Social Studies Curriculum

United States History

« Return to U.S. History home page

Imperialism (1898-1914)

One week (Week 13)

Enduring Understanding

The students will understand:

1. As the twentieth century unfolds, America acquires and establishes territories around the world, fueling heated debate.
2. Mass media and the use of propaganda are major factors in shaping public opinion.

Essential Questions

1. What are the causes and effects of imperialism?
2. What were the factors of global conflict?
3. What factors have caused warfare to change over time? 
4. What is the long-term outcome of global conflict on participating nations?
5. How do world leaders and nations affect global conflict? 
6. How does propaganda shape the opinions of people?
7. How does global conflict shape the world?

Objectives

• Define imperialism and analyze the philosophies behind it. 
• Evaluate the motivations behind imperialism; assess the motives for American involvement in Cuba, Alaska, China, Japan, Philippines, Samoa, and Hawaii prior to the Spanish-American War.
• Analyze the causes and justifications of the Spanish-American War by examining pre-war American economic interests in Cuba and the role of the yellow press.
• Analyze the outcomes of the Spanish-American War in terms of strategic acquisition of territory, imperial rule, protection of U.S. economic interests abroad, global influence, and international agreements. 
• Examine the debate between the Imperialists and Anti-Imperialists. 
• Trace pre-WWI imperialism in the following areas:  Philippines, China, Central America, and Mexico.
• Evaluate U.S. foreign policy pre- and post-Spanish-American War.
• Define essential terms including:  Rough Riders, Platt Amendment, Teller Amendment, protectorate, Open Door Policy, Boxer Rebellion, Panama Canal, Roosevelt Corollary, Dollar Diplomacy, Pancho Villa John J. Pershing, yellow journalism.
• Reflect on the contributions of the following:  Queen Liliuokalani, Alfred T. Mahan, Sanford B. Dole, Jose Marti, Valeriano Weyler, George Dewey, Emilio Aguinaldo, John Hay, William Randolph Hearst.

Next: Isolation And World War I »