May 3, 2026

Dear Educator,

The ways in which the United States has engaged with the rest of the world are, and have always been, a defining part of its story.

Ahead of the 250th anniversary of America, CFR Education is excited to announce a new suite of content. Informed by foreign policy experts and designed for classroom use, this new collection will help you teach 250 years of American history through key foreign policy moments.

Explore the expansive timeline and five (soon to be six!) primary source collections built around a pivotal episode in American foreign policy.

Teaching America at 250

Keep an eye on your inbox in the following weeks for more 250th content and deeper dives into everything CFR Education has to offer!

Happy learning,

Caroline Netchvolodoff
Vice President, Education
Council on Foreign Relations

Timeline: Defining Moments in Foreign Policy

The United States developed from a fragile union focused on survival to a superpower with global interests. Throughout that journey, the country has grappled with recurring questions about how to protect its interests, articulate its values, and define its role in the world. Trace the path of U.S. foreign policy with the timeline below.

Explore the timeline

Primary Source Collections

Each collection includes a brief historical overview, a curated set of primary source documents, a short reading on the aftermath and legacy of the event, and a classroom discussion activity that allows learners to synthesize their knowledge.

Essential question: What were the main factors that shaped U.S. foreign policy in the country’s early years of existence?

The collection features:

Two readings
8 primary sources
1 discussion activity: Coffeehouse role-play

Essential question: What factors led the United States to annex the Philippines in 1898?

The collection features:

Two readings
8 primary sources
1 discussion activity: Chautauqua assembly role-play

Essential question: Should the United States get involved in overseas wars?

The collection features:

Two readings
8 primary sources
1 discussion activity: Lunch counter role-play

Essential question: What factors led the United States to define its interests globally after World War II?

The collection features:

Two readings
8 primary sources
1 discussion activity: Public park role-play

Partner Spotlight: GlobalPost

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