The "AP" in AP World History stands for "Advanced Placement" and these AP courses are taken by high school students because they can get college credit for he class. The AP exam is important because the grade directly correlates with whether or not the college gives you credit for that subject.The ultimate goal and reason to do a research project for AP World History is to score well in the AP exam. AP exams like to ask comparative questions in regards to other countries and look for links between that information and the policies and practices of Europe and the United States in regards to those histories. Thus it is helpful to choose projects that focus on other countries but also have some meaning, link and consequence to other countries. According to John McCannon, the author of, "How to Prepare for the World History AP Examination," the actual AP exam is extremely broad in scope and will measure, "the student's ability to examine and analyze historical issues from a big picture perspective."
There are certain research projects for AP World History will allow you to learn many countries' histories at one time because they are all intertwined. This is helpful because it allows you to retain more information.
For example, "The Colonization of Africa" would make a good research project because the effects of this colonization resounded around the world and affected many countries' ideologies and power. You could focus on specific countries, like Belgium and the Congo; Italy and Ethiopia; France and Senegal; or England and Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda. You could discuss the reasons for colonization, if the colonization was successful, what was the result to the invading country and to the invaded country, and what consequences may have resulted to other countries due to these invasions.
Peggy Martin in her book, "5 Steps to a 5 AP World History," suggests the study of the expansion of China. See how china became a huge trading power, with the establishment of the silk road and the eventual invasion by Mongolia's Genghis Khan. The silk trade connected China to the Middle East, Asia and Europe and so you will learn about several cultures at the same time.
Another great research project for AP World History would be the study of slavery and the Atlantic Slave trade. This subject would encompass the histories of Europe, Africa, America and the West Indies and you can choose one or two slants to focus on. Some examples of different slants to research would be: How slaves in the West Indies differed to slaves in America and why slavery was established.
Choose a research project for AP World History that does not focus not primarily on the United States or a European country. It is okay to make to discuss their involvement in another countries' history or development but have the main stress and focus on the other country.