • The Life and Legacy of Mother Teresa
  • The Achievements and Failures of Louis XIV
  • The Role of Karl Marx in Shaping Socialism and Communism
  • The Contributions of Marie Curie to Physics and Chemistry
  • The Influence of Beethoven on Classical and Romantic Music
  • The Life and Legacy of John F. Kennedy

Thesis Topics on Social and Cultural History

Social and cultural history offers a nuanced perspective on the past, showcasing the lived experiences of people and societies. It explores customs, social norms, cultural expressions, and societal changes, providing a comprehensive view of history.

  • A Comparative Study of Ancient Greek and Roman Education Systems
  • The Impact of the Harlem Renaissance on African American Literature
  • The Role of Women in World War II
  • The Influence of the Enlightenment on Western Thought
  • The Impact of the Black Death on Medieval Society
  • The Role of Slavery in the Southern US Economy
  • The Evolution of Feminism in the 20th Century
  • The Social Impacts of the Industrial Revolution
  • The Influence of the Renaissance on European Art and Culture
  • The Cultural Changes during the Meiji Restoration in Japan
  • The Impact of the American Civil Rights Movement on Racial Equality
  • The Role of the Church in Medieval Society
  • The Influence of the Beatles on Pop Culture in the 1960s
  • The Changes in Family Structure in Post-World War II America
  • The Role of Propaganda in World War II
  • The Cultural and Social Effects of the Cold War
  • The Influence of the Romantic Movement on European Literature and Art
  • The Role of the Suffragettes in Achieving Women’s Suffrage
  • The Social Impacts of the Columbian Exchange
  • The Influence of the French Revolution on the Rights of Man
  • The Role of Industrialization in Urbanizing 19th-Century Europe
  • The Cultural Impact of the American Revolution
  • The Social and Cultural Effects of the Vietnam War on American Society
  • The Influence of Confucianism on Chinese Society
  • The Role of Print Culture in the Spread of the Reformation
  • The Impact of the Civil Rights Movement on African American Literature
  • The Influence of the Age of Exploration on European Cuisine
  • The Role of Victorian Morality in Shaping 19th-Century British Society
  • The Cultural Impact of the Jazz Age
  • The Social Impacts of the Fall of the Roman Empire
  • The Influence of the Islamic Golden Age on Science and Culture
  • The Role of Imperialism in Shaping 19th-Century Global Politics
  • The Cultural Impact of the Space Race

Remember, a well-crafted thesis begins with a well-chosen topic. With these stimulating history thesis topics, you’re ready to embark on your historical research voyage, discovering tales of the past that continue to shape our world.

Consider digital libraries like JSTOR , academic search engines like Google Scholar , and online archives like The Internet History Sourcebooks Project for comprehensive information and resources.

📎 Related Articles

1. Dive into the Past with Cool History Topics 2. Choosing Inspiring Historical Events to Write About 3. Navigating the Historical Labyrinth of Ancient Rome: Essay Topics 4. Unlocking the Past: World History Research Topics 5. Unleashing Your Potential: Choosing a History IA Topic

100+ Original History Dissertation Topics

While, some countries use terms “thesis” and “dissertation” interchangeably, dissertations typically refer to effort-intensive research projects included in undergraduate or master’s degree programs. Hence, history dissertation topics we explore below refer mainly to undergraduate dissertations. These are long well-structured essays that follow specific requirements that might somewhat vary from one university history department to another. These requirements refer to appropriate use of sources, terminology, language, writing style, formatting (our service knows them perfectly, so we can offer help writing a dissertation for you). Below, we briefly review how such essays are structured but also provide a selection of history dissertation topics focusing on Western and particularly, on European history.

history dissertation topics

Perfect History Dissertation Structure

Dissertation structure typically comprises such sections:

  • Dissertation abstract – very briefly summarizes all content, including key findings or conclusions. Its key purpose is to help readers decide whether they should read entire paper.
  • Introduction – here, all necessary background and contextual information is presented, terms are defined, thesis statements, hypotheses, research goals, and objectives are formulated, outlines are provided, topic importance is explained.
  • Main body – content is provided here: facts, proofs, judgements, opinions, etc. This content is organized into relevant chapters, subchapters, into well-structured paragraphs that relate to thesis and ensure a smooth content flow. Depending on content, main body might contain a literature review section where most primary, secondary sources are being interpreted in order to explain current state of knowledge, context of this research; methodology section detailing tools or procedures used; results section stating key findings; discussion section, where these findings are analyzed and put into context.
  • Conclusion – key points & ideas are summarized, thesis is restated, suggestions are made for future research. Importantly, no new ideas are allowed here – these should be discussed or mentioned earlier in your dissertation.
  • Bibliography – lists all primary and secondary sources used, typically, in alphabetical order or in order of appearance.

Some Hot History Dissertation Ideas

Below are some history topics grouped into a few popular categories related to Western history.

Historical Events & Personalities

  • Otto von Bismarck – his role in Germany’s unification.
  • Charle de Gaulle – his role in French Resistance, in rebuilding post-war France, in founding the Fifth Republic.
  • Molotov-Ribbentrop agreement – did it offer Hitler a much-needed pause before starting the Eastern front?
  • How the outbreak of 1918 influenza pandemic (Spanish flu) was aggravated by WWI?
  • Why is term “genocide” justified to designate the Armenian mass murder organized by Ottoman Empire in 1914-1923?
  • The role of Sir Winston Churchill for society.
  • Diana, Princess of Wales.
  • Norman Dynasty and William the Conqueror.
  • The role of Athelstan (895-939 AD) for history methods.
  • Boris Johnson – a controversial politician or a reflection of the foreign policies?

The Great Depression

  • What caused The Great Depression?
  • How was life of a typical family affected during this crisis?
  • What were roles of monetary contraction and gold reserve during the Great Depression?
  • How well were banks worldwide prepared for this worldwide crisis?
  • What is the legacy of this crisis for our understanding of economy and finance?
  • What caused the stock market crash of October 1929.
  • The current Wall Street protests and their relation and roots to the Great Depression.
  • Banking panics and monetary contraction reflection in the press in the 1930s.
  • The effect of the Great Depression on Great Britain vs Eastern Europe.
  • The personality of Herbert Hoover and his role in the 1929 crash.

order dissertation

First & Second World Wars

  • What role imperialism played in triggering the First World War.
  • Why assassination of Franz Ferdinand was only a pretext to start WWI?
  • What is similar and different in composition of alliances formed by great powers during WWI and WWII – is there a common pattern?
  • What impact had burdensome war reparations imposed after WWI in triggering WWII? What does it teach us about how post-war agreements should be forged?
  • Deception & disinformation practices in warfare during the Second World War.
  • Hitler’s role in destroying democratic institutions as the doctrine has taken place.
  • The resistance forces and opposition to Nazism in Germany during WWII.
  • The role of invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, and the world’s reaction.
  • Controversial facts analysis of The Allies and Central Powers negotiations.
  • The healthcare situation through the lens of living in trenches.
Useful info: Cheap dissertation writing services by real experts!

History Dissertation Topics on Napoleon III

  • Napoleon III’ role in modernizing French agriculture, commerce, banking sector, infrastructure.
  • How did Paris, Marseille, and Lyon change under Napoleon III?
  • France’s role in Italian unification under Napoleon III.
  • Major advances in workers’ and women’s rights during Napoleon III.
  • French empire’s expansion under Napoleon III.
  • The laws of the Third Republic as the legacy of Napoleon III.
  • Otto von Bismarck’s influence on Napoleon and his military tactics.
  • The role and influence of the Bourbon monarchy in France for the subsequent elections.
  • What caused the exile of the Bonaparte dynasty.
  • Felice Orsini and assassination attempt: a reflection of Napoleon’s regime or authoritarian pressure?

Topics on Italian Unification

  • How did revolutionary movements in 1820s-1830s inspire the start of Italian unification in 1848?
  • How Italian unification spurred nationalist sentiments giving birth to irredentist opinion movement.
  • What impact irredentism had on Italy’s involvement in WWI and WWII?
  • How sharing a common past within the Roman Empire helped in Italy’s unification.
  • How Italian unification (Risorgimento) reflected in culture?
  • The social movement side of Italian Unification.
  • The Acquisition of Venice in 1866 as the reflection of clever opposition tactics.
  • The end of the diplomatic relations with Britain and the United States during a post-unification period and establishment of the new rules.
  • The role of foreign interference in the unsuccessful unification attempts.
  • The religious aspect of Italian Unification for modern Italy.

Nazi Germany History Dissertation Ideas

  • Extent of propaganda in the Third Reich: news, art, public life, etc.
  • To what extent did resources acquired by Nazi Germany during its early expansion help fuel subsequent warfare?
  • Was a fact that Europe reacted so slowly and passively to Hitler’s actions an exception or rather a behaviour normally expectable even nowadays (say, in other world regions)?
  • Would it have been realistic for to forge peace with Nazi Germany?
  • Would have Britain lost to Hitler if it failed to evacuate Allied troops at Dunkirk?
  • The role of male supremacism in Nazi Germany and the creation of the Great Powers Europe model.
  • What caused the persecution of Jews by the fascists?
  • The role of the people with disabilities among Germans vs other nations.
  • The presence of national socialism in the modern world vs World War 2 era.
  • Analysis of the German press during WWII.
Useful info: Just write is “ hire someone to write my dissertation ” and we’ll choose the best writer for your needs.

Topics About The Crimean War

  • To what extent did this military conflict stop or slow the Russian Empire from overwhelming the Ottoman Empire?
  • Crimean War viewed as a conflict of religious confessions.
  • Did this conflict bring any tangible benefits to Britain or was involvement in such a distant conflict unjustified?
  • The Crimean War as a trigger for military modernization of Britain and for social reforms in the Russian Empire.
  • What role did new technologies (like telegraph, railways, explosive naval shells) had in this conflict?
  • The role of the war correspondence as to the first-time occurrence of postal service.
  • The role of women in the Crimean War.
  • Reflection of the Crimean War in Russian literature.
  • The cultural peculiarities of the Ottoman Empire and its effect on negotiations.
  • The role of religious tensions as the mental engine of the Crimean War.

Russian History Dissertation Topics

  • The reasons that lead to opposition to Tsarism.
  • The woes of Russian Industrialisation practices: unrest and inequality.
  • The Lena River massacre: the causes.
  • Pagan practices in the Russian countryside.
  • The community spirit of commune practices and Revolution school of thought
  • What qualifies Stalin as one of the cruelest dictators of twentieth century
  • How Stalin’s poor performance in the Winter War convinced Hitler of the Red Army’s deplorable state encouraging his Barbarossa plan.
  • How NKVD’s mass shootings and Stalinist repressions destroyed USSR’s elites, crippling country ahead of WWII as well as for decades afterward.
  • Why was Stalin’s invasion of Poland somewhat overlooked by international public as opposed to Nazi invasion?
  • How could Stalin be viewed positively by many in today’s Russia despite all his crimes? It is it explained by Stalin’s propaganda that could transcend generations, by certain merits, by war-related trauma, or by a failure to thoroughly denounce his crimes by successors in power?

Looking up history dissertation questions, always refer to more than one source of information as you explore the facts and analyse what you could discover. It will help you to provide your target audience with verified data and more than one opinion. Dealing with Russian history is even more important.

Art History Dissertation Topics

  • Should Pop-Art be considered an art form?
  • Can abstract art be used for encryption and coding?
  • The history of photography and the modern digital colouring practices.
  • The Soviet-era art.
  • The main principles of abstraction vs portraiture principles.
  • Conflict and Adversity subjects in 19th-century art.
  • English Rennaissance and portraiture.
  • Thomas Gainsborough vs Joshua Reynolds art.
  • Francis Bacon – the controversies of the great personality.
  • Why is Banksy an outstanding personality in the history of art?

Remember that history of art dissertation topics should always include relevant references to avoid copyright issues or disputes of any kind!

Ancient History Dissertation Topics

  • Administrative structure of the Roman Empire.
  • The role of rulers in the Mauryan Empire.
  • The cultural legacy of Vedic India for Great Britain.
  • Law and justice in Ancient Rome and legislation system.
  • Gender relationships in ancient Greece.

Since the majority of what we may remember from ancient history has been learned in middle school, it is only natural to forget some facts and details. Therefore, choosing dissertation topics ancient history, it is vital to make an outline with the dates and read more about various historical personalities.

Modern History Dissertation Topics

  • The role of Margaret Thatcher in the Cold War.
  • The causes of the Mexican-American War.
  • How does Royal Family affect society?
  • The evolution of human rights with the advancement of technology.
  • What has Brexit changed for the ordinary citizen?

Choosing dissertation ideas for history that are more modern, always use only verified sources and avoid resources like Wikipedia since almost anyone can contribute to it without verified facts.

African History Dissertation Topics

  • The causes and the rise of the Kush.
  • The challenges of historical data collection in Africa.
  • African response to European colonialism and conquest practices.
  • What has caused the spread of Islamisation in Africa and facts about Islam in Africa that pose major concerns.
  • The disastrous effect of the Atlantic slave trade.

History Dissertation Topics Cold War

  • The role of the Cuban Crisis in the Cold War conflict.
  • The controversy in the press about the race for the moon.
  • The Olympics 1980: what did the athletes say?
  • The fall of the Berlin Wall: a liberation or disappointment?
  • The role of children during the Cold War: Samantha Reed Smith.

Economic History Dissertation Topics

  • How have the migration flows affected the American economy?
  • The impact of slavery and the African-American trade practices in the modern world.
  • The pros and cons of urbanization for the economical development of the countryside in Ireland and Wales.
  • Covid-19 changes to the transportation sector compared to the fall of the economics during the Great Depression.
  • Industrial Revolution: an advancement or a giant step back?

Scottish History Dissertation Topics

  • The Declaration of Arbroath: political, land ownership, and social motives involved.
  • The religious aspect of the Scottish Reformation: why it is still relevant today.
  • The Union of The Crowns is the major point in the history of Scotland.
  • Glencoe Massacre and the ruling clans’ history.
  • The personality of Simon Fraser of Lovat and the Battle of Culloden (1746).

Victorian History Dissertation Topics

  • Charles Dickens and literary description of the Victorian Era.
  • The casualties in the railway boom in Great Britain.
  • Poor housing and the history of architecture in the Victorian era for the ordinary inhabitants vs noblemen.
  • The rights of women and ethnic minorities during the Victorian era.
  • How have technology and industry impacted already existing conflicts of morality and the labour force?

Looking for good history dissertation topics that deal with the Victorian era, it is recommended to look up famous works of Charles Dickens who provided a perfect description of all the cultural and social aspects. By doing so, you will be able to understand this period in history in a much better way!

History Dissertation Introduction Samples

As you approach interesting history dissertation topics, always start with an outline and collection of the key dates and the facts. Regardless if you are writing about some personality or a famous Waterloo Battle, it is essential to start with the most common facts just to refresh your memory and things you have learned at school. It is also recommended to start with a certain time period because it helps to narrow things down a little bit. Take your time to explore various history dissertation samples as it will help you to calculate the best strategies for dissertation methodology.

The European Union as a Successful Peace Project The EU project started in 1951 with creation of European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) between West Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Luxembourg. Just a few years later, these states formed the European Atomic Energy Community, and European Economic Community. These European integration processes culminated with Maastricht treaty of 1993 which officially established a union of states with a shared currency, with free circulation of goods and people, with an identical foreign and security policy, as well as citizenship rights. Given its contribution to promoting peace and democracy not only within its borders but also beyond, the EU has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.

More info: Dissertation editing services for you: 24/7 Customer Support and only native proofreaders!

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact – Lessons Learned by Small States Also known as the Treaty of Nonaggression Between Germany, the USSR, the Molotov-Ribbentrop agreement was signed in 1939 and became notorious for its additional secret protocol, through which two powers split spheres of influence in Europe, deciding the fate of Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Romania. Later, these agreed split was largely respected as both Nazi Germany and the USSR annexed corresponding territories. Decades later, this pact could serve as a lesson for small states to assemble in political, economic, and military unions that would help avoid such vulnerability in front of great powers.

History Experts from Writix

Hopefully, these history dissertation ideas presented above can be used directly or inspire related dissertation topics. Note that, if you have trouble writing a history dissertation or feel it hard to come up with unique history dissertation topics, our platform may provide you with comprehensive assistance in this regard.

After placing your order, you can transparently pick your preferred writers from all bidders and communicate with them as project unfolds, asking for drafts and revisions, making suggestions. You still have complete control over your funds – money would be released only after your satisfaction with the results is confirmed. Given there are high gains and low risks, it would be a pity not to give it a try.

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Write my thesis
  • Thesis writers
  • Buy thesis papers
  • Bachelor thesis
  • Master's thesis
  • Thesis editing services
  • Thesis proofreading services
  • Buy a thesis online
  • Write my dissertation
  • Dissertation proposal help
  • Pay for dissertation
  • Custom dissertation
  • Dissertation help online
  • Buy dissertation online
  • Cheap dissertation
  • Dissertation editing services
  • Write my research paper
  • Buy research paper online
  • Pay for research paper
  • Research paper help
  • Order research paper
  • Custom research paper
  • Cheap research paper
  • Research papers for sale
  • Thesis subjects
  • How It Works

History Research Paper Topics To Wow Your Prof

history-thesis-topics

A degree in history can be an amazing subject to focus on. It allows us to understand the reasons why our society is as it is. Writing a research paper on history is one of the main assignments you will get. How do you begin writing a history research paper? How good or bad your writing experience is will depend on the topic you choose for your paper. Because of the many events that have occurred in the past, picking the right topic for your research paper is not easy. We will show you how to choose the best topics. We also provide a list of the top history research paper topics.

Interesting American History Thesis Topics

American history is rich and varied. There is always something to do, from the colonization of America to World War II.

Some interesting topics in US History might also touch upon other areas, such as the history of Europe in the 19th Century. These are the top topics for US history research papers.

  • Exploring the Mississippi showboat culture.
  • A deeper exploration of how Mormons influenced settling in America: A case study of West America.
  • Exploring the origins of drag racing: What factors promoted the sport, and how did it become institutionalized?
  • The US highway system: How did it alter American culture?
  • Evaluating the extent of Martin Luther King’s speech’s impact on the US.
  • A deeper look at the American Revolution: How did the revolution build American society?
  • Analyze a specific American Revolution event.
  • Evaluating the American policy starting from the 21st century.
  • What were the impacts of colonization on Native Americans?
  • What are the implications and effects of colonization on Native American populations today?
  • The abolishment of the slave trade in the United States: What did it mean to the World?
  • The American involvement in World War II: What were the impacts?
  • A deeper look at conflicts, labor unions, and strikes in the 1800s.
  • A flashback into the most important American people starting from 1800.
  • What was the role of women in the American Revolution?
  • Assessing the Dawes Act and its impact on the Natives policy in the US.
  • Analyzing the impacts of slaves brought to America on the American culture.
  • Evaluating the impact of the cotton gin on slaves’ labor and the American Economy.
  • A deeper look at the discrimination of African American soldiers in the Union Army.
  • The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.
  • Evaluating the New York draft riots in the Civil War.
  • A deeper analysis of the Gold Rush in California.

Great European History Thesis Ideas

European history is just as fascinating as American history. You can explore many events, starting with the creation of the European Union back to ancient times by choosing great topics in European history.

  • Evaluating the changes in the economies of European countries after World War I.
  • Analyzing the French revolution: A closer look at the creation of democratic principles in the country.
  • A deeper look at the battle of Hastings: What roles did it play in the history of England?
  • A history of the church in Medieval Europe.
  • Analyzing the influence of Egyptian, Roman, and Greek on European Culture.
  • A closer look at German resistance to Hitler.
  • A closer look at the main wars of World War I.
  • What started World War I?
  • Exploring the Flemish artists in Rome between 1500 and 1700.
  • A discussion of French photography between 1800 and 1900.
  • What were the impacts of the Berlin Wall on the development of the city?
  • Analyzing the fall of the USSR.
  • What are the modern-day impacts of the fall of the USSR?
  • A closer look at children in the holocaust: How were they treated?
  • Analyzing the World War Eastern Front.
  • A closer look at the biggest concentration camps.
  • Analyzing the Katyn Forest Massacre.
  • A deeper look at how the Allied invaded and occupied Germany.
  • Evaluating the Nuremberg Trials.
  • Analyzing the invasion and occupation of Japan by Allied forces.
  • A closer look at the accounts of Holocaust survivors.
  • A closer look at the Battle of the Bulge.

World History Thesis Paper Topics

World-historical topics are not limited to Europe or America. They have a global perspective, unlike Europe’s and America’s historical ideas. Even though World War II began in Europe, it is still a global topic since it was fought worldwide. These are some interesting topics for history research papers in world history.

  • A deeper look at World War II: Could it have been avoided?
  • A deeper evaluation of the Vietnam War: The main causes and consequences.
  • Analyzing the Cold War: What were the main causes and consequences?
  • A holistic comparison of World War I and World War II.
  • Outlining the main lessons from World War II and their applications.
  • Evaluating the development and rise of the People’s Republic of China.
  • The use of the Atomic Bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Could it have been avoided?
  • Analyzing Japanese role in World War II.
  • World War III: What are the chances of the world going into another global war?
  • Evaluating the role of the United Nations in setting the world order after World War II.
  • The jihadists and crusades: What are the similarities and differences?
  • A closer look at communism: What was its impact on the world?
  • Evaluating the quest for independence: A closer look at the African countries.
  • Analyzing the Japanese economic growth: How did they do it?
  • A closer look at the construction of the Great Wall of China.
  • A closer look at the sexual revolution.
  • Analyzing the Arab invasion of Spain.
  • A closer look at the dancing paintings of Edgar Degas.
  • What impact did Hinduism have on Indian art?
  • What was the connection between World War I and World War II?
  • What was the impact of colonization on the African continent?
  • A deeper look into African art history and culture.

Ancient History Thesis Topics

These ancient world history research papers topics are great for students who wish to concentrate their research paper on ancient history. These ideas will help you identify the gaps in ancient history literature and fill them in to make a difference in your field of interest.

  • A closer look at the history of the Holy Roman Empire.
  • Comparing ancient Greece to the Roman Empire.
  • A deeper analysis of why ancient Sparta was different in comparison to other cities of the time.
  • A closer look at the prominent queens in Ancient Egypt.
  • The development and importance of games in the ancient eras.
  • A closer look at the origin of the papacy.
  • What political powers did the pope have during the Middle Ages?
  • Comparing the use of propaganda between modern times and ancient times.
  • Discovering the most influential pharaoh.
  • Exploring the code of Hammurabi.
  • Evaluating the use of ziggurats in Mesopotamia.
  • How did Egypt build the pyramids?
  • A closer look at the Battle of Marathon: Assessing the defeat of Persia by Greeks.
  • The reinvention of history: A closer look at Aristotle and Plato’s collaboration.
  • Evaluating the strategy used by Alexander during the conquest of Egypt.
  • Analyzing the Hun’s invasion of Europe.
  • A closer look at Rome: When and how was it founded?
  • Analyzing the French renaissance ceramics.
  • A deeper look at medieval Romance literature.
  • Evaluating arms and armor in Renaissance Europe.
  • Analyze Renaissance art history, famous artists, and their cultural influence at the time.
  • Differences and similarities between first empires and societies.

How to Select the Best History Thesis Topics

It is crucial to know how to choose the best historical topics before we can get into the fun stuff. History is a broad topic so you must choose the right topic. These are some helpful tips to help narrow down your search for the perfect topic.

  • Only choose history thesis topics that you are interested in. These are niches you have a connection to and would like to continue exploring. You can easily get lost in the middle if you choose an area that isn’t interesting. This can also make it difficult to write your paper.
  • You should choose a topic that is well-resourced. A research paper is a long piece of writing that requires extensive research. Therefore, it is best to choose an area with plenty of resources.
  • Limit your topic to a time limit. It is important to choose an era that has captured the events well. It is fine to explore any period. However, it is important to be aware of conflicting accounts of events in the older periods.
  • When choosing a topic for your paper, you should consult your supervisor or professor. Make sure you consult your department for specific suggestions on how students can develop their thesis ideas.
  • Examine the current research for any gaps. Look closely at a thesis of a well-known scholar. They often cite areas that need further research. This is a great place to find a topic for a history thesis.

With Great History Topics, Your Research Writing Journey Begins!

This article has helped you identify the most fascinating topics in history. It is important to choose a topic so that you can articulately write a winning research paper. It is crucial to remember that choosing good topics for your paper marks the beginning of a long road ahead. This is where you start your writing. From there, you should be focusing on drafting, researching, and outlining.

Writing a good research paper or thesis takes a lot of work and skills that not many students have. Even those with some skills may still struggle to write a winning thesis and research paper. It is therefore important to seek expert writing assistance. Professional writers have a lot of experience writing similar thesis papers.

No history research paper topic is too difficult for expert writers. They are also affordable and allow you to follow your work from one chapter to the next until you are satisfied. After choosing the best history topics, don’t let your thesis stress you out. Get help from experts to make it a breeze!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

History Essays Help

History thesis topics: list of 100 outstanding ideas.

kiunarank

  • January 27, 2024

Writing and conducting extensive research is one of the tasks that you can never evade throughout your academic journey. Researching history-related courses is a very interesting and reminiscing task that you can engage in when studying. By selecting top-notch and outstanding history thesis topics, you are always one step you achieving your desired grades and finding our new theories.

Understanding and implementing the process of selecting the best history thesis topics is quite a challenging task. This guide will help you understand and answer questions such as how do I choose a PhD thesis topic history? Stick with us to get more tips and insights on the best history thesis topics that you can use to research our past.

What is a good history thesis?

It would help if you thought of or chose an appropriate discussion topic before beginning to write your history paper. Finding interesting and relevant history thesis topics for your research is not a walk-in-the-park task. Scholarly blunders like choosing an inappropriate topic for your paper at this point might have a significant impact on your final grade.

To save you time and effort, we have compiled a list of history thesis topics that you can keep in mind to complete your history paper. Below are some of the characteristics of a good topic for your history paper that you should consider:

1. Simple. 2. Meaningful. 3. Precise. 4. Unambiguous. 5. Attractive. 6. Expressive. 7. Well-defined. 8. Relevant.

How do I choose a thesis topic for history?

You need to know what you want out of a historical topic before you choose one. It would help if you prepared yourself to devote a significant amount of time to drafting the thesis. You should so seek out a concept that both interests you and merits your attention. Choose a history topic that truly interests you; otherwise, you will be wasting your time.

Follow this process when selecting a first-class history discussion topic to research on:

1.      Pick a topic related to your area of interest

You will likely spend a semester or longer writing your thesis. You should, therefore, choose a topic that isn’t easily boring to you and your audience. It will be enjoyable to spend those endless hours in the library, at least.

You won’t put off writing and will be less likely to delay if the idea excites and challenges you. It’s up to you to decide what to write about. This guide will assist you in narrowing down your topic, but ultimately, the choice of topic is yours to make.

2.      Choose a topic that opens up new room for additional research

Offering yourself the chance to pursue it is a huge plus, even if you end up not doing so. If you choose to pursue a second degree, you will be well-versed in the topic at hand. Examine the pieces that are accessible in a database of free essays to gain a better understanding of what can be studied in more detail.

3.      Consult your professor to guide you on your thesis

Discuss potential thesis topics and get feedback from your instructor. It’s smart to come up with multiple potential research topics; your professor can help you narrow it down.

4.      Avoid focusing just on your graduation.

Your thesis should serve as a stepping stone towards your future endeavors, be they academic or professional. Consider queries like: In reviewing your paper, what are the points that your potential employer would be seeking? To excel in work or your studies, what are the most important things you need?

It’s wise to tackle the problem with a degree of realism. Examine to see whether you can incorporate what you’ve learned into your current position.

List of current history thesis topics

  • To what extent did the slave trade affect Europe?
  • The growth of the industrial revolution through history
  • Motives behind the Egyptian pyramid-building project.
  • The world economy suffered as a result of the two world wars
  • Consequences of the American Civil War on societal norms
  • Discover the historical roots of the American Revolution
  • Effects of European race for and partition of Africa
  • Causes of the 1846 conflict between the United States and Mexico
  • Key causes of the Soviet Union’s disintegration
  • The Impressionist movement and its influence on contemporary art
  • What steps were taken to end the traffic of enslaved people?
  • The rise to power of Queen Elizabeth I: A historical context
  • The causes of the American Civil War
  • The primary functions of ancient Greek currency
  • Elaborate more on the scientific work that produced the polio vaccine
  • What are the main activities that happened during the American Revolution?
  • Seventy years of attempted assassinations of sitting US presidents
  • implications of child labor in the Puritan period
  • Important roles performed by the United States in WWI
  • What caused the Titanic to go down?
  • Effects of the Industrial Revolution on the Environment
  • How did women contribute to the economy during the Great Depression?
  • What precipitated the Germantown Battle?
  • Why did the United States and Spain go to war?
  • The function of religious authorities in Aztec society

What is the best title for historical research?

  • The origins of the Roman Empire in history
  • Where did the Greeks get the ideas that helped them defeat the Persians?
  • Famous military tactics used by Alexander the Great during his invasion of Egypt
  • Is there anything we can take away from China’s experience building and constructing the Great Wall?
  • Julius Caesar’s most effective strikes on Britain
  • Assessing the efficacy of Hun’s initial incursion into Europe
  • Things that Mohammed encountered on his way from Mecca to Medina
  • The modern-day effects of Aristotle’s philosophies
  • The lasting impact of the first Greek Olympiad
  • Notable African-American Civil War warriors
  • Genghis Khan’s accomplishments in Asia
  • Conflict between Russia and Ukraine: Where it all began
  • Obstacles encountered by the United States military in Vietnam
  • The Treaty of Versailles and its Effects on European economies
  • Discuss the main causes of World War II
  • A vast study on the causes of World War I through the lens of history
  • Architectural adherence to the Rococo style of art
  • Devastating effects on the environment caused by the withdrawal from central Europe in the late stages of the war
  • In what ways did propaganda specialists and cartoons influence WWII politics?
  • In ancient Greece, what significant religious functions did sculptures serve?
  • The historical context and symbolic meaning of well-known Christian emblems
  • The psychological relevance of Kazimir Malevich’s oeuvre
  • Background and significance of Dalits in Indian politics
  • In what ways did the relationship between Cleopatra and Julius Caesar influence his leadership style?
  • Medics who were famous for their vital roles in WWII
  • In what significant ways did the Balkan Wars alter the geographical landscape of Europe?
  • Things accomplished during Queen Victoria’s first year as monarch
  • Who and what led to the development of X-rays?
  • An examination of the initial hundred days of the Spanish Civil War
  • Significant occurrences that transpired after the attack on Pearl Harbor

Wrapping up

Every student’s goal is to achieve A+ results in their essays and exams. As a history student, your professor requires you to submit top-notch research papers from history thesis topics of your choice or the ones they have assigned you. Luckily for you, the above list of topics has been professionally researched and approved by our competent history writers. Our main goal is to ensure you with your skills and deliver quality essays.

At historyessayshelp.com , we have been in the writing industry for over a decade. We have put together a team of professional writers with vast skills in handling history papers. Have a taste of our expertise by visiting our website and placing your order with us.

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name  *

Email  *

Add Comment  *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Post Comment

Illustration

  • Research Paper Guides
  • Research Paper Topics

250 Interesting History Research Paper Topics

  • Speech Topics
  • Basics of Essay Writing
  • Essay Topics
  • Other Essays
  • Main Academic Essays
  • Basics of Research Paper Writing
  • Miscellaneous
  • Chicago/ Turabian
  • Data & Statistics
  • Methodology
  • Admission Writing Tips
  • Admission Advice
  • Other Guides
  • Student Life
  • Studying Tips
  • Understanding Plagiarism
  • Academic Writing Tips
  • Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

Illustration

  • Essay Guides
  • Formatting Guides
  • Basics of Research Process
  • Admission Guides
  • Dissertation & Thesis Guides

history_research_paper_topics

Table of contents

Illustration

Use our free Readability checker

People often say that time travel is impossible. I beg to differ. Did you know that researching historical events can be regarded as time traveling? Because you will get more information about events as if you were there. Most university and college students in the United States consider writing history papers uninteresting. Some of their negative opinions stem from inability to come up with unique and fascinating historical research topics. If you have a history assignment and are stuck on finding a suitable title that can guarantee you success, you are in the right place. Our research paper writers for hire have compiled various history research paper topics that can inspire your essays. Select from different interesting topics in history to research and write on. Apart from giving you 250 research themes, this article also explains what these topics are, their characteristics, and how to choose them.

What Are History Research Paper Topics?

History research paper topics refer to titles that explore past times, events, and the evolution of cultures and traditions. As a branch of more broad  social science research topics , they evaluate social, political, scientific, and economic developments that humans have made since the beginning of time. History research topics majorly focus on recorded and unrecorded past events and times. The theme you choose for your research paper or thesis will guide your overall content. You may be provided with history paper topics by lecturers or professors in your school or required to come up with one of your own. In this case, we have got a huge list for your selection.

Characteristics of Good History Research Topics

Before writing any history paper, you should come up with or select a suitable title. Choosing good history topics to research is a challenging task. As a scholar, you may falter at this stage and pick a topic that is unsuitable for your paper, which eventually affects your grade. Since we want to make it easy for you, we will provide a checklist of characteristics to look out for when selecting titles for your essay. Good topics for a history research paper should be: 

  • Meaningful.
  • Unambiguous.
  • Attractive.
  • Expressive.
  • Well-defined.

How to Choose a History Research Topic?

Unless you are provided with a title to write on, most times, you will be required to come up with your research topics in history. Generally, this is a broad subject covering different areas. As a result, it may be a tedious task for you to try and select a suitable research topic for history paper. However, do not worry because we will present a series of steps to guide you in choosing a title for your essay. Follow this procedure when you want to pick historical topics to write about:

  • Brainstorm ideas and determine the best one.
  • Evaluate all background information that has been provided.
  • Focus on issues that are interesting to you.
  • Create a keyword list or an outline for your topic.
  • Be flexible in your research.
  • Ensure all titles meet assignment requirements.

List of History Topics to Research

To succeed in your essays, it is vital to come up with good research topics for history. Therefore, you should select unique and interesting historical topics to research. Below are examples of best history research paper topics:

  • What were major impacts of slave trade in Europe?
  • Historical development of the industrial revolution.
  • Factors that promoted construction of pyramids in Egypt.
  • Negative consequences of World Wars on the global economy.
  • Effects of the American Civil War on people’s ways of life.
  • Historical origin of the American Revolution.
  • Impacts of European scramble for and partition of Africa.
  • Factors that led to the US-Mexico war in 1846.
  • Major reasons why the Soviet Union collapsed.
  • Expressionist movement and its impacts on modern art.

The following list offers everyone what they need. If not, ask our experts for a piece of advice or generate a title to your liking with our Topic Generator .

Interesting History Topics to Research

There are many interesting history research paper topics that you can write on. However, we strive to provide you with the best. We have compiled a list of most interesting history topics for you to pick:  

  • What processes were taken in abolishing slave trade?
  • Queen Elizabeth: A historical background of how she came to power.
  • Factors that led to Americans going into Civil War.
  • Main uses of money in ancient Greece.
  • Science that led to discovery of polio vaccines.
  • Key facts about the American Revolution.
  • Assassination attempts on US Presidents in the last 70 years.
  • Effects of child labor during the Puritan era.
  • Major roles played by America during World War I.
  • What factors made the Titanic sink?
  • Environmental impacts of industrial revolution.
  • What economic role did women play during the Great Depression?
  • How did the Germantown Battle start?
  • What influenced the Spanish-American War ?
  • Roles played by religious leaders during the Aztec era.

Good History Research Paper Topics

Apart from interesting titles, there are also good topics for history research paper that can guarantee you high grades in your paper. Below is a list of good history paper topics: 

  • Historical origin of the Roman Empire.
  • What tactics were used by Greeks in their win against Persians?
  • Famous war strategies employed by Alexander the Great in his conquest of Egypt.
  • What lesson can we learn from construction and implementation of the Great Wall of China?
  • Most successful attacks by Julius Caesar on Great Britain.
  • Hun's first invasion of Europe: An analysis of its success.
  • Challenges faced by Mohammed in his journey from Mecca to Medina.
  • Impacts of Aristotle’s philosophical ideas in today’s world.
  • First Greek Olympiad and its legacy.
  • Famous African American soldiers during the Civil War.
  • Achievements of Genghis Khan in Asia.
  • Russia-Ukraine war: Origin of this conflict.
  • Challenges faced by the American army in Vietnam.
  • Economic implications of Versailles Treaty on European nations.
  • Major causes of World War II.

Unique Historical Research Topics

To stand out from other scholars, you ought to have unique history research topics. To get you there, we have provided history topics to write about:

  • Historiography of reasons that led to World War I.
  • Adoption of Rococo artistic style in architecture.
  • Major environmental impacts of late Warthe retreat in central Europe.
  • What political impacts did cartoons and propaganda experts have during World War II?
  • What vital religious roles did sculptures play in ancient Greece?
  • History of famous Christian symbols and their significance.
  • Psychological significance of Kazimir Malevich's artworks.
  • Origin and political importance of Dalits in India.
  • How did Julius Caesar and Cleopatra’s relationship affect his leadership?
  • Famous medics who played a crucial role during World War II.
  • What key implications did Balkan Wars have on the European map?
  • Achievements of Queen Victoria’s first year in office.
  • Discovery of X-Rays: How and by who?
  • Spanish Civil War: An analysis of first 100 days during the war.
  • Key events that followed after Pearl Harbor was attacked.

Before you start writing a History research paper, go deep into the area you are studying and don't skip important dates. Get proficient paper help 24/7 if that sounds like a waste of time for you.

Popular History Research Topics

Your selection of research topics on history may also be driven by popularity. If that is the case, we have a list of history research paper topics for you below: 

  • What factors triggered the Great Depression?
  • History of the Cold War.
  • Black Death: Separating facts from myths.
  • Greatest scientific inventions that have shaped how we communicate.
  • Islamic Empire: Its origin and positive impacts.
  • Hundred Year War: Economic impacts on French and English kingdoms.
  • What key weapons were used during medieval warfare?
  • What was life like during the Dark Ages?
  • Significant events that took place during the Crusades.
  • What caused the American Revolution?
  • Similarities between the current economic recession and the Great Depression.
  • Significance of French Revolution.
  • Factors that led to slavery abolition in America.
  • Roles played by women during the Civil War.
  • Consequences of the Cold War in the Soviet Union.

Easy History Topics to Write About

Sometimes you are striving to beat deadlines for submitting your paper. Such times call for easy history topics to research. When you find yourself in such a situation, look at these easy historical events to write about for your inspiration: 

  • Major impacts of World War I.
  • Key achievements of the Women's Rights Movement in the past century.
  • Economic impacts of the biggest earthquake in America.
  • Salem Witch Trials: Causes and impacts.
  • How did the European invasion of Africa affect levels of education on the continent?
  • Achievements of the Ottoman Empire.
  • Apartheid in South Africa: Its social and political impacts.
  • Causes of rise and fall of Roman Empire.
  • Significant inventions during the Middle Ages.
  • How Native Americans reacted to European invasions of their lands.
  • Strategies used by the American government to overcome the Great Depression.
  • How important was Pearl Harbor during World War II?
  • Consequences brought by nuclear weapons in Europe.
  • Common effects of Greek culture in Europe.
  • Major roles played by Shogun in Japanese history.

History Research Paper Topics for Students

Most students always encounter challenges when it comes to selecting historical topics to research. Choosing the right title can make a difference between success and failure in your paper. This is why you need to have various history research questions to help you in selecting your focus area. It does not matter whether you are in middle school, high school, or college because we have a list of topics that will help you get good grades .

History Research Topics for Middle School

There are times when middle school students are required to select historical events to write about. If you find yourself in this situation, we have interesting topics in history suggested for you:

  • European Middle Ages: Major challenges that were witnessed during that era.
  • Gender bias roles and how they have changed over time in Britain.
  • How many soldiers did America lose during World War I?
  • In what ways have nuclear weapons changed the military?
  • What measures were taken to abolish slavery in America?
  • History of the United Kingdom monarch.
  • How were enslaved people transported to America?
  • Impacts of the Cold War on the European economy.
  • Who were the first settlers in America?
  • Agrarian revolution: Origin and impact in Europe.
  • Evolution of man according to Darwin.
  • Positive impacts brought by the Ottoman Empire .
  • Significance of Shakespearean plays to modern theaters.
  • Factors that facilitated the growth of the industrial revolution.
  • How the motor industry developed in America.

History Research Topics for High School

If you are a high school student looking for research topics in history, you have arrived at the right place. Below we have compiled history project topics for you to choose from: 

  • Factors that promoted growth of the Byzantine Empire.
  • Repercussions brought by World War II to Britain.
  • History and growth of Civil Rights Movement in America.
  • How did World War I cripple Germany's military power?
  • Major factors that made it easy for colonies to win the American Revolution.
  • Challenges faced by China in its space exploration attempts.
  • Why was America reluctant to participate in World War II?
  • Key benefits of the Cold War to Russia.
  • Factors that led to eradicating most Native Americans’ cultural practices.
  • American Wild West: Analysis of myths as portrayed by popular culture.
  • History of the American constitution.
  • Fight against terrorism: Its origin and development.
  • Berlin Wall: Its social impacts on the people of Germany.
  • Major social revolutions in Britain.
  • Revolution of the internet.

History Research Paper Topics for College Students

There is a wide range of history research topics for college students. However, to achieve the highest grade, you must find the best history thesis topics for your term paper. The following is a list of the most popular American history research paper topics for college students: 

  • A comparison between Crusaders and Jihadists.
  • Most effective farming tools that were used in Mesopotamia.
  • In what ways has Japanese art influenced European cultures?
  • Impacts of racial segregation on development of music industry in America.
  • Major racial events that have plagued American society in the past 50 years.
  • Key constitutional amendments that have taken place in the US over the last 100 years.
  • How did Europeans use religion to conquer countries?
  • Origin and benefits of vaccines to people.
  • Significance of Marie Antoinette during the American Revolution.
  • In what ways did the Medici family influence the Renaissance?
  • How did communist manifesto influence European countries?
  • Controversial issues surrounding Pope Alexander VI.
  • Roles played by women during the Vietnam War.
  • Manson family: Truths and myths surrounding them.
  • Historical account of first space exploration by America.

Historical Events to Write About

Writing a history paper should be a fun affair. To make your experience worthwhile, we have different cool history topics for research papers. Selecting a theme from these classifications will make it easy for you to write a unique and interesting essay for your research. Go through these topics for history project and use any of them as sources of inspiration for your paper. When you decide on the idea, make sure to check how to write a research paper properly. 

World History Research Paper Topics

One of the most fun titles to write on is interesting world history topics. Although this category is broad, you should not be confused about what to research and write because we have got you covered. Below are world history topics for research paper that you can choose: 

  • Significant environmental consequences of Persian Gulf War.
  • Factors that contributed greatly to the fall of Aztec Civilization.
  • What were the economic impacts brought by the rise of the Qing Dynasty?
  • Key chain of events that led to the Russian Revolution and rise of communism.
  • How did the Samurai culture greatly impact nations around Japan?
  • Life and achievements of Nelson Mandela and his struggle to liberate South Africa from colonial rule.
  • Major reasons why the Great Wall of China was constructed.
  • Factors that contributed to Babylon collapsing.
  • Economic significance of Constantinople in the Byzantine Empire.
  • Mughal architectural influences in constructing Taj Mahal.

US History Research Paper Topics

There are a lot of American history research paper topics that you can select. However, to guarantee your success in this process, we have provided the best US history topics for research paper below: 

  • Ways in which early settlers in America learned to coexist together.
  • Major factors that contributed to Witch Trials in Salem.
  • What laws were put in place to control enslaved people in America?
  • Key reasons why Boston Massacres occurred.
  • What factors led to the American Revolution?
  • Reasons why George Washington is regarded as one of the greatest leaders in American history.
  • New roles for women after the American Revolution.
  • Key events that took place in creating the American Constitution.
  • Conflicts between British and Native Americans in the 19th century.
  • Modern activism groups. Their origin and development in the USA.

Looking for anyone to work on your History paper? Stop googling ‘ pay someone to write my research paper ’, just contact Studycrumb and get proficient writing help. 

European History Research Topics

Finding the best European history research paper topics may be difficult because of European countries' different historical and cultural backgrounds. Nevertheless, below we have created interesting European history topics that will make it easy for you:

  • Niccolo Machiavelli's philosophy and its impacts.
  • Most renowned artist of the Renaissance period.
  • Maximillian Robespierre: Impacts brought by his reign of terror during the French Revolution.
  • Factors that led to creation of Austria-Hungary.
  • Rise and fall of the Viking era.
  • Characteristics that are associated with Gothic art.
  • Origin and impacts of Romanticism.
  • A comparison of great works by Mozart and Bach in the 18th century.
  • How Cubism revolutionized the art movement in Europe.
  • Military role played by British women in World War II.

European history has various events described in literature. If you want to focus on how any event is depicted in literary works, don't hesitate to browse for literature research paper topics.  

French Revolution Research Topics for History

The French Revolution is a significant historical period. If you are searching for the best historical topics to research about this period, look no further. Below are best history topics ideas for you to start with: 

  • Achievements of King Louis IV.
  • Factors that contributed to Napoleon losing the Waterloo battle.
  • Major causes of the French Revolution.
  • How has the French Revolution affected modern France?
  • Major roles played by the French Revolution in Europe.
  • What was the significance of Robespierre during the French Revolution?
  • How did the French Revolution influence music and French operas?
  • How was Napoleon’s conquest affected by the French Revolution?
  • Key societal transformation after the French Revolution.
  • Causes and impacts brought by Champ De Mars Massacre.

American Revolution History Research Paper Topics

Another popular category to write on is American history research topics. When asked to write about the American Revolution, do not be confused. The following are interesting American history research paper topics for your ideas: 

  • Social consequences caused by the American Revolution.
  • What role did women play during the revolution?
  • How did the American Revolution impact Europe?
  • How did typical Americans live during this revolution?
  • Famous female writers during the American Revolution.
  • Negative social impacts of the American Revolution.
  • Similarities between the Trenton and Princeton Battles.
  • Significant achievements of Alexander Hamilton during the American Revolution.
  • How did the revolution change the perception of America by British?
  • How did George Washington affect the outcome of the American Revolution?

History Research Paper Topics on US Civil War

When looking for popular US history topics to write about, you should consider the Civil War. If that is the case, we have good US history research topics about the Civil War for your inspiration: 

  • What factors led to the American Civil War?
  • How is the American Civil War represented in popular culture?
  • What were the roles played by African Americans during this period?
  • Impact of Civil War on American society.
  • Effects brought by the Civil War on ending slavery in America.
  • Key roles played by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
  • Major roles played by women during the Civil War.
  • Major course of American Civil War.
  • What are the key advantages of the American Civil War?
  • How did the Civil War impact distribution of wealth in America?

Cold War History Research Topics

The Cold War has some of the most interesting history topics to research. If you want to be inspired by the Cold War historical investigation topics, we have a list for you below:

  • What key roles did America play during the Cold War?
  • What interventions were made by the UN during the Cold War?
  • How were popular cultures affected by the Cold War?
  • Why is the Cold War described as an era characterized by fear?
  • Key events that led to discussions to end the Cold War.
  • What impacts did the Cold War have on European economic development?
  • Key events that led to the Cold War.
  • What major countries were involved in the Cold War?
  • What was the aftermath of the Cold War?
  • Cultural shifts during the Cold War.

20th Century Research Paper Topics

Are you searching for 20th-century history paper ideas? Look no further. Below are interesting research topics about history and development witnessed in the 20th century:

  • Successful tactics used by Gandhi to revolt against British oppression.
  • Reasons why the assassination of King Carlos of Portugal failed to provoke a revolution.
  • How the Marne Battle made it easy to stop advancement of German forces.
  • Factors that facilitated the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
  • How did the attack on Pearl Harbor change the course of the war?
  • Methods used to spread and promote Communism ideologies in Europe.
  • How did the relationship between the Soviet Union and America change over time after 1945?
  • Factors that led to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
  • Friendship treaties signed between Fidel Castro and the USSR.
  • Cuban missile crisis: Origin and consequences.

Modern History Research Paper Topics

You may be asked to write a paper on modern history topics. When you find yourself in this situation, go through the following history topics for research paper to get your inspiration: 

  • Columbian Exchange: Its origin and consequences.
  • Foods taken by people during the Industrial Revolution.
  • How was it living in the Wild West?
  • Aftermath of the Great Famine in Ireland and how people coped.
  • Negative impacts brought by David Livingstone's exploration in Africa.
  • Russia's expansion of its territories and how they annexed Siberia.
  • Characteristics associated with the Commercial Revolution and its impact on world finances.
  • Positive consequences brought by spice trade in shaping the modern world.
  • Key inventions that facilitated the Age of Exploration.
  • Why was Alexander II assassinated?

Extra History Research Paper Topics

You can never fully exhaust historical titles because history is constantly changing and being written. But, by now, we hope you have a clear picture of interesting history research paper topics you can write on. But if you still need more inspiration for your essay, we will provide you with extra history research paper topic ideas classified in the following different categories.

History Research Paper Topics for Exam

Do you wish to study for your history exam and are looking for US history research topics to get you going? Not only do we have various topics on American history to aid you, but we also have interesting world history research topics. Below is a list that can jump-start your revision:

  • Gender roles in 19th century England.
  • Economic repercussions brought by World War II in France.
  • Major people who fought for abolition of apartheid rule in South Africa.
  • How Roosevelt contributed to ending World War II.
  • How Alabama's claim impacted America.
  • Factors that contributed to the rise of communism in China.
  • Origin and development of the Syrian crisis.
  • University education in Europe: Its origin and development.
  • How colonization of America impacted the Natives.
  • History and development of Veteran’s Day.

>> Read more: How to Write a DBQ

History Research Paper Topics for Academics

There are many interesting things to learn about in history. All you have to do is seek a fascinating historical topic to investigate and learn about. To start you off, we have topics you can look at below:

  • Similarities between European and American industrial revolutions.
  • Negative effects brought by the industrial revolution on the working class.
  • Reasons why Black Death spread rapidly in Europe.
  • Origin and development of poetry.
  • Islamic architecture’s influence on modern structures.
  • Negative environmental effects brought by World War II.
  • Importance of Mathematics in ancient Egypt.
  • Major roles played by women during the Great Depression.
  • Why was iron important during the industrial revolution?

History Research Paper Topics for Experts

Scholars should not be the only ones looking for stimulating ancient history research paper topics. Experts can also find inspiration in various US history paper topics that we have provided for you below: 

  • Origin of the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
  • Gulf War: Its causes and social effects on the people.
  • Social impacts of conflicts witnessed in Syria.
  • Most respected general during the Roman Empire's rule.
  • Negative consequences of the Cold War on global politics and direction.
  • Social and political impacts brought by racism in America.
  • History of education development in Europe.
  • What causes the Mexican-American wars?
  • Factors that facilitated the rise of the Dutch Republic?
  • Controversial issues surrounding the American Civil War.

Need more ideas? We have a full assortment of titles in different fields. From education research topics or philosophy paper topics to business research topics , you are sure to choose the one you need. 

Bottom Line on History Research Topics

As a history scholar, choosing a title for your essay can seem both daunting and exciting. There are many interesting topics of history you can select to write on. However, picking the right one can be challenging. This article has provided various ideas on the US and world history topics to research and write argumentative essays on. We hope that the above list makes it easy for you to choose a title or inspire you to come up with your own. There are many good historical events to write about. All you need is to go through the list we have provided and make your choice. 

Illustration

Contact our writing website for help with relevant topics! We will be glad to provide students with interesting solutions and unique ideas. If you don't have time or desire to write a research paper, we can do it for you! Check out our website for more details! 

Joe_Eckel_1_ab59a03630.jpg

Joe Eckel is an expert on Dissertations writing. He makes sure that each student gets precious insights on composing A-grade academic writing.

You may also like

thumbnail@2x.png

Department of History

Yale history dissertations.

history thesis topic ideas

During the late 1800’s, only a trickle of dissertations were submitted annually, but today, the department averages about 25 per year. See who some of those intrepid scholars were and what they wrote about by clicking on any of the years listed below.

History Dissertation Topics

Writing a dissertation serves as the primary project of the academic element of your university experience. It is an opportunity to delve deeper into an academic topic of particular interest to you and your primary opportunity to demonstrate your capacity for independent research work within an academic environment. Your dissertation can either help develop a more nuanced understanding of existing scholarship, analyze existing scholarship through a new analytical prism or if you are particularly fortunate perhaps even shed new light on a subject. However, your dissertation evolves in its objective and scope, it is paramount that you choose a topic that can sustain your interest and help you maintain the motivation needed in producing a quality piece of academic research. The scope of historical periods studied in your degree programme means narrowing your focus on one particular topic can prove to be a daunting task. To aid you in choosing a topic for your dissertation, this article offers numerous topic suggestions across a broad span of historical periods. The suggestions offered cover the following periods in history: the Crimean War, Napoleon, Italian Unification, German Unification, the First World War, the Great Depression, Mussolini, Nazi Germany, Stalin’s Russia and the Second World War.

The Crimean War Dissertation Topics

Napoleon iii dissertation topics, italian unification dissertation topics, german unification dissertation topics, the first world war dissertation topics, britain 1918-1939 & the great depression dissertation topics, mussolini’s italy dissertation topics, nazi germany dissertation topics, stalin’s russia dissertation topics, the second world war 1939-1945 dissertation topics.

The Crimean War is considered to be the first ‘modern’ conflict, having influenced the course of all future wars. If you are looking to write your history dissertation on the Crimean War, the topics suggested below will give you an idea of where to start.

  • What was the main cause of the Crimean war?
  • Why could the Crimean War be considered to be a ‘modern’ war?
  • What was the most important event in the Crimean War?
  • Examine and explain French policy during the Crimean War.
  • What were the consequences of the Crimean War?
  • What role did religion play in in the Crimean War?
  • What was the most significant event that served to settle the Crimean War?
  • Why did so many attempts at peace fail with regards to the Crimean War?
  • Why did the Crimean War end when it did?
  • Why is the involvement of women in the Crimean War considered to be so significant?
  • What were the objectives of the Ottoman Empire during the Crimean War?
  • What factors motivated the French and British empires to oppose Russia and side with The Ottomans in the Crimean War?
  • Was the Crimean War inevitable given the strategic objectives of the primary actors?

Napoleon III was the first President of the French Republic and the only Emperor of the Second French Empire. He rebuilt Paris to mirror what he had seen in London and sought to improve living standards, but his military policy has been called into question. Possible ideas for your history dissertation topics on Napoleon III could include:

  • How and why did Napoleon III come to power?
  • What was Napoleon III’s attitude towards the Vienna system and how did he put this policy into practice?
  • What were the key facets of Napoleon III’s economic and social policies and how did they allow him to retain power?
  • Was Napoleon III driven by a desire to liberalise or to rule?
  • What were the main problems faced by Napoleon III when he came to power and were they successfully overcome?
  • What was the significance of the role Napoleon III played in the Crimean War?
  • How did Napoleon III’s ‘authoritarian’ system of government differ from those of previous French Emperors?
  • What were the key principles behind Napoleon III’s foreign policy?
  • What was the key reason for Napoleon III’s demise? Why was it so significant?
  • How would you consider Napoleon III’s legacy to have influenced relations in Europe since his demise?
  • Is it fair to consider Napoleon III a patron of the Arts?
  • What factors underpinned Napoleon III’s decision to support Italian unification?
  • Considering his numerous social and political achievements, why do you think Napoleon III’s legacy is considered to be negative by many historians?

This was the political and social movement that served to unify the different states of the Italian peninsula in the 19th century. It began with the end of Napoleonic rule and the Congress of Vienna in 1815 and ended with the Franco-Prussian War, as Italy took shape as one nation for the first time. If you are looking to take a step back from British history, perhaps you could choose a dissertation topic that focuses on Italian Unification from the list of topics below.

  • What were the main causes of Italian unification?
  • What were the biggest issues facing the newly formed Italian government and how were they resolved?
  • Evaluate Cavour’s contribution to Italian unification – was he the key reason why Italy was successfully unified?
  • Which was more important with regards to unification – economics or foreign policy?
  • What impact did the unification of Italy have on the functioning of the Vienna system?
  • How did Italy’s approach to foreign policy reflect that of other nations at this time?
  • Why had Italy existed for so long in a state of ‘disunity’?
  • Evaluate whether Italian unification served to improve people’s standard of living?
  • How successful was Italian unification? What, if anything, did unification achieve?
  • Evaluate the significance of the contributions of Garibaldi to Italian Unification
  • How did the unification of Italy impact the Balance of Power in Europe?
  • Assess the position that Guiseppe Mazzini was the key driving force behind Italian Unification?
  • Evaluate the various social factors that played into Italian Unification. Can one be considered to be most important?

Germany was effectively unified in 1871 when Otto von Bismarck managed to unify all the independent states into one state. Much debate surrounds whether or not there was a master plan to unify Germany or whether the aim was just to expand the Prussian State. Please see below a choice of free history dissertation topics concerning the subject of German Unification:

  • Was German unification inevitable? Consider the events that led to unification to effectively determine whether Germany was always heading towards it.
  • In what ways did German unification represent a victory for German liberals during this period?
  • Explain the significance of the Schleswig Holstein crisis to German unification – was it the key reason for why unification was achieved?
  • How important was Bismarck to the unification of Germany?
  • Was German unification a success?
  • What was Germany’s biggest achievement upon its unification?
  • What issues did German unification fail to address?
  • Did German unification serve to remove the divisions within society and government?
  • Why was German unification so important for European society at this time?
  • Consider the reasons why German unification was such a significant event.
  • Evaluate the argument that German Unification was primarily an exercise in Prussian Nationalism.
  • What was the role of Wilhelm I in the unification of Germany?
  • What were the foreign policy implications for the existing major European powers of German Unification?

Although the war was ostensibly a global one, it predominantly took place in Europe after a chain reaction of war declarations leading to war on several fronts. It broadly encircled the European continent with an astronomical loss of life that was only ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The First World War is a major part of history that we have all heard about and which has many elements worthy of deeper analysis. For your history dissertation topics you could research further into one of these areas:

  • Of the following events – (a) The Morocco Crisis (1905-1906); (b) The British agreement with Russia (1907); (c) The Bosnia Crisis (1908); (d) The Agadir Crisis (1911); (e) The Balkan Wars (1912 and 1913); and (f) The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand – evaluate which was most significant in causing the First World War?
  • Was any one party to blame for the First World War, if so, who and why?
  • Why was there so much unrest and rivalry amongst the European nations in the early part of the twentieth century and how could this be said to have led to the outbreak of war?
  • Why did Gavrilo Princip assassinate the Archduke Franz Ferdinand? Was the reasoning for this decision misguided?
  • Why were the great powers of Europe able to contain the Balkan crises of 1912 and 1913, but unable to prevent this developing into a European-wide war in 1914?
  • Why did German attitudes change towards Austria during this period? How could this change in attitude be said to have led to the outbreak of war?
  • How did events going on in the rest of the world at this time lead to the outbreak of war in Europe?
  • “Now we know where our enemy stands. Like a flash of lightning in the night, these events have shown the German people where its enemy is. When the hour of decision comes we are prepared for sacrifices, both of blood and of treasure” (From a speech made in the German Reichstag in November 1911 in Balfour. M The Kaiser Cresset (1964)) – How could it be argued Germany’s entry into the war was based on paranoia within government that influenced the general public in their push towards war?
  • “The British Government cannot undertake to declare war, for any purpose, unless it is a purpose of which the people of this country” (Note to the Cabinet from the Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury, in May 1901) – What were the reasons why Britain entered the war and were they the right ones?
  • Did the First World War achieve anything? Was it successfully resolved?
  • Was World War I inevitable? If so, why?
  • Focussing on a particular country, evaluate the role of intelligence agencies in the outcome of the war.
  • Assess the strategic impact of the Battle of the Marne (1914). Can it justifiably be called the key battle of the war? If so, why?

Between the two World Wars, Britain was faced with numerable problems that various governments sought to resolve for the good of society. However, whilst successive governments were criticised, some significant advancements were made. The Great Depression was a period of British history that is perhaps overlooked more than it should be. Research in this area would make for very interesting reading, if you choose one of the following history dissertation topics:

  • What were the main problems facing Lloyd George’s government in the immediate aftermath of the First World War and how successfully were these resolved?
  • Why did the Labour government fall in Britain in 1924?
  • Why were the effects of ‘The Great Depression’ so severe in the old industrial and mining districts of Britain?
  • How did the return to the Gold Standard in 1921 only serve to exacerbate the oncoming effects of ‘The Great Depression’?
  • What polices did the government introduce in an effort to resolve the ‘The Great Depression’ and did they achieve anything to limit its effects?
  • What were the main problems faced by the British government in the Interwar period and were they ever effectively resolved?
  • What factors outside of Europe caused ‘The Great Depression? Was it the economic breakdown in the US alone?
  • Why did the world economy ‘boom’ and ‘bust’ so quickly?
  • When the Second World War started to what extent was Britain ready for war?
  • What was Britain’s greatest achievement in this period and what was its biggest failing?
  • To what extent did the First World War directly contribute to the inability of government to respond to the Great Depression?
  • Was Neville Chamberlain ‘the voice of the British people’ during the Munich crisis?
  • An analysis of the policies and support for the fascist movement in Britain during the 1930’s?
  • Was appeasement really a means to prepare Britain for the inevitable conflict with Hitler?
  • Why did the Munich crisis fail to deliver ‘Peace in Our Time?’

Mussolini effectively became a dictator in Italy in 1922 and governed the country through the advancement of his fascist ideology. But although he initially won a great deal of popularity, he made the mistake of siding with the Nazis in the Second World War, to his cost. Perhaps you could choose this or other areas involving Mussolini for your history dissertation topics.

  • What failings of previous governments made Italy so susceptible to fascist rule?
  • Why did fascism seem such an interesting alternative for the Italian people – what was its appeal within sections of Italian society?
  • What is the concept of ‘totalitarianism’ and how ‘totalitarian’ was Mussolini’s regime in Italy?
  • Critically evaluate Mussolini’s period of government – could it be considered successful based on the benefits that accrued to the people?
  • What happened in 1922 to ‘free’ the Italian Republic to Mussolini’s government and why was this event so significant?
  • How and why, once Mussolini had attained power, did public opinion change?
  • Choose one event and consider why this could be considered to be the defining moment that led to Mussolini’s downfall – why is this so important?
  • Consider whether Mussolini had the same level of control in Italy that Hitler had attained in Germany and explain your answer through the exploration of social, political and economic factors.
  • Was Mussolini’s government a continuation of, or departure from, previous Italian governments??
  • Did Mussolini’s style of government overextend Italy’s resources during the Second World War?
  • With reference to Antonio Gramsci’s speech to the Italian Parliament: 16th May 1925, consider the statement that ‘the fascist revolution (in Italy) was only the replacement of one administrative personnel by another.’
  • Were Hitler and Mussolini ‘suspicious allies’ throughout the 1930’s?
  • In what forms did the fascist government of Italy collaborate with, or oppose, the Catholic Church?
  • Was the Fascist government of Italy anti-Semitic?
  • Account for the repression of freemasonry by Mussolini, the forms this oppression took, and the reasons for this.

Hitler came to power as, first chancellor, and then dictator, of Germany in 1933. His Nazi Party utilised their propaganda to effectively destroy the last threads of democracy in Germany and went on to attempt to implement their ideology in Europe, with devastating results. The impact of Nazi Germany is key to the history of many countries within Europe, and indeed the world, and would be an excellent area to base your history dissertation on. Some key history dissertation topics related to Nazi Germany are listed below.

  • Why did the Weimar Republic’s collapse serve to make Germany so susceptible to the rise of the Nazis?
  • What was it about the Nazis that made them an attractive choice for government with a large section the German people?
  • What did National Socialism stand for both before and after Hitler took over the party?
  • Why was Adolf Hitler able to stay in power after it became apparent to many in Germany that the war was lost?
  • Was Hitler successful in his handling of domestic affairs up until 1939?
  • What was Hitler seeking to achieve when the Germans invaded Poland in 1939? Is there any way Hitler could have achieved his policy goals in this regard? Why did he not achieve the domination and control he was seeking?
  • Did Hitler feel cheated by the Munich agreement? What were the longer-term consequences of Munich for his ambition?
  • Why did the German people not respond more forcefully to prevent the Nazis in relation to their dealings with the Jewish population of mainland Europe?
  • How did the Nazi regime use art and cinema for wider propaganda purposes?
  • With a consideration of contemporary reporting of the Berlin Olympics in 1936, were they a success for the regime?
  • Who were the leading women within the Nazi movement, and what did they contribute to the Reich?
  • ‘Triumph of the Will’ (1935) – directed by Leni Riefenstahl – can be considered the greatest example of a Nazi propaganda film. With reference to this film and other propaganda measures by the Nazi’s, on what level does the film seek to appeal to the German people?
  • Analyse the education policies of the Third Reich, their aims and whether these were ever met.
  • To what extent did alternative youth movements such as The Swing Kids offer an alternative for German youth to the Hitler Youth movement?

As Stalin is such a prominent figure in history, you may consider choosing your topic from the history dissertation topics below. Stalin is still an extremely divisive figure in Russia today, and although admired by some for his role in modernising Russia and for his war leadership, he remains a figure of much suspicion for modern historians.

  • What contributed to Stalin’s rise to power after the death of Lenin?
  • What were the main problems facing Russian/Soviet society after the death of Lenin, and how, if at all, did Stalin resolve them?
  • Was Stalin’s repressive approach to governing the Soviet Union at the time of the purges necessary?
  • What were Stalin’s biggest successes and failings, and why were they so significant?
  • How did Russia move from seemingly being one of the West’s staunchest allies during the Second World War to being universally feared thereafter?
  • Why was the USSR allowed to expand to encompass other countries when a similar policy in Nazi Germany led to war?
  • Consider the differences between communism and fascism through an evaluation of Hitler and Stalin’s policies, with a view to determining whether they shared political similarities.
  • How and why did communism spread from the USSR to other parts of the world?
  • To what degree was Stalin’s style of rule in the Soviet Union different from Lenin’s?
  • How far could the Soviet Union’s policy goals under Stalin (1944-1947) be considered legitimate in international law?
  • Were the 7-10 million deaths in the Ukrainian Holodomor of 1933 a deliberate genocide ordered by Stalin?
  • From a Soviet perspective, what were the benefits of the Nazi Soviet Pact, 1939?
  • Discuss Soviet Anti-Semitism during the Stalin dictatorship.
  • An analysis of the Stalin/Churchill relationship throughout the Second World War.

Unlike the First World War, the Second World War was a war of more rapid advancement and was a complex affair with major campaigns across Europe and the rest of the world – the war was effectively the protection of freedom against the threat of conquest. Such an important event in history would make for excellent reading so you might be interested in the following history dissertation topics:

  • Why did the Second World War start? What was the cause?
  • Was the war between Finland and Stalin’s Russia an example of Finland losing the war, but winning the peace?
  • What was the most significant event in the war that led to the war’s result? Why is the event you have chosen so significant?
  • How did Britain survive after the fall of France as the key resistance to Nazi Germany’s complete conquest of Europe? What factor was particularly significant?
  • At what point did the Axis powers lose the war? Why?
  • What were the effects of the war upon European society in its aftermath?
  • Why were the Germans almost completely successful until 1941? How did they so spectacularly lose their position of ascendancy?
  • How great was the US’ impact upon the war? What changed when they entered the conflict in Europe?
  • Could the Second World War have been resolved peacefully at any point?
  • How close was Britain to asking for talks with Hitler after the fall of France?
  • To what extent does the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands serve as a blueprint for their policies in other occupied territories?
  • Was Rumania a willing, or coerced, ally to Nazi Germany in WW2?
  • What was the key factor for German failure to break through in the Battle for Britain?

Copyright © Ivory Research Co Ltd. All rights reserved. All forms of copying, distribution or reproduction are strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted to the Full Extent of Law.

You may also like

Reflective Essay Topics

Put a stop to deadline pressure, and have your homework done by an expert.

206 Informative History Dissertation Topics For Research Thesis

history dissertation topics

History is the study of the past. The past entails a lot, hence, history helps us to understand the world better, and how things came to be. History consists of past events as well as different inventions that have revolutionized till now. Writing a history dissertation is not that complex.

Essential Parts of A History Dissertation

A history dissertation is much more advanced than simple history homework . But fear not, follow this brief guide and checkout the list of topics to help you out. Most dissertations follow a similar basic structure. Ideal history dissertations include an abstract, introduction, methods, discussion, conclusion, and references.

Get An Ideal Topic. First, you will need to find an ideal topic that your professor will approve of. Also, remember, you must stick to your course unit to ensure that you write what is needed. Furthermore, keep in mind the specific length of the dissertation, rules, and regulations that you should stick with. Abstract. Remember to have a great title page, acknowledgment, dedication, and much more. You should then have an abstract that is normally a summary of the whole project, dissertation, or thesis. However, you should write it after you are done with the entire work. It should just be brief. Introduction. This is another major part that illustrates what you will cover while doing your dissertation. Hence, do proper research to ensure that what you write in the introduction is built up in the dissertation. Additionally, you should provide a background to the topic and reasons for choosing the specific topic. Also remember to highlight the key questions to be explored, the structure of the dissertation, and ultimate goals. Methods And Discussion. These are the methods that you will use to research your topic. There are qualitative and quantitative research methods. You need to properly choose a research method that will help you in the collection of data. Once you compile the data, you can then discuss your findings. Conclusion. Once you are done, you will need to provide a conclusion that sums up all that you have done. This will help you to align all your findings easily without any issues. You can have your deductions, inferences, assumptions, and much more. This is a great way to make your assumptions clear or nullify your hypothesis References. Remember to provide references that show the resources that you used in your research. Hence, use credible sources to get your data. Also, do a proper literature review for your dissertation.

Controversial History Dissertation Topics

Are you in college or uni and looking for ideal topics? You can start with these. Whether you are a graduate or undergraduate at school, the topics are ideal.

  • Evaluate the Mesopotamia civilization back in the day.
  • The history of the ancient Greek Olympics.
  • Evaluate the warfare and violence in ancient times.
  • The various women roles and gender relations over time.
  • Discuss the Maya empire according to the ancient civilizations.
  • Compare the burial rituals between Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.
  • How has Geography had an impact on ancient culture development?
  • The impact of the invention of papyrus on the world.
  • The cause and effect of art on classical societies
  • The importance of the Egyptian pyramid.
  • The evolution of the Stone Age period.
  • The various cultural practices during the historical period.
  • The cultural transformation of Rome in the Middle Ages.
  • Evaluate feudalism development.
  • The art development in the Middle Ages.

Interesting History Thesis Topics

When choosing a topic, try to choose one that is interesting. Also, you should try to choose a topic that you will feel happy doing its research. However, remember, you will need to consult your professors first.

  • Evaluate London during the Roman age.
  • The role of the church in the Middle Ages.
  • The various defense methods that were used during the Middle Ages.
  • Analyze the medieval convivencia.
  • Evaluate nationalism since the 19th century.
  • Evaluate the religious symbolism in renaissance paintings.
  • The impact of the industrial revolution on western civilizations.
  • The major principles of liberalism.
  • Analyze the history of the Cuban revolution.
  • The historical influence of Abraham Lincoln.
  • What were the gender roles during the Spanish Civil War?
  • The origin of the French Revolution.
  • The impacts of consumerism in world history.
  • The development of feminism over time.
  • The development of patriarchy over time.

In-Depth History Dissertation Ideas

As a student in class, you need to be observant and try your best to succeed while in school. Hence, you can even brainstorm with other students to know how best to do your dissertation.

  • The importance of Berlin in the Cold War.
  • The causes and effects of the Cuban missile crisis.
  • The main cause of the Crimean war.
  • The major consequences of the Crimean war
  • The religious role of the Crimean war.
  • How the Cold War influenced the film industry.
  • The post-cold war world challenges.
  • The relationship between the settlers and Native Americans.
  • The causes of civil war in America.
  • The major causes of depression during the 1890s.
  • The major roles of founding fathers in American society and religion.
  • The causes and consequences of the Spanish-American war.
  • The major importance of the frontier in American history.
  • The racism role in American art.
  • The historical analysis of drug use.

Best Ancient History Dissertation Topics

You need to write a high-quality dissertation to get high grades. These are some of the best ancient history dissertation topics that you can start with.

  • The impact of British colonization.
  • The rise and fall of Napoleon.
  • The causes of revolution in history.
  • The evolution of the IRA.
  • Evaluate the history of feudalism.
  • Europe’s perception of Islam in the different centuries.
  • The major political conflicts in India.
  • The impact of the First World war on British policies.
  • The role of women in Hinduism.
  • The paradox of Christianity, slavery, and colonialism.
  • The comparison of classical art and cubism.
  • Analyze the impact of religion on innovation.
  • The evolution of advertising and marketing in the UK.
  • The history of public health.
  • How history helps in exploring the future of any country.

Good Art History Dissertation Topics

Art is beautiful. Did you know that people started making art even in the early years? Yes, they did, and it looked as amazing as it looks even now. Here are some topics that deal with the history of art.

  • Evaluate the past architecture.
  • The development of the human body in the past.
  • How did Egyptian art change over time?
  • The relation between feminism and Egyptian art.
  • Evaluate the development of the Amarna art.
  • The evolution of paintings.
  • The impact of the natural world in Indian painting.
  • Do you think the British era led to a repression of Indian art development?
  • The Indian temple art.
  • How did Miro contribute to the surrealist movement?
  • Evaluate contemporary feminism according to Egyptian art.
  • Compare the development of Byzantine and Egyptian art.
  • Evaluate the gothic art through medieval eyes.
  • Analyze the past Egyptian paintings.
  • Evaluate art and politics.

Advanced History Dissertation Topics

Finding an ideal topic can take you a considerable amount of time. Hence, you can use any of these topics for your history dissertation. They are all simple, straightforward, and ideal.

  • The political causes of Britain’s decision to join WW1.
  • The major political factors that led to the creation of Nazi Germany.
  • The damages were caused by the great depression in Britain.
  • An analysis of the German confederation and inevitability.
  • The role of Napoleon III in the Crimean war.
  • The major implications of the change of roles in The British Queen.
  • The contribution of the Victorian era.
  • How does the Victorian era affect the perceptions of the British culture in popular novels?
  • The spread of Islam after WWII in the UK.
  • Explore Britain, the age of romanticism.
  • The modes of British history have shaped its current culture.
  • The major British economy changes in the two World wars.
  • The British mining historical perspective.
  • Explore British mining and opportunities in the colonial lands.
  • The role of the British Empire in the creation of the economic disparities in its colonies.

Interesting History Dissertation Topics

While doing a history dissertation, you need to have a goal in mind. What do you exactly want to find out? Why do you want to know more about it? Here are some topics that you can start with.

  • Evaluate what led to the fall of the British Empire.
  • The impact of British India in the field of medicine.
  • Analyze patenting during the Industrial revolution.
  • The contribution of the Industrial revolution globally.
  • The evolution of the gas industry over time since inception.
  • Evaluate the changing roles of the British military over the past century.
  • Explore communism in the UK.
  • How can all the UK’s migration patterns over time be traced?
  • The origin, changes, and current challenges of the history of the British birds.
  • Labor contribution from underdeveloped regions to the building of the British Empire.
  • The reasons why it took long for the Berlin Wall to fall.
  • The reasons that led to the American Revolution stages.
  • The major causes of the WW1.
  • Evaluate Hitler in the WW1
  • The major unions in WW1.

Informative History Of Art Dissertation Topics

Are you a good history student? Then you should try any of these dissertation topics and see how best you can cope with them. They are ideal, and you will be happy in the long run.

  • How WW1 can be avoided?
  • The most meaningful decisions that affected the First World War conclusion.
  • Make a comparison between the Great Migration and the Great depression.
  • The meaning of black Tuesday and its implications.
  • The various parties that became wealthy during the Great Depression.
  • Evaluate major disasters in the United States.
  • Analyze the countries that were destroyed during WW II.
  • Which are the various things that led to Germany’s defeat.
  • Which are the major impacts of Napoleons’ leadership style.
  • Analyze the life of Napoleon over time.
  • The motivation of Hitler in the past.
  • The contribution of Hitler in history.
  • The most relevant battles in Napoleon’s life.
  • The consequences of the fight of Napoleon vs. Hitler.

Unusual History Dissertation Topics

Yes, these are some of the most unusual history dissertation topics that you wouldn’t have thought of. You just need to know how to do research and choose one for your dissertation.

  • Evaluate the life of Medieval European peasants.
  • Analyze the Western world and social stratification.
  • Compare the World War I and World War II.
  • Analyze the recent historical development of Japan and China
  • Which are the significant events of the Ottoman Empire?
  • Evaluate the impact of nuclear weapons on the world military clashes.
  • Which is Japanese history?
  • The key achievements of the World Rights movement.
  • Review the lessons gotten from the World Wars.
  • Analyze the common impacts of Roman cultures.
  • Evaluate imperialism in the 20th century.
  • The role of the colonial American women in the revolution.
  • Describe how Martin Luther King Jr assassination occurred.
  • Evaluate the conflicts, strikes, and labor unions in the 18th century.
  • Analyze the democratic convention in Chicago during 1968.

Victorian History Dissertation Topics

The Victorian era had a lot of evolutions and great steps. Here are some Victorian history dissertation topics that you can use in your coursework to get top grades.

  • The diplomatic history of World War I
  • Evaluate Korean poetry since time immemorial.
  • Analyze the modern dress versus classical art.
  • Analyze decorative art and exoticism.
  • Evaluate the development of Pablo Picasso’s painting.
  • Analyze the Ancient Greece power versus ancient Rome.
  • Medieval Europe and city development.
  • The significance of the Quran in Medieval Europe.
  • The common protests and demonstrations during the ancient ages.
  • Evaluate the rise of the Dutch republic.
  • The decline of the Eastern Empire.
  • Feudalism decline.
  • The various queens and kings of Britain since ancient times.
  • Europe and 18th-century politics.
  • The rising of the Eastern powers.

African History Dissertation Topics

These are some of the best African history dissertation topics. They are all attributed to the African continent and its development over time.

  • The emergence of the National Congress of British West Africa.
  • The politics of transformation in Abuja.
  • The origins of indirect rule in Nigeria.
  • The major role of ex-servicemen in nationalism in Kenya.
  • The Dutch participated in the African slave trade.
  • The negative impact of the slave trade on the current generations in Africa.
  • The history of labor emigration from Malawi and its neighborhood.
  • Evaluate the Afrikaners in Kenya.
  • The paradox of the indigenous church building.
  • The historical study of Malawi Lake.
  • Malawians in the Great War and after.
  • The development of the transportation sector in Tanzania.
  • The Rwandan colonial economy.
  • The state and society in colonial Malawi.
  • The internal and external dimensions of the Eritrean conflict.

Russian History Dissertation Topics

Russia has developed over time. These are some of the topics that you can use to understand why some things happened as they did, back in Russia.

  • What is so remarkable about Russian leaders?
  • The influence of Russian history in the current political practices.
  • How can Russia’s social interaction be considered different from that of the rest of the world?
  • The major causes of the coal up springs throughout Russia’s history.
  • The main Russian obstacles in the quest for industrialization.
  • The origins of the social classes in Russia.
  • The major causes of the breakup of the Soviet Union.
  • The major contributors in the formation of Russia.
  • The major roles of the former empires of Russia in the current nation.
  • How was Christianity incorporated into the Russian culture?
  • What led to the customary war-like culture of the Russian leaders?
  • The evident impacts of the Soviet Union.
  • The various social classes in Russia.
  • The impact of the revolutionary action and the impact of the industrial workers in the early 1900s.
  • The reasons for the Russian social interaction over time.

American History Dissertation Topics

Are you looking for the best American history dissertation topics? You can start with these! They are ideal, simple, and easy to comprehend.

  • Evaluate the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
  • The politics of public health and welfare in the United States.
  • The impact of the baby boom on American Society.
  • The secrecy methods used in the Manhattan Project.
  • The causes of McCarthyism and the effects.
  • The impact of the midway battle in World War II.
  • The causes, effects, and events that led to the Harlem renaissance.
  • What led to the protest of the bonus army?
  • The cause and effects of the spring face race riot of 1908.
  • The strengths and weaknesses of the two sides of the civil war.
  • The impact of the United States Abolitionist movement.
  • Evaluate the Mexican war provoked by the U.S.

Modern History Dissertation Topics

Over time things have changed. These are some of the best modern history dissertation topics that you can use in your course unit.

  • Does the decline of socialism give rise to the authoritarianism of the past?
  • Does the loss of faith in democracies produce conservative leaders?
  • Did the world learn from the rise of Hitler?
  • The most successful and disastrous vaccines produced by scientists.
  • How science has changed human behavior over the years.
  • What changed the world more, the crash of the 1920s or 2000s?
  • Can the market be trusted even after historical crashes and recessions?
  • Evaluate the age of digitalization.
  • The history of the modern world.
  • How the USA benefitted from industrialization.
  • The impact of industrialization in Africa.
  • How can history be termed as the best teacher?
  • Do you think today’s education system is well-equipped to produce innovators?

Is Your Assignment Giving You A Headache?

Are you looking for dissertation help? Well, you are at the right place. You don’t have to worry about who can “do my dissertation”. That shouldn’t worry you at all. We will help you to do proper research, and you will be good to go.

Our professionals are educated, informed, and native. You don’t have to worry about the work we will output. Our ENL writers are respected due to their great work online. You will get the most ideal custom work that you will love when you buy a dissertation with us.

Get on top of your homework.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Academic Advising & Accessibility
  • Academic and Cultural Enrichment
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Anthropology Department
  • Arts Administration
  • Biological Sciences Department
  • Business, Nicolais School
  • Business Office
  • Campus Life
  • Campus Services
  • Career Planning & Development
  • Center for Intercultural Advancement
  • Center for Leadership & Community Engagement
  • Center for Spirituality
  • Children & Teens Programs
  • Commencement
  • Communications & Marketing
  • Conference Services
  • Continuing Education
  • Dance Program
  • Dining Services
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Early Childhood Center
  • Education Department
  • English Department
  • Expanding Your Horizons
  • Film & Media
  • Film & Photo Shoots
  • Financial Aid
  • Gender Studies
  • Government & Politics Department
  • Give to Wagner
  • HawkTalk Blog
  • Health & Wellness
  • History Department
  • Holocaust Center
  • Honors Program
  • Hugh L. Carey Institute for Government Reform
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology
  • Institutional Advancement
  • Lifelong Learning Department
  • Math & Computer Science
  • Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures
  • Music Department
  • New Students Hub
  • Nursing, Evelyn L. Spiro School
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Performing Arts
  • Philosophy & Religious Studies Department
  • Physical Sciences Department
  • Physician Assistant
  • Planetarium
  • Pre-Health Science Program
  • Pre-Law Program
  • President’s Office
  • Provost’s Office
  • Psychology Department
  • Public Safety
  • Residential Education
  • Sociology Department
  • Student Engagement and Activities
  • Student Government Association
  • Study Abroad
  • Theatre Season
  • Veteran’s Resources
  • Visual Arts Department
  • Wagner Fund
  • Wagner Magazine
  • WCBG Student Radio
  • Writing Center
  • Follett Discover Access
  • Events Calendar
  • Job Opportunities
  • Registrar’s Office
  • For Employees
  • For Faculty
  • For Current Students
  • For New Students
  • For Community
  • For Parents

Senior Thesis Topics

Al Aquaviva:  "The Impact of Peaceful Protest on the Civil Rights and Vietnam Anti-War Movements"

Anthony Godino: "A Non-Traditional Immigrant Story"

Charlton Boyd:  " The Marshall Plan : A Successful Failure of American Foreign Policy"

Jesse Flaherty:  “ To the Shores of Tripoli ”: Barbary Wars’ Impact on Early America"

Christine Shouldis: "Religion and Rhetoric: How the Birth of The Religious Right Transformed the Gay Rights Movement"

Emma Sinnott: "The Voices in Captivity Narratives: Issues with Female Agency and Redemption"

Joseph Uccio:  "Islam and the Crusades: A Perspective Often Neglected"

Kristen Whitaker:  "Margaret Sanger: Redefining the Mother of Birth Control for a New Generation"

Mariah Joy: "Exposing Motherhood, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation in 1930s America through the  Matter of Vanderbilt  Custody Trial"

Kimberly Landstrom: "LGBT+ museums and You: Reinterpreting the Photography of Alice Austen"

Hadeel Mishal: "Understanding the Palestinian Revolt Against the British, 1936-3: Empowering Palestinian Voices and its Effects on the Creation of Israel"

Katrina Mooers: "Jim Crow Fascism: The Parallel Between the Southern American States and Nazi Germany"

Katelyn Murphy: "Joint Warfare and Interservice Cooperation in the United States Armed Forces"

Taylor Sackaris: "How the Watergate Scandal Redefined Richard Nixon’s Legacy"

Matthew Stanisci: "The Turn to the Right of the Republican Party"

Janine Bednarz: “ The Korean War and Early Cold War Politics”

Sarah Cappiello: "Clans, Compositions, and Culloden: The Influence of Highland Culture in the Jacobite Rising of 1745"

Jessica Catanzaro: ““When Are the Americans Coming?” President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Jewish Refugee Crisis”

Oliver Grant: “The Battle of Britain: R.A.F Success or Luftwaffe Failure”

Orazio Iannacone: “Japanese-American Internment: A Forgotten Story”

Megan Irving: “Watergate for Elephants: How the GOP went from a Political Party to a Punchline”

Zuri LaPorte-Airey: “In a Timely Manner: The Years before Roe v. Wade”

Megan Mendez: “Women’s Identity and Agency in 15 th Century England: A Look at the Lives of Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret Paston”

Rashon Pleasants: “Howard University Lawyers in the Fight Against Jim Crow”

Aisha Raheel: “The Raj at War: India's World War II Experience”

Paul Schloeder: “2001 and Beyond: The Impact of Science Fiction on the Cold War”

Jennifer Weile: “Do we matter? The Rights of People with Disabilities and the Interest of the State.”

Dae Vonte Barnett: “Lift Every Voice: J.W. Johnson and the Mobilization of Black New Yorkers in the early N.A.A.C.P.”

Kelsey Brown: "Semper Reformada: The Impact of Reform from Martin Luther to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA)"

Francesca Catanzariti: “Helen of Troy: From Homeric Myth to Hollywood”

Ebony Jennings: “Black Pride Doubled: Decoding Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X”

Katelyn Gamba: “Fortunate Prisoners: The Story of German POWs in the U.S. During World War II

Mariah Klimowich: “The Anti-War Movement of the 1960s”

Michael McMenamin: “The Irish Struggle and its Greatest Son: Michael Collins”

Abeer Mishal: “Lascivious to Prudish: The Role of British Imperialism in the Repression of the Middle East”

Shannon O’Connor: “Slavery and Gender in the Antebellum Era”

Erin Pentz: “Women in Law Enforcement: Fighting for Equality, 1910-2014”

PatriciaAnn McCaffrey: “Melting Down: Bilingual Education and Cultural Identity of Students in Port Richmond, New York”

history thesis topic ideas

Department of History

College of arts, humanities, and social sciences, recent ma graduates and thesis topics.

Brianna Baker, “A Monument to Negro Womanhood:” The Women of the National Training School for Women and Girls, 1879-1961 Advisor: Michelle Scott

George Lewis, “Oh Lord I want to be in that number:” Identity & Jazz Tourism in New Orleans. Advisor: Michelle Scott

SUMMER 2023

Julie Kim, My Kungomo, An Independent “Modern Girl”:  Family Stories From the Japanese Occupation of Korea and World War II Advisor:  Meredith Oyen

SPRING 2023

Austen Edelenbos, Remembering Sacrifice: Veterans of the United States Colored Troops and the Battlefield of Civil War Memory Advisor:  Anne S. Rubin

Garrett Freas, Uncommon Ground: The Image and Reality of the Congress of Racial Equality’s Interracialism During the Long Civil Rights Movement Advisor:  G. Derek Musgrove

Michael Morris, “Leave Her Johnny Leave Her:” The Cold War and the Decline of American Shipbuilding Advisor:  Christy Chapin

Nolan Varee, “More Enduring Structures” The Social and Economic Transformation of Pennsylvania Advisor:  Anne S. Rubin

Nikki Vietz, “Putting on the Posh:” Retail, Crime, Gender, Class, and the Forty Elephants in 19th and 20th Century London Advisor:  Amy Froide

Corey Fitzpatrick , “Is that a Bird or a Plane in the Distance? No, it’s Superman”: Metropolis, Illinois and the Hope in Becoming a Destination as Superman’s Hometown. Advisor:  Melissa Blair

Rogers, Samantha,   Daily Life and the Landscape of Two Maryland Industrial Schools for Girls, 1916-1989. Advisor:  Melissa Blair

SUMMER 2022 Debold, Beth, “According to my True Meaning.”  Emotions & Will-Makers in Southern Britain, 1660-1690. Advisor:  Amy Froide Gasparino-Rodriguez, Fernanda, The Emergency Committee to Aid Latin American Scholars (ECALAS):  Liberal Academics and the Contradictions of Cold War Foreign Policy in Latin America Advisor:  Marjoleine Kars Peterson, Zachary, “The Group is a ‘Fraternal Order’ and Not a Labor Union”.  The 1974 Baltimore Police Strike and the Conservative Turn in Police Labor Union Organizing. Advisor:  Derek Musgrove

SPRING 2022 Hannah Balik, Eating, Public Space, and Identity in Jewish Baltimore, 1900-1930 Advisor: Melissa Blair Jeff Cooley, Charismatic Leaders of the First Crusade: The Use of Preaching and Miraculous Events in Motivating the Crusaders to Take “The Holy Land.” Advisor: Susan McDonough Noah Jaques, Facts Do Not Speak for Themselves: The Challenges to Historical Empiricism and Their Impact on the Teaching of Historical Methodology Advisor: Daniel Ritschel

FALL 2021 Domonique Flowers, “The Reckoning of Republican Allies”: The Collaborative Political Efforts Between Black and White Republican Leaders in Post-Reconstruction Baltimore. Advisor: Michelle Scott Jessica Riley, Louisville’s Black Laborers of the Campbell Tobacco Company, 1915-1930 Advisor: Michelle Scott

SUMMER 2021 Eric Burroughs , “Let No Irreverent Hand Change It”: The Interpretation of Slavery at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 1853 to Present. Advisor: Denise Meringolo Pat Brynes, Renaissance Records: The Communities and Material Culture Behind the Revival of Vinyl Records from the 1980’s to 2010’s. Advisor: Michelle Scott

SPRING 2021 Ana Ilic-Hein , “Themes of Othering in Croatian and Serbian History Textbooks in the 1950’s” Advisor: Daniel Ritschel Chris Ragen , “Atomic City: Las Vegas and the Downwinders Advisor:  Andrew Nolan Bria Warren, “Swift and Certain Vengeance”: Lynching Rhetoric in Maryland Newspapers, 1954-1900 Advisor:  Anne Rubin

SUMMER 2020 Saul Espinal-Acosta , Goal!  Americans Embrace the Beautiful Game: How the Upper White Middle Class’ Acceptance of Soccer Affected Minority Communities from the 1980s-2000s Advisor: Andrew Nolan

SPRING 2020 Andrew Arvizu , Historical Simulations and the Mechanics of Conquest Advisor: Daniel Ritschel Morgan Miller , “A Town Within a Forest”: The Walking Tour of Washington Grove, 1873-Present Advisor: Denise Meringolo Kevin Muhitch, “We are the First to Unabashedly Go Out and Ask for a Prison”:  De-industrialization and the Politics of Prison Siting in Maryland, 1975-1996 Advisor: George Derek Musgrove Finny Rocca , Sexuality, Socialism & Sandals: Studying the Obsolescence of Uranian Epistemology, 1867-1933 Advisor: Daniel Ritschel Zachariah Tucker , Quarantined and Sequestered:  Tattoo Charlie’s and Tattoo Regulation in Baltimore, 1938-1970 Advisor: Melissa Blair

SUMMER 2019 David Cunningham , Taming the Desert: Fasting, Reform, and the Search for God Advisor: Susan McDonough Francis Ku , The Price of Dependence: The Deleterious Effects of the Kuomingtang’s Reliance on the United States Aid, 1941-1949 Advisor: Nianshen Song

SPRING 2019 Kayla Piechowiak , An Exhibit of Women, By Women, But for Women?: The Limits of Interpretation at the Smithsonian Advisor: Denise Meringolo Jordan Ritchie , Underwood and Underwood Company: Early Twentieth Century Pioneers of American Photojournalism Advisor: Denise Meringolo Camilla Azucena Sandoval , “What White Nonsense is this?”  Investigating the Seldom Seen or Heard Stories of Latinxs in the National Register of Historic Places. Advisor: Melissa Blair Maayan Rosen , Mistresses of the Press: The Roles of Women in Print Houses in 17th Century England Advisor: Amy Froide

FALL 2018 Heather Crandall , Astronomy’s Great Debate Over the Size of the Universe: Scientists’ and Historians’ Changing Assessments Advisor: Joseph Tatarewicz Alan Gibson ,   Reciprocity Matters During the Civil War: Canadian Raw Goods and the Union Supply Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Marshal Golden , The Life and Times of John Graham Chambers: Sports and Commercialization of Leisure in Victorian Britain Advisor: Daniel Ritschel Samantha Parker , The First Sexual Revolution:  A Comparative Study of Premarital Pregnancy Rates in Maryland and Massachusetts, 1700-1810 Advisor: Terry Bouton

SUMMER 2018 Laina Miller,  Singing Songs and Carrying Candles: The Development of Ashkenazi Jewish Marriage Customs and Rituals from Talmudic and Christian Sources, C. 850-1300 CE Advisor: Susan McDonough Zachary Utz ,   Re-Thinking “The American Dream of Integration” in Suburbia: Race, Class and Resegregation in Randallstown, 1956-2003 Advisor: George Derek Musgrove

SPRING 2018 Jason Aglietti , The Religion the Revolution Forgot: The Persecution of the Maryland Quakers During the American Revolution Advisor: Terry Bouton Sudaba Lezgiyeva , Without a Country: A Stateless Armenian Refugees in the USSR and Russia, 1987-2003 Advisor: Kate Brown Susan Philpott , Pride, Inc.: Black Power and Black Capital in Washington, D.C. Advisor: George Derek Musgrove

FALL 2017 Heidi Carbaugh,  “Mappipng Prostitution in Gilded Age Baltimore” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Sherry Ryan,  “Farms at Gettysburg” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin

SUMMER 2017 Tucker Foltz , “Freedom and Total Loss:  Tensions, Identity Formation and the Back-To-The Land Movement in 1970’s Vermont Advisor: Denise Meringolo Sydney Jenkins , “The Arabbers: A History of Baltimore Street Peddlers From 1945 to the Present” Advisor: Denise Meringolo Georgia Ladd , “Remembering Dixie in a Border State: Reunion and Reconciliation in Post-Civil War Maryland” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Robin Martin,  “Encounters Through Encroachment: 17th and 18th Century Interactions on Maryland’s Eastern Shore” Advisor: Melissa Blair Molly Ricks , “Buried Memories: The Evolving Symbolic Significance of Black and White Burial Grounds at Mount Vernon, Monticello and Montpelier ” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Stephanie Smith , “The Canadian Bicentennial of the War of 1812: The Problem of Techumseh” Advisor: Daniel Ritschel Laquanda Walters Cooper , “Every Evidence of Our Progress”: The North Carolina Negro State Fairs, 1879-1907 Advisor: Michelle Scott

SPRING 2017 Kelly Daughtridge , “Defining Their Past to Immortalize Their Future: Women’s Monuments in Early Modern England” Advisor: Amy Froide Katherine Fusick , “Ladies in Rebellion: Women of the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite Risings” Advisor: Amy Froide Andrew Holter,  “The Vanguard is Never Caught Napping: Informants and Police Inside the Black Panthers in Baltimore, 1968-1972” Advisor: George Derek Musgrove Sarah Huston , “The Lives of Enslaved and Free Black Children in Baltimore Under Apprenticeship Laws, 1790-1840” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Jennifer Montooth , “Bridges to Dignity”: Roy Innis, Conservative Black Power, and the Transformation of CORE, 1968-1998 Advisor: George Derek Musgrove Chelsea Mueller , “Ink, Mirrors, and Capes: How Comic Books Mirrored Societal Events in American Culture From 1954-1990” Advisor: Meredith Oyen

FALL 2016 Joshua Fertig , “Bars on the Golden Door: Post WWII Security Screenings and Their Administrations” Advisor: Meredith Oyen

SUMMER 2016 Celso Baldivieso , “Irradiating Eden: The El Verde Experiment and the Atomic Energy Commission’s Nuclear Prospecting in Latin America, 1954-1970” Advisor: Kate Brown

SPRING 2016 Michael Bealefeld , “The Peculiar Fidelity of the Old Line State” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Jacob Benson , “City Architect, County Architect” Advisor: Melissa Blair Conor Donan , “The Streets of Baltimore-The Irish in Baltimore City” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Tyler Peterson , “Bridging the Gap: Culture and Politics in Sino-American Normalization” Advisor: Meredith Oyen Allyson Schuele , “Marrying Down: A Strategy for Aristocratic Widows in Tudor England” Advisor: Amy Froide Michael Stone ,”Understanding the Uprising” Advisor: Denise Meringolo Coleburn Volman , “Child of Man? Child of God?: Adolescence and the Ambiguity of Parenthood in Early Modern England” Advisor: Amy Froide

FALL 2015 Elizabeth Cusick , “Anarchist Heaven:  Barcelona 1936-1937.” Advisor: Daniel Ritschel Aiden J. Faust , “Neighborhood Matters:  What Baltimore Learned from the War on Poverty.” Advisor: George Derek Musgrove Aunaleah Gelles , “Commemorating the Defense of Baltimore, 1815-2015.” Advisor: Denise Meringolo

SUMMER 2015 Genevieve White , “Gone With Only Memory Left”: The Wartime Memoir of Emily Raine Williams Advisor: Meredith Oyen Nichole Zang , “Holy Temples to Dark Rooms: The origins of Baltimore’s Juvenile Reform Movement of the 19th Century” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin

SPRING 2015 Jessica E. Deane , “Glory Stands Beside Our Grief:  The Maryland Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy’s Commemoration and Memorial Efforts in Baltimore” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Talbot A. Kuhn , “Maryland and the Moderate Conundrum:  Free Black Policy in an Antebellum Border State” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin

FALL 2014 Susan Chumley , “The United States Air Force Band:  Musical Ambassadors on a Cold War Stage” Advisor: Denise Meringolo Sarah Hammersley , “The Family Bond: Benevolent Black Slaveholding in Early National Maryland” Advisor: Terry Bouton Heather M. Steven , “The Use of Gender During the E. G. Wharton Trial” Advisor: Michelle Scott

SUMMER 2014 Megan C. Maxwell , “Black Faces in Blue Uniforms:  Integrating the Baltimore Police Department, 1920-1950” Advisor: Michelle Scott Nancy Watts , “The History of Kindergarten in Baltimore City, Maryland” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Zachary Garceau ,” Johnny Unitas: Baltimore’s Cold Warrior” Advisor: George Derek Musgrove

SPRING 2014 Christopher Brown , “The Writing on the Walls and Other Places: American Civil War Graffiti” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Katherine Dufresne , “Images and Reality: War Brides and Media Representation” Advisor: Meredith Oyen Steve Flint , “The Vietnam War: Communist Mass Mobilization at the Local Level” Advisor: Ka-che Yip Courtney Hobson , “A Mother’s Inheritance: Women, Interracial Identity, and Emancipation in Maryland, 1664-1820″ Advisor: Marjoleine Kars Jacob Hutton ,”The Other Side of the Riots” Advisor: George Derek Musgrove Colin Leach , “Waiting for Supertrain: Trains, Technocracy, and the Great Society” Advisor: Christy Chapin Caitlin McGeeve r, “’That Which is Spirit is Spirit’: Male and Female Quaker Perspectives in Political Context” Advisor: Amy Froide David Warner , “Executive Privilege and the Spirit of Republicanism in the Washington Administration” Advisor: Marjoleine Kars

FALL 2013 Shae Adams,  “Identity in Black and White: Indian Boarding School Postcards” Advisor: Terry Bouton Dorothy Alexander,  “Hilltop:  A Historic African-American Community” Advisor: Denise Meringolo William J. Carroll,  “Beer Wars:  The Fight for Independent Brewing in Baltimore” Advisor: Denise Meringolo Theresa Donnelly,  “George Washington’s Laboring Women:  The Work and Lives of the Enslaved Female Field Workers at Mount Vernon, 1785-1787” Advisor: Marjoleine Kars Karl Dotterweich,  “’And the Hand of the Lord Was With Them’:  The Effects of Planters’ Socioeconomic Status on the Capital Trials of Enslaved Africans in Colonial Maryland, 1729-1775” Advisor: Marjoleine Kars Gary McMullin,  “Country First:  African Colonization and the Role of Southern Unionists, 1817-1862” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin

SUMMER 2013 Christy Gretsinger , “Oblivion: An Analysis of the Decline of Feminism Within the Owenite Movement” Advisor: Daniel Ritschel James Reaves , “Making Down: The Life of a Pullman Porter” Advisor: Denise Meringolo John J. Soos , “Jacob Beser: The Forgotten Hiroshima and Nagasaki Crewmember and the Construction of Atomic Memory” Advisor: Joe Tatarewitz

SPRING 2013 Mia Brown , “Lyndon Johnson and the Race for Peace: The 1967 Outer Space Treaty” Advisor: Joseph Tatarewicz Dominique L. Covino ,  “‘In Great Danger of Perishing Through Poverty’: Kinship, Charity and Public Poor Relief in Somerset County, Maryland, 1665-1760” Advisor: Marjoleine Kars Jenny Lee Hansen , “Genocide: What Genocide?” Advisor: Meredith Oyen Elizabeth Pente  – “Death for Dishonor in Danville” Advisor: Michelle Scott Johanna Schein  – “Heeding Hetch Hetchy: A Public History Project” Advisor: Denise Meringolo Amy Zanoni  – “‘Working on Many Levels’: A History of Second-Wave Feminism in Baltimore” Advisor: Michelle Scott

FALL 2012 Brigette N. Cascio , “The More Personal Civil War: The Impact of the Civil War on Marriages” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Meghan Colabella , “Beyond its Southern Border: An Examination of U.S. Immigration Policies (IRLA) and Mexican Migration” Advisor: Meredith Oyen

SUMMER 2012 Kellian Kennedy , “The Civil Rights and Social Justice Movement in Baltimore, Maryland” Advisor: Michelle Scott

SPRING 2012 Vicki Heath ,” Harris’ List as a Source for the Diverse and Entrepreneurial Nature of Prostitution in Eighteenth-Century London” Advisor: Amy Froide Jessica Keene , “Elite Women’s Protestant Networks in Mid-Tudor England” Advisor: Amy Froide Owen Lourie , “A Revolution Without Change:  The Limited Effects of Suffrage Reform in Maryland, 1803-1813” Advisor: Terry Bouton Trisha Okine , “Real vs Real:  How the Concept of Authenticity Has Influenced Hip Hop” Advisor: Michelle Scott Douglas Oppenheimer , “America’s Revolutionary War” Advisor: Terry Bouton Tarin Rudloff , “Regulating Identities:  Governing Women’s Appearance in Early Modern England” Advisor: Amy Froide Allison Seylor , “In Defense of Slavery:  An Exploration of Queen Anne’s County Slave Owners, 1820-1840” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Andrew Young , “Lexington’s Grandsons:  The Northern Response to the Pratt Street Riots” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin

SUMMER 2011 Erin Estep , “A Chesapeake Childhood:  Childhood in the Colonial Chesapeake” Advisor: Denise Meringolo Laura Rice , “The Experience of an Enlisted U.S. Army Soldier During and After the Punitive Expedition and World War I:  Thomas F. Cunningham, A Case Study” Advisor: Denise Meringolo Coleen Walter , “Conserving Memory:  The Civilian Conservation Corps in Western Maryland” Advisor: Kriste Lindenmeyer

SPRING 2011 Bailey Ball , “Never Again:  The Impulse to Commemorate the Holocaust in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the British Imperial War Museum” Advisor: Rebecca Boehling Bethany Bemis , “The People’s House?  Public Access to the White House” Advisor: Denise Meringolo Daniel Burge , “Manifest or Murky? A Reexamination of the Popularity of Manifest Destiny in the Antebellum Era” Advisor: Terry Bouton Martin Cullen , “Nation Building and Insurgency in Southeast Asia” Advisor: Daniel Ritschel Teresa Foster , “The Passengers of the Ship Gilbert in 1721:  British Female Convict Transportation From London to Annapolis” Advisor: Marjoleine Kars James Furgol , “An Analysis of Discourse and Disagreement:  The British and American Medical Associations Following WWII” Advisor: Daniel Ritschel Jacob Levin , “Blacks and Jews in the Black Power Movement and its Subsequent Scholarship” Advisor: Michelle Scott Laura Marshallsay , “WAC Voices:  The Transition of the Women’s Army Corps to the Integrated Army, 1973-1978” Advisor: Denise Meringolo Homira Pashai , “For the Sake of Power, Prestige or Oil:  Did Cooperation Among the Governments of the United States and Great Britain Contribute to the 1953 Coup of Iran?” Advisor: Kriste Lindenmeyer James Risk , “Ship to Shore:  Infrastructure and the Growth of American Seaports” Advisor: Anne Sarah Rubin Carol Van Natta , “Slavery and Free Black Labor in Northern Maryland, 1762 to 1864: Rethinking the Focus at Hampton National Historic Site” Advisor: Denise Meringolo

FALL 2010 Peter Bunten , “A Vigil Strange:  The Civil War and the Creation of Memory in Ulster and Greene Counties, New York” Advisor: Denise Meringolo Jessica Ding , “Political Prophecy in Tudor England” Advisor: Amy Froide

  • Accreditation
  • Consumer Information
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Privacy PDF Download
  • Web Accessibility

Subscribe to UMBC Weekly Top Stories

I am interested in:.

  • I am interested in: Undergraduate
  • I am interested in: Graduate
  • I am interested in: Professional Masters

UCLA History Department

Thesis Statements

What is a thesis statement.

Your thesis statement is one of the most important parts of your paper.  It expresses your main argument succinctly and explains why your argument is historically significant.  Think of your thesis as a promise you make to your reader about what your paper will argue.  Then, spend the rest of your paper–each body paragraph–fulfilling that promise.

Your thesis should be between one and three sentences long and is placed at the end of your introduction.  Just because the thesis comes towards the beginning of your paper does not mean you can write it first and then forget about it.  View your thesis as a work in progress while you write your paper.  Once you are satisfied with the overall argument your paper makes, go back to your thesis and see if it captures what you have argued.  If it does not, then revise it.  Crafting a good thesis is one of the most challenging parts of the writing process, so do not expect to perfect it on the first few tries.  Successful writers revise their thesis statements again and again.

A successful thesis statement:

  • makes an historical argument
  • takes a position that requires defending
  • is historically specific
  • is focused and precise
  • answers the question, “so what?”

How to write a thesis statement:

Suppose you are taking an early American history class and your professor has distributed the following essay prompt:

“Historians have debated the American Revolution’s effect on women.  Some argue that the Revolution had a positive effect because it increased women’s authority in the family.  Others argue that it had a negative effect because it excluded women from politics.  Still others argue that the Revolution changed very little for women, as they remained ensconced in the home.  Write a paper in which you pose your own answer to the question of whether the American Revolution had a positive, negative, or limited effect on women.”

Using this prompt, we will look at both weak and strong thesis statements to see how successful thesis statements work.

While this thesis does take a position, it is problematic because it simply restates the prompt.  It needs to be more specific about how  the Revolution had a limited effect on women and  why it mattered that women remained in the home.

Revised Thesis:  The Revolution wrought little political change in the lives of women because they did not gain the right to vote or run for office.  Instead, women remained firmly in the home, just as they had before the war, making their day-to-day lives look much the same.

This revision is an improvement over the first attempt because it states what standards the writer is using to measure change (the right to vote and run for office) and it shows why women remaining in the home serves as evidence of limited change (because their day-to-day lives looked the same before and after the war).  However, it still relies too heavily on the information given in the prompt, simply saying that women remained in the home.  It needs to make an argument about some element of the war’s limited effect on women.  This thesis requires further revision.

Strong Thesis: While the Revolution presented women unprecedented opportunities to participate in protest movements and manage their family’s farms and businesses, it ultimately did not offer lasting political change, excluding women from the right to vote and serve in office.

Few would argue with the idea that war brings upheaval.  Your thesis needs to be debatable:  it needs to make a claim against which someone could argue.  Your job throughout the paper is to provide evidence in support of your own case.  Here is a revised version:

Strong Thesis: The Revolution caused particular upheaval in the lives of women.  With men away at war, women took on full responsibility for running households, farms, and businesses.  As a result of their increased involvement during the war, many women were reluctant to give up their new-found responsibilities after the fighting ended.

Sexism is a vague word that can mean different things in different times and places.  In order to answer the question and make a compelling argument, this thesis needs to explain exactly what  attitudes toward women were in early America, and  how those attitudes negatively affected women in the Revolutionary period.

Strong Thesis: The Revolution had a negative impact on women because of the belief that women lacked the rational faculties of men. In a nation that was to be guided by reasonable republican citizens, women were imagined to have no place in politics and were thus firmly relegated to the home.

This thesis addresses too large of a topic for an undergraduate paper.  The terms “social,” “political,” and “economic” are too broad and vague for the writer to analyze them thoroughly in a limited number of pages.  The thesis might focus on one of those concepts, or it might narrow the emphasis to some specific features of social, political, and economic change.

Strong Thesis: The Revolution paved the way for important political changes for women.  As “Republican Mothers,” women contributed to the polity by raising future citizens and nurturing virtuous husbands.  Consequently, women played a far more important role in the new nation’s politics than they had under British rule.

This thesis is off to a strong start, but it needs to go one step further by telling the reader why changes in these three areas mattered.  How did the lives of women improve because of developments in education, law, and economics?  What were women able to do with these advantages?  Obviously the rest of the paper will answer these questions, but the thesis statement needs to give some indication of why these particular changes mattered.

Strong Thesis: The Revolution had a positive impact on women because it ushered in improvements in female education, legal standing, and economic opportunity.  Progress in these three areas gave women the tools they needed to carve out lives beyond the home, laying the foundation for the cohesive feminist movement that would emerge in the mid-nineteenth century.

Thesis Checklist

When revising your thesis, check it against the following guidelines:

  • Does my thesis make an historical argument?
  • Does my thesis take a position that requires defending?
  • Is my thesis historically specific?
  • Is my thesis focused and precise?
  • Does my thesis answer the question, “so what?”

Download as PDF

White-Logo

6265 Bunche Hall Box 951473 University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90095-1473 Phone: (310) 825-4601

Other Resources

  • UCLA Library
  • Faculty Intranet
  • Department Forms
  • Office 365 Email
  • Remote Help

Campus Resources

  • Maps, Directions, Parking
  • Academic Calendar
  • University of California
  • Terms of Use

Social Sciences Division Departments

  • Aerospace Studies
  • African American Studies
  • American Indian Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Asian American Studies
  • César E. Chávez Department of Chicana & Chicano Studies
  • Communication
  • Conservation
  • Gender Studies
  • Military Science
  • Naval Science
  • Political Science

Help

  • Cambridge Libraries

Resources for My Subject

History: writing a history dissertation.

  • Writing a History Dissertation
  • Referencing and Style Guide
  • Literature Search Plan

Starting a Literature Search

Conducting a literature search is a great way to find a viable topic and plan your research. It will also give you the opportunity to look for primary and secondary resources that can support the arguments you make in your dissertation. 

Starting your literature search early will help you plan your dissertation and give you an overview of all the resources you might want to consult. Below are examples of how you can start this process and how they can help.

Dissertation Books

history thesis topic ideas

Define your Topic

Start your search by identifying a broad subject area, such as a country, period, theme or person. You might do this by looking at reference works, such as a Very Short Introduction , Cambridge Histories , or Oxford Handbooks . These books will give you an insight into the many areas you can investigate in greater depth and they will also provide references to peer-reviewed material on more defined topics. 

Next , look at material which focuses more on the area you have identified from reference works. These might be books, chapters or articles which focus on a more defined area of the subject you have identified. Use these to formulate questions that you can answer in your research.

Then ,  read resources that will help you form your argument and answer the questions you have set. This material should focus on the topic you have chosen and help you explain what has been written on this area before.

Search for Secondary Resources

In order to successfully search for resources relevant to your study, you will need to use search-terms which will retrieve the best results. The tips below will help you do this:

Terms you have found in your reading

Keep a note of terms you have seen when you have been identifying your topic. This could be anything relevant your topic, including: places, people, jobs, religions, institutions, objects, periods, or events. Also, take note of terms that are related to your topic and had an impact on the area you are studying. Write down all the terms which relate to your topic and note which ones provide the most relevant results.

It can also be useful to keep a note of what you are not looking at so that you stay focused on your topic and do not retrieve too many results.

Authors who are written about the topic

You will start to notice that some authors are mentioned as specialists on the topic you are researching. Search a variety of catalogues to find what they have written on the subject in different formats. They might have contributed to edited works, written articles, given presentations to conferences or annotated works. They also might lead you to others who have written about your topic or research groups which are relevant to your studies.

Use subject searches

Most secondary resources have been indexed according to their subject. Through using these subject terms you can search catalogues more efficiently and find relevant resources without just searching the title or author. 

If you find a useful resources, try looking at its catalogue record. See if any of the subject headings look useful and note what terminology they use as this will be consistent across most databases. When you have found a useful term, copy and paste it into a subject search (or select the link) and see what other resources are available.

You can also use an online thesaurus to find search terms. The most commonly used terms are the Library of Congress Subject Headings  which provide uniform terms across international databases.

Use databases

The University subscribes to many databases that focus on different countries and topics. These will provide a comprehensive guide to what has been written in your area and may use different subject headings. Reference databases and bibliographies can be especially useful for finding citations of everything that has been written on a certain area of history. Biographical databases can also help find information about individuals and institutions. For a complete list of all the databases the University subscribes to, look at the A-Z of databases . 

Search for Primary Resources

There are plenty of primary resources that can be used in your dissertation. The University subscribes to many databases that provide access to primary resources and some of our libraries hold special collections which can be used in your research. Below are some examples:

The University subscribes to many newspapers from the past and present. They can be a really useful tool for finding contemporary accounts of events and provide more than just articles (including: advertisements, illustrations, family notices, sports, arts, court cases). Many newspaper databases will also include related content, such as pamphlets and newsbooks.

The University Library has a collection of print newspapers which can be consulted on site. The University also subscribes to electronic databases of national and local newspapers across the world. More information about the newspaper databases we subscribe to is available on our  dedicated website .

Special Collection Material

Many libraries and archives provide access to rare, unique and specialised collections of books and manuscripts. The University Library, for example, provides access to Manuscripts and Rare Books Departments , as do some of the colleges. Some of the more frequently used and important material is also available as part of an online library, such as Cambridge's CUDL .

Official Publications (Government Documents)

Documents produced by governmental and intergovernmental bodies can provide an insight into their decision making and governance. Several libraries in Cambridge have received official publications material and a lot of material is now available online. More information about the official material in Cambridge libraries is available on our Official Publications LibGuide .

Data and Statistics

Figures can be used to help illustrate a point and provide evidence as you answer the central question in your dissertation. You might chose to refer to census data, crime statistics, trade figures, or any other data set that relates to your area of history. This sort of information can be found in databases and replicated in secondary resources. 

Private Papers

If you are researching an individual (or someone who played a prominent role in the area you are focusing on) it is a good idea to see if they have deposited private papers in an archive. These might includes diaries, letters, draft works, or anything else that was kept and not published. These works are normally kept in an archive, so a good starting point is to look at a catalogue that might show where relevant papers are held (such as Archives Hub )

These can include maps, cartoons, paintings and photographs. Images are available both in print and online, but you need to be cautious of the copyright restrictions of images before you use them (check the information given by the source). Some databases will allow you to search images, like ARTstor , so use them as a good starting point for your search. 

Audio-Visual

Similarly to images, the University provides access to a variety of audio-visual resources, including interviews, recordings, radio and films. If there is a particular DVD you would like to use, try searching the title in iDiscover. For example, " Interviews with Historians " will take you to a comprehensive collection of DVDs available at the Seeley. Many films are also available online, such as British Pathe .

Organise and Save Your Research

You will be able to do a comprehensive and efficient literature search if you keep a record of what you have read, where you read it and what each item means to your research. The best way to achieve this is to:

1. Record the key ideas, themes and quotes from what you have read. Try to find a uniform way to do this as it will make it easier to find information when you come to write your dissertation. Some formats are freely available on the internet, such as the Cornell Note Taking System .

2. Save citations you have looked at so you do not struggle to find them again. Also, this will help you when you come to do your references. There are many reference managers available to help you store this information and create a fully formatted bibliography.

  • << Previous: Home
  • Next: Referencing and Style Guide >>
  • Last Updated: Feb 29, 2024 4:16 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.cam.ac.uk/history

© Cambridge University Libraries | Accessibility | Privacy policy | Log into LibApps

Thesis Helpers

history thesis topic ideas

Find the best tips and advice to improve your writing. Or, have a top expert write your paper.

101 Exciting US History Research Paper Topics: Quick Ideas

US history research paper topics

People have many ideas of US history topics to write about but crafting them to an appealing and thrilling level is the problem. You, however, are lucky because you are going to have exclusive access into some of the most top drawer US history research paper topics.

Before we move into the juicy part, let’s have some quick tips to help you forge ahead like a soldier.

Tips for Finding History Research Paper Topics

  • Have an outline
  • Consult credible and authentic sources
  • Have a look at previous research topics
  • Avoid plagiarism at all costs

United States history research paper topics will also follow the same guidelines listed above. You must be anxious about the issues, are you?

Let’s cut the anxiety short.

101 US History Topics to Write About

The following US history research paper topics are categorized to give you ample time in choosing one according to your assignment needs.

World War 1

  • US entry into WW1
  • The Zimmermann telegram
  • US declaration of war on Germany
  • Authorization of the Selective Service Act of 1917
  • The 19th Amendment ratification
  • The Espionage Act of 1917
  • US advocates for the League of Nations
  • The sinking of the British ocean liner by Germany
  • Declaration of ceasefire
  • Expansion of the US government.

World War II

  • Attack on Pearl Harbor
  • The Quarantine Speech of 1937
  • The replacement of British invasion forces in Iceland by the US
  • The Lend-Lease Act of 1941
  • The shoot on sight order
  • The American Prisoners of war
  • The Pacific war
  • The bombing of Japanese home islands
  • The North African campaign
  • The Italians surrender
  • The invasion of France
  • Fall of Berlin to the Soviets
  • The cost of world war II on America
  • The number of casualties the US suffered in the war
  • Operation Cobra

The Civil Wars in the US

  • The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
  • The threat by the confederate forces
  • What led to the surrender of Major Robert?
  • The First Battle of Bull Run
  • Replacement of General Winfield Scott
  • The Second Manassas
  • The Battle of Antietam
  • The effect of the Emancipation Proclamation
  • The Battle of Chancellorsville
  • The aftermath of the Battle of Chattanooga
  • The Battle of the Wilderness
  • The Postwar politics
  • Civil War commemoration
  • Evolution of the modern navy
  • The role of women in the civil war
  • Prisoners of the civil war
  • The causes of secession
  • Features of the civil war
  • The economic impact of the civil war
  • Diplomacy as a method to solve the American civil war

The Reconstruction Era

  • The devastation of material in the South
  • Restoration of the South to the Union
  • The reconstruction of Lincoln’s presidency
  • February 1865 Peace conference
  • The enactment of Black codes
  • The legalization of slave marriages
  • The state constitutional conventions of 1867-1869
  • The congressional investigation
  • The split of the republican nationally
  • Panic of 1873
  • The US elections of 1876
  • The military reconstruction acts (1867)
  • Formation of religious organizations
  • The establishment of public schools
  • Change in the taxation

The Federal Era

  • Establishment of a new government
  • The assumption of state debts
  • The Quasi-War taxation
  • The rise of political parties
  • The Whiskey rebellion
  • The Northwest Indian war
  • The Jay treaty
  • The Quasi-war with France
  • The Alien and Sedition Acts
  • The fall of the federalists
  • Election on 1800
  • The 12th Amendment
  • The Louisiana purchase
  • The Judiciary Act of 1802 approved
  • Impeachment of the district judge, John Pickering

The Great Depression Era

  • The impact of the stock market crash
  • The desperation of urban politics
  • The tight monetary policy
  • Consequences of the Hoover policy
  • How the US responded politically to the depression era
  • The recession of 1937-1938
  • The massive military spending of 1940
  • The impact on industrial production
  • Number of banks affected by the depression era
  • The Mexican Repatriation program
  • The Hams and Eggs movement
  • The timeline of the Great Depression
  • Penny Auction
  • The US census of 1930
  • The impact of the National Labor Relations Board

The Civil Rights Era

  • The end of Liberalism
  • Formation of the Civil Rights Movement
  • Impact of the 1964 elections on civil rights
  • The climax of the Space Race
  • The Vietnam War
  • The creation of the Women’s Movement
  • Effects of Nixon’s administration
  • The 1973 oil crisis
  • The Watergate scandal
  • Factors that led to the sexual revolution
  • President Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon

The United States is the envy of many. It is the dream of many to visit it and just gaze at the beauty of this magnificent country. However, writing on it would be an excellent start to achieving this dream.

Get Help With US Hisrtory Research Paper Topics Today!

American history research paper topics are like the sand of the sea. I mean, a whole 50 states with a population of over 320 million people – who can miss something to write? However, good history research topics are not easy to come by. That is why this article is explicitly set to help you achieve that.

US history paper topics are not limited to the ones listed above. There are many others which remain of significant significance to the country’s history.

The list above is to trigger your mind to exploring more American history research paper topics. However, you can start by testing yourself using one or two of the two problems provided above. Let the issues you come up be as concise as possible to attract the reader’s eye to the rest of your history essay.

You can also seek expert writing help from our pro writers . Don’t worry about the tight deadlines; we can meet even the closest of them.

law-thesis-topics

Make PhD experience your own

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What Beyoncé's cover of the Beatles' "Blackbird" means to Black history and music

"it reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me," paul mccartney said, praising the cover, by nardos haile.

There are levels to Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter." 

After critics and racists questioned the artist's presence in country music after a controversial and fiery performance of her country song, "Daddy Lessons" with the Chicks at the 2016 CMA Awards, Beyoncé hit back with the Western epic 27-song album. The Texas pop diva even said that "Cowboy Carter" was born out of an experience where she did not feel welcome and "it was very clear that I wasn’t."

"But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive," she said. 

That's exactly what her eighth studio album explores in its themes of American identity, struggle and love — all the pillars of country music storytelling. This is especially felt in her delicate cover of the British rock band Beatles hit "Blackbird" from the 1968 "White Album." The musician takes what is a classic Beatles hit and transforms it into her Beyoncé-ified version featuring other emerging Black female powerhouses in country music: Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts. 

The original song, written by Paul McCartney , is reportedly an ode to  Little Rock Nine 's bravery in desegregating schools in Arkansas during the late '60s. He told GQ that "Blackbird" was just a symbol to represent Black women, specifically the Black girls in the Little Rock Nine. Melba Pattillo Beals, one of the members of the Nine, said to The Washington Post that the cover “awakens so much." About 67 years ago, she and eight other courageous teenagers courageously walked into school, cementing themselves in history as the firsts to desegregate schools in the South. "This is the story of my life," she told NPR.

But there are many different cultural and societal reasons why the song has resonated with so many Black artists and people even if it was written by McCartney, who is a white man. Katie Kapurch, an associate professor of English at Texas State University who teaches literature and media studies, and co-author of the book " Blackbird ," told Salon the reason why the cover of "Blackbird" was the right fit for "Cowboy Carter" was because Beyoncé is "tapping into stories that McCartney has attached to the song. But she's also mobilizing the song in a tradition of Black artistry and Black storytelling." 

Furthermore, it's important to highlight that other Black artists like Sylvester, Ramsey Lewis and Billy Preston have covered the popular song. Kapurch said they have used the song to address and to "represent different ways of thinking about flight, especially in Black storytelling arts of the African diaspora that represent flight as means of a magic, imagining liberation out of oppression." 

When Beyonce centers other Black country female artists like Adell, Spencer, Kennedy and Roberts, she draws inspiration from artists like Sylvester and Preston, who incorporated other artists as "a community of singers on the song." Sylvester had two backup singers, Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes Armstead, in his live performance of the song 1979. This collaborative effort is not just about Black flight but also about "lifting up others as you go," Kapurch said.

At the end of the song, it's also crucial to note that the pop singer shares her lead vocals with Kennedy. Black female country singers are no longer in the shadows. They are not just backup singers.  

"That gesture is also really important," Kapurch said. 

The song's strong storytelling and musical elements stay the same in Beyoncé's version. This has led to blowback from listeners, some of whom have called the song boring, largely due to the lack of understanding of the song's political and historical context. Others have also altogether denounced Beyoncé's foray into country music in general. Kapurch noted that people may be responding to the song's familiar arrangement, "which is McCartney's own instrumental acoustic guitar and foot tapping." Kapurch said that forces listeners' attention to the voices. 

"So, in that way, you're both on stable ground but on unstable ground at the same time," Kapurch said. "So you can't put your feet in 1968. This is not a song for that time. But it's also using 1968 sounds for 2024."

In covering this song, Beyoncé is "transcending genres, she's transcending time."

Kapurch said the cover also forces listeners to recognize and remind themselves "that the Beatles were drawing heavily, really heavily on Black American artists themselves."

While not everyone may not understand or like the cover of the classic, McCartney — who again, wrote the original song — posted a statement singing Beyoncé's praises. He said her version "reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me to write the song in the first place" and urged his fans to listen in good faith.

        View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by Paul McCartney (@paulmccartney)

Kapurch said McCartney's statement is "positive" and his "endorsement will quiet racist, ignorant criticism from his fans."

"McCartney is, though, also using Beyonce and the popularity of her major record to signal boost himself," Kapurch said. "Because she is, today, a much bigger and important artist than he is today. In other words, he needs her more than she needs him."

about Beyoncé

  • "We all have power:" Michelle Obama says Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" reminds us of voting power
  • VP Kamala Harris praises Beyoncé for reclaiming country music’s Black roots
  • In "Cowboy Carter," Beyoncé converts us to the religion of country music

Nardos Haile is a staff writer at Salon covering culture. She’s previously covered all things entertainment, music, fashion and celebrity culture at The Associated Press. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.

Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Related articles.

history thesis topic ideas

Florida student who stabbed mom had no history of mental illness, sheriff says

  • Associated Press

FROSTPROOF — A University of Florida pre-med student who is charged with murder in the weekend stabbing death of his mother at her home had no history of mental illness or substance abuse, a sheriff said Monday.

Emmanuel “Manny” Espinoza stabbed his mother, Elvia, more than 70 times on Saturday after she opened the door of her home in Central Florida to welcome him for a visit from college, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a news conference.

Espinoza, 21, was charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering. He was being held Monday in the Polk County Jail.

Judd said Espinoza stabbed his mother in the chest and stomach as places he knew from his medical schooling that would be most effective. Espinoza then called 911 and confessed to killing his mother, a longtime elementary school teacher in Polk County, the sheriff said.

“It is one of the most bizarre murders that we have dealt with in a very long time,” Judd said, adding Espinoza was listening to the Jay-Z and Kanye West song “No Church in the Wild” on his earbuds during the stabbing.

Espinoza, the youngest of Elvia Espinoza’s three children, told detectives he had been thinking about killing his mother for a “long time” and finally got up the courage to do it on the drive from the university in Gainesville in north Florida to the home in Frostproof, according to an arrest affidavit.

When asked why he did it, Espinoza told detectives that his mother had annoyed him since childhood but he loved her, it said.

Judd also said in noting Espinoza had no history of mental illness or substance abuse that he had been a high school valedictorian whom others described as being “remarkably brilliant.”

Online court records on Monday showed Espinoza had declined the services of a public defender, but there was no indication that he had hired an attorney to represent him. Another document showed that he was exercising his right not to be interviewed by investigators about the charges he is facing.

The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Our teams in over 100 countries tell the world's stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting.

MORE FOR YOU

  • Advertisement

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SUBSCRIBERS

The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.

IMAGES

  1. 626 Dissertation Topics for Ph.D. and Thesis Ideas for Master Students

    history thesis topic ideas

  2. 170 Amazing Art History Thesis Topics

    history thesis topic ideas

  3. 25 Thesis Statement Examples (2024)

    history thesis topic ideas

  4. 160 Outstanding Art History Thesis Topics to Focus On

    history thesis topic ideas

  5. Art History Thesis Topics: 315 Enticing Ideas

    history thesis topic ideas

  6. Teaching How To Write Essays History

    history thesis topic ideas

VIDEO

  1. 30 Unsolved Problems in Biology

  2. TOPIC FIND🔎FULL👆 Video

  3. Find here experts level suggestion for thesis wrting help

  4. @TheSocialFactory @4Youkart @TotalGaming093

  5. **"Echoes of Freedom: The Greek Quest for Independence"** #song #instrumental #music

  6. The End of History? Hardly!

COMMENTS

  1. History Thesis Topics: List of 69 Outstanding Ideas

    History Thesis Topics: List of 69 Outstanding Ideas. by IvyPanda Updated on: Nov 8th, 2023. 11 min. 20,851. Unless you plan to go for a Ph.D. in history, a thesis will be the most significant academic writing of your life. It shows your in-depth knowledge of a subject, your ability to think logically, creatively, and originally.

  2. History Thesis Examples: Top 100 Ideal Topics by GradesFixer

    ️ History Thesis Topics for Bachelor's Degree: Tips and Tricks. Writing a diploma thesis in history is a significant milestone for university graduates. It allows students to showcase their research skills, critical thinking, and expertise in the subject.

  3. 140 Good Research Topics for History Papers

    10 Good History Research Topics that are Easy to Adapt. Conditions for Slaves During the Building of the Great Pyramid. Three Events from the First Greek Olympiad. How, Where, and When Rome was Founded. The Battle of Marathon: How the Greeks Defeated Persia.

  4. 180 Best History Thesis Topics [2024 Updated]

    20 Art History Thesis Topics. The development of Greek sculpture and painting. Vasari's ideas and approach to art. Winckelmann and art criticism. Vienna School of Art History. The prominent figures of feminist art history. The phenomena of Leonardo da Vinci. The Golden Age of art. Chinese Buddhist sculpture.

  5. History Dissertation Topics and Titles

    Dissertation Topics from the Nineteenth Century. Topic 1: Analysis of church wealth expropriation and political conflict in 19th century Colombia. Topic 2: Exploring the impact of 19th-century development of refrigeration on The American meatpacking industry. Topic 3: Examining the impact of the telegraph in the United States of America.

  6. 60+ Unique History Research Paper Topics in 2021

    A study of early music history and the evolution of musical instruments. History papers carry a lot of weight, allowing college students to learn the culture, traditions, and past of other nations. With our vast range of ideas, you should have a smooth time selecting an ideal topic. Remember, you can always find research paper writing help online.

  7. Navigating the Past: Inspiring History Thesis Topics

    How to Select Your History Thesis Topic: A Detailed Guide. Choosing a thesis topic is like selecting a thread from the elaborate fabric of history to follow and unravel, revealing the design beneath the surface. To help guide this critical process, here are several key points to consider: Follow Your Interests; Passion often breeds the best work.

  8. 100+ Original History Dissertation Topics & Ideas

    Some Hot History Dissertation Ideas. Below are some history topics grouped into a few popular categories related to Western history. Historical Events & Personalities. Otto von Bismarck - his role in Germany's unification. Charle de Gaulle - his role in French Resistance, in rebuilding post-war France, in founding the Fifth Republic.

  9. 100+ Best History Dissertation Topics with Examples

    Mussolini's Italy History Dissertation Topics. Mussolini is another famous leader who affected lives of numerous people and countries. His politics are still studied due to close ties they had with WW2. Mussolini & Hitler: connection along with its consequences for Italy. Fascism development in Italy under Mussolini's regimen.

  10. PDF A Guide to Writing a Senior Thesis in History & Literature

    Director of Studies to write a thesis that exceeds 20,000 words. Typical theses run somewhere in the range of 15,000-20,000 words. • All candidates for an honors degree in History & Literature must prepare a senior thesis. Students who do not complete a thesis are not eligible to graduate with honors in History & Literature.

  11. 100 Best History Topics For Your Research Paper

    Here is a list of 100 original topics for a history assignment. The topics range from easy to difficult and touch on a variety of current ideas. ... Get History Thesis Help Today. ... 101 Exciting US History Research Paper Topics: Quick Ideas 120 Catchy Political Science Research Topics - Choose The Best One! Writing a Compelling Racism Essay ...

  12. Awesome History Research Paper Topics You Will Love

    Ancient History Thesis Topics. These ancient world history research papers topics are great for students who wish to concentrate their research paper on ancient history. These ideas will help you identify the gaps in ancient history literature and fill them in to make a difference in your field of interest.

  13. History Thesis Topics: List of 100 Outstanding Ideas

    Writing and conducting extensive research is one of the tasks that you can never evade throughout your academic journey. Researching history-related courses is a very interesting and reminiscing task that you can engage in when studying. By selecting top-notch and outstanding history thesis topics, you are always one step you achieving your desired grades and finding our new theories.

  14. 250 History Research Paper Topics: Best Ideas to Choose

    However, to achieve the highest grade, you must find the best history thesis topics for your term paper. The following is a list of the most popular American history research paper topics for college students: ... This article has provided various ideas on the US and world history topics to research and write argumentative essays on. We hope ...

  15. Yale History Dissertations

    The dissertation represents the culmination of years of graduate training. For many, the pages of the dissertation are stained with blood, sweat and tears. And coffee. And more tears. Since 1882, when the first dissertation was presented to the history department for doctoral qualification at Yale, hundreds of scholars have since followed that same path, dedicating themselves

  16. History Dissertation Topics

    The Second World War 1939-1945 Dissertation Topics; The Crimean War Dissertation Topics. The Crimean War is considered to be the first 'modern' conflict, having influenced the course of all future wars. If you are looking to write your history dissertation on the Crimean War, the topics suggested below will give you an idea of where to start.

  17. 206 Great History Dissertation Topics To Research In Depth

    Best Ancient History Dissertation Topics. You need to write a high-quality dissertation to get high grades. These are some of the best ancient history dissertation topics that you can start with. The impact of British colonization. The rise and fall of Napoleon. The causes of revolution in history.

  18. Senior Thesis Topics

    President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Jewish Refugee Crisis". Oliver Grant: "The Battle of Britain: R.A.F Success or Luftwaffe Failure". Orazio Iannacone: "Japanese-American Internment: A Forgotten Story". Megan Irving: "Watergate for Elephants: How the GOP went from a Political Party to a Punchline".

  19. Recent MA Graduates and Thesis Topics

    Recent MA Graduates and Thesis Topics. FALL 2023. Brianna Baker, "A Monument to Negro Womanhood:" The Women of the National Training School for Women and Girls, 1879-1961. Advisor: Michelle Scott. George Lewis, "Oh Lord I want to be in that number:" Identity & Jazz Tourism in New Orleans. Advisor: Michelle Scott. SUMMER 2023.

  20. Thesis Statements

    A successful thesis statement makes an historical argument. It does not announce the topic of your paper or simply restate the paper prompt.Weak Thesis: The Revolution had little effect on women because they remained ensconced in the home. While this thesis does take a position, it is problematic because it simply restates the prompt.

  21. History: Writing a History Dissertation

    The best way to achieve this is to: 1. Record the key ideas, themes and quotes from what you have read. Try to find a uniform way to do this as it will make it easier to find information when you come to write your dissertation. Some formats are freely available on the internet, such as the Cornell Note Taking System.

  22. 101 US History Research Paper Topics For A+ Students

    101 Exciting US History Research Paper Topics: Quick Ideas People have many ideas of US history topics to write about but crafting them to an appealing and thrilling level is the problem. You, however, are lucky because you are going to have exclusive access into some of the most top drawer US history research paper topics.

  23. Sorry, but Blood Tests Won't Replace Stool Samples or Colonoscopies Yet

    Disappointing results for colon-cancer blood tests strengthen the investment thesis for Exact Sciences, which makes a stool-based test.

  24. Jennifer and James Crumbley, Parents of Michigan School Shooter

    A Michigan judge sentenced the parents of a teenager who killed four classmates at his high school to 10 to 15 years in prison each, the first parents of a school shooter to be held directly ...

  25. What Beyoncé's cover of the Beatles' "Blackbird" means to Black history

    The original song, written by Paul McCartney, is reportedly an ode to Little Rock Nine 's bravery in desegregating schools in Arkansas during the late '60s. He told GQ that "Blackbird" was just a ...

  26. M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition: Larissa Ramey Presents 'the footnotes: a love

    The School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition by Larissa Cheryl Ramey, the footnotes: a love practice. The exhibition will be held at the School of Art Sculpture Studio, SCUL Gallery, located at 744 Hill Avenue, in Fayetteville, April 8-12. All are invited to schedule an appointment with Ramey to view the exhibition and attend a ...

  27. Florida student who stabbed mom had no history of mental illness

    Published 4 minutes ago. FROSTPROOF — A University of Florida pre-med student who is charged with murder in the weekend stabbing death of his mother at her home had no history of mental illness ...

  28. America has reshaped education into red and blue versions

    April 4, 2024 at 5:30 a.m. EDT. American states passed a blizzard of education laws and policies over the past six years that aim to reshape how K-12 schools and colleges teach and present issues ...