Are you on the search for an IB History IA topic that not only captivates your interest but also allows you to showcase your analytical prowess? Look no further! I’ve compiled a list of topics that span the rich tapestry of human history, from ancient civilizations to modern global conflicts. Whether you’re fascinated by the strategies of historical leaders, the cultural impacts of significant movements, or the intricacies of international relations, there’s a topic here that’s sure to ignite your passion for the past.

History IA Topic Ideas

So, let’s grab our metaphorical time machines and start a journey through time, where every historical event is waiting, and every analysis is a step closer to understanding the complexities of our world.

1. Ancient History

1. What were the key factors that contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire?
2. How did the Nile River influence the development of ancient Egyptian civilization?
3. What were the social and political structures of the Mayan civilization, and how did they contribute to its decline?
4. How did the Code of Hammurabi impact law and justice in ancient Mesopotamia?
5. What were the causes and consequences of the Peloponnesian War in ancient Greece?

2. Medieval History

6. What role did feudalism play in shaping medieval European societies and economies?
7. How did the Crusades impact the religious and cultural interactions between Europe and the Middle East?
8. What were the factors that contributed to the spread of the Black Death in Europe?
9. How did the Magna Carta influence the development of constitutional government in England?
10. What were the economic and social consequences of the Hundred Years’ War on medieval France?

3. Renaissance and Enlightenment

11. How did the invention of the printing press impact the spread of Renaissance ideas and knowledge?
12. What were the key ideas and contributions of prominent Enlightenment thinkers (e.g., Voltaire, Locke)?
13. How did the Scientific Revolution challenge existing beliefs and knowledge in Europe?
14. What were the causes and consequences of the Protestant Reformation on religious diversity in Europe?
15. How did the Enlightenment influence the American Revolution and the formation of the United States?

4. Modern European History

16. How did the Industrial Revolution transform the economies and societies of 19th-century Europe?
17. What were the causes and consequences of the Napoleonic Wars on Europe?
18. How did nationalism and imperialism contribute to tensions and conflicts in 19th-century Europe?
19. What were the key events and outcomes of World War I in Europe?
20. How did the Treaty of Versailles impact the post-World War I political landscape in Europe?

5. World War II and the Cold War

21. What were the factors that led to the outbreak of World War II in Europe?
22. How did the Holocaust impact Jewish communities and international responses to genocide?
23. What were the consequences of the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences on the post-World War II world order?
24. How did the Cold War impact the political and ideological divisions between the United States and the Soviet Union?
25. What were the key events and outcomes of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the context of the Cold War?

6. Decolonization and Post-Colonial History

26. How did decolonization movements in Africa and Asia challenge colonial rule and imperialism?
27. What were the causes and consequences of the Indian Partition in 1947?
28. How did Nelson Mandela and the anti-apartheid movement contribute to the end of apartheid in South Africa?
29. What role did Kwame Nkrumah play in the independence and early leadership of Ghana?
30. How did the Algerian War of Independence impact the decolonization process in North Africa?

7. Civil Rights Movements

31. How did the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s challenge racial segregation and discrimination?
32. What were the strategies and leaders of the Indian Civil Rights Movement under Mahatma Gandhi?
33. How did the women’s suffrage movement in the United Kingdom and the United States achieve success?
34. What role did the LGBTQ+ rights movement play in challenging discrimination and legalizing same-sex marriage?
35. How did the Aboriginal Rights Movement impact Indigenous communities in Australia and Canada?

8. Revolutions and Regime Changes

36. What were the causes and consequences of the Russian Revolution of 1917?
37. How did the Chinese Communist Revolution under Mao Zedong transform Chinese society and politics?
38. What were the factors that led to the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and the establishment of an Islamic Republic?
39. How did the Arab Spring protests of 2010-2012 impact political changes in the Middle East and North Africa?
40. What were the key events and outcomes of the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon?

9. Genocides and Human Rights Violations

41. What were the factors that contributed to the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, and what were the international responses?
42. How did the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia carry out the Cambodian Genocide, and what were the consequences?
43. What were the causes and effects of the Bosnian Genocide during the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s?
44. How did the Nuremberg Trials contribute to the establishment of principles of international justice and human rights?
45. What role did truth and reconciliation commissions play in post-conflict societies like South Africa?

10. Contemporary Global Issues

46. How has globalization affected the global economy and income inequality?
47. What are the causes and consequences of refugee crises in the 21st century?
48. How has climate change impacted vulnerable communities and the environment worldwide?
49. What are the geopolitical implications of the rise of China as a global superpower?
50. How have cyber warfare and technology shaped international conflicts and security concerns?

2025 New IB History IA Topics (Original, Investigation-Ready)

• 1. Churchill’s Wartime Broadcasts
  To what extent did Winston Churchill’s 1940–1941 radio broadcasts influence British civilian morale during the Blitz?
• 2. Propaganda in the Spanish Civil War
  How effectively did Republican propaganda posters between 1936–1938 mobilize support among urban workers?
• 3. The 1918 Influenza and WWI Troop Morale
  How did the 1918 influenza pandemic affect morale within the American Expeditionary Forces stationed in France?
• 4. The Role of Women in the Irish War of Independence
  What was the significance of Cumann na mBan intelligence work in the success of IRA operations between 1919–1921?
• 5. Soviet Photography and State Censorship
  To what extent did state censorship shape public perception of Stalin’s leadership through published photographs from 1930–1939?
• 6. Benito Mussolini’s Youth Policies
  How successful were the Opera Nazionale Balilla programs in advancing Fascist ideology among Italian youth (1926–1937)?
• 7. The Mau Mau Uprising and British Media
  How did British newspaper coverage between 1952–1956 shape public opinion about the Mau Mau uprising?
• 8. Japan’s Economic Recovery Post-WWII
  What role did the Dodge Line reforms play in Japan’s economic stabilization between 1949–1951?
• 9. Civil Defense Drills in the Cold War USA
  How effective were 1950s U.S. civil defense school drills in shaping public attitudes toward nuclear threat?
• 10. The Berlin Airlift as Political Strategy
  To what extent did the Berlin Airlift (1948–1949) strengthen Western political resolve during the early Cold War?
• 11. The Cultural Revolution and University Closures
  What was the impact of the 1966–1968 university closures on higher education institutions in Beijing?
• 12. The Oslo Accords in Israeli Press
  How did Israeli newspapers differing in political orientation portray the Oslo I Accord in 1993?
• 13. Apartheid and International Sports Boycotts
  How significant were sports boycotts between 1970–1985 in shaping international pressure on apartheid South Africa?
• 14. The Role of the Vatican During the Rwandan Genocide
  To what extent did Vatican communications in 1994 influence responses of local Catholic leadership in Rwanda?
• 15. Women’s Labor in WWII Canada
  How did wartime labor shortages affect employment opportunities for Canadian women in munitions factories (1942–1945)?
• 16. Proxy Warfare in the Angolan Civil War
  What was the extent of Cuban military influence on MPLA battlefield success between 1975–1977?
• 17. Media Coverage of the Tiananmen Square Protests
  How did Western media coverage in May–June 1989 shape international perceptions of the Tiananmen Square protests?
• 18. The U.S. War on Drugs in Latin America
  To what extent did U.S. funding impact the effectiveness of Colombia’s anti-narcotics operations between 1989–1995?
• 19. The Syrian Refugee Crisis and European Policy
  How did the 2015 photograph of Alan Kurdi influence immigration policy debates in Germany?
• 20. The Falklands War and British Political Support
  How did the Falklands War (1982) impact public approval ratings for Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher?

Conclusion

And there you have it – a collection of IB History IA topics that are sure to inspire your historical inquiry and fuel your passion for the past. Whether you’re drawn to the drama of political revolutions, the evolution of societal norms, or the causes and consequences of wars, this list offers a diverse array of topics to suit your interests and challenge your historical thinking.

The key to a successful IA is choosing a topic that resonates with you and allows you to demonstrate your skills in historical analysis and interpretation. So, pick a topic that excites you, and set out on an intellectual adventure that’s bound to be as enlightening as it is rewarding.