20 American History Research Topics for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Sep 23
- 5 min read
History is a deep and fascinating subject, and one of the best ways to explore it is via in-depth research. A well-chosen research topic can be the key to improving your subject matter expertise, and look great on a resume to boot!
What Makes a Good Research Topic?
The best topics are not broad subjects; rather, they are specific inquiries that allow for in-depth analysis and argumentation. This is what makes choosing a good research topic rather difficult, since you need to find a feasible balance between the breadth and the specificity of your chosen topic. Too broad, and the paper loses focus; too specific, and there are not enough data points to assist you. Relevance and significance to the current climate are additional factors to consider if you truly want your research to resonate.
To that end, we've curated a list of 20 compelling American history research topics, grouped into four thematic categories. These ideas are a good starting point for a standout research paper or project.
Topic #1 - Colonial America and the Birth of a Nation
This era is foundational to understanding American identity, politics, and societal structures. Research in this area can explore the complex interactions between different groups and the ideological underpinnings of the new nation.
The Role of Native American Tribes in Early Colonial Survival: Beyond the story of Squanto and the first Thanksgiving, examine the varied and complex relationships between specific Native American tribes and the English colonies. How did trade, alliances, and conflict with tribes like the Powhatan, Iroquois, or Wampanoag fundamentally shape the success or failure of early settlements?
Religious Dissent and the Founding of New Colonies: Investigate the motivations of religious dissenters beyond the Pilgrims and Puritans. Research the establishment of colonies like Rhode Island by Roger Williams or Pennsylvania by William Penn. How did their pursuit of religious freedom create societies with different laws and social norms?
The Economics of Servitude in the Colonies: Compare and contrast the systems of indentured servitude and slavery in the 17th and 18th centuries. What were the economic incentives for colonial elites to rely on these forms of labor, and how did the legal status of these groups evolve?
Propaganda and Persuasion in the American Revolution: Analyze the methods used by patriots and loyalists to win public support. Examine pamphlets like Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," newspapers, and political cartoons. How effective were these forms of media in mobilizing a population for or against independence?
The Untold Stories of Women in the American Revolution: Move beyond the handful of famous figures and investigate the diverse roles women played during the war. Research how women on the home front managed farms and businesses, served as spies and couriers, or followed the army as "camp followers."
Topic #2 - The 19th Century: Expansion, Division, and Transformation
The 19th century was a period of dramatic growth and profound conflict, as the United States expanded westward, grappled with the institution of slavery, and underwent an industrial revolution.
The Market Revolution's Impact on American Society: Explore how the shift from a subsistence to a market economy in the early 19th century changed daily life. How did new technologies in transportation and manufacturing alter family structures, gender roles, and the nature of work?
Westward Expansion and Its Impact on Native American Cultures: Focus on a specific tribe or region and document the consequences of American expansion. Research the policies of Indian Removal, the reservation system, and the cultural assimilation efforts of the U.S. government.
The Abolitionist Movement: Strategies and Divisions: Examine the different factions within the abolitionist movement. Compare the approaches of gradual emancipationists versus immediate abolitionists, and analyze the roles of key figures like Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and Harriet Beecher Stowe.
The Soldier's Experience in the Civil War: Go beyond the generals and battles to research the daily life of a common soldier. Investigate their motivations for fighting, their experiences with disease and combat, and the psychological toll of the war, using diaries, letters, and memoirs as primary sources.
Reconstruction: Successes and Failures: Evaluate the effectiveness of the Reconstruction era in reintegrating the South and securing the rights of formerly enslaved people. Analyze the achievements and ultimate shortcomings of the Freedmen's Bureau, the 14th and 15th Amendments, and federal enforcement efforts.
Topic #3 - The Progressive Era and the Rise of a Modern America
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a wave of reform movements aimed at addressing the problems of industrialization, urbanization, and political corruption.
Muckraking Journalism and Social Reform: Choose a specific "muckraker" like Ida Tarbell, Upton Sinclair, or Lincoln Steffens and analyze how their investigative journalism exposed societal ills and led to particular reforms in areas like corporate monopolies, food safety, or urban politics.
The Women's Suffrage Movement: A State-by-State Battle: Investigate the strategies and setbacks of the women's suffrage movement in a particular state or region. How did local tactics and arguments differ, and what can these regional battles tell us about the broader national movement?
Theodore Roosevelt and the Conservation Movement: Explore the origins of the American conservation movement and President Theodore Roosevelt's pivotal role in preserving natural landscapes. What philosophical and political debates surrounded the creation of national parks and forests?
The Immigrant Experience in Urban America: Focus on a specific immigrant group (e.g., Italian, Polish, Jewish) in a particular city (e.g., New York, Chicago, Boston) during the Progressive Era. Research their living conditions, labor experiences, and the role of ethnic enclaves in their adaptation to American life.
The Debate Over American Imperialism: Analyze the arguments for and against American expansion overseas at the turn of the 20th century. Examine the motivations behind the Spanish-American War and the subsequent debates about the annexation of territories like the Philippines and Puerto Rico.
Topic #4 - The 20th Century: Global Conflicts and Social Revolutions
America's emergence marked the 20th century as a global superpower, its involvement in two world wars and the Cold War, and profound social and cultural transformations at home.
The Home Front during World War II: Investigate the mobilization of American society for war. Research the role of women in the workforce ("Rosie the Riveter"), the rationing of goods, the use of propaganda, and the experiences of Japanese Americans in internment camps.
The Cold War and the Red Scare: Analyze the impact of Cold War anxieties on American society. Research the investigations of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), the phenomenon of McCarthyism, and how fear of communism shaped politics, culture, and daily life.
The Civil Rights Movement Beyond Martin Luther King Jr.: Explore the contributions of other individuals and groups to the struggle for racial equality. Research the role of organizations like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Black Panther Party, or key figures like Malcolm X and Rosa Parks.
The Vietnam War and the Anti-War Movement: Examine the evolution of the anti-war movement in the United States. Analyze its diverse participants, its tactics of protest, and its impact on public opinion and government policy.
The Rise of the Modern Conservative Movement: Investigate the origins and growth of the conservative movement in the post-war era. Research the role of key figures like Barry Goldwater and William F. Buckley Jr., the rise of the "New Right," and the political realignment that culminated in the election of Ronald Reagan.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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