Keep a list of key people, dates and places. If you get stuck, you can go back to that list
Try out these databases - listed in order of recommendation:
Opposing Viewpoints (Gale in Context)
World History: the Modern Era
Middle School (Gale in Context)
Global Issues (Gale in Context)
EBSCO eBooks
Gale eBooks
JSTOR
New York Times, Historical 1851 - 2012