Ideas of an American History topic?

Question

Hey everyone!
I have to do an 8-10 page history paper on just about anything in American History. It has to be reasonably specific and, obviously, I have to be able to get 8 to 10 pages out of it. I want to do something interesting and something that not many other people will do. I hope to stay away from wars, battles, etc. as these are always the prime focus.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

Suggestions:

1) George Washington and his impact on the writing of Article II (Executive Branch) of the Constitution. Some historians say he was basically the template for what was written (i.e., folks were already thinking of him as president before the job was created.)

2) Prohibition and it's impact on organized crime (going into the various mafia groups and how it's impacted even today's organized crime.

3) for that matter - here's an interesting one - The history, growth, and organization of gangs in America. Crips, Bloods, Latin Kings, et al, etc...That'd be cool. Lots of information on that. Contact the local police and their gang task force.

4) History of political extremism (left and right wing). White supremacist groups, separatist groups, radical underground groups (Weathermen, Black Panthers), extremist groups. These groups go back to our founding to include Shay's Rebellion from 1786 to 1787 and the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 (of which Pres. Washington himself was personally in command of federal troops & rode halfway to the rebellion site). Populist radicalism and extremism has been in American blood since before our founding. Our founding is BECAUSE of this. This would be a good topic. If you do this one let me have a copy of the paper. It's something I've been wanting to write a book on for a long time.

5. Write about urban development pre-industrial revolution and post-industrial revolution. Boring, but could be made interesting. Many sub-topics in this one as well.

6. History of religious groups in America. How they came to be and how they have evolved. This one would be hard to do.

Answer 2

Check out the National park Service web page for ideas. You can do a paper on the National Park idea (considered America's best idea to the world). As mentioned above the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery. How about Spanish exploration (instead of American exploration) into the North American continent? Maybe the last queen of Hawaii? Maybe the Great flood of Johnstown?

I use to hate history until I discovered that history is not about dates and wars, but about people. Look to your own community. Is there a school or building that may have a curious name? What about a river or creek? The impact of epidemics and medicine?

I could go on and on.
Good luck and have fun.

Answer 3

Anything in American History eh? Why not focus on exploration, Lewis and Clarke or the fur trade era? Or the effects of europeens on aboriginal cultures of the time? The change in clothing, tools, food, housing etc... over a span of several decades. Or perhaps do a paper on the efforts of those on the homefront during the First and/or Second Great War? Hope that helps you marginally at least.

Answer 4

I'm kind of going along the lines of Sean E's response. Why not do a paper where you study the same topic but relate how Americans attitudes and/or national policies on your subject have differed over time. Race relations, our relations/policies with a certain nation (Russia/the Soviet Union/Russia, Japan, England, etc. would all be interesting choices) changes in social issues like marriage or religion, etc. I know you said you wanted to stay away from war but you culd always do something on how media has shaped public opinion on the Iraq war and led to political change (and probably policy change) as a result. You could do a paper on immigration patterns, policies, etc. throughout the history of the US from colonies to today's debate on open/illegal immigration; you've got peoples coming for religious freedom, econimic opportunity, peoples who were forced here, etc and you could go further in depth as to the contributions of each group. Too many ideas to list here.

Answer 5

1) USA sprung up as country that was essentially tax free. The founder fathers practically went to war with the British because of taxation and esp. taxation of the every day person. State how the 16th ammendment changed US history by giving Congress the power to create and implement income tax and other taxes on income and without question.

2) How the USA's model for democracy came to be. Hint: the founding fathers adopted it from the Native American tribe/confederacy of the Iroquois confederacy who lived around the New England region of the US.

Answer 6

how about the loss of culture due to the forcing ofnative american children to go through boarding schools? there is a ton of info on this, and it's not generally spoken about much in american schools. not to mention that it is generally pushed aside as less of an issue concerning native american studies. it seems to always end up as a footnote compared to other issues.

or even the native american civil rights movement, the rise of the american indian movement, wounded knee 2 in the 70s and the illegal imprisonment of leonard peltier. (who is still in prison by the way). heck, you could probably get your entire paper on just peltier, but the movement could work well as a backdrop to the paper. it would add more info about where he was coming from and stuff. good luck. if you chose this one (the movement and peltier, etc.) and need some ideas or more info, feel free to email me. I'm super passionate about this topic. good luck!

Answer 7

I'm from the "Land down Under" however the institution of the Decalogue or Ten commandments in American courts (if they're still there) is an interesting topic for some as I have not come across them in our own legal system.

Answer 8

You could try the secret societies of America following the Civil War. Obviously, everyone knows about the KKK, but there are/were definitely others out there.

Answer 9

There have been 5 political realignments in the history of the US if you want a topic your class mates most likely wouldn't pick this is it.

Answer 10

How about america's roadway systems of Interstate highways, rural routes, state roads, back roads. It's a topic that seems "off the beaten path" to me.