Hi Nicole,

Though I'm not American, nor all too familiar with the American History curriculum, I have studied several US or US-related topics for my BA that might be worth investigating for a junior paper.

The first topic is probably a rather controversial one, but for all the right reasons. I would suggest you look into the case of Sacco and Vanzetti, since it touches upon many facets of US 20th century history, has been sufficiently but not overwhelmingly been historically analysed, and holds cultural and legal relevance to this day.

The second topic worth investigating is slightly more obscure, but contains some shocking parallels with the recent decades. Topic #2 is the so-called 'Bonus Army' of WW1 veterans, that set up camp in Washington D.C. after the demobilisation.

I'd be happy elaborate on both topics to help get you started, but I also trust you'll be able to get to grips with some of the basics by virtue of general knowledge and/or a couple of hours of voracious wikipedia surfing!

Cheerio!

For early American history, the works of Bernard Bailyn are a great starting point. Find his titles on the stacks, e.g. recent one _Barbarous Years_. In this Smithsonian article/interview, a few topics he mentions are:

Theological basis of colonist attitudes towards native americans & the resulting genocide , e.g. “threats from within [to the soul] merged with threats from without to form a heated atmosphere of apocalyptic danger.”

Study of revolutionary era pamphlets.

interactions with other continents (tho the ‘Atlantic’ regional history is now well-established)

the contrast of the animistic attitudes of the native americans with the savagery of their warfare (and its sources).

the ‘brutality in intercultural relations’ as a historical precedent for treatment of African slaves in the U.S.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-shocking-savagery-of-americas-early-history-22739301/?all