U.S. History Topics for Middle Schoolers

A lot of times, we don’t know where to stary with History. Here is a list of topics to cover:

1. The Founding of the United States: Discuss the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and the creation of the Constitution.
2. Colonial America: Learn about the establishment of the 13 colonies, early settlements, and interactions with Native Americans.
3. The American Revolution: Explore the causes, key events, and figures of the Revolutionary War.
4. The Constitution and Bill of Rights: Examine the creation and significance of these founding documents.
5. Westward Expansion: Study the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark expedition, and Manifest Destiny.
6. The Civil War: Understand the causes, major battles, and outcomes of the Civil War, including the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address.
7. Reconstruction: Learn about the period following the Civil War, including efforts to rebuild the South and the amendments to the Constitution.
8. Industrialization and Immigration: Explore the growth of industry in the late 19th century and the influx of immigrants to the United States.
9. Progressive Era: Discuss the social and political reforms of the early 20th century, including women’s suffrage and labor reforms.
10. World War I: Examine the causes, major battles, and outcomes of World War I, including the Treaty of Versailles.
11. The Roaring Twenties: Learn about the cultural, social, and economic changes of the 1920s, including Prohibition and the Harlem Renaissance.
12. The Great Depression: Understand the causes and effects of the Great Depression, as well as the New Deal response.
13. World War II: Explore the causes, major battles, and outcomes of World War II, including the Holocaust and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
14. The Civil Rights Movement: Discuss key events and figures of the Civil Rights Movement, including Brown v. Board of Education, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the March on Washington.
15. The Cold War: Examine the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the space race.
16. Post-War America: Learn about the social, cultural, and political changes in America following World War II, including suburbanization and the baby boom.
17. The Vietnam War: Understand the causes, major battles, and consequences of the Vietnam War, including its impact on American society.
18. Contemporary America: Discuss major events and developments in recent US history, including the Civil Rights Act, the Watergate scandal, and the War on Terror.
19. Civic Engagement and Responsibility: Teach the importance of civic engagement, voting rights, and being an informed citizen.
20. Historical Thinking Skills: Develop critical thinking skills by analyzing primary sources, understanding historical context, and evaluating different perspectives on historical events.