Yes it does all the time. It's dynamic too so uses more or less depending on the graphics being displayed. If you're running 2GB of RAM it's no wonder you running slow.
Sounds like you have a very old computer anyway. Time for a new machine.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.