GlobalHistoryThematicEssayReview

NewYorkStatehasidentifiedtwenty-fourthemesofGlobalHistory.Ofthosetwenty-four,onlytwelvehaveeverbeenusedforathematic
essayontheGlobalHistoryandGeographyRegentsexam,andonlysevenhavebeenrepeatedmorethanonce.Thisreviewsheetliststhe
seventhemesthathavebeenrepeatedontheRegentsexamstartingwiththethosemostfrequentlyasked,providesthepromptsthathave
beenusedinthepastandsuggestedtopicsthatwillhelpstudentspreparefortheexam.Topicchoiceshavebeenmadesostudentshaveless
topicstopreparefortheexam.Forexample,itissuggestedthatstudentsbepreparedtowriteaboutNelsonMandelaandtheendofApartheid
becausethattopiccanbepreparedforthematicessaysonChangeandHumanRights,.

Pleaseusethistableofcontentstohelpnavigatethedocument.

Theme

#ofTimesontheRegents

ReviewTopics

1a.Change:Individualswhohavecausedchange

MohandasGandhi
NelsonMandela

1b.Change:Revolutionsandturningpoints

NeolithicRevolution
IndustrialRevolution
FrenchRevolution
RussianRevolution

2.HumanandPhysicalGeography

Rivers
Mountains

3.HumanRights

IndianIndependenceMovement
ApartheidinSouthAfrica

4.ScienceandTechnology

PrintingPress
SteamEngine

5.Conflict

FrenchRevolution
RussianRevolution

6.BeliefSystems

Hinduism
Islam

7.EnvironmentandSociety

Deforestation
Desertification

CHANGE-Individualswhocausedchange

Previousprompts:
August,2014

June,2014

Selecttwopoliticalleadersandforeach
Describethehistoricalcircumstancesthatbroughtthis
politicalleadertopower
Explainonepolicyorpracticethatwasputintoeffectunder
thisleader
Discusshowthispolicyorpracticeaffectedaspecific
groupofpeopleorsocietyorregion

Selecttwoindividualswhohavechallengedtraditionor
authorityandforeach
Describetheestablishedtraditionorauthorityasitexisted
beforeitwaschallengedbytheindividual
Discusshowtheindividualchallengedestablishedtradition
orauthority
Discusstheextenttowhichchangewasachievedasa
resultofthischallenge

January,2012

June,2010

Selecttwoindividualsfromyourstudyofglobalhistoryand
foreach
Describethehistoricalcircumstancesthatledthisindividual
todevelopormodifyanidea
Explainanactiontakenbythisindividualasaresultofthis
idea
Discusshowthisindividualsideaaffectedasociety

Selecttwoindividualsandforeach
Explainaspecificideadevelopedbytheindividual
Describethehistoricalcircumstancesthatsurroundedthe
developmentoftheidea
Discusshowtheideainfluencedagrouporanationora
region

January,2006

August,2005

Choosetwophilosophersand/orleadersandforeach
Explainamajorideaorbeliefofthatphilosopherorleader
Discusshowthatideaorbeliefchangedonenationor
region

Identifytwoleaderswhochangedthesocietyinwhichthey
livedandforeach
Describeonesituationtheleaderattemptedtochange
Describeoneactiontheleadertooktochangethissituation
Discusstheimpactofthatactiononthesocietyinwhichthe
leaderlived

January,2004

August,2002

Identifytwoindividualswhohavechangedglobalhistoryand
foreach:
Explainonebelieforachievementofthatindividual
Discussthepositiveand/ornegativeeffectsofthe
individualsbelieforachievement

Choosetwoindividualsfromyourstudyofglobalhistoryand
geographyandforeachindividualchosen:
Discusstwospecificchangesmadebytheindividualina
specificnationorregion
Evaluatewhetherthesechangeshavehadapositiveora
negativeeffectonthatnationorregion

Change-IndividualsSuggestedTopics:MohandasGandhiandNelsonMandela
Change-IndividualsTopic#1:
HistoricalCircumstance

ChangesMade

Impact(Effects)


Change-IndividualsTopic#2:
HistoricalCircumstance

ChangesMade

Impact(Effects)

CHANGE-Revolutionsandturningpoints

Previousprompts:
June,2013

January,2013

Selecttworevolutionsandforeach
Describethehistoricalcircumstancesleadingtothis
revolution
Discussthepolitical,economic,and/orsocialeffectsofthis
revolution

Selecttwosituationswherethecollapseofagovernment
hasledtosignificantchangesinacountryorregionandfor
each
Describethehistoricalcircumstancesthatledtothe
collapseofagovernment
Discussthepolitical,social,and/oreconomicchangesthat
occurredasaresultofthecollapseofthatgovernment

January,2008

June,2007

Identifytwononpoliticalrevolutionsthatbroughtimportant
intellectual,economic,and/orsocialchangestosocietiesand
foreach
Describeonechangebroughtaboutbythisnonpolitical
revolution
Discussanimpactthisnonpoliticalrevolutionhadona
specificsocietyorsocieties

Chooseoneexamplefromglobalhistorywhereagovernment
attemptedtochangesocietyand
Describethechangethegovernmentwantedtobringabout
Explainwhythegovernmentwantedtomakethischange
Describeonespecificpolicythegovernmentusedtotryto
bringaboutthischange
Discusstheextenttowhichthischangewasachieved

January,2005

June,2004

Identifytwo20th-centurypoliticaleventsandforeach
Discussthehistoricalcircumstancessurroundingtheevent
Evaluatetheextenttowhichthiseventhashadapositiveor
anegativeeffectonglobalhistory

Identifytwomajorturningpointsinglobalhistoryandfor
each:Describethehistoricalcircumstancessurrounding
theturningpoint
Explainhoweachturningpointchangedthecourseof
history

January,2003

August,2001

Chooseonepoliticalrevolutionfromyourstudyofglobal
historyandgeographyand:
Explainthecausesoftherevolution
Describetheeffectsthispoliticalrevolutionhadonsociety
Evaluatewhetherthechangesthatresultedfromthe
politicalrevolutionresolvedtheproblemsthatcausedit

Identifytwoturningpointsfromyourstudyofglobalhistory
andforeach:
Describethecausesandkeyeventsthatledtotheturning
point
Explainhoweachturningpointchangedthecourseof
historyfornationsandpeoples

January,2001

Definethetermindustrialization
Selectonenationyouhavestudiedanddiscusstwo
specificexamplesofthewaysinwhichindustrialization
changedthelivesofworkersinthatnation
Discusstheresponseoftheworkers,reformers,and/or
governmenttothesechanges

Non-PoliticalRevolutionsSuggestedTopics:NeolithicRevolutionandIndustrialRevolution
Non-PoliticalRevolutionTopic#1:
HistoricalCircumstances/Causes

Impact(Effects)


Non-PoliticalRevolutionTopic#2:
HistoricalCircumstances/Causes

Impact(Effects)

PoliticalRevolutionsSuggestedTopics:FrenchRevolutionandRussianRevolution
PoliticalRevolutionTopic#1:
HistoricalCircumstances/Causes

ShortTermImpact(Effects)

LongTermImpact(Effects)


PoliticalRevolutionTopic#2:
HistoricalCircumstances/Causes

ShortTermImpact(Effects)

LongTermImpact(Effects)

HumanandPhysicalGeography

Previousprompts:
January,2015

June,2012

Selecttwogeographicfeaturesandforeach
Discusshowthisgeographicfeatureinfluencedthepolitical,
economic,social,and/orhistoricaldevelopmentsina
countryorregion

Selecttwodifferentgeographicfeaturesandforeach
Discusshowthisgeographicfeatureinfluencedthe
developmentofaspecificcivilizationorregion
Discusshowthisgeographicfeaturepromotedand/or
limitedtheinteractionofthiscivilizationorregionwith
anothercivilizationorregion

January,2011

January,2009

Selectthreedifferentgeographicfeaturesandforeach
Discusshowthisgeographicfeatureinfluencedthe
historicaland/orculturaldevelopmentofaspecific
civilization,empire,country,orregion

Selecttwodifferentgeographicfactorsandforeach
Explainhowthegeographicfactoraffectedthe
developmentofaspecificnation/region
Discusshowthatgeographicfactorpromotedorhindered
culturaldiffusion

August,2008

August,2003

Selecttwodifferentnations/regionsandforeach
Explainwhythesocietymodifiedtheirenvironment
Explainhowthepeopleofthatspecificnation/region
modifiedtheirphysicalenvironment
Discusstheeffectthismodificationhadonthat
nation/region

Selectonegeographicfactorthatinfluencedlifeinanation
orregionbeforeA.D.1500,andusingspecificexamples,
discusstheinfluenceofthatgeographicfactoronthepeople
ofthatnationorregion
Selectadifferentgeographicfactorthatinfluencedlifeina
nationorregionafterA.D.1500,andusingspecific
examples,discusstheinfluenceofthatgeographicfactoron
thepeopleofthatnationorregion

June,2002
Selecttwochangesthatasocietyortwodifferentsocieties
havemadetotheirlandorsurroundingenvironment,andfor
eachchange:
Identifythesocietyinwhichthechangetookplace
Describehowthephysicalenvironmentwaschangedby
humanactivity
Discusshowthechangeinthephysicalenvironment
affectedsociety

January,2002
Choosetwonationsand/orregionsandforeach:
Identifyanddescribetwogeographicfactorsineachnation
and/orregion
Explainhoweachfactorhasinfluencedthehistorical
developmentoraspecifichistoricaleventineachnation
and/orregion

June,2001

Selectonegeographicfeaturefromyourstudyofglobal
history.
Explainhowthisgeographicfeaturehashadaneffecton
thehistoricaldevelopmentoftwonationsorregions
Besuretoincludespecifichistoricalexamplesinyouressay.

10

GeographicFeaturesthatHumanshaveModifiedSuggestedTopics:RiversandMountains
GeographicFeaturesthatHumanshaveModifiedTopic#1:
Howthegeographicfeatureaffectedanation/region

Howhumansmodifiedthegeographicfeatureinone
nation/regiontobestfittheirneeds

11


GeographicFeaturesthatHumanshaveModifiedTopic#2:
Howthegeographicfeatureaffectedanation/region

Howhumansmodifiedthegeographicfeaturenation/regionto
bestfittheirneeds

12


Regions/NationsAffectedbyGeographicFeaturesSuggestedTopics:GreatBritainandJapan
Regions/NationsAffectedbyGeographicFeaturesTopic#1:

Identifythegeographicfactorsthatinfluencedthat
nation/region.

Explainhowthegeographicfactorsinfluencedthe
historicaldevelopmentofthatnationorregion.

13

Regions/NationsAffectedbyGeographicFeaturesTopic#2:

Identifythegeographicfactorsthatinfluencedthat
nation/region.

Explainhowthegeographicfactorsinfluencedthe
historicaldevelopmentofthatnationorregion.

14

HumanRights

Previousprompts:
January,2014

June,2009

Selecttwoindividualsandforeach
Describethehistoricalcircumstancesthatledtheindividual
todefendhumanrights
Describeamethodtheindividualusedtodefendhuman
rights
Discusstheextenttowhichtheindividualseffortwas
successful

Selecttwodifferentexamplesfromhistorywherehuman
rightshavebeendeniedtogroupsofpeopleandforeach
Explainthehistoricalcircumstancesthatledtothedenialof
humanrights
Describehowthehumanrightsofthatgroupweredenied
Discussanactiontakenbyanindividual,agroup,ora
governmentthatattemptedtoendthehumanrights
violations

January,2007
Selecttwogroupswhohaveexperiencedhumanrights
violationsinaspecificnationorregionandfore
ach
Describeonehistoricalcircumstancethatledtoahuman
rightsviolationinthenationorregion
Describeoneexampleofahumanrightsviolationinthat
nationorregion
Discusstheextenttowhichagovernment,agroup,oran
individualmadeanattempttoresolvethishumanrights
violation

June,2000
Definethetermhumanrights
Identifytwoexamplesofhumanrightsviolationsthathave
occurredinaspecifictimeandplace
Describethecausesofthesehumanrightsviolations
Foroneoftheviolationsidentified,discussonespecific
effortthatwasmadeorisbeingmadetodealwiththe
violation

15

HumanRightsViolationSuggestedTopics:IndianIndependenceMovementandMohandasGandhiandApartheidinSouthAfricaand
NelsonMandela
HumanRightsViolationTopic#1:
HistoricalCircumstances/Causes

DescribeHumanRightsViolations

DescribetheActionsofaPerson/Group
thatAttemptedtoResolvetheHuman
RightsViolation

16


HumanRightsViolationTopic#2:
HistoricalCircumstances/Causes

DescribeHumanRightsViolations

DescribetheActionsofaPerson/Group
thatAttemptedtoResolvetheHuman
RightsViolation

17

ScienceandTechnology

Previousprompts:
August,2012
Selecttwotechnologicalinnovationsandforeach
Describetheexistingtechnologythatwasreplacedbythis
newtechnologicalinnovationandhowthisnewinnovation
changedtheexistingtechnology
Discusstheeffectsthisnewtechnologicalinnovationhas
hadonasocietyortheworld

June,2011
Selecttwotechnologicalinnovationsandforeach
Discusswhythetechnologicalinnovationwasimportant
duringaspecifictimeperiod
Discussthepositiveand/ornegativeeffectsthis
technologicalinnovationhadonasocietyoronhumankind

August,2000

Identifytwoscientificortechnologicaladvancesthathada
majorimpactonglobalhistory
Explaintherelationshipbetweenthescientificor
technologicaladvanceandaspecifichistoriceventorperiod
inhistory
Analyzehowtheseadvanceschangedthecourseofhistory

18

ScienceandTechnologySuggestedTopics:PrintingPressandSteamEngine
ScienceandTechnologyTopic#1:
HistoricalCircumstances/Causes

Effects

19


ScienceandTechnologyTopic#2:
HistoricalCircumstances/Causes

Effects

20

Conflict

Previousprompts:
August,2013

June,2006

Selecttwoarmedconflictsandforeach
Describethehistoricalcircumstancesleadingtothisarmed
conflict
Discussthewaysinwhichthisarmedconflictaffecteda
specificgroupofpeople,acountry,and/oraregion

Identifyoneconflictthathasthreatenedpeaceinanationor
regionand
Discussonemajorcauseofthatconflict
Identifytwoopposinggroupsinvolvedintheconflictand
discussoneviewpointofeachgroup
Discusstheextenttowhichtheconflictwasorwasnot
resolved

June,2003

Identifytwoethnic,religious,political,and/orcultural
conflictsandforeach:
Discussthehistoricalcircumstancesthatledtotheconflict
Analyzetheeffectofthisconflictontwogroupsinvolved

21

ConflictSuggestedTopics:TheFrenchRevolutionandWorldWarI
ConflictTopic#1:
HistoricalCircumstances/Causes

Effects

22


ConflictTopic#2:
HistoricalCircumstances/Causes

Effects

23

BeliefSystems

Previousprompts:
August,2009

June,2008

Selecttwobeliefsystemsfromyourstudyofglobalhistory
andforeach
Explainonemajorideaofthebeliefsystem
Discusstheeffectsthebeliefsystemhashadonthe
politics,society,and/ortheeconomyofaspecificnationor
region

Choosetwomajorbeliefsystemsandforeach
Explainkeybeliefsand/orpractices
Discussaninfluencethebeliefsystemhadonthelivesofits
followersorthesocietyinwhichitwaspracticed

BeliefSystemSuggestedTopics:HinduismandIslam
BeliefSystemTopic#1:
BeliefsandPractices

EffectsoftheBeliefSystemonitsFollowersortheSocietyin
whichitwasPracticed

24


BeliefSystemTopic#2:
BeliefsandPractices

EffectsoftheBeliefSystemonitsFollowersortheSocietyin
whichitwasPracticed

25

EnvironmentandSociety

Previousprompts:
August,20111
Selecttwoglobalissuesthathaveoccurredsincetheendof
WorldWarIIandforeach
Describehowthisissuehasaffectedaspecificcountryor
regionortheglobalcommunity
Explainasolutionthathasbeenproposedtoaddressthe
issue
Discusstheextenttowhichthissolutionhasbeen
successfulinsolvingtheissue

June,2005
Selecttwodifferentglobalproblemsandforeach
Describeonemajorcauseoftheglobalproblem
Discussoneeffectoftheglobalproblemonaspecific
nationorregion

TheAugust,2011themewasChange-GlobalProblemsithasbeenmovedunderEnvironmentandSocietyhere

26

EnvironmentandSocietySuggestedTopics:DeforestationandDesertification
EnvironmentandSocietyTopic#1:
Causes

Effects

DescribeanAttempttoSolvetheIssue

27

EnvironmentandSocietyTopic#2:
Causes

Effects

DescribeanAttempttoSolvetheIssue

28