Aight, so I have to write a thesis paper for my US Naval history class. The teacher said it could be on anything that has to deal with maritime history, and there is no page limit. There are so many things out there that I can write on, but I can't narrow down my topic. Does anyone have any good suggestions on what to write on?

2/2/2006 4:40:54 PM

Mahan

2/2/2006 4:43:30 PM

Wake island

2/2/2006 4:45:44 PM

no idea, but i hope your choice of topics is better than your choice of screennames

2/2/2006 4:47:06 PM

Battle of Trafalgar... it's a classic

2/2/2006 4:47:48 PM

Why did the navies of Western Europe spend so much time and money on huge, expensive battleships in the late 19th and early 20th centuries only to leave them out of most of the major naval engagements of World War I ?

How about Admiral Perry's mission to Japan. What did he initially intend to do there? How did the American navy compare to the Japanese navy?

I'm actually a History major so I can help you out. The key is to come up with some kind of historical question. Then do some research, see if you are interested, and further refine that question. Figure out what the different points of view are about it, consult primary documents, etc. Don't just summarize what four books told you. Draw some kind of conclusion.

If you need any more help just post in this thread.

[Edited on February 2, 2006 at 5:19 PM. Reason : .]

2/2/2006 5:02:59 PM

because they're a lot prettier sitting in port instead of getting blown up, duh

[Edited on February 2, 2006 at 5:11 PM. Reason : dur]

2/2/2006 5:10:58 PM

^ do you seriously think that? I bet if you look at the primary sources you will find the answer to be far more nuanced.

2/2/2006 5:20:41 PM

well I was thinking possibilities like: Merchant Marines--how they were beneficial during the korean war and wwI. Also how the submarine redefined naval warfare. or the blockade of 1812.... Does any of these sounds the least bit good?

2/2/2006 5:28:51 PM

^Submarines!!!!

I'm a Navy ROTC kid, so I had Naval History last spring. I'm hoping to go subs, so that's why I would suggest that. Ask Dr. Caddell about books on submarines. I know there should be quite a bit about how they changed operations.

2/2/2006 5:30:35 PM

what topic did you pick to do your paper on

2/2/2006 5:35:21 PM

i hope its not due tomorrow...

you should definately research sub espionage. my uncle was a captain of a sub during the cold war. he always has good stories.

2/2/2006 5:38:17 PM

haha hey i know you ^^

tell my roommate to get started too while youre at it

2/2/2006 5:40:23 PM

yeah i know you too, why dont you write my paper!

2/2/2006 5:42:07 PM

hahaha that'll be quite alright, i haven't written a paper for any class since freshman year, i'm sure i'd fail it for you in a most outstanding fashion

2/2/2006 5:46:27 PM

oh ok i appreciate the help...


Now getting back to the topic...can anyone just write the paper and/or give me a paper and I will pay you?

2/2/2006 5:50:30 PM

Nuke's coming into use in subs.

2/2/2006 6:13:48 PM

what about this:

War By Sea: How German U-Boats were used against the US during WWII

2/2/2006 6:16:28 PM

What's your thesis? Most history professors get very annoyed if they think you are just summarizing four books you got from the library. Usually they want some kind of analysis.

If I were you, I'd narrow it further. How about you discuss Allied attempts at counter-submarine warfare? Maybe your thesis could claim that certain tactic was superior to another or something. It will depend on what your research yields.

I wouldn't worry too much about the title until your paper is closed to complete.

[Edited on February 2, 2006 at 8:29 PM. Reason : .]

2/2/2006 8:27:58 PM

I'd look at the windjammers and their ultimate demise as a legitimate commercial entity.

Its pretty simple, but if you find another angle than "the steam engine" then you've "done some research."

2/2/2006 8:40:09 PM