Paper

Do only one!!!!

Note: Some papers, including the most interesting, may deal with topics covered after April 13.

Each paper should have a thesis (a theory it is trying to prove), and should use several specific examples from various sources, especially primary sources, to support it. The more detailed the better. Sources should be cited, even if not quoting.

Papers should be 5 to 7 double-spaced pages long, and are due on date above. Extensions will only be granted in the direst of circumstances. No electronic submission (see syllabus).

If late, 15 points off!

You may use the textbook and additional secondary sources, but you must also use at least one and preferably more primary sources. I will be grading you on, among other things, how well you use primary sources. A good paper will weave together primary and secondary sources. The text book has many excerpts from primary sources which you may use. Articles and book reviews found on J-Stor or similar sources are far preferable as a source than other internet sources, such as Wikipedia. The use of books is also preferable. See the college librarian about accessing J-Stor. Books may be found in the library, bookstore, etc….

If no primary sources, minus ten points.

Quote so I know you used it.

A primary source is a source from the time period. It could be a law, diary, letter, newspaper, memoir, article, among other things from the time period. A secondary source would be a history book or text book.

For example: The Diary of Napoleon Bonaparte (copyright 1818) is a primary source, but

Napoleon: The Last Enlightened Despot, by Janet Sanchez (Copyright 2014) is NOT. It is a secondary source.

Staple or paper clip, number your pages, double space, and have a Works Cited page or Bibliography, and give it a title (“Paper Number Three” is not a name). Points will be taken off for not doing this.

Grammar and capitalization count, and too many errors will reduce your grade. Note: You should cite your sources and put in WC page even if NOT quoting. Cite within the text of the paper…. (Lets say you have 15 sources in your works cited page—how do I know where you got your information unless you tell me the specific source!!!!!)

Also, cover sheets and WC pages do NOT count towards the page requirement.

The major elements you will be evaluated on include:

1. Statement and quality of thesis

2. Use of evidence from primary and secondary sources

3. Development of a reasonable argument

4. Style, grammar, spelling and capitalization

Please note: Some of the most interesting topics may be covered in class after the due date. It is suggested you read ahead if you wish to do one of these.

See “Tips” on Blackboard for other requirements and suggestions.

Paper Topics

Seventeen (17) Total

1. Compare the Flood story in the Bible with the Flood story in Gilgamesh. How do they differ, and how are they similar? In general, what was the influence of Mesopotamia on the Hebrews?

2. What were some of the effects of Alexander’s conquest on both the Greeks and the peoples of the former Persian Empire?

3. Compare the rise of Augustus to become “Princeps” and his methods of rule, to Napoleon’s rise to power and Emperorship. Did they use similar tactics to achieve imperial rule and to govern their empires?

4. What were some of the distinguishing features of the Middle Ages? How did the Italian Renaissance differ from the Middle Ages, and what caused these changes? What were some of the causes of the Renaissance?

For this question, concentrate on the Italian Renaissance, though some mention of the Northern Renaissance should be made.

5. What were the issues and problems that helped cause the Protestant Reformation? Why and how did it spread so rapidly? How did the Catholic Church battle the Reformation?

6. Discuss the Age of Discovery (or Age of Exploration) which, for purposes of this paper, was from @1419-@1660. Why did Europe begin to conquer overseas territories? What were some of the motivations of the discoverers? What were some of the effects of Europe’s “expansion” on Europe and America? Some mention should be made of European expansion towards Asia.

7. “The French Revolution was a failure.” Do you agree, disagree, agree/disagree in part? Your answer should discuss the goals of the Revolution as found in various sources, the events of the Revolution, and look a little at Napoleon and later French and European and/or world history.

8. Compare the Romantics and the Enlightenment. May the Romantics be considered a reaction, at least in part, to elements of the Enlightenment? If you had to choose, do you think it is better to run a society on Enlightenment or Romantic grounds?

9. Discuss the imperialism of the latter half of the Nineteenth Century and early Twentieth century. In particular, discuss the idea of the “White Man’s Burden”. Also, how does Japanese expansion in the 1870 to 1914 period relate to European imperialism —was it for similar or different reasons?

While you can discuss imperialism by America, the bulk of the paper should deal with imperialism by European powers.

10. Discuss the aggression of the Italian Fascists and the Nazis in the 1930s. Could the Western powers somehow have prevented it?

11. How are the First and Second World Wars related? Acknowledging the great differences between 1914-18 and 1939-45, could they be considered as two phases of what some have called a Thirty-One Years War?

12. Compare and contrast Soviet Communism, Italian Fascism, and National Socialism. In what ways were they similar? How do they differ? Were Fascism, National Socialism, and Soviet Communism all part of a broader totalitarian ideology?

13. How was the First World War fought? Discuss tactics, weaponry, strategies, and important battles. Could the Central Powers have won, and how?

14. How was the Second World War fought? Discuss tactics, weaponry, strategies, and important battles. Could the Axis have won, and how?

15. What caused the Cold War? How was it “fought”? Why did it last for so long?

16. Discuss decolonization. Why did it happen, and why was it so difficult in some countries and so relatively easy in others? What have been some of the problems faced by the decolonized countries?

16. Discuss some of the important technological changes from 1789 to today. In particular, what was the importance of the steam engine and telegraph in the Industrial Revolution and the computer in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries?

17. If you have a variation on one of these, or something you really want to write on, ask for permission and it will probably be granted!!!!