What Is a Good History Topic to Write About

Jule Romans is a retired high school teacher with more than 25 years of experience helping students succeed in the classroom.

Finding a good research topic in history doesn't have to be difficult

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What are Good Research Paper Topics?

Good research paper topics are focused on a narrow, manageable subject that is easily divided into sections.

Here are 100 good research paper topics for history in many different eras and time periods, along with suggestions for generating your own unique research topics. All these good research paper topics are focused, specific, and easy to organize in writing.

It is not as difficult as it may seem to find good research topics on almost any subject.

How to Find Good Research Paper Topics in History

Here are two good examples of how to create a research topic that is narrow, manageable, and easily divided into three sections.

Example One:

The Rise and Fall of Benito Mussolini in Italy, 1922–1945.

This paper would have three sections:

How Mussolini gained political power

What happened during the height of his reign

How he was defeated.

Use this structure for ANY political or historical figure. Simply replace "Mussolini" with the name of your selected leader, and choose a country and date range that fits that person.

For example, this topic could also be used to describe:

The Rise and Fall of Napoleon in France, 1804–1815.

Example Two:

Joan of Arc and the Siege of Orleans in 15th Century France.

Divide this paper into sections this way:

Describe Joan of Arc as a person.

Explain the Siege of Orleans and her role in the battle.

Demonstrate how these two things fit within the context of 15th century French history

Use this structure for any historical figure associated with an important battle or war. Just keep it narrow and focused. For example, this topic could also be used to describe:

Alexander the Great and the Battle of Issus in Ancient Macedonia.

How To Create Your Own Good Research Paper Topics

Avoid topics that are too broad.

How to Make a Topic Manageable

Thus, the broad topic of "energy" becomes "Alternative Sources of Power Developed by US Energy Companies in the 21st Century."

Even better, take this focus one step further. "Three Major Companies Using Wind Energy to serve Customers in the United States."

A good research paper topic will be easy to outline using three main sections.

How to Narrow a Topic

Use the classic 5-W strategy. Focus on Who, What, Where, When, and Why. For example, the overly broad topic of abortion can be narrowed to something more specific using these questions.

Who? Energy companies What? Seeking alternate sources of power Why? because of increased public demand. When? In the 21st century. Where? In the United States. You don't have to use all of these, but they definitely can help narrow down a broad topic.

How to Divide a Topic into Three Sections

"Three Major Companies Using Wind Energy to Serve Customers in the Untied States" makes the division completely obvious from the start.

The paper can be divided into three sections, with one section devoted to each major company.

Within each section, the paper can outline how the company developed the use of wind energy and how it is using wind energy to serve US customers.

How to Divide More Complex Topics

A less obvious example is "Alternative Sources of Power Developed by US Energy Companies in the 21st Century." This paper can be divided by discussing three different alternative sources of power.

For example, one section can discuss how US energy companies have developed the use of wind power since the year 2000. The next section can discuss how the same energy companies have developed the use of solar power. The third section can describe how these companies have developed the use of wave/water energy.

The interesting thing about this topic is that it can also be divided a different way. The paper can describe three different energy companies and how each one is developing alternative sources of energy for customers.

The research paper topic is the same, but the focus and division of sections is different.

Good General Research Paper Topics for History

European History

1. What were the three main causes of the Boer War?

2. How were cathedrals built?

3. What is the Gutenberg Bible?

4. What was the purpose of Morality plays in Medieval England?

5. How did Italian Renaissance painters benefit from the art patronage system?

6. What was the impact of the slave trade on the European economy?

7. How did the guillotine influence the French Revolution?

8. Who was Germany's most influential composer?

9. How did the feudal system operate?

10. Royalty and the concept of Divine Right rulership in 17th century Italy.

US History

1. How was the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory an example of social injustice?

2. How did the Mormons influence the settling of the America west?

3. Mississippi riverboat/showboat culture

4. The origins of automobile drag racing in the United States

5. How and why were National Parks created?

6. Which US state has the most disputed borders?

7. How did the highway system change American culture?

8. The creation and maintenance of New York's Central Park

9. Traveling circuses in the Midwest United States, 1850-1950

10. The role of lighthouses in Great Lakes maritime history

World History

1. The top three battles in the Korean War

2. How did the Jaffa Riots begin in the British Mandate of Palestine, 1921?

3. What was the Battle of Hochst and how did it influence the Thirty Years' War?

4. How did the Siege of Turin take a key position in two separate wars?

5. The conditions of life for soldiers in the First Crusade

6. What was the role of the Shogun in Japanese history?

7. How did Buddhism alter the Chinese Empire?

8. How did the Byzantine Empire succeed?

9. What is the organization of the Hindu gods?

10. How, when, and where did the Silk Road operate?

Ancient History

1. Roman gladiators: life, lifestyle, and living conditions

2. Child Emperors of Rome

3. Who was the most influential Egyptian Pharoah?

4. The building of the Sphinx

5. What was the Code of Hammurabi?

6. How were ziggurats used in ancient Mesopotamia?

7. Which cultures originated in the Nile valley?

8. The origin of African tribal culture

9. The world of the Ancient Maya

10. The story of Carthage

How to Choose a Manageable Research Topic

Good Research Topics for Ancient and Early European History

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
How Plato and Aristotle Collaborated to Reinvent Philosophy
Alexander's Conquest of Egypt: Strategies for Victory
The Great Wall of China: Construction Plans and Implementation
Julius Ceasar's Most Successful Attacks on Great Britain
The Huns' First Invasion of Europe
Mohammed: From Mecca to Medina

Good History Research Paper Topics by Century

11th–16th Century

The Norman invasion of England
Victory of William the Conquerer over the English King Harold II at Hastings.
The Invention of Gunpowder: Roger Bacon's Legacy
Events that Started the Hundred Years War
England and the Black Death
The Turkish Capture of Constantinople
Europe's Artistic Renaissance: Painters and Sculptors
Vasco de Gama and the Sea Route to India
The Defeat of the Spanish Armada
Construction and Architecture of Monasteries

17th–18th Century

The Establishment British East India Company
The Execution of Charles I: Causes and Effects
Why Monarchy was Restored in England
The Great Plague of England: Death Returns
England's Glorious Revolution
Significance of The Battle of Blenheim
Three Reasons for the Union of England and Scotland
Injustices Leading to the French Revolution
Organization and Daily life in Convents
City Walls and Defenses

19th Century

Political and Social Effects of Nelson's Death
Physical Conditions at the Battle of Trafalagar
Unexpected Events at the Battle of Waterloo
Napolean's life on St. Helena
Key Features of The Reforms Bill
Queen Victoria's first Years on the Throne of England
The Opening of the Suez Canal
Roentgen's Discovery of X-Rays
The Inventions of Marconi
Scientific Advances and Medical Practices

How to Choose a Good Topic for History Research

Good Research Paper Topics for History: 1900–1950

An Overview of Japan's War with Russia
How Japan Defeated Russia
The Discovery of the Theory of Relativity by Einstein
The Chinese Revolution
Why the Republic of China Was Established
Events that Caused the Beginning of World War I
The Russian Revolution: People and Places
How the End of World War I was Accomplished
The Signing of the Treaty of Versailles
The Formation of the League of Nations
How Turkey Became a Republic
Why Hitler Became the Chancellor of Germany
The First 20 Days of the Spanish Civil War
World War II: The Beginnings
How Russia was Invaded by Hitler
Events After Pearl Harbor was Invaded by Japan
The Establishment of UNO
The Final Days of World War II in France
Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Effects of the Atom Bomb
President Roosevelt's Life and Death
Three Major Events in China's Civil War
How Burma and Ceylon Gained Independence
How Indonesia Gained Independence
The Communist Ascension to Power in China
The Japanese Geisha: Her Role Japanese Culture

Good Research Paper Topics for History: 1950–1970

General Eisenhower: Critical Actions of His Presidency
Stalin's Death and its Effect on the Political Landscape
The Team that Conquered Mt. Everest for the First Time
The Conditions of the Military Aid Pact between China and Pakistan
Chou En-lai's Visit to India
Austria's Struggle for Independence
The Bandung Conference
President Nasser and the Nationalization of the Suez Canal
Britain Attacks Egypt: Why it Happened
The Connections Between France and Israel
Russia's First Artificial Satellite
The United Arab Republic (UAR): Egypt and Syria United
How the Chinese captured Tibet
The Dalai Lama's Escape to India
The Design and Creation of Sputnik by Russia
France and the Explosion of an Atom Bomb Device
The First Man in Space: Yuri Gagarin of the USSR
The Signing of the Partial Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty
The Establishment of Malaysia
The Life and Career of Sir Winston Churchill
Singapore as a Sovereign Independent Nation
The Russian Aircraft that Landed on the Moon.
China and the Hydrogen Bomb
The Arab-Israel War
The Closing of the Suez Canal

How to Narrow a Research Topic

Good Research Paper Topics for History: 1970–1980

The Birth of Bangladesh
Pakistan and the Surrender of 93,000 Troops
The Death of Khruschev
President Z.A. Bhutto of Pakistan
The Incarceration of Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Bangladesh: Critical Events 1970-1980
Nixon's Auspicious Visit to China
King Mahendra of Nepal
The Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty
The Fourth Arab-Israeli war
The Algiers Summit
The Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, President of Bangladesh
The Assassination of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia
The Reopening of the Suez Canal
The Red Cross and the Surrender of the Cambodia Government
The Life and Times of Chou-En Lai, Prime Miniter of China
The Independence of the Seychelles
Viking I Mars Landing
Israeli-Egypt Agreement
Vietnam's attack on Cambodia
Afghanistan's Bloody Coup
The Assassination of Mohammed Daoud
Chinese aggression in Vietnam
Cambodian rebels in Pnom Penh
Margaret Thatcher, First Female Prime Minister of Britain

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

What Is a Good History Topic to Write About

Source: https://owlcation.com/academia/Good-Research-Paper-Topics-History