Abstract: Understanding the evolution of American education and American educational thoughts cannot just copy the historical understanding of American political history. Based on the evolution of American educa-tion, the research suggests that the history of American education has undergone the four developmental stages of germination, formation, prosperity, and pluralism and the evolution is characterized by multiple subjects, complex contents, widespread controversy and various representations with the striking features of the epoch.

Key words: American educational thoughts, historical stages, evolution, characteristics