History is a subject that is always tightly connected to the concept of time and space. To truly analyze an event you should know when and where it happened. Knowing the period and location you may easily define the cultural context, search for the events that happened before and understand the real causes of the occurrence you are studying.
So, if you are struggling with choosing your history research paper topics (which is completely understandable, considering the countless interesting events that humanity managed to cause), try to answer the first two questions: what period and geographical location you want to study? Maybe, you have some personal preferences, or you or your friends have the elderly relatives who witnessed some important facts?
Be careful if you choose a period and location because of a recent movie you watched or a book you read. History is often romanticized beyond any recognition, so if you are a huge fan of a certain setting, learning the real state of affairs in that period of time can be a dream-crushing experience.
If you are still ready to try, remember to step aside from any imagery you have seen or read before (except the one taken from real historical studies). You may try to do it vice versa: study the period and historical events at first and then watch the movie and read the book again, searching for similarities and differences from real history.
Useful information: What’s a research paper and how to write it?
Whatever you choose, try to narrow down to 100 years maximum. The best amount of events to be analyzed and described in one research paper is the one happening during one human lifespan. It is large enough to give your audience a complete picture and, on the other hand, it won’t overload them with details and will give you the opportunity to study everything thoroughly.
You are welcome to use our sample topics to get your own inspiration. Good luck to you!
Good History Research Paper Topics:
- The impact of the Industrial Revolution on society and economy.
- The causes and consequences of World War I.
- The role of women in the American Civil Rights Movement.
- The rise and fall of the Roman Empire.
- The effects of colonization on indigenous cultures.
- The origins and consequences of the French Revolution.
- The role of propaganda in shaping public opinion during World War II.
- The impact of the Black Death on medieval Europe.
- The causes and outcomes of the American Revolution.
- The influence of ancient Greek philosophy on modern thought.
- The role of religion in the Salem Witch Trials.
- The impact of the Cold War on global politics.
- The significance of the Renaissance in European history.
- The causes and consequences of the Great Depression.
- The role of technology in shaping the outcome of World War II.
American History Research Paper Topics:
- The impact of the American Revolution on the formation of the United States
- The causes and consequences of the Civil War
- The role of women in the suffrage movement
- The effects of the Great Depression on American society
- The significance of the Emancipation Proclamation in ending slavery
- The role of Native Americans in the colonization of North America
- The impact of the Industrial Revolution on American society
- The causes and consequences of the Vietnam War
- The influence of the Harlem Renaissance on African American culture
- The role of the United States in World War II
- The impact of the Civil Rights Movement on racial equality in America
- The significance of the Louisiana Purchase in expanding American territory
- The effects of the Cold War on American foreign policy
- The role of the United States in the creation of the United Nations
- The impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on American society and foreign policy
World History Research Paper Topics:
- The impact of the Industrial Revolution on global economies.
- The role of women in ancient civilizations.
- The causes and consequences of the French Revolution.
- The influence of imperialism on Africa’s development.
- The origins and consequences of World War I.
- The rise and fall of the Roman Empire.
- The impact of the Silk Road on cultural exchange.
- The effects of the Cold War on global politics.
- The role of religion in shaping ancient civilizations.
- The significance of the Renaissance in European history.
- The causes and consequences of the Russian Revolution.
- The impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures.
- The role of nationalism in the decolonization process.
- The origins and consequences of the Holocaust.
- The influence of ancient Greek philosophy on Western thought.
Black History Research Paper Topics:
- The impact of the Harlem Renaissance on African American culture.
- The role of African American soldiers in the Civil War.
- The significance of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the Civil Rights Movement.
- The life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
- The contributions of African American inventors and scientists.
- The history and impact of the Black Panther Party.
- The role of African American women in the suffrage movement.
- The impact of the Great Migration on African American communities.
- The history and significance of Juneteenth.
- The influence of African American musicians on popular culture.
- The history and impact of the Tuskegee Airmen.
- The role of African American athletes in breaking racial barriers.
- The history and impact of the Black Lives Matter movement.
- The contributions of African American writers and poets to literature.
- The history and impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
European History Research Paper Topics:
- The impact of the French Revolution on European society.
- The role of nationalism in the unification of Germany and Italy.
- The causes and consequences of the Protestant Reformation.
- The influence of the Renaissance on European art and culture.
- The origins and consequences of the Black Death in Europe.
- The impact of the Industrial Revolution on European society and economy.
- The role of women in European society during the Middle Ages.
- The causes and consequences of the Spanish Inquisition.
- The rise and fall of the Roman Empire.
- The impact of World War I on European politics and society.
- The causes and consequences of the Russian Revolution.
- The role of European colonialism in shaping global politics and economies.
- The impact of the Cold War on Europe and its division.
- The causes and consequences of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
- The role of the European Union in shaping European integration and cooperation.
Ancient History Research Paper Topics:
- The role of women in ancient Egyptian society
- The impact of Alexander the Great’s conquests on ancient Greece
- The rise and fall of the Roman Empire
- The significance of the Code of Hammurabi in ancient Mesopotamia
- The construction and purpose of the Great Wall of China
- The influence of ancient Greek philosophy on modern Western thought
- The religious beliefs and practices of ancient Mayan civilization
- The role of slavery in ancient Rome
- The cultural and technological achievements of ancient Egypt
- The origins and development of democracy in ancient Athens
- The military strategies and tactics of ancient Sparta
- The impact of the Persian Wars on ancient Greece
- The role of religion in ancient Mesopotamian society
- The cultural exchange between ancient Rome and ancient China along the Silk Road
- The significance of the Rosetta Stone in deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs
Medieval History Research Paper Topics:
- The role of women in medieval society
- The impact of the Black Death on medieval Europe
- The Crusades: Causes, consequences, and legacy
- Feudalism and its influence on medieval society
- The rise and fall of the Byzantine Empire
- The Hundred Years’ War: Causes, key battles, and outcomes
- The Magna Carta: Significance and impact on medieval England
- Medieval religious orders: Knights Templar, Hospitallers, and Teutonic Knights
- The Inquisition: Origins, methods, and consequences
- Medieval art and architecture: Gothic cathedrals and illuminated manuscripts
- The Vikings: Exploration, raids, and settlements
- Medieval medicine and healthcare practices
- The role of the Church in medieval society
- The Norman Conquest of England: William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings
- Medieval trade and commerce: Hanseatic League and the Silk Road
Science History Research Paper Topics:
- The discovery and impact of penicillin in medicine.
- The development of the periodic table and its influence on chemistry.
- The life and contributions of Marie Curie to the field of radioactivity.
- The history and significance of the Hubble Space Telescope in astronomy.
- The evolution of the theory of evolution: from Darwin to modern genetics.
- The invention and impact of the steam engine on the Industrial Revolution.
- The discovery and understanding of DNA structure and its implications in genetics.
- The history of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
- The development and impact of the theory of relativity by Albert Einstein.
- The history and significance of the discovery of electricity by Benjamin Franklin.
- The contributions of Nikola Tesla to the field of electrical engineering.
- The history and impact of the Manhattan Project and the development of the atomic bomb.
- The discovery and understanding of the human genome and its implications in medicine.
- The history and significance of the discovery of the electron by J.J. Thomson.
- The development and impact of the theory of plate tectonics in geology.