If you need more than forms and entities then use Spring. Spring is more than an Web Framework, it is a complete IC Container together with an "integrated" Web Framwork (Spring MVC). So if you need a application service layer, then give Spring 3.0 a try.
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.