American History from 1865: Artifacts and Reflections encourages students to not only study the content of our shared histories, but also to critically examine and assess competing narratives through a variety of diverse perspectives. The texts, images, audio recordings, and films covered within the text delve into the unique histories and experiences of women, African Americans, children, and native people, as well as the role of inanimate actors of the past, such as the environment.
Beginning in 1865 and proceeding chronologically, students are introduced to a variety of historical events viewed through the lens of contemporary inquiries. They critically examine the real-world aftermath of the Civil War, the cultural conflict ignited through western expansion, the push for monolingualism in America, and the origin of the idea of social Darwinism. Dedicated readings explore the role of racial violence in the Great Migration, the association of immigrants and disease in 1920s American society, and the reasons why President Truman dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II. Students learn about American involvement in Vietnam, the journey of the African American teacher before and after Brown v. Board of Education, the rise of American conservatism, and contemporary issues related to race and multiraciality in the U.S.
A highly approachable text featuring modern perspectives on America's past, American History from 1865 is ideal for undergraduate courses in American history for non-history majors.