Question: The concept of national self-determination has been around, if not the terminology, since at least the French Revolution. As World War I progressed and ended, it became the main objective of nations to either achieve self-determination or to maintain it. The desire of nations to achieve or maintain their self-determination has led to a variety of different conflicts around the globe, both big and small. What has been the most significant challenge nations have faced in their efforts to either achieve or maintain their self-determination?
In your answer, you are required to draw on two different examples from two different parts of the world. Ideally one example would be from the period between 1900-1945 while the other example would be from the post-World War II era (so after 1945). Your examples may either be of nations seeking to achieve self-determination, of nations seeking to maintain their self-determination, or one of each.
Before you do anything else for this essay, make absolute certain that you understand what the term self-determination means in the context of nation-states. If you do not understand that it will throw your entire essay off course. Make sure you draw on examples for which you have a primary source and that you feel confident you understand.
As is the norm in historical essay writing, you must have a thesis (or argument). Your thesis should be an answer to question I asked (see the question in italics above). You must then support your thesis with historical evidence. In this case, that means your two examples, for which you should have primary sources to use as the evidence. Typically, the thesis will be the final sentence of your introduction. Avoid making your thesis into a list, especially a list of 3 things that you then use as the basis for the 3 paragraphs that make up the body of your essay. A thesis should be a singular, cohesive argument.
Clearly, there has been more than one significant challenge nations have faced regarding their self-determination. The question asks you to choose one, so it is to a degree a matter of interpretation, but that interpretation needs to be rooted in historical evidence. You must be able to back up whatever your thesis ends up being.
Essay Requirements:
Your essay must include a thesis statement (or argument) that provides a clear answer to the question as well as supporting evidence.
While your cases are part of the evidence for your answer, you must still use actual sources as supporting evidence. You are required to use a minimum of two primary sources that were assigned to you this term.
The essay should be 4-6 typed, double-spaced pages. Use a standard, 12-point font with normal margins. Please note that a minimum of 4 pages means 3.5 pages at the very least. Anything shorter than that will be docked significantly. After 6 pages, I will stop reading.
Include page numbers.
You must include citations for the required primary sources you use. Using parenthetical references or footnotes is acceptable. If you use parenthetical references, you must include the author and the page number as seen at the end of this sentence (Overfield, 232). Here is an example of how to do footnotes.[1]
This essay is a formal writing assignment thus spelling, grammar, syntax (sentence structure), organization, and readability will be part of the grade for the essay. Proof-read your essay before submitting it.