Yes just run a hypothesis test. The null hypothesis will be that b=0 (they do not relate) and the altlernative hypothesis will be that be is not equal to 0 (They do relate). If you find the p-value to be larger than 0.05, do not reject the null hypothesis and conclude that there is not statistical evidence suggesting the two groups are related.
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.