In A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn argues that "the other civil war" was between rich and poor. He believes the Civil War in the South is often narrowed down to a battle over slavery, but he feels it was instead a conflict between rich and poor. Zinn makes clear how the poor lived in both Northern factory cities and Southern plantations. This helped to show how "the other civil war" existed on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line.

Chapter Seven of Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States examines the forced removal of Native peoples, particularly the Cherokee, from lands east of the Mississippi. This removal was crucial for American expansion and Jacksonian Democracy, benefiting both ordinary whites and wealthy planters. Despite adopting some white cultural practices, the Cherokee faced tragic consequences, losing thousands on the "Trail of Tears." Zinn highlights the oppressive and paternalistic nature of U.S. Indian policies.

Chapter 12 of Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, "The Empire and the People," examines American foreign expansion in the 1890s, highlighting the Spanish-American War as a pivotal moment in U.S. imperialism. Zinn critiques how imperialism benefited industrial leaders rather than ordinary citizens. Critiques of Zinn's approach suggest he underemphasizes political consensus, racial dynamics, and the sincerity behind support for American ideals, focusing instead on class conflict and opportunism.

Chapter 3 of A People's History of the United States focuses on the development of colonial America, emphasizing the exploitation and oppression of the lower classes by the elite. The thesis argues that the economic and social structures established during this period laid the groundwork for persistent inequality and class struggle in American society.

Howard Zinn's main arguments in A People's History of the United States focus on presenting American history from the perspective of marginalized groups, including Native Americans, African Americans, and the working class. Zinn challenges traditional narratives by highlighting exploitation, resistance, and the struggles for social justice, arguing that history should emphasize the experiences of ordinary people rather than elite figures.

Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States presents key ideas and themes such as the struggles of marginalized groups, the impact of economic exploitation, and the resistance against oppression. Each chapter focuses on different historical events and movements, highlighting perspectives often omitted from traditional narratives, emphasizing the importance of social justice and grassroots activism in shaping American history.

In A People's History of the United States, Howard Zinn explores how power and economic control shape historical narratives. Chapter 2 discusses how slavery was essential for wealth creation and maintaining social hierarchy. Chapter 3 highlights rebellion as a threat to the status quo, focusing on suppression by elites. Chapter 4 argues the American Revolution replaced British tyranny with American elitism, maintaining class inequalities. Chapters 5 and 7 address class and racial disparities, emphasizing Native American oppression during westward expansion as central to American growth.

A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn presents American history from the perspective of marginalized groups. It challenges traditional narratives by highlighting the experiences and struggles of indigenous people, African Americans, women, and laborers. The book aims to give a voice to those often overlooked in mainstream historical accounts, offering a more inclusive and critical view of U.S. history.

Chapters 6-12 of A People's History of the United States cover the American Revolution, early industrialization, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War. Zinn emphasizes the struggles of marginalized groups, including Native Americans, African Americans, and women, highlighting their resistance to oppression and the socio-economic inequalities perpetuated by the ruling elite throughout these historical periods.