100 Ideas for Research Projects in History

Are you a history enthusiast with an eye on a career in this discipline? Undertaking an EPQ research project can support your academic growth and lay the groundwork for success in higher education and beyond. The first step is deciding what to study – so we’ve identified 100 ideas for research projects in history.

Studying history helps to make sense of the past and how the world functions. All great research needs a great topic, though.

What Makes a Great Research Topic in History?

History research can be tackled from many angles – political, social, cultural, economic, and military – but what makes a compelling EPQ topic?

• Interest – History is rich and varied, but not every topic will excite you; select an area that intrigues you and motivates you to research, explore, and hypothesise.
• Specificity – History is a broad discipline with near limitless possibilities for research. However, finding a topic that balances depth with focus is essential for conducting manageable research and developing clear insights.
• Originality – There’s a lot of history research out there. Try to tackle a subject uniquely to offer a fresh, balanced perspective.
• Relevance – Start with a well-defined thesis that is easy to grasp. And don’t just list historical events; analyse and interpret them to add new meaning. 

100 Research Ideas for History

Research Ideas about 21st Century

#1: Analysing the 2003 Iraq invasion
#2: Key events in the Syrian civil war
#3: Examining the global financial crisis
#4: Analysing the dot-com boom and burst
#5: Investigating the Black Lives Matter movement
#6: The impact of the Brexit referendum
#7: The impact of hip hop culture on youth movements

Research Projects about Wars, Conflicts and Peace

#8: The causes of the Boxer Rebellion in China
#9: The rise of fascism in Europe between World Wars
#10: The impact of the Treaty of Versailles on global geopolitics
#11: The role of women in World War I
#12: Why Franz Ferdinand’s assassination triggered World War I
#13: Planning and preparations for the D-Day landings
#14: The Cuban Missile Crisis and nuclear diplomacy
#15: Investigating the Battle of Waterloo
#16: Why does the Korean War remain unresolved today?
#17: The fall of Constantinople in 1453
#18: Analysing the use of chemical weapons in world wars
#19: Exploring the founding of the United Nations

Research Ideas about Revolutions, Political Transformations, and Social Movements

#20: Exploring the significance of the Watergate scandal in the 1970s
#21: How the Civil Rights Movement reshaped American society
#22: The legacy of Nelson Mandela in South Africa
#23: How Jim Crow laws changed society in America
#24: The Women’s Suffrage Movement and modern democracy
#25: How Gandhi’s philosophy influenced global nonviolent movements
#26: Investigating the Haitian Revolution
#27: The causes of the French Revolution
#28: Why the Russian Revolution succeeded in 1917
#29: The partition of India and its aftermath
#30: How the abolition of apartheid transformed South Africa
#31: Key factors leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall
#32: Investigating the collapse of the Soviet Union
#33: The legacy of Henry VIII on the British monarchy
#34: How did the Boston Tea Party influence American independence?
#35: The significance of the Iranian Revolution in 1979
#36: Exploring the events leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall
#37: The key events in the Arab Spring uprising

Research Ideas about Scientific and Technological Advancements

#38: The development of written language
#39: The significance of the 1918 pandemic on global populations
#40: Exploring the legacy of the Rosetta Stone
#41: How the printing press revolutionized knowledge
#42: How the Titanic changed maritime safety regulations
#43: Investigating the Apollo 11 mission
#44: The Manhattan Project and the atomic bomb
#45: How the Space Race influenced the Cold War
#46: How the Industrial Revolution began in Britain

Research Projects about Medieval History

#47: The traditions and social structures of indigenous Australia
#48: The rise of the Great Zimbabwe Civilization
#49: The role of religion in shaping societies and cultures
#50: Why the Hundred Years’ War lasted so long
#51: Why feudalism declined in Europe
#52: The role of samurai in feudal Japan
#53: The causes of the War of the Roses in England
#54: Exploring medieval castles and fortifications
#55: How the Black Death reshaped European society
#56: Exploring the Viking Age and its impact

Research Projects about Early Modern History

#57: How the Meiji Restoration modernised Japan
#58: Why was the Spanish Inquisition established?
#59: How the Salem witch trials reflected mass hysteria
#60: The significance of the Glorious Revolution in 1688
#61: The unification of Germany under Otto von Bismarck
#62: The causes of the Protestant Reformation
#63: Christopher Columbus’ four voyages to the Americas
#64: Why slavery was abolished in the British Empire

Research Projects about Ancient Civilisations

#65: Why the Mongol Empire expanded so rapidly
#66: How writing systems evolved in ancient civilisations
#67: Analysing the Great Wall’s construction
#68: How was money used in Ancient Greece?
#69: Exploring the significant events in Cleopatra’s life
#70: The Ides of March: Why was Julius Caesar assassinated?
#61: Exploring the role of the river Nile in Ancient Egypt
#62: The life and military conquests of Alexander the Great
#63: The evolution of pyramid construction in Ancient Egypt
#64: Why the Roman Empire collapsed in 476 AD
#65: The cultural legacy of the Mayan Civilization
#66: The rise and fall of the Aztec Empire

Research Ideas about Empire and Globalisation

#67: Exploring the archaeological findings in Pompeii
#68: Reviewing the origins and spread of Buddhism
#69: How the Silk Road facilitated cultural exchange
#70: Cultural exchange during the Age of Exploration
#71: How the Spanish conquest affected indigenous civilisations in the Americas
#72: The role of naval power in the British Empire
#73: A comparative study of ancient trade routes
#74: Investigating the treaties between Native Americans and the US government
#75: Why did the Ottoman Empire fall?
#76: How European colonisation impacted Native American societies

Research Ideas about Economic History

78: The impact of the Gold Rush in California
#79: The causes and impact of the Great Depression
#80: The global impact of the Bretton Woods system on post-World War II economies
#81: The economic consequences of the 2008 financial crisis

Research Projects about Historical Figures

#82: The influence of Theodore Roosevelt on American foreign policy
#83: Comparing the leadership styles of Churchill and Roosevelt
#84: Analysing the key military successes of Napoleon
#85: The scientific achievements and impact of Marie Curie
#86: The role of Charlemagne in shaping medieval Europe
#87: The leadership of Catherine the Great in expanding the Russian Empire
#88: The impact of Queen Elizabeth I on the English Renaissance and global exploration
#89: The political reforms of Otto von Bismarck and the unification of Germany

Research Projects Ideas about Historiography and Historical Study

#90: The role of primary sources in historical research
#91: The influence of postmodernism on historical interpretation
#92: How archaeological discoveries reshape historical narratives
#93: The challenges of writing about marginalized groups in history
#94: The impact of digital archives on historical research methods
#95: How national history influences identity and education
#96: The debate between objectivity and subjectivity in historical writing
#97: The evolution of oral history as a research methodology
#98: The role of historical revisionism in reinterpreting past events
#99: How history textbooks reflect political ideologies
#100: The influence of Annales School historiography on modern history studies

Explore History Research Projects with Immerse Education

The 100 research ideas for history should spark your imagination and trigger your curiosity. Each of these EPQ topics can be used to mine and explore memorable events, leaders, and turning points in history, which can improve your academic performance and inform future career choices.
Want more ideas and support? Explore the Immerse Education History Online Research Programme Page to find a perfect topic for your academic research project. There’s even academic experts on hand to offer support and guide you.