Topics for German 105 Historical Papers








Back to German 105 page                   Bottom

Everyone will write a 3-page paper on one of the following topics. You will need to have an introductory paragraph, and body of information and supporting evidence, a conclusion, and a bibliography (the bibliography does not count in the three pages). This is a research paper, so you will need to use at least three academic resources, at least two of those in the library. It is not expected that you know anything about your topic when you choose it, but rather that you will become the class expert on that topic after you do the research. You will present a short synopsis of your paper in class; everyone is to learn from each other. Read over the list of topics carefully; only one person will do each topic, and you may not get your first choice.
 

Everyone will make a 3-minute presentation on his/her paper. Students will give a short summary of their papers, emphasizing the importance of the event as connected to and influencing other and future events. Whenever possible, the student will relate the event to present-day Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Europe. Students may use notecards but may not read directly from notes. Students will need to practice giving their presentations. 
  • Time the presentation; 
  • be sure to communicate effectively the information you want to convey;
  • keep in mind that this is a sharing of information, so do not rush through leaving the others mystified and at a loss to take notes.
  • you may use the board to write down any key dates or names that may cause others problems, but use your time wisely if you do.

Do not put your paper in any type of binding. Rather, staple it together.

1. Your paper should have the following components:
     a) Three typed/word processed text pages which include:

    1) A heading with your name, the course, and the date.
    2) A title, not underlined or put in quotation marks.
    3) An Introductory paragraph where you present the focus this paper will have.
    4) Presentation of the results of your research: your thoughts supported with the researched reference materials. ATTN: It is important to demonstrate that you have engaged in critical thinking about your topic and the material you have found related to it.  This is the body of your paper.  Be sure to tie your topic to contemporary Germany/Austria/Switzerland either in the subject itself or in your interpretation of the subject. This may be in your concluding paragraph.
NOTE:   ALWAYS DOCUMENT YOUR SOURCES!!  For style, see MLA on the web:    http://www.mla.org/set_stl.htm      I do not expect you to know everything, but you must cite your source for anything that is not your original thought. This includes material in direct quotation marks AND paraphrased thoughts. The strength of your paper is in how your critical thinking puts the thoughts together and the conclusions you reach. Document everything you borrow: direct quotations, paraphrases, information, and ideas.

    5) Works Cited (Bibliography) Page with all of your sources, in alphabetical order according to author; if no author, then by title of the article or book. 

- A minimum of THREE resources must be cited; at least two of these must be library references. (You may include more than three total resources.)


Documentation of sources:
          Quotations of more than 4 lines should be indented an extra 1/2 inch from the rest of the text. Unlike in the rest of the text, the period should come before the named source. (Townsend 42)

           Use the "in text" method of MLA documentation with the last name of the author and the page number of the book or journal on which that piece of supporting evidence is found. Do not use footnotes to cite sources.  Notice period placement. Examples of the in-text method:
                                       Hitler had a fear of heights (Brown 62).  POINT TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN I AM SCORING RESEARCH PAPER: THE FORMAT OF THE RESEARCH PAPER

1. Printing

2. Margins 3. Spacing 4. Heading and title 5. Works Cited Topics:

1. Warfare during the Middle Ages
2. Effects of Gun Powder on Warfare and Construction
3. Church versus State during the Middle Ages
4. Day in the Life of a Person during the Middle Ages
5. Jews During the Middle Ages
6. Charlemagne’s Empire
7. The Carolingian Renaissance
8. The Battle and Treaty of Verdun
9. Role of the Feudal System & Its Political Structure
10. Barbarossa
11. Role of Germans during the Crusades
12. The Hohenzollerns
13. The Hanseatic League
14. Martin Luther: The Cultural and Political Impact of the Translated Bible into German
15. Martin Luther: His Political Position and the Peasant Rebellion
16. Martin Luther: His Influence on Politics during the 16th and 17th Centuries
17. Martin Luther: The Problems He Saw in the Catholic Church and The Founding Ideas of Protestantism
18. The Impact of the Printing Press
19. The Role of Charles V in European History
20. The Difference Between Humanism and the Reformation
21. The Thirty Years War
22. History of Beer Brewing in Germany
23. Medieval versus Baroque Castle: Differences in Style and Technology
24. Cathedral Building
25. The Relationship Between the German and English Monarchies
26. Napoleon and The Politics of Germany
27. Why Germany Lagged Behind in the Industrial Revolution
28. Factors Inhibiting German Unification
29. Bismarck as a Leader: The Good & The Bad and Why He Was Fired
30. Unification Without Stability 1871-1914
31. Failure of Democracy in the 1800s
32. The Brothers Grimm: Why They are a Product of Their Times
33. The Role of the German, Austrian, English, and Russian Monarchs in World War I
34. Failure of Democracy in the Weimar Republic
35. Why "World War I Was the War to End All Wars:" Explanation and Mindset
36. The Habsburgs and the Austro-Hungarian Empire
37. Austria’s Role in World War I
38. Germany’s "Defeat" in WWI: How Did it End and What Were the Results and Implications?
39. Germany’s Treatment in the Treaty of Versailles
40. Cultural Life During the Weimar Republic
41. How Hitler Came to Power
42. The History of the German Auto Industry up to WWII
43. The History of the Zeppelins and the Hindenburg
44. The Plot to Kill Hitler
45. Individual versus Collective Guilt After WWII
46. The Volkswagen: Its Origins and Historical Role
47. Austria: Accomplice or Victim in WWII?
48. Switzerland’s "Neutral" Role in WWII

Back to German 105 page