When people think about history, they usually think about the past. In fact, the word “history” comes from the Greek word historia, which means “inquiry, knowledge acquired by investigation.” So, when we study history, we are really trying to learn more about the past.
But how do we go about doing that? One way is to read historical accounts of events that have already been written down.
Another way is to study primary sources—the raw materials of history, such as letters, diaries, newspapers, government documents, and so on. And finally, we can also learn about history by studying material objects—artifacts—that have survived from the past.
Free essay examples can be found on many websites that offer essay databases for students who are writing essays for university. These free essays can be a great resource for students who are trying to get a better understanding of how to write an essay about history.
However, it is always important to make sure that you use these free essays as a guide and not as a replacement for your own work. After all, your professor will be looking for evidence of your own thinking and analysis in your essay, not someone else’s. So make sure to put your own.
Introduction “Paper tiger” is a term the Chinese use to refer to someone or something that seems threatening and powerful but is ineffectual and cannot be challenged. The slogan became famous when Mao Zedong, China’s supreme leader and Chinese Communist Party chairman, used it to refer to his political rivals,...
Introduction The Jesuit missionaries in China are among the most fascinating figures in the history of global cultural exchange. From the late 16th to the early 18th century, they served as crucial intermediaries, connecting Chinese and European cultures and philosophies during their time in China. Through their efforts, they conveyed...
Introduction Central America and the territories of Mexico in particular still preserve the legacy of the Aztecs. These people lagged far behind in development compared to other civilizations on Earth. The first cities in Mesoamerica emerged around the 12th century BC, all of which were created by the Olmecs (Bowstead,...
Introduction Despite the opposition throughout history to passing the Civil Rights Acts, the Civil Rights Movement and social activists helped pave the way for African Americans to achieve equality and rights, ultimately improving their social conditions and promoting equality and racial growth. Political and civil rights typically work collaboratively. These...
Introduction The River Nile has had a remarkable history in shaping the civilization of the ancient Egyptians. People decided to live along the banks of the river because of the fertile soil deposited along it. The soil could support agricultural activities such as growing crops. The river also enabled people...
Introduction Historically, women have been subjected to abuse, discrimination, and inequality. In modern times, women in the United States have unprecedentedly achieved a degree of equality and freedom in many communities worldwide (Harris 67). There is still much progress to be made in the fight for gender equality and protecting...
Introduction Mateo Ricci is regarded as one of the most famous Jesuit missionaries, as evidenced by his works’ impact on China. Being a great scholar, he was able to influence many people, was very intelligent, and had a humble personality. The impacts of Ricci, majorly in China and a little...
The arrival of European settlers on the shores of North America is one of the most significant historical events. At the time, the continent was populated by numerous Indigenous tribes that suffered greatly after the landing of the colonizers. The U.S. government sought to assimilate American Indians and force them...
Introduction John Brown and Abraham Lincoln were two of the most significant figures in mid-19th-century American history, each with their unique backgrounds, views, and roles. While Brown and Lincoln believed in the abolition of slavery, they approached the issue in vastly different ways. John Brown was a fervent abolitionist who...
Introduction Martin Luther King is a man who made a considerable contribution to overcoming the segregation and racial discrimination inherent in American society in the mid-twentieth century. Fame did not come to Martin Luther King immediately. Still, it was well-deserved, especially since King was one of the few leaders of...
In point of fact, Cuban migration to the United States is one of the most actual, relevant, and topical phenomena for two different peoples, Cubans and Americans, in the 21st century. Cuban migrants have begun arriving in the United States in unprecedented numbers over the past four decades, and border...
Introduction African Americans have been subject to racialization since they arrived in the United States. This process has been perpetuated through several mechanisms, including slavery, Jim Crow laws, and mass incarceration. African Americans have also been subjected to several negative stereotypes, which have justified their discrimination and exclusion. Despite the...
Introduction It is important to note that the Civil War of 1861 was one of the most critical turning points in U.S. history, which fundamentally changed the direction the nation has been taking since then. The diversion of viewpoints between the North and the South reached the culmination manifested in...
The success of a government’s policy is a common point of contention among citizens. However, it will be considered a failure if the primary implementation goals are not met. After the Civil War, American politics created volatility and confusion. The reconstruction era was characterized by concerted efforts to address the...
Operation Anaconda was a military operation conducted by the United States and its allies during the War in Afghanistan in the early months of 2002. The operation was conducted in the Shah-i-Kot Valley and Arma Mountains southeast of Gardez in eastern Afghanistan. It aimed to eliminate Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters...
The debate about the ethnic origin of the ancient Egyptians has a long history. They arose from the beginning of the 19th century and continue to exist in modern Egyptology. From the 19th to the beginning of the 20th century, the Caucasian theory of the origin of the ancient Egyptians...
Introduction The US foreign policy changed and evolved throughout its history. Its vectors have always different depending on one period or another. In the period between the 1890s to 1950s foreign policy was governed by reactionary policies towards the rest of the world, heavily informed by the economic and political...
In his book, A Different Mirror, Ronald Takaki believes that most information about the past comes from white men. Martha Menchaca argues that historians have often written history from a white man’s perspective in her book Recovering History, Constructing Race. She also reasoned that many historians had misconstrued the concept...
Introduction Compared to the early 19th century, the late 1800s and early 1900 was a period of significant changes in the US social, political, cultural, and economic arena. The US had suffered huge losses during the Civil War and individuals were focused on rebuilding. Subsequently, the nation witnessed significant advancements...
Introduction Chinese culture is among the oldest and most influential on the development of humanity. In the context of this essay, the ancient era of this civilization covers the period between ca. 1760 B.C.E. and 220 C.E., which marks the Han dynasty’s fall (Magli, 2020). Some researchers emphasize that premodern...
Civil war is a battle initiated between conflicting groups organized within the same nation. The main objective of each side is to have control over the given region, make policy changes in the government, or attain independence in a particular area. In the United States of America, a fierce civil...
Introduction The United States of America is not a typical country. Based on the colonization of foreign lands, the desire for freedom, and true independence, this country’s history is not like others. From the beginning of the US nation, it always was about differences between the states. Every state is...
The Holocaust will always be a part of history that most people would instead not think about or talk about. Social groups disbanded, and families shrank, all of which shook the very basis of Jewish survivors’ identities. Even before Hitler’s rise to power in 1933, anti-Semitism was widespread throughout Europe....
Issues of the territorial division of the United States were among the major issues long before and after the Civil War. In particular territories and their unequal use during the slave-holding period of history, when there was a pronounced division of territories into southern and northern states. The North was...
Militant Nonviolence African Americans used militant nonviolence tactics to protest against unjust segregation laws in the South. Their spokesperson was Martin Luther King, Jr, an activist for the civil rights movement. King led the African Americans by providing crucial moral leadership to eradicate government-enforced racial segregation rules in the US...
Compared to Western Europe, the United States of America is a country with a young history. When the history of the United States began, there was already a specific world order in which some countries, including the UK, had particular influence. America’s first steps as a nation were complicated and...
Even from the very dawn of civilization, ancient people were aware of their existence’s constraints. They had no choice but to invent mythology to help themselves cope with the agony and helplessness of their predetermined destinies, which caused their lives to appear meaningless to them. To put it another way,...
Introduction The 1930s to the 1950s was a period of unprecedented changes in United States foreign policies as the US faced significant influence from external powers and powerful nations that threatened its national security. Although the reparations of the Great Depression encouraged policy-makers to opt for isolationism as a solution...
Introduction There have been many protest movements throughout history. They all were different in scope, capacity, and resources but ultimately pursued similar agendas of a better life for themselves. After its founding, the U.S. also faced several waves of activism and protests related to different issues. Even though these movements...
Mohandas Gandhi, otherwise known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer and a spiritual leader who led the people of India into independence from the British while deploying non-violent resistance. He was a political ethicist, a colonial nationalist whose principle of being a great soul applied first in South Africa...
A starting point for a comparative examination of the emancipation of enslaved people in the American South may be the unusual historical circumstances in which it occurred. The civil war between the North and the South and the emancipation of the slaves are interesting precisely because of their interconnection. Suppose...
Introduction The history of human development spans several thousand years. There were people in history who thought about wars and revolutions. It is essential to understand that people have never stopped fighting throughout their history. One of the most common types of war is a war over territory. The desire...
Modern American people have significantly ignored and undervalued the identity and existence of the Native Americans. Westernization has slowly erased the pride of indigenous culture powered by unfavorable policies. Gregg Deal, an indigenous artist, protests against Indian policies that devalue the Native culture through his artworks1. Although Gregg’s story is...
Firstly, The First World War (WWI) went on for four years, from 1914 to 1918, while the Second World War (II) fight lasted six years between 1939 and 1945. Secondly, the triggers and causes of WWI were nationalism, imperialism, alliance system and materialism, and the assassination of Archduke Francis of...
It is essential to understand that every person deserves equal rights and treatment to feel valued and needed. The world is not perfect, and many people are being oppressed by others because of their gender, race, age, or sexual orientation. However, just a few centuries ago, the world was different....
The United States of America that people know today came to be as a result of the efforts of many people. Born as a colony of the British empire, America grew into itself over time and paid for its independence in blood, sweat, and tears. This includes both the process...
The right of suffrage for women has been one of the major concerns in the 20th century. Indeed, while men could impact the political course of the country through elections, women who counted half of the population of the US, were denied that right. The situation brought about the emergence...
Introduction Today, the United States is the country that promotes democracy and equality and provides people with civil rights irrespective of their origin. However, it was not always the case, and African Americans suffered from various forms of discrimination in the mid-20th century. That state of affairs was harmful to...
Becoming a world power requires the country to have strong economic, external, and internal policy regulations and military force. Such political units have enough power to make changes worldwide and impact billions of lives. America, which used to be characterized as a country with an isolated policy, began to actively...
Background and Issue of International Relations The Cold War was both an ideological battle as well as one of an arms race. The primary principle that guided international relations between the two superpowers was nuclear deterrence, which indicated that the possession of nuclear weapons prevents any other state from attacking...
Introduction The history of the United States has been the result of multiple turning points that have shaped the country into what it is today. The US dominates the world in many regards and can be attributed to major norms and values followed across the globe, including liberalization, capitalism, and...
The Trail of Tears is one of the most infamous episodes in U.S. history. And for many Americans, that is the extent of their familiarity with Native American culture and history. Due to the limited time allotted to studying Native American history, the policy leading to this terrible event is...
Introduction Political parties in the United States in the late 1700s resulted from the coalition of factions into federalist and antifederalist groups. The main issue that sparked the formation of the partisan divide was Hamilton’s support of policies that favored commercial interests at the disposal of agricultural initiatives. Therefore, Madison...
Introduction The current crisis in Ukraine, which recently led to the emergence of a hot war in Europe for the first time since 1999, is undoubtedly the single most important issue in international relations today. The magnitude and acute nature of the crisis understandably draw attention to its immediate causes,...
The Great Depression was the period that affected every corner of the civilized world, from rich to poor, especially the United States. It started from the stock market crash in 1929 and lasted for ten years. It was the worst economic recession in industrialized American history regarding the crisis’s duration,...
Introduction Civil war is an organized violent battle for state power between social groups and various opposing classes within the country, one of the types of fierce struggle within the country. Civil wars grow up on the basis of social crises, when the state power is no longer able to...
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” is an open letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. It was created during Dr. King’s stay in the Birmingham jail after his arrest for his participation in demonstrations against segregation. In it, he addresses the concerns related to these activities that were expressed...
British and US delegates ratified the Paris Treaty on September 3, 1783. As a result, this effectively ended the eight-year-long American Revolutionary War (1775–1793) and paved the way for the United States of America’s independence from Great Britain (“Treaty of Paris,” 2020). The newly established US and France formed an...
Introduction The Vietnam War has become a significant stage in the formation of modern American foreign policy. The military strategies and methods used by the United States during this protracted standoff changed some of the traditional approaches to warfare, for instance, the use of chemical weapons as one of the...
Introduction For a long time, women have carried the brunt of gender discrimination and other forms of marginalization that have continued to date though there have been efforts to curb the situation through advocacy for gender equality. Women have been targeted systematically in various parts of the society, especially at...
Many Americans view World War II as a “Good War”. Unlike the countries of Europe and Asia, the United States did not suffer from invasions of its homeland, the mass killing of civilians, or the bombing of its cities. However, for Americans, World War II is remembered as a war...
The standard of living in the U.S. was quite good in the 1950s as incomes rose, and the poverty level fell to its lowest point. The average person got a higher education level than the previous generation (Hitchcock, 2018). The year 1950 was a turning point in the U.S. economy...
Introduction Whereas it may appear as something normal for one to be allowed to vote, women were denied the right to do that, in addition to other forms of discrimination such as owning land or traveling. The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed on the 4th of June,...
The civil rights movement that developed in the United States in the 1950s has had many followers and leaders, but not many of them are as well-recognized as Martin Luther King, Jr. Being a Baptist minister, King used religious sermons and speeches as a part of his social activism. His...
Introduction In the United States before 1910, the attitude toward women demonstrated negative and discriminative nature. Women were essentially bound to household activities and suffered from stereotypes describing their laziness, incapability, and low intelligence. At the same time, the expectations from society demanded unfaltering politeness, gratuitous complaisance, and focus on...
The Civil Rights Movement was a massive social movement for the rights of black people, and it also fought racial discrimination in the 1960s. People stood for equal rights of citizens in front of each other, and the result of the struggle was the independence of the black population of...
Introduction The main aim of the paper is to analyze how South Africa overpowered the apartheid system, the economic changes, the political changes, and how the countries react. The apartheid is a system in South Africa that upheld segregationist policies against all non-citizens of the country. Therefore, the non-white citizens...
Introduction Jim Crow was the term known as the racial caste system that mainly occurred between 1877 and the mid-1960s in the southern and border states. In addition to strict anti-black legislation, Jim Crow was a system of oppression as slavery was imposed on African-Americans during Jim Crow, making them...
The White Hoods terrorized the whole of America some 50 years ago until the U.S. authorities managed to turn the tide in their favor. The clandestine association, which had common traits with the Masons, was founded by immigrants from the Southern United States after the Civil War of 1861-1865. In...
Abstract The United States has been privileged to have brilliant leaders that played critical roles in shaping world history. Among these great leaders is Ronald Wilson Reagan. Reagan was the 40th president of the United States. Reagan grew in Illinois since birth before moving to other states. Reagan studied economics...
This paper is a research proposal to examine “The Salem Witch Trials,” particularly its causes and impacts on Massachusetts, Salem, United States. Research Problem For nearly 350 years, the “Salem Witch Trials” have captivated the public’s thoughts. The 1692 controversy is deeply entrenched in American awareness as a McCarthy-era metaphor....
Introduction While it is saddening to see violence across the United States from the blacks and mixed races over police brutality, the scenes have been witnessed since time immemorial. Growing up during the era of racism and segregation against African-Americans, Luther King Jr. rose to become an exemplary and oratory...
How the Imagery of Native People Emerged from the Crucible of the 19th Century Native Americans faced discrimination in the United States throughout the nineteenth century. When the African American males were granted franchise in the year 1868, the clause in the fourteenth Amendment declaring that “except Indians not taxed”...
Introduction America has been experiencing robust growth in religious beliefs recently, compared to other centuries in history. This growth is attributable to the continued increase in the number of immigrants who come to the US bringing new and varying religious traditions. Most Americans profess their faith in God, and therefore...
Introduction Employment discrimination is a highly dangerous notion that threatens the integrity of labor relations. In most cases, this concept applies to any cases in which an employee is treated differently because of any variable that is not related to the position. Considering the importance of the workplace for today’s...
Introduction Operation Anaconda was one of the largest-scale operations conducted by the US-led international coalition against the forces of al-Qaeda and Taliban. The operation began on March, 1, 2002, and lasted for 17 days, taking place in the Shahikot Valley of eastern Afghanistan (Council on Foreign Relations, 2017). The operation’s...
Introduction Abraham Lincoln, elected as the 16th President of the United States in 1861, is generally viewed as one of the greatest leaders and politicians in American history, having governed the country through one of its most difficult and darkest times, the Civil War. However, one of Lincoln’s greatest achievements...
The US Constitution is the supreme law ratified on June 21, 1788, and took effect on March 4, 1789. The purpose of the American Constitution is to form a just society that ensures the security and prosperity of its members. The US Declaration of Independence was ratified on July 4,...
The American Revolution and the American Revolutionary War might be considered defining points in American history, which laid out the way for further developing a nation different from that of Europeans. Namely, the colonists became a separate confederation with principles that distinguished it from the British, French, and Spanish who...
Jamestown and Plymouth – the former founded in the state of Virginia and the latter in Massachusetts – were the successful attempts of the English to found their own colonies on the American territory. The link between both settlements, according to Egloff (2020), among others, is that both are thought...
Introduction The fall of Rome was a significant historical event that marked the end of the era of this kingdom. Herodian, a Greek historian and contemporary of those events, systematically described the entire process, targeting his narrative to an oriental audience to describe the unique traditions and norms in Roman...
Introduction The American Revolution is one of the pivotal events in the country’s history, which has shaped the modern political system. In general, the revolution refers to a series of opposition movements against the British in the period from 1763 to 1791 (Farmer 62). At the time, the British held...
Introduction Most people know Rome for its luxurious architecture, developed culture, and rich and exciting history. Rome is an example of knowing legends, and some literary works without studying the topic intensely. The context of Roman history is firmly embedded in the school curriculum, and some things are perceived at...
Introduction The Muslims and the Hindus in British India had a tense relationship for a very long time. The Hindus formed the larger group of the nation, while the Muslims were the smallest group. The latter perceived the Hindus dominated them, and thus they were not happy about this. Through...
Introduction Non-whites, also called revolutionaries, encouraged non-violent opposition against apartheid in the early South African revolution. South Africa’s Apartheid regime racially separated and pitted white Afrikaners against blacks and other ethnic minorities. Members of the ANC initiated peaceful protests against the government, which were then met with harsh repression by...
Several reform movements emerged during the antebellum era in an attempt to restructure American society. Many people were displeased with the status quo and believed that change was necessary. Most of the reform movements emphasized morality and pursuit of righteousness. Some of the issues promoted by the movements during the...
Author The Declaration of the Rights of Man was introduced by the National Constituent Assembly of France. The initial idea of the declaration was developed by Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. The National Constituent Assembly served as a representative of the French people and hence had the right to...
Introduction Substantial socioeconomic transformations during the 1980s have had a comparable impact on personnel and labor-management interactions. A recurrent subject in flexible employment historiography is the collapse or change of the unspoken social compact that structured work and employment interactions (Kochan et al., 2019). Thus, this has aided in balancing...
Introduction In the 17th century, the first settlers started arriving on the newly discovered American continent. It is usually thought that since they all came from Britain, they shared a common belief system, and the colonies were relatively uniform in their organization and social structure. In fact, different religious groups...
Paying attention to the relationship between genders in America in the 19th century, one must take into account that a diverse research apparatus is required to characterize it. Sociological relations between genders of that time require both knowledges of history and the ability to critically interpret historical documents of that...
Throughout human history, child labor has been practiced all over the world. Children have been working in harsh conditions and were used as apprentices and servants. The period of the Industrial Revolution became the zenith of this exploitation. Progressive reform movement became the way to the federal guarantee protecting children...
The American Revolution played a pivotal role in the history of the USA. The main stage of the revolution was the War for the Independence of the United States, and its result was the defeat of Great Britain and the recognition of a new country, the United States of America....
Introduction The American Revolution was a significant development towards independence. The event marked a historical success in the struggle for freedom from British colonization and is considered the most influential Revolution in modern history. The British rule was frustrating and cruel, contributing to the struggle for independence, life, and happiness....
The settlement patterns of New England and Southern colonies are similar as the pioneer members of both colonies immigrated from England. In addition, they practiced self-rule by observing their own cultural beliefs and rules. However, they differed in various aspects, especially in social and economic life. People in southern territory...
Queen Elizabeth the First was the creator of the Charter presented to the East India Company. The economic policy of Elizabeth the First was based on the principles of protectionism. The royal power patronized national production and trade and encouraged the development of the mining industry. Under Elizabeth the First,...
The matters of public opinion, policy making, and governability are all intrinsically linked and interdependent. Much of public opinion is swayed by secrecy by authorities, promotion of the benefits of a policy while minimizing the appearance of risk, and presentation of political action within international affairs. Such concepts were prevalent...
Introduction Malcolm X was an African American civil rights activist, preacher, and defender of Black Nationalism. He pushed black people to defend themselves against white violence by any means possible, a position that often contradicted the non-violent teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. His charm and speaking ability helped him...
Introduction The Civil War remains a defining moment in American history. In the course of the war were industrial revolution and the establishment of new governmental powers, coupled with vast changes. However, the striking achievement of the Civil War was the inclusion of industrial capitalism into American society. Industrial capitalists,...
Reconstruction is still remembered as a period of violent repercussion and revolutionary feasibility stemming from the most widespread discussions of citizenship since the nation’s founding. The main aim of this era was to restore and unite states in the South and North to redefine African American’s place in American civilization....
The Yoruba people, Western African nations’ representatives, created their own language, religion, art, and architecture and formed a significant part of authentic Nigerian culture. The origin of this ethnic group, the Oyo state, grew into a kingdom in the sixteenth century by conquering their neighbors and making social and political...
Introduction Fifty-seven years ago, the United States finally ended racial segregation, symbolized by the “For Whites Only” signs on benches, in parks, or in restaurants. Since then, the United States has come a long way towards electing the first black president and even politicians’ compensation claims to the descendants of...
America had a rough patch on its journey to independence, marked by wars and being at loggerheads with the colonists who sought to control the Native Americans. David Emory Shi documents the American independence journey in his book ‘America: A Native History.’ However, significant steps made by the Native American...
This paper is about the role of history on China’s current foreign policy. It focuses on the Ming and the Qing dynasties. The reason is that China’s current foreign policy is based on the policies, principles, and ideologies of the two dynasties. The Ming dynasty preceded the Qing dynasty, which...
In the Emancipation Proclamation, one of the major documents in US history, Abraham Lincoln addressed the need to end slavery. Firstly, he presented a position on the inadmissibility of the suppression of people’s freedom. Further, he used his powers to convey the significance of the Proclamation: “I, Abraham Lincoln, President...
The relations between Europeans and Native Americans have been extremely uneasy from their very beginning, and can indeed be called one of the most difficult and violent relations in human history. Over the course of these White-Indian interactions, Natives were mostly treated by Europeans like people who were “better suited...
Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin – 1793 In 1793, a Massachusetts man named Eli Whitney invented a machine known as the cotton gin – a device that separates cotton seeds from cotton fibers. Cotton gin quickly became a necessity in cotton plantations, as this device made it possible to produce cotton...
The Civil War was one of the critical events in the history of the USA. First of all, it helped to resolve the conflicts within the state and preconditioned its further course of evolution. However, another important aspect of this military opposition is the demonstration of tensions between the representatives...
The roots of the United States stem from the British Empire. It is essential to understand how people who created this great country have been treated before its emergence to understand why America eventually became one of the major powers in the world. This essay will discuss one of the...
Summary The Articles of Confederation and the first American Constitution of 1787 are two historical documents, which are imperative for the United States. Despite the fact that they do have much in common, they have even more differences when looking at the details. The Comparison of the Articles of Confederation...
The American Revolution was a military conflict that significantly impacted society. The initial aims of the Revolution were to change the political system and fight against the rule of the British monarchy. However, the shift in the government became the engine for social change in terms of ideology, religion, culture,...
