Need help with a history essay?
Read this article to find some clues on how to write a historical paper. Here we’ve prepared some writing prompts and a sample outline. There are also several topic ideas and history essay examples for you.
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A history essay focuses on past events, traditions, and human affairs. Students can get this task at middle school, high school, or college. This assignment is challenging at any level of study. The range of topics is rather wide. In this article, we will give some general recommendations.
Here is how you can choose a perfect topic for your essay:
We also prepared a list of history essay topics for you. Take a look:
Primary sources are pieces of first-hand information. They include documents, oral or written testimonials, diaries, etc. They provide an unbiased overview of events, people, or phenomena. Primary sources should be the basis of your argumentation and answer your research question. Use them when you need to describe and interpret the facts yourself. You can also include some primary sources that should form an overview and provide background information.
Secondary sources are scholarly pieces of information that analyze, evaluate, and describe primary sources. Use them to support your opinion and argumentation or introduce a different idea. They can also be an inspiration for your argumentation line. You can use your university database to find credible sources. Secondary sources are an integral part of argumentative and persuasive essays.
These are oral testimonials or personal narratives. You can use existing materials or interview a person or a group of people yourself. Use this type of source when there is not enough prior research or information on your topic. Oral history essays are helpful for papers on History, Anthropology, or Folklore. To write an oral history essay, you need to transcribe the information and interpret it.
Let’s discuss the writing structure of your essay. It should consist of five or more paragraphs and focus on one central idea. At first, pay attention to your word limit and estimate the number of sections. Then make an outline of your future paper.
Here is our history essay outline template:
Thank you for reading this article till the end! Check the history essay templates below to get some inspiration before you start.
Introduction The Missouri Territory acquired the statehood in 1819 and this event has laid a foundation for the new conflict over slavery issue between North and South. Congress was concerned with the issue that South would gain a representational advantage and, as a result, slavery expansion would never be stopped....
Introduction Many would argue that the American Revolution actually began when the first colonists set foot on American soil. With London being some 3000 miles away, governing the colonies was a great challenge. Travel to and from England required much time and slowed required communication significantly. In the time before...
Overview The Renaissance was a cultural movement that profoundly affected European intellectual life in the early modern period. Beginning in Italy, and spreading to the rest of Europe by the 16th century, its influence was felt in literature philosophy, art, politics, science, religion, and other aspects of intellectual enquiry. Renaissance...
Introduction At the beginning of the revolution, the colonies were lost to England, though neither England nor America knew it. English colonial policy had become an echo of dead opportunities. Yet petitioners “humbly prayed,” as ever before. English officials still went to and fro about their empty business, and patriotic...
Canada before World War One was characterised by the immigration of foreign communities, especially the Chinese, which resulted in suspicion and fear by locals that these foreigners had come to settle in Canada. As a result, the locals, together with the government, were not very welcoming, resulting in uncertainty and...
The civil rights act of 1964 was mentioned by John F. Kennedy in 1964 and passed into law, the same year. It dealt mainly with freedom and right of association, of all races more specifically the African Americans although within it there were clauses that dealt with discrimination due to...
In the early days of the slave trade, conceivably, 65 percent had been captives of wars. Over the next century, it has been premeditated that upwards of 75 percent were kidnapped. Many of these were the sufferers of the influential and centralized states of Dahomey and Ashanti, which had emerged...
As long as humanity exists, people’s minds will always try to unravel the mysteries that History is responsible for. The more controversial this or that historical problem is the more disputable researches appear. Most of the present books that are concerned with historical problems throw light on the existing paradigms....
Introduction Chinese civilization has been considered to be the longest continuous civilization on earth. The system of the Chinese dynasty gave it a bureautic control against a system that in the end was advantageous to the Chinese agrarian system than the neighboring nomadic and hill cultures. The civilization of China...
Introduction Southwest and East Asia have a long history of the development of societies and socio-political institutions. As for the Southwest Asia, due to mild climate and fertile soil its early development of food production and animal domestication resulted in the emergence of many of the world’s first city-states (Pollard...
Introduction Military conflicts often align with significant social changes within states due to the underlying causes of confrontation and the changes that occur during their management. World War I is one of the most common examples of how social changes were propelled by the necessity to fight the oppressor and...
Hellenistic period (330-30 BCE) covers the death of the Great Alexander in 323 BCE up to the death of Cleopatra and also annexation of Egypt in 30 BCE by the Romans. This period was the age for many kings who were former generals of the great Alexander. Fight for wealth,...
Natives are people who live a life that is very different from the rest; this is because such people lack their rights of living in that particular country. Natives are indigenous people from the regions of North America who are covered by the continent of United States and parts of...
Thesis Many countries embrace conscription to unite the nation and rally the citizen together for a common course. In Canada, Conscription during World War I was a total failure as it left the nation more divided than it was before. Introduction Conscription is a term used to describe involuntary labor...
Introduction Edward Moore Kennedy was born on 22 February 1932 in a prominent Irish-American family to Joseph P. Kennedy Senior and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy in Brookline, Massachusetts. He is the second longest-serving member of the Senate since his election in November 1962 in Massachusetts, a seat he has held up...
Thesis The Northwest rebellion of 1885 was of great importance to Canada development despite the fact that it lasted for three only months. Introduction The 1885 Northwest Rebellion was a three months uprising by the Métis people led by Louis Riel protesting against the Canadian Authority failure to deal with...
Introduction The war for the West in America after the civil war assumes greater significance as the Western inhabitants had to endure years of hardships and misery due to its bad effects. American troop’s war on Lakota (Sioux), a tribal western part of the United States, destroyed the normal life...
According to the world literature, various communities have continued to restrict the ability and rights of women to manage as well as own property. Highly regarded women who dared to spend their time in public were frowned upon. Nevertheless, at times women applied the power of public protest to make...
Introduction Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness (1982) presented an interesting overview of the European conquest of Africa when he wrote, “The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when...
The Qin gained power in 221 BC; they existed during the Warring State Period and were the first to unify China. Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor, set the tradition for having emperors as rulers in China. Notably, the Qin was militarily the strongest, but not culturally advanced. They introduced new...
Chang’an City is the capital of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty is regarded by historians as a high point in Chinese civilization that equals or even surpassing the earlier Han Dynasty. It is also considered the golden age of cosmopolitan culture. It was developed during the Sui Dynasty circa...
Introduction To keep order in their lands and control their population, territorial states and nomadic peoples formulated specific codes of law or rules and principles to follow. Thus, control and power in these states were based not only on the personality of a leader but also on some laws, instructions,...
Introduction Any social change may become a decisive factor in people’s lives. The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 granted rights to people enslaved in seceded areas and created a precedent for the advancement of democratic freedom (Faragher, Buhle, Czitrom, & Armitage, 2016). However, the northern and southern attitudes regarding this process...
Introduction The reunited US after the civil war may be described as fascinating melange between completely different worldviews on crucial social issues that permeated all aspects of life, from economic to political. Faragher, Buhle, Czitrom, and Armitage (2012) outline the Reconstruction era as a way for the US to strengthen...
Introduction Russian revolution refers to a sequence of monetary and political turmoil that prevailed in Russia in February 1917 that swathe downfall of Tsar’s rule and the coming up of the Soviet Union that took over the ruling powers of the country. The movement was meant to bring a democratic...
Introduction The 19th century proved to be a definitive period in American history, with the rise of abolitionist, suffrage, and temperance movements, some of which came to fruition promptly, while others became prerequisites for future changes. Of the three mentioned social movements, abolitionism may be one of the most pivotal...
Introduction The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America that has the supreme legal force. The Constitution went into effect on September 17th, 1787 (Schroedel, 2016). It was subsequently ratified by all thirteen US states that existed at the moment. This law is regarded...
Introduction Aviation history has various periods that crafted its unique story. It began before the seventeenth century and is known for several momentous events that led to its development, such as World War I and World War II. Various events, great minds, and brave pilots contributed to the development of...
Introduction Many public views may be outdated or incorrect when compared to the reality of the events. This phenomenon applies particularly strongly to social groups, where stereotyping frequently takes place and persists until after it approximates the truth. Often, the reason for this phenomenon is that the people who constitute...
Introduction Tyranny is the type of government led by a person who controls the lifestyle of each individual. In such states, each citizen is forced to be a part of the strict political system where only the political elite has the power and rights to make decisions. The current paper...
The prevalence of one ethnic and racial group over others has always been embedded in the global psyche of populations throughout the long history of its development. Thus, white supremacy represents a controversial issue as it is defined as an unnamed political system that transformed the society in what it...
The theory of class conflict paints history as a never-ending series of struggles between different classes in order to achieve political and economic dominance (Howard, 2019, 35). According to that theory, the few who owned the most power, be that aristocracy, clergy, or the bourgeoisie, sought to dominate the larger...
Nowadays, Buddhism is one of the major religions in the world and is practiced by diverse communities across countries and continents. The active spread of Buddhism from India, where it originated, to other countries, happened primarily through the network of Silk Roads. These trade routes played a significant role in...
Introduction The history of America’s discovery is both triumphant and tragic since it allowed the world to move to a new stage of development, but took millions of local people’s lives. De Las Casas was one of the Spanish forwarders who, in the first decades after the discovery of Columbus,...
The Oneida Nation, which was just one of the members of the Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy, played an important role in the American Revolution. However, before siding with American colonials during the conflict, Oneidas, as well as other members of the Iroquois Confederacy, declared neutrality first. As it is...
In the eighteenth century in the United States of America, millions of Afro-Americans were subjugated and forced to work without payment for the benefit of the white people. Notwithstanding the harsh conditions, physical, and psychological abuse experienced by the enslaved during the antebellum era in colonial Virginia, many ventured to...
Introduction The twentieth century witnessed several major conflicts that affected the whole world. World War I and II led to the creation and destruction of entire countries, political regimes, and alliances. The events following the end of World War II (WW2) ushered the new era which gained the name of...
Introduction Thucydides tells a detailed account of the Peloponnesian War, a major military conflict between Greek Powers. At the source of this war lies the conflict around Corcyra, an emerging naval power. After defeating Corinth’s fleet in a dispute over their shared colony of Epidamnus, it established itself as a...
As of today, the world continues to become ever more unstable, in the political sense of this world. The most recent escalation of the geopolitical tensions between the US (collective West) and China/Russia contributes to this process more than anything. At an initial glance, such a situation may appear as...
Introduction Like many other wars of the nineteenth century, the Spanish-American war was caused by the struggle for the colonies, which the Western powers considered their rightful property. The Spaniards were among the best navigators in the 15th – 17th centuries, which allowed them to create a huge colonial Empire....
The Mexican War of Independence was the struggle of the oppressed people against feudal Spain, which had been plundering its colony for three centuries. The war of liberation was not only the fight of the Mexicans for independence, but also a great war of the Indians of Mexico for their...
Introduction The contemporary Muslim states in the Middle East represent a wide variety of social, political, and religious structures. Currently, there are over fifty of these countries with different economic and political status, some of them being secular, religious, monarchies, or democracies. Examining the history of the development of the...
The expansion of both the American and British Empires in the Middle East was based on imperialism, which started with the aggressive overseas expansion of Europe in the 1400s. The Middle East region was excluded from the initial European occupation until the 1780s, when the first invasion occurred. The British...
Government during the Colonial Era Characteristics The colonial era is characterized by the lack of self-governess and dependence on the British. The British government provided the colonies with military defense against other major colonial powers in the region but could enforce its regulations on the American colonists. Thus, being a...
Introduction Nowadays, it became a commonplace practice among many historians and political scientists to claim that America’s victory in the Cold War (1946-1991) was objectively predetermined by the inefficiency of Socialism, as the form of political governing adopted in the USSR (America’s main rivalry) throughout the era. This, in turn,...
In the interwar period from 1919 to 1933, the Weimar Republic became an unofficial name for Germany. During this time, Berlin became Europe’s intellectual and creative hub, pioneering in the modern arts as well as science. At the time, the economy and political situation in Germany was experiencing hardships, whereas...
Introduction Queen Isabella I of Castile is a key figure in Spanish history. Her rule following her marriage to King Ferdinand of Aragon, saw the unification of the Spanish kingdom and the conclusion of the Reconquista. She further solidified the power of the unified crown by employing a group of...
Introduction Muhammad Tughlaq was one of the most controversial figures in the political scene of Medieval India. Initially, he was a successful military commander and, after his father’s death, became the ruler of the Delhi sultanate and reigned throughout 1324 and 1351 AD (Kulke and Rothermund 2004). He is also...
Introduction The harsh working conditions for ordinary people marked the Industrial Revolution in England. Places such as factories and coal mines employed even children, who had to spend hours on hard physical labor almost as much as adults did. Although the power of wealthy industry business owners was high, some...
The period from the Great Depression to the emergence of the New Left is quite significant for the history of labor force movements. Workers had to face and fight against the ideology of fascism, the oppressing policy of capitalists, and gender discrimination. Thus, this time might be crucial to discover...
This paper is about one of the most famous and significant figures in the history of Mexico, Porfirio Diaz (1830-1915), and the Mexican Revolution. Diaz was a victorious military general, Mexican-American War volunteer, revolutionist, dictator, politician, and also president of Mexico whose term was longer than anyone else’s in Mexican...
Introduction The world leadership of Great Britain, high international authority, as well as a political, economic, and military power, were associated with the colonial empire. At the beginning of the 17th century, England was a moderately developed feudal state located on the outskirts of Europe. Nevertheless, an active expansionist policy...
Introduction The author touched upon various aspects of this theme, including the role of human rights, governmental activities, and the establishment of civil liberties and rights in politics. An understanding of the value of civil liberties in terms of imprisonment and the death penalty is also a crucial task for...
Introduction Ancient Chinese civilization is one of the richest in cultural heritage in the world that based its development on an extensive system of philosophical and religious ideas. Han dynasty that lasted from 206 BC to 220 AD is one of the eras in the history of ancient China characterized...
The Reconstruction was a period in the U.S. history at the end of, and immediately after, the Civil War. Although the North won the military conflict, political and ideological differences had to be resolved. President Abraham Lincoln put forward a long-term plan to reintegrate the South states as a first...
Annotated Bibliography Kavanagh, Jennifer, Bryan Frederick, Alexandra Stark, Nathan Chandler, Meagan L. Smith, Matthew Povlock, Lynn E. Davis, and Edward Geist. Characteristics of U.S. Successful Military Interventions. Santa Monica: RAND Corporation, 2019. This research-based source reports the results of the statistical study that was devoted to analyzing important interventions involving...
Introduction The history of colonisation often focuses on its effect on European countries and the patterns of trade that emerged on the global stage. In turn, the influence of the process on the colonised regions and their future development is often overlooked. In their chapters, Stein and Stein and Burns...
Introduction Human history presents numerous ideas, concepts, philosophies, and thoughts that have the potential to influence nations and governments across the world. The idea of learning from the past is an evidence-based practice that has moved America forward. The legal, moral, economic, political, and social achievements experienced in the United...
Introduction The history of Latin America, as well as its way to independence and prosperity, was long and characterised by a number of unpredictable partnerships and influential reforms. The situation at the Atlantic between the 18th and 19th centuries was not stable from economic and political perspectives, especially, it was...
The Great Depression is one of the most critical periods of modern U.S. history. It began with the global economic crisis in 1929, which most affected the United States (Davidson, 2014). In 1933, when the crisis reached its peak, the Democratic Party candidate Roosevelt entered the post of President. He...
Professor Justin Dunnavant and his team have put extensive effort into exploring the history and effects of slavery on the island of St Croix. Through the in-field tour on heritage sites with archaeological works, the Salve Wrecks Project, in short of SWP, has assisted the public effectively in comprehending how...
In Feudal Europe, towns commenced emerging at the crossroads of trade routes and became the centers of crafts and commerce. The development of trade contributed to economic growth and, as a result, the capitalist relations among urban citizens began to take shape. The city administration was the major institutional arrangement...
The types of alcohol and the patterns of its consumption vary across the countries. Historically, the attitude towards it was changing depending on the socio-political and the economic situation. Europe and the United States belong to the same Western civilization, and it is understandable why many processes associated with this...
When exploring the history of French wine, the concept of terroir has been used as both a definition for a specific wine’s category within the market and a reflection on the quality of the drink. No matter how wine connoisseurs approach the definition of terroir, it cannot be separated from...
Introduction Many modern people like to think that their current progress and achievements have nothing in common with their past. They believe that their growth at this period has an immense power that did not characterize previous centuries. However, contemporary society and the society of the early Renaissance may be...
Appian’s Roman History is a collection of five books that describe the events between the year 133 B.C. and 35 B.C. The focus is on the events in the Roman Empire and the struggles that the people of the era had experienced. More specifically, book IV is telling the story...
Introduction Ever since the conception of the Chinese civilization, its core beliefs, values, and structures have been attributed to the philosophy of Confucianism. It is considered one of the most influential systems that have a significant impact on the opinions of the country’s leaders and, subsequently, the economic and social...
Introduction During the Colonial era of world history, Europeans explored other continents looking for new land, valuable resources, and trade opportunities. Contact between cultures from opposite sides of the globe changed the lives of millions of people and the course of world history. The Colombian exchange made a significant impact...
Abstract Slavery had become common malpractice in many Spanish and French American colonies by the early 16th century. After Christopher Columbus arrived in America, a new opportunity for promoting the economy of European nations emerged. The idea of forced labor became a reality in many regions after the first Europeans...
Introduction Baldwin’s The American Dream and the American Negro speech appeals to the White southerners, accusing them of racism towards African-Americans. The concept of plague is used by the author to reflect hatred and immorality, which make them look down on people that have a different skin color: “moral lives...
The Indian Removal Act that was enforced by the President of the United States Andrew Jackson imposed a controversial policy to relocate Native Americans from their lands to the territory west of the Mississippi River, where they have never been. Some tribes decided to leave the area, but some were...
The relationship between the Native Americans and the government of the United States comes through the entire history of the country. In 1824, the federal authorities created the country’s primary agency responsible for the government’s dealings with the Native population – the Bureau of Indian Affairs or BIA (Indian Country...
The Industrial Revolution profoundly changed the world, all aspects of economics, society, politics, and other aspects. Industrialism drastically changed all aspects of production, allowing the establishment of mass production of goods and the invention of new methods of both production and agriculture. Technological developments and innovations changed how everything was...
The USA earned its independence from British rule in the eighteenth century. The new country was based on democratic principles where people’s rights were respected and exercised to a considerable extent. However, the democratic aspirations of Americans were rather compromised as millions of people were deprived of basic rights. Slavery...
Introduction The Harlem Renaissance is a term that is widely used to describe the period of a cultural and social reawakening for African Americans in the United States, who concentrated their artistic effort in New York. The period between the 1920s and the 1930s became a critically significant era in...
Introduction Greco-Persian Wars are defined as a series of collisions between the Persian Empire and Greek city-states. Starting from the conquest of the Greek-inhabited regions by the Persians who regarded them as appealing, this collision changed its course due to several battles that played a highly essential role in the...
Introduction The Civil Rights movement in the United States has a long history. Starting in the 1950s, this social impetus for change implied taking direct action; it was primarily focused on the realm of education, although its proponents also addressed other areas where African American people were experiencing severe discrimination...
Introduction In the early 19th century, the young United States, with hopes of becoming a major world power like its former mother country, started a campaign for territorial expansion. In an era dubbed the Age of Imperialism the political and economic power of nations was secured through the acquisition of...
Introduction Art and architecture are significant elements for any nation because of at least two reasons. On the one hand, they make it possible for people to meet their aesthetic needs, which is essential for individuals. On the other hand, the two phenomena represent all beliefs and customs that are...
Introduction The Cuban Revolution in the 1950s was one of the most significant socio-political events of the century in the Western Hemisphere. It had profound impacts not just on Cuba but on the global stage as an inherent shift in the balance of power and ideology occurred. The Cuban Revolution...
Introduction The Cold War is a period that many politicians and global leaders continue to study and analyze today. It created tensions between the Soviet Union and the West. The events, happenings, and decisions associated with this political tension have become powerful models or lessons for many analysts, historians, and...
On the turn of the twentieth century all main industries in the USA, like oil, railroad, tobacco, and sugar were concentrated in the hands of several millionaire families, like the Carnegies, Vanderbilts, and Rockefellers. They formed monopolies, turning them into trusts to eliminate competition and ensure the flow of wealth...
Introduction The American Civil War is one of the most important events that played a significant role in the creation of the United States. According to historians, the states were formed owing to the outcomes of the Revolution of 1776-1783. On the other hand, the Civil War was a determinant...
The 1960s were a kind of turning point in the history of black US citizens. Namely, during this period, the black ‘revolution’ of America began. The civil rights movement has officially put an end to the issue of discrimination against representatives of the “colored” population of the country. In 1964,...
Research Plan The following research question is to be answered: what was the South African apartheid, and how did it affect people of color in the 1980s? Introduction and Thesis Statement The period of apartheid belongs to the most known examples of how ugly race-based prejudice can be if it...
In the ancient world, both in Rome and Greece, human life was not considered sacred; therefore, murder and cruelty were widespread. The notions of justifiable and unjustifiable homicide have been significantly different from the way people see it nowadays. The purpose of this essay is to consider how citizens of...
Introduction From a nationalistic perspective, imperialism did not have any positive impacts on the colonized nations. Even in cases where it appears that such countries benefited from their colonial masters, nationalists would term it an accidental occurrence – a by-product of the imperialists’ pursuit of their self-centered interests. However, colonialists...
Introduction Out of all the historical events that happened during the era of mankind, war remains to be the most undesirable and high-priced act of human beings. Military actions lead to the loss of financial means, men’s lives, settlements, and even cities. Moreover, the end of warfare does not mean...
The second half of the eighteenth century will always be among the most eventful periods in the history of the United States. In particular, these fifty years will be best remembered for the American Revolution, which contributed to the formation of the country. In this letter to my dear descendants,...
Introduction The days following the end of the Second World War presented both opportunities and challenges to the United States. Several American presidents applied diverse policies to overcome the issues associated with the Cold War. This paper gives a detailed analysis of the achievements of these four presidents and how...
Introduction Racial segregation is a significant problem that shaped the development of many countries and societies. In South Africa, apartheid was the institutionalized segregation of black people throughout the country. It had substantial repercussions for South Africa and its citizens, both positive and negative. Nelson Mandela played a crucial role...
Example Description The document under consideration is the Constitution of the United States. It consists of four pages that are permanently displayed at the National Archives. The document includes a preamble and seven articles dedicated to government structure and functioning. Thus, it establishes the role of legislative, executive, and judicial...
The United States of America became a superpower due to the commitment and diligence of Americans. Some of them made a great contribution, while others contributed their labor to make big ideas happen. Cornelius Vanderbilt is often referred to as one of the men who made America and “built” the...
Working Class During the Early Industrial Revolution Despite urbanization and higher wages, the standards of living of the working class were deficient during the early years of the revolution (Hartwell 20). The workers had to spend up to 14 hours a day in factories and did not have the power...
Introduction Industrial Age can be defined as the time when people became actively engaged in the development of manufacturing machinery. The given historical period is associated with many break-through technological advances and inventions, which consequently permeated almost every aspect of human life. The industrial revolution is closely related to the...
The War of 1812 is a military conflict between the United States and Britain, its former colonial master. It resulted from a number of tensions starting with the practice of impressment and a restricted trade with both France and Britain. Other reasons that forced the US to start a war...
One of the most remarkable points about the Mongol Empire was its hostility that allowed them to become a foreign ruling class for many other nations. All the destruction that the Mongols caused on Eurasia seemed to be a planned series of activities that should not have promoted death and...
Industrial Age can be defined as the time when people became actively engaged in the development of manufacturing machinery. The given historical period is associated with many break-through technological advances and inventions, which consequently permeated almost every aspect of human life. The industrial revolution is closely related to the rise...
Background of the Case The case under consideration is one of the most discussed kidnapping stories of the twentieth century. The case roots back to July 10, 1973, when 1-year-old John Paul Getty III was kidnaped by Italian criminals in Rome. The people who organized the crime were the members...
Jerome Alden’s play, Bully: An Adventure with Teddy Roosevelt is set in the year 1912. It follows Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. In 1912, he attempted to run for a third term as President. The play is split into two acts: in the first, Roosevelt reminisces...