Essays and Research Papers on European History

A 6 page overview of world hierarchy as it has been shaped by key historic events. The author outlines the importance of the Industrial Revolution, nationalism, World Wars I and II, The Cold War, and numerous other factors in influencing world direction. The role of the “West” in that influence is emphasized. ...

A 5 page overview of the importance of the Russian Orthodox Church in shaping history. The author emphasizes the role the Church played in the introduction of the Old Church Slavonian alphabet. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

An 8 page overview of this critical period in history. The author outlines major historical events for these countries and emphasizes the importance of revolution, industrialization, and imperialism. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 8 page paper provides an answer to the question of whether the oligarchs are likely to be a force for democracy in Russia. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 4 page paper that discusses the rise of the French Second Republic. The writer discusses two principal interpretations of the political forces that shaped this era -- an era that was dominated by the specter of a radical working class. No bibliography is offered.

A 10 page review of the accomplishments of Peter the Great. The author contends that to fully understand Peter the Great’s impact on Russia one must consider not only the situation he inherited (and the historical circumstances which created that situation) and the changes felt during his reign but also the changes which would ...

A paper which considers how far England could be categorised as a Protestant country by 1547, with reference to the changes initiated by Henry VIII and the reforms and counter-reforms which took place during his reign. Bibliography lists 3 sources

5 pages in length. D-Day and the Battle of Normandy stand out as one of history's most brazen attempts to overcome the enemy. Dawn of June 6, 1944 brought with it one hundred thousand men, almost five thousand naval vessels (battleships, cruisers, destroyers, etc.) and the quest to destroy the enemy's defensive positions. ...

A 5 page paper weighing Waltz’s (1965) three “images” that he says can be seen as being instrumental in causing war against Tuchman’s (1994) account of the beginning of World War I. Waltz’s (1965) images are International Conflict and Human Behavior; International Conflict and the Internal Structure of States; and International Conflict and International ...

A 3 page essay that analyses two primary documents from the Dreyfus affair, Emile Zola's letter "J'Accuse" and Comtesse de Martel de Janville's account of Zola's defamation trial. Based on these documents, the writer argues that that there were two contradictory definitions of French nationalism opposing each other over the volatile Dreyfus affair: a republican ...

A paper which traces the changing patterns of leisure activities in Britain from 1850 to the present day, and looks in particular at the social and cultural influences on cinema and cricket. Bibliography lists 6 sources

A 3 page essay that addresses Eugene Weber's assertion that WWI played a key role in creating a sense of French national identity. The writer argues that this assessment is correct. No bibliography is offered.

A 5 page research paper that argues that the Industrial Revolution, which reshaped the economies of Western European nations, brought wealth to many, but it also brought intense hardship to the average working person. Because of the hardships and inequalities of the nineteenth century, numerous theories arose in reaction to the new economic conditions ...

A 3 page overview of Renaissance slavery, slavery occurring between the fourteenth and seventeenth century AD in Europe. The author emphasizes the similarities and differences between Renaissance slavery and American slavery. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page essay that examines the scholarship of historian Robert O. Paxton, who addresses the question of whether or not French government during the German occupation was fascist. Putting the answer simply, Paxton answers "yes," that "In the broader sense, Vichy was fascist" (233). However, he also insists in placing Vichy fascism within the ...

An 8 page paper discussing the Roman aqueduct system, Circus Maximus and the Sacred Way road, all of which contributed to the “urbanization” of Rome between 600 BC and 20 BC. All of these structures served to enhance the urbanization of Rome. Some provided means by which the government could communicate with large ...

A 4 page essay that examines the position of Albert Camus, the famous French existentialist philosopher was born and raised in French Algiers, a Pied noir and a liberal, regarding the Algerian War. The writer shows that his stance on the Algerian War was reasoned and fair to both sides, but ultimately unworkable ...

A 5 page overview of the French Revolution. The author contends that this revolution had its roots deeply imbedded in France's history. The problems leading up to the revolution, in fact, can be traced some one-hundred years to a point preceding it, to a point even before the reign of Louis XIV the ...

A paper which considers the different types of statecraft employed by Kutuzov and Napoleon in Tolstoy's War and Peace, and outlines the reasons why the Russian's methods were successful where the French general's were not. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 7 page paper which examines, with supporting examples from the text, what determined English class system during the nineteenth century, what it meant to be a member of the English peerage, the rights associated with being a member of nobility, the justification of the English aristocracy’s position in society, the soundness of their arguments, ...

A paper which describes the Pageant, or Cycle Plays of the early medieval period and the Commedia del’Arte of the sixteenth century, with reference to their similarities and differences and the themes of the two types of drama.

A 5 page overview of the conditions leading up to the Nazi tyranny which engulfed Germany during the World War II era. The author contends that in many respects the Germans brought this tyranny upon themselves. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 10-page paper analyses some various theories of international relations when it comes to discussing the Cold War. The theories examined include liberalism, realism and constructivist. Biblliography lists 5 sources.

A 4 page research paper that discusses the 17th century as a time of transformation in England. The writer argues that the seventeenth century was a period of rapid change in England, economically, politically and religiously. In his text The Century of Revolution, historian Christopher Hill argues persuasively that this was a period of ...

This 4-page paper attempts to explain the statement "lions led by donkeys" as it pertains to the British military leadership during World War I. Bibliography lists 3 sources.