AskHistorians does permit help with homework, but we can only offer support and help finding further resources.

You've obviously done enough research to figure out what the orthodox school of thought is. ;) Can you explain a little about it and what you are struggling to evaluate? That will help AH readers be able to explain what sorts of historical and historiographical analysis will help.

In general, though, some good ways to assess a historical school of thought is to consider criticisms and whether they are valid; to go back to the primary sources for yourself (which granted, is a stupendously large task in this case); to investigate related arguments and whether they agree with the solution posited by research on this question directly.

Good luck!