Does anyone know how to create a timeline tracking the major themes/paradigm shifts in American History.

I am not sure what the format for a Timeline.
Tammy

Here's a typical timeline format. Note the distance between years is uniform. For U.S. history from 1492 to 2011, you'll want to mark the timeline in 20 to 50 year intervals.

http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelArticles/Images/timeline/Timeline-for-Benjamin-Franklin.gif

I had my students do 5,000-year world history outlines on paper about 10 feet long.

peto a dis website a stupido

Creating a timeline is a great way to track major themes and paradigm shifts in American history. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create one:

1. Determine the scope: American history encompasses a vast period, so it's important to define the time range you want to cover. You could focus on specific eras, such as the Colonial Period, Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars, or even broader time intervals like decades or centuries.

2. Choose a format: Timelines can be created digitally or using a physical medium. For a digital option, you can use software such as Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or online timeline tools like Preceden or Tiki-Toki. If you prefer a physical format, you can use a large poster paper or a timeline template.

3. Set up your timeline: Start by creating a horizontal line from left to right, representing the span of your chosen time range. Divide the line into equal segments, with each segment representing a specific interval of time (e.g., years, decades, or centuries). Label each division appropriately.

4. Add major events: Identify key events, themes, or paradigm shifts in American history and mark them on the timeline with dots or short lines above the main line. Include a brief description or a keyword to indicate what each event represents.

5. Expand on important events: For significant events, you can add additional details such as dates, people involved, and the impact of the event. Use arrows or lines to show connections between related events or how one event leads to another.

6. Include visual elements: To enhance your timeline's visual appeal, you can use colors, icons, or images related to each major event or theme. This can help make the timeline more engaging and easy to understand.

7. Review and refine: Once you have completed your timeline, take some time to review it for accuracy and clarity. Make any necessary adjustments or revisions to ensure that the timeline effectively represents the major themes and paradigm shifts in American history.

Remember to consult various sources, such as history textbooks, reputable websites, and scholarly articles, to gather accurate information about the major events and themes you want to include in your timeline.