United States History Themes
Theme 1: The Peopling of the United States
American society reflects racial, ethnic and religious diversity. This diversity has
been a source of both strength and tension in our national community. Americans often
pride themselves on the creation of a culturally diverse society. However, racial/ethnic
discrimination and violence against minority groups have also permeated our history.
Many of our ancestors came here as immigrants, leaving their homes for personal,
political, religious, economic and safety reasons. Most arrived here with hopes of finding
opportunities denied them in their native lands. Some, however, lost their freedom upon
being forcibly brought to these shores and enslaved.
The processes of immigration (and involuntary servitude) and internal migration
within the continent not only brought people from many different lands, but also brought
together rich cultures with pronounced languages, faiths, values, foods, clothing, arts and
music. This has created a tension between the conflicting desire to promote a sense of
shared common values and culture and preserving the culture and way of life of the new
immigrant groups. This tension lies at the heart of the struggle to define United States
society.
Focus Question: How did the United States become a multiracial/multicultural
society?
 What qualities or characteristics make someone uniquely "American"?
 What factors contributed to ethnic and racial diversity within the United States?
 How effectively have Americans responded to the challenges of living in a diverse
society? Are we a "model" multicultural nation?
 How has cultural diversity positively contributed to American life?
Theme 2: Technology, Environment, and the Economy of the United States
The United States has served as a global model of economic progress. An expanding
population imbued with a strong sense of individualism and competitive spirit eagerly
exploited the seemingly limitless supply of land and natural resources, producing
technological innovation and unparalleled economic expansion that elevated the quality of
life for most citizens. These developments, and the associated patterns of immigration and
migration, transformed the nation from its agricultural small town beginnings to an
industrialized and urbanized global power, producing new opportunities and challenges for
the increasingly diverse and growing populace.
However, the success of the United States economic system did not come without a
price. The competitive nature of capitalism fosters an unequal distribution of wealth which
often conflicts with the United States’ democratic ideals of political and social equality.
Technology, which frequently served as a catalyst for economic growth, also produced
enormous environmental damage and challenging social transformations. In the 21st century,
the “American Dream” increasingly rests upon a fragile environment deplete of natural
resources and a growing population often lacking the formal educational and technical skills
necessary to prosper in a competitive global economy. In this environment, the conflict
between the economic ascendancy of the individual and the common good of society is
brought into sharp relief, providing fuel for the ongoing debate over the extent of
government involvement in the economy.
Focus Question: How did the United States evolve economically?
 What natural resources does America have in great supply? In limited supply?
 How has the growth of our economy impacted the natural environment?
 Should the government focus on establishing economic equality or equality of
economic opportunity?
 Should wealthy people living in the United States pay more in taxes to support the
government than those who are poor?
Theme 3: The United States and the World
If 9/11 proved one thing it is that no nation is an island unto itself. Decisions that are
made in one country invariably have an impact upon other countries. From its infancy as a
nation, the United States, with its unique geographical position, has struggled with its role in
the world. United States involvement in world events has ranged from isolationism and
neutrality to aggressive imperialism. Economic, moral, military, ideological and nationalist
concerns have all impacted our relationship with the rest of the world. Today, with
technology making the world a "smaller" place, the proliferation of multinational
corporations, and the increasing interdependence of the global economy, United States
foreign policy has the potential of affecting the lives of its citizens and the world to an even
greater degree. With the end of the Cold War and the ongoing war against "terrorism", the
United States status as a superpower is in the process of being redefined and challenged. In
order to understand the future role of the United States in the world, a good citizen must
have a deep understanding of how our nation has met these foreign policy challenges in the
past.
Focus Question: How have relations with foreign nations shaped the history of the
United States?
 What are America's "vital foreign policy interests"?
 How might the presence of immigrant groups in America influence our relationship
with other nations? How might American foreign policy impact immigrant groups
present in the United States?
 Have American wars generally resulted from economic needs or political principles?
Which should be the basis of American policy towards other nations?
 Should America play the role of "World Policeman"?
Theme 4: An Evolving Democracy
Democratic societies are those which hold competitive elections, guarantee basic
individual freedoms and affirm such principles as popular sovereignty, participatory
citizenship, civil rights, orderly change and the rule of law. In the United States the
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution with its Bill of Rights establish the power and
authority of the federal government relative to the individual citizen and the states. While
the United States political system was founded upon these and other democratic ideals, in
practice it has often failed to live up to the expectations of many of the people. Instead, what
has occurred over the past 200 odd years is an evolutionary struggle to define these principles
in contemporary contexts.
Focus Question: How has the government of the United States changed?
 Has the United States become more or less democratic over the last 200+ years?
What about the last 25 years?
 Can you think of an example where preserving the rights of the individual are in
conflict with the needs of the entire community? In cases like this which should the
government defend?
 To what extent has the United States lived up to the principles embodied in the
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?
 Does our political system operate better or worse now than it did during the days of
the founding fathers?
Theme 5: Social Change
Since the birth of the nation, Americans have struggled to define the nature of
freedom and equality and to create a society in which the ideals of democracy are
transformed into reality. The continued civic engagement of people who possess widely
disparate religious and moral principles has been essential in defining the important political
and social challenges facing the nation and in helping to realize meaningful social reform.
Reform movements characterized by individuals working together to create new norms have
arisen in every generation and have consistently influenced the character of our nation.
Throughout, conflict between reformers and defenders of the old order (as well as between
and within the various reform agents) has been ever present. Often, as in the case of the Civil
War, conflicting ideas about the meaning of freedom and equality have resulted in violent
confrontation. Other conflicts, such as in the battle for woman's suffrage, have mostly been
resolved in the political arena. Civic participation among like minded reform agents
continues to be essential in the ongoing struggle to achieve political, social, and economic
equality.
Focus Question: How did individuals or groups initiate change in American life?
 Can you cite examples of where people formed groups to fight for their rights? Were
they successful?
 What methods have been used by various groups to achieve social change?
 To what extent have reform movements changed the habits and laws under which
Americans live?
 Why might groups fighting for the same cause face internal dissention and conflict?