[devilonthetownhallroof]

Ok, so I'm in my last semester and I have to write a thesis, about 25-35 pages in length. That isn't SO bad, but for the life of me I can't pick a topic. I'm leaning toward something involving the Revolutionary War, but it needs to be much more focused than that. Basically I have to research a very specific topic and try to prove something. Originally he said he wanted original research, as in something that could get published, but he backed off on that. Something about WWII is my other general inclination. Any ideas?

[AlioTheFool]

How about the circumstances and events that led to the United States' current situation in the Middle East?

It's a topic you're already clearly interested (given your involvement in the threads that deal with the subject.) If you're going to spend the next few months researching a topic, it may as well be something of interest to you.

[devilonthetownhallroof]

Well, a lot of that is due to the fact that there aren't a whole lot of debates about the Revolution going on haha. That is another one to keep in mind though.

Another thing is, we have to use mainly primary source material and, living in New England, I think stuff from that period will be fairly easy to come by. Originally I wanted to research who fired the first shot at Lexington, the "Shot Heard Round the World", but I don't know if I could gather enough info to fill 30 pages.

[The Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by devilonthetownhallroof

Well, a lot of that is due to the fact that there aren't a whole lot of debates about the Revolution going on haha. That is another one to keep in mind though.

Another thing is, we have to use mainly primary source material and, living in New England, I think stuff from that period will be fairly easy to come by. Originally I wanted to research who fired the first shot at Lexington, the "Shot Heard Round the World", but I don't know if I could gather enough info to fill 30 pages.

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Thats all the info you need.

[TommyGreen]

A friend of mine wrote a "What-if" scenario for his senior thesis, and his teacher absolutely loved it.

Try something like "What if the colonists had Lost the American Revolution?", or even more specifically "What if France Never Allied with the U.S during the Revolutionary War?"

[ukilledkenny]

Originally Posted by TommyGreen

A friend of mine wrote a "What-if" scenario for his senior thesis, and his teacher absolutely loved it.

Try something like "What if the colonists had Lost the American Revolution?", or even more specifically "What if France Never Allied with the U.S during the Revolutionary War?"

i think thats pretty risky. in my experience with history professors they dont like to deal in hypothetical situations. that would definitely take some balls to try

[devilonthetownhallroof]

I actually had asked him about that. He wasn't a fan. Like I said, he wants it based mostly on primary sources, and it's kind of hard to get those for something that didn't actually happen. I kind of wish he'd just tell me what to write about. Writing the thing is going to be easier than picking the topic.

[Sundayjack]

For Revolution War period - James Otis Jr. There's no topic even close to as good. You could even approach the current iteration of the Patriot Act from the point of view of our very first "patriot," if you want to get cutting edge. And, no, it hasn't been done yet.

[BrowningNagle]

I'm a recent history graduate myself, just finished my thesis last december, so perhaps I can offer some advice.

Avoid what I did and don't get caught up in enjoying your last semester and putting your project off. It led to me working on it constantly and I mean constantly the final month. Not only does that royally suck, but your project doesn't end up as good as you want- something I regret. So you have to get cranking on it early, and put in a good amount of work each week.

You said you're in the New England area, and you'd like to focus on the Revolutionary War, that's actually perfect. I'd suggest not worrying about your topic right now- instead go the archives, look at and read everything at your disposal. Have fun with that, you've probably seen your fair share of primary sources in archives already so you know its really cool too look at those things. Initially just look through and see what REALLY peaks ur interest, instead of having a topic in mind and trying to make it work. Maybe you'll end up discovering something unique and cool - thus morphing into your topic.

[devilonthetownhallroof]

Originally Posted by BrowningNagle

I'm a recent history graduate myself, just finished my thesis last december, so perhaps I can offer some advice.

Avoid what I did and don't get caught up in enjoying your last semester and putting your project off. It led to me working on it constantly and I mean constantly the final month. Not only does that royally suck, but your project doesn't end up as good as you want- something I regret. So you have to get cranking on it early, and put in a good amount of work each week.

You said you're in the New England area, and you'd like to focus on the Revolutionary War, that's actually perfect. I'd suggest not worrying about your topic right now- instead go the archives, look at and read everything at your disposal. Have fun with that, you've probably seen your fair share of primary sources in archives already so you know its really cool too look at those things. Initially just look through and see what REALLY peaks ur interest, instead of having a topic in mind and trying to make it work. Maybe you'll end up discovering something unique and cool - thus morphing into your topic.

I really, really like this idea. I'm going to tell my professor on Monday and see what he thinks, but this is a great solution. Thanks a lot to you and also to everyone else who suggested things.

[nyj8085]

The Sullivan-Clinton Campaign of 1779 was the largest expedition ever before mounted against the Indians of North America.


Now Online! THE OFFICERS JOURNALS!
Arguably among the most, if not the most "journalized" expedition in military history, Sullivan-Clinton's officers journals are now going online. A Must Read: Erkuries Beatty's "forgotten" diary of Van Schaick's destruction of Onondaga, site of the central council fire, in April of 1779, the 1st phase of the Campaign.


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[nyjunc]

I had this same problem about 10 years ago, I threw around a million different ideas. I even started researching and writing a few different ones until I decided on the history of sports- how it became big business. It was an incredibly interesting topic that nobody else had ever done.

[kbgreen]

I think if the "What if" idea was changed a bit and you say what if Thomas Jefferson (or Ben Franklin, George Washington etc.) was alive today and what his take on the bailout would be. I am sure that since they played a major role in drafting the constitution you could find lots of info to compare.

I did a paper years back on the civil war - Did they have the right? how jefferson would have viewed the southern states secession from the union.

[Carpetbagger]

I just graduated with a history degree, as well. We had to write a 35 page original research paper. I did my paper on the woman's Zionist movement in interwar Poland.

If you are interested in the revolutionary war, try writing a paper about the first continental congress. I had a few professors in college that were experts on it and it is pretty interesting. This is, of course, the first American republic based on the Articles of Confederation. Every year they changed heads of government.

[TheBlairThomasFumble]

Some ideas:

What was behind John Adams' decision to serve as a defense attorney for the British soldiers accused of murder for their role in the Boston Massacre?

Most people know about Paul Revere's Ride, but there were a number of other individuals, including a young girl, who also warned colonists that the "British were coming." What was their roles?

Did Shays's Rebellion help prompt the founders to consider abandoning or reworking the Articles of Confederation into what became the Constitution?

[devilonthetownhallroof]

Originally Posted by TheBlairThomasFumble

Did Shays's Rebellion help prompt the founders to consider abandoning or reworking the Articles of Confederation into what became the Constitution?

I actually considered something about Shay's Rebellion since I live in Springfield and have been to the Armory a few times. They have a lot of stuff there, including a street sign that actually has musket fire embedded in it from shots fired at the rebels as they fled after the failed attack. Pretty cool stuff.

[Sundayjack]

Originally Posted by TheBlairThomasFumble

Some ideas:

What was behind John Adams' decision to serve as a defense attorney for the British soldiers accused of murder for their role in the Boston Massacre?

Among other things, the influence of James Otis, Jr.

Originally Posted by TheBlairThomasFumble

Most people know about Paul Revere's Ride, but there were a number of other individuals, including a young girl, who also warned colonists that the "British were coming." What was their roles?

And, at the same time, you could investigate the role of Masonry in that ride. He wasn't riding from house-to-house; he was riding from lodge-to-lodge.

Originally Posted by TheBlairThomasFumble

Did Shays's Rebellion help prompt the founders to consider abandoning or reworking the Articles of Confederation into what became the Constitution?

Shays' Rebellion is no longer interesting after Howard Zinn and Matt Damon.

[TheBlairThomasFumble]

Adams was concerned that observers back in Great Britain would see the colonists as a bunch of barbarians who believed in mob rule if he didn't step forward. I know that Otis was attacked by soldiers in Boston some time before the massacre.

Revere was a Mason, yes, but Revere rode to warn Adams and Hancock. He was captured soon after he reached the house where the two men were staying.

Howard Zinn and Damon = overrated and boring.

Shays's Rebellion is neither.

Originally Posted by Sundayjack

Among other things, the influence of James Otis, Jr.

And, at the same time, you could investigate the role of Masonry in that ride. He wasn't riding from house-to-house; he was riding from lodge-to-lodge.

Shays' Rebellion is no longer interesting after Howard Zinn and Matt Damon.

[Barry the Baptist]

I've always thought Roger Williams (of Rhode Island fame) was an interesting guy. Advocated seperation of church and state and advocated rights for Native Americans. I think your the guy who lived on the res in Montana so he may be of intrest to you. Plus being in Conn your what an hour and a half from Providence to get some serious research done.

[TheBlairThomasFumble]

Yeah, he'd be a good person to look at, as would Anne Hutchinson.

Originally Posted by RichMiano

I've always thought Roger Williams (of Rhode Island fame) was an interesting guy. Advocated seperation of church and state and advocated rights for Native Americans. I think your the guy who lived on the res in Montana so he may be of intrest to you. Plus being in Conn your what an hour and a half from Providence to get some serious research done.