Name ____________________________
Mrs. Reyes
RESEARCH TOPICS
First Semester--History 7
After reviewing the topics below, make your research topic selection. You must arrive to class with a 3 x 5 note
card, your name, class period and list 1-3 your topic selections (in order of preference). Choose wisely! The topic
you end up with will become your best friend for the next several weeks....
Sign up for topics is Monday, September 21.
1. La Salle: analyze the impact his journey had on Spanish settlement of Texas; discuss the leadership problems
that led to the failure of Fort St. Louis
2. Mexican American War: discuss how the unrelenting movement of Americans into western North America
and the concept of Manifest Destiny are responsible for the Mexican American War.
3. Inca Empire: discuss the rule under Huayna Capac. Be sure to include how he consolidated areas to create an
empire of 7 million people, dozens of highly structured cities, and a vast network of trade routes and highways.
4. Francisco Pizarro: analyze the impact his journeys had on the Inca Empire and ways in which he exploited both
human and natural resources to attain his goals.
5. Puerto Rico: analyze the argument which favors naming Puerto Rico as the fifty-first state of the United States.
6. Hernan Cortes: discuss in detail how Cortes was able to conquer the Aztecs in such a relatively short period of
time. Be sure to explain the impact Cortes’ travels had on future Spanish explorations in Texas.
7. The Panama Canal: discuss the impact the Panama Canal has had economically, politically, and socially in
Panama.
8. Mexican Revolution: the Mexican Revolution was brought on, in part, over disagreement among the Mexican
people regarding the dictatorship of President Porfirio Diaz who held office for thirty one years. Discuss the
situation in Mexico and the events which led up to the Revolution.
9. Inca Leaders: Compare the roles of different Inca leaders. For example: Pachacuti, Huyana Capac, Atahualpa
and Huascar.
10. Missions of the Southwest: discuss the pattern of development of Spanish missions highlighting similarities
and differences of the missions.
11. Ferdinand Magellan: discuss the purpose of Magellan’s voyage, its impact and results.
12. Cuban Missile Crisis: discuss the events that led up to the Cuban Missile Crisis and the U.S. reaction.
13. Conquest of the Incas: discuss the devastating results of the Spanish conquest and the moral legacy of the
European invasion.
14. Aztec Warriors: discuss the types of Aztec warriors and their significance/role in Aztec society.
15. Simon Bolivar: discuss why Bolivar was known as “The Liberator” of South America.
16. Aztec Inspiration: the civilizations of the Olmecs and Maya were very different, but they had certain things in
common which were later adopted by the Aztecs and absorbed into their society. Discuss the similarities.
17. Machu Picchu: discuss the various assumptions regarding the significance of Machu Picchu to Inca society.
18. Mayan Decline: analyze the possible reasons for the decline of the Mayan Empire.
19. Aztec Sacrifice: analyze the role that human sacrifice played in Aztec society.
20. Impact of Disease: discuss, in detail, the impact disease had on the conquest of the Aztec and Inca Empires.
21. Diego Rivera: discuss the impact and role this controversial artist had. Be sure to mention examples of his
work.
22. Pancho Villa: discuss the role Pancho Villa had during the Mexican Revolution and how his actions may have
affected Hispanics living in Texas during this period.
23. Fidel Castro: discuss the various leadership roles Castro has held throughout his life and the contributions
made to regional and global politics.
24. Conquest of the Aztecs: discuss the implications of the European conquest that swept away the civilization,
religion, and way of life of this great society.
25. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna: Santa Anna devoted his life to fight for his country. However, in time, he lost
public support. Discuss reasons for this change in attitude toward him.
26. Montezuma II: discuss the role he had as Emperor of Mexico and how that role changed with the arrival of
Hernan Cortes.
27. Architecture: discuss the architectural characteristics, methods and significance in the Aztec Empire (Mayan
or Incan—choose one civilization).
28. Mayan View of Time: Discuss how it was not just a means of measuring the course of Mayan history, but also
how it was a shaping force in their daily and religious lives.
29. Mayan Cities: Discuss the architecture, structures, daily lives, decline, etc… in a Mayan city such as Copan,
Palenque and Chichen Itza, etc…
30. Mayan Prophecies: Discuss how the Maya aligned their pyramids and temples to watch the sky gods and their
use of interlocking calendars to record the past and predict the future.
In addition, you may refer to the sheet attached sheet with more suggested topics…….