Table 1. Sample Focus Questions for a PIH Approach to 6-12 History.

Persistent Issue	Representative Topics	Topic-Specific Issue
When are citizens justified in resisting governmental authority?	ß American Revolution ß English Civil War ß Palestinian Intifada	Revolution: Were the colonists justified in revolting from Great Britian?
What actions are justified in the interest of national or community security?	ß U. S. Manifest Destiny ß Chinese Ming Dynasty Isolationism ß Rise of Fascism in Europe	Manifest Destiny: Were European-American policies towards Native Americans justified?
When are nations justified in intervening in the affairs of other countries?	ß Crusades ß War of 1812 ß Vietnam	Vietnam War: Should the U.S. be praised or condemned for its Vietnam policies and actions?
What policies should the government pursue to promote social and economic justice?	ß Reconstruction ß Irish Potato Famine ß New Deal	New Deal: What should the government do to protect the public interest in a free market economy?