World History II- Meyers
Semester II Research Paper
History’s
Turning Points
Name________________________________
Teacher______________________________
Period_______________________________
Semester Two Research Paper Assignment
It is time to write your next major writing assignment for sophomore year: your second semester research paper.
You know how to write an introduction, construct a thesis, gather supporting evidence, and write a great
conclusion. The keys are to follow the process, keep up with the preliminary due dates, and see me if you need
help!
The theme for this paper is…
HISTORY’S TURNING POINTS
You are to choose one Event, Idea, or Invention from the 20th Century (1901-2001) and write a paper stating
why that event, idea, or invention was a turning point of the 20th century.
Consider that after that event, invention, or idea, America or the world should have forever changed. That
change is what you will be writing about. Note: You may argue that it was a turning point for America or for
the world.
This paper will have two basic components. The first will be an explanation of the event, idea, or invention.
This might require an extended introduction, potentially more than one paragraph, to provide basic background
information. However, the thesis and main ideas of your paper will be dealing with the proof of the
significance of that event, idea, or invention. In this paper, you will be proving why the topic you have selected
was a turning point of the 20th century; therefore, your paper will have to focus on the effects of your topic.
You must look forward, not backward! Your effects are your main ideas. See graphic below!
Logistical Issues:
1.
8 pages maximum
2.
Typed, double-spaced, 12 point
Times or Helvetica
3.
A minimum of 5 sources (including
and secondary)
4.
Title page, footnotes, and
included with the final paper (does
towards the 8 page max.)
5.
150 total points (50 for preliminary due dates, 100 for final paper)
Final Draft Point Value: 100
font size,
both primary
bibliography
not count
Steps in the Process
1. Topic Selection
2. Read a Book (secondary source over the topic)
3. Take Background Notes (using the book)
4. Select 2-4 Main Ideas (these are your effects!)
5. Collect Sources on Effects (This is the research part!)
6. Read and Take Notes Over Sources
7. Draft Outline
8. Draft and Submit Main Idea 1 (Followed by Peer Editing)
9. Draft and Submit Main Idea 2 (Followed by Peer Editing)
10. Draft and Submit Main Idea 3 (Followed by Peer Editing)
11. Write and Submit Rough Draft (Followed by Peer Editing)
12. Write and Submit Final Draft
Topic Selection: Step 1
Name____________________________________
Choosing the right topic is THE KEY to a successful experience. The right topic is a topic that you know a little
something about (so that you are not choosing blind) but one that you do not know too much about (so that it
interests you and compels you to dig further)! I cannot stress to you enough to choose a topic you are interested
in! To begin, look at the attached list of potential topics. Choose THREE (3) topics from that list that you think
you know a little something about and are interested in learning more about. Then fill out the chart below:
Topic #1
Event, Idea, or Invention (Circle One)
America or World Focus? Circle One
Event, Idea, or Invention (Circle One)
America or World Focus? Circle One
Event, Idea, or Invention (Circle One)
America or World Focus? Circle One
What I think I know:
Why I am interested:
Some potential effects:
Topic #2
What I think I know:
Why I am interested:
Some potential effects:
Topic #3
What I think I know:
Why I am interested:
Some potential effects:
Topic Selection: Step 2
Tonight, you are going to identify two other potential topics that ARE NOT on this list. You may want to flip
through your textbook, talk with your parents, and search the internet (one tip may be to Google search for
“most important” events, inventions, etc of the 20th century). Do the exact same thing below for these two
additional topics. Note: you are not RESEARCHING these topics, simply selecting them.
Topic #4
Event, Idea, or Invention (Circle One)
America or World Focus? Circle One
Event, Idea, or Invention (Circle One)
America or World Focus? Circle One
What I think I know:
Why I am interested:
Some potential effects:
Topic #5
What I think I know:
Why I am interested:
Some potential effects:
Topic Selection: Step 3
Complete the following in class the next day. Wait for my instructions before doing this!
The topic I am leaning most towards is___________________________. The main reason why I think this is
the best topic for my project is___________________________________________________________. One
concern that I have regarding this topic is___________________________________________.
Which one are you, a One, Two, or Three?
1. I know FOR SURE this is the topic for me!
2. I think this topic may work, but I need to discuss this more
3. I feel like I am lost, and do not know at all if my topic will work for me.
Meeting With Mr. Meyers (My Initials)__________
Permission to move forward with background research on topic above: YES
NO
Event
Boxer Rebellion, China
1904 World’s Fair
Annexing the Philippines
Russo-Japanese War
Russian Revolution
World War I
Treaty of Versailles
Spanish Flu Epidemic
Stock Market Crash
Great Depression
Harlem Renaissance
Pearl Harbor
World War II
Rape of Nanking
Holocaust
Nuremburg Trials
Dropping A-Bomb
Communist Rev. in China
Cultural Revolution in China
Cuban Missile Crisis
Kennedy’s Assassination
Creation of Israel
Iranian Revolution
Fall of the Soviet Union
Man on the Moon
19th Amendment
Vietnam War
Aids Epidemic
Montgomery Bus Boycotts
Brown vs. Board of Education
MLK Assassination
Fall of Berlin Wall
End of Apartheid
Roe v. Wade
United Nations
Gulf War
GI Bill
Title IX
Scopes Trial Sputnik
Jackie Robinson / BB
Fndg. of Apple / Microsoft
Chernobyl Meltdown
Idea
Social Darwinism
Psychoanalysis
New Deal / Welfare State
Theory of Relativity
Progressivism
Fascism
Socialism / Communism
Space Travel / Race
Nonviolent Resistance
End of Imperialism / Rise of
Nationalist Movements
Genocide
Atomic Energy
Affirmative Action
Cold War
Prohibition
Zionism
Air Travel
Rock and Roll
Rise of Fundamentalism
Globalization
Cloning
Artificial Intelligence
Assembly Line
Social Networking
Black Power
Feminism
Mass Media
Heart Transplant
Electrification
Wireless Telegraphy
Alternative Energy
Invention
Light Bulb
Radio
Talking Movies
Penicillin
Automobile
Jet Engine
Television
Calculator
Transistor
Personal Computer
Microprocessor
Satellite
Internet
Airplanes
Rockets
Fiber Optics
Skyscrapers
Cell Phone
Atomic Bomb
Chemotherapy
Stem Cell Research
Video Games
Radar