Does anyone have any interesting ideas for an American History Masters thesis topic? I need to start formulating one, as I'm about two semesters away from diving into it.
Before anyone accuses me of asking for someone else to do my homework for me, I'm not asking for specifics so far as historiographic significance or what sources to use. I'm just interested in general ideas about historical questions that have not been asked.
What eras and areas are the focus of your major interest(s)? You better start with a keen interest and a fire in your belly, or you won't survive the process, so the answer to your question starts with you.
I commend you for reaching out here to collect topic suggestions. I wish this source had been available when I was a graduate student. I find my best writing occurs when I connect the past to the present by asking questions related to interesting topics. Lately, I've asked myself how S.C. justices have evolved during the court's tenure? For instance, much is written about the legislative and federal branches of government, but the Supreme Court's influence is often overlooked except in extreme cases such as Dred Scott. This is just an example of how to generate ideas, but I also suggest you keep in mind the availability and accessibility of primary resources. In order to do part of my thesis, I was forced to travel to UCLA and the Huntington Library, because they housed a generous number of archived film from Hollywood's early years. The greater number of primary sources available makes for a stronger, reasoned thesis analysis.
I'll be starting on my Master's Degree in a little over a year, and I've started thinking about my thesis too. I am also looking into military history, and one of my classmates will be too.
A professor suggested to us that if we look into WWII topics, the Pacific Theater has been researched much less than the European Theater.
I find the question strange. Most of us entered history because of a very specific interest. What is yours?