Overview of Imperialism
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries world powers continued to colonize around the world. The ideology of Social Darwinism and the concept of "survival of the fittest" became a guiding factor. Countries wanted to expand economic, military, and in some cases political control over weaker countries. Cultural superiority also played a role since many of the world powers felt their beliefs were superior as well. Eventually, America joins in this belief and takes control of Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and even builds a canal in Panama.
Learning Standards
USII.6 Analyze the causes and course of America’s growing role in world affairs from the Civil War to World War I. (H, E)
A. the influence of the ideas associated with Social Darwinism
B. the purchase of Alaska from Russia
C. America’s growing influence in Hawaii leading to annexation
D. the Spanish-American War
E. U.S. expansion into Asia under the Open Door policy
F. President Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
G. America’s role in the building of the Panama Canal
H. President Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy
I. President Wilson’s intervention in Mexico
A. the influence of the ideas associated with Social Darwinism
B. the purchase of Alaska from Russia
C. America’s growing influence in Hawaii leading to annexation
D. the Spanish-American War
E. U.S. expansion into Asia under the Open Door policy
F. President Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
G. America’s role in the building of the Panama Canal
H. President Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy
I. President Wilson’s intervention in Mexico
Common Core Standards
Essential Question:
How did growing expansionism shape the United States foreign policy and lead to the acquisition of new territories during the late 1800s and early 1900s?
Day 1
Key Vocabulary: social darwinism, imperialism, expansionism, Alaska, Hawaii, Queen Liliuokalani
In a PowerPoint presentation
1. Define Social Darwinism
2. In groups create a PowerPoint presentation that describes imperialism and expansionism. Also, explain how the United States obtained Alaska and Hawaii in your group presentation.
Watch this clip for assistance. Alaska and Hawaii start at (6:19 and watch last 4 mins)
3. Analyze whether or not the American's should have intervened in the Hawaiian
Revolution in your final slide. Provide details based on evidence you obtained while searching the topic. Also, the following is a documentary on the overthrow of the Queen. Overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani
Submit your presentation to schoology under the tab Imperialism PowerPoint.
In a PowerPoint presentation
1. Define Social Darwinism
2. In groups create a PowerPoint presentation that describes imperialism and expansionism. Also, explain how the United States obtained Alaska and Hawaii in your group presentation.
Watch this clip for assistance. Alaska and Hawaii start at (6:19 and watch last 4 mins)
3. Analyze whether or not the American's should have intervened in the Hawaiian
Revolution in your final slide. Provide details based on evidence you obtained while searching the topic. Also, the following is a documentary on the overthrow of the Queen. Overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani
Submit your presentation to schoology under the tab Imperialism PowerPoint.
Day 2
Key Vocabulary: Spanish-American War, Platt Amendment, U.S.S. Maine
1. Read and save the following PowerPoint presentation Spanish-American War. Then, watch the video on the Spanish-American War.
2. As a group, create a graphic organizer to show the causes and effects of the Spanish American War. Be sure to describe the results of the war and the land America gained.
3. Use your organizer to create a brief (1 minute or less) newscast to provide a quick update and overview of the war. (Causes, effects, land gained). Submit your newscaset to schoology under the tab Imperialism Newscast.
1. Read and save the following PowerPoint presentation Spanish-American War. Then, watch the video on the Spanish-American War.
2. As a group, create a graphic organizer to show the causes and effects of the Spanish American War. Be sure to describe the results of the war and the land America gained.
3. Use your organizer to create a brief (1 minute or less) newscast to provide a quick update and overview of the war. (Causes, effects, land gained). Submit your newscaset to schoology under the tab Imperialism Newscast.
Day 3
Key Vocabulary: Open Door Policy, Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, Panama Canal, Taft's Dollar Diplomacy
1. Submit the following under the tab titled Imperialism Questions. Watch this brief video clip and define Open Door Policy, spheres of influence and Boxer Rebellion. Open Door Policy
Why did the United States want an Open Door Policy with China?
2. Use google to find the following information on the Panama Canal, Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, and Taft's Dollar Diplomacy. Submit answers to schoology under the tab Imperialism Questions
Why did the United States want to build the Panama Canal? How did they finally get access to the land in Panama?
Describe the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. Why was this significant?
How did Taft's Dollar Diplomacy encourage trading, rather than war?
1. Submit the following under the tab titled Imperialism Questions. Watch this brief video clip and define Open Door Policy, spheres of influence and Boxer Rebellion. Open Door Policy
Why did the United States want an Open Door Policy with China?
2. Use google to find the following information on the Panama Canal, Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, and Taft's Dollar Diplomacy. Submit answers to schoology under the tab Imperialism Questions
Why did the United States want to build the Panama Canal? How did they finally get access to the land in Panama?
Describe the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. Why was this significant?
How did Taft's Dollar Diplomacy encourage trading, rather than war?
