Developing a History Thesis Statement

When writing about history, it is not enough to simply retell what happened during a historical event. Writers must also analyze the event to develop a reasonable and compelling interpretation of history based on the assignment instructions. This informed interpretation of historical facts is the thesis statement.

How to Develop a Thesis in History

The first step to creating a thesis for a history paper is to research the historical context surrounding an event. Some of the most important aspects to research include:

Who?

• The historical figures or people involved in the historical event or who lived during that time period.

What?

• What happened, as described by historical figures, including multiple, differing viewpoints?
• Consider why people described the event one way while others may have described it another.

When?

• The time period in which the event or events take place.
• A time frame can take place over days, weeks, months, or years.

Where?

• The places where the event or events occurred
• Geography matters. Consider how the culture of a location impacts how historical figures react to events.

Once you understand the historical context of an event, you can start creating your own interpretation by examining the relationship between the Who, What, When, and Where. Often, the relationship is characterized by cause and effect. A main goal when constructing a History thesis statement is to determine how a person’s or group’s behavior was influenced by the Who, What, When, and Where, which led to a certain outcome.

Example of Historical Thesis

Historical Context

• Who: John F. Kennedy – 35th President of the United States, a Democratic politician, and a Catholic
• What: Speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association
• When: September 12, 1960
• Where: United States – Houston, Texas
• Interpretation: During his 1960 Presidential Campaign, John F. Kennedy gave a speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association to address concerns over his Catholic faith. Kennedy’s speech helped him win the Presidential election by demonstrating his commitment to the separation of church and state for Protestant voters, while mobilizing Catholic voters who empathized with his struggle against religious prejudice.

Works Consulted

Marius, Richard, and Melvin E. Page. 2014. A Short Guide to Writing About History. 9th ed. London: Pearson.

Reid, Ronald F., and James F. Klumpp, eds. 2005. American Rhetorical Discourse. 3rd ed. Long Grove, IL:

           Waveland Press.