Based on a review of Chinese high school history textbooks from 1902 to 2003, together with their curriculum standards and syllabuses, this article analyzes and categorizes the content and views in the instruction of world history, particularly American history. It examines how the image of America changed in the textbooks since the late Qing period. The study shows that the description of American history underwent remarkable changes with the times. New materials were added and historical issues were reinterpreted in different periods. Nevertheless, some topics remained unchanged in American history teaching, such as the War of Independence, American Constitution, the Civil War, and FDRs New Deal. The author holds that textbooks are products from collaborative academic research. The change of Americas image and the different interpretations of American history reflect the evolution of American studies in China and Chinese understanding of the country in the last century.