A history research paper can be a lot of work. Mainly since history deals with the past there is a lot of information available as the event already happened. Depending on your chosen time period or event for your history research paper this can be both a positive or negative factor. Certain topics for a history research paper will have an abundance of sources available in many formats. All major wars, formation of countries etc are very well documented. Depending on the significance of the event on your culture there may also be documentaries and movies available to use in your history research paper.
Many of these topics have been well researched and written about extensively. However you might wish to choose a sub-topic in the general overview of that time that has not generally been investigated. The search for relevant sources to use in your history research paper then becomes more difficult. You will need to look in the indices of books, scan chapter titles and text. Your chosen history research paper topic may be embedded in a larger event and you will need to go through sources until you find pertinent information for your history research paper.
While it can be interesting to write a history research paper on a little known topic remember the time frame in which you have to write the paper. Will you have enough time to do an in depth literature search. How much other work do you have to complete besides your history research paper. A more general topic might not be quite as interesting but it will be easier to collect sources, as a wide variety of information will be available. However if you have the time pursue that fascinating topic, then go for it. It will be hard work but the reward will be that much sweeter, especially since the grader will more likely be interested in reading your history research paper.