I'm currently writing a novel set in 1888 Victorian England and I've been told to do a general scope of the period as I am no historian. By this, they mean research major historical events i.e. Wars; plagues; Politics; Industrial Revolution.
But how exactly do I research wars as a non-historian. How do I analyse them and their effect on society? What do I need to analyse that will help my novel feel immersive and not like a history lesson?
There's always more to be said, OP, and you're welcome to ask for reading recommendations, but a while back I wrote a Monday Methods post on how to do historical research for fiction-writing.