Consider this...
|
|
Ask yourself....
- "Why was this example of leadership important both at the time and in other periods of history?"
- "What is so important about my topic and what do I want people to understand after viewing my project?"
- "Who and what were his or her influences, and in turn, who and what did he or she influence?"
- "Why was this example of leadership important both at the time and in other periods of history? "
Go more in-depth with these essays from NHD
National History Day 2015 Theme: Leadership and Legacy in History
by: Adrienne Harkness and Lynne O'Hara
What is leadership and what is legacy? In broad terms, leadership is the act of leading: providing motivation, guidance or direction, usually from a position of authority. Leadership also implies the ability to lead--possessing the skills necessary to articulate a shared vision and inspire others to embrace and achieve that vision. Leaders often personify other admirable values such as courage, selflessness, ingenuity and patriotism. Certain traits like ego and confidence are important in a leader; however, such traits may be seen as negative qualities if he or she becomes overzealous or too headstrong. How do you evaluate legacy of overzealous leaders like Saddam Hussein or Joseph Stalin? Were they leaders or tyrants? Is balance an important aspect to good leadership?
Leadership takes many forms. You might immediately think about presidents and kings as leaders, but what about local community representatives and organizers? How about religious leaders, governors, mayors, or business owners? Some leaders are elected, others are appointed, and some seize a position of authority. When it comes to monarchies, some leaders inherit their positions. Of course leadership requires followers, who follow either by choice or due to coercion.
Leadership is not limited to the political sphere. Often leadership can begin on a much smaller scale. Consider the leadership that it takes for a small group of people to come together to accomplish a common goal. Students might consider the impact of Leah Walesa and Poland's Solidarity movement, fighting for worker's rights, social change, and ultimately political control in the 1980s and 1990s. Other examples could include Emmeline Parkhurst's leadership of the Women's Social and Political Union in Great Britain, Cesar Chavez's National Farm Workers Association, or Mother Theresa's Missionaries of Charity.
The impact of the leader does not have to be global. You can find examples of great leadership in one neighborhood, one school, or one city. Consider the history of your state, hometown, or family. You might consider the leadership of those who built schools or founded universities--everyone from John Harvard to Booker T. Washington to Leland Stanford. You also could examine leadership in a small event in a larger context of the whole, greater event. Many people have heard of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Alice Paul, but what about Bayard Rustin or Mary Church Terrell? World War II brought leadership opportunities for Bernard Montgomery and Dwight D. Eisenhower, but what about the war experiences of Charity Adams, King George VI, or Anna Mae Hayes?
Sometimes a leader emerges because he or she happens to be in the right place at the right time. Local circumstances and background context offer important clues when we examine why a leader chose to act when and how he or she did. Who and what were his or her influences, and in turn, who and what did he or she influence? What experiences led abolitionists like Sarah and Angelina Grimké to oppose slavery? In what ways did the European leader Charlemagne influence art and architecture in Europe? Why did George Washington choose to step down after two terms as president of the United States? What was he attempting to model about leadership in a democracy?
Sometimes people are active agents, causing and affecting events, but other times individuals are thrust into situations where they are obligated to make choices and act. Reactions to a social event, a natural disaster, an oppressive government, or other situation often show leadership. In wartime, many people find themselves forced by circumstances to do things they could never have imagined. Consider British, French, German, and American soldiers on the front lines of World War I. There are many examples where leaders have emerged unexpectedly. During the Normandy campaign in World War II, General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (the son of the president) landed with his infantry battalion on Utah Beach, more than a mile away from his intended location. He is famously quotes as saying, "We'll start the war from right here!" How did his leadership make a difference?
Leaders often arise because they have new ideas about how something should be done or redone, built or rebuilt. They see a situation and want to change it, convinced that their vision will improve an element of life or change their community for the better. Consider great American entrepreneurs that historian H.W. Brand labeled as "master of enterprise"--leaders such as Ray Kroc, Bill Gates, Mary Kay Ash, Cornelius Vanderbilt, or John Rockefeller. Leaders dare to ask difficult questions and are passionate about resolving issues.
Of course, no all first ideas are good ones. A leader and his or her supporters may revise and change ideas in the process of moving toward a goal. This is particularly evident when they run into obstacles. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf were forced to make adjustments on their path to leadership. As leaders they pushed through challenging situations, and found solutions to overcome the hurdles in their way. Can other leaders, or even followers, become obstacles?
Looking carefully at the impact on society and change over time, you will also need to think about the leader's legacy. Legacy is what is handed down to us from our ancestors or predecessors. More broadly, legacy is what is left behind for future generations--such as ideas and accomplishments. Legacies sometimes cannot be understood until long after a leader has passed away. Often reformers were considered radicals in their time. Abolitionists, socialists, anarchists, and civil rights activists around the world have seen changes in the world. What change or objective did they set in motion? How did they set out to change the world? Did they succeed? What are the legacies of John Brown, Guy Fawkes, or Karl Marx?
Sometimes a legacy depends on perspective. Not all legacies are positive ones. What happens when leadership goes awry? Legacies can also be controversial. Events can lead one group of people to feel that a leader was a great and moral influence who facilitated a positive outcome, while a different group of people believe exactly the opposite. Consider the history of Martin Luther, Sir Thomas More, Francisco Franco, the Irish Republic Army, or the Palestine Liberation Organization. Examining both sides of the story is important to understanding your topic.
It often happens that new leaders pick up where previous leaders left off, which also adds to the legacy. Followers and supporters will frequently carry the torch, moving forward and working together to maintain the pursuit or accomplish the goal. What role did Bella Abzug, Gloria Steinem, and Lilly Ledbetter play in the 20th-century feminist movement? How can the tragic death of a leader like Mahatma Gandhi, Robert Kennedy, or Benazir Bhutto inspire others to continue the fight for their political, social, or economic goals.
How important is the relationship between a leader and supporters or followers? Great leaders typically have a great network of supporters. These people agree with what the leader stands for and play a part in helping him or her succeed. Mao Zedung led a massive revolution in China. Why did it succeed? How did he use his leadership to convince people to follow him? Followers are inspired by the leader and feel a sense or duty to the cause. Some supporters, of course are faithful to a leader no matter what questionable actions he may take. Do you see examples of followers turning a blind eye to certain events because of their extreme loyalty?
When leadership goes awry, leaders can become destroyers. There are instances throughout history where leaders abused their power. Are there differences in leadership strategies for a destroyer? And can a follower or supporter influence the destruction? And can a follower or supporter influence the destruction? Consider the leadership of Nero in ancient Rome, Mobutu Sese Seko in the Congo, or Iran under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Are other nations responsible for removing leaders from power?
Just because something happened and someone did something, however, it does not necessarily mean a legacy was created. The key is to think about a leader's significance in history. So what? Does this person really matter? Ws there real change that occurred because of his or her leadership? What was the impact on people, society, economics, or government? How did it affect what people thought or did, or maybe how people think or act today? Consider both the short-term and long-term impact. Remember that examining the context and historical significance of your topic is a crucial part of the research process that also will help you strengthen and support you thesis.
In considering the theme Leadership and Legacy in History, keep in min that it's important to address both elements. Highlighting both the leadership and the legacy of your chosen subject will help you clearly explain the relation of your topic to the theme. Successful researchers look at available primary and secondary sources and draw conclusions from the information. Your analysis of the evidence and presentation of the information to support thesis is a critical part of your project. Use these primary sources and let the individuals speak for themselves. In thinking about your topic, ask yourself, "what is so important about my topic and what do I want people to understand after viewing my project?" Your answers to these key questions will help guide you as you decide to present your information.
Leadership takes many forms. You might immediately think about presidents and kings as leaders, but what about local community representatives and organizers? How about religious leaders, governors, mayors, or business owners? Some leaders are elected, others are appointed, and some seize a position of authority. When it comes to monarchies, some leaders inherit their positions. Of course leadership requires followers, who follow either by choice or due to coercion.
Leadership is not limited to the political sphere. Often leadership can begin on a much smaller scale. Consider the leadership that it takes for a small group of people to come together to accomplish a common goal. Students might consider the impact of Leah Walesa and Poland's Solidarity movement, fighting for worker's rights, social change, and ultimately political control in the 1980s and 1990s. Other examples could include Emmeline Parkhurst's leadership of the Women's Social and Political Union in Great Britain, Cesar Chavez's National Farm Workers Association, or Mother Theresa's Missionaries of Charity.
The impact of the leader does not have to be global. You can find examples of great leadership in one neighborhood, one school, or one city. Consider the history of your state, hometown, or family. You might consider the leadership of those who built schools or founded universities--everyone from John Harvard to Booker T. Washington to Leland Stanford. You also could examine leadership in a small event in a larger context of the whole, greater event. Many people have heard of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Alice Paul, but what about Bayard Rustin or Mary Church Terrell? World War II brought leadership opportunities for Bernard Montgomery and Dwight D. Eisenhower, but what about the war experiences of Charity Adams, King George VI, or Anna Mae Hayes?
Sometimes a leader emerges because he or she happens to be in the right place at the right time. Local circumstances and background context offer important clues when we examine why a leader chose to act when and how he or she did. Who and what were his or her influences, and in turn, who and what did he or she influence? What experiences led abolitionists like Sarah and Angelina Grimké to oppose slavery? In what ways did the European leader Charlemagne influence art and architecture in Europe? Why did George Washington choose to step down after two terms as president of the United States? What was he attempting to model about leadership in a democracy?
Sometimes people are active agents, causing and affecting events, but other times individuals are thrust into situations where they are obligated to make choices and act. Reactions to a social event, a natural disaster, an oppressive government, or other situation often show leadership. In wartime, many people find themselves forced by circumstances to do things they could never have imagined. Consider British, French, German, and American soldiers on the front lines of World War I. There are many examples where leaders have emerged unexpectedly. During the Normandy campaign in World War II, General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (the son of the president) landed with his infantry battalion on Utah Beach, more than a mile away from his intended location. He is famously quotes as saying, "We'll start the war from right here!" How did his leadership make a difference?
Leaders often arise because they have new ideas about how something should be done or redone, built or rebuilt. They see a situation and want to change it, convinced that their vision will improve an element of life or change their community for the better. Consider great American entrepreneurs that historian H.W. Brand labeled as "master of enterprise"--leaders such as Ray Kroc, Bill Gates, Mary Kay Ash, Cornelius Vanderbilt, or John Rockefeller. Leaders dare to ask difficult questions and are passionate about resolving issues.
Of course, no all first ideas are good ones. A leader and his or her supporters may revise and change ideas in the process of moving toward a goal. This is particularly evident when they run into obstacles. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf were forced to make adjustments on their path to leadership. As leaders they pushed through challenging situations, and found solutions to overcome the hurdles in their way. Can other leaders, or even followers, become obstacles?
Looking carefully at the impact on society and change over time, you will also need to think about the leader's legacy. Legacy is what is handed down to us from our ancestors or predecessors. More broadly, legacy is what is left behind for future generations--such as ideas and accomplishments. Legacies sometimes cannot be understood until long after a leader has passed away. Often reformers were considered radicals in their time. Abolitionists, socialists, anarchists, and civil rights activists around the world have seen changes in the world. What change or objective did they set in motion? How did they set out to change the world? Did they succeed? What are the legacies of John Brown, Guy Fawkes, or Karl Marx?
Sometimes a legacy depends on perspective. Not all legacies are positive ones. What happens when leadership goes awry? Legacies can also be controversial. Events can lead one group of people to feel that a leader was a great and moral influence who facilitated a positive outcome, while a different group of people believe exactly the opposite. Consider the history of Martin Luther, Sir Thomas More, Francisco Franco, the Irish Republic Army, or the Palestine Liberation Organization. Examining both sides of the story is important to understanding your topic.
It often happens that new leaders pick up where previous leaders left off, which also adds to the legacy. Followers and supporters will frequently carry the torch, moving forward and working together to maintain the pursuit or accomplish the goal. What role did Bella Abzug, Gloria Steinem, and Lilly Ledbetter play in the 20th-century feminist movement? How can the tragic death of a leader like Mahatma Gandhi, Robert Kennedy, or Benazir Bhutto inspire others to continue the fight for their political, social, or economic goals.
How important is the relationship between a leader and supporters or followers? Great leaders typically have a great network of supporters. These people agree with what the leader stands for and play a part in helping him or her succeed. Mao Zedung led a massive revolution in China. Why did it succeed? How did he use his leadership to convince people to follow him? Followers are inspired by the leader and feel a sense or duty to the cause. Some supporters, of course are faithful to a leader no matter what questionable actions he may take. Do you see examples of followers turning a blind eye to certain events because of their extreme loyalty?
When leadership goes awry, leaders can become destroyers. There are instances throughout history where leaders abused their power. Are there differences in leadership strategies for a destroyer? And can a follower or supporter influence the destruction? And can a follower or supporter influence the destruction? Consider the leadership of Nero in ancient Rome, Mobutu Sese Seko in the Congo, or Iran under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Are other nations responsible for removing leaders from power?
Just because something happened and someone did something, however, it does not necessarily mean a legacy was created. The key is to think about a leader's significance in history. So what? Does this person really matter? Ws there real change that occurred because of his or her leadership? What was the impact on people, society, economics, or government? How did it affect what people thought or did, or maybe how people think or act today? Consider both the short-term and long-term impact. Remember that examining the context and historical significance of your topic is a crucial part of the research process that also will help you strengthen and support you thesis.
In considering the theme Leadership and Legacy in History, keep in min that it's important to address both elements. Highlighting both the leadership and the legacy of your chosen subject will help you clearly explain the relation of your topic to the theme. Successful researchers look at available primary and secondary sources and draw conclusions from the information. Your analysis of the evidence and presentation of the information to support thesis is a critical part of your project. Use these primary sources and let the individuals speak for themselves. In thinking about your topic, ask yourself, "what is so important about my topic and what do I want people to understand after viewing my project?" Your answers to these key questions will help guide you as you decide to present your information.
Important Elements of Leadership and Legacy: a student perspective
by Kayla Uplinger, Mount Spokane High School, Mead, Washington
Welcome to National History Day! Whether this is your first time competing or you are a returning champion, you probably have a multitude of questions racing through your mind. What does the competition entail? What does the theme, Leadership and Legacy in History, even mean? Are there any examples? What else do I need to know? If any of these questions sound familiar, you have come to the right place.
To give you a general overview, by competing in National History Day, you will be choosing and investigation a topic, collecting sources, analyzing connections between different events, and effectively communication your topic's significance. In the end, your final project should engage viewers and bring the theme, Leadership and Legacy, to life. Your most important task is to relate your topic to the theme. To do this, you need a basic understanding of the terms leadership and legacy.
Leadership is the power or ability to lead other people in order to achieve a goal. After reading this definition, your mind probably jumps to former presidents or rulers. While such people are viable topic choices, leadership can exist outside of government. The theme encompasses multiple areas, including economics, social movements, scientific discoveries, and intellectual theories. Within these categories, the leadership exhibited does not necessarily have to be an individual. For instance, an organization may possess leadership by mobilizing people in support of their cause. Doubtlessly, leadership exists in various forms, and it is your job to identify one of them.
The other half of the theme is legacy, which is something that originated from a person or group of people in the past. This "something" could be the continuation and progression of a social movement, an intellectual idea, an economic theory, an approach to diplomatic relations. Whatever your "something" is, you should recognize that the legacy varies in different time frames. Some individuals or organizations had a temporary impact on society, while other people or groups had lasting influence. In some cases, the impact is evident in modern times; however, you should only momentarily touch on the current influence. It is more important to examine the legacy throughout history. To do this, you should also ensure that your topic is actually in history. A current event would not fit this theme because the legacy simply cannot be observed, and needless to say, your topic needs to have a legacy.
It may be easy to identify leadership and legacy in history- separately. However, since this theme has two parts, it is mandatory to analyze both leadership AND legacy in history and draw a conclusion about the relationship between the two. Admittedly, this sounds difficult, but do not worry; this task is not as hard as you are probably thinking. Leadership and Legacy can be interpreted as a cause and effect or a before and after prompt. When creating your project, simply ask yourself an essential question: Why was this example of leadership important both at the time and in other periods of history?
There are multiple approaches to answering this question since Leadership and Legacy can be interpreted in countless ways. Because of this, you can pursue any subject that fascinates you. For example, you may be interested in social movements. A historical paper could examine Margaret Sanger's leadership as a birth control advocate, which allowed her to influence various court cases and led to the legalization of contraceptives. Her leadership in developing the American Birth Control League, which evolved into Planned Parenthood, could also be investigated. How did she alter the social norm at the time? How did people view her message? Where can her
influence be seen in later years? In another instance, a documentary could portray Ralph Nader's Unsafe at Any Speed, the first notable novel that criticized the automobile industry for ignoring safety regulations. How did the automobile industry and public respond? Who did Nader mobilize in support of his cause? How did this book lead the way for establishing consumer safety standards? What specific legislation was passed?
Those that find economics intriguing could construct a group exhibit on the leadership and legacy of Adam Smith. How did his economic theory differ from the existing theories at the time? What countries experimented with his theory? Which countries did not? How did this not only affect economics, but also diplomatic relationships or social life? The French physiocrat Francois Quesnay would also be a fantastic topic choice. Francois Quesnay, who believed that the aristocracy in France stifled agricultural production, sought to reform the existing agrarian system by implementing laissez faire policies in agriculture. In fact, he led a group of physiocrats in opposition of mercantilist policies. What social class supported him? What methods or actions did he use to advance his reform attempts? Was he ultimately successful in his intentions? Where, if anywhere, did he fall short?
From an intellectual standpoint, a group website could address the role of Sir Isaac Newton's Principia in either the scientific community or the Enlightenment philosophes. What was life like in the time that Newton lived? How did the time period impact his influence? What were the different points of view on this novel? An individual exhibit could investigate Ernest Rutherford's gold foil experiment, which paved the way for nuclear physics. Did other individuals support his findings? How did the public react? Who built on his ideas? For some students, political figures are exceedingly fascinating. A performance could detail Henry Clay’s leadership as the head of the War
Hawks in the United States prior to the War of 1812. As Speaker of the House, he played an enormous role in mobilizing support for war with Great Britain. Why did he support war? How many other representatives did he influence? What resulted from the war? How did he contribute to these results? In another example, Otto Von Bismarck, a political leader during the time of German unification, paved the way for the growth of the Prussian military and was the primary encourager of a Prussian based Hohenzollern Germany. What was the original plan to unify Germany? Who did Bismarck directly influence? What other leaders later in history mimicked Bismarck's tactics?
Whether looking at political, social, or economic application, do not take on more than you can handle. The most persuasive projects look at a particular event as opposed to a general concept. For example, instead of examining the influence of the Populists, a historical paper may look specifically at the Omaha platform, and instead of examining the Indian nationalism movement, an individual website could document the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. With a narrow topic, the correlation between the topic and other events in history is typically clearer, and generally speaking, the analysis is stronger and more convincing.
Likewise, an extensive variety of sources will reinforce your analysis. Doubtlessly, you want to include a handful of secondary sources, such as books and websites. However, to take your research to the next level, you need to find primary sources, like newspapers, journals, and autobiographies, that accurately express an opinion related to your topic. By collecting a variety of primary sources, you will obtain multiple points of view and elevate your analysis. Additionally, professors are excellent resources. You can conduct interviews on a college campus or through your email, telephone, or webcam.
At the same time, remember that your goal is not to get the most amount of sources; rather, you need to focus on quality over sheer quantity. It may be tempting to find random articles that slightly relate to your position to increase your number of sources, but in the end, this will only hurt you. The judges can tell if the source is actually relevant or just fluff, so make sure that all of your sources support your analysis.
Subsequent to completing your research and analysis, you will ultimately present your information in the form of a website, exhibit, documentary, paper, or performance. When deciding on your presentation type, keep in mind that you should choose a project style that highlights your strengths. For instance, if you have notable literacy skills, you could write a paper, and if you have exceptional theatrical abilities, you could do a performance. In the end, your project should make your research and analysis shine.
After reading this, you may be feeling overwhelmed. This is completely normal. Just remember, you are more than capable of doing this! A quick summary may help reduce your stress level. To compete in National History Day, you must select a topic you are passionate about. Then, you research your topic and its relationship to Leadership AND Legacy, which are the TWO key elements of the prompt, by collecting both primary and secondary sources. Finally, you string all of your information together in a creative project. Though this is an arduous undertaking, the academic skills you acquire will help you succeed in high school and college, and the creation and presentation of your project is a thrilling, irreplaceable experience.
About the Author: Kayla Uplinger grew up in
Colbert, Washington, and attended Mount
Spokane High School from 2010 to 2014.
Outside of the classroom, she enjoys playing
tennis and skiing, and she is an avid volunteer in
her community. In 2013, Kayla participated in
National History Day by writing a historical
paper, and she competed at the national level in
Washington D.C.
To give you a general overview, by competing in National History Day, you will be choosing and investigation a topic, collecting sources, analyzing connections between different events, and effectively communication your topic's significance. In the end, your final project should engage viewers and bring the theme, Leadership and Legacy, to life. Your most important task is to relate your topic to the theme. To do this, you need a basic understanding of the terms leadership and legacy.
Leadership is the power or ability to lead other people in order to achieve a goal. After reading this definition, your mind probably jumps to former presidents or rulers. While such people are viable topic choices, leadership can exist outside of government. The theme encompasses multiple areas, including economics, social movements, scientific discoveries, and intellectual theories. Within these categories, the leadership exhibited does not necessarily have to be an individual. For instance, an organization may possess leadership by mobilizing people in support of their cause. Doubtlessly, leadership exists in various forms, and it is your job to identify one of them.
The other half of the theme is legacy, which is something that originated from a person or group of people in the past. This "something" could be the continuation and progression of a social movement, an intellectual idea, an economic theory, an approach to diplomatic relations. Whatever your "something" is, you should recognize that the legacy varies in different time frames. Some individuals or organizations had a temporary impact on society, while other people or groups had lasting influence. In some cases, the impact is evident in modern times; however, you should only momentarily touch on the current influence. It is more important to examine the legacy throughout history. To do this, you should also ensure that your topic is actually in history. A current event would not fit this theme because the legacy simply cannot be observed, and needless to say, your topic needs to have a legacy.
It may be easy to identify leadership and legacy in history- separately. However, since this theme has two parts, it is mandatory to analyze both leadership AND legacy in history and draw a conclusion about the relationship between the two. Admittedly, this sounds difficult, but do not worry; this task is not as hard as you are probably thinking. Leadership and Legacy can be interpreted as a cause and effect or a before and after prompt. When creating your project, simply ask yourself an essential question: Why was this example of leadership important both at the time and in other periods of history?
There are multiple approaches to answering this question since Leadership and Legacy can be interpreted in countless ways. Because of this, you can pursue any subject that fascinates you. For example, you may be interested in social movements. A historical paper could examine Margaret Sanger's leadership as a birth control advocate, which allowed her to influence various court cases and led to the legalization of contraceptives. Her leadership in developing the American Birth Control League, which evolved into Planned Parenthood, could also be investigated. How did she alter the social norm at the time? How did people view her message? Where can her
influence be seen in later years? In another instance, a documentary could portray Ralph Nader's Unsafe at Any Speed, the first notable novel that criticized the automobile industry for ignoring safety regulations. How did the automobile industry and public respond? Who did Nader mobilize in support of his cause? How did this book lead the way for establishing consumer safety standards? What specific legislation was passed?
Those that find economics intriguing could construct a group exhibit on the leadership and legacy of Adam Smith. How did his economic theory differ from the existing theories at the time? What countries experimented with his theory? Which countries did not? How did this not only affect economics, but also diplomatic relationships or social life? The French physiocrat Francois Quesnay would also be a fantastic topic choice. Francois Quesnay, who believed that the aristocracy in France stifled agricultural production, sought to reform the existing agrarian system by implementing laissez faire policies in agriculture. In fact, he led a group of physiocrats in opposition of mercantilist policies. What social class supported him? What methods or actions did he use to advance his reform attempts? Was he ultimately successful in his intentions? Where, if anywhere, did he fall short?
From an intellectual standpoint, a group website could address the role of Sir Isaac Newton's Principia in either the scientific community or the Enlightenment philosophes. What was life like in the time that Newton lived? How did the time period impact his influence? What were the different points of view on this novel? An individual exhibit could investigate Ernest Rutherford's gold foil experiment, which paved the way for nuclear physics. Did other individuals support his findings? How did the public react? Who built on his ideas? For some students, political figures are exceedingly fascinating. A performance could detail Henry Clay’s leadership as the head of the War
Hawks in the United States prior to the War of 1812. As Speaker of the House, he played an enormous role in mobilizing support for war with Great Britain. Why did he support war? How many other representatives did he influence? What resulted from the war? How did he contribute to these results? In another example, Otto Von Bismarck, a political leader during the time of German unification, paved the way for the growth of the Prussian military and was the primary encourager of a Prussian based Hohenzollern Germany. What was the original plan to unify Germany? Who did Bismarck directly influence? What other leaders later in history mimicked Bismarck's tactics?
Whether looking at political, social, or economic application, do not take on more than you can handle. The most persuasive projects look at a particular event as opposed to a general concept. For example, instead of examining the influence of the Populists, a historical paper may look specifically at the Omaha platform, and instead of examining the Indian nationalism movement, an individual website could document the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. With a narrow topic, the correlation between the topic and other events in history is typically clearer, and generally speaking, the analysis is stronger and more convincing.
Likewise, an extensive variety of sources will reinforce your analysis. Doubtlessly, you want to include a handful of secondary sources, such as books and websites. However, to take your research to the next level, you need to find primary sources, like newspapers, journals, and autobiographies, that accurately express an opinion related to your topic. By collecting a variety of primary sources, you will obtain multiple points of view and elevate your analysis. Additionally, professors are excellent resources. You can conduct interviews on a college campus or through your email, telephone, or webcam.
At the same time, remember that your goal is not to get the most amount of sources; rather, you need to focus on quality over sheer quantity. It may be tempting to find random articles that slightly relate to your position to increase your number of sources, but in the end, this will only hurt you. The judges can tell if the source is actually relevant or just fluff, so make sure that all of your sources support your analysis.
Subsequent to completing your research and analysis, you will ultimately present your information in the form of a website, exhibit, documentary, paper, or performance. When deciding on your presentation type, keep in mind that you should choose a project style that highlights your strengths. For instance, if you have notable literacy skills, you could write a paper, and if you have exceptional theatrical abilities, you could do a performance. In the end, your project should make your research and analysis shine.
After reading this, you may be feeling overwhelmed. This is completely normal. Just remember, you are more than capable of doing this! A quick summary may help reduce your stress level. To compete in National History Day, you must select a topic you are passionate about. Then, you research your topic and its relationship to Leadership AND Legacy, which are the TWO key elements of the prompt, by collecting both primary and secondary sources. Finally, you string all of your information together in a creative project. Though this is an arduous undertaking, the academic skills you acquire will help you succeed in high school and college, and the creation and presentation of your project is a thrilling, irreplaceable experience.
About the Author: Kayla Uplinger grew up in
Colbert, Washington, and attended Mount
Spokane High School from 2010 to 2014.
Outside of the classroom, she enjoys playing
tennis and skiing, and she is an avid volunteer in
her community. In 2013, Kayla participated in
National History Day by writing a historical
paper, and she competed at the national level in
Washington D.C.
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