essay topics on past

34 Writing Prompts about the Past

We all have our own past. Our memories and experiences make us who we are! We can look at the past to learn from our actions. In our busy days, life moves quickly, and the past can become, well, a thing of the past.

How to use:

The past doesn’t always have to stay in the past! These prompts are here to help you dig up the past and get writing! Take some time to reflect and find out what the past means to you.

The 34 Prompts:

What would you do if you could go back 5 years as your current self?
What time period in the past would you most like to visit? Why?
What time period would you least like to visit? Why?
The words “past” and “passed” may sound similar, but have different meanings. How are they different?
Do you believe the phrase “the past stays in the past”? Why or why not?
Would you rather live in the past or the future?
Would you rather visit 10 years in the past or 10 years in the future?
Would you rather live 50 years in the past or 50 years in the future?
Would you rather live 100 years in the past or 100 years in the future?
Would you rather visit 1000 years in the past or 1000 years in the future?
If you could use a time machine to travel to the past, would you?
Which of the past presidents would you most like to have dinner with?
Which person from the past would you most like to meet? What would you ask them?
What is something we use every day that didn’t exist 50 years ago?
What do you think people wore in the past?
Did people talk differently in the past? Why or why not?
Do you think the animals that live now lived in the past? Why or why not?
What do you think people did in the past for entertainment?
How do you think people communicated before the telephone and internet were invented?
Why do you think we call it “the past”?
When in the past do you think cars were invented? How can we know?
If you could go back to any point in time, what would you do differently? Where would you go?
What do you think it means when people say they are “stuck in the past”?
The Ghost of Christmas Past is a character from A Christmas Carol. What do you think the Ghost of Christmas Past looks and acts like?
How can we learn from the past?
What is the different between past, present, and future?
Write a story about waking up as a completely different person in the past.
Pretend you are the Ghost of Christmas Past. What would you do and say to the other characters in A Christmas Carol?
Write about how you would build your very own time machine.
Do you think that time traveling to the past can affect the future?
Pick a past period of time and write about what kind of music they listened to.
How was being a kid and going to school different in the past?
Pretend you got into your time machine, and it took you to the past instead of the future.
How do we know what happened in the past?

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Our website is full of writing and reading resources for all ages. Oh and handy tools like our story starter generator !

And writing prompts? You better believe we’ve got thousands of them on every topic under the sun. Speaking of, have some prompts about the sun ! Or perhaps you’re more interested in a writing topic as nuanced as ambition . Whatever the case, we’ve got you covered.

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278 Interesting History Essay Topics and Events to Write about

A history class can become a jumble of years, dates, odd moments, and names of people who have been dead for centuries. Despite this, you’ll still need to find history topics to write about. You may have no choice!

But once in a while, your instructor may let you pick a history essay topic. Are you clueless about where to start? If you are, don’t worry. You’ve come to the right place! In this article, you’ll see 278 cool historical events to write about. You’ll also discover some sources for good research on our ideas.

Before you read further:

Review the professional writing services offered by our academic experts. They can surely help you with essay writing or any other assignments.

How to Pick the Best History Essay Topic

Most of this article is devoted to listing history topics that are ideal for essays, but first, it’s important to have a simple process for using a list of possible essay topics like this.

Before you start writing, brainstorm. Read this list. Scan lists of history essay prompts. Maybe even skim a history essay example or 2 (or 10, or 25). When you find a topic you like even a bit, write it down in your personal list. Add any other topics that come to your mind.
Pick a topic that will satisfy your instructor and you can write well about. After you have a long list, review the assignment instructions. Then, eliminate the most inappropriate topics from your list. Lastly, reread the remaining topics. At this point, decide the topics you know enough about to write about wisely.

This 2-step process will make sure you get started on the right foot, but don’t forget the basics of sound writing. Remember these two rules. First, always plan your essay by using an outline. Second, stick to a well-structured essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion (use a 5-paragraph essay if it’s suitable).

Here’s one further tip that is notably helpful for history essays. Use Wikipedia to explore historical events that you don’t understand well. (But of course use primary sources if you are writing a true research paper.) Alternatively, if you have some keywords in mind, you can find a random topic generator for writing and see what it can offer you.

Here’s the list of history essay prompts that you’ve been waiting for.

The Ultimate List of Historical Events to Write about

An Industrial Revolution in England essay is an excellent Industrial Revolution essay. Use this essay to explain some Industrial Revolution effects. Or perhaps give a brief but analytical overview of the Industrial Revolution timeline.
Alternatively, you could write an Industrial Revolution in Europe essay . England was the first nation to industrialize. But it wasn’t the last. In this Industrial Revolution essay, perhaps discuss differences among European nations in industrialization. (This kind of comparative approach yields an especially fine Industrial Revolution research paper as well.)
Or use a markedly different topic by writing a Martin Luther King essay . This key historical figure still shapes how we think about race, social justice, and the power of nonviolent protest. His death was tragic.
One way to avoid making your essay a Martin Luther King biography is to focus on a specific event or impact of this man’s life. For example, your Martin Luther King essay could be about a specific Martin Luther King speech or quote . (But if you’re going to write about King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, make sure you have something unique to say!)
Instead, you could write a broader Civil Rights Movement essay . In this, you must go beyond a basic Civil Rights Movement summary and focus on the meaning of this period over time or some specific change caused by it. (Again, don’t let your Civil Rights Movement essay become a Civil Rights Movement research paper.)
You could write about another period of dramatic change in a French Revolution essay . This violent revolution filled with imprisonments, trials, and beheadings was caused by immense suffering by the poorest people in France. As such, when writing this essay, provide only a brief French Revolution summary, and focus on the impact and triggers of specific events.

Fact for History essay: Last 3500 years the civilizated world has lived in peace for only 230 years.

Similarly, you could write an American Revolution essay . Both events involved overthrowing a monarch, but unlike a French Revolution essay, an American Revolution essay is effectively about a war, the build up to war, and the recovery from a war.
Perhaps your historical essay could focus on a person who was instrumental to the American Revolution. For example, consider Ben Franklin , a famous early American statesman, diplomat, scientist, and inventor.
The War of 1812 was the conflict between America and Britain directly following the American Revolutionary War. It’s a fine essay topic for those seeking to understand early American history.
Wars make notable topics for historical essay, but the aftermath can be even more interesting. The Weimar Republic was the terribly failed German government created after World War I. A critique of this government could be a superb essay subject.
In contrast, post-war Vietnam has been a relative success story. The nation reunified following the defeat of South Vietnam. The modern Vietnamese people possess a higher quality of life than citizens of many nearby nations.
You could also write about the Post-World War II 1950s . During this time, America exhibited surprising growth and prosperity. However, the United States began to wage a deadly Cold War with the USSR.
Another quite related topic is the messy late 21 st century American foreign policy . You could focus on the rise of terrorism after America’s invasion of Iraq, the worldwide US military bases, or any number of military dictators that the US has supported. These are all very provocative topics.
Or you could focus on a more specific military event, such as the Battle of Hastings . This battle shaped the whole history of England, as kings from continental Europe invaded English.

The time of the Battle of Hastings was also characterized by the heavy influence of knights and feudal law in daily life. Knights were more than heavily armed warriors. They were also lords that controlled the land and subjugated peasants. This was a major cause of uprisings such as the French Revolution.
Many medieval knights were also involved in the Crusades . This invasion of the Holy Land by European kingdoms represented a violent period. During these conquests, European nobility pillaged sacred sites and artifacts; with the goal of controlling the birthplace of their Christian faith.
Following this time, Europe entered a period of Renaissance Humanism . Humans began to think about their humanity a bit more deeply. In doing so, many works of fine art, such as the first realistic paintings and sculptures, were produced.
Your essay could focus on slightly later events, such as the fall of great empires . At various times in the past, nations such as Rome, China, Portugal, England, and the Holy Roman Empire controlled huge areas of our globe. Your essay could survey the implosion of these once great powers.
The abolition of slavery is a fascinating and important historical essay topic. You may focus on this process within a single country, or you can write a comparative essay in which you compare and contrast the process of abolition across the globe or between two societies.
Another highly relevant topic is the impact of Karl Marx . Few historical figures have had as huge an impact on society as Marx. Accordingly, you can consider how his writings were used (or abused) in a variety of nominally communist parties, movements, uprisings, and nations.
Of course, you should always consider writing an integrative history essay . You can’t pick just one topic? Why not pick two or more! This is a nice approach for selecting compare and contrast essay topics . In this type of essay, you compare or contrast, people, events, or countries. In choosing this path, you make it possible to write a totally unique essay. The sky is the limit!
A more human-focused approach could be an interesting hook for the paper. A paper based on the writing of the soldiers in World War I could outline what war was like at the beginning of the 20th century.

A personal look at World War II could be just as interesting and with more available documents.
One of the possible hooks for such papers may be the plight of the African American soldiers who fought in World War I and II .
Another topic may be dedicated to soldiers from India who fought for the British in World War I .
The economics of Europe after World War I may show the causes and effects that led to further conflict.
You may dedicate your project may to the changes in fashion in the 20th century .
More obscure topics like the Canadian history of film can make for an interesting thesis.
American art of the 20th century is a big topic that has many interesting examples.
History of math can show the timeline of math’s evolution.
The conclusion of the British rule in India caused many positive and negative effects on the country which can make for an interesting project.
The history of Roman sport provides fascinating examples of contests through the ages.
History of architecture during renaissance can show the differences between the eras.
Life before the invention of photography could be a topic that outlines how people preserved images back in the day.
You can compare and contrast the history of Roman and British empires .
Examples of music created for political causes could be an interesting hook for a music history essay.
T he history of medicine can provide some striking facts about the bizarre antique cures.
“What are the events that led to the fall of Roman Empire?” is one of the more common history essay questions.
Summary of the achievements of the American civil rights movement can provide an impression of what a dream of one man could do.
An argumentative essay topic about the value of public communication can be chosen and created by using examples from the world history.
A paper on the music of ancient civilizations can shine a light on prehistoric cultures.
Your project can be about the anti-fascist activists in the US before WW II .
It is possible for high school students to write about the events of the year when they were born .
A thematic paper answering the question “ what started the worst wars in world history? ” could compare and contrast different wars to find similar causes and effects.
The hippie culture of the 1960s can be presented as a response to the events of the era.
Also, the fashion of hippies can be explored in your project with examples of real clothing.
The New Wave movement in cinema was revolutionary for its time and can be an interesting essay topic.
The same could be said about the New Wave genre of music that became popular in the 1980s.

Another music genre that captured the imagination of the public can be explored in an essay on the history of rock music .
History of propaganda in films can help explore some pivotal moments in world history.
Canadian history of sport is an interesting topic to explain why hockey is so popular in the Great White North.
Economics of sport throughout history may also interest the reader due to the massive commercial expansion of sport in recent decades.
Education during the renaissance was booming and could serve as a great topic for an essay.
Education during the middle ages was rare and could contrast the previous topic.
The justifications that the US used for the drop of the nuclear bombs during World War II is a controversial topic but an interesting one.
American involvement in the Korean War is an often overlooked topic, but it deserves attention.
To show how turbulent history of a single country may be, the causes and effects of the military coups in Nigeria could be fascinating.
The war between Iran and Iraq could be seen as one of the most critical proxy wars of the modern history.
The space race was an iconic element of the Cold War, and it is related to many history essay topics.
Events that led to the rise of the Saudi Arabia can show how fast a country can develop when money is not an issue.
The British music invasion into the US market has had a significant effect on American music and can be an interesting topic.
History of American worker unions could serve as a topical essay in today’s political climate.
The process of reparations for the Maori people in New Zealand in a rare success story of an ex-British colonial country making up for the discrimination its natives endured.
Roman graffiti is a lighthearted topic that describes a less discussed aspect of Roman culture.
The gender roles of Roman society can be compared and contrasted with the gender roles of the people of Gaul that often fought each other.
The prominent figures of the American Revolution include a great variety of people who would later compose the most important documents of the US.
A compare and contrast essay about the similarities of American and Bolshevik revolutions can show how the most prominent opponents of the Cold War had similar beginnings.
The history of Japanese isolationism could be interesting to explore as a unique moment in world history.
The Millerites believed that the world would end on a specific date, but it only led to the events known as “The Great Disappointment” which could make for a great history topic.
The Carnation Revolution of 1974 was an almost bloodless coup and represents one of the few examples of peaceful transitions to democracy.
The golden age of piracy is an interesting topic about an era that is often glamorized in fiction.
The Copper Country Strike was one of the most tragic cases of death due to anti-strike action, and its events are still discussed today.
The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre was a gruesome murder committed in broad daylight and emblematic of the gangster activity of the era.
The Yalta Conference was one of the most important events of World War II with British, Soviet, and American leaders discussing post-war plans.
British colonization of Africa was one of the most tragic; the causes and effects of it could be interesting to examine.

A paper on the evolution of flight could provide a timeline of marvelous engineering throughout history.
Operation Paperclip was a secret plan to integrate scientists of Nazi Germany after the end of World War II which events lead to the beginning of the space race.
Historical events that were predicted in fiction can be one of the more exciting history essay topics.
African-American music history can be explored to show how oppression influenced culture.
Biography of Julius Caesar is filled with dramatic events and is one of the most exciting history essay topics.
Aztec life before the arrival of the colonists was filled with horrible sacrifices and deserves examination.
The causes and effects of Manifest Destiny are bizarre and tragic by modern standards but were considered righteous in their day.
You could compare and contrast the life of the Roman leader Julius Caesar and Nicholas II of Russia because they were almost mirrored images of each other.
The actions of Churchill led to some of the worst defeats for the British forces during World War I , but are overshadowed by his later leadership.
The transition from the 50s to 60s fashion can be explored to show the drastic change in the culture of those years.
The events that led to the emergence of teenage culture after World War II can be outlined.
The economics of international trade during the Renaissance period can be described to show the complex relationships of Europe.
American Revolution in film rarely receives accurate portrayals. A look at its depictions can be interesting.
A paper on the causes and effects of Cold War paranoia could show how quickly people can be overwhelmed by fear.
Ronald Reagan’s policy of a winnable nuclear war launched a chain of events that could end the world.
The diversity of the Roman Empire is a rarely explored topic and could lead to an interesting paper.
Medieval medicine is a fascinating topic. It combines the ideas from Ancient Greece and Rome, pagan medicine, and many religious superstitions.
Another interesting history topic is the history of dystopian art . In turbulent times, it may be especially fascinating to trace the development of dystopian art and see what shaped the ideas of dystopian worlds in different eras. Moreover, you may find it interesting to see the predictions about the modern era in dystopian literature and cinema.
Medicine in the early XX century is an excellent topic for an essay. At the turn of the century, there was a major change in the way people treated medical technology, hygiene, and chemistry. Groundbreaking achievements, such as the discovery of X-rays and penicillin, shaped modern medicine as we know it.
The history of video games is an exciting essay topic. See how video games developed from the most primitive forms into the glorious, hyper-realistic works of art that we enjoy now.
The history of quantum mechanics is a history topic that can teach us a lot about the world around us. You can write about the groundbreaking experiments that changed the way we think about nature, and learn about great minds who were not afraid to question even the most fundamental laws of physics.
Alternatively, you can write about the development of astronomy . Another fascinating scientific field that can show us how people in different eras were discovering the beauty and complexity of the Universe .
Similarly, you can write about the history of evolutionary theory. All ancient cultures had their ideas about the origin of life. See how Darwin’s idea of natural selection revolutionized not just science, but human thought in general.
Another outstanding example of a revolution of human thought is the history of psychology. From the ancient idea of spirits and possession to the groundbreaking ideas of Freud and the discovery of conditioning – see how the cultural perception of the human psyche changed over time.
A topic closely related to the current issues, pandemics that changed history can be explored to see the effects of epidemics on nature, science, and society as a whole. It may also be interesting to write about how viral infections spread around the world.
The history of transport is a fascinating topic. Starting from the earliest of times, humans are continually developing new ways of traveling as far and safe as possible. See how technology evolved from the discovery of a wheel to rocket science, and how it changed history and the world around us.
The history of the punk subculture is an excellent topic for presentation. Show how punk philosophy, fashion, and music changed the culture in the U.K. and around the world.
Another interesting research topic for high school students is the Great Depression . Learn what caused the severe economic crisis, and what socio-economic effects it had on countries all around the world.
From the first settlements built by ex-convicts to the outbreaks of smallpox and aboriginal resistance – the history of Australia is full of dramatic events and stories that we can learn a lot from.
Or you can choose the exploration of Africa as the subject of your history essay. The story of two extraordinary individuals in search of a path into the heart of the continent inspired the novel Heart of Darkness.
Historical figures in Shakespeare’s plays is a great history research paper topic. You could compare the lives of real historical figures, such as Julius Caesar and Henry V, to those of their fictional counterparts.
Voyages of Christopher Columbus is one of the most critical events in history before 1500. While the discovery of the New World had an enormous influence on the colonization era, Columbus’s legacy remains controversial.
Or you can write an essay on Hernán Cortés , a pivotal figure in the colonization of South America. His actions against native civilizations are highly controversial, and his life story is full of myths and mysteries.
The Civil War was the defining event in the U.S. history before 1877. It had an enormous impact on American society and led to major changes in the Constitution.
One of the world history topics that everyone needs to know about is the culture and society of ancient Greece . Incredible art, philosophy, politics, and scientific ideas of the ancient Greeks continue to inspire us today.
Similarly, an essay on the Greek Dark Ages can shine a light on the fall of the great civilization. It is also the period during which Homer’s famous poems Odyssey and Iliad were composed.
Chivalry in the Middle Ages is an interesting history topic, and it is often romanticized. Learn about the chivalric code, tournaments, and epic legends about famous Medieval knights.
Also, it may be interesting to write a world history essay on King Arthur . Explore the real events that inspired stories about the legendary British leader and the Knights of the Round Table.
The history of Easter Island is a very intriguing history topic. You can talk about the mysteries surrounding the culture, language, and the eventual demise of the inhabitants of one of the world’s most isolated islands.
The history of nuclear weapons is an excellent controversial topic for an essay and a discussion. The stories of research, development, and the use of atomic bombs can be used as cautionary tales for people today.
From cave paintings and letters to telephone and the Internet – the history of communication is one of the best topics for a research paper. See how the means of communication evolved throughout human history.
Also, the history of the Internet can be explored in your research paper. What was initially created for research and military use became one of the defining elements of modern life.
The history of animation is an interesting topic for high school students. Learn about the evolution of animation – from the ancient Egyptian murals depicting motion to the first CGI cartoons and everything in-between.
The history of museums has many exciting twists and turns. Discover how people of different eras were preserving art and other extraordinary objects. Also, it may be interesting to learn about the most significant art thefts in history.
The history of cosmetics is an excellent topic for a research paper with a presentation. See how makeup was used in different eras, what it was made of, and how historical figures influenced makeup trends of the past epochs.
Amelia Earhart is a wonderful role model whose life you can research in your history essay. She was an aviator pioneer and a best-selling author. Her disappearance in 1937 remains a mystery.
History of Eurovision song contest is a lighthearted topic with serious political undertones. It was originally intended to unite all countries of post-war Europe in one song contest, broadcast live on television.
The history of theater is a fascinating subject for a research paper. Theater first appeared in Ancient Greece, went through significant changes during the Renaissance, and it remains a popular art form that covers many genres.
The history of the death penalty is an interesting topic for an essay that you can have a discussion about. The death penalty has a fascinating and gruesome history and remains a controversial subject even today.
You can write an outstanding research paper on the history of whaling . People have been hunting whales since prehistoric times for various reasons, including perfume and candle manufacturing.
Another exciting world history topic is Gold Rush . While the California Gold Rush is by far the most famous, there were many other cases throughout history, dating as far back as ancient Egypt.
One of the more mysterious history topics that you can write about is Stonehenge . This majestic stone structure has been for a long time associated with druids. The latest discoveries suggest that it was used as an observatory.
Maybe an even more mysterious history research paper topic is the Pyramids of Egypt . The only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, they are some of the largest structures ever built, and their history remains intriguing.
Or you can choose to write about all the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World ! They are remarkable buildings and constructions, all but one of which are entirely destroyed, and some are speculated to have never existed.
Similarly, you can write a paper on other beautiful buildings, such as the picturesque Machu Picchu. An iconic citadel of the Inca civilization, it is now considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
A paper on Joan of Arc can show how one extraordinary individual is capable of changing the course of history. Her life is surrounded by many legends, and she remains a popular subject in art.
Similarly, you can write about Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and what impact it had on the entire American nation. Delivered during the Civil War, it is considered to be the greatest speech ever.
A history research paper on feminism could provide a timeline of the fight for equality. Closely connected to the current issues, this topic covers everything from the women’s suffrage movement to the modern Women’s Marches.
One of the most exciting history topics that everyone needs to know about is the Minoan Civilization – the first highly advanced society in Europe. You can talk about its discovery in the late XIX, the incredible art of Knossos, and its numerous legends, including the famous Labyrinth.
You can choose to write an essay on history of Indigenous Australians . The timeline of first humans populating Australia is full of mysteries, and their culture remains fascinating.
An interesting essay can be written on the earliest universities. They were founded long before 1500 in Asia and Africa for educating government officials, and are a fascinating subject to explore.
You can write an exciting research paper on Alexandria – a city in Egypt founded by Alexander the Great. In ancient times, it was a city like no other, and had an enormous influence on the Mediterranean culture.
Middle Ages are full of interesting history topics – for example, you can choose to write about medieval magic. From alchemy and astrology to inquisition and witch trials, it’s an existing subject to explore.
One of the best topics on the history of explorations is the North Pole expeditions . It is full of dramatic events, and it took numerous failed attempts until the North Pole was finally reached in the XX century.
The first English settlements in America are among the essential parts of the U.S. history before 1877. It includes stories of hardships of the first settlers, bad weather, hunger, and conflicts with native inhabitants.
Napoleon is an incredibly interesting historical figure. You can write a stunning paper on the rise and fall of his empire.

You can focus on a specific era in your essay – for example, Victorian England. This period of history, both fascinating and terrifying, still inspires countless novels, movies, and T.V. series.
Titanic is an excellent topic for an essay and a discussion. A cautionary tale about a luxurious ship that sank due to criminal negligence.
Death of the Romanovs is an interesting history topic that is still being investigated. This gruesome story inspired many myths, including that of the survival of Anastasia.
Similarly, you can choose an essay on the assassination of J.F. Kennedy . Learn about what caused it and what long-term effects it had on the American nation.
Similarly, the assassination of Martin Luther King was an enormous tragedy for the whole country. The circumstances of this event are still not entirely clear, and there are several different theories as to what happened.
Chernobyl disaster is a fascinating topic that is very popular today. See what led to the tragedy, and what long-term consequences it had on nature and society.
The fall of the Berlin Wall is a crucial event in modern history. You can write about life in GDR and FRG prior to the fall of the Wall and compare it to what happened afterward.
Another history topic that you can choose for your essay is the history of berserkers. These Old Norse warriors were fighting in what’s often described as a trans-like state, and their name became synonymous with uncontrolled rage.
Education in the modern world. The new opportunities of the globalized world influence quality and expectations towards studying. A historical essay can analyze the significant inventions that impacted education. For example, you may focus on the Internet.
South African Apartheid . The racial segregation regime threw South Africa into poverty and conflicts. Your essay might discuss the historical events that led it. Or you can trace the Apartheid’s timeline from setting to abolishment.
The founding of the United Nations . The organization’s support of equal human rights is crucial for modern society. The history of the UN is a broad topic with many key events. You may also study the influence of countries such as the USSR on its establishment.
Cultural trends during World War II. Music, fashion, and art reflected humanity’s hopes and fears of the world. They also supported people when life was tough. In a research paper, you can choose and describe specific examples. Discuss the impact of entertainment during that period, or compare it to World War I.
The creation of the United States’ Constitution is an interesting US history essay topic. The road to the first national frame of government includes many events. You can analyze the contents of the original Constitution articles based on their drafts.
Changes in European economies following the discovery of America. After Columbus’ return from his journey, the most powerful empires started to occupy new lands. Later, economic progress led the world to its current conditions. An essay that highlights these milestones can be fascinating!
Fight against terrorism. After September 11, 2001, the world enforced its war on terrorism. Governments applied measures such as peacemaking interventions to unstable areas. A historical assignment might include the most significant attacks. You can also discuss the UN’s campaigns against terrorism under this topic.
Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The attacks were crucial events that finished World War II . Your essay might address the events that led to the attacks. Discuss if there could have been other ways of stopping Japan’s aggression.
Urbanization in the US is an interesting essay topic. The most significant change took place in the 19th century. The railroads connected the whole country, and trading opportunities grew. Discuss why people moved from rural areas to cities and the consequences of it.
History of railroads in the United States. Broad territories were the major obstacles to American economic development. In 1827, the first railway journey took place in the US. The roads were rapidly built during the following century. A discussion these events is a fun historical assignment topic.
Immigration and scientific progress in the 20th century. Back then, thousands of Europeans were forced to migrate to the US. Many of them were responsible for important discoveries and inventions. Discuss its effect of immigration on science and technology in a historical essay.
The three most important inventions of the 19th century. The 1800s are full of creations that changed humanity’s history. Typewriters, bicycles, and telephones were first made in that period. For an essay, you can pick the inventions based on their historical value.
The stock market crash in 1929 was the worst experience for the industrialized world at the time. Entertainment during the Great Depression played an essential role in supporting America. It is also an interesting historical topic to write about.
The history behind today’s foreign affairs . Despite prolonged peace, governments still have political disagreements. Choose two conflicting countries and identify the events that led to the current situation.
The history of the LGBTQ community in the United States. Modern American society praises equity and respects the rights of minority groups. However, it wasn’t always like this. LGBTQ is a broad discussion topic influenced by past events. It might also be interesting to compare the US community to the European one.
The global financial crisis of 2008 is a great modern history essay topic . An economy can crash for multiple reasons. If it happens worldwide, the effects are severe. An argumentative essay can be a basis for analyzing the causes of the crisis. Compare it to other economic disasters such as the Great Depression.
Cultural progress led humanity to important social developments. One of them is the legalization of same-sex marriages . Historical analysis can include a timeline of such marriages. Social activism related to the topic is an excellent basis for an essay.
The Holocaust. One of the darkest events in the 20th century’s history is the European Jews’ genocide. Analyze the chain of events leading to it in a historical essay. How did it impact human rights enforcement during the post-war period?
Space exploration in the 21st century is a historical topic that develops right now. Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin was founded in 2000, and Elon Musk started SpaceX in 2002. An essay can highlight the milestones of space exploration after the Cold War.
The history of Thanksgiving. Pilgrims established the holiday based on celebrating the harvest. Discuss the tradition’s roots and the impact of English colonists on American culture. An essay can also describe similar feasts around the world.
Another good history essay topic is Antarctica. The impactful exploration of ice lands only began in the late 19th century. Today, scientists study Antarctica’s land, resources, and animals. Trace the past events and discoveries of the region in your historical essay.
The history of infections. Our lives have changed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were similar events in the past, where plague and flu diseases killed millions of people. A comparison can help you learn about the development of today’s healthcare practices.
Women’s suffrage . In August 1920, the US Congress ratified the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote. Many campaigns and protests preceded the event. The perception of women by society started transforming since then. An essay might describe the challenges leading to these changes.
History of the Olympic Games is a fascinating topic for middle school . The legacy of ancient Greece was revived only in the 19th century. Study the events that took place throughout the Olympic Games’ history.
If you need a world history essay topic, try writing about the International Red Cross . In 1863, Swiss businessman Henry Dunant established the Red Cross. He was influenced by the terrifying experience of seeing thousands of wounded men at war. A persuasive essay can highlight the organization’s historical importance.
Weapon development during World War II. Military weapons contributed to technological progress in the 20th century. A research paper might focus on the weapons invented during the War. You can also discuss the impact of military innovations on post-war life.
An essay on Korean history can analyze how one nation can change if divided into separate regimes. North and South Korea started making peace only in 2018. Try and determine the reasons for the 1948 separation and political instability.
Ku Klux Klan as a resistance movement is an important topic. Four million citizens nationwide joined the group in the 1920s. Such popularity revealed the demand for change. Your historical essay might include crucial outcomes of Klan’s activities. A comparison to the medieval inquisition might lead to interesting conclusions.
Globalization is another excellent history essay topic for high school students. The world has never had so many cultural and economic connections as it does today. Your essay can go through historical events that caused globalization. Or, you may analyze its benefits and downsides.
History of climate change . In 2009, the UN Climate Change Conference stated that the world is in danger due to human impact on climate. A historical essay can focus on the environmental factors of the topic. Alternatively, you may trace the discoveries and studies about climate change.
Labor Day is a national holiday first celebrated in the industrial era. It originated in the 19th century when workers spent 12 hours daily to earn the minimum wage. In your historical essay, describe the events that led to the holiday’s creation.
The history of the American presidency is a broad topic to write about. More than 40 people ruled the country and impacted all facets of America. For example, you may choose to evaluate education under different presidents. You can also compare democrats and republicans as presidents.
Gutenberg’s printing press invention changed the world. It was as significant in the 15th century as the Internet was for modern history. An essay can reconstruct the events before and after the invention of printing. Its impact on education and the economy are interesting points for discussion.
The European Union has deep historical roots since the Empire period. An essay about it might cover the timeline of democracy established in Europe. You can highlight the changes that took place in the countries that joined the Union. Alternatively, compare the organization and its aims to other historical alliances.
Modern religions are an intriguing subject for an essay. Historical events often shape peoples’ beliefs. Discuss why people started updating the main religions in recent decades.
Population resettlement took place multiple times in human history. For example, thousands of Serbian Albanians were forced to flee Kosovo during the 1999 conflict. An essay that describes a migration can include the reasons for it. Compare it to similar occurrences, and discuss its outcomes.
Ancient architecture is the most incredible legacy cherished by generations. Design patterns and colors of creations reflect the periods they were built in. For your essay, choose specific examples and mention the events associated with them. Research can include ancient European, Asian, or American architecture.
Socialism as a political regime significantly impacted world history. Socialist movements took place in Europe and the United States. The Soviet Union was established under its conditions. Choose this interesting 20th-century essay topic and describe a country affected by socialism. For example, China is still ruled by that regime.
History of democracy in Africa . African history includes centuries of foreign occupation. Yet, its countries have recently started getting deserved independence. Algeria, Morocco, Namibia, and Zimbabwe only got their democratic government in the last 60 years. Historical research can analyze the influence of ex-colonizers on Africa. Or, you may choose a country to describe its journey from a colony to a democracy.
History of South American countries. Colonizers occupied the regions in South America after Columbus’ journey. You can discuss the conflicts between the land’s native inhabitants and migrants. A research paper may also reveal how the nations were formed by combing two different populations.
The history behind the petroleum industry is an interesting basis for an essay. Oil defines the UAE and Russia’s economies and has significant influence in politics. Study the formation of the world’s oil industry, or choose one country to explore.
History of Native American tribes. More than 500 groups of Indigenous Americans lived in the US territories. Each had its own culture and policies. For your essay, gather information about conflicts between the natives and migrants.
History of vaccination. The development of this practice is an interesting essay topic. You can review the timeline, starting from the 1798 smallpox vaccine.
History of China. Write an essay that explores the most significant events of the country’s history. An interesting idea is to compare it to other major countries. Moreover, you can discuss the Chinese presence in the World Wars by analyzing its strategies.
Events that affected the environment. There are many examples of history playing against nature. Think of nuclear bomb explosions, rapid industrialization of the 19th century, and deforestation. Your essay might analyze several such events and provide lessons for the future.
The history behind popular foods . Migration and global trading helped humanity discover chocolate , potatoes, and coffee . A historical essay can focus on one product and describe what made it famous.
The Vikings played a significant role in European history. Scandinavians still cherish their traditions and unique culture. Your research might be about their settlements in Scotland, France, and Ireland. Also, you can describe the unique worldview of the Vikings.
Ancient piracy covers many themes that you can mention in an essay. The first pirates were the Sea Peoples in the 14th century BC. Today, the pirates still exist in politically unstable regions such as Somalia. Your historical paper can include the most significant acts of piracy in ancient times.
History of money . People have been exchanging goods throughout history. Yet in 770s BC, the Chinese invented the ultimate trading product — money. The historical timeline of the financial systems is an excellent topic for an essay.

Historical Essay FAQ

Students are often asked to write on historical topics. Such an essay can be:

1. A description of a persona; 2. An analysis of historical events; 3. An overview of the context of the whole epoch, etc.

In any case, a historical essay deals with a retrospective and requires looking into history.

There are countless interesting topics for essays and research projects. You can look into any epoch from the ancient times up to the present days. Choose something that genuinely fascinates you. You might prefer a controversial issue as it is more exciting to study.

For any research paper, it is essential to create an outline first. Once you’ve identified some key aspects that you want to focus on, write them as bullet points. They will become the Body of your research paper. Don’t forget to add an introduction and a conclusion.

Whether you write about the World, the civil, the cold, the Vietnam, or any other war, be sure to stay as objective as possible. It is a very emotionally charged topic, but you need to refrain from opinionated judgments. Do not resort to direct accusations.

Prewriting: Techniques to Get Started – Outlining: University of Maryland Global Campus
Understanding the Subjective Nature of History
Writing Cause and Effect Papers
One Hundred Good Research Paper Topics for History Class
History Topics
Modern History Resources
Research Paper Topics About United States History
The Importance of History Essay
The Foundation of History
What is History Essay Examples
Index: American History
World History: Encyclopedia Britannica
Historical Topics: Library of Congress
American History: Smithsonian Institution
Political History: Historians.org
Primary Sources on History: Gale
History of the UN: United Nations
Ancient History Encyclopedia: Index
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75 Interesting History Essay Topics

Do you wonder how ancient civilizations functioned and evolved through the years of inventions and innovation? History indeed teaches us so much about the people and communities that created an impact back then. While literary essay topics help you explore the nuanced writing forms, history essay topics are meant to nurture your research skills. The thirst to discover stories of war, victories of freedom fighters, and the smuggling of arms can be quenched by engaging in essay writing.

History is vast, ranging from states to nations, from forts to ports and so much more. In such a case, you simply cannot be studying it all or exploring topics all of a sudden. Hence, it is important to know that history can be categorized into different types wherein you can choose the one that interests you the most. Writing history essays empowers critical thinking skills and builds a problem-solving mindset in everyday life. This article will take you through different history essay topics motivating you to discover varied perspectives, ideas, and ideologies of the past.

Engaging History Essay Topics

Various creative writing topics for high schoolers tap into building their imagination skills and enhancing their thinking abilities. However, along with history websites , interesting history essay Topics enable students to dive deeper into the ancient world and discover evolution. It is important to provide students with the right topic that interests them thereby inspiring them to research and find facts. The below-mentioned topics are a combination of various parts of history that help teachers offer a comprehensive learning environment.

1. General History Essay Topics

The reasons behind the fall of the Roman Empire and its effects.
The effects of the printing press on the Renaissance’s dissemination of knowledge.
Propaganda’s function in World War II and its impact on public opinion.
The historical contributions of ancient African civilizations.
The Silk Road’s importance in promoting trade and cultural exchange between East and West.
The elements that led to the Byzantine Empire’s rise and demise.
How the Scientific Revolution affected the growth of modern science.
Analyzing the social and cultural backdrop of the frenzy during the Salem Witch Trials.
The Louisiana Purchase’s importance in influencing American expansion.
The effects of the Spanish Inquisition on freedom and toleration of religion.
The impact of Enlightenment thought on the French and American Revolutions.
How the Mongol invasions affected the economies and societies of Eurasian countries.
The consequences of the Protestant Reformation on politics and society in Europe.
The artistic and governmental achievements of the ancient Persian Empire.
The reasons for and effects of the Chinese and British opium wars.

2. Essay Topics on Ancient History

The pharaohs’ achievements offer a glimpse into the growth and fall of Egyptian civilization.
The legacy of ancient Mesopotamia is the contributions it made to early human cultures and culture.
What can we infer about the Indus Valley Civilization, a prehistoric culture, and its significance?
The causes behind the rise, expansion, and ultimate destruction of the Roman Empire.
The construction of China’s Great Wall and its significance.
Ancient Rome’s aqueducts, roadways, and structures are feats of engineering.
The development and significance of early scripts like cuneiform and hieroglyphics.
Symbolism and purpose in the art and architecture of ancient civilizations.
The impact of mummification methods on ancient Egyptian ideas about the afterlife.
Beginnings and religious practices of ancient civilizations: A comparison.
The importance of the ancient Olympic Games in promoting peace and harmony between city-states.
Legendary stories’ cultural value to ancient cultures.
Influence of the Persian Empire on regional trade and cultural exchange.
Investigating the Mayan civilization’s triumphs and demise.
Early Indian mathematicians’ contributions to mathematics.

3. Essay Topics on World History

How Europe’s intellectual and cultural development was fueled by the Renaissance.
The effects of the Cuban Missile Crisis on the Cold War and world politics.
The effect of the Mongol invasions on how medieval Eurasia developed.
The legacy of ancient civilizations: Contrasting and comparing the contributions of the civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley.
Gender rights and the position of women during the French Revolution.
The causes of the Roman Empire’s collapse during its ascent and fall.
The reasons for and effects of the 1917 Russian Revolution.
The importance of the Silk Road in fostering commercial exchange.
The contribution of the Enlightenment to world upheavals and reformations.
China’s connections with the West after the Opium Wars.
The effect of the Spanish Conquistadors on the Americas’ indigenous cultures.
The causes of the Byzantine Empire’s collapse and its historical repercussions throughout Europe.
Political and religious changes in Europe as a result of the Protestant Reformation.
The emergence of empires in prehistoric Mesopotamia and their historical consequences.
The Declaration of Independence’s importance in molding American history.

4. Essay Topics on Black History

The influence of the Harlem Renaissance on African-American culture.
The importance of the Underground Railroad in aiding slaves’ freedom-related escapes.
African-American participation in the Civil War and their struggle for freedom.
The racial equality campaigns carried out by the Black Panthers.
African-American aviators in World War II as the Tuskegee Airmen.
The integration process of the first African American pupils into previously all-white schools.
The history of Black History Month and its importance.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964’s legacy and ongoing effects.
The battle for desegregation by the Little Rock Nine.
Black Lives Matter: Its Background and Importance
The fight for voting rights and electoral participation by African Americans.
Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs’): Background and Influence.
Importance of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
The Black Arts Movement’s influence on culture during the 1960s and 1970s.
The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People’s (NAACP): Background and Significance.

5. Argumentative Essay Topics on History

Was the American Revolution a true revolution or was it merely a fight for independence?
Social and economic effects of the Industrial Revolution on the working class.
Women’s participation and contributions to the war effort during World War II.
The Mongol Empire’s legacy: Did it make a positive or detrimental impact on world history?
The Declaration of Independence’s importance in influencing American values and administration.
The benefits and drawbacks of imperialism.
The effects of the Treaty of Versailles on post-World War I stability in Europe.
The Black Death’s consequences on medieval society and how they affected Europe in the long run.
The reasons behind the French Revolution and its effects.
The reasons behind and effects of the Cold War’s Cuban Missile Crisis.
Analyzing the civil rights movement’s effects on society and determining its effectiveness.
The importance of ancient Greek and Roman culture in forming contemporary Western culture.
The discussion around the use of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The function of propaganda in World Wars I and II.
Nelson Mandela’s contribution to the end of apartheid in South Africa.

Final Words

Drafting your thoughts about different history topics helps you explore a world of possibilities. Essay writing helps develop control grammar and language skills thereby strengthening communication.

With the above-mentioned history essay topics, you can choose the one that interests you the most. Ensure to pen down your thoughts and add new perspectives to the stories of the past. Students can also explore and play online history games to learn more about history and practice the same.

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126 History Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

History essays can be a fascinating way to explore the past and learn about the events and individuals that have shaped our world. Whether you're studying ancient civilizations, modern politics, or anything in between, there are countless topics to choose from. To help you get started, here are 126 history essay topic ideas and examples to inspire your next paper.

The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire
The Causes and Consequences of the French Revolution
The Impact of World War I on European Society
The Role of Women in the Civil Rights Movement
The Legacy of the Industrial Revolution
The Significance of the Magna Carta in British History
The Origins of the Cold War
The Evolution of Democracy in Ancient Greece
The Effects of Colonialism on Indigenous Peoples
The Role of Religion in the Salem Witch Trials
The Impact of the Black Death on European Society
The Causes of the American Revolution
The Influence of the Enlightenment on the Founding Fathers
The Legacy of Slavery in the United States
The Fall of the Berlin Wall and the End of the Cold War
The Origins of World War II
The Role of Propaganda in Nazi Germany
The Impact of the Civil Rights Movement on American Society
The Causes and Consequences of the Vietnam War
The Rise of Fascism in Italy
The Legacy of the Spanish Inquisition
The Role of Women in the Suffrage Movement
The Impact of the Protestant Reformation on European Society
The Origins of the Arab-Israeli Conflict
The Significance of the Emancipation Proclamation
The Evolution of Human Rights in the 20th Century
The Legacy of Apartheid in South Africa
The Causes and Consequences of the Russian Revolution
The Influence of the Harlem Renaissance on American Culture
The Role of Religion in the Crusades
The Impact of the Great Depression on Global Economics
The Origins of the Korean War
The Legacy of the Women's Liberation Movement
The Significance of the Treaty of Versailles in World War I
The Evolution of Civil Rights in the United States
The Impact of the Space Race on Technology
The Causes and Consequences of the Mexican-American War
The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
The Legacy of the Trail of Tears
The Role of Women in World War II
The Influence of the Beat Generation on American Literature
The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on Urbanization
The Origins of the Rwandan Genocide
The Significance of the Marshall Plan in Post-War Europe
The Evolution of LGBTQ Rights in the United States
The Legacy of the Women's Rights Movement
The Causes and Consequences of the Iranian Revolution
The Role of Religion in the Spanish Conquest of the Americas
The Impact of the Great Migration on African American Communities
The Origins of the War on Drugs
The Significance of the Nuremberg Trials in the Aftermath of World War II
The Evolution of Environmentalism in the 20th Century
The Legacy of the Indian Removal Act
The Causes and Consequences of the Arab Spring
The Rise of Militarism in Japan
The Role of Women in the French Revolution
The Influence of the Civil Rights Movement on Global Human Rights
The Impact of the Green Revolution on Agriculture
The Origins of the Gulf War
The Significance of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court Case
The Evolution of Labor Rights in the United States
The Causes and Consequences of the Rwandan Genocide
The Evolution of Labor Rights in

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Myself — Past

Essays on Past

Past essay topics for college students.

Choosing the right essay topic is crucial for academic success. It allows you to explore your interests and showcase your creativity while also demonstrating your understanding of the subject matter. Below, you will find a variety of essay types and topics to help you get started on your next assignment.

Essay Types and Topics

Argumentative essay.

Should college athletes be paid?
Is social media beneficial or harmful to society?
Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

Example Paragraph: The debate over whether college athletes should be paid has been ongoing for years. While some argue that they bring in significant revenue for their schools and should be compensated accordingly, others believe that their scholarships and other benefits are sufficient. In this essay, we will explore both sides of the argument and ultimately propose a solution.

Example Paragraph: The question of whether college athletes should be paid is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. While it is important to compensate these athletes for their contributions to their schools, we must also consider the potential impact on collegiate sports as a whole. Finding a balance between fair compensation and maintaining the integrity of amateur athletics is key to addressing this ongoing debate.

Compare and Contrast Essay

Traditional education vs. online education
Living in the city vs. living in the countryside
Public transportation vs. driving a car

Example Paragraph: The comparison between traditional education and online education is a topic of great relevance in today's digital age. While both methods offer unique benefits and challenges, it is important to consider the impact of each on students' learning experiences and future prospects. This essay will delve into the key differences between these two forms of education and provide a balanced analysis.

Example Paragraph: In , both traditional and online education have their distinct advantages and drawbacks. While traditional education emphasizes face-to-face interaction and a structured learning environment, online education offers flexibility and accessibility. Understanding the differences and similarities between these two approaches is essential for making informed decisions about one's educational journey.

Formatting Instructions

To ensure that the content is organized and easy to navigate, we have structured the page using HTML tags. Each section and sub-section is clearly labeled with appropriate headings and lists for easy reference.

Engagement and Creativity

As you explore the various essay topics, we encourage you to approach them with a sense of curiosity and creativity. Engage with the subjects that interest you and consider how you can bring a unique perspective to your writing. Remember, your voice and insights are valuable contributions to the academic conversation.

Educational Value

Each essay type offers unique opportunities for skill development. Argumentative essays, for example, help you hone your analytical thinking and persuasive writing skills. Compare and contrast essays, on the other hand, strengthen your ability to critically evaluate different perspectives. By exploring a range of topics and essay types, you can cultivate a diverse set of writing and analytical skills that will serve you well in your academic and professional pursuits.

The Historical Heritage Preservation and Conserving The Past

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My Mother's Dark Past

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Silencing The Past by Michel-rolph Trouillot: How Power Shapes The Fabrication of History

The importance of living with the present and not regret the past, analysis of the term nostalgia and its manifestation in real life, how past experiences influence our present, my past, present and future life: journey of self discovery, relevant topics.

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MEE Past Issue Breakdown

MEE past issue breakdown: Taking the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) or Uniform Bar Exam (UBE)? Our MEE past issue breakdown will show you what has been tested on the essay portion of the UBE as well as the MEE. (One of the components of the UBE is the MEE—that is why this post will help if you are in a UBE state!)

Here, we breakdown the most recent MEE questions. In our MEE past issue breakdown for each year, we tell you not only what subjects were tested, but also, which topics have been recently tested. We use the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ (NCBE) questions and sample answers to develop this MEE past issue breakdown list.

Note: If you are interested in a detailed overview of the MEE topics that have been tested most frequently, check out our MEE One-Sheets . They are one of our most highly rated products!

July 2023 Multistate Essay Exam

Trespass to land
Injunctive relief for claim of trespass or nuisance
Partnership formation
LLC manager as agent to the LLC/liability of an agent on a contract
Piercing the corporate veil
Termination of a trust/ Claflin doctrine
Modification of a trust
Statute of limitations
Summary judgment
Subject-matter jurisdiction
Miranda warnings
Terry stop and frisk
Right to remain silent
Jailhouse confessions

February 2023 Multistate Essay Exam

Insane-delusion rule
Mental capacity required to execute a valid will
Standing to contest a will (“financial interest test”)
Proper execution of a search warrant in a suspect’s home
Knock-and-announce rule
Plain-view doctrine
Terry search scope
Exclusionary rule scope
Particularity of a warrant
Rule 14 impleader (third-party joinder)
Specific personal jurisdiction
Rule 4(k)(1)(B) (100-mile bulge rule) for personal jurisdiction for impleader
Appeal of the dismissal of a third-party complaint in an action where other claims remain unresolved under the FRCP (Rule 54 exception to the final judgment rule (“no reason for just delay”))
Purchase-money security interest (PMSI) in consumer goods and equipment
Attachment requirements
Security agreement requirements
Application of Article 9
Perfection of PSMI in consumer goods and equipment
Financing statement requirements
Adverse possession
Color of title and constructive adverse possession
Tacking for cause of action
Tolling of statute of limitations for disability (minor)
Admissibility of a statement made during a subsequently withdrawn guilty plea
Former testimony of an unavailable witness
Rule 401 relevancy
Rule 404 MIMIC (absence of mistake)
403 balancing test
Impeachment (prior acts of dishonesty)

July 2022 Multistate Essay Exam

Expert witness testimony
Character evidence (and MIMIC—motive)
Parol evidence rule
Interpretation of terms
Enforceability of a covenant not to compete
All common law (no UCC)
Agency relationship
Authority (actual, apparent, ratification)
Duty of loyalty (director on both sides of transaction) and the safe harbors
Judicial dissolution of the corporation due to oppression by majority shareholder
Trust res/property
Revocation by physical act
Oral trusts
A trust for the benefit of a political party is not a charitable trust.
Per capita with representation
Necessary parties (rule 19)
Subject matter jurisdiction (diversity)
How to proceed when a necessary party can’t be joined
Life estate, vested remainder, and duties of a life tenant
Devisability

February 2022 Multistate Essay Exam

Requirements of attachment
Classification of collateral—equipment
Priority between a perfected security interest and a PMSI
20-day grace period rule (for PMSI in equipment)
Armed robbery
Theft (larceny)
Possession (receipt) of stolen property
Directors have authority to vote on corporate decisions
Duty of loyalty (interested director transaction), safe harbor—transaction was ultimately fair to the corporation
Recovery from a derivative lawsuit goes to the corporation, not the shareholder
Shareholder who didn’t own shares at the time of the alleged wrongful conduct does not have standing to bring a derivative suit
No actual or apparent authority—principal is not liable
Undisclosed principal—agent is liable
Ratification
Apparent authority
Spendthrift trust—preferred creditor (child support), nonpreferred creditor
Power of appointment—special power of appointment
Statute of Frauds, confirmatory memo exception
Interpreting the terms—gap filler (delivery), course of dealing
Expectation damages (from purchasing replacement goods)

July 2021 Multistate Essay Exam

Child’s duty of care
Physical disability
Invitee status
Joint and several liability
Fundamental change (merger)
Dissenter’s rights (shareholder in closely held corp. voted against merger can demand cash for shares)
[Conflict of Laws]: internal matters are governed by the state of incorporation
Personal jurisdiction
Warrantless arrest based on probable cause
Hot pursuit
Fourteenth Amendment due process identification procedures
Subsequent in-court identification
Antilapse statute (default rule; can be changed within the terms of the will)
Definition of “heirs”
Express survivorship requirement versus antilapse statute/provision
Residuary gift lapse (common law vs. UPC)
Supplemental jurisdiction
Erie doctrine
Federal pleading requirements (“notice pleading”)

February 2021 Multistate Essay Exam

Profit-sharing as prima facie evidence of a partnership
Partnership liability for negligence
Employee vs. independent contractor
Vicarious liability for negligence of an employee
Vicarious liability for an independent contractor’s negligence
Partial revocation
Holographic codicil
Doctrine of dependent relative revocation
Incorporation by reference
Partial intestacy
Joinder—plaintiffs joining with plaintiffs
Claim preclusion, compulsory counterclaim
Issue preclusion: offensive non-mutual issue preclusion
Security agreement needs to sufficiently identify collateral
Filing a financing statement
Perfected secured party has priority over unperfected party
Judgment lien creditor has priority over unperfected party
Security interest perfected before lien was created has priority over the lien
Easement implied by preexisting use
Notice acts likely do not apply to implied easements. Purchaser was on inquiry notice of easement.
UCC Art. 2 (sale of goods)
Statute of Frauds—sale of goods >$500
Confirmatory memo exception
Subsequent writing evidencing agreement

October 2020 Multistate Essay Exam

ESI must be electronically preserved
Sanctions—broad discretion
Adverse inference instruction
Default judgment may not be appropriate
No definite beneficiaries
Power of appointment
Special power of appointment
Opposing party’s statement, declarant’s then-existing state of mind
Statement against interest
Public office report offered against accused in criminal case
Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause
Partnership bound on contract, agent signed it
Partners personally liable for obligations
Partner reimbursed for funds spent
Partner not reimbursed for actual time unless agreed
Sale of land, no actual or apparent authority existed, not in ordinary course of business
Content-based—strict scrutiny
Content-neutral—time, place, manner, intermediate scrutiny
Narrowly tailored means two different things depending on test applied
Reduce child support award when material/substantial change in circumstances
Spousal support modifiable—substantial change in circumstances

September 2020 Multistate Essay Exam

First-degree murder—interpretation of statute
Voluntary manslaughter—interpretation of statute
Defense of others
Felony murder
Constructive eviction
Acceptance of surrender
Covenant of quiet enjoyment and privity of estate with future tenant
Mental capacity to create a will
Proof of mistake by clear and convincing evidence & note on dependent relevant revocation
Valid codicil, holographic will, incorporation by reference doctrine
Regulatory taking
Permanent physical invasion
First to file or perfect rule, equipment, PMSI is perfected & superior over non-PMSI
Equipment, not a true lease, perfected takes over unperfected
Implied warranty of fitness
Rejection or revoked acceptance

July 2020 Multistate Essay Exam

Subsequent remedial measures
Authentication (handwritten letter)
Best Evidence Rule (original vs. copy)
Hearsay—statement against interest
Physician-patient privilege
Shareholder inspect/copy board minutes
Shareholder action not legal if mandates board not approve corporate political expenditures unless authorized by shareholder
Citizens United corporation has free speech rights
Charitable trust; RAP
Noncharitable trust
Consanguinity method; parentelic distribution
State may grant a divorce if the person is domiciled
State may grant custody even if no PJ over other respondent parent
State may not grant property because need PJ over respondent
Fault basis may be established for divorce
Best interest of the child factors
First to file or perfect rule, equipment, PMSI is perfected and superior over non-PMSI
Fair Housing Act of 1968
Newspaper, discriminatory ad

February 2020 Multistate Essay Exam

Failure to perform, excuse, material breach
Predominate purpose of the contract
Substantial performance—factors the courts consider
Damages for breach of construction contract
Unilateral execution of mortgage or lease by one of two persons holding the title as joint tenants with right of survivorship
Title theory state
Four unities of title
Severance of title and interest because of lease
Joint tenants have equal rights of possession—must be excluded for liability
Joint tenants entitled to the rental income
Rule 20(a)(2)—joinder (permissive joinder); same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences
Indemnification
After-acquired collateral
Collateral constitutes accounts
Notification by the secured party to debtor after default—who payment made to
Actual authority
Disclosed principal
Independent contractor; principal sometimes liable
Negligent selection
Hearsay—nonhearsay for context; nonhearsay opposing party’s adopted statement, hearsay exception statements of intent/then-existing state of mind
Character—prior crime, wrong or act, criminal D
Prior convictions
Self-defense

July 2019 Multistate Essay Exam

validity of a will
holographic will
conditional will
mistake/ambiguity
antilapse statute
pretermitted child
Fifth Amendment Miranda warnings
Invocation of the right to counsel does not last in perpetuity
In order to invoke Miranda rights the invocation of the right to counsel must be unequivocal
Description of the procedure for obtaining counsel does not undermine conveyance of Miranda rights
Fiduciary duties of controlling shareholder
Non-payment of dividends can be justified by rational business justification
Duty of loyalty (self-dealing and usurping corporate opportunity) and defenses to violation of a duty of loyalty
expectation damages recoverable
consequential damages must be foreseeable
duty to mitigate damages
Marriage support obligations
Nonintervention doctrine
Parental decisions including medical decisions are subject to limitations
State jurisdiction over custody (UCCJEA) (PKPA)
Parental decisions by a fit parent should be given weight in court: wishes of a child in custody determination
subject matter jurisdiction—diversity jurisdiction in a class action/Class Action Fairness Act, where a person is domiciled (residence + intent to remain)
Erie issue (federal court applies federal procedural law)

February 2019 Multistate Essay Exam

Standard of care
Proximate cause
Res ipsa loquitur
Validity and enforceability of security agreements
Perfected/unperfected security interests and rules of priority
Rights and remedies on default including the secured party’s right to take possession and dispose of collateral
Formation of general partnerships
Powers and liability of partners
Dissolution/winding up
Diversity jurisdiction
Determining citizenship of individuals and corporations
Peraonal jurisdiction
Discretionary support trust subject to spendthrift clause
Powers and duties of trustees—duty of care, duty to act impartially, principal and income allocations
The necessaries doctrine
Embezzlement
Receiving stolen property
Required mental state

July 2018 Multistate Essay Exam

The federal government cannot “commandeer” states to enforce a federal regulatory scheme
Congress may use its spending power on state and local law enforcement activities
UCC governs transactions of goods (lawn mowers)
Consideration is needed to make a promise to hold open an offer binding under common law but it is not needed under Article 2
An offer cannot be accepted once it is revoked
An expansion is a nonconforming use under a zoning ordinance if it results in a substantial change of use
Recording act when a mechanic’s lien is involved
Breach of duty of loyalty and breach of duty of care
the Uniform Principal and Income Act
How the trust principal will pass when a remainder interest is involved
Lay v. Expert testimony
Hearsay and business records exception for records kept in the ordinary course of business
A corporation comes into being at the time of filing the Articles
A promoter is liable for pre-incorporation contracts but if a court applied the “de facto corporation” or “corporation by estoppel” doctrine, the promoter is likely not liable
Partners are liable for debts and obligations of partnership

February 2018 Multistate Essay Exam

a premarital agreement is binding if entered into voluntarily and with reasonable disclosure of assets
separate property can become marital property but generally inheritance and property acquired before marriage is separate
custody decisions are based on the best interest of the child and one parent’s fault (adultery) will not preclude that parent from exercising parenting rights
incompetency to stand trial
M’Naghten test for insanity
Article 2 versus common law – which law applies (examinees could have argued either way)
parol evidence rule
modifications not precluded by the parol evidence rule
notice of an encumbrance, such as an easement, will prevent a party from obtaining damages for breach of covenant
notice can be actual or constructive
implied warranty of habitability
Rule 11 requires a reasonable pre-filing inquiry into the facts
21-day safe harbor allows attorney to correct pleading
the court may choose not to impose sanctions
sanctions for asserting a legal contention unwarranted by existing law can be imposed on the attorney and not the defendants
withdrawal not wrongful if partnership does not set limits on withdrawal
dissolution does not terminate fiduciary duties
a purchase by one party of a partnership opportunity during the winding up phase violates the duty of loyalty

July 2017 Multistate Essay Exam

abnormally dangerous activity is subject to strict liability,
negligence per se,
liability for independent contractor–possible to be liable if there is a special danger inherent in the work
11th Amendment precludes a private party suing a state in federal court when seeking money damages but a private party may seek injunctive relief only from a state official,
the dormant commerce clause/burden on interstate commerce
a sale of accounts is governed by Article 9,
a perfected security interest has priority over an unperfected one,
validity of an assignment of one’s interest
requirements for a valid will,
effect of having an interested witness–at common law the will would have been invalid, but modernly it is valid,
incorporation-by-reference doctrine,
hearsay exclusion,
public safety exception to Miranda doctrine,
present sense impression,
excited utterance
amendment of a motion to dismiss is generally permitted,
service of process not sufficient when served to the home of a parent where the defendant no longer lives,
the Klaxon rule–a federal court sitting in diversity will apply the choice-of-law rules of the state where it sits

February 2017 Multistate Essay Exam

UCC sale of goods,
offer and firm offer/option contract,
revocation of offer
trustee’s duties to act in accordance with the terms,
exercising a special power of appointment,
elective share of probate estate for spouse
common law marriage in State A will be recognized by all other states,
lottery winnings that are won during the marriage are “marital property”,
bigamy and the putative spouse doctrine,
visitation rights with non-biological child
a “proper purpose” is needed to inspect board minutes,
business judgment rule,
duty of loyalty
when an agent binds a principle–to a disclosed, partially disclosed, or undisclosed principal,
ratification
duty to mitigate when tenant leaves by re-renting lease,
assignment restraints and validity of such restraints,

July 2016 Multistate Essay Exam

the default rule is that LLC’s are member-managed,
actual and apparent authority of an agent,
withdrawal of a member results in dissociation but not a dissolving of the LLC
crying not protected by privilege against self-incrimination or Miranda and does not pose a hearsay problem,
Miranda warnings required in a custodial interrogation and must be honored,
past recollection recorded hearsay exception not received as exhibit,
party admission
negligence and market share liability,
defective products,
liability of doctor in negligence case
security interest in equipment,
rights upon default,
fixtures and requirement of fixture filing,
attachment and perfection
assignment,
third party beneficiary
personal service of process give jurisdiction if someone is voluntarily in the state,
federal question jurisdiction,
motion to dismiss for improper venue

February 2016 Multistate Essay Exam

buyer in the ordinary course of business takes free from perfected interest in a consumer good, generally,
perfection and attachment,
excited utterance,
6th amendment confrontation clause,
statement of identification,
character evidence not permitted for conformity purposes
actual authority,
partners in LLPs generally do not incur personal liability,
duty of care and loyalty
dormant commerce clause – burden on interstate commerce,
discriminatory laws, and
the market participant exception
agent acting under DPOA can act even if patient’s children object,
good faith acts protected,
application of state statute to determine child could inherit from will
premarital agreement generally enforced,
division of marital property upon divorce–e.g. lottery winnings won during marriage are divided,
income that is “active” may be divided
equitable division of property

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Exploring 250 Essay Topics in Biographies: From Autobiographies to Cultural and Ethnic Stories

Welcome to our comprehensive guide exploring 25 essay topics in various branches of historical inquiry. History is a multidimensional field of study that encompasses a wide range of disciplines, methodologies, and perspectives. In this article, we will delve into different branches of historical research, providing you with thought-provoking essay topics to ignite your curiosity and inspire your academic exploration.

Whether you are a history student, a researcher, or simply an enthusiast seeking to deepen your understanding of the past, these essay topics will offer you a starting point to explore and analyze significant themes and concepts within each field. From the examination of historical schools of thought to the exploration of diverse histories such as gender, culture, and postcolonialism, this collection of essay topics aims to engage with the complexity and richness of historical scholarship.

Historical Schools of Thought

Historical schools of thought refer to different theoretical frameworks and approaches used by historians to interpret and understand the past. These schools of thought offer distinct perspectives on how history should be studied, emphasizing different aspects such as political, social, economic, cultural, or intellectual factors. They provide a foundation for historical analysis and contribute to the ongoing debates and interpretations within the field of history.

Historical Schools of Thought Essay Topics

The Enlightenment and its impact on modern political thought
The Renaissance: A rebirth of art, science, and humanism
The Industrial Revolution and its effects on social and economic thought
The rise of Marxism and its influence on socialist movements
The impact of Freudian psychoanalysis on psychology and the study of the mind
The contributions of ancient Greek philosophers to Western philosophical thought
The development of existentialism and its impact on philosophy and literature
The role of the Scientific Revolution in challenging traditional religious beliefs
The influence of the Bauhaus movement on modern architecture and design
The feminist movement and its contribution to gender studies and social thought
The development of the Civil Rights Movement and its impact on racial equality
The emergence of the Romantic movement and its influence on art and literature
The impact of the French Revolution on political ideologies and systems
The rise of nationalism and its effects on the formation of modern nation-states
The development of the human rights movement and its global impact
The role of Confucianism in shaping East Asian social and ethical thought
The Enlightenment and the birth of modern science and the scientific method
The contributions of African-American intellectuals to the Civil Rights Movement
The impact of Darwin's theory of evolution on religious and scientific thought
The emergence of postmodernism and its critique of traditional knowledge systems
The influence of the Harlem Renaissance on African-American art and literature
The rise of colonialism and its effects on indigenous cultures and thought
The philosophical underpinnings of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States
The development of feminist literary criticism and its impact on literary studies
The impact of the Enlightenment on educational systems and the spread of knowledge.

Comparative History

Comparative history involves the study and analysis of historical events, processes, or phenomena across different regions, societies, or time periods. By comparing similarities and differences, comparative historians aim to identify patterns, relationships, and causal factors that shape historical developments. This approach allows for a broader understanding of historical phenomena and offers insights into the diversity of human experiences and societies.

Comparative History Essay Topics

A Comparative Study of Ancient Civilizations: Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Indus Valley
Comparative Analysis of Ancient Greek and Roman Democracy
Comparing the Byzantine and Islamic Empires: Religion, Politics, and Culture
A Comparative Study of Feudalism in Europe and Japan
The French Revolution and the American Revolution: A Comparative Analysis
Comparative Examination of Colonialism in Africa and Asia
The Industrial Revolution in Britain and Germany: A Comparative Perspective
Comparative Study of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and the Chinese Communist Revolution
Comparative Analysis of the Civil Rights Movements in the United States and South Africa
A Comparative Study of the Women's Suffrage Movements in the United States and Britain
Comparing the Renaissance in Italy and the Northern European Countries
Comparative Study of Imperialism in the British and Ottoman Empires
The Cold War: A Comparative Analysis of the United States and Soviet Union
Comparative Analysis of the Mayan and Inca Civilizations in the Americas
A Comparative Study of the Age of Exploration: European and Chinese Voyages
Comparative Analysis of the Mughal Empire in India and the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East
Comparative Study of the Protestant Reformation and the Counter-Reformation
A Comparative Analysis of the Russian Revolution and the Iranian Revolution
Comparative Study of Ancient Law Codes: Hammurabi's Code and the Twelve Tables
Comparing the Reformation in England and Germany: Henry VIII and Martin Luther
Comparative Analysis of the Mongol Empires: Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan
A Comparative Study of the American Civil War and the Spanish Civil War
Comparative Analysis of the Cultural Revolutions in China and Iran
Comparative Study of the Indian National Congress and African National Congress
A Comparative Analysis of the American Great Depression and the Global Financial Crisis of 2008

Oral History

Oral history is a research method that involves gathering and analyzing firsthand accounts and personal narratives of individuals who have lived through particular historical events or periods. It emphasizes the importance of capturing and preserving the voices of those often excluded from written records, providing valuable insights into their experiences, perspectives, and memories. Oral history enhances our understanding of the lived realities of individuals and communities, offering a more nuanced and inclusive historical narrative.

Oral History Essay Topics

The Importance of Oral History: Preserving Personal and Collective Narratives
Oral History as a Tool for Indigenous Perspectives and Decolonization
Ethics and Challenges in Conducting Oral History Interviews
Oral History and Memory: Examining the Reliability and Subjectivity of Oral Accounts
Oral History and Social Change: Amplifying Marginalized Voices
Oral History and Family Narratives: Exploring Intergenerational Transmission of Memory
Gender and Oral History: Uncovering Women's Experiences and Perspectives
Oral History and War: Examining the Impact of Conflicts through Personal Testimonies
Oral History and Migration: Capturing Stories of Displacement and Identity
Oral History and Oral Traditions: Analyzing Cultural Continuity and Change
Oral History and Community Engagement: Empowering Local Narratives
Oral History and Labor Movements: Documenting Worker Experiences and Activism
Oral History and LGBTQ+ Narratives: Archiving Queer Lives and Histories
Oral History and Holocaust Studies: Bearing Witness to Survivors' Testimonies
Indigenous Oral Histories: Resilience, Cultural Identity, and Land Rights
Oral History and Environmental History: Narratives of Ecological Change
Oral History and Urban History: Capturing Urban Transformations and Neighborhood Stories
Oral History and Civil Rights Movements: Amplifying Voices of Activism and Resistance
Oral History and Aging: Exploring Life Stories and Perspectives on Aging
Oral History and Disability Studies: Challenging Stereotypes and Promoting Inclusion
Oral History and Medicine: Exploring Patient Narratives and Healthcare Experiences
Oral History and Genocide Studies: Preserving Stories of Survival and Loss
Oral History and Indigenous Language Revitalization: Connecting Language and Culture
Oral History and Folklore: Uncovering Legends, Myths, and Traditional Knowledge
Oral History and the Digital Age: Opportunities and Challenges in Archiving and Sharing Stories

Archival Research

Archival research involves the investigation and analysis of primary source materials that are preserved in archives, such as documents, letters, diaries, photographs, maps, and other records. Historians rely on archival research to access and interpret original sources that provide direct evidence of past events and activities. It enables researchers to delve into specific historical contexts, uncover hidden or neglected histories, and construct detailed and accurate narratives based on authentic documentation.

Archival Research Essay Topics

The Importance of Archival Research in Historical Scholarship
Exploring the Role of Archival Research in Uncovering Hidden or Neglected Histories
The Challenges and Opportunities of Conducting Archival Research
Comparative Analysis of Traditional and Digital Archival Research Methods
Archival Research and the Preservation of Cultural Heritage
The Ethics of Access and Use in Archival Research
Archival Research and the Reconstruction of Historical Narratives
Archival Research and the Study of Material Culture
Archival Research in Genealogy and Family History
Archival Research and the Study of Linguistics and Dialects
Archival Research and the Documentation of Oral Histories
Archival Research and the Reconstruction of Historical Landscapes
Archival Research and the Study of Economic History and Business Records
Archival Research and the Study of Political History and Government Documents
Archival Research and the Examination of Social Movements and Activism
Archival Research and the Study of Gender and Sexuality History
Archival Research and the Exploration of Colonialism and Post-Colonial Studies
Archival Research and the Study of Diplomatic Relations and International Affairs
Archival Research and the Examination of Literary and Artistic Works
Archival Research and the Study of Science and Technology History
Archival Research and the Analysis of Environmental History
Archival Research and the Study of Medical History and Health Records
Archival Research and the Exploration of Religious and Spiritual Traditions
Archival Research and the Study of Education History and School Records
Archival Research and the Investigation of Legal History and Court Records

Quantitative History

Quantitative history employs quantitative methods and statistical analysis to study historical phenomena. It involves the collection and analysis of numerical data, such as demographic records, economic indicators, voting patterns, or crime statistics. By quantifying historical data, historians can identify patterns, trends, and correlations, enabling them to make empirical claims about historical events and processes. Quantitative history complements qualitative approaches and provides a more systematic and quantitative understanding of the past.

Quantitative History Essay Topics

The Rise of Quantitative History: Methodological Approaches and Contributions
Quantitative History and Demographic Analysis: Exploring Population Dynamics
Quantitative Analysis of Economic History: Patterns, Trends, and Growth
Quantitative Approaches to Social Inequality and Class Structure
Quantitative History and the Study of Migration and Mobility
Statistical Analysis of Political History: Voting Patterns and Electoral Behavior
Quantitative Methods in Studying War and Conflict: Casualties, Strategies, and Outcomes
Quantitative Approaches to the Study of Disease and Public Health
Quantitative Analysis of Urbanization and Urban Development
Quantitative History and the Study of Colonialism and Imperialism
Quantitative Methods in Exploring Environmental History and Climate Change
Quantitative Analysis of Technological Change and Innovation
Quantitative Approaches to the Study of Education and Literacy
Quantitative History and the Analysis of Cultural and Intellectual Trends
Quantitative Methods in Studying Long-Term Trends and Historical Cycles
Quantitative Approaches to the Study of Gender and Women's History
Quantitative Analysis of Social Networks and Community Dynamics
Quantitative History and the Exploration of Religious and Spiritual Practices
Quantitative Methods in Studying Legal History and Crime Patterns
Quantitative Approaches to the Study of Material Culture and Consumer Behavior
Quantitative Analysis of Diplomatic Relations and International Relations
Quantitative History and the Examination of Media and Communication
Quantitative Methods in Exploring Family and Household Structures
Quantitative Approaches to the Study of Intellectual Property and Copyright
Quantitative History and the Analysis of Historical Memory and Commemoration.

Postcolonial History

Postcolonial history examines the legacies, impacts, and consequences of colonialism and imperialism on societies and cultures. It explores the experiences of colonized peoples, their struggles for independence, and the processes of decolonization. Postcolonial historians challenge Eurocentric perspectives, centering marginalized voices, and engaging with issues of power, identity, resistance, cultural hybridity, and the ongoing effects of colonial domination.

Postcolonial History Essay Topics

Postcolonial History: Defining the Field and Key Concepts
Decolonization and the Birth of Postcolonial Nations
The Impact of Colonialism on Indigenous Peoples: Continuities and Disruptions
Postcolonial Identities: Hybridity, Resistance, and Cultural Expression
Postcolonial Feminism: Intersectionality and Gender in the Global South
Nationalism and Anti-Colonial Movements: Case Studies from Africa, Asia, and the Americas
Economic Legacies of Colonialism: Dependency, Exploitation, and Unequal Development
Language and Literature in Postcolonial Contexts: Rewriting History and Reclaiming Narratives
Postcolonialism and Environmental Justice: Ecological Consequences of Colonial Exploitation
Postcolonial Approaches to Education: Decolonizing Curricula and Pedagogies
Postcolonial Cities: Urban Space, Power, and Marginalization
Postcolonial Memory and Commemoration: Remembering and Reckoning with the Colonial Past
Postcolonialism and Global Health: Colonial Medicine, Biopower, and Health Inequalities
Postcolonial Legal Systems: Legal Pluralism, Human Rights, and Indigenous Justice
Postcolonial Borders: Migration, Citizenship, and Identity
Postcolonial Resistance and Social Movements: Solidarity, Anti-Imperialism, and Liberation
Postcolonial Media and Popular Culture: Representation, Subversion, and Stereotypes
Postcolonial Urbanism: Infrastructure, Displacement, and Gentrification
Postcolonial Tourism: Authenticity, Exoticism, and Power Dynamics
Postcolonial Intellectuals: Theorizing and Critiquing the Legacy of Empire
Postcolonial Trauma and Healing: Addressing Historical Wounds and Collective Memory
Postcolonial Science and Technology: Knowledge Production, Appropriation, and Resistance
Postcolonial Ecocriticism: Nature, Land, and Environmental Justice
Postcolonialism and Global Capitalism: Neocolonialism, Dependency, and Resistance
Postcolonial Perspectives on International Relations: Global South, Diplomacy, and Power Dynamics

Gender History

Gender history explores the ways in which gender has shaped societies, institutions, and individuals throughout history. It examines how gender roles, identities, and power dynamics have influenced social, political, economic, and cultural developments. Gender historians explore issues such as gendered labor, family dynamics, sexuality, masculinity, femininity, and the intersections of gender with other social categories such as race, class, and ethnicity.

Gender History Essay Topics

Gender History: Exploring the Intersections of Gender, Power, and Identity
Gendered Perspectives on Historical Methodologies and Approaches
Gender and the Construction of Sexuality: Challenging Norms and Categories
Gendered Experiences of Colonialism: Agency, Resistance, and Subjugation
Gender and the Evolution of Feminism: Waves, Debates, and Transnational Movements
Gendered Labor and Work: From the Home to the Factory and Beyond
Masculinity Studies and the Reconstruction of Male Identity
Gender, Religion, and Spirituality: Roles, Rituals, and Challenges to Patriarchy
Gender and the Politics of Reproduction: Birth Control, Abortion, and Family Planning
Gendered Violence and the Struggle for Justice: Historical Perspectives
Gender and Education: Access, Exclusion, and the Strive for Equality
Gender and Health: Medicalization, Reproductive Health, and Sexuality
Transgender History: Narratives of Identity, Activism, and Resistance
Gender and Resistance Movements: Women's Suffrage, Civil Rights, and LGBTQ+ Activism
Gender and War: Women's Roles, Military Masculinity, and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Gender and Popular Culture: Representations, Stereotypes, and Subversion
Gender and the Body: Beauty Standards, Body Politics, and Embodiment
Gendered Spaces: Public/Private Divide, Urbanization, and Domesticity
Intersectionality and Gender: Race, Class, and Sexuality in Historical Context
Gender and Technology: Women's Contributions, Technological Shifts, and Digital Divide
Gender and Resistance to Colonial Rule: Indigenous Perspectives and Movements
Gendered Perspectives on Immigration and Diaspora: Identity, Assimilation, and Transnationalism
Gender and Intellectual History: Contributions, Exclusions, and Challenges
Gender and Sport: Athletics, Competitions, and Breaking Gender Barriers
Gender and the Law: Legal Rights, Discrimination, and Activism for Equality

Social History

Social history focuses on the everyday lives, experiences, and social structures of ordinary people. It examines aspects such as social classes, labor relations, family dynamics, social institutions, and cultural practices. Social historians aim to understand the lived experiences of individuals and groups within specific historical contexts, shedding light on social relationships, power dynamics, and societal changes over time.

Social History Essay Topics

Social History: Tracing the Lives and Experiences of Everyday People
Social Class and Inequality: Exploring Social Stratification in Historical Context
Family and Kinship: Changing Dynamics and Structures in Social History
Urbanization and Social Change: Impact on Communities and Everyday Life
Social Movements and Activism: Grassroots Organizing for Change
Gender and Sexuality in Social History: Norms, Expectations, and Subversion
Race and Ethnicity in Social History: Identity, Discrimination, and Intersectionality
Religion and Society: Influence, Conflict, and Rituals in Social History
Work and Labor: From Agrarian to Industrial to Post-Industrial Eras
Education and Intellectual Culture: Access, Systems, and Ideals in Social History
Health and Medicine in Social History: Public Health, Disease, and Well-being
Social Networks and Communities: Bonds, Networks, and Social Capital
Consumption and Consumer Culture: Materialism, Advertising, and Social Change
Leisure and Recreation: Entertainment, Sports, and Social Identity
Migration and Mobility: Impacts on Society and Cultural Exchange
The Family in Social History: Changing Roles, Structures, and Dynamics
Youth Culture: Rebellion, Identity Formation, and Countercultures
Crime and Deviance: Social Control, Law Enforcement, and Punishment
Social Welfare and Assistance: Evolution of Support Systems and Safety Nets
Social History of Technology: Impact on Daily Life, Communication, and Industry
Social History and Environmental Perspectives: Human Interactions with Nature
Social History of Childhood: Child Labor, Education, and Changing Concepts
Social History of Aging: Elder Care, Retirement, and Intergenerational Relationships
Housing and the Built Environment: Architecture, Neighborhoods, and Social Cohesion
Social History of Food and Eating: Dietary Habits, Class, and Cultural Significance

Cultural History

Cultural history investigates the beliefs, values, practices, and cultural expressions of past societies. It examines art, literature, music, rituals, symbols, and popular culture to understand how cultural ideas and practices shape and are shaped by historical contexts. Cultural historians explore the ways in which cultural dynamics intersect with social, political, economic, and intellectual dimensions, contributing to a deeper understanding of human experiences and identities.

Cultural History Essay Topics

Cultural History: Interpreting and Analyzing the Meaning of Cultural Expressions
Cultural Encounters and Cross-Cultural Exchanges: Exploring Cultural Interactions and Influences
Cultural Identity and Nationalism: Constructing and Negotiating Collective Belonging
Cultural Icons and Symbols: Analyzing the Significance and Evolution of Cultural Representations
Popular Culture and Everyday Life: Examining Cultural Practices and Consumption Patterns
Material Culture and Cultural Artifacts: Uncovering the Meanings and Histories of Objects
Cultural Memory and Commemoration: Remembering and Preserving Collective Histories
Cultural Movements and Countercultures: Subversion, Resistance, and Social Change
Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Heritage: Debates and Ethical Considerations
Cultural Landscapes and Urban Spaces: Tracing the Impact of Culture on Built Environments
Cultural Performance and Ritual: Exploring the Role of Rituals and Performances in Society
Cultural Revivals and Cultural Preservation: The Politics of Heritage and Identity
Gender and Cultural History: Analyzing the Role of Gender in Cultural Practices and Representations
Ethnicity and Cultural Expression: Examining the Interplay between Culture and Ethnic Identity
Cultural History of Language and Linguistic Practices: Communication and Cultural Identity
Cultural Responses to War and Conflict: Art, Literature, and Popular Culture
Cultural History of Food and Cuisine: Culinary Traditions, Identity, and Globalization
Cultural Perspectives on Religion and Spirituality: Beliefs, Practices, and Symbolism
Cultural History of Music and Dance: Sound, Movement, and Cultural Expression
Cultural Representations in Visual Arts: Paintings, Sculptures, and Photography
Cultural History of Technology: Technological Innovations and Cultural Transformations
Cultural History of Fashion: Clothing, Style, and Cultural Significance
Cultural History of Literature: Analyzing Literary Works as Reflections of Culture and Society
Cultural Responses to Globalization: Hybridity, Localization, and Transnationalism
Cultural History of Sports: Sports as Social and Cultural Phenomena

Revisionist History

Revisionist history refers to the reexamination and reinterpretation of historical events, narratives, and perspectives. It involves challenging established interpretations and seeking alternative viewpoints to provide a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the past. Revisionist historians critically analyze traditional accounts of history, question prevailing assumptions, and incorporate new evidence or perspectives that may have been marginalized or overlooked. By revisiting and reevaluating historical narratives, revisionist history contributes to ongoing debates, expands our knowledge, and offers fresh insights into the complexities of the past. It encourages a more comprehensive and inclusive understanding of history by addressing biases, filling gaps in existing knowledge, and shedding light on previously marginalized voices and perspectives.

Revisionist History Essay Topics

The Concept of Revisionist History: Exploring Its Definition and Purpose
Revisionist History and the Reinterpretation of Historical Events
The Role of Revisionist History in Challenging Dominant Narratives
Revisionist Approaches to Political History: Reassessing Leaders, Movements, and Ideologies
Revisionist Perspectives on Social History: Reevaluating Power Structures and Marginalized Groups
Revisionist History and the Reassessment of Historical Figures: Heroes, Villains, and Complicated Legacies
Revisionist Approaches to Cultural History: Rethinking Art, Literature, and Popular Culture
Revisionist History and the Reinterpretation of Historical Documents and Sources
Revisionist Perspectives on Colonial History: Decentering European Narratives
Revisionist History and the Examination of Gender and Sexuality: Challenging Traditional Assumptions
Revisionist Approaches to Military History: Rethinking Strategies, Tactics, and Consequences
Revisionist History and the Reassessment of Economic Systems and Inequalities
Revisionist Perspectives on Diplomatic History: Rethinking Alliances, Treaties, and Conflicts
Revisionist History and the Study of Science and Technology: Examining Alternative Narratives
Revisionist Approaches to Environmental History: Rethinking Human-Environment Interactions
Revisionist History and the Reevaluation of Indigenous Perspectives and Histories
Revisionist Perspectives on Medical History: Challenging Biomedical Assumptions and Practices
Revisionist History and the Examination of Intellectual Movements and Ideas
Revisionist Approaches to Legal History: Rethinking Laws, Justice, and Rights
Revisionist History and the Reassessment of Historical Periodizations and Boundaries
Revisionist Perspectives on Migration and Diaspora: Rethinking Identity, Belonging, and Borders
Revisionist History and the Examination of Religion and Spirituality: Challenging Established Beliefs
Revisionist Approaches to Educational History: Rethinking Pedagogies and Knowledge Transmission
Revisionist History and the Reassessment of Historical Trauma and Memory
Revisionist Perspectives on Global History: Rethinking Eurocentrism and Multiple Modernities

As we conclude our journey through these 25 essay topics across various branches of historical inquiry, we hope that they have sparked your interest and provided you with a glimpse into the diverse and fascinating realms of historical research. Each field offers its unique perspective, methodologies, and critical questions, inviting scholars and students alike to delve deeper into the complexities of the past.

By exploring historical schools of thought, comparative history, oral history, archival research, quantitative history, postcolonial history, gender history, social history, cultural history, and revisionist history, we have encountered a myriad of lenses through which we can view and interpret the past. These essay topics encourage us to challenge conventional narratives, explore untold stories, and engage with the diverse experiences of individuals, communities, and societies across time.

The study of history is an ever-evolving endeavor, as new evidence, methodologies, and perspectives continually shape our understanding of the past. We encourage you to seize the opportunity to engage with these essay topics, conduct further research, and embark on your own intellectual exploration of the vast tapestry of human history. Through critical analysis, empathy, and an open mind, we can contribute to the ongoing conversations that shape our collective understanding of the past and its significance for the present and future.

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Choosing Inspiring Historical Events to Write About

Greetings, students of history! Unearthing the hidden corners of the past, appreciating the turns of events, and critically analyzing different perspectives are integral to studying history. With many eras, events, and figures, picking the right topic for your research paper might seem daunting. But fret not! This blog will guide you through an engaging journey into the annals of history, presenting a diverse list of topics across various epochs and geographical settings.

Before we delve into a comprehensive list of historical events, let’s discuss the significance of history and the process of writing a research paper.

Table of content

The Significance of History and Research Writing

Studying history is more than just memorizing dates and events. It offers a treasure trove of lessons about humanity, society, and our world. History opens our eyes to different cultures, ideologies, and epochs, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared past. It serves as a reservoir of our collective memory, recording human triumphs, failures, and aspirations.

Writing research papers, on the other hand, sharpens your skills in critical thinking, analysis, argumentation, and articulation. It offers the platform to delve deeper into a topic, analyze varying perspectives, and develop a coherent argument based on evidence.

Steps to Writing a Research Paper

Choose Your Topic

For a historical research paper, select a topic that genuinely interests you and offers ample resources for exploration.

Conduct Thorough Research

Engage with primary and secondary sources. Websites like JSTOR or Project Muse provide access to scholarly articles and primary documents.

Create an Outline

Organize your thoughts and main points. This will guide your writing process and ensure a coherent structure.

Write Your Paper

Begin writing, focusing on clarity and accuracy. Remember, revision is key to a polished paper.

Cite Your Sources

Adhere to the required citation style. Always give credit where it’s due to maintaining academic integrity.

Interesting Historical Events to Write About

Below is a list of fascinating historical events spanning different periods and regions, sure to inspire your research and captivate your audience.

Ancient History

Ancient history spans the period from the earliest human civilizations to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. It covers vast societies, from Ancient Egypt and the Indus Valley Civilization to Classical Greece and the Roman Empire. Scholars rely on historical texts, archeological finds, and other evidence to piece together our understanding of this distant past.

Topic Examples for Ancient History:

The Construction and Symbolism of the Sphinx in Ancient Egypt
The Role of Women in Spartan Society
The Impact of Hammurabi’s Code on Later Legal Systems
The Role of Oracle in Ancient Greek Religion and Decision Making
The Military Tactics of Hannibal Barca and the Second Punic War
The Mauryan Empire and Its Contributions to Indian Civilization
The Influence of Roman Architecture on Later Western Architectural Styles
The Function and Impact of the Silk Road on Ancient Civilizations
The Significance of Confucianism in Ancient Chinese Society
The Art and Culture of the Minoan Civilization
The Transition from Republic to Empire in Rome
The Decline and Fall of the Aztec Empire
Julius Caesar and the End of the Roman Republic
Daily Life in Ancient Athens
The Pharaohs of the New Kingdom in Ancient Egypt
The Social Structure of the Ancient Mayan Civilization
The Philosophies of Ancient Greek Thinkers: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle
The Role of Gladiatorial Games in Roman Society
The Importance of the Nile River to Ancient Egyptian Civilization
The Historical Accuracy of Homer’s “The Iliad”
The Reign and Impact of Cyrus the Great on the Persian Empire
The Impact of Agriculture on the Rise of Ancient Civilizations
The Formation and Development of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs

Medieval History

The medieval period, often called the Middle Ages, spanned from the 5th to the 15th Century. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and merged into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. This era saw the rise of Islam in the Middle East, the Age of Chivalry in Europe, the Mongol Empire in Asia, and significant cultural and technological changes worldwide.

Topic Examples for Medieval History:

The Impact of the Viking Raids on European Society
The Formation and Influence of the Byzantine Empire
The Development and Spread of Feudalism
The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe
The Black Death and Its Impact on Medieval Society
The Cultural Achievements of the Carolingian Renaissance
The Crusades: Motives and Consequences
The Life and Rule of Charlemagne
The Architectural Evolution of Medieval Castles
The Role and Rights of Women in Medieval Society
The Power Struggle Between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor
The Mongol Conquest: Causes and Consequences
The Impact of the Magna Carta on English Law and Civil Liberties
The Golden Age of Islam and Its Contributions to Science and Art
The Gothic Architecture: Characteristics and Examples
The Importance of Knights and Knighthood in Medieval Society
The Influence of Thomas Aquinas on Medieval Philosophy
The Hundred Years’ War and the Concept of National Identity
The Role and Power of the Medieval Guilds
The Formation and Influence of the Hanseatic League
The Daily Life and Challenges of a Medieval Peasant
The Influence of the Norman Conquest on England
The Culture and Achievements of the Moorish Rule in Spain

Modern History

Modern history generally encompasses the period from the late 15th Century to the late 20th Century. This era includes the Renaissance, Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution, and the Age of Imperialism, and it has seen dramatic changes in society, technology, and global power structures.

Topic Examples for Modern History:

The Social and Political Impact of the French Revolution
The Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution
The Evolution and Impact of Colonialism in Africa
The Industrial Revolution and Its Influence on Modern Economic Systems
The Influence of Enlightenment Philosophers on Modern Democratic Thought
The Life and Legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte
The Role of Women in the 19th Century
The Causes and Impact of the American Civil War
The Effect of the Meiji Restoration on Japan’s Modernization
The Impact of the Scientific Revolution on Society and Religion
The Role of the British Empire in Shaping the Modern World
The Political and Social Consequences of the Treaty of Versailles
The Transformation of Social Norms in the Victorian Era
The Effect of Steam Power on 19th-Century Industry and Transport
The Evolution of Nationalism in the 19th Century
The Legacy and Impact of the Ottoman Empire
The Causes and Effects of the Russian Revolution
The Contribution of Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison to Modern Electricity
The Exploration and Colonization of the New World: Impact on Indigenous Cultures
The Influence of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation
The Spread and Impact of Marxism
The Abolitionist Movement and Its Effect on Slavery in America
The Impressionist Movement and Its Impact on Art History

Contemporary History

Contemporary history begins with the end of World War II in 1945 and continues into the present day. This period has seen unprecedented global interconnectivity, rapid technological innovation, and meaningful sociopolitical changes.

Topic Examples for Contemporary History:

The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall: Causes and Consequences
The Civil Rights Movement in America: Leaders, Events, and Impact
The Causes and Effects of the Cold War on Global Politics
The Internet Revolution and Its Influence on Society and Economy
The Influence of Feminism on Contemporary Society
The Formation and Role of the United Nations
The Evolution of Environmental Movements and Their Impact on Policy
The Causes and Impact of the Arab Spring
The Historical Background and Consequences of the War on Terror
The Impact of Globalization on Culture and Economy
The Role of the European Union in Shaping Modern Europe
The Rise of China as a Global Power
The Development and Impact of Nuclear Technology
The Legacy of Apartheid in South Africa
The Political and Social Impact of the Vietnam War
The Historical Causes and Impact of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The Influence of Pop Culture on Society and Identity
The Development and Influence of Artificial Intelligence
The Causes and Effects of the Financial Crisis of 2008
The Ongoing Struggle for LGBTQ+ Rights
The Political and Social Changes in Post-Soviet Russia
The Humanitarian, Political, and Environmental Impact of Climate Change
The Role and Influence of Social Media on Politics and Society

The above topics only touch the surface of our rich past. Each topic opens up multiple sub-themes and perspectives you can explore in depth. Choose a topic that piques your interest, resonates with your academic goals, or adds a fresh dimension to your understanding of history.

Whether you explore ancient civilizations, pivotal wars, or transformative social movements, remember that studying history offers invaluable insights into our present and future. So dig into these historical events, and let the writing begin!

📎 Related Articles

1. Dive into History: Intriguing 20th Century Research Paper Topics 2. Navigating the Historical Labyrinth of Ancient Rome: Essay Topics 3. Discovering Ancient Egypt: A Guide to Essay Topics 4. Unlocking the Past: World History Research Topics 5. Unleashing Your Potential: Choosing a History IA Topic

100 History Research Paper and Essay Topics

15 August, 2021

13 minutes read

Author: Richard Pircher

History is reasonably one of the most important subjects every student encounters in their school, college, or university life. Some students adore it and prioritize history among all other subjects, while others hate it and find it ultimately boring. The truth is, history class is quite essential: it teaches you how to think critically, reflect on the events, find links between cases and occasions, and gives you a valuable opportunity to develop analytical skills. Indeed, studying what happened in the past is critical for understanding the future and being able to interpret current events. Moreover, learning history can make us capable of controlling the things happening around us and contributing to the better quality of our own lives.

As a history student, you are certainly expected to compose sound essays on world history topics as well as elaborate on any American history topic. To make sure you write quality essays , you need to learn how to process history essay topics, outline your arguments, and depict historical events in a convincing and accurate way. All in all, keeping some pieces of advice in mind can do you good if your goal is to come up with interesting history topics and craft excellent essays. In the following guide, we will talk about the key features of a history research paper, discuss how to choose history topics to write about, and provide you with sample history topics.

What Is a History Research Paper?

A history research paper challenges students with analyzing literature sources that are relevant to a particular historical event or historical era. Writing such a paper requires thorough preparation as well as in-depth research. Just like other types of college essays, a history essay follows a standard structure, where you need to develop a thesis statement and support it with relevant arguments and respective data. Thus, the only difference between a history research paper and other types of academic essays is that the first one analyzes solely historical events.

When writing a history research paper, it is critical to keep several points in mind, namely:

Relevance of the topic: why is it worth being discussed these days?
How is the topic related to the current times?
Why was the topic critical in the past?
How can a topic contribute to solving current economic and social issues?

Once you consider all the tips outlined above, you’ll become a pro at mastering any subject, from United States history research paper topics to the history of the middle ages.

Problems with writing Your History Research Paper ? Try our Essay Writer Service!

A Quick Guide to Choosing the Right Topic

If your goal is to craft an amazing history research paper with a strong thesis statement and not a less strong argument, there is a lot of effort to be made. A huge component of success lies in choosing the right topic. If you select a good and interesting one, you facilitate the writing process for yourself as well as make sure you will ultimately grab the reader’s attention. You might need to step out of your comfort zone and avoid limiting yourself to typical topics that have already been discussed thousands of times. Take a look at some tips that will help you come up with interesting but at the same time controversial topics in history:

It is always helpful if you take a look at existing, ongoing research topics. Coming up with your topic might be quite a challenge if you have no idea of what is going on in History research. For instance, find 20-30 US history topics, take a look at them, and think for a while. Which one has grabbed your interest the most? Which topic has the most potential and the biggest importance to you?

Do some prior research

Once you know the approximate direction of your research, go to the Internet and discover what others write about it. Try to search for some evidence you might need to apply in your paper. Once you find enough support and information, you will be able to narrow down the research topic and come up with your arguments for an essay.

Select the best sources

Writing a history research paper has a lot to do with literature research. You will need to find a bunch of online sources and select only the ones that are most relevant to your research topic. Make sure you use only the most reliable sources and always apply appropriate citations to avoid plagiarism.

Start outlining

Once you’re all set with a research paper topic, don’t forget to structure your history paper. Outlining is the key to writing a proficient, coherent, well-argumented paper. You will need to follow standard outlining: introduction, main body paragraphs, and a summary paragraph at the end. Make sure you have reasonable arguments and evidence for each point of your outline.

Develop multiple thesis statements

A thesis statement plays a critical role when we talk about history research papers. First, it gives the reader an idea of what you will be talking about in the essay. Additionally, it does let the reader know which line of arguments you will follow later on and helps them understand why you decided to talk about a specific historical event. To make it easier for you to structure body paragraphs, develop several statements. If you do so, you will develop several different arguments and finally choose the best ones.

Without further ado, take a look at 100 history research paper topics that will serve you as a basis for your own piece of writing:

Ancient History

Ancient Rome vs. ancient Greece: which one had more power in the past, and whose impact can be traced better today?
The philosophy of ancient greeks and its impact today
How the voting system of ancient Greece was organized
Protests in the ancient era: how demonstrations were organized in the past
The political system of ancient Rome
The military forces in ancient Greece
How Gladiator games were organized and which goal they pursued?
The society organization in ancient Egypt
Alexander the Great as one of the most leading figures in ancient History
Ancient Rome and civilian life

Middle Ages History Research Paper Topics

Crimes in the middle ages and how criminal behavior was treated
European Cities’ infrastructure during the medieval times
Philosophers of Medieval times and their impact on life today
The role of interfaith marriages in Medieval Europe
The most meaningful discoveries during the Middle Times and their contribution to the world economy
Revival of the Byzantine: the role and importance of the notion
Quran and its role in Medieval Europe
Middle Ages and the impact on the history of Europe
Why do some historians associate the Middle Ages with the era of discoveries?

Modern History

The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: the reasons and possible prevention mechanisms
Native Americans in the US today
US immigrant policy: the challenges that are being put on the foreign residents
Social movements and the role of the industrialization
Social movements in the US today
The notion of Westward Expansion
The most prominent inventions of the 21st century and their inventors
Industrialization and its consequences for the US
Great Recession: tracing the adverse consequence of the crisis today
The role of NATO in the modern society

World History Research Paper Topics

The war between the United States and Mexico: the reasons and outcomes
The colonization of South America
The famous battle at sea Spain and Great Britain
How Medieval Europe shaped and perceived social interactions and personal relationships
The long-term consequences of the Cold War between the countries of the Soviet Bloc and the United States
The Chernobyl explosion: one of the biggest nuclear catastrophes of the mankind
1968 student revolts
Formation of the European Union and the key events that contributed to it

European History

French revolution and the force distribution that followed
The history of the European economy
Early Modern Europe
Muslims of Europe
The propaganda of western theories in the 20th century
England of the 17th century and the problem of gender bias
The analysis of Mid-Tudor Crises in Europe
The history of Nazi Germany: comparing German government of the past to the government of today

World War I

The Treaty of Versailles and its impact on the events of World War I
The Gallipoli campaign and the World War I
The image of eastern and western fronts in World War I
Chemical Weapon in World War I: economic necessity or a hazard?
The entrance of America into the World War
Most influential alliances during the times of World War I
World War I and the Russian revolution
Battle at sea vs battle in the air: which countries used which strategies and why?
People and World War I: the cost of lives

World War II

How the Soviet army entered World War II and why its entry was critical for the World history
Child labor during the times of World War II
Africa and the World War II
Why did America decide to take a neutral role during World War II?
The fate of Germany after the end of the World War II
The state of diplomacy during World War II
The occupation of Japan
The events of the final year of World War II
Resistance towards Hitler in Germany during the times of World War II

African American History Research Paper Topics

The role of the 14th Amendment in the lives of African American society
Attempts to end slavery via Abolitionist Movement: success and failure factors
Angela Davis – one of the greatest civil rights activists in African American society
How Black Codes were designed to limit the freedoms of African Americans
Black History month: the roots of an opportunity to fight racism and learn the history of African Americans
Dr. Martin Luther King and his impact that finds reflection in the African American society today
Malcolm X and the rights of the people of color
How cultural movements of African Americans contributed to the cultural diversity of the United States
Robert F. Kennedy and the success of his speech

United States History

The causes of civil war in the United States
1776: the years of independence declaration
The key personalities during the times of revolutionary war
American social movements and the consequences that industrialization has had on the first
The history of slavery and human rights deprivation in the United States
The role of indigenous people: how is modern culture shaped by the impact of native Americans?
Analyzing the period between the wars
Emancipation Proclamation of 1863
Alcohol prohibition in the US: the roots and long-term consequences for the economy
Some of the most prominent historical events that took place during the times of Cold War
The Image of the United States during the Cold War
Cold War ar the period of uncertainty, fear, and resilience
The reason why Europe’s impact has been constantly shrinking at the times of cold war
Countries involved in the cold war and their role in it
Was it possible to prevent the Cold War or reduce its duration?
The influence of the Cold War in the current era: comparison of Russian vs. American pop cultures
The culture of the Soviet Union at the times of the Cold War
Chinese Communist Revolution during the Cold War

20th Century History Topics

American history of the 21st century
Ronald Reagan and the impact of the Mixed Legacies
The Holocaust and Roosevelt’s administration
Vietnam war: the role of females
Political Risks in American History during the reign of Harry Truman
Dictatorship in North Korea: the reasons behind it
The uprising of democratic movements
The history of organized crime in the 1920s in America
The greatest causes and consequences of the Great Depression
The death of the Soviet Union: how the world’s biggest country came to an end

A life lesson in Romeo and Juliet taught by death

Due to human nature, we draw conclusions only when life gives us a lesson since the experience of others is not so effective and powerful. Therefore, when analyzing and sorting out common problems we face, we may trace a parallel with well-known book characters or real historical figures. Moreover, we often compare our situations with […]

Ethical Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper on ethics is not an easy task, especially if you do not possess excellent writing skills and do not like to contemplate controversial questions. But an ethics course is obligatory in all higher education institutions, and students have to look for a way out and be creative. When you find an […]

Art Research Paper Topics

Students obtaining degrees in fine art and art & design programs most commonly need to write a paper on art topics. However, this subject is becoming more popular in educational institutions for expanding students’ horizons. Thus, both groups of receivers of education: those who are into arts and those who only get acquainted with art […]

25 Past Tense Question Examples

Once you have introduced students to the past simple tense , a great way to get students to practice using the past tense is to ask them many past tense questions . Asking past tense questions gives students an opportunity to talk about themselves and the things they have done. In this post, we have put together 25 past tense questions you can ask your students to help them practice speaking or writing in the past tense. We will also show you how to form both positive and negative past tense questions.

Past Tense Questions

Download and print, how to form past tense questions.

To create a past tense question, you must first begin with a past tense verb. For regular verbs, you simply add “-ed” to the base form of the verb. For irregular verbs , the past tense form must be memorized.

How To Form Negative Past Tense Questions

To form negative past tense questions in English, you will need to use the auxiliary verb “ did ” and the negative adverb “ not ” before the main verb. The order of the words in the sentence is the same as with regular past tense questions: the auxiliary verb comes before the subject, and the main verb comes after the subject.

Negative Past Tense Questions

Past tense questions – listening exercise.

To practice answering past tense questions, try this listening exercise. You will hear a man talking about his recent vacation to Paris. You will then be asked some past tense questions about the story. Answer the questions before the time runs out.

Related Resources

439 History Argumentative Essay Topics to Get an A [Writing Tips Included]

Who hasn’t been puzzled when it comes to choosing historical argument topics?

It is hard to memorize all the information given in a class. Undoubtedly, all historical issues can be developed into excellent history essay topics. The question to resolve is how to discover your case.

You can find 300+ unique world history argumentative essay topics in our article, as well as some essay writing tips. If our topics are not enough for you, use our instant and completely free research title generator .

🚧 History Essay Challenges
📜 Top 15 Topics
✊ Revolution Topics
🗺️ Regional Topics
🤴 Key Figures Topics
🏳️‍🌈 Key Movements
📿 Topics on Traditions
👁️‍ Topics on Mysteries
📝 Historical Topics – 2024

📢 History Persuasive Essay Topics

👉 Choosing a Topic
♟️ Writing Strategies

🚧 History Essay Topics Main Challenges

History shapes our present. To study the rules of our modern world and society, we need to research historical argument topics. They can show us which conflicts led to a better future and which destroyed our civilization.

History assignments for high school students contain many pitfalls. The five most critical of them are listed below.

Avoid thinking that any event was inevitable. First, we rarely dispose of a complete picture of a historical period. Second, some events are Force-Majeure and unpredictable. However, human choices matter. Focus on what could have been changed and which lessons we could learn from the alternative result.
Listing events is pointless. It can be read in any chronicle. Instead, your purpose is to analyze them. An untrivial perspective is what makes your essay a good one.
People often change their opinions. Historical figures also did. Try not to perceive their beliefs as a consistent and invariable set of ideas. Explore how they reached their wisdom or why they made errors.
Not all events are relevant to your history essay question . Make a list of the significant events and personalities that refer to your topic. Cross out all that can be omitted. Then add minor events related to those that left. It is what you should write about.
Avoid vague words. Great, prominent, positive, or negative are obscure words that make your writing limited and unilateral. Most personalities and events were multifaceted. Work in this direction.

List of do's and don'ts of history essay.

📜 Top 15 History Argumentative Essay Topics

History is full of mystery, riddles, and conflicting points. Writing a history paper will undoubtedly be fun if you choose an exciting history essay topic. Meet our list of the most provocative history questions.

How could The 1896 Anglo-Zanzibar last only 38 minutes?
Did Arab people invent the Arab numerals or Hindus?
Hitler as the man of the year in 1938, according to Time magazine.
The average life expectancy of peasants In the Middle Ages was about 25 years.
Why were Roman soldiers using baths as rehabilitation centers?
What was the importance of the Battle of Stalingrad?
The wars with the most considerable losses took place in China.
In 400 BC, Sparta had only 25,000 inhabitants but over 500,000 slaves.
Out of the last 3500 years, how many years were peaceful?
How important is tea time for British people?
In the middle of the 20th century, the whole British royal court got sick because of improperly cooked potatoes.
Compare the number of Soviet soldiers who died in World War II and the number of American ones.
Has any part of the Roman Empire existed 1000 years after the Fall of Rome?
Were the Egyptian pyramids actually constructed using slaves’ labor?
Did Leonardo Da Vinci have dyslexia?

⚔️ History Essay Topics on War

“There never was a good war or a bad peace,” — wrote Benjamin Franklin in one of his letters. Did we learn what peace is, after all? Discussion and analysis of armed conflicts that humanity has faced throughout its existence are still massive jobs researchers do. Below, you can find excellent topics on war and peace.

Detailed categorization to help you write a good essay about war!

How did the Second World War change family traditions? It lasted for six years, and families learned how to survive without a father. What were the psychological implications for mothers, children, and returning soldiers?
Food packages for long-term storage quickly developed during both World Wars . Explore which products changed the most. How did their modified form affect the cuisine and rations?
WWII spurred the creation of new professions . Find out which jobs appeared during this period. How were they linked to warfare? Did they change after the termination of the war?
Many scientific advances came to our understanding through dubious ways. The research and experiments of Nazi Germany on humans led to a breakthrough in medicine, anthropology, genetics, psychology, etc. Is it moral to use their findings for peaceful purposes?
Soldiers spread the Spanish Flu during WWI. It killed more people than died in military actions. Did it influence the outcome of the war? Analyze how the pandemic might have unfolded if it had happened in a time of peace.

1918 influenza pandemic killed 3% to 6% of the global population.

Explain how trench warfare slowed the military actions in WWI. What were the common diseases in trenches, and how did they affect the conflict? The Germans dug trenches not to lose any more ground.
American Women in History of World War II.
To which extent was Hitler not responsible for the Second World War? He was obviously the one to blame for the many atrocities of the Nazis. Still, which circumstances were out of his control and led to the war?
Japanese American Life During and after the World War II.
Compare the economic conditions in which Britain entered WWI and WWII.
The Treaty of Versailles in World War II History .
What was the military potential of Russia in WWI?
World War II People in “Hitler’s Army.”
Is it correct to say that the results of WWI caused WWII?
Minority Civil Rights in the US after the WWII.
Was Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria so influential that his death caused the outbreak of WWI?
What Was the Second World War Impact on the USSR?
The Russian population scarcely supported the Bolsheviks. What helped them to seize power during the October Revolution? The provisional government was occupied by the war. The Red Army followed the same interests, and Vladimir Lenin led the entire group.
Francisco Franco was the dictator of Spain from 1939 till 1975, when he died. How did the Spanish Civil War bring him to power? Why did Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy help him?
The monarchy in Uganda was abolished in 1967. Several years later, from 1971 to 1986, the country was torn apart by the Civil War . What were the causes of this dark period, and how did it end? Is Uganda peaceful now?
Describe the role of climate in the collision between the North and South in the US. Did long agricultural seasons make the South depend on fieldwork? Was the traditional use of slavery a way to get rich?
The polarized opinions of the left and right political forces caused the Greek Civil War. Based on the history of this conflict and the thematic in-country clashes of other countries, analyze the eternal and unending struggle between the left and right ideologies.
The American Civil War Outbreak and the Role of the Federal Government.
The English Civil War (1642 – 1651) was about ruling England, Scotland, and Ireland. What were the variants, and which one do you support?
Short- and Long-term Causes of the Civil War .
Describe the differences between the free Northern States and the slave Southern states during the American Civil War.
The Economics of the Civil War.
How did the Second Civil War in Sudan entail the creation of South Sudan through the referendum of 2011 ?
The Motives of Individual Soldiers Who Fought in the Civil War .
Why was Pugachev’s Rebellion (1773 – 1775) in Russia defeated?
Post-Civil War Political, Economic, Social Changes.
Austrian Civil War: The shortest possible conflict (12-16 February 1934).
Petersburg in the Civil War: History Issues.

Intercountry Wars

The image depicts the main reasons of international conflicts.

Analyze the possible reasons for an international conflict and how they can be regulated through warfare. List the ideas that motivated people to get into a war. This essay will illustrate the debatable history of wars.
Describe the relationship between the emergence of nuclear weapons and the Cold War. Why was America afraid of the Soviet Union and communism?
Why was the Spanish-American War one of the cheapest conflicts in history? It lasted for only several months and did not take many lives, as other military actions did. What secured its swift completion?
What Were the Major Diplomacy Steps of J.F. Kennedy in Cuba During the Cold War?
Why did Canada play a peacekeeper role at the beginning of the Cold War?
The Seven Years War and its Impact on the First British Empire.
How did the history of the Palestinians impact the Arab-Israeli conflict?
Outline the reasons for the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
The Vietnam War’s Impact on the United States.
Describe the collaboration between the American and Australian troops in the Vietnam War.
United States Role in the Korean War: History Analysis.
How did the Soviet Union and US intervention cause Afghanistan’s War on Terror?

Religious Wars

Why did the Huguenots fail in the French Religious Wars (1562 – 1598)? They could not rely on settlements that supported them. Thus, they were less autonomous than the Catholics.
How did the Thirty Years’ War change the geopolitical image of Europe? Why was it transformed into a group of independent states with equal rights? The most important consequence of the war was the creation of the modern notion of national borders.
Describe the relationship between the Second Great Awakening and the abolishment of slavery in the US. It also entailed several philanthropic reforms and women’s emancipation. Why did the movement inspire a new vision on slavery and encourage questioning the British monarchy control?
Quackers: The religion of pacifism and non-violence. Did their peaceful worldview prevent their faith from popularization? Which controversy with other confessions did they face?
How did the English Civil War (1642 – 1651) lay the modern parliamentary monarchy’s foundation in the UK?
Islam and War: True Meaning of Jihad.
How did the Second Great Awakening participants expect to bring America to a Golden Age through religion?
Comparison of Jewish and Muslim Experiences.
Which role did religion play in the American Revolutionary War (1775 – 1783)?
Christian Europeans vs. Islamic Arabs: Why did the fight for Jerusalem affect the Jews who lived in Europe?
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam .
Why did the Catholics fight with Protestants during the Thirty Years’ War?
Religious Beliefs and Political Decisions.
How did the Protestant Reformation lead to the European Wars of Religion?

✊ History Essay Topics on Revolution

Pick a revolution, any famous and well-documented one, and be sure to find a bunch of yet unresolved questions. Numerous mysteries held by revolutionary events give us a lot of topics to debate. Now, here are themes to study about the world and local revolutions.

Political Revolutions

The European Revolutions (1848) affected almost 50 countries. Battles and executions took tens of thousands of lives. How did nationalism incentivize the political and economic struggle?
How did the French invasion of Spain (1807) entail the Spanish-American Wars? The Spanish side aimed for political independence from America. What was their motivation?
Fulgencio Batista, the Cuban President, was an elected president. He gradually seized power and became a dictator. Why did the US politically support him before Fidel Castro ousted and replaced him?
The Shah’s regime brought economic shortages and inflation. Some people thought he was the puppet of the non-Muslim West (i.e., the US). How did Shah’s oil policy lead to the Iranian Revolution?
During the Storming of the Bastille , there were only seven political prisoners. Why did the revolutionaries attack this building and not the Versailles or some other royal building? Why was Bastille the symbol of monarchy and its abuse of power?
Various Propaganda Tools Shaped People’s Vision of the State and Themselves during the Cultural Revolution in China .

"When dictatorship is a fact, revolutions becomes a right" - Victor Hugo

The Events That Led to the American Revolution .
Describe and analyze the conflict between the Three Estates that led to the French Revolution .
Who won in the Spanish American War of Independence and why?
The Proclamation and the Stamp Act: Discriminatory laws that led to the American Revolution.
Economic Factors Contributing to the Cause of the American Revolution.
A political revolution does not change the property relations inside the country. Give examples of such events.
Cold War Role in the Iranian Revolution .
Haitian Revolution (1791–1804): The only successful revolt of self-liberated slaves.
The Effects of Social Media on Egyptian Revolution of 2011 .

Social Revolutions

Boston Tea Party (1773) was a protest of merchants against the British tax on tea. Why is it considered as the precursor of the American Revolution? How does it symbolize the birth of American patriotism?
The French nobility was not concerned with the problems of ordinary people. They dedicated themselves to leisure and intrigues. Do you agree with this statement? How does it fit with the idea that France had authoritarianism?
What is the difference between a political and a socio-economic revolution? Which event takes more time and has more dramatic consequences? Give several examples of the experience in different countries.
The Neolithic Revolution was the first social revolution in the history of humanity. Describe the shift from nomadic life to permanent settlements. How did the transformation change people’s lives and their sources of food?
Could we consider the Enlightenment as a social revolution? Was this transformation a peaceful one? What were its causes, and what did people strive for?
Syrian Arab Spring: Why Was it Late? Conflict Evolution and Solutions.
How did the burning of Cinema Rex theatre trigger the Iranian Revolution?
The American Revolution as a Social Revolution.
How did hope and idealism fuel the French Revolution?
The Revolution of Women in Society.
What was achieved by the Civil War in the USA (1861-1865)?
Child Labor During Industrial Revolution.
Analyze the existing theories of what does and does not constitute a revolution.
Karl Marx’s Ideas on Society Alienation and Conflict Theory.
What were the precursors of the Age of Revolution in Europe and America?
The Revolution of Transportation Systems.

🗺️ World History Argumentative Essay Topics

Time to examine history from a local perspective! Below you can find multiple excellent topics on regional history. The US history, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and more. Make sure to look at all of them precisely – this will require some effort.

US History Essay Topics

American history before 1877: The New World before Christopher Columbus. Which sources of knowledge about the first settlements do historians draw from? Which civilizations existed there before the invasion of the Europeans?
Explore the role of women in Colonial America . What rights did they have? What was their standard daily routine? Why was their work sometimes more complicated than that of their male relatives?
How did slavery appear in British America? What were the circumstances that led to forced labor? Why was the trans-Atlantic slave trade so prosperous?
How did the Founding Fathers treat Indian history and tribes? Were their actions legitimate? Did these deeds favor the establishment of the New World? Can such or any other “ethnic cleansing” ever be justified?

8 Founding Fathers of the United States.

Were Jim Craw Laws necessary for a smooth transition from slavery to democracy? Or were they a big mistake that provided freedom to African-Americans without giving them any rights?
The Roles Played by Different Presidents on American Civil Rights Movement.
Comment on the inflow of immigrants pursuing the American Dream after the Civil war.
The Enslaved Blacks and Free Blacks During the American Civil War.
How did Prohibition in the US cause the proliferation of the Italian-American Mafia?
American Revolution: The “History” and “Memory”.
Franklin Roosevelt led the US into the Second World War as the biggest debtor but exited it as the most significant creditor.
In Search of the American Dream throughout the History.
Describe the main problems the first British settlements faced in America.
The Right to Vote in the USA Throughout the History.
What were the psychological consequences of the Great Depression on ordinary American citizens?

Latin America History Essay Topics

How did smallpox influence the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire ? How did the disease contribute to other advantages of the Spanish forces? Why did Cortez wish to defeat the Aztecs?
The Panama Canal made Panama the second-fastest growing economy in Latin America after Chile. It brings about $2 billion in yearly revenue. However, more than five thousand people died during its construction. Was it possible to avoid the deaths by postponing the construction?
How the history of Peru would be different if Francisco Pizarro did not initiate the homicide of the Aztecs. Would modern Peru benefit from its pre-colonial natives? Which historical monuments would have been preserved?
Gold or silver was never found in Uruguay. How did this fact influence the present-day prosperity and stability in the country? Why did it present almost no interest for the colonial conquest?
In 1848, General Santa Anna sold a big part of Mexico to the United States. Why did he do so? What would Latin America look like now had he not sold the land to feed the army?
Nationalism and Development in the Countries of Latin America.
Why did Latin America wish to declare independence from Spain (1810)?
Haitian Migration History, and the Role of Jamaica in This Process .
Explore the benefits of the Chilean victory in the War of the Pacific (1879 – 1883).
Brazil and the European Union: The Relations.
Why did America win the Mexican-American War?
Criminal Justice Systems of the US and Colombia.
Describe how the borders of modern Brazil were decided back in 1494 .
Which consequences of Gen Alfredo Stroessner’s dictatorship in Paraguay can you name?
Mexico’s Globalization and Democratization.

European History Essay Topics

Why did ordinary people believe in Fascist propaganda? Analyze the psychological factors and the cultural precursors that made people susceptible to Nazism. Did the fear of being killed influence their willingness to obey the ruling party?
Find out the difference between the perception of gods in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Did both nations truly believe in gods? Was the Pantheon a cultural phenomenon? Why did they use the same gods with different names ?
Would Roman Empire have become so influential if it had never used slavery? Why was slavery an essential part of the economy of many countries? What changed then? Was the abolishment of slavery dictated only by humanism?
How did the relationships between lords and their vassals transform into modern government standards? Which positive and negative features were preserved throughout the ages? Compare the ancient tradition and the present-day government using historical and contemporary figures.
What is the difference between the Renaissance and the Enlightenment ?
Why Capitalism Started in Europe and Dominated the World ?
Analyze the evolution of peace-maintaining methods inside the country and around its borders throughout European history.
Building a Communist Society in East Germany.
What does the classical and vulgar language distinction in Ancient Rome tell us about the structure of its society?
Austria and France: Impacts and Causes of World War I and World War II.
Compare and contrast the role of Russia in WWI and the Napoleonic Wars .
Trace the development of European liberalism.
Germany at the End of the World War I.
List the six ancient civilizations and compare the causes that led to their fall .

Asian History Essay topics

What made the Mongol Empire the second-largest kingdom in human history? How did the empire use technology and production to ensure its prosperity? What helped Genghis Khan unite the nomadic tribes?
The Black Death is traditionally associated with Europe since it killed one-third of its population. Still, the bubonic plague started in Asia. Explore its outburst in 1330 – 1340 and its origins (presumably, in China).
Explore the consequences of numerous conflicts between nomads and settled people in Asia. How did this rivalry shape the history of the continent? Analyze the contribution of trading between nomads and towns.
A crossbow was invented in Asia. It revolutionized warfare. How did the weapon make archery a more democratic art? Which benefits did crossbow offer the army? Describe the history of the arm.

The word Aryan comes from Iran and India. It meant “a noble person.” How did it turn into the most abused words of anti-Semitism?
The Causes and Effects of Cultural Revolution in China (1966-1976).
What are the social effects of female infanticide in China, India, South Korea, and Nepal?
China’s New Silk Road for Trade and IGo to demoessays.commplications.
Compare and contrast the Indian castes and Feudal Japanese classes.
The Development of Tension Between South and North Korea.
How did the Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC) open Asia to be invaded by Alexander the Great?
Japan’s Withdrawing From the International Whaling Commission.
Describe the weapons of Ancient Asian civilizations as the mirror of their culture.
How did some Asian countries (Japan, China, and Siam) escape European colonization ?
Nationalism in East Asia, Japan and China.

Russian History Essay Topics

Which tribes created modern Russia? Were they Slavic or Finno-Ugric? Why does this history argumentative essay topic cause debates among historians? What are the implications of either variant for the Russian national identity?
How did the Tsardom of Moscow transform into the Russian Empire in 1721? What did Peter I do for this reformation? How did it change Russian society’s standard of living?
Why did Boris Godunov come to power breaking the Rurik family dynasty? Before his ascension to the throne, he was a Tatar nobleman and served as an advisor to Tsar Fyodor I. Why did his rule start at the Time of Troubles (1598 – 1613)?
Is it appropriate to call Moscow the “Third Rome” ? Sophia Palaiologina, the daughter of the last emperor of Constantinople, married Ivan III. Analyze the reasons for the statement that Moscow is the successor of the Roman Empire
What were the causes and consequences of the existence of the four “False Dmitrys”? Explore the under-the-carpet battle that led to the killing of the dynasty’s successors. How did the four imposters entail the decay of the institution of Tsardom?
Long-Term Strategies to Address Threats to the US’ Interest From Russia.
Which personal traits helped Ivan the Terrible establish the Tsardom of Russia and make it a powerful state?
Why Is There a Strong Russian Influence in Syrian Crisis?
Debate the phenomenon of Peter the Great : Was he the result of the epoch or the random person who changed Russian history?
Crisis on European Borders and Russia’s Threats.
What were the merits and drawbacks of Catherine the Great ?
Communist Nations Divisions During the Cold War.
How did other countries react to the Russian version of communism?
The Cold War Between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Did the communist regime make Russia stronger, or did it throw it back in time?
The Collapse of the Soviet Union .

African History Essay Topics

Why did the imperial historiography propagate that Africa had no history? They wanted to create the image of Africa as the “dark continent.” How did the historians justify these statements and relate them to the absence of writing?
The Kingdom of Kush : The most powerful African kingdom. Describe the period of its existence and outline the possible reasons for its decay. Which historical monuments have been found of that era?
Do you support the idea that humanity originated in Africa? Why does this statement insult the Western World? Is there enough evidence that proves the idea?
We know about African history from the perspective of Western scholars. Even the locally educated people who study history have adopted the Western way of looking at the past. What can be done about that?
Before European colonization , there were about 10,000 states in Africa. Describe their ethnic similarities and shared customs that we know nowadays.
What do we know about prehistoric Africa, i.e., the one that existed before the Ancient Egypt civilization?
China in Africa: Aspects of Sino-African Relations.
Why is slavery often mentioned as the initial reference point in African history?
African Americans Fight for the Rights.
Which problems arose in some African societies as a result of decolonization ?
The History of African American Women’s Fights for Suffrage.
Describe how decolonized Africa tried to decolonize its history.
Colonialism, Ideology, Ethnicity, Religion, Social Class, and Legitimacy in Africa’s Politics.

Australian History Essay Topics

James Cook was not the first one to discover Australia. Who were his predecessors? Why didn’t they gain as much fame as Cook did?

Who came to Australia before Captain James Cook?

King O’Malley : The founder of the Australian capital. How did he favor the creation of the Commonwealth Bank? How did Prime Minister Fisher ensure trust in the bank among the population?
Why did the Ballarat Rebellion finish just in 30 minutes? What did the rebels struggle for? How did the event lead to the signing of the Electoral Act of 1856?
The first colonizers of Australia were prisoners. How does this fact impact the contemporary image of the country? What were the historical implications of such a demographical situation?
Why do Australians consider the battle of 25 April 1915 (during WWI) as “the birth of the nation?” Describe the reasons that made Australian Imperial Forces participate in the war and attack the Turkish coast?
Why were Afghan cameleers important in Australia, and what caused their disappearance?
Aboriginal and Chinese Australians: Cultural Diversity.
What were the causes of the Rum rebellion of 1808, and which role did William Bligh play in it?
How Have Australian Attitudes Towards ‘Asia’ Changed Since the 1890?
Describe the role of Merino sheep in the Australian economy since they were first brought there by Captain John Macarthur in 1797.
Is Australian Foreign Policy Now Independent?
Ned Kelly : A ruthless killer or a symbol of resistance to the colonial power?
Multiculturalism in Australian Society .
Describe the Brisbane Line and its role in the Japanese invasion.
China’s and Australia’s Management of International Disputes.

🤴 History Essay Topics on Key Figures

The significance of historical figures is something challenging to measure and compare. And there is indeed no need to do that; everyone has their place, time, and role. With these topics below, we offer you to dive into biographies of some fascinating people. Take a deep breath; we are almost there!

Central Figures of Ancient History

Plato vs. Aristotle : The abstract vs. the empirical. Both of them are the most influential figures in Western philosophy. Aristotle was Plato’s disciple. What made their ideas so different?
Why was Diogenes a controversial personality? How did he manage to criticize social conventions through his simple lifestyle? Is poverty a virtue, as Diogenes claimed?
Aeschylus: The father of Tragedy . What were his contributions to the image of Ancient Greek theater? Explore his influence beyond his own time.
Homer created the ancient Greek identity. Did he formulate the qualities already present in his compatriots ? Alternatively, did he idealize the past to make the Greeks aspire for more?
Cleisthenes : The father of the Athenian democracy. Explore his contribution to the governance of Athens. How different was it from the modern idea of democracy?
The Ancient City of Tikal: Mayan Cultural, Social, Astronomy and Political Influence .
Why did Mark Antony and Cleopatra trust one another so much?
Plutarch : Our window to the ancient times.
Cleopatra’s Life and Political Impact .
How did Alexander the Great and his conquest change the ancient world?
Ethical Life Issues in Works by Cicero and C.S. Lewis .
Why do we consider Hippocrates as the father of medicine ?
Aristotle and Relationships at Work .
Describe the difference between the historical and fictional accounts of the assassination of Julius Caesar.
Alaric I the Visigoth: The person responsible for the Sack of Rome in 410.
Jesus & Mohammed: Comparison and Contrast.
Why was Leonidas I encircled by a hero cult?
Moses in Christianity, Judaism and Islam .

Central Figures of Medieval Ages

Tomás de Torquemada was the first Grand Inquisitor of Spain. Why did his name become the synonym of religious fanaticism and cruelty? What made him the most notorious Inquisitor?
Charlemagne was the creator of modern Europe. He divided the Carolingian Empire between his sons. He also added more parts to Europe that had never been under Roman or Frankish control before. Explore his activity.
Avicenna (980 – 1037) was the most important polymath of the Islamic Golden Age. Analyze his contributions to modern science.
Constantine was the last Byzantine emperor . He was killed when protecting Constantinople from the Ottoman Turks. What makes him a legendary figure in Greek culture?
Thomas Aquinas was the first theologian that linked religion and science. He connected Christian principles with Aristotelian ideas. How did he influence our perception of God and faith?
Did Marco Polo travel to China, or was he a big liar?
Joan of Arc as a Military Heroine .
Why was Sir William Marshal called “the greatest knight” in human history?
St. Thomas Aquinas’ Cosmological Argument Analysis .
Describe the leadership qualities of Richard the Lionheart in his battle for Jerusalem with sultan Saladin.
Was Genghis Khan a great ruler? Analyze his leadership style.
British Culture – Tudors, Henry VIII and Anglican Church.
William the Conqueror and his Domesday Book : The most critical statistical document in European history.
Why was Peter the Hermit the critical figure in the First Crusade ?
Elizabeth I’s Leadership. English History .
What was the role of Joan of Arc in the Hundred Years’ War?
Pope Innocent III: The person who invented the Crusades.

Central Figures of Modern Period

How did Otto von Bismarck change the European map and reinforce Germany? He was the first chancellor of Germany for 20 years. This fact made him the mastermind of European affairs for two decades.
Alexander II and Nicolas II: The grandfather and the grandson. Fifty years separated prosperity from decay. The first abolished slavery, and the latter caused the collapse of the Russian Empire.
Stalin: From a collective leadership to dictatorship. He was the man that defined the epoch. Why was he the longest ruler of the USSR? How did his activity shape the international image of the Soviet Union?
Mahatma Gandhi liberated India from Britain . Yet, he invariably insisted on non-violent methods. Could the liberation have happened in more favorable conditions for India if he had used more aggressive measures?

Gandhi wrote a letter to Hitler, addressing him as "Dear Friend," and beseeched him to stop the war. Hitler never wrote back.

Churchill: The ideologist of the anti-Hitler coalition and the creator of the Entente. Why do we consider him the inspirer of the British movement against Nazi Germany? What were the main postulates of his ideology?
The Civil Rights Movement by Martin Luther King.
From the modern point of view, did Lenin fulfill his intentions by introducing communism?
Einstein and his Contribution to Science .
If we abstract from the issues of morality, was Hitler a positive figure for his country?
Hitler’s Interests: Nazi Germany and the Jews.
What was the role of Margaret Thatcher’s activity in the process of entailing deep divisions in British society?
Leadership Management: The Case of Mahatma Gandhi .
Analyze the life story of Sigmund Freud that brought him to become the father of psychoanalysis.
How did Anne Boleyn help to create the Church of England?
US Foreign Policies from Eisenhower to Kennedy.
How did Jane Austen’s stories about unremarkable situations turn into social satire?
George Washington: Life, Presidency, Challenges as a Commander.
How did El Greco transform icon painting by using ordinary people as models?

Central Figures of Contemporary History

Mao Zedong drew inspiration from the Soviet Communistic ideology. How did his principles differ from the USSR scenario? Analyze the policy of Mao Zedong from the modern Chinese point of view.
Albert Einstein changed our perception of reality through his theory of relativity . It explained how objects behave in space and time. The approach gave us a chance to predict the future.
Analyze the personality of Usama bin Ladin as the founder of Al-Qaeda and the most famous terroristic leader. Explore his ideology and motivation for killing civil citizens. Can we change this ideology through education?
Stanley N. Cohen was the first person who managed to cut DNA into pieces. But Paul Berg is considered the father of genetic engineering. Which personality did more for genetics?
Harry Truman was a Vice President only for several weeks. Truman, the 33rd US President, ordered the dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Why did he do so?
Queen Elizabeth’s II contributions to the UK we know now.
Truman Doctrine in the United States History.
Anne Frank: The girl whose diary united millions of human tragedies.
Barack Obama’s Political Doctrine and Its Elements.
Describe the role of Douglas MacArthur in Japan’s restoration after WWII .
Maria Curie: The woman who taught us to use X-rays.
Merkel’s Germany and Trump’s Us Stances on Migration Policies.

Both Pierre and Marie Curie had no idea of the dangers of radioactivity.

How did Grace Kelly contribute to the image of Monaco as a touristic paradise?
Why did Gorbachev win the Nobel Peace Prize?

🏳️‍🌈 Argumentative History Topics on Significant Movements

Each epoch has had some movements that perform the leading ideas and soul of the corresponding time. Political, social, religious, and other movements have left multiple traces in different spheres of life. The necessity to explore these traces is pretty obvious, right? Let’s do it together.

Political Movements

Why does extreme libertarianism reject the authority of the state?
Anarchy and Sovereignty in International Relations .
Is it correct to regard feminism as a political movement ?
Analyze the incorrect interpretation of Nietzsche’s philosophy by the German Nazi.
“Manifesto of the Communist Party” by Karl Marx.
How do eugenic policies entail the loss of genetic diversity?
Discussion of Capitalism and Socialism.
Why are there two major parties in US politics?
Explore the development of the Women’s Suffrage movement in your local area.
Why does any political movement require access to state power to be successful?
Islamism: Political Movement & Range of Ideologies.
Does lobbying influence the development of various political movements in power?
Democratic Regime and Liberation Movements.
Describe communism as a secular religion.
Is anti-capitalism a viable ideology?

Social Movements

What are the achievements of the animal rights movement?
White Society’s Reaction to Civil Rights Movement.
Which women’s rights movements do you know, and what are their goals?
Civil Rights and #BlackLivesMatter Social Movements.
Do you believe that some psychological problems make people participate in social movements?

What did the Black Power Movement (1960 – 1980s) achieve?
Women’s Rights Movement Impact on Education.
What are the psychological effects of volunteering in hospices?
The Strategy of the National Popular Vote Movement.
Analyze the success of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Greta Thunberg : The inspirer of the international movement against climate change.
Free Movement of Workers in the EU Single Market.
Why does the majority of the population negatively look at all sorts of social movements?
#MeToo movement and its results: The cancellation culture.

Art Movements

How did the return of the African culture to the natives after WWII give birth to a new art movement?
Why are modern art movements so numerous, and what does this fact characterize?
Futurism. Artistic and Social Movement.
Which art movement do you consider the most recognizable?
Do you think Cubism is an art or a protest against artistic tradition?
An artistic movement: Copying geniuses or drawing inspiration from them?
Andy Warhol’s Paintings .
How did the Hudson River School of Art shape American painting?
Why did art in late Medieval Europe face decay?
Art Movements in History: Baroque .
What is the difference between the Baroque and Rococo styles?
Which artistic movement initiated the use of perspective in painting, and why did it happen?

Religious and Spiritual Movements

Explore the influence of fundamentalism on evangelicalism in America.
Look for similar features between new religious movements and radical Islamic groups .
Describe the distinctive traits of new religious movements that differentiate them from older religions.
Which methods does the Religious Right movement use against the LGBT community?
Do religious movements favor or impede globalization ?
Which psychological reasons drive young people to Satanism?
Why do people create new cults , and are they detrimental to society?
Explore the difference between a spiritual and religious movement.
Relation Between God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit .
Is it correct to consider atheism as a religious movement?
Modern spiritual movements: business or altruism?

📿 Interesting History Essay Topics on Traditions

No matter the military history of a state or region, cultural heritage and traditions are something every society has. Now, the most exciting part is to explore these traditions and rituals. It can be a long journey!

Trace the difference between Vlad the Impaler as a historical and mythical figure.

Prince Charles of Wales, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, is the descendant of Vlad Dracula in the sixteenth generation.

Which events and traditions shaped the way we imagine a witch?
False and Folk Etymologies of Words .
Analyze Baba Yaga as the symbol of mother nature in Russian folklore.
How does German folklore reflect in the tales of the Brothers Grimm ?
The Thousand & One Nights: Folk Collection Overview.
Is there any scientific explanation for weather prediction by natural signs is present in many cultures’ folklore?
Witch-Hunt in Europe During the Middle Ages .
Half-human creatures of ancient times: Who were they, and which archetype did they represent?
Explore the folklore origins of the Swastika , which became the Nazi symbol.
The mythology of Achilles’ heel: What does it symbolize?
The Epic of Gilgamesh – A Classic Tale.
Describe the meaning of fireflies in Japanese culture.
“The Tale of Kieu” by Nguyen Du .
What is the link between zombies and voodoo?
Discover the origins of putting a pickle ornament on Christmas trees in Germany.
Why Saturnalia, Mithras, and Hanukkah were the precursors of modern-day Christmas?
What is the link between the Festival of Lanterns and Chinese New Year?
What are the origins of Imbolc in Celtic tradition?
Chinese Spring Festival .
Which African-American harvest celebrations were unified under the name of Kwanzaa?
What does Jewish Hannukah commemorate, and why does it last eight days?
Why does the US celebrate Veterans Day at the 11th hour on the 11th day and 11th month?
Why did the US presidents start racing Easter Eggs?
What is the relation between Daylight Savings time and WWI?
Analyze the geography and calendar of Christmas in different parts of the world.
Why are most rituals practiced in modern world religions?
Buddhism: History, Origins, and Rituals .
Describe human sacrifice rituals in Ancient Rome .
Why do civilized countries use rituals in politics, for example, during the presidential inauguration?
Crusades from a Christian Viewpoint .
Compare male and female initiation rituals in African countries.
How do funeral rituals help humans overcome the pain of loss?
Marriage rituals in Japan: History that is preserved to nowadays.
Explore pagan rituals that remained in the Christian culture.
Is Baptism a ritual of initiation?
What do the burial rituals of native Americans tell us about their culture?

👁️‍ Essay Topics on Historical Mysteries

Have you ever thought about how many things around us are still covered with layers of questions? Humanity has still not resolved some events, places, and people that took place throughout history. Let’s have a look at some breathtaking historical mysteries.

Think of the reasons for the Great Leap Forward . Why did people start painting caves and making jewelry?
During the Middle Ages, English speakers changed the way they pronounced vowels. What are the theories of the Great Vowel Shift ?
The Green Children of Woolpit: A scary folk tale or a historical event?
The Inca civilization: Highway and postal system, skull surgeries, and other signs of culture.
The Sea Peoples caused the Bronze Age Collapse. Who were they? Where did they come from?
What are the available explanations of the Phoenix Lights?
The Salem Witch Trials and Their Impact on Massachusetts .
Analyze the theories explaining the Baghdad batteries and select the most true-to-life version.
What do we know about the “ Nazi Bell. ” Why is there so little information about the secret weapon?
What do we know about the Philadelphia Experiment ? Discuss the major theories and opinions on that case.
The Tunguska event: Military experiments or a meteoroid impact?
The mystery of Yonaguni Island and its underwater structures: Who were their creators?
The Bermuda Triangle: Human error camouflaged as a mystery.
Was the uncanny nature of The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park created by Stephen King?
Delano Roosevelt’s bomb shelter : Why did the President order to construct the chamber in 1941?
What is known about the secret passageways and hiding rooms of the British Queen?
The chief designer of the “hall of records” in Mount Rushmore died before completing his work. Was it a conspiracy?
Why do the scientists believe that the secret of Stonehenge will be revealed in some decades?
Find out the facts that point to the existence of Atlantis.
The Lock Ness Lake and the monster: A non-extinct dinosaur?
Money Pit on the Oak Island : A geologic formation or a place to hide treasures?
What traits make Jack the Ripper so attractive to historians and fiction writers?
Italian Americans Portrayed as Mafia Members in Films .
Keth Arnold saw some “flying saucers” that traveled faster than jet airplanes. Was it a UFO or a flock of birds?
David Blair: The person who was guilty in the Titanic catastrophe.
Was Joan of Arc executed for heresy or for dressing in male clothes?
The mystery of Amelia Earhart: Dead or alive?
Was Grigori Rasputin really capable of predicting the future?
Did the lost Grand Duchess Anastasia die when the rest of the Romanov family was killed?
Explore the mystery of the Babushka Lady , who recorded the assassination of John F. Kennedy. What is known about her and the purposes of her filming?
The Man in the Iron Mask and his sentence in the Bastille: Who could he be?
Perseus in the Manhattan Project: How did he manage to hide from the US for so long?

📝 Historical Topics to Write About – 2024

Geopolitical consequences of the USSR collapse for the world.
The influence of Confucianism on modern society in China.
How did the formation of NATO impact the Cold War?
The significance of Napoleon Bonaparte in European history.
The development of democracy in ancient Athens.
Reagan’s tax reform and its impact on the modern economy.
What were the key consequences of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings?
The September 11th events and their impact on global security.
The Manhattan Project and the development of nuclear weapons.
The influence of slavery on African American families.
Mahatma Gandhi and his influence on the ideology of modern India.
What was the role of the first moon landing in astronomy?
The ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its value.
The true history of the Confederate flag.
How much regulation is necessary for capitalism to function?
The main causes of the Vietnam War.
Historical events should be reexamined through a contemporary ethical lens.
The debate over the role of the United States in the Middle East.
The controversy behind the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Operation “Barbarossa”: aggression or attack prevention?
The reasons for Martin Luther King’s assassination.
The efficiency of the United Nations.
Christopher Columbus: heroic explorer or the harbinger of genocide?
The disputes about the origins of Shakespeare.
Was Donald Trump an effective president?
The benefits of communism in Eastern Europe.
Is the world doing enough to prevent the destruction of historical sites?
The real motive behind the Watergate scandal.
South Korean provocations of the Korean War.
Should the United States have entered World War I?
Princess Diana’s death as the subject of a conspiracy theory.
The effect of the Cuban Missile Crisis on the Cold War.
Is the international community doing enough to commemorate the Holocaust?
The debate over the use of internment camps during WWII.
The factors contributing to the Nazi Party’s rise in Germany
Did the attack on Pearl Harbor push the USA into WWII?
The leading causes of the Roman Empire’s fall.
Mysteries of the disappearance of the Mayan civilization.
Disputes about the role of women in medieval society.
The corruption of the Catholic Church: myth or truth?
Capitalism is the best economic system.
The injustices experienced by Muslims after 9/11.
What would have happened without Hitler?

👉 History Essay Topics: How to Choose

Selecting the proper essay topic can sometimes be rather tricky. Especially after reading all these fascinating questions above😏

Jokes aside, perfect topic choice is crucial if you want to write a good essay or a research paper and get a high grade. Here are some useful tips that will help you make the right choice and write a great history essay.

		Writing a good history paper on something you find boring and do not care about is impossible. If you like your history essay topic, you will enjoy researching it, and your reader will enjoy reading your piece.
		Ask yourself if you will be able to explore the topic for your history essay on several pages. Your first idea is almost always likely to be too big. Refine it to a manageable size.
		Figuring out the best angle for your college history essay topic will help you control your writing, give it structure and define your thesis.
		If you have some vague thought of what you want to write about but do not know how to start, use online and offline sources to look them through for ideas.
		Write a list of things you are interested in. Make it as long as possible and take a short break. Look through the list and find the idea you like most. Then brainstorm the idea you have chosen separately. This way, you’ll narrow down your topics to the one that is best for you.
		Maybe you just do not know the subject well enough, which is why you cannot find the idea for your history essay. What sources are available? Make sure your topic has enough references to do thorough research.

♟️ Strategies for Historical Argument Topics

When it comes right to writing a historical essay, you should consider several scenarios of how to build your text. Depending on your topic and the point of view, you might need different strategies.

Now, let’s see the differences between descriptive and research argumentative essays on historical topics.

Historians debate my topic. I agree with some of them, and I’m going to prove that. I will use their arguments to show their correctness.
Historians disagree on my topic. I think they shall start their debate all over again, as they have reached a dead end.
Historians relatively agree on my topic. I have developed a better interpretation of the events in question.
Historians disregarded my topic. I will explain its topicality and list what should be researched.
Several historians have examined my topic, but their findings are inconsistent. I will present more constructive evidence to clarify things.
Many historians have studied my topic. However, I will take a fresh look at the subject matter from the perspective of new research or methodologies.

And we are done here.

Now, have a break if you’ve read all 396 topics. Though, wait, did you find something fitting you? In that case, you are free for a break 👼

In case if you are still not sure what to write about, we recommend you to read these topic compilations:

The Best Argumentative Essay Topics for 2024
Hot Problem-Solution Essay Topics
250+ Interesting Topics to Research
Cause & Effect Essay Topics for Students
Top 138 Awesome Sociology Essay Topics & Questions for 2024

We are pretty sure there’s no hopeless situation. It’s just a matter of time and effort. And everyone needs a different amount of each. So, keep calm, and let’s rock this history essay!

Good luck, friends 🍀

Research Paper Analysis: How to Analyze a Research Article + Example

Film analysis: example, format, and outline + topics & prompts.

UPSC Essay Topic wise Question Papers of last 31 years (1993-2023) for Civil Services IAS/IPS Exam Free Download

In the UPSC mains examination, essay paper is worth 250 marks and three hours. Here is the topic wise questions from the earlier years for the benefit of civil service IAS IPS aspirants.

1.1 India Since Independence

1.2 federalism, decentralization, 1.3 administration, 1.4 judiciary, 1.5 poverty, social justice, 1.6 indian society, culture and values, 1.7 media, tv & cinema, literature, 2.1 growth vs development, 2.2 environment vs development, 2.4 sectors of economy, 3.1 values in education, 3.2 scheme implementation, 3.3 higher education, 4.1 character, honesty, ethics, 4.2 knowledge, 4.3 compassion, 4.4 truth and reality, 4.5 youth, discipline, 4.6 towards excellence, 5.1 @national politics, 5.2 @world / quote type, 5.3 empowerment overall, 5.4 compared to men, 6.1 globalization, 6.2 international org./ bilateral, 6.3 security, 6.4 history, 7.1 science and religion, 7.2 science and education, 7.3 computer and internet, 7.4 sci-tech: others, appendix: linear paper of upsc essay 2023, appendix: linear paper of upsc essay 2022, appendix: model answer pe free lecture & powerpoint, appendix: syllabus of essay paper in upsc, 1 india: democracy, administration, society, culture.

Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? -2013
In the context of Gandhiji’s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms ‘Swadhinata’, ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Dharmarajya’. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy -2012
Dreams which should not let India sleep. -2015
Why should we be proud of being Indians? -2000
Whither Indian democracy? -1995
How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? -2003
What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997
What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001
My vision of India in 2001 a.d. -1993
Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India. -2017
Water disputes between States in federal India. -2016
Cooperative federalism : Myth or reality. -2016
Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication -2011
Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. -2007
Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004
The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998
There are better practices to “best practices”. -2021
How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003
Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995
The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy -1996
Need for transparency in public administration -1996
The country’s need for a better disaster management system. -2000
Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. -1994
We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. -2017
Justice must reach the poor -2005
Judicial activism and Indian democracy. -2004
Judicial activism. -1997
A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity. (- जिस समाज में अधिक न्याय होता है उस समाज को दान की कम आवश्यकता होती है।) – 2023
There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless (बिना आर्थिक समृद्धि के सामाजिक न्याय नहीं हो सकता, किन्तु बिना सामाजिक न्याय के आर्थिक समृद्धि निरर्थक है ) -2020
Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness. -2019
The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. -2009
Food security for sustainable national development -2005
Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999
Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have (जो हम है, वह संस्कार; जो हमारे पास है, वह सभ्यता ) -2020
Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000
Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000
The composite culture of India. -1998
The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994
From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift? -2010
New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion -1996
Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy. -2019
Responsibility of media in a democracy. -2002
Role of media in good governance -2008
Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? -2011
How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? -2007
Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? -2014
Mass media and cultural invasion. -1999
The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. -1998
Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world (कवि संसार के अनधिकृत रूप से विधायक होते हैं) – 2022

2 Economy, Development

Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. -2018
Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. -2016
Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare. -2016
Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms. -2016
Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. -2015
Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country? -2014
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country-2013
Can capitalism bring inclusive growth? -2015
Resource management in the Indian context. -1999
Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence. -1993
Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence (आर्थिक समृद्धि हासिल करने के मामले में वन सर्वोत्तम प्रतिमान होते हैं।) – 2022
Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India. -2018
Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? -2010
Urbanisation and its hazards -2008
Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. -2006
Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. -1997
Ecological considerations need not hamper development. -1993
Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. -2006
Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs -1994
Special economic zone: boon or bane -2008
Is the criticism that the ‘Public-Private-Partnership’ (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified ?-2012
Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India. -2017
BPO boom in India. -2007
Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? -2014
Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? -2009

3 Education

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in – school. (- शिक्षा वह है जो विद्यालय में विधालय में सीखी गई बातों को भूल जाने के बाद भी शेष रह जाती है।)
Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms. -2017
Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil-2015
Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the childhood. -2007
Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014
Irrelevance of the classroom. -2001
Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2014
Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. -1996
Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses ? -2008
What is real education? -2005
“Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. -2006
Restructuring of Indian education system. -1995
Privatization of higher education in India. -2002
Credit – based higher education system – status, opportunities and challenges -2011

4 Quote based, Philosophy, Ethics

A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities (हर असमंजस के लिए मुस्कराहट ही चुनिन्दा साधन है) – 2022
Philosophy of wantlessness is a Utopian, while materialism is a chimera. -2021
Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me. -2021
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication (सरलता चरम परिष्करण है ) -2020
Ships don’t sink because of water around them ships sink because of water that gets into them (जहाज अपने चारों तरफ के पानी के वजह से नहीं डूबा करते, जहाज पानी के अंदर समां जाने की वजह से डूबता हैं ) -2020
Life is a long journey between being human and being humane. (मनुष्य होने और मानव बनने के बीच का लम्बा सफर ही जीवन है)-2020
Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be -2019
Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society -2019
Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success -2019
Wisdom finds truth -2019
A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. -2018
Customary morality cannot be a guide to modem file. -2018
Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed. -2016
Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. -2015
With greater power comes greater responsibility. -2014
Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. -2014
Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man. -2007
He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a king. -1993
Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. (- सोच एक खेल की तरह है, यह तब तक शुरू नहीं होता है जब तक कि एक विपरीत टीम/पक्ष न हो।) – 2023
Mathematics is the music of reason. (- गणित ज्ञान का संगीत है।) – 2023
The real is rational and the rational is real. -2021
Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self (विचारपरक संकल्प स्वयं के शांतचित्त रहने का उत्प्रेरक है )-2020
‘The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values. -2018
A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. -2018
There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003
Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995
Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. -2017
Compassion is the basic of all morality of the world -1993
Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. -2015
Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)-2013
Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right (केवल इसलिए कि आपके पास विकल्प हैं, इसका यह अर्थ कदापि नहीं है कि उनमें से किसी को भी ठीक होना ही होगा) – 2022
Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. -2018
Truth is lived, not taught -1996
When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995
Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002
The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining (छप्पर मरम्मत करने का समय तभी होता है, जब धूप खिली हुई हो) – 2022
You cannot step twice in the same river (आप उसी नदी में दोबारा नहीं उतर सकते) – 2022
Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin -2008
Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret -1994
If youth knew, if age could. -2002
Youth culture today. -1999
Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? -2014
Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. (- दूरदर्शी निर्णय तभी लिए जाते है अंतर्ज्ञान और तर्क का परस्पर मेल होता है।) – 2023
Not all who wander are lost. (- भटकने वाले सभी गुम नहीं हो जाते।) – 2023
Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane (- रचनात्मकता की प्रेरणा अलौकिक ता में चमत्कार ढूंढने के प्रयास से उपजति है) – 2023
A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for (जहाज बन्दरगाह के भीतर सुरक्षित होता है, परन्तु इसके लिए तो वह होता नहीं है) – 2022
Quick but steady wins the race. -2015
Useless life is an early death. -1994
Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995
The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002
The pursuit of excellence. -2001

5 Women empowerment

Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. -1997
Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006
The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995
Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. -2021
If women ruled the world -2005
The hand that rocks the cradle -2005
Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality (पितृ-सत्ता की व्यवस्था नजर मैं बहुत काम आने के बावजूद सामाजिक विषमता की सबसे प्रभावी संरचना है) -2020
Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. -2017
If development is not engendered, it is endangered. -2016
Whither women’s emancipation? -2004
Empowerment alone cannot help our women. -2001
Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. -1999
Woman is god’s best creation. -1998
Men have failed: let women take over. -1993
Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal ?-2012

6 International issues, Internal Security, History

South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities. -2019
Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1994
‘globalization’ vs. ‘nationalism’ -2009
National identity and patriotism -2008
Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004
The masks of new imperialism. -2003
As civilization advances culture declines. -2003
The implications of globalization for India. -2000
My vision of an ideal world order. -2001
India’s contribution to world wisdom. -1998
The world of the twenty-first century. -1998
Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. -2010
Technology as the silent factor in international relations (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंधों मैं मौन करक के रूप मैं प्रौद्योगिकी) -2020
Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world ? -2017
Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities -1996
The global order: political and economic -1993
India’s role in promoting ASEAN co-operation. -2004
Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement -2006
Management of Indian border dispute is a complex task. -2018
In the Indian context , both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism -2011
Are we a ‘soft’ state ? -2009
Good fences make good neighbours -2009
Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007
Terrorism and world peace -2005
True religion cannot be misused. -1997
History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. -2021
Geography may remain the same ; history need not. -2010

7 Science-Technology

Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003
Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?-2012
What is research, but a blind date with knowledge! -2021
Modern technological education and human values. -2002
Value-based science and education. -1999
The march of science and the erosion of human values. -2001
The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced. -2021
Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling. -2019
‘Social media’ is inherently a selfish medium. -2017
Cyberspace and Internet : Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run -2016
Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. -2006
The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. -2000
Computer: the harbinger of silent revolution. -1993
Technology cannot replace manpower. -2015
Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation-2013
The modern doctor and his patients. -1997
The lure of space. -2004

Section-A (write any one)

Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. (- सोच एक खेल की तरह है, यह तब तक शुरू नहीं होता है जब तक कि एक विपरीत टीम/पक्ष न हो।)
Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. (- दूरदर्शी निर्णय तभी लिए जाते है अंतर्ज्ञान और तर्क का परस्पर मेल होता है।)
Not all who wander are lost. (- भटकने वाले सभी गुम नहीं हो जाते।)
Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane (- रचनात्मकता की प्रेरणा अलौकिक ता में चमत्कार ढूंढने के प्रयास से उपजति है)

Section-B (write any one)

Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines. (-लड़कियां बंदिशों के तथा लड़के अपेक्षा के बोझ तले दबे हुए होते हैं दोनों ही समान रूप से हानिकारक व्यवस्थाएं हैं।)
Mathematics is the music of reason. (- गणित ज्ञान का संगीत है।)
A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity. (- जिस समाज में अधिक न्याय होता है उस समाज को दान की कम आवश्यकता होती है।)

Answer one-one essay from each section in 1000-1200 words

History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man (इतिहास वैज्ञानिक मनुष्य के रूमानी मनुष्य पर विजय हासिल करने का एक सिलसिला है।) – 2022
A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for (जहाज बन्दरगाह के भीतर सुरक्षित होता है, परन्तु इसके लिए तो वह होता नहीं है) & 2022
Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right (केवल इसलिए कि आपके पास विकल्प हैं, इसका यह अर्थ कदापि नहीं है कि उनमें से किसी को भी ठीक होना ही होगा) – 2022

Year	Lectures	Powerpoint
2023	Free Lecture:	Free Powerpoint:
2022	Free Lecture:	Free Powerpoint:

Essay: Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

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6 Podcasts About the Past That Resonate

Covering everything from ancient civilizations to 20th-century war craft, these shows deliver incisive and engaging history lessons.

An illustration shows a bust that is reminiscent of classical Grecian style. The bust is wearing a large pair of over-the-ear headphones with a dramatically long, red cord. The cord is attached to a smartphone with podcast graphics on the screen.

By Emma Dibdin

Over the past few years, debates have been waged over how American history should be taught in schools , particularly subjects like slavery and racism. Covering everything from ancient civilizations to 20th-century politics, these six shows deliver incisive and engaging lessons that will resonate no matter how much you learned (or paid attention) in history class.

‘The Dollop With Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds’

This comedic history staple was an early example of a podcast format that’s become ubiquitous: one host talks in depth about a particular subject to a second host, who’s unfamiliar with the topic. In each episode, the comedian Dave Anthony reads out a different story from U.S. history to his co-host, Gareth Reynolds, with topics including politics, sports, even the origin story of cereal in America. Because Reynolds is always coming in cold, his reactions, riffs and impersonations feel spontaneous in a way that only improv can, and the pair’s natural chemistry makes the laughs infectious. The blend of off-the-cuff humor and rigorous research has made “The Dollop” a podcast-chart mainstay for more than a decade, and ensures that the show remains accessible to a wide swathe of listeners beyond history buffs.

Starter episode: “Ronald Reagan with guest Patton Oswalt (Part 1)”

‘Fall of Civilizations’

Hosted by Paul Cooper, a historian and novelist, this podcast burrows into the stories of once-mighty ancient civilizations, exploring the complex web of political, economic and human factors that built them up and ultimately tore them apart. Episodes are infrequent (on average just two or three per year), but they’re dense and detailed epics, running more than two hours apiece and woven together from sources, including historical records, archaeological findings and contemporary academic opinions. Over the show’s 16 episodes, the collapses covered include the Cambodian Khmer Empire, the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia and the still-mysterious society that once existed on Easter Island. The listening experience feels like reading a comprehensive book from cover to cover, but with none of the dryness that might imply thanks to the immersive quality of Cooper’s retellings.

Starter episode: “The Catastrophic Fall of Roman Britain”

‘Behind The Bastards’

Hosted by the journalist Robert Evans, alongside a revolving series of guests, the podcast examines history through the lens of its very worst men. The definition of “bastards” is expansive, encompassing historical tyrants and dictators, abusive men in Hollywood and contemporary politicians and corporate executives. Also included are businesses and industries, like the East India Company, Purdue Pharma and the payday loan industry. Even when covering well-trodden ground, “Behind the Bastards” finds fresh and enjoyably weird angles — for example, the episode titled “Hitler: Y.A. Fiction Fan Girl.” Evans, who has reported on conflict zones, police brutality and far-right extremism for the investigative news website Bellingcat, also has a knack for drawing parallels from the past to the present. In June of 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, for example, he produced a mini-series spinoff titled “ Behind the Police ,” which explored the checkered history of policing in America.

Starter episode: “Part One: The Most Evil Company In History”

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Full-Length SAT Suite Practice Tests

Find full-length practice tests on Bluebook™ as well as downloadable paper (nonadaptive) practice tests to help you prepare for the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9.

Gamsat Review Blog

Everything you need to know about GAMSAT by Dr Peter Griffiths

Past GAMSAT Essay Topics

Here is a list of some past Gamsat essay topics which have come up before in the test.

These previous Gamsat essay topics have been reported by actual candidates after past sittings of the test over several years so we know they are accurate.

If you'd like to download these as a PDF just click here > Gamsat Essay Topics

After the general previous Gamsat topics below I've also included some Gamsat style quotes you can use to practice writing your own essays. These are also included in the PDF above.

If you'd like to get a full length Section 3 Practice Test with worked answers and which also contains two more essay prompts for Section 2 then fill in the form to the left on this blog or click the link below.

https://www.gamsatreview.com/gamsat-practice-test

Past GAMSAT Essay Topics Task A

Equality/whether everyone has equal opportunities

Respect towards people of power/discipline/questioning people in power

Trust and respect in society

Over population

Taxation/welfare systems

Tolerance and prejudice

Affirmative action

Intelligence vs. knowledge

Relationship of past, present, future

Nature vs. nurture

Originality

Benefits of technology

Climate change

Past GAMSAT Essay Topics Task B

Whether the rich/poor are happier

Marriage and the idealism around it

Recreation and rest/we used to not have enough, now too much

How our habits define who we are

Celebrity and influence

Happiness/what defines a good life

Respect for age vs. pursuit of youth

Knowledge vs. Wisdom

Does pain make you appreciate joy?

Do looks matter?

Now you've read the list of some past Gamsat essay topics let me say something about them.

I've published them here to satisfy student demand, everyone asks about them. Maybe you arrived here yourself as a result of an internet search for this topic.

But they really won't help you that much...

At most these examples will give you some psychological comfort when you see that most of them aren't that difficult. They're the sort of typical bland, boring essay subjects that you would guess would come up if someone asked you to take a guess and make a list.

There's nothing surprising or mysterious here.

Now maybe you are one of those people who thinks that if you practice writing essays on a LOT of different prior topics, then maybe one of those same themes will come up in your actual test and so it will be that much easier for you.

But that is a fallacious idea.

First of all even if ACER does re-use topics (it has never been confirmed) the chances of one of them coming up in your particular sitting is miniscule. Add to that the fact that in recent years we are seeing that not everyone gets the same topics or sets of quotes for section 2 anyway. So even if they did happen to re-use a set of themes the chances of you getting them are even smaller.

It will be a much better use of your time to practice an ESSAY WRITING SYSTEM which can cope with turning ANY set of quotes into a high scoring essay.

That way you won't have to rely on luck or be at the mercy of any particular topic. A good essay writing method should enable you to deal with any subject or theme that the Gamsat throws at you.

The essay writing system inside the Gamsat Review Home Study Course for example is designed to do exactly that.

Tips To Improve Your GAMSAT Essays

1. Argue for both sides of an issue rather than just giving an opinion piece from one point of view. This will demonstrate thought and consideration and help you pick up the marks for quality of thinking.

2. Learn a variety of stock phrases for openers, closers, introducing your arguments and your conclusions. This will help you avoid repetition and also help give your essay structure.

3. Try to express ideas and reasoning rather than reproducing large chunks of memorized facts. The examiners want to assess your intellectual reasoning, not read a history book or a technical manual.

4. Develop your knowledge of history, philosophy, psychology and political thought. There is no short cut to this but you can get a head start by reading works designed to give a quick introduction to the main concepts and ideas. I recommend the book 50 Big Ideas You Really Need to Know by Ben Dupré which is an easy to read and quick guide to the main concepts of Western thought covering philosophy, religion, politics, economics, the arts and the sciences.

5. Practice writing your Gamsat essays under exam conditions. Sticking to the 30 minute time limit will focus your mind and develop the speed necessary for the real thing. It will also help develop your handwriting skills. Don't underestimate the difficulty of maintaining nice legible writing for the examiner to read after writing as quickly as possible for an hour straight. Especially if like most people you usually work on a computer.

6. Get your essays looked at by a qualified person after you've written them and ask for feedback. A qualified person probably isn't another Gamsat candidate in the same position as you that you met on a student forum or in a Gamsat Facebook group. Try and get one of your teachers or university lecturers to take a look or someone who has done Gamsat before and scored highly in section 2. Or, even better, you could get them marked by a professional Gamsat Essay Marking service.

7. Finally practice, practice, practice. Essay writing is a skill which must be developed. To help you, below are two essay tasks very similar to what you will find in the real test. Find a quiet place for 30 minutes and try and write two essays putting into practice all the advice given above.

Example Gamsat Essay Topics

Writing Task A

Consider the following comments and develop a piece of writing in response to one or more of them. Your writing will be judged on the quality of what you have to say in response to the theme, how well you organize and present your point of view, and how effectively you express yourself. You will not be judged on your views or attitudes.

The belief that all genuine education comes about through experience does not mean that all experiences are genuinely or equally educative.

John Dewey

A human being is not attaining his full heights until he is educated.

Horace Mann

Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.

Oscar Wilde He who opens a school door, closes a prison. Victor Hugo

It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.

Robert Green Ingersoll

Writing Task B

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

Mark Twain

Humility and knowledge in poor clothes excel pride and ignorance in costly attire.

William Penn

Expensive clothes are a waste of money.

Meryl Streep

I don’t design clothes; I design dreams.

Ralph Lauren

It is interesting to question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes.

Henry David Thoreau

Further Resources

For more help with GAMSAT check out Griffiths Gamsat Review Home Study System which takes you step by step through all three sections with advanced strategies for each.

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GAMSAT Example Essays

Resources For GAMSAT Section 2

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Intro.9.2.23 City of Grants Pass v. Johnson : Does Enforcing Camping Ordinances Against Homeless Persons Constitute Cruel and Unusual Punishment?

In City of Grants Pass v. Johnson , the Supreme Court was asked to address the applicability of the Eighth Amendment’s bar on cruel and unusual punishments 1 Footnote U.S. Const. amend. VIII ( cruel and unusual punishments [shall not be] inflicted ). to city ordinances that impose fines, bans from public property , or prosecutions for criminal trespass on individuals who camp in public parks. In June 2024, the Court, in a 6-3 decision written by Justice Gorsuch, held that the Eighth Amendment’s Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause did not bar enforcement of the city ordinances. 2 Footnote City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, No. 23-175, slip op. at 35 (U.S. June 28, 2024).

The Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause typically applies to a punishment rendered as a sentence for a criminal conviction. The Supreme Court has recognized violations of the Clause when a punishment is grossly out of proportion to the severity of the crime, 3 Footnote Gregg v. Georgia , 428 U.S. 153, 174 (1976) . See generally Amdt8.4.2 Evolving or Fixed Standard of Cruel and Unusual Punishment . which may include situations in which the government punishes an individual for their status rather than their overt actions. 4 Footnote Robinson v. California , 370 U.S. 660, 667 (1962) . For example, in Robinson v. California , the Court struck down a state law that criminalized narcotic addiction as violating the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause. 5 Footnote Id . Though the Court observed that the punishment imposed by the law—90 days’ imprisonment—was not, in the abstract . . . either cruel or unusual, the Court held that imposing such a punishment on an individual based on their status as one addicted to narcotics, rather than any overt act, would violate the Eighth Amendment. 6 Footnote Id . However in Powell v. Texas , the Court held that a law criminalizing public drunkenness did not run afoul of the Court’s holding in Robinson when enforced against an individual with chronic alcoholism. 7 Footnote 392 U.S. 514, 532 (1968) . Observing that the individual was convicted not for being a chronic alcoholic, but for being in public while drunk on a particular occasion, the Court did not find sufficient evidence in the record or the current state of medical knowledge to conclude that individuals suffering from chronic alcoholism would be utterly unable to avoid being publicly intoxicated. 8 Footnote Id . at 532, 534–35 .

In City of Grants Pass , three homeless individuals filed a class action against the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, alleging that a number of city ordinances pertaining to sleeping and camping on public property were unconstitutional. 9 Footnote Johnson v. City of Grants Pass , 72 F.4th 868, 874 (9th Cir. 2023) , cert. granted , 144 S. Ct. 679 (2024). The ordinances imposed fines for initial violations and allowed city police to exclude individuals with two or more violations in the previous year from all city parks. 10 Footnote Id . at 876 . An individual violating this exclusion could be prosecuted for criminal trespass. 11 Footnote Id . A federal district court partially granted summary judgment in favor of the class, holding that enforcing the ordinances against homeless persons would constitute cruel and unusual punishment. 12 Footnote Blake v. City of Grants Pass , No. 18-01823, 2020 WL 4209227, at *11 (D. Ore July 22, 2020) , aff’d in part sub nom. Johnson v. City of Grants Pass , 72 F.4th 868 (9th Cir. 2023) , cert granted , 144 S. Ct. 679 (2024).

On appeal, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit partially affirmed. 13 Footnote Johnson , 72 F.4th 868 . Relying on a recent circuit precedent, the Ninth Circuit held that the ordinances prohibiting camping violated the Eighth Amendment if enforced against homeless persons taking ‘the most rudimentary precautions’ a homeless person might take against the elements, such as sleeping with bedding. 14 Footnote Id . at 891 (quoting Martin v. City of Boise , 920 F.3d 584, 618 (9th Cir. 2019) ). The Ninth Circuit reached this conclusion by interpreting Robinson and Powell to hold that the Eighth Amendment prohibits the state from punishing an involuntary act or condition if it is the unavoidable consequence of one’s status or being. 15 Footnote Id . at 892 (quoting Martin , 920 F.3d at 616 ). Applying this principle, the court concluded that the class members, who were involuntarily homeless, would unavoidably sleep outside unless the city had sufficient lawful places for them to sleep. 16 Footnote Id . at 894 . The Ninth Circuit additionally held that the Eighth Amendment applied even though the city ordinances provided for civil enforcement against initial violations because the eventual consequence of violating the ordinances was criminal enforcement. 17 Footnote Id . at 890 .

The city requested a rehearing en banc, which the Ninth Circuit denied. 18 Footnote Id . at 874 . The city then petitioned the Supreme Court for review of the Ninth Circuit’s decision. 19 Footnote Petition for Writ of Certiorari, City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, No. 23-175 (U.S. Aug. 22, 2023) . The city argued that the Ninth Circuit erroneously relied upon Robinson and Powell , which apply the Eighth Amendment to crimes of status, but not punishments based on conduct undertaken as a result of an individual’s status. 20 Footnote Id . at 5.

On June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court, in a decision written by Justice Gorsuch, reversed the Ninth Circuit and remanded the case. 21 Footnote City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, No. 23-175, slip op. at 35 (U.S. June 28, 2024). The Court explained that the Eighth Amendment addresses the type of punishment that the government can impose on convicted criminals, not whether the government can criminalize certain activities. 22 Footnote Id . at 15. Turning to the nature of the ordinances’ punishments, the Court held that because they were not intended to inflict terror, pain, or disgrace, they were not cruel. 23 Footnote Id . at 17 (quoting Bucklew v. Precythe , 587 U.S. 119, 130 (2019) . The Court further held that because large numbers of cities and States across the country have long employed, and today employ, similar punishments for similar offenses, they were not unusual. 24 Footnote Id . Examining whether the ordinances were inconsistent with Robinson , the Court held that Robinson was inapplicable because the ordinances did not target a status. 25 Footnote Id . at 20. In its discussion of Robinson, the Court noted that, in Powell v. Texas , it had declined to extend Robinson to activities that result from allegedly involuntary conduct. Id . at 22-23. The Court observed that Powell had distinguished being convicted for alcoholism (status) with being convicted for being drunk in public (conduct). Id . at 23. Rather, they barred all people from public camping, including vacationers and protesters as well as the homeless. 26 Footnote Id . at 17-21. As such, the ordinances criminalized conduct—camping on public property —not the status of homelessness. 27 Footnote Id . at 21. The Court further commented that it belonged to the people, rather than the courts, to determine how to address homelessness. 28 Footnote Id . at 34 ( [T]he question this case presents is whether the Eighth Amendment grants federal judges primary responsibility for assessing those cases [of homelessness] and devising those responses. It does not. ).

Justices Thomas and Sotomayor addressed Robinson in separate opinions. In a concurring opinion, Justice Thomas expressed his belief that Robinson was wrongly decided because [t]hat holding conflicts with the plain text and history of the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause. 29 Footnote Id . at 1 (Thomas, J., concurring). Writing in dissent, Justice Sotomayor, who was joined by Justices Kagan and Jackson, noted that the Court in the past had interpreted Robinson to mean that the Eighth Amendment . . . imposes a substantive limit on what can be made criminal and punished as such. 30 Footnote Id . at 12 (Sotomayor, J., dissenting) (quoting Rhodes v. Chapman , 452 U.S. 337, 346 n.12 (1981) ). She further commented that the ordinances had been intended and were being enforced to criminalize homelessness. 31 Footnote Id . at 13.

QUESTION PRESENTED TO THE SUPREME COURT: Does the enforcement of generally applicable laws regulating camping on public property constitute ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ prohibited by the Eighth Amendment? 32 Footnote Supreme Court of the United States Granted & Noted List, October Term 2023 Cases for Argument, No. 23-175, https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/qp/23-00175qp.pdf .

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION IMPLICATED: Eighth Amendment

CONSTITUTIONAL TOPIC: Cruel and Unusual Punishment

SUPREME COURT DOCKET NUMBER: 23-175 33 Footnote Docket for 23-175, U.S. Supreme Court , https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/23-175.html .

APPEAL FROM: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

LOWER COURT CASE NUMBERS: 20-35752, 20-35881

DECISION BELOW: 72 F.4th 868

ORAL ARGUMENT: April 22, 2024

FINAL DECISION: June 28, 2024

Justice Gorsuch

Justice Thomas, concurring

Justice Sotomayor (joined by Justices Kagan and Jackson), dissenting

Jump to essay-1 U.S. Const. amend. VIII ( cruel and unusual punishments [shall not be] inflicted ).
Jump to essay-2 City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, No. 23-175, slip op. at 35 (U.S. June 28, 2024).
Jump to essay-3 Gregg v. Georgia , 428 U.S. 153, 174 (1976) . See generally Amdt8.4.2 Evolving or Fixed Standard of Cruel and Unusual Punishment .
Jump to essay-4 Robinson v. California , 370 U.S. 660, 667 (1962) .
Jump to essay-5 Id .
Jump to essay-6 Id .
Jump to essay-7 392 U.S. 514, 532 (1968) .
Jump to essay-8 Id . at 532, 534–35 .
Jump to essay-9 Johnson v. City of Grants Pass , 72 F.4th 868, 874 (9th Cir. 2023) , cert. granted , 144 S. Ct. 679 (2024).
Jump to essay-10 Id . at 876 .
Jump to essay-11 Id .
Jump to essay-12 Blake v. City of Grants Pass , No. 18-01823, 2020 WL 4209227, at *11 (D. Ore July 22, 2020) , aff’d in part sub nom. Johnson v. City of Grants Pass , 72 F.4th 868 (9th Cir. 2023) , cert granted , 144 S. Ct. 679 (2024).
Jump to essay-13 Johnson , 72 F.4th 868 .
Jump to essay-14 Id . at 891 (quoting Martin v. City of Boise , 920 F.3d 584, 618 (9th Cir. 2019) ).
Jump to essay-15 Id . at 892 (quoting Martin , 920 F.3d at 616 ).
Jump to essay-16 Id . at 894 .
Jump to essay-17 Id . at 890 .
Jump to essay-18 Id . at 874 .
Jump to essay-19 Petition for Writ of Certiorari, City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, No. 23-175 (U.S. Aug. 22, 2023) .
Jump to essay-20 Id . at 5.
Jump to essay-21 City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, No. 23-175, slip op. at 35 (U.S. June 28, 2024).
Jump to essay-22 Id . at 15.
Jump to essay-23 Id . at 17 (quoting Bucklew v. Precythe , 587 U.S. 119, 130 (2019) .
Jump to essay-24 Id .
Jump to essay-25 Id . at 20. In its discussion of Robinson, the Court noted that, in Powell v. Texas , it had declined to extend Robinson to activities that result from allegedly involuntary conduct. Id . at 22-23. The Court observed that Powell had distinguished being convicted for alcoholism (status) with being convicted for being drunk in public (conduct). Id . at 23.
Jump to essay-26 Id . at 17-21.
Jump to essay-27 Id . at 21.
Jump to essay-28 Id . at 34 ( [T]he question this case presents is whether the Eighth Amendment grants federal judges primary responsibility for assessing those cases [of homelessness] and devising those responses. It does not. ).
Jump to essay-29 Id . at 1 (Thomas, J., concurring).
Jump to essay-30 Id . at 12 (Sotomayor, J., dissenting) (quoting Rhodes v. Chapman , 452 U.S. 337, 346 n.12 (1981) ).
Jump to essay-31 Id . at 13.
Jump to essay-32 Supreme Court of the United States Granted & Noted List, October Term 2023 Cases for Argument, No. 23-175, https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/qp/23-00175qp.pdf .
Jump to essay-33 Docket for 23-175, U.S. Supreme Court , https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/23-175.html .

The Shift to Legal Music Downloads: Impacts and Implications

This essay about the transformation of music consumption highlights the shift from physical media and illegal downloads to legal music downloads. It explores how legal downloads have impacted artists consumers and the music industry providing new revenue streams and combating piracy. The essay also discusses the challenges faced by artists in the digital age and the evolution of copyright laws to protect their work. The transition to digital distribution has necessitated industry adaptations and spurred the rise of streaming services emphasizing the need for stakeholders to navigate this changing landscape.

How it works

The landscape of musical consumption has undergone dramatic transformation for past a few decades largely that is managed technological movements and internet. One of the most substantial changes was moving from physical medias-loading to the legal musical loading. This moving has not only changed a road we call to music but and also has deep values for artists consumers and musical industry how whole.

The legal musical loading appeared how the central aspect of modern musical industry. Services for example itunes Music of Amazon and Game of Google have did it possible that consumers by law bought and loaded their favourite tracks with lightness.

This moving assisted to the fight against surprizing piracy what plagued industry at the beginning of 2000 – ?. Offering a comfortable and suitable alternative the legal platforms of the musical loading have helped to pawn the bridle of the illegal loading and renew part from a custom loss to piracy.

For artists appearance of the legal musical loading was how blessing so and by a call. On one hand then provided a new custom stream that is critical in an era where the physical sale of album went down sharply. Artists can now attain global audience without a necessity in a main record label thanks you to the platforms like Bandcamp and Soundcloud that allow to independent musics to sell their music directly to the fans. This democratization of musical distribution gave possibility to many artists to confirm their careers and acquisitions recognition without the traditional couriers of industry.

However moving to the digital loading also presented calls. A profit from a digital sale is often less than that from physical albums as digital platforms take the substantial cut of sale. In addition lightness of access to the wide array of musical resources that artists must compete for attention in everything anymore and more overcrowded market. Then has took to the greater accent on marketing and social mediapresence that can intimidate for artists who gives advantage concentrated on their handicraft instead of helping activity.

For consumers legal music downloads offer numerous benefits. The convenience of being able to purchase and download music instantly from the comfort of one’s home cannot be overstated. Additionally the ability to buy individual tracks rather than entire albums has revolutionized the way people consume music allowing for more personalized and eclectic listening experiences. The quality of downloaded music is typically superior to that of illegally downloaded files which are often compressed and of lower quality.

The impact of legal music downloads extends beyond just the artists and consumers. The entire music industry has had to adapt to this new model. Record labels for instance have had to shift their focus from physical sales to digital distribution often investing heavily in online marketing and partnerships with digital platforms. This has also led to the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music which offer another legal means of accessing music. While streaming has its own set of complexities and revenue challenges it is part of the broader trend towards digital consumption.

Moreover the legal framework surrounding music downloads has had to evolve to keep pace with these changes. Copyright laws have been updated to better protect artists and ensure they receive fair compensation for their work. Initiatives such as the Music Modernization Act in the United States have sought to address some of the longstanding issues in music copyright and royalty distribution in the digital age.

In conclusion the shift to legal music downloads has had far-reaching implications for the music industry. It has provided a viable alternative to piracy opened up new opportunities for artists and offered consumers unparalleled convenience and choice. However it has also introduced new challenges particularly in terms of revenue distribution and market competition. As the industry continues to evolve it will be crucial for all stakeholders to adapt and find ways to thrive in this dynamic digital landscape.

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153 US History Topics [2024 US History Essay Ideas]

American history is not as long as the European one. However, it’s one of the richest histories in the world. It’s full of controversies, different opinions, and interesting facts. Those who study American history will find how many voices, perspectives, and points of view can coexist.

When writing an essay about America, you should try to stay as objective as possible. Think creatively and consider historical events from a new perspective.

This abundance of information and events can intimidate anyone. That’s why it can be very challenging to select one single US history topic to write about. There are so many!

To decide on it, students should answer several questions:

What time period interests me the most?
What specific event sounds the most appealing to me?
What historical figure impresses me?

It is indeed a daunting task to attempt to put the remarkable story of the US into an essay list. Fortunately, we’re not trying to do so.

Tired of researching historical encyclopedias? This is the perfect article for you – read through this collection of 153 US history essay topics prepared by our team .

🌎Top 10 American History Topics to Write about

🏗️ Topics before 1877
🌻 Topics: 1878-1899
🏙️ US Topics: 1900s

🧊 Cool American History Topics

🧐 US Regents Topics
✊ Black History Topics

🎉 Fun US History Essay Topics

👌 easy american history essay topics, ❓ us history essay questions, 📋 how to cite an american history essay.

The 20th Century.
America’s Role in Normandy Landings.
Conquest of California.
The Great Depression.
USA: Colonial History.
The Oregon Trail.
African American Slave Trade.
Who was Harriet Tubman?
America in the Modern World.
Klondike Gold Rush.

☝️ Good US History Topics by Period

This is the IvyPanda list of American history topics that can help students get inspired!

We divided the history into epochs and organized the US history essay topics accordingly. Besides, this US history topics list structured thematically. It, hopefully, will make it easier to navigate and get started.

One of the best ways to look at history is to examine it from a chronological perspective. The topics in this section are structured based on the time period.

Every period is filled with key events and figures. American society is the product of those events—it’s vital to have a closer look at it.

🏗️ History Topics before 1877

America before Columbus . In this topic, you can talk about the first people in the Americas and what historians know about them. There are a lot of archeological findings and artifacts that survived thousands of years. Write about Christopher Columbus and how “the discovery” was not a discovery. The Americas have been inhabited and had developed civilizations long before Europeans put their foot there.
The first landing of Christopher Columbus and the New World

These ideas are for essays and research papers.

Christopher Columbus: Biography, Discoveries, Contributions . You can talk about Christopher Columbus and his biography. Track how his image has been changing throughout history. Modern historians see him as a person who contributed to the genocide of Native Americans. What is your opinion about him?
The British Rule in the Americas and the first British Settlements. Explore the first permanent colony in North America and what English wanted the colonies to be. There were a lot of obstacles, which first settlers had faced before Jamestown became a prosperous city. They suffered from a shortage of food, severe climate conditions, and disease. Plus, there were problems with the Indians. Research what “the middle ground” was and why this concept is relevant to this topic.
What is Puritanism?
Puritans in Great Britain
The Puritan Ethic in the United States . Who the Puritans were? Why were they sent to the New World? What were their religious beliefs? Explore the influence puritans had in the past. Is puritanism still relevant in the US today?
The Effects of the Spanish Rule and The Conquistadors in the Americas. Spanish Colonization of the Americas laid foundations for the Latin American identity. It is also considered the very first mass genocide in the world. It is indeed a matter of perspective. You can talk about how the contact between the Native Americans and the Spaniards affected both parties.
The Protestant Reformation and its influence on the US History. Religion was one of the main reasons why the first settlers decided to travel to the New World. Write about the connection between the freedom of religion in the US. What influence did it have on the nation as a whole in the future? Why is it crucial? How did it affect the lifestyle of people in the US?
Native Americans and “the Middle Ground” . Not everyone knows that the famous Disney cartoon Pocahontas is based on the true story. If this story was told by a Native American, it would be different. In this essay, you can comment on the role that Native Americans played in the European Colonization. Elaborate on the disappearance of “the Middle Ground.”
The beginning of slavery in British America and the Middle Passage. You can analyze the way this institution was established. Write about the factors that influenced it in the 17th century, try to include first-person accounts of slavery. Use the American Slave Narrative , for instance, Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa . This inclusion will demonstrate how inhumane slavery was and will open a good discussion.
Christianity, slavery, and colonialism in the US
The witchcraft trials . Elaborate on religious views of the New England public. How such views made it possible for more than 200 people to be accused of witchcraft. Discuss a Puritan code, the structure of the society, and what type of women were prosecuted.

Salem was an epicenter of the witchcraft trials in the US.

The Boston Tea Party as the key event of the American Revolution. The Boston Tea Party is a highly celebrated event in the history of the US. Discuss why is that? Why is it so important for the Americans? Talk about the birth of patriotism, resistance and the revolt against colonialism. What did the rebels mean by “taxation without representation?”
The American Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence. This topic is one of the most popular in the history of the United States. First, you could write about a military battle with Great Britain and the reasons for it. Second, talk about political battles within the US at that period. Examine the establishment of the new nation.
How the Revolutionary war changes American Society
Why was the Declaration of Independence written?
Was the American Revolution really revolutionary?
The meaning of the Constitution. This is one of the most fruitful and fascinating debates in US history. Some people argue that it is written in a very vague way to allow American society to evolve. Others say that its text allows minorities to be deprived of the very things it promises to establish. Elaborate if you find the Constitution to be a liberal, radical, or a conservative document.
Why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. Talk about the first 10 amendments to the Constitution and explore why these amendments are so important. What did the amendments guarantee? Why was The Bill of Rights added to the Constitution in the first place?

James Madison wrote the amendments in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties.

The Founding Fathers’ influence on the US. The Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence are sacred documents. The Founding Fathers are major figures for the Americans as well. Writing about the influence of the Founding Fathers, select one or two members to focus on. Consider the diversity among the members. How did it help the Founding Fathers in leading the war and framing a sustainable government?
What is the role of the Founding Fathers in American society and religion?
European Colonization influence on the Native American population
Removal of Indian tribes. American History is unjust at times. Explore how unconstitutional the treatment of Indian Americans was and why they find it this way. Look at the way the Founding Fathers addressed this issue. Examining the Indian Removal Act of 1830 will allow you to fully develop this topic. Analyze why the policy was accepted in the first place. Why is it called “ethnic cleansing” by the majority of historians nowadays?
Native Americans lost their freedom
The impact of railroads in America. The rapid expansion of America would be impossible without the railroad construction. The railroads triggered the development of the Midwest and the West. Despite that, the construction of the railroads was highly monopolistic and undemocratic. Comment on the richest men in the US – John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and Cornelius Vanderbilt.
The role of cotton in the American economy. The American Economy in the 19th century heavily depended on cotton production. There was even a saying “Cotton is King” that was very popular at that time. Besides cotton, it heavily depended on the slaves. This period in American History is called the Antebellum Era. Look at the role of cotton from several perspectives. How profitable was it? How did slaves contribute to the American economy? How financially unviable was the abolition of slavery?

he cotton plantation is “the Second Middle Passage.

History of American Transcendentalism.
Why was Transcendentalism important for American Culture? The essay can start with a broad explanation of what transcendentalism is. Explain where it started and how it evolved. Explore what views the group had on women’s rights, slavery, education, government, and religion. You could write about the most prominent transcendentalists – Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Thoreau.
Religions in the 19th Century America. Known as the Second Great Awakening or Christian Revivalism, religion in the 19th century America was altered. Look back at the beginning of the American Revolution. Anglicans, Methodists, and Quackers were the fastest-growing religious groups then. Discuss all of them.
The abolition of slavery and the Civil War . A lot of historians believe that slavery in itself did not cause the conflict. In this essay, you could elaborate on this idea and consider the other point of view. For a long essay, write about Abraham Lincoln’s thoughts on slavery. His ideas about slavery and racial inequality were one of the most discussed aspects of his entire life. Look at his letters and write about the complexity of his views.
The causes of the Civil War and the aftermath of war. This essay is one of the easiest American history essays to write. Talk about the causes and effects of the Civil War (1861-1865) in the US. Why did it happen? What was achieved?
The struggle over the goal and the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment . You can elaborate on the goal of the amendment. Was it able to protect the rights of black citizens? Why was it still possible for the states to deny them their right to vote?
How did Reconstruction change the United States after the Civil war?
The Reconstruction governments. What type of reforms did the reconstruction government implement? What positive reforms happened during the Reconstruction Era? You could discuss radical reconstruction and white supremacy that spawned during the Reconstruction period. Elaborate on the idea of manifest destiny. Why was it so popular in the 19th century in the US?
The Compromise of 1850 . Why was reaching the compromise necessary? You can describe the terms of the compromise. Explain what results were achieved: political, economic, and cultural.

🌻 American History 1878-1899

The United States was going through many changes during this period: from various social changes and changes in foreign and domestic policies to rapid economic and cultural changes. This time saw the country changing for the best in some aspects and for the worst in others.

Industrialization after the Civil war. Industrialization of the United States was going on for almost half a century. However, the most impressive growth happened in 1880-1900. The expansion of the steel, iron and oil industries drove the American economy. Comment on all the inventions, technological advancements that happened in the US at that time.
Immigrants and their ideas of the American Dream
Social reforms during the Progressive Era
American Foreign Policy in the 1890s

George Washington's quote from his Farewell Address to the American people.

The importance of the Progressive Era reforms
Race relations during the Progressive Era reforms
Japanese Americans Immigration in the 19th century

🏙️ 20th Century US History Topics

The 20th century for the United States and the world, in general, was highly eventful. Economic crises, two World Wars, the Cold War, and the fight over civil rights. Plus, a huge economic and technological upheaval, the space program.

This list of American History topics after 1900 can be great for those looking for inspiration for a paper.

Here you go:

The door to America— Ellis Island. What are America’s best features? Economic opportunities, political and religious freedom? An abundance of jobs and opportunities? Land and natural resources? All of these made the United States experience the migration flux from all over the world. Elaborate on how Ellis island is a symbol of American immigration and the American dream.

Many immigrants entered the US through Ellis Island

The rise of capitalism
Work environments during the Progressive Era
Women’s suffrage movement in America
The causes and effects of women’s suffrage movement in the US
Changes in American Government after WWI
Is prohibition to blame for the organized crime in The United States?
The economic impact of the Great Depression. The Great Depression is one of the longest economic downturns in the history of the United States. You can talk about several main causes of the crisis. Another good approach would be to analyze the way American presidents handled this crisis.
Japanese American discrimination during the Great Depression
How did Roosevelt plan to end the Great Depression?
The Great Depression and what is the new deal?
The Role of the United States during World War 2
Why did the United States fight and lose the Vietnam War?
The war in Vietnam and the Civil Rights Movement
A Comparison of the traditional and the revisionist arguments regarding the Origins of The Cold War
The Cold War and US diplomacy
The Cold War and how it influenced American society

History is tough, but some significant historical events take our breath away even centuries later. Here is our list of cool American history topics. Even if you don’t find any topic that works for you, it can inspire you to look for moments in history that appeal to you personally.

The true Story of Pocahontas: An untold story of a Native American girl. The true story of Pocahontas is covered with myths. Critically examine the story of her life and death. Try to understand it from a standpoint of a 12 years old Native American girl kidnapped by a white colonizer.
Native American tribes in the US History
What was discussed at the Constitutional Convention?
The history of the Statue of Liberty
Henry Ford and how his inventions changed America
Moon landing conspiracy
The war on drugs in US History
Illegal immigrants in the US
The American sense of humor
American pop culture in the 1920s . This time period is called “the roaring twenties.” It was filled with drastic political and cultural changes in the United States. Jazz, flapper culture, prohibition, and economic abundance are important elements of the 1920s.

The 20s were“roaring” due to the popular culture of the decade.

The history of gangs in the US
What did hippies believe in?
History of Hippie’s Culture
Presidential assassinations in the United States History. Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, and JFK were the only US Presidents murdered while in office. You don’t have to retell the stories of their deaths! Instead, explore how these assassinations triggered some vital political reforms.
The history of the Fifth Amendment

🙌 Most Interesting American History Topics

Use the following list of most interesting US History topics for your next essay. Choose what US history interesting event or a historic figure captures your attention the most.

🧐 US History Regent Topics

The Relationships Between Federal and State Governments
Was there a need to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
The Cold War: Origins, Causes, Phases, and the Results
Why and How the Cold War Was Fought
The US Army in the Iraq War
The Iraq War: Background and Issues
Why did the Iraq War go against the plan?
Executive Orders and Presidential Power in the United States
History of the American Constitution
The Turning points of the American Revolution

The Battle of Saratoga was a key turning point of the Revolutionary War.

✊ Black History Essay Topics

Studying the history of the United States without studying slavery is impossible, mainly because the issue of race is ingrained into the DNA of America.

Black African American history allows students to get a different perspective on the same events. It lets them hear the voices that are so often erased from the history books. These African American history essays can help anyone looking for a good topic to write about.

Slave Resistance in the Eighteen Century. Continuously throughout history, African American slaves were portrayed as voiceless and victimized. Others presented them as almost indifferent and passive to their own destiny. You can examine a different perspective, an Afrocentric one. The history of slavery was not the history of passivity, it was a history of black resistance.
African American Music as a Form of Resistance
African American Religion and Spirituality in the United States
The 13th Amendment and the End of Slavery
The Jim Crow Laws in the United States History . Jim Crow Laws were the laws that enforced racial segregation in the country. Dedicate an introduction to discuss where the name “Jim Crow” comes from. Give a historical background to how the laws were used. This topic can make a strong essay because no one can stay indifferent.
Gender and Jim Crow
The Role of Martin Luther King, Jr in The Civil Right Movement
Martin Luther King’s speech “I have a dream”
Brown vs The Board of Education . The ruling in Brown vs. The Board of Education was one of the most fundamental changes in the US educational system. How did the general public receive the news about the desegregation of public schools? How did the American educational system change after this case?
The Significance of the Harlem Renaissance
Barack Obama: The First African American President
Barack Obama’s healthcare reforms
Has Obama’s Presidency changed America?

The Cowboy Culture in the US
How Did Yellow Journalism Start?
Why is Superman the most American of all the heroes?
The History of American Flag
History of Sports in the United States
History of Thanksgiving Turkey in the United States
How Did Highways Change the United States of America?
American History through Hollywood Film

Sometimes you simply do not have enough time to write a profound essay. These American history topics are relatively easy, and you don’t have to research them a lot. Even if you do, there is a ton of information available.

British Colonization of the Americas
Slavery and racism in the United States
The Puritans Influence on the American Society
The pilgrims and the puritans
The Causes of the Vietnam War
Why Was Martin Luter King Assassinated?
American Moon Landing
What Are Major Events in the US History?
What Started the US History?
What Is the Most Important Piece of the US History?
What Is the US History Summary?
What City Was the First Capital in the US History?
What Was the First American State in the US History?
What Are Some Controversies in the US History?
How Far Was the New Deal a Turning Point in the US History up to 1941?
How the Airplane Industry Changed US History?
What Was President Reagan Known For in the US History?
How Reagan’s Ideology Shaped the US History?
Why Is the Reagan Revolution in the US History?
How Richard Nixon Influenced the US History?
What Vietnam War Showed About US History?
Did the Concept of Imperialism Exist in the US History?
Why Did the Wars in the Middle East Go Down in the US History as Unnecessary?
What Is the Most Popular Ideology in the US History?
How Does the US History Describe George W. Bush?
How Did the Use of Nuclear Weapons in Japan Affect the US History?
What Are Some Horrible and Forgotten Events in the US History?
Is Donald Trump the Second Worst President in the US History?
What Was the Biggest Political Miscalculation in the US History?
Who Is the Most Overrated First Lady in the US History?
How Well Do US History Teachers Really Know About the US History?
Who Was the Wimpiest President in the US History?
Who Are Some of the Great Asian Americans in the US History?
What Was the Most Corrupt Time in the US History?
What Was the Bloodiest Single Day Battle in the US History?
Who Is the Greatest Hero in the US History?
How Did King Philip’s War Change the US History?

Your citation will depend on the type of requirements your instructor will provide you with. You can ask your teacher which style of citation is preferable before the essay writing. The school itself may have specific guidelines for every typeof academic writing.

Chicago, MLA, APA are the main styles of citation in academic writing.

For history essays, there are two key methods of referencing both primary and secondary sources:

In-text citation. In this method, you mention the author and the year in the body of the essay. The list of references is placed at the end of the essay.
Footnote Referencing. In this method, you put a number in the body. It corresponds with the reference at the bottom of each page. At the end of the essay, a list of works read rather than cited should be included.

All the citation entries should be listed in alphabetical order. If you mention the same author multiple times with different works, use chronological order.

Keeping track of all the sources, both read and cited, is time-consuming. For that, students can try to use different online software systems. These systems can help arrange the list alphabetically and correctly organize all the citations.

These digital tools are worth checking out:

Thank you for reading so far! Now you’re ready to start an amazing paper on US history. Share this article with those who may find it helpful, and leave a comment below.

🔗 References

U.S. History and Historical Documents: USAGov, the Official Guide to Government Information and Services.
All Topics: National Museum of American History.
TIMELINE, United States History: World Digital Library.
How Do I Cite Sources: Plagiarism.org.
Citing Primary Sources, Chicago: Teacher Resources, Library of Congress.
Black History, Topical: National Archives.
Black History Month: National Geographic Society.
College Writing: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Writing Historical Essays, A Guide for Undergraduates: Department of History, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Writing an Essay Introduction: Research & Learning Online.
Research and Citation Resources: Purdue Writing Lab, College of Liberal Art.
Citing Your Sources, Citing Basics: Research Guides at Williams College Libraries.
Citing Electronic Sources: Academic Integrity at MIT, a Handbok for Students.
Generate Topic Ideas Quickly and Easily: Online Research Library Questia.
Colonization Essay Ideas
Political Parties Research Ideas
Culture Topics
Demography Paper Topics
Financial Crisis Paper Topics
Ethnographic Paper Topics
Obamacare Questions
Urbanization Ideas
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IvyPanda. (2024, March 12). 153 US History Topics [2024 US History Essay Ideas]. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/us-history-essay-topics/

"153 US History Topics [2024 US History Essay Ideas]." IvyPanda , 12 Mar. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/us-history-essay-topics/.

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Delving deep —

The telltale words that could identify generative ai text, new paper counts "excess words" that started appearing more often in the post-llm era..

Kyle Orland - Jul 1, 2024 11:30 am UTC

An intricate interplay

By highlighting hundreds of so-called "marker words" that became significantly more common in the post-LLM era, the telltale signs of LLM use can sometimes be easy to pick out. Take this example abstract line called out by the researchers, with the marker words highlighted: "A comprehensive grasp of the intricate interplay between [...] and [...] is pivotal for effective therapeutic strategies."

After doing some statistical measures of marker word appearance across individual papers, the researchers estimate that at least 10 percent of the post-2022 papers in the PubMed corpus were written with at least some LLM assistance. The number could be even higher, the researchers say, because their set could be missing LLM-assisted abstracts that don't include any of the marker words they identified.

Before 2023, it took a major world event like the coronavirus pandemic to see large jumps in word usage like this.

Those measured percentages can vary a lot across different subsets of papers, too. The researchers found that papers authored in countries like China, South Korea, and Taiwan showed LLM marker words 15 percent of the time, suggesting "LLMs might... help non-natives with editing English texts, which could justify their extensive use." On the other hand, the researchers offer that native English speakers "may [just] be better at noticing and actively removing unnatural style words from LLM outputs," thus hiding their LLM usage from this kind of analysis.

Detecting LLM use is important, the researchers note, because "LLMs are infamous for making up references, providing inaccurate summaries, and making false claims that sound authoritative and convincing." But as knowledge of LLMs' telltale marker words starts to spread, human editors may get better at taking those words out of generated text before it's shared with the world.

Who knows, maybe future large language models will do this kind of frequency analysis themselves, lowering the weight of marker words to better mask their outputs as human-like. Before long, we may need to call in some Blade Runners to pick out the generative AI text hiding in our midst.

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Why Are Companies That Lose Money Still So Successful?

Vijay Govindarajan,
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Anup Srivastava,
Aneel Iqbal,
Elnaz Basirian

New research on how to identify investments that produce delayed but real profits — not just those that produce short-term accounting profits.

In a well-functioning capital market, profits should be the sole criterion for firm survival; that is, firms reporting losses should disappear. Of late, however, loss-making firms are highly sought after by investors — often more than some profitable firms. Unicorns, or startups with valuations exceeding a billion dollars, are examples of such loss-making firms. What has changed over time? When and why did losses lose their meaning? The authors’ series of new research papers provide some answers, guiding managers to make the right investments: those that produce delayed but real profits — not just those that produce short-term accounting profits but decimate shareholder wealth in long run.

In 1979, psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky famously posited that losses loom larger than gains in human decision-making. For example, a dollar of loss affects our behavior more than a dollar of profits . Likewise, when a firm announces losses, its stock price declines more dramatically than it increases for the same dollar amount of profits. Investors abandon and lenders tend to stop financing loss-making firms , which then start restructuring their business lines and laying off employees. Some firms go even further, conducting M&A transactions without substance and “managing earnings” to report profits instead of a loss.

Vijay Govindarajan is the Coxe Distinguished Professor at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, an executive fellow at Harvard Business School, and faculty partner at the Silicon Valley incubator Mach 49. He is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. His latest book is Fusion Strategy: How Real-Time Data and AI Will Power the Industrial Future . His Harvard Business Review articles “ Engineering Reverse Innovations ” and “ Stop the Innovation Wars ” won McKinsey Awards for best article published in HBR. His HBR articles “ How GE Is Disrupting Itself ” and “ The CEO’s Role in Business Model Reinvention ” are HBR all-time top-50 bestsellers. Follow him on LinkedIn . vgovindarajan
Shivaram Rajgopal is the Roy Bernard Kester and T.W. Byrnes Professor of Accounting and Auditing and Vice Dean of Research at Columbia Business School. His research examines financial reporting and executive compensation issues and he is widely published in both accounting and finance.
Anup Srivastava holds Canada Research Chair in Accounting, Decision Making, and Capital Markets and is a full professor at Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary. In a series of HBR articles, he examines the management implications of digital disruption. He specializes in the valuation and financial reporting challenges of digital companies. Follow Anup on LinkedIn .
Aneel Iqbal is an assistant professor at Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University. He examines the accounting measurement and financial disclosures for new-economy firms and incorporates his wide-ranging industry experience into his research and teaching. He is a seasoned accounting and finance professional with diverse experience in auditing, financial analysis, business advisory, performance management, and executive training. Follow Aneel on LinkedIn .
Elnaz Basirian is a PhD student at the Haskayne School of Business. She examines the influence and role of intangibles in accounting and finance, aimed at improving valuation and market efficiency. She brings a decade of work experience in international financial markets. Follow Elnaz on LinkedIn .

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Anatomy of an AI Essay

How might you distinguish one from a human-composed counterpart? After analyzing dozens, Elizabeth Steere lists some key predictable features.

By Elizabeth Steere

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Human hand writing in script while a robot hand types on a laptop

baona /iStock/Getty images Plus

Since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022, educators have been grappling with the problem of how to recognize and address AI-generated writing. The host of AI-detection tools that have emerged over the past year vary greatly in their capabilities and reliability. For example, mere months after OpenAI launched its own AI detector, the company shut it down due to its low accuracy rate.

Understandably, students have expressed concerns over the possibility of their work receiving false positives as AI-generated content. Some institutions have disabled Turnitin’s AI-detection feature due to concerns over potential false allegations of AI plagiarism that may disproportionately affect English-language learners . At the same time, tools that rephrase AI writing—such as text spinners, text inflators or text “humanizers”—can effectively disguise AI-generated text from detection. There are even tools that mimic human typing to conceal AI use in a document’s metadata.

While the capabilities of large language models such as ChatGPT are impressive, they are also limited, as they strongly adhere to specific formulas and phrasing . Turnitin’s website explains that its AI-detection tool relies on the fact that “GPT-3 and ChatGPT tend to generate the next word in a sequence of words in a consistent and highly probable fashion.” I am not a computer programmer or statistician, but I have noticed certain attributes in text that point to the probable involvement of AI, and in February, I collected and quantified some of those characteristics in hopes to better recognize AI essays and to share those characteristics with students and other faculty members.

I asked ChatGPT 3.5 and the generative AI tool included in the free version of Grammarly each to generate more than 50 analytical essays on early American literature, using texts and prompts from classes I have taught over the past decade. I took note of the characteristics of AI essays that differentiated them from what I have come to expect from their human-composed counterparts. Here are some of the key features I noticed.

AI essays tend to get straight to the point. Human-written work often gradually leads up to its topic, offering personal anecdotes, definitions or rhetorical questions before getting to the topic at hand.

AI-generated essays are often list-like. They may feature numbered body paragraphs or multiple headings and subheadings.

The paragraphs of AI-generated essays also often begin with formulaic transitional phrases. As an example, here are the first words of each paragraph in one essay that ChatGPT produced:

“In contrast”
“Furthermore”
“On the other hand”
“In conclusion.”

Notably, AI-generated essays were far more likely than human-written essays to begin paragraphs with “Furthermore,” “Moreover” and “Overall.”

AI-generated work is often banal. It does not break new ground or demonstrate originality; its assertions sound familiar.

AI-generated text tends to remain in the third person. That’s the case even when asked a reader response–style question. For example, when I asked ChatGPT what it personally found intriguing, meaningful or resonant about one of Edgar Allan Poe’s poems, it produced six paragraphs, but the pronoun “I” was included only once. The rest of the text described the poem’s atmosphere, themes and use of language in dispassionate prose. Grammarly prefaced its answer with “I’m sorry, but I cannot have preferences as I am an AI-powered assistant and do not have emotions or personal opinions,” followed by similarly clinical observations about the text.

AI-produced text tends to discuss “readers” being “challenged” to “confront” ideologies or being “invited” to “reflect” on key topics. In contrast, I have found that human-written text tends to focus on hypothetically what “the reader” might “see,” “feel” or “learn.”

AI-generated essays are often confidently wrong. Human writing is more prone to hedging, using phrases like “I think,” “I feel,” “this might mean …” or “this could be a symbol of …” and so on.

AI-generated essays are often repetitive. An essay that ChatGPT produced on the setting of Rebecca Harding Davis’s short story “Life in the Iron Mills” contained the following assertions among its five brief paragraphs: “The setting serves as a powerful symbol,” “the industrial town itself serves as a central aspect of the setting,” “the roar of furnaces serve as a constant reminder of the relentless pace of industrial production,” “the setting serves as a catalyst for the characters’ struggles and aspirations,” “the setting serves as a microcosm of the larger societal issues of the time,” and “the setting … serves as a powerful symbol of the dehumanizing effects of industrialization.”

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AI writing is often hyperbolic or overreaching. The quotes above describe a “powerful symbol,” for example. AI essays frequently describe even the most mundane topics as “groundbreaking,” “vital,” “esteemed,” “invaluable,” “indelible,” “essential,” “poignant” or “profound.”

AI-produced texts frequently use metaphors, sometimes awkwardly. ChatGPT produced several essays that compared writing to “weaving” a “rich” or “intricate tapestry” or “painting” a “vivid picture.”

AI-generated essays tend to overexplain. They often use appositives to define people or terms, as in “Margaret Fuller, a pioneering feminist and transcendentalist thinker, explored themes such as individualism, self-reliance and the search for meaning in her writings …”

AI-generated academic writing often employs certain verbs. They include “delve,” “shed light,” “highlight,” “illuminate,” “underscore,” “showcase,” “embody,” “transcend,” “navigate,” “foster,” “grapple,” “strive,” “intertwine,” “espouse” and “endeavor.”

AI-generated essays tend to end with a sweeping broad-scale statement. They talk about “the human condition,” “American society,” “the search for meaning” or “the resilience of the human spirit.” Texts are often described as a “testament to” variations on these concepts.

AI-generated writing often invents sources. ChatGPT can compose a “research paper” using MLA-style in-text parenthetical citations and Works Cited entries that look correct and convincing, but the supposed sources are often nonexistent. In my experiment, ChatGPT referenced a purported article titled “Poe, ‘The Fall of the House of Usher,’ and the Gothic’s Creation of the Unconscious,” which it claimed was published in PMLA , vol. 96, no. 5, 1981, pp. 900–908. The author cited was an actual Poe scholar, but this particular article does not appear on his CV, and while volume 96, number 5 of PMLA did appear in 1981, the pages cited in that issue of PMLA actually span two articles: one on Frankenstein and one on lyric poetry.

AI-generated essays include hallucinations. Ted Chiang’s article on this phenomenon offers a useful explanation for why large language models such as ChatGPT generate fabricated facts and incorrect assertions. My AI-generated essays included references to nonexistent events, characters and quotes. For example, ChatGPT attributed the dubious quote “Half invoked, half spontaneous, full of ill-concealed enthusiasms, her wild heart lay out there” to a lesser-known short story by Herman Melville, yet nothing resembling that quote appears in the actual text. More hallucinations were evident when AI was generating text about less canonical or more recently published literary texts.

This is not an exhaustive list, and I know that AI-generated text in other formats or relating to other fields probably features different patterns and tendencies . I also used only very basic prompts and did not delineate many specific parameters for the output beyond the topic and the format of an essay.

It is also important to remember that the attributes I’ve described are not exclusive to AI-generated texts. In fact, I noticed that the phrase “It is important to … [note/understand/consider]” was a frequent sentence starter in AI-generated work, but, as evidenced in the previous sentence, humans use these constructions, too. After all, large language models train on human-generated text.

And none of these characteristics alone definitively point to a text having been created by AI. Unless a text begins with the phrase “As an AI language model,” it can be difficult to say whether it was entirely or partially generated by AI. Thus, if the nature of a student submission suggests AI involvement, my first course of action is always to reach out to the student themselves for more information. I try to bear in mind that this is a new technology for both students and instructors, and we are all still working to adapt accordingly.

Students may have received mixed messages on what degree or type of AI use is considered acceptable. Since AI is also now integrated into tools their institutions or instructors have encouraged them to use—such as Grammarly , Microsoft Word or Google Docs —the boundaries of how they should use technology to augment human writing may be especially unclear. Students may turn to AI because they lack confidence in their own writing abilities. Ultimately, however, I hope that by discussing the limits and the predictability of AI-generated prose, we can encourage them to embrace and celebrate their unique writerly voices.

Elizabeth Steere is a lecturer in English at the University of North Georgia.

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34 Writing Prompts about the Past
34 Writing Prompts about the Past. We all have our own past. Our memories and experiences make us who we are! We can look at the past to learn from our actions. In our busy days, life moves quickly, and the past can become, well, a thing of the past.
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34 Writing Prompts about the Past

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SELECTION oF PAST ESSAYS

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