The study of New Hampshire and United States history is important in helping citizens understand and appreciate the legacy of our republic, and to develop the empathy and analytical skills needed to participate intelligently and responsibly in our ongoing democratic experiment. U.S. History exposes students to the time period of 1700 to present day by exploring the enduring themes of colonization, questioning authority, seeking self-government, revolution, developing a new nation and government, continental expansion, entering the world stage, defending a new nation, compromise and conflict within, civil war, recovery from division, internal and external growth, development of an American culture, social and economic concerns for the masses, the world at war, coming home, high times and low times, back to war, new prosperity and productivity, social unrest and inequalities, global power struggle, tentative balance, and a new millennium.