Essays and Research Papers on Europe & The World Wars

(5 pp) Rome sporadically persecuted the Christians for about three hundred years of their rule. We could almost wonder if it gave leadership something to do once they felt they had conquered as much territory as possible, as the intensity of that persecution seemed to depend on the whims of the leader of the ...

5 pages in length. The ravages of world war upon any country is devastating at best; however, when this destruction hits small, isolated communities such as those in the island groupings of Melanesia, the damage is myriad times worse. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 5 page report discusses Hitler’s infamous “Mein Kampf,” written between 1924-27. In it, he outlined his policies for the future as he told how he had evolved. In it, it is clear that he always believed himself to be a man of great talent, whether as an artist or architect or the leader of his political party. For ...

A paper which looks at the policy of appeasement which was adopted by Neville Chamberlain in his negotiations with Hitler prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. The paper considers the underlying motivations of both politicians, particularly in reference to such factors as the effect which the Treaty of Versailles had had on ...

This 5 page report discusses the fact that if an empire can best be defined by its dominance, its influence, and, of course, its power, then the post World War II realities of the United States impact on the world would certainly appear to qualify it as an “empire.” When considered in the context of “empire,” there are a number ...

A seven page paper which looks at the life and political and military career of Winston Churchill, the British soldier and statesman, with particular reference to his leadership during the Second World War. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 5 page paper looks at nationalism with a specific focus on Germany and Austria. Positive and negative aspects of nationalism are discussed. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

England’s Media/ Propaganda in WWI: This 5-page essay examines the English media’s propangandistic methods and roles in World War I: how they influenced British morale, swayed global views, or may have taken creative liberties with contemporary fact. Without question England’s giant propaganda machine was crucial to the war effort. Bibliography lists 11 sources. ...

It seems reasonable that a government that includes a Foreign Ministry would rely on that office to determine foreign policy. This was not true of Germany in the years between 1933 and 1939. This 16 page paper argues that Hitler brought with him his own beliefs concerning the interaction between nations. He implemented policies congruent with his ...

A six page paper which looks at the background to, and progress of, the Battle of Britain in the Second World War, with reference to the successful repulsion of the Luftwaffe by the Allied forces and the transition from air-to-air combat to the bombing of civilian targets during the Blitz. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A twelve page paper which look at the extent to which Germany could be perceived as bearing the brunt of the responsibility for the start of the First World War, with reference to weltpolitik, conservatism and imperialism, the nation’s relationship with other European countries and Germany’s preferred military strategies. Bibliography lists 6 sources

A five page paper which looks at the purpose of the Nuremberg trials, the concept of war crimes, and the way in which the ethical issues raised at Nuremberg are relevant in other areas of society. Bibliography lists 4 sources

A 5 page paper which examines the different theories and discussions in the works found in Chapter 5 of Leslie Derfler's "Age of Conflict." This chapter deals with historical perceptions concerning the Nazis. No additional sources cited.

6 pages in length. Postwar activities inherently reflect the inevitable process of catch-up and convergence; while this process takes place, scores of people work diligently as a means by which to piece their lives back together. In assessing the positive and negative impacts of both World War I and World War II, it ...

This 6 page paper discusses the question of advanced knowledge of the crimes against the European Jews before the United States became involved in WWII. Wymann, Gilbert, Laquer, and Novick's books are compared and contrasted on this point, conclusions are drawn and examples given which tend to indicate that the US did have knowledge. ...

The Bryce report was commissioned in 1914 to investigate reports of civilian maltreatment by German troops that had invaded Belgium. They were meant to either prove or disprove information that had become widely disseminated through the use of propaganda. This 5 page paper argues that the British government set out to prove the substance of its own propaganda ...

This 5 page report discusses the daily life of one German man in Germany, Victor Klemperer, in the years lead to and during the years of World War II. Klemperer was born into a Jewish family but converted to Christianity at a young age. He was also married to a “fully-blooded Aryan.” However, in the eyes of the Nazis he was ...

A five page paper which looks at the strategies involved in the D-Day landings, with reference to intelligence operations and the military coordination of the exercise. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 5 page paper which reviews the book "Martyred Village: Commemorating the 1944 Massacre at Oradour-Sur-Glane" by Sarah Farmer. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper looks at Germany after Bismarck's reign and the difference between the two eras. Changes are duly noted and a comparison in terms of leadership is provided. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

8 pages in length. At the crux of the Second World War was not so much the instigation of just one entity, but rather the combined efforts of two significant forces. Some believe that all the blame of WWII belongs squarely upon the political shoulders of the Weimar Republic failure, while others contend ...

A paper which looks at the way in which Hitler changed his political strategies after the failed putsch of 1923, and the use which he made of propaganda combined with state terrorism to achieve his aims. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page overview of the career of Henri Phillipe Petain. While some remember Petain only as an anti-Semitic German collaborator, he can be considered a French patriot. The author of this paper emphasizes that Petain’s career was already noteworthy prior to his Fascist-like actions in World War II and even these actions ...

This is a 5 page paper discussing the different cultural perspectives depicted in the novel “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” by Louis de Bernieres. Written about the German and Italian occupation of the Greek island Cephallonia during World War II, the reader experiences the difficulties faced by the cultural differences and misunderstandings between the three clashing cultures ...

This 5 page paper looks at why the Bosnian Crisis of 1908-1909 and the Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913 did not develop into a general European conflict. The reasons for World War I are noted and the conflicts listed are discussed in depth. The idea of an East versus West mentality is explored ...