1. 2017-2018 Conflict & Compromise in History
National History Day
Conflict & Compromise in History

2. 2018 NHD Theme – Conflict & Compromise in History
To take a stand, one must take a firm position on an issue. Historically, National History Day (NHD) students will spend the 2017–2018 school year delving into a topic based on the theme Conflict & Compromise in History. Each year National History Day uses a theme to provide a lens to study history. The theme is always broad enough so that you can select topics from any place (local, national, or world history) and any time period. Once you choose your topic, you investigate historical context, historical significance, and the topic’s relationship to the theme by conducting research in libraries, archives, and museums; through oral history interviews; and by visiting historic sites. This year’s theme, Conflict & Compromise in History, requires you to view history through multiple perspectives. Compromise can sometimes prevent a conflict, but what happens when it does not? If a conflict occurs, how can compromise help to end the conflict? What happens if a failed compromise leads to an even larger conflict? Throughout this academic year, you will need to ask yourself these questions and more. (*Read your 2018 NHD Themebook)

3. 2018 NHD Theme – Conflict & Compromise in History
No Taxation Without Representation: The Failed
Compromise That Led to a Revolution
Preventing Conflict: The Compromise of 1850
Conflicting Opinions, Compromised Values: The Vietnam Generation
The Troubles: The Conflict and Compromise of Ireland

4. 2018 NHD Theme – Conflict & Compromise in History
Galileo: The Conflict and Compromise Between
Science and Catholicism
The Munich Agreement: Appeasing Conflict
The Six Day War

5. 2018 NHD Theme – Conflict & Compromise in History
Historical Context & Impact are crucial!
What’s going on: Before, During & After your topic?
What was happening before that led to your
Conflict & Compromise in History topic?
Why did your topic occur at the time and place it did?
What was the significance of your topic? Why is it important historically?
How has/will your topic altered various aspects of society? How has/does it affect us,
society, our country & the world today?

6. The Bowtie – Cause & Effect
Slavery ends after the Civil War and
whites pass segregation laws, starting
the Jim Crow era & civil rights
conflicts
Martin Luther King Jr. is called to
lead a bus boycott in Montgomery
Rosa Parks Refuses to Give up Her Seat & is Arrested
So many African Americans boycott,
the bus company has to compromise & change its policy
Montgomery AL had a law requiring segregation on busses
The boycott sparks the Civil Rights Movement
Rosa Parks finally has enough

7. Topics should be historically significant
Topics should be at least 20 years old (1997 & before)
Events that took place in the last 20 years are hard to prove as historically significant
or Hurricane Katrina
Sorry, you can’t do September 11

8. Requirements for all projects
Your entry must include the following written material in the order presented below:
1. a title page
2. a process paper
3. an annotated bibliography

9. Title Page
A title page is required as the first page of written material in every category. Your title page must include only the title of your entry, your name(s), and the contest division and category in which you are entered.
NOTE: The title page must not include any other information (pictures, graphics, borders, school name, or grade) except for that described in this rule.

10. Process Paper
All categories except historical paper must include a process paper with the entry. It must describe in 500 words or less how you conducted your research and created your entry. The process paper must include four sections that explain:
1. how you chose your topic;
2. how you conducted your research;
3. how you selected your presentation category
and created your project; and
4. how your project relates to the NHD theme.
You can view sample process papers at on the “Creating an Entry” page in the Contest section.

11. Annotated Bibliography
An annotated bibliography is required for all categories.
List the sources that contributed to the development of your entry, sources that provided usable information or new perspectives in preparing your entry.
You likely will include fewer sources than you actually used. Sources of visual materials and oral interviews must be included.
The annotations for each source must explain how you used the source and how it helped you understand your topic.
For example:
Bates, Daisy. The Long Shadow of Little Rock. New York: David McKay Co. Inc., 1962.
Daisy Bates was the president of the Arkansas NAACP and the one who met and listened to the students each day. This firsthand account was very important to my paper because it made me more aware of the feelings of the people involved.

12. Project Categories There are four categories to choose from:
Documentary
Exhibit
Performance
Website

13. Historical Documentary
Make your own documentary.
Things to think about:
Am I interested in using computers, cameras, and other technologies?
Can I conduct and record interviews (for the purpose of including film clips in the documentary)?
Can I find film clips to use in my documentary?
Are there enough still photographs related to my topic and that I can use in my documentary?
Do I have access to equipment that will be needed to make a documentary?
Is creating a documentary the best way to show off my topic?

14. Exhibit
The exhibit category is three dimensional and is displayed on a physical structure.  Exhibits use color, images, documents, objects, graphics, and design, as well as words, to tell your story.  Exhibits can be interactive experiences by asking viewers to play music, solve a puzzle, look at a video, or open a door or window to see more documents or photos.  

15. Exhibit

16. Performance
The performance category is the only one that is presented live. Developing a strong narrative that allows your subject to unfold in a dramatic and visually interesting way is important. Memorizing, rehearsing, and refining your script is essential, so you should schedule time for this in addition to research, writing, costuming and prop gathering.

17. Website Create your own website about your topic.
You must use the NHD web generator for it to be a valid entry.
You need access to the internet and a computer.

18. Some Tips Do not work with friends
Local issues and history are more likely to move on.
You cannot work with a student whom is not in your period.
Meet the bench mark deadlines.
No groups over three people.
You must have your topic selected by Oct. 6
(*It cannot be changed.)