Historical Analysis Essay for History Day Projects
Debate and Diplomacy: Successes, Failures, Consequences
Historical Setting
Explain how political, economic, cultural, and social circumstances affected the success or failure of a debate or diplomatic actions. For example the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, which ended the segregation of buses in that city, was aided by Supreme Court desegregation decisions such as Brown v. the Board of Education in Topeka, Kansas in 1954. In addition, African American soldiers distinguished themselves in WWII and fought in desegregated military units in the Korean War. Better education helped Americans understand the inherent injustice of segregation. Television brought disturbing images of racial mistreatment into homes. These factors and more fostered the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Significance of Place
Explain how a particular place either helped or hindered the debate or diplomacy. For example, the long distance between Spain and its Latin American colonies made it easier for the colonies to gain independence. The location of Chavez Ravine near downtown Los Angeles tempted city boosters to give land belonging to poor Angelinos to the Los Angeles Dodgers to build a new stadium.
Cause and Effect
What were some of the major causes and effects on the history of the event? Include an explanation of change over time. A single event may trigger a series of changes that lead up to one big change. For example, the Declaration of Independence set forth ideals, such as equality, on which our country has made significant progress, but which it still has not reached. The Thirteenth Amendment ended slavery in 1865, but nearly one hundred years later the African American Civil Rights Movement was still fighting for full equality. Their successes encouraged minorities and women to seek more rights. The struggle for equality continues, particularly for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender rights.
Point of View
Briefly describe the different perspectives related to your thesis. What were the biases and goals of the holders of those perspectives?
Significance of Topic in History
Describe the lasting significance in history for the consequences: so what? How do the consequences affect the U.S. or the world today?