Defusing the History Wars: Finding Common Ground in Teaching America’s National Story

This report shows that Republicans and Democrats share common ground about how to teach our national story but hold inaccurate ideas about what the other side believes about teaching U.S. history. These ‘perception gaps’ fuel distrust and are exacerbated by ‘conflict entrepreneurs’ — political and media actors who benefit from and actively stoke polarization. This report also suggests ways leaders and institutions can disrupt these cycles of misunderstanding to engage in constructive dialogue, reducing polarization.