Just because he's been through tough times does not mean he will turn to violent and abusive behavior. Ask your dad how he would feel if someone judged him just because his parents died? It' not in his control and it's not his fault...it doesn't make him a bad person and it sounds like he's dealing just fine.
There is probably ulterior reasons behind this maybe it is race you need to talk more to him.
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.