IB Extended Essay History Topics: Examples & Tips

Choosing from all the possible IB extended essay history topics can feel daunting. History is such a vast subject, and the EE comes with strict IB assessment criteria. The truth is, the best essays don’t try to cover everything. They focus on a sharp research question, backed by both primary and secondary sources. A strong History EE shows analysis, not just narration, and engages with historians’ debates.

This guide explains what makes a good IB History EE topic, offers example questions across different regions and themes, and gives tips on choosing and refining your own idea with confidence.

Key Takeaways

• A good IB History EE is focused, analytical, narrow enough for depth, and rooted in evidence.

• You need both primary sources (e.g. letters, speeches, newspapers) and secondary sources (historians’ interpretations).

• Your topic must focus on the human past (at least 10 years ago) — the IB’s “10-year rule”.

• Strong essays use analytical stems (e.g. “To what extent…”, “How significant…”) and show awareness of key concepts such as causation, consequence, change, continuity, significance, and perspectives.

What Makes a Good IB History Extended Essay Topic?

The IB Extended Essay (opens in a new tab) is judged against strict criteria. Markers want to see evidence of focus, analysis, and research skills. This means your history topic needs to be specific, debatable, and supported by strong sources.

The best IB extended essay history topics usually have these qualities:

• Focused and manageable: Broad themes like “World War II” or “The Cold War” are too large to cover in depth. Narrowing to a clear research question, such as the role of propaganda in Mussolini’s Italy between 1922 and 1926, works much better.

• Debatable: Your question should encourage argument and interpretation. Phrases like “To what extent…” or “How significant was…” are especially effective because they invite analysis, not description.

• Source-rich: You need access to relevant primary sources (such as speeches, letters, diaries, or government records) and secondary sources (historians’ interpretations). Essays relying mainly on textbooks or encyclopedias risk being descriptive rather than analytical.

• Aligned with IB expectations: The EE should demonstrate critical thinking, engagement with historiography, and a structured argument. Using IB History key concepts, such as causation, consequence, change, continuity, significance, and perspectives, can help you sharpen your focus.

• Historically valid: Topics must focus on the human past and be at least 10 years old (the “10-year rule”). Anything more recent counts as current affairs and will limit your marks.

• Disciplinary focus: Even if you explore areas like music, sport, or social movements, your approach must remain historical, not drift into other subject areas such as cultural studies or sociology.

If you’re unsure where to start, revisit your IB History course content. Often, a classroom essay or Internal Assessment can be developed into a sharper EE question. For more practical advice, see our guide on how to choose your IB Extended Essay topic.

IB History EE Topic Ideas by Theme and Region

Here are some example IB extended essay history topics with suggested research questions to inspire you. Notice how each broad theme is narrowed down into something specific and manageable. All examples follow the IB’s 10-year rule (they focus on the human past at least a decade ago) and use analytical wording to encourage debate rather than description.

Remember: these are starting points. You’ll need to refine your own question and check that you can access enough primary and secondary sources.

Europe

• Treaty of Versailles and its consequences
  To what extent did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the rise of Hitler between 1919 and 1933?

• Mussolini’s rise to power
  How significant was the role of propaganda in Mussolini’s consolidation of power in Italy, 1922–1926?

• Women in wartime France
  To what extent did women’s contributions to the French Resistance influence post-war gender roles in France, 1940–1945?

• German unification
  To what extent was nationalism more important than Prussian military strength and diplomacy in the unification of Germany under Bismarck, 1862–1871?

• Cold War in Europe
  To what extent did détente in the 1970s reduce Cold War tensions in Europe?

The Americas

• Cold War interventions in Latin America
  How far did US involvement in the Chilean coup of 1973 reflect Cold War ideological tensions?

• US domestic policy
  To what extent did the New Deal transform the role of the federal government in the USA, 1933–1941?

• Women in revolution
  How significant was the role of women in the Cuban Revolution, 1953–1959?

• The Civil Rights Movement
  To what extent was grassroots activism more important than federal intervention in securing the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

• US policy in Central America
  To what extent did US policy in Central America during the 1980s align with Cold War objectives?

Asia and the Middle East

• Partition of India
  To what extent were religious tensions more significant than political factors in causing the Partition of India, 1947?

• The Cultural Revolution in China
  To what extent did the Cultural Revolution transform Chinese education, 1966–1976?

• Oil and politics
  How significant was oil in shaping Middle Eastern politics during the Arab–Israeli conflicts of the 1970s?

• Japanese imperialism
  To what extent did Japanese imperial policy change between 1931 and 1945?

• Shaping Middle Eastern borders
  To what extent did the Sykes–Picot Agreement of 1916 influence the creation of modern Middle Eastern borders?

Africa

• The end of apartheid
  To what extent did external economic pressures contribute to the end of apartheid in South Africa?

• Kenya and decolonisation
  How significant was the Mau Mau Uprising in accelerating Kenya’s independence movement?

• Ghana after independence
  To what extent did Nkrumah’s policies lay the foundations for Ghana’s post-independence development?

• The Angolan Civil War
  How far did Cold War rivalry influence the course of the Angolan Civil War, 1975–1991?

• The Scramble for Africa
  To what extent did the Berlin Conference of 1884–1885 determine Africa’s colonial borders?

World Wars

• Women in World War I
  To what extent did women’s roles in Britain during World War I challenge existing gender norms?

• Russia and World War I
  How far was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk a turning point in World War I?

• Allied intelligence in World War II
  How significant was codebreaking at Bletchley Park in securing the Allied victory in World War II?

• The Pacific War
  To what extent did the use of atomic bombs determine Japan’s decision to surrender in 1945?

• Nazi propaganda
  How far did propaganda films influence public opinion in Nazi Germany, 1933–45?

Revolutions and Ideologies

• The Russian Revolution
  How far was Lenin’s leadership responsible for the success of the Bolshevik Revolution?

• The French Revolution
  To what extent did the French Revolution of 1789 represent a decisive break from the ancien régime?

• The Chinese Communist Revolution
  How significant was ideology in shaping the Chinese Communist Revolution, 1945–1949?

• The press in 19th-century Europe
  To what extent did the press contribute to the spread of revolutionary ideas in France during 1848?

• The Iranian Revolution
  To what extent was the Iranian Revolution of 1979 driven more by religion than by politics?

How to Choose the Right Topic for You

Here are some checks to help you choose your IB History EE topic:

• Start from your own curiosity: Think about which parts of your IB History course caught your attention. Was there a leader, a revolution, or a policy that made you want to know more?

• Think in key concepts: Frame your question around ideas like causation, consequence, significance, or perspectives. For example, instead of asking “What happened during the Cuban Revolution?” you could ask “How significant was Castro’s leadership in shaping the Cuban Revolution, 1956–1959?”

• Check for sources early: Strong essays use both primary sources (like speeches, letters, or government records) and secondary sources (historians’ interpretations). If you can’t find enough of both, refine your question.

• Test the scope: Ask yourself, “Could I do justice to this in 4,000 words?” If the answer is no, narrow it down.

• Aim for analysis, not narration: The strongest questions push you toward argument rather than description.

• Play to your strengths: Pick a topic where your existing knowledge, language skills, or access to resources give you an edge.

If you’re unsure, talk to your History teacher or IB Coordinator. They can help you refine your question and check whether it’s realistic within the IB rules.

Mistakes to Avoid in Your History EE

Even strong students can lose marks if their topic or approach isn’t right. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Breaking the 10-year rule: Essays must deal with events at least 10 years in the past.

• Choosing something too broad: Topics like “World War II” can’t be covered meaningfully in 4,000 words; you need a precise question and a short timeframe.

• Writing a narrative instead of an argument: A simple “what happened” essay won’t score well. Your EE should analyse causes, consequences, or significance, and engage with historians’ interpretations.

• Neglecting primary sources: Essays that rely only on textbooks or general summaries tend to be descriptive. You need a range of primary sources (letters, diaries, speeches, newspapers) and secondary sources (historians’ debates).

• Ignoring historiography: The best essays show awareness of how historians disagree. Even a brief discussion of different perspectives adds depth.

• Leaving your question vague: Weak research questions lead to weak essays. Phrasing like “To what extent…?”, “How significant…?”, or “How far…?” pushes you toward a stronger analytical argument.

A good way to test your topic is to draft a provisional research question and ask yourself: “Could I give a clear, evidence-based answer to this in 4,000 words?” If not, narrow or reframe it before moving ahead. 

When you’ve settled on your idea, our guide to structuring the IB Extended Essay will help you shape it into a clear, well-organised essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I narrow down my IB History EE topic?

Start broad, then refine step by step. 

For example, if you’re interested in the Cold War, you could narrow it to US policy in Central America in the 1980s, then refine again to: “To what extent did US involvement in the Salvadoran Civil War reflect Cold War ideological tensions?” Each step makes the project more manageable.

Do I need to use primary sources in my History EE?

Yes. Strong essays use both primary and secondary sources. 

Relying only on textbooks or summaries will limit your marks. Engaging with both types of evidence and showing awareness of their limitations is essential for scoring well. For a full breakdown of what examiners reward, see our guide on how the IB Extended Essay is graded.

Can I compare two countries or events in my EE?

Yes, if the comparison is sharply focused. 

For example, “To what extent did propaganda shape political control in Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy between 1933 and 1939?” works because the time frame and factors are narrow enough for 4,000 words. Broad comparisons, “How did World War II affect the USA and Japan?” are far too big for the EE.

Final Thoughts

Picking your IB History EE topic can seem overwhelming, but remember the core ingredients: a question that is sharply focused, supported by good sources, and open to debate. If your idea ticks those boxes, you’re on the right track.

Don’t worry if your first idea feels too broad. Refining it is part of the process. Discuss with your teacher, explore the available sources, and refine your focus until it feels realistic. And remember, your EE should not simply extend your History Internal Assessment: it needs its own distinct question and sources.

With the right preparation, your History EE can be one of the most rewarding parts of the IB - a chance to deepen your historical understanding and develop your research skills.

Consult our complete IB Extended Essay guide for step-by-step advice to help you through the process, alongside our IB study guides and IB History resources.

References:

Extended essay - International Baccalaureate® (opens in a new tab)

IB Extended essay - Subject Brief (opens in a new tab)