-
The Great Debate 2019: speeches
What was the greatest failure of the Age of Revolutions?
On Saturday 30 March 2019, a bright spring day, 21 students gathered at Windsor Castle for the Historical Association Great Debate final. The 21 finalists had already successfully won their local heats from across the UK and now they stood in the historic vaulted Vicar’s Hall, St George’s House, a stone's throw...
The Great Debate 2019: speeches
-
The Great Debate 2025
The HA's public speaking competition open to school years 10-13
What is the Great Debate?
The Great Debate is a public speaking competition where students have 5 minutes to present their speech arguing their answer to the question.
Over the past couple of years the competition has been growing in size, to encourages many young people to get involved as possible...
The Great Debate 2025
-
Great Debate FAQs
The Great Debate
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Great Debate and the logistics of the heats.
If you need more information, you can get in touch with us directly at greatdebate@history.org.uk.
How does the debate work?
Each student will have five minutes to deliver their argument in response to the...
Great Debate FAQs
-
The Great Debate 2020: speeches
Should we judge historical figures by the morals of today?
Many things have been different this year – especially things that involve people coming together physically in one setting. That was certainly the case for our Great Debate competition. Fortunately, all of the regional heats had taken place across the UK before the first lockdown came into effect last spring,...
The Great Debate 2020: speeches