Objective: Students will create a 5 paragraph argumentative essay on a topic covered during the first quarter of World History.
Listed below you will find possible topics for your quarter 1 essay. The goal is to write a paper based on the research questions listed below. Some research materials will be provided for you, but you are not limited to these resources.
The following outline the expectations for this project:
- Choose a research question to answer.
- Conduct research by reading the sources connected to your topic. Please note that many of the sources below are Document Based Questions (DBQs). You do not need to complete the DBQs, they are there because they provide multiple sources that can be used to answer your specific question. Do not complete your essay according to the expectations outlined in any of the DBQs, but instead refer to lesson 1.12 (see link above).
- Brainstorm for your essay by completing either an outline or the brainstorming worksheet provided.
- Complete the rough draft for your essay. Use the template found on Google Classroom, labeled "Quarter 1 Essay"
- Have at least 2 people (the more the merrier) review your essay for grammatical and spelling errors.
Bronze Age
- How did the Neolithic Revolution change human society?
- How did geography affect the development of early civilizations?
- How did the Nile River shape Ancient Egypt?
- How did the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia and Egypt develop into successful civilizations?
- How much power did women of the ancient world possess, and how did they exert that power? (you may focus on one civilization, or approach this question broadly by analyzing multiple civilizations)
- Was Hammurabi’s Code morally right and fair?
Pre-Contact America
- How advanced were the Mayan, Aztec, Olmec, and Incan civilizations? What were their major accomplishments? (You may focus on just one civilization or broadly cover multiple civilizations)
Ancient World
- What were some of the contributions to Western Civilizations from the ancient Greeks?
- Compare and contrast Athens and Sparta. Which civilization do you believe was more advanced?
- How great was Alexander the Great?
- What were the primary reasons for the “fall” of Rome? (2 DBQs)
- What contributions has the Roman Empire made to our modern society?
- Did Justinian revive the Roman Empire or create a new Byzantine Empire?
- How democratic were the Athenians of Ancient Greece?
Medieval Europe
- How was Charlemagne able to successfully unite the various Germanic tribes as part of the growing Carolingian Empire?
- How did the Vikings change medieval Europe?
- To what extent did Feudalism and Manorialism impact the Social, Political or Economic aspects of Medieval Society?
- How did Joan of Arc and the Hundred Years War benefit France?
- What label fits Europe during the period between 500 and 1400 best: the Dark Ages, the Age of Feudalism, the Age of Faith, or the Golden Age of Europe?
Asia
- What was the impact of the Mongols on world (not just Europe) history?
- How did the Tang and Song dynasties create a Golden Age in China?
- What was the traditional role of women in Ancient China?
- Did the benefits of the Great Wall of China outweigh the costs?