American Imperialism Webquest

Essential Question: What were the advantages and disadvantages of American Imperialism?

Introduction:

Beginning in the 1880s, Americans wanted the United States to become a world power. The change in
attitude was a result of economic and military competition from other nations and a growing feeling of
cultural superiority. The United States had expanded its influence from the Atlantic to the Pacific
following the Civil War through Manifest Destiny, but in order to continue to be prosperous, expansion
into a global empire was necessary.

Objective

Students will evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of America’s expansion overseas by
investigating key events of the time period.

Task:

You will be examining events in America’s expansion overseas. You will research each event in detail.
Using your new knowledge that you gained from each imperialist event you will be able to answer the
question, “What were the advantages and disadvantages of American Imperialism?” This is the first part
of the project we are doing, which will be which will be examining and analyzing examples of modern-day
imperialism. All of this information will be on your unit exam so it is important you take your time in
your research.

Process:

1. You need to use the websites provided or the databases and find information about the following
areas of US expansion listed below.
2. In note form, summarized, your research should answer the following questions about each event:
● What territory was being imperialized? Where is this located?

● What was the main reason for Imperialism? What was the United States going to gain for the
expansion?
● What were some of the possible problems with this expansion?
● Was the United States influence welcomed by this territory?
● Was the United States military involved in this event? Did this result in either a war or conflict?
● What measures were taken by the United States to gain influence over this territory?
● Who were some key figures involved in this event?
● What were the results of American involvement in this area of the world?
● How did the United States communicate with these foreign lands? How did the United States
citizens learn about these decisions? (These answers must be accurate to your time period.
Remember: They didn't have nightly news reports on T.V!!)
● How did Americans react to imperialism (both imperialists and anti-imperialists)?
● What were the advantages and disadvantages for America upon the conclusion for your event?
(in other words, what did American gain from this event? What were some conflicts that may
arise in the future from the effects of your event?)
The areas of expansion for your research are:

● The Expansion of the US Navy

● The Purchase of Alaska
● Spanish-American War
✔ Cuban Rebellion
✔ Explosion of the Maine
✔ Fate of Cuba and Puerto Rico
● Fighting in the Philippines
● Annexation of Hawaii
● Boxer Rebellion in China/US-China Policy
● Construction of the Panama Canal

Resources:

ONW Databases

Ushistory.org

Your textbook

General US Imperialism

The Age of Imperialism

Alfred Thayer Mahan

The Purchase of Alaska

Seward’s Folly

Alaska

Spanish-American War

Summary of Spanish-American War: Causes and Effects

The Spanish-American War

Treaty of Paris 1898

US-Cuba Relations

Puerto Rico and Cuba

"Splendid Little War"

"Rough Riders"

Annexation of Hawaii
Queen Liliuokalani

Hawaiian Annexation

Annexation of Hawaii

1884 Treaty

Panama Canal

Recalling the Monroe Doctrine

T. Roosevelt and the Panama Canal

Panama Canal History

U.S. Intervention in Latin America

Fighting in the Philippines

Philippine-American War

Boxer Rebellion/US-China Relations

China resists Imperialism

Open Door Policy

Boxer Rebellion and Open Door

Yellow Press/ Yellow Journalism

Headline Gallery

"father of Yellow Journalism"