Some advice on exploring and choosing a topic:

• Choose a topic that interests you!!  Maybe it's a topic you know something about or have a personal connection to. Maybe it's simply something that you enjoy or want to explore further. 
• The more engaged you are with your topic, the easier the process of researching and writing will be (a topic choice you're not happy with means a painful research process and a poorly written paper)
  

Some resources to help you explore topics:

• Databases
  • Gale's U.S. History in Context - Click "Topics" from the menu bar at the top and see if anything sparks your interest. If so, click a link and read the overview article.
    
    
  • ABC-CLIO's American History database: Click on the "Analyze" tab and browse through time periods and topics of interest. Once you click on a topic, pay attention to links on the left side of the page to see all the information this feature of the database has to offer.  (ABC-CLIO has a few other databases related to U.S. History: World at War , American Government, and Pop Culture Universe in case your interest lies there).
    
    
  • Galenet's Biography Resource Center is a great source if you're considering researching specific people in U.S. History.  Do a search or select "Category Browse" in the light blue tab bar to browse categories of famous people.
    
    
• Books
  • LFHS Library's Destiny Online Catalog
  • Books that are good to browse for topic ideas:
    • Opposing Viewpoints in American History - 973 OPP
    • American Decades - 973.9 AME
      
      
• Web Sites
  • Social Studies Pathfinder Page - look under "U.S. History"

Questions to consider as you narrow your choices:

• Do I feel connected to / excited about this topic?
• How much information is out there on this topic?
• What are the different aspects / elements / angles related to the topic?
• Is it debatable / controversial?  Is there something I can analytically prove about this topic?