Howard Zinn's main purpose for writing "A People's History of the United States" is to present history from the perspective of average people—the common people, workers, African Americans, Native Americans, immigrants, and others who have been marginalized and oppressed—rather than from the viewpoint of elite figures such as presidents, generals, CEOs, and other powerful individuals. Zinn aims to tell the story of those who lived with the consequences of elite decisions, highlighting struggles, resistance, and efforts to achieve a more just society. He critiques traditional history for focusing on the powerful and seeks to reveal the economic and social realities shaping history as experienced by the majority of people. His goal is to expose structural inequalities and the conflicts between different classes and groups, encouraging people to understand history from a "bottom-up" perspective and to inspire them to challenge domination and oppression.