Top US History Essay Questions for Middle Schoolers

American history is a vast and complex subject, spanning hundreds of years and covering a wide range of events, people, and ideas

In order to effectively teach this complex subject to students, it is important to have a deep understanding of the key historical developments, figures, and themes that have shaped the United States over time. While I utilize written exercise questions in my 5th grade curriculum, I refrain from using them too much, as I've simply found through my own years of teaching that other types of questions, such as multiple-choice questions, are more grade level appropriate. When it comes to middle schoolers, though, I gradually utilize essay questions more and more as students advance towards high school. This is the case in my 6th, 7th, and 8th grade curriculum bundles. The reason is simple - as students progress, so too should their critical thinking skills and abilities, and in my own humble opinion, there is no better way to assess this than with a well-thought-out research question that requires an essay response from the student. In this article, we'll explore some of the most important and enduring topics in American history, providing specific examples and historical evidence (primary sources) to help students understand the significance of these events and ideas through the use of essay questions.

When it comes to United States history essay questions, teachers can assign long essay questions that ask students to analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources and make an argument about a specific topic. Short answer questions and short responses can also be used to assess students' understanding of key concepts and historical figures. Additionally, research paper assignments can be a great way for students to delve deeper into a specific topic and conduct their own research using primary and secondary sources.

Save HOURS of your time EVERY WEEK!

Check out my incredible curriculum bundles

(I think you'll be glad you did!):

When creating American history essay questions, it's important to consider the different time periods and themes that are covered in the curriculum. Examples include everything from the American Revolution, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, and the Great Depression to the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and modern-day America. Additionally, teachers can assign questions about specific historical figures, such as influential figures like Benjamin Franklin, Martin Luther King Jr., or Abraham Lincoln.

Another important aspect of American history essay questions is to include questions that focus on different perspectives and interpretations of historical events.

Here are 6 wide-ranging topics that provide ample opportunity for asking US history essay question

Native Peoples

The history of the United States is closely linked to the history of indigenous peoples, and as such, the treatment of Native Americans by European settlers and, later, the United States government, is a complex and controversial topic that has had a profound impact on the lives of these people. When it comes to this specific topic, students will likely be challenged to conduct thorough and additional research in a detailed way on how Native American tribes were impacted by the spread of colonialism between the late 15th and 19th centuries than what may already be included in their respective textbook(s).

American Revolution

One perfect example that offers a slew of potential essay topics to have your middle schoolers write an essay on is one of the most important events in American history, the American Revolution. Marking the birth of the United States as a new nation, the Revolutionary War, which lasted from 1775 to 1783, saw the thirteen American colonies break away from British rule and establish themselves as an independent country. The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Continental Congress in 1776, is an important document that lays out the principles and ideals upon which the new nation was founded. The American Revolution was a turning point in not only U.S. history but world history, as it marked the first time that a colony had successfully risen up against a European power and won its independence.

Civil War

Another major event that makes for an excellent topic for essays is the American Civil War. Lasting from 1861 to 1865, the Civil War was fought between the northern states, which were known as the Union, and the southern states, which seceded from the Union and formed the Confederacy. The main cause of the war was the disagreement over the issue of slavery, which was still legal in the southern states. The Civil War was a bloody and devastating conflict that resulted in the deaths of over 600,000 Americans, but it ultimately led to the abolition of slavery and the end of the Confederacy. It might be a great idea to consider asking your middle schoolers to analyze the different perspectives of the southern states and the northern states. Additionally, you may want to ask students to analyze the different perspectives of the abolitionist movement both prior to and during the Civil War which will likely give way to some argumentative essay topics and enhance student critical thinking skills and abilities.

Download a FREE WEEK of lesson plans HERE!

Great Depression

The Great Depression, which began in 1929 and lasted for a decade, is another significant event in American history ripe with opportunity for asking your middle schoolers essay questions! This economic downturn was caused by a combination of factors, including stock market speculation, a lack of government regulation, and a decline in global trade. The Great Depression had a profound impact on American society, as millions of people lost their jobs, homes, and savings. The New Deal, a series of government programs and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was an attempt to address the crisis and alleviate the suffering of ordinary people.

Cold War

The Cold War, which lasted from the end of World War II in 1945 to the early 1990s, is another great major topic to have your students write an essay on. This conflict, which was fought primarily through diplomatic and economic means rather than military action, was a struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union for global dominance. The Cold War had a significant impact on American society and foreign policy, as the country entered a period of intense paranoia and fear of communism.

Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement, which began in the 1950s and 1960s, is another important historical period of American history and yet another era that offers many opportunities for essay questions. This movement, led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, aimed to end discrimination and segregation against African Americans and other minority groups. The Civil Rights Movement was a turning point in American history, as it led to the passage of several important laws and court decisions that helped to end discrimination and ensure equal rights for all.

When assigning essay questions, I ALWAYS recommend advising students of the following when researching for American history essay questions:

• It's CRUCIAL that they use reliable sources
• They outline the major points and provide specific evidence to support their argument
• That they compose a relevant argument
• They utilize proper spelling and grammar (sentence structure) in their response

These are just a few examples of the many important and enduring topics in American history that social studies teachers should be familiar with. When teaching American history and making use of essay questions, it is important to use primary and secondary sources, such as historical documents, photographs, and artifacts, to provide students with a detailed and accurate understanding of the events and people that have shaped the United States over time. Teachers should also encourage students to think critically and analyze different perspectives and interpretations of historical events. To effectively teach this subject, teachers should have a deep understanding of the key historical developments, figures, and themes that have shaped the United States over time. By using primary and secondary sources, encouraging critical thinking and analysis, and including a diverse range of historical perspectives, teachers can help students gain a deeper understanding of American history and develop the skills necessary to analyze and evaluate historical evidence.

 I've personally curated ALL the curriculum I'm so proud to offer, putting my years of experience in the classroom, my background as an administrator, and my LOVE of all things history to good use!   

• Relax on nights and weekends!

• Have MORE free time

• Imagine no longer needing to endlessly search the web for amazing, proven, and affordable history resources

I've already taken care of EVERYTHING for you.

CLICK HERE to learn more!

Thanks so much for reading!

-Jillian (a.k.a. the "Lesson Plan Guru")