Howard Zinn's perspectives on American history were shaped by his experiences as a soldier in World War II and his subsequent activism. Witnessing the brutality of war instilled in him a critical view of government narratives and sparked his commitment to social justice. Zinn's experiences in civil rights activism further reinforced his belief in representing the voices of the marginalized. His seminal work, "A People’s History of the United States," reflects his conviction that history should highlight the struggles of ordinary people rather than political elites, fundamentally altering how American history is perceived and taught.