Summary of A People's History of the United States

A People's History of the United States is a 1980 non-fiction book by American historian and political scientist Howard Zinn. In the book, Zinn presented a different side of history from what he considered to be the more traditional "fundamental nationalist glorification of country". Instead, Zinn presented a view of American history through the eyes of its oppressed minority populations such as Native Americans, African-Americans, women, and other non-dominant groups. He argued that American history has been dominated by powerful interests working against the interests of the majority of the population. He explored the thought of Karl Marx, the influence of the Enlightenment, the continuing presence of racism, and how social movements around the world have been affected by US foreign policy. He also wrote about the "American empire" and how this has impacted different cultures around the world. Finally, he discussed class, race, and politics in the United States and explored the role of the United States in the world.