World History Essay Examples and Topics

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839 samples

Due to the breadth of their topic, essays on World History require an understanding of events at various times and places in history. While this prospect may seem daunting, but there are a few means of making your workload look less than it is when it comes to world history topics.

First, start your paper by creating an outline. Even if you have only five paragraphs to write, jotting a few words for each will help you get a few world history essay ideas with which you can begin working.

Doing so prevents you from repeating yourself, as well as gives you a head start on your work.

Second, you should do your research. However, instead of going for only specialized books, try searching for titles that help you get an overview of your subject. This action ensures that you have a perspective that is both wide and informed enough to write such an essay.

Third, you can and must use the tools that are available to you, for example, periodization. Creating a timeline and working within it can help you generate some world history writing prompts.

Another essential tool is contextualization. Since your work relies on finding recurring patterns worldwide, giving them meaning and context will help you evaluate these circumstances better.

Finally, do not make your essay’s subject too scattered. You have a limited amount of pages to get your idea across, so do your best to condense your thought to suit your instructions.

If you can explain your idea in fewer words, then you have a higher chance of being understood by your readers, rather than boring them.

Need more help to start writing? Check the samples below on our website!

837 Best Essay Examples on World History

Technological Advancement Essay

In the state of Virginia during the 17th century, human labor was imperative due to the pressing need to grow enough food to serve the people in the community during the winter spell hence the [...]
  • 4.3
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1994

The History of Cars

The next natural thing that the inventors of the wheel did was to design the axle so that it could fit into the hole made in the centre of the wooden wheel.
  • 5
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2474

State Formation Factors in Africa Before 1880

Even though several reasons led to the states' formation, they were formed due to cultural homogeneity, political organization, trade and commerce, and military body. Trade and commerce also led to the formation of states in [...]
  • 3
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 573

The History Civilization of China

The prominent dynasties that had significance in the social and the political phases of China included the Shang dynasty and the Ch'in the Chou dynasty.
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1214

Historical Schools of Thought

They are sure that it is impossible to describe truth with the help of language, which presupposes that historical facts can also be questioned.
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 852

The Emergence of the Bipolar World

It demonstrates that the consequences of the bipolarity and the Cold War emerging from it were not positive because the world felt constant pressure resulting from the confrontation between the United States of America and [...]
  • Pages: 9
  • Words: 2464

Vietnam War: History and Facts of War That Began in 1959

The Second Indochina War began in 1959, five years after the division of the country, according to the Geneva Agreement. South Vietnam's troops failed to substitute American soldiers, and in 1974 the peace agreement was [...]
  • 4
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 405

The Conclusion of The Civil War

The main reason that the Confederacy succeeded from the Union was the issue of States' rights which are guaranteed by the Constitution but were almost completely lost following the Civil War.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 615

History: Cultural Exchanges in the Medieval Period

Based on an appreciation of the contribution of international trade to the growth and development of the medieval world, this paper explores the role of spice, salt, sugar, and silk as important trade commodities of [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1393

Communism and Capitalism Through the History

In this system, the means of product and service production is mainly carried out and owned by the individuals instead of the government while communism also known as fascism is contrary to this where production [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 882

The Zulu Nation’s History and Culture

The Zulu people live on the continent of Africa, in the southern part of it, which is known as KwaZulu-Natal. In this family, the husband stands for the chief, and institution of marriage is hallowed.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 587

“Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress” by H. Zinn

Focusing on two major issues - the difference between the native civilizations and the Western civilization in the context of sharing; and the depopulation of the natives in Bahama due to Spanish exploitation and natives [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 720

The Islamic Golden Age

The paper will highlight some of the accomplishments made by famous Muslim scientists in order to underscore the contribution of Islam to science. The House of Wisdom contributed to the advancement of research efforts by [...]
  • Pages: 11
  • Words: 2753

Post-Cold War Challenges

At the time when strained relations between the US and the Soviet Union ended, the financial systems of several countries, particularly those in Eastern Europe, were in the process of collapsing.
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 3258

Nationalism in the Postcolonial Viewpoint

As such, the school of thought also challenges the notion that Western nationalism is the sole form of the phenomenon. This essay will discuss the dangers of nationalism, as seen from the postcolonial perspective, as [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1125

Revolution in Physics and Chemistry

The urge to carry out a series of experiments and research led to the initiation and the ultimate breakthrough of chemical and physical revolution by ancient scientists.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1165

Imperialism in India

By 1858, the British regained control and immediately passed the Government of India Act, which allowed the British Crown administrators to run the country instead of the British East India Company.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1095

French and Russian Revolutions

In fact, what later came to be known as "Russia's Great October Socialist Revolution", was more of a political coup the members of Russia's Provisionary Government, which was formed after Czar's abdication in 1916, we [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 598

Anglo-Zulu 1879 War Analysis

The Zulu nation had been invaded by Voortrekkers and up to the time it was subdued by the British, it had fought numerous battles and even when the Zulu finally lost to the British, they [...]
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 2284

A History of Romantic Love

The paper examines the history of love starting from the ancient times then to the medieval chivalry and finally the contemporary period.
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 2011

Schelling and Kahn on the Deterrence Power

Schelling proposed that the power of deterrence in the nuclear age is pegged not only on the equality or balance of the nuclear-possessing countries, but on the "stability of the balance".
  • 5
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2750

The Rise of the Ottoman Empire

Accordingly, the option for administration style came from the empire's direct connection to the previous failed Sejuks dynasty and the closeness to the monarchical Byzantine political structure.
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 3438

Latin America, Asia and Africa: Impact of Colonialism

The Europeans considered the strange ways and religious practices of the natives as barbaric and considered it to be their moral duty to 'civilize' the 'sub humans' that they had subjugated leading to a superiority [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 497

Marriage and Adultery Laws of Emperor Augustus

The laws were enacted to deal with marriage avoidance, the preference for childless unions, marriage of lower class women by the Roman elite, and adultery, all of which threatened the continuity of the Roman aristocracy.
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 1791

Comparing Life in 1800s and Now

The purpose of this paper is to compare the life during the 1800s and now based on the fact that the two eras coincide with two epochs of industrialization.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 570

Chile Before, During, and After Colonization

It borders Argentina to the east, Peru to the north and finally Bolivia to the northeast. Before the landing of the Spanish colonizers during the 16th C, the Inca governed northern Chile while the indigenous [...]
  • Pages: 11
  • Words: 3058

Jamaica Independence History

The Tainos are said to have stayed in the island peacefully until the Spanish arrival which is said to have caused a lot of unrest in the island.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 575

History: Role of Knowing the Past

The present is a myriad of events in the past. As a historian, the study of these preserved artifacts is important in knowing about the past.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 520

The Process of Production

The hit of the industrial revolution in Europe and America in the 18th century led to a lot of changes and advancement in the production industry.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 613

A Brief History of Chili

Other theories have also suggested that it first spread from Portugal to India and to the rest of the world. Several theories have come up to describe the origin and distribution of chili throughout the [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 611

Holocaust and Bosnian Genocide Comparison

The current paper aims to compare some of the most notable genocides in history, the Holocaust, and the Bosnian mass murder in terms of their aims, death tolls, tactics, and methods.
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1713

The End of the Cold War

Analyzing Gorbachevs actions and his incentives in the economy of the USSR, it is possible to conclude that the primary aim of these actions was the destruction of the welfare of the country, the growth [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 587

Ottoman and Safavid Empires Comparison

The Ottoman empire came to decline as well, but it prospered for a considerably longer time, and its fall was largely determined by the pressure of political powers in Europe.
  • 5
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 624

The Theory of Historical Recurrence

In addition, it is important to concentrate on the idea that events and experiences of the past can influence the development of an entire nation.
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1155

American, French and Haitian Revolutions

The main differences between the revolutions lie in their origins: the American Revolution was stimulated by the unwillingness to pay higher tax revenues to Britain, the French one was stimulated by the willingness to replace [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 328

East Versus West

The East usually refers to Asia and the Middle East while the West usually refers to Europe and the American continents. The East views the West with contempt in terms of how the Orient values [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1417

Overview on the World’s History

The region of Mesopotamia gave birth to two of the most powerful ancient civilizations, Sumer and Babylonia, characterized by sophisticated division of authority and labor, the earliest forms of government and law, and a clear [...]
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2877

Mexican vs. Cuban Revolutions: Comparative Analysis

The Mexican Revolution of 1910 and the Cuban Revolution of the 1960s show that the Revolution's tentacles may spread far and wide due to preexisting sociopolitical, economic, and cultural systems.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1238

British Colonial Racism for Aboriginal Australians

Precisely this colonial racism and genocide can be considered to be the cruelest in the history of the world and may have influenced the ideas and plans of Adolf Hitler, who got inspired by the [...]
  • Pages: 15
  • Words: 4206

African Nationalism as Colonial Legacy

The oppression of rural areas and production and the prioritization of the urban population has become the main reason for the spread of poverty among the African population.
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1469

The Discussion of the Leap Year

To account for this discrepancy, an additional day is added to the calendar every 4 years, bringing the total number of days in the calendar year closer to 365.
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 320

From the Delian League to Athenian Empire

The role of the inspectors was to ensure that citizens paid the tributes. Even worse, the role of married Athenian women was to perform household chores and bear children.
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 338

The History of Recolonization of Africa

Samantha Power calls the muteness of the American public to the problems of Africa as one of the main reasons for the inaction of the world community regarding the events taking place in the country.[3] [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1628

The Great Depression in Canada

Before the onset of the Great Depression from the years 1919-1929, Canada had the fastest growing economy amongst the developing nations and the only blip to this record was the slight recession they suffered during [...]
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1701

History of Tents in Saudi Arabia

It is seated in a valley that is about eight kilometers away from Mecca, the Holy City and one of the main destinations for the pilgrims during the celebration of Hajj.
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 832

Propaganda of Adolf Hitler and Jim Jones

This is a scenario that has occurred with the Nazi, under the command of Adolf Hitler, and the story of Jim Jones, and the people who followed him in a quest to build an ideal [...]
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 3305

The Cuban Missile Crisis: The Causes and Effects

The Cuban missile crisis of 1962 in which the Soviet Union, Cuba, and the United States were involved was the turning point of the states' confrontation in the Cold War because of risks to develop [...]
  • 5
  • Pages: 9
  • Words: 2531

“The Dead Hand” by David E. Hoffman

After the end of the cold war and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, there were still huge amounts of nuclear weapons that left on the face of the earth.
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1463

Historical Facts of Australia

Among those events that Australia considers most important politically, economically as well as socially are the establishment of the colony of New South Wales, the Victorian Gold Rushes, the Federation in 1901 and the Second [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1200

Causes of the Cold War’s End

Reagan's policies may have contributed to the fall of communism, but it is more likely that the internal changes in the Soviet Union and the countries it ruled contributed more to the end of the [...]
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 284

Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jethá

The book offers a variety of evidence to prove the case that the human species is not adopted for monogamy. The advantage of this is that it appeals to both academic and non-academic audiences, but [...]
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1728

The 20th to 21st Century History

The 20th century was the beginning of many social changes across the globe and several worldwide war conflicts that affected both Western and non-Western countries.
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 400

The Role of Ideology in the Cold War

The Cold War was a significant period for the history of the United States, the Soviet Union, and the Eastern Bloc, as well as other countries.
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2015

The Code of Hammurabi: The King of Justice

The first step in evaluating the justice of the Code of Hammurabi is the examination of the judge's position. As mentioned above, Hammurabi was not the first Mesopotamian king to create a set of laws [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 918

“The Hispanization of the Philippines” by J. Phelan

In the first part of his work about the reaction and adaptation of the Filipinos to the Spanish culture, John Leddy Phelan outlines a profile of both the conquerors and the conquered, highlighting the commercial [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 586

The Collapse of the Soviet Union

The fall of the Soviet Union marked the end of the Cold War. According to the author of the post, the defective system theory mainly contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 808

Scramble for Africa by Pakenham

Of key concern in this essay are the participants in the scramble, their motivations, the different personalities, and their decisions, African's reaction to the scramble and finally factors that led to the scramble out of [...]
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2847

Conflicts in the World

The authors address the viewpoint that Islam is one of the major causes of conflicts which took place in the world lately.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 543

History of Law

The uprising that has been witnessed in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and now Syria is a reaction to leaders who have used the rule of law for their own personal gain and at the expense of [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 814

India and Indochina: Colonization and Decolonization

France considered the colonization of Indochina as a political opportunity to increase its authority and influence in the region and compete with the expanding influence of the British Empire in the region.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1116

The Causes of the Islamic Civil War

The power was passed from father and son, and the Quraish of the Hashemites handed power to the Umayyads after the murder of Muttalib.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1183

Importance of the Economic System to the World History

The economic system is the essential structure in which the world functions. Economic socialism is where limited ownership of the means of production and a system of prices, losses, and profits are not used as [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 962

Simon Bolivar: The Man and The Myth

Bolivar fought a revolution and a civil war simultaneously, and Arana argues that this is a vastly different narrative than the one that defines North America. In conclusion, Arana presents a complete portrait of Simon [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 560

Robert Sapolsky’s Views on Natural History of Peace

Sapolsky studied the behavior of baboons to explain the evolution that humans have undergone. According to Sigmund Freud the father of psychoanalysis, actions of the gene in humans are intertwined completely with the environment.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 923

Nelson Mandela’s Speech from the Dock

Of great importance was the apprehension of Mandela that further awakened the clamor for independence in the Africans especially after delivering a speech on the trial day, in his defense.
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 887

The History of Death Penalty

The death penalty became legal in America in 1776 during the revolutionary war. The US Supreme court ruled the death penalty as unconstitutional in 1972.
  • Pages: 13
  • Words: 594

Victorian Era Science Discoveries

Initially, the theme of the evolution of animals and humans was considered ridiculous and even blasphemous since the idea of creational theology was widespread in Victorian society.
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 288

Education in South Africa Analysis

The government was not inclined to spend too much costs at African education and thus the role of Christian missionary schools was maintained in education of African population.
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1655

Self-Directed Learning Approach

The goal of this paper, therefore, is to discuss the manner in which self-directed learning has helped me to understand the topic concerning ancient history in Greece and Rome.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 612

Ho Chi Minh’s Speech and Achievements

This was the reason why he declared that the country was ready to be independent and free. His efforts and actions led to the emancipation of many individuals in this country.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 590

Ottoman Empire’s Fall and Impact on the Arab World

Also, an overview of the impacts on the Arab World is provided to enhance the understanding of the issue and its significance for the region. First, the military performance of the empire was in a [...]
  • Pages: 9
  • Words: 2222

“The Week the World Stood Still” by Sheldon Stern

Though, the discovery of the power of the atom and the creation of a weapon that explores it to make the destructive effect stronger had altered the approach to warfare radically and introduced the threat [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1482

“How Aborigines Made Australia” by Bill Gammage

The book The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia by Bill Gammage represents the work on the history of the Australian Aborigines and answers the question of how they managed to survive under [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1002

The Ottoman Empire History: the Rise and Fall

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire, with a lot of focus on the factors that were very instrumental in the decline of the Empire.
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2229

Communism Collapse in the USSR

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was one of the earliest communist societies to embrace the ideologies of communism. The collapse of communism in the USSR began in 1989 after the fall of the Berlin [...]
  • 5
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1117

Concept of Studying History

The use of calendars, dating events, and dividing history into different periods are the major tools used in the study of the past occurrences which help explain the present and foresee the future. A good [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1114

Purposes of Historical Reenacting

One must be very enthusiastic about this course and must reflect on the past and be seen to be happy since a re-enactor gets to immerse himself in the deep world of the past, learn [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1141
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