Suggestions for history topic

[Janus]

OK, I know this is quite general and broad, but I'm looking for an interesting topic that I could write an essay on in history. It has to be quite specific for example "the effect of the Spanish Armada on Queen Elizabeth's health". It's not gonna be that specific but it can't be something like The Cultural Revolution. Someone applied the Art of War to the Battle of Gettysburg, so that's one actual example/

I'm looking into US, European, or Asian History. I'm thinking about doing something for the Spanish Civil war perhaps.

Any suggestions?

[The Grey Blur]

Oooh ooh ooh me me me!!!

*wags hand*

Do the Irish War of Indepedence! - It's actually really interesting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_War_of_Independence

It had all sorts of consequences like Partition

Or

The Easter Rising of 1916!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Rising

James Connolly, a famous Irish Marxist, was one of the rebel martyrs

[ComradeOm]

For something more specific, but based on the same material as PR suggested, try writing about the Marxist/labour influence on the Easter Rising and its later assimilation into the nationalist movement.

[Reuben]

good question there is lots of interesting stuff to look at hence although i would say this as an undergrad. What have i found most rewarding?

Chartism - there are significant debates both as to why chartism failed and has to how much chartism was a class phenomenon

Italian Fascism/Mussolini's rise to power - the intersting thing here from a marxist perspective is the extent to which the socialists were real challengers for power in the post world war 1 period and the extent to which the bourgoiesie (in terms of the industrialists, the state and the Liberal politicians) basically fell into mussolini's lap - there is a very good and concise book by a bloke i think called de grande on this period.

Vietnam - not only during the US war but also in the 20s and 30s when peasant riots erupted and the communists became hegemonic amongst indigenious forces. For me the key issue here is the lopsided developement - the fact that under the french proletarianisation occurred but the rise of an indigenious bourgoiesie was frustrated.

Mao's road to power - why did the communists win? how communist were the CCP in the areas they administrated? HIstorians have argued variously that the communists were riding on a wave of chinese nationalism - triggered by the japanese invasion - or that it should be understood essentially as a military victory. For me the victory cannot be understood outside of the csocial and political character of the CCP.

I hope you find some of these interesting. If you want to discuss any my messanger address is [email protected]

All the best,

Reuben

[Black Dagger]

You should try writing some stuff about colonisation history (and you can read some Frantz Fanon, 'Wretched of the Earth' for example, for fun!) - colonisation of australia, aotearoa, the pacific, are all interesting and rewarding topics of study.

[Janus]

So many choices, awhhh...

All of your proposals sound interesting.

So Black Dagger, colonization of Australia as in the history of the original island as a prison colony and the later introduction of prostitutes, etc.?


Originally posted by Reuben
Mao's road to power - why did the communists win? how communist were the CCP in the areas they administrated? HIstorians have argued variously that the communists were riding on a wave of chinese nationalism - triggered by the japanese invasion - or that it should be understood essentially as a military victory. For me the victory cannot be understood outside of the csocial and political character of the CCP.
Yeah, that's kind of my back up as I know quite a lot about Chinese history. But the thing is that I want to learn some new stuff though.

[The Grey Blur]

Ireland for teh win :D

You can just feel the history oozing out of every Wikipedia page

[Black Dagger]

Originally posted by Janus
So Black Dagger, colonization of Australia as in the history of the original island as a prison colony and the later introduction of prostitutes, etc.?

Can't tell if you're joking, really hope that you are :unsure:

But no, colonisation history deals with european invasion and colonisation of the continent, it's focused on the relationship between Indigenous people and Europeans, the violence between them, the policies instituted to control, exterminate and 'absorb' the Indigenous population - all with a focus on de-colonising the historical record, critiquing european historical sources, the orthodox colonial narratives, the dominant racial ideology and shifting the focus of history back on to oppressed people and away from the oppressor, tracking down oral sources of history and so forth.

[ComradeOm]

Originally posted by Permanent [email protected] 5 2006, 07:03 PM
You can just feel the history oozing out of every Wikipedia page
That ain&#39;t history <_<

[Reuben]

Originally posted by ComradeOm+Jun 6 2006, 11:01 AM--> (ComradeOm @ Jun 6 2006, 11:01 AM)
Permanent [email protected] 5 2006, 07:03 PM
You can just feel the history oozing out of every Wikipedia page
That ain&#39;t history <_< [/b]
well it is and it isnt. The fact that there are potential innacuracies in it doesnt preclude it from hosting some very good historical writing. History undergrads i know see it as a god send when they have to get a bit acquainted with a topic before plunging into books and journal articles.

[The Grey Blur]

Originally posted by Reuben+Jun 7 2006, 09:08 PM--> (Reuben @ Jun 7 2006, 09:08 PM)
Originally posted by [email protected] 6 2006, 11:01 AM

Permanent [email protected] 5 2006, 07:03 PM
You can just feel the history oozing out of every Wikipedia page
That ain&#39;t history <_<
well it is and it isnt. The fact that there are potential innacuracies in it doesnt preclude it from hosting some very good historical writing. History undergrads i know see it as a god send when they have to get a bit acquainted with a topic before plunging into books and journal articles. [/b]
:lol: I think he was joking Reuben

Ya know "that ain&#39;t History" as in...it&#39;s...er...something else

[ComradeOm]

I&#39;m wasted here. I should be writing scripts for award winning sitcoms.

Just to be clear - I&#39;m a big fan of Wikipedia. I&#39;d never reference it but its often a good place to start research.

[The Grey Blur]

Originally posted by [email protected] 8 2006, 09:36 AM
I should be writing scripts for award winning sitcoms.
Agreed ^_^

[Janus]

Can&#39;t tell if you&#39;re joking, really hope that you are
I was simply mentioning one aspect of the colonization. I was just trying to get you to be a bit more specific.

[Enragé]

The influence of the catholic church on the Spanish Civil War

or something broader
The defeat of the Republican front in the Spanish Civil War and its causes


thats what im gonna do ;)

[Janus]

The defeat of the Republican front in the Spanish Civil War and its causes
Way too broad. It has to be quite original and not simply a book report. I&#39;m not saying that is but that it is too broad.

I was thinking the Soviet role in the Spanish Civil war as a cause of the Republican&#39;s deafeat. Maybe?

[Nachie]

Do a report on the various tiny insurrections that led up to the Spanish Civil War and an analysis as to why it was the military brass rather than the working class that was ultimately able to "choose" the timing of the decisive contest.

The anarchist uprising and subsequent massacre at Casas Viejas is a really good example to work off of, though there are at least two or three other attempts at insurrection that were either crushed or aborted by the FAI before 1936.

[black magick hustla]

Anarchosyndicalists in the mexican revolution.

More specifically the el Partido Liberal Mexicano (Anarchist group disguised as a liberal party) and Ricardo Flores Magón.


Magonists did play a pretty important role in the mexican revolution, they were the most important agitators in the workplace during the late Porfiriato and they were the first ones to attempt a "revolotion".

hell, alot of the labor rights in the constitution are based on some of flores magón&#39;s ideas.

[encephalon]

Pirates of the Carribean as a counter-culture movement between 1689-1730.

[ComradeOm]

Originally posted by [email protected] 8 2006, 11:07 PM
I was thinking the Soviet role in the Spanish Civil war as a cause of the Republican&#39;s deafeat. Maybe?
The problem with that is that you&#39;re beginning with a presumption. A more balanced way to write the report would be to examine Soviet involvement in the SCW before coming to whatever conclusions you&#39;ve reached. To be even more specific though, try to look at Stalin’s motives and his response to the events in Spain

[BobKKKindle$]

The Importance and legay of the May 1968 Event for the New left Post 1968?

[Invader Zim]

Some of the essay titles I have used: -

&#39;A Decisive turning point in the history of medieval Wales&#39;. Would you agree with this assessment of the Edwardian conquest of Wales?

&#39;The system of slavery which prevailed in the American South was a highly repressive and exploitative system&#39; discuss.

In what ways did the federal government under FDR respond to the problems posed by the Great depression? How radical was its responce?

To what extent did Owain Glyndwr succeed in unifing wales?

Why did Mussolini get involved in the Spanish civil war?

In what way did the Church respond to Chivalric practises?

To what extent have animal rights become a greater issue during history?

Did Chivalric literature reflect or dictate Chivalric practises?

What preconditions were necessary for the professionalisation and institutionalisation of history?

How Revolutionary Event Was The First Crusade?

Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of post-modern theoretical models for the practise of history

What were the main motivations behind the passing of the 1536 Act of Union?

What were the key features of crusading in the 12th century?

To what extent did Henry VII fulfill the role of &#39;Son of prophecy&#39;?

[emma_goldman]

Look at the Haymarket Martyrs. I&#39;ve written numerous school papers on them, HIGHLY interesting. :D

[Janus]

Pirates of the Carribean as a counter-culture movement between 1689-1730.
What? Your&#39;re serious?

And Enigma, you seem quite into Medieval history.


To what extent did Owain Glyndwr succeed in unifing wales?
Pretty well but he never defeated Henry in any decisive battle.

[Janus]

I&#39;ve decided to do something concerning the Civil War particularly in regards to how the South may have done better if they had resorted to unconventional warfare. But thanks for your suggestions.