History is more complicated than a simple list of accomplishments or failures. The meaning of the word “triumph” is also subjective, as one person's success can be the loss or failure of another person or group. Traditionally, however, history has been written largely by the victors, which gives them the greatest influence on the interpretation of events. For this reason, I think it is necessary for professors to uncover often untold narratives to present a more holistic view. Presenting both failures and successes helps illuminate the story and develop the critical thinking students need to form their own judgments. I believe the three most important topics to study in U.S. history up to Reconstruction are: an examination of American political ideals as exemplified in the documents written by the Founding Fathers; contact with natives; and the institution of slavery. Together, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence provide the blueprint for the United States. They define the political structure of the country, constitute the foundation of the laws and guarantee the rights of individual citizens. Therefore, understanding these maps is essential for studying the history of our country. While the United States has not always adhered to the ideals stated in these documents, citizens who understand these documents can both protect their rights and become active participants in refining these documents where they find contradictions. The most cited portion of the Declaration of Independence is the statement on human rights: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are L... ...half of the paper. .....an expansion of slavery into new territories. Powerful resistance to slavery is an essential aspect of slavery for students to study. White abolitionists like Harriet Beecher Stowe and John Brown fought for an immediate end to slavery. Although perhaps Harriet Tubman and Nat Turner led the most dramatic acts of resistance, all slaves practiced various significant forms of resistance, from religion to escape. Slaves were not simply passive victims, but displayed incredible courage in the face of intense oppression. To understand the struggle of the myriad groups that helped shape this country, we must learn more than just triumphs. Only by shedding light on all aspects of history, good and bad, will we be able to learn from the past and accurately assess our current situation and what has shaped the world we live in.