Choosing the right IB History IA topic shapes your entire investigation. A strong topic needs to be focused, source based, and narrow enough to analyse in depth. A weak topic usually becomes too descriptive and fails to meet the critical analysis requirements.

This guide gives you more than eighty IB History IA topic ideas across regions, eras, and themes such as political history, social movements, revolutions, diplomacy, imperialism, war studies, cultural history, rights movements, and more. All topics work for both SL and HL students and support strong use of primary and secondary sources.

You will also find examples of strong IA research questions, guidance on refining your topic, and common mistakes to avoid.

What Makes a Good History IA Topic

A strong History IA topic should:

1. Be narrow enough to investigate in 2,200 words
2. Have enough accessible primary and secondary sources
3. Allow clear argumentation and evaluation of evidence
4. Cover a specific historical debate or interpretation
5. Avoid broad narratives or textbook style summaries

Good History IAs answer a focused question, use real sources, and include analysis rather than description.

80 Plus IB History IA Topic Ideas

Below are strong, source friendly, cross regional, and IA appropriate topics.

Political History and Leadership

1. The effectiveness of Winston Churchill’s leadership during the early years of World War Two
2. An evaluation of Mikhail Gorbachev’s role in ending the Cold War
3. The political impact of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first New Deal programs
4. The extent to which Emperor Meiji transformed Japan’s political structure
5. An assessment of Gamal Abdel Nasser’s influence on regional politics in the Middle East
6. A study of the effectiveness of Charles de Gaulle’s leadership during the Fifth Republic
7. The impact of Deng Xiaoping’s reforms on China’s political direction
8. The role of Catherine the Great in expanding Russian power
9. The impact of Jawaharlal Nehru’s early policies on India’s political development
10. An investigation into the strengths and weaknesses of Bismarck’s foreign policy

Revolutions and Social Change

1. Comparing the causes of the French and Russian Revolutions
2. To what extent did the American Revolution transform colonial political identities
3. The influence of women in the French Revolution through pamphlets and political clubs
4. The impact of Enlightenment ideas on revolutionary movements in Latin America
5. The degree to which the Haitian Revolution challenged European colonial norms
6. Causes of the 1848 Revolutions in Central Europe
7. The role of social media in shaping modern political revolutions (with sourced comparison to earlier uprisings)
8. How industrialisation contributed to social unrest in nineteenth century England
9. The influence of youth movements on political change in the 1960s
10. The impact of the Iranian Revolution on regional political dynamics

War, Conflict, and Military History

1. The effectiveness of trench innovations during World War One
2. The role of intelligence gathering in the Battle of Midway
3. To what extent did technological advances shape the outcome of World War Two air battles
4. The influence of naval power on the outcome of the Falklands War
5. Causes of the Spanish Civil War as interpreted by different historians
6. The role of the League of Nations in shaping the Manchurian Crisis response
7. Evaluating the success of the Marshall Plan during the Cold War
8. The military significance of the D Day landings on the course of World War Two
9. The impact of propaganda on morale during the First World War
10. A study of guerrilla warfare tactics during the Vietnam War

Rights Movements and Social Justice

1. The impact of the Civil Rights Movement on desegregation in the United States
2. The role of women in shaping early feminist movements in Europe
3. The effectiveness of non violent protest strategies in global rights movements
4. The impact of apartheid policies in South Africa and the role of resistance movements
5. The influence of indigenous leaders on land rights campaigns
6. Contributions of key historical figures to the suffragette movement
7. The role of student protests in democratic reform in East Asia
8. The impact of media coverage on international human rights campaigns
9. The relationship between labor unions and social reform in the early twentieth century
10. Comparing abolitionist movements across different regions

Diplomacy, Treaties, and International Relations

1. An evaluation of the Treaty of Versailles and its long term consequences
2. The effectiveness of the United Nations during early Cold War conflicts
3. The historical significance of the Camp David Accords
4. The role of diplomacy in resolving the Cuban Missile Crisis
5. The effectiveness of the Congress of Vienna in restoring balance of power
6. The impact of early European alliances on the outbreak of World War One
7. Evaluating the success of peacekeeping missions in the late twentieth century
8. The role of international agreements in shaping nuclear policy
9. An assessment of the diplomatic strategies used in ending European colonialism
10. The influence of economic sanctions on global diplomatic relations

Imperialism, Colonialism, and Independence

1. The causes and consequences of the Scramble for Africa
2. The role of economic motives in European colonial expansion
3. The effectiveness of resistance movements in Southeast Asia
4. A comparison of British and French colonial administrative strategies
5. The cultural impact of imperial rule on local education systems
6. The influence of nationalist movements on the end of colonial empires
7. The role of local leaders in post colonial political restructuring
8. The impact of colonial borders on later regional conflicts
9. An evaluation of the Mandate System after World War One
10. Comparing independence movements in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East

Cultural, Social, and Intellectual History

1. The influence of Enlightenment philosophers on European political thought
2. The role of art and literature in shaping public opinion before major conflicts
3. The cultural significance of the Renaissance in Italy
4. How printing technology contributed to the spread of Reformation ideas
5. The impact of scientific discoveries on European societies in the seventeenth century
6. The historical importance of early universities in shaping intellectual life
7. The influence of religious movements on political identity
8. Exploring cultural exchanges along the Silk Road
9. The impact of migration on cultural identity in twentieth century Europe
10. The spread of architectural styles across different empires

Economic History and Development

1. The impact of the Industrial Revolution on urban living conditions
2. The role of trade routes in shaping medieval economic development
3. Evaluating the effectiveness of early welfare programs
4. The influence of global trade on European expansion
5. The effects of economic depressions on political movements
6. The development of banking systems and their political significance
7. The role of agricultural change in shaping rural societies
8. The historical impact of taxation systems across different eras
9. The influence of global commodity markets on colonial decision making
10. Comparing economic policies of early modern states

Mini IA Examples With Clear Historical Focus

1. The role of propaganda in shaping public morale during World War One

Possible research question
To what extent did government propaganda increase public morale during the early years of World War One

Sources
Wartime posters, newspapers, diaries, government statements

Analysis focus
Evaluate reliability, origin, content, intended audience, and historian interpretations.

2. The impact of Enlightenment ideas on the French Revolution

Possible research question
What was the influence of Enlightenment thinkers on the political ideas expressed in early revolutionary pamphlets

Sources
Primary pamphlets, letters, political writings, secondary historical analyses

Analysis focus
Evaluate contrasting interpretations and link ideas to specific revolutionary actions.

3. The effectiveness of the Marshall Plan in post war recovery

Possible research question
To what extent did the Marshall Plan contribute to economic recovery in Western Europe after World War Two

Sources
Government economic data, contemporary reports, historian interpretations

Analysis focus
Evaluate significance, limitations, and contrasting historical perspectives.

Common IA Topic Mistakes To Avoid

1. Topics that are too broad
2. Topics with insufficient available sources
3. Descriptive essays without analysis
4. Reliance on modern political opinion rather than historical evidence
5. Topics covering very recent events without scholarly debate
6. Research questions with multiple parts
7. Choosing a topic without checking primary source availability

How To Turn a History Topic Into a Research Question

Good History IA research questions are:

• Focused
• Source based
• Specific to a place and time
• Analytical

Examples:

Topic
Women in the early twentieth century

Research question
To what extent did women’s wartime work contribute to the expansion of voting rights in early twentieth century Britain

Topic
Cold War diplomacy

Research question
How significant was the role of back channel communication during the Cuban Missile Crisis negotiations

This structure keeps your IA narrow and analytical.

Final Tips for Choosing Your History IA Topic

• Check source availability first
• Avoid modern political debates
• Focus on analysis rather than narrative
• Use both primary and secondary sources
• Make sure the question is narrow and specific
• Choose a topic you genuinely want to explore

A good History IA blends strong sources with clear argumentation. Use the ideas above or your generator to build a topic that is focused, meaningful, and historically sound.

If you would like support with selecting your IA topic or developing your investigation, you can sign up on Baccalytics and connect with qualified IB tutors who provide step by step guidance.