Identity

How did the African-American Civil Rights movement affect the development of other movements based on asserting the rights of different groups in American society? How did American involvement in the Cold War affect debates over American national identity?

Work, Exchange,

and Technology

How did the rise of American manufacturing and global economic dominance in the years after World War II affect standards of living among and opportunities for different social groups?

Peopling

How did the growth of migration to and within the United States influence demographic change and social attitudes in the nation?

Politics and

Power

How did the changing fortunes of liberalism and conservatism in these years affect broader aspects of social and political power?

America in the

World

Why did Americans endorse a new engagement in international affairs during the Cold War? How did this belief change over time in response to particular events?

Environment

and Geography

Why did public concern about the state of the natural environment grow during this period, and what major changes in public policy did this create?

Ideas, Beliefs,

And Cultures

How did changes in popular culture reflect or cause changes in social attitudes? How did the reaction to these changes affect political and public debates?