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  You should consult a minimum of six secondary sources to support your arguments. Four of these sources should be from the Douglas College Library and cited in bold type in your bibliography. This paper should be written in Chicago Style using endnote citations. 

 

Please note:  Essays without proper endnotes and a bibliography are unacceptable at the college/university level.  Late essays will be deducted 5% per day.  Lastly, your title page should include the number of the essay topic you have chosen.

 

 

 

 

1.  Explain why Italian towns rose to such prominence in 16^th century Europe.  Cite three specific examples and assess their respective historic legacies.

 

2.  Did the Catholic Church ever fully recover from the ‘Great Schism’ of the 15^th century?

If so, when and how had this recovery been achieved?

 

3.  Discuss whether education was a great leveler of social hierarchies or only served to increase social divisions prior to 1789.

 

4.  What role did the German peasantry play in supporting the Lutheran principles of the Reformation?

 

5.  The ‘great age of European exploration’ brought more harm than good to the foreign places it physically reached? Discuss the accuracy of this statement by focusing on one geographic region prior to 1789.

 

6.  Why did the divine right of kings have such a monumental impact on altering the course of Modern French History?

 

7.  Explain the diverse impact humanism had in two different European countries/regions during the Renaissance.

 

8.  Identify and explain the socio-political factors which ultimately led to the execution of Charles I in England.  What were the long-term consequences of his death?

 

9.  Account for the rise and decline of Dutch naval power in the 17^th and 18^th centuries.

 

10. The most fertile ground for the theories of modern capitalism to take hold was clearly in England.  Discuss the validity of this statement.

 

11.  How and why did popular culture undergo such a radical transformation in the 15^th and 16^th centuries?

 

12.  Choose one European historical figure, explain how and why a specific cult of personality had materialized by the late 18^th century.

 

13.  Explain why Austria and Prussia emerged as the two dominant German states by the 18^th century.  Which was best suited to unify a ‘German nation’?

 

14.  What tangible improvements did Peter the Great bring to life in Russia?

 

15. Assess the pre-nineteenth impact of the Scientific Revolution beyond the realm of Science.

 

16.  Even during the Renaissance the public persecution of minority groups continued.  By focusing on one targeted group, account for this disturbing phenomenon.

 

17.  Explain why and how the impact of Roman Civilization remained a cultural force well beyond the 15^th century.

 

18.  Choose a female historical figure from the 1450-1789 period and assess her impact on the improvement of women’s social empowerment and/or legal rights.

 

19.  That a revolutionary wave would sweep through France in the 18^th century was a foregone conclusion.  How accurate is this statement?

 

20.  The continuous rise of the ‘bourgeoisie’ beginning in the 15^th century guaranteed that European society would become more egalitarian.  Discuss the validity of this statement.

 

21.  What were the main strengths and weaknesses of the British legal system prior to the 19^th century?

 

22.  Is it possible to clearly identify a ‘capital of European music’ or of ‘European fashion’ prior to the French Revolution? Justify your choice with specific examples.

 

23.  What were the most significant short and long-term (pre-1789) implications of the Fall of Constantinople?

 

24.  How truly ‘enlightened’ were either: Catherine II, Fredrick II or Maria Theresia in improving the lives of their respective subjects?

 

25.  The impact of Luther’s 95 Theses differed radically from the intentions of its author.  Assess the validity of this statement.

 

26.  Who and/or what emerged as the clear victors of the Thirty Years War?

 

27.  Assess the impact of either Oliver Cromwell, Elizabeth I or Mary I on changing the course of British History.

 

28. How was Johannes Kepler able to reconcile his Christian faith with his numerous scientific discoveries?

 

29.  Was Philip II more responsible for creating Spain’s Golden Age or ushering in its demise?

 

30.  Choose one European region and assess how and why it was able to survive a 17^th century pandemic.