Themes: Situated Perspectives / Lack of Objectivity

Unsurprisingly, the first theme running through Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United Statesis that of the situated perspective. Zinn rejects the ideal of objectivity, arguing both that it is not possible and that most texts which claim to provide objective perspectives on reality, especially on American history, do so by leaving out unwanted perspectives and failing to mention specific details that might disrupt their desired...

Themes: Inclusion and Exclusion

A closely related second theme is that of inclusion and exclusion. To be specific, Zinn argues that the experience of "the people" has been left out of most history books, as well as the dark or shadowy side of history. These two are often linked for Zinn, as the people have often suffered in that darkness, with crimes against them left unmentioned. Zinn therefore moves through American history doing three things: pointing out that which has been...

Themes: Manipulated Reality

Most textbooks, Zinn would argue, are complicit in establishing and maintaining a manipulated reality. This reality is manipulated for the benefit of the ruling classes. As such, various crucial elements of American reality that were socially created are treated as natural, or as happening without any one acting to create them. White racism towards African immigrants is one example, as are more generalized attitudes toward African-Americans...

Themes: American Hypocrisy

Although he does not excuse competing systems (such as Soviet communism) for their failures, Zinn's focus in this volume is, as the title indicates, on American history. He therefore spends considerable time documenting the hypocrisy with which America has exercised its grand ideals of freedom, democracy, and equality.

Zinn does this in several ways. First, he points out how unsteady are the foundations of American history for such an edifice, by...

Themes: The Heroism of the Common Man

Zinn's history is not without heroes. However, these heroes are not the generals and inventors who populate many histories. Instead, they are the brave representatives of the people the American ruling class oppressed. As often as he can, Zinn lets these figures speak for themselves. These heroes include members of the revolutionary period Regulators, anonymous rebels who nailed notes to the sheriff of Pittsfield's door in 1780, freed slaves, and...

Themes: Overview

Some historians strive for complete objectivity, and as such might reject the idea of themes running through their work. Others might argue that any themes found in their work derive from the character of the people or period studied. In the first chapter of A People's History of the United States, Zinn sets forth his approach to history, and it is clear that he would distinguish himself from both positions indicated above. Historians, Zinn...

Themes: Oppression

In A People's History of the United States, Howard Zinn explores the theme of oppression as a central element in the development of American society. Zinn challenges traditional historical narratives by emphasizing the perspectives of marginalized groups, highlighting the violent oppression of Native Americans, the subjugation of women, and the exploitation of laborers. He argues that the progress of the United States is deeply intertwined with...