PART 1:

INTRO TO US IMPERIALISM
 PREVIEW: MAP READING
Instructions: Define the term by clicking on the red box. [You only need to read the first
bit of information.] Then list 3 examples of each.
POSSESSION

SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
 PREVIEW: BRAINSTORMING
Instructions: Answer the questions below. This is based on your own opinions & thoughts.
LIST AT LEAST 5 REASONS THE US MIGHT WANT TO ACQUIRE COLONIES
1.

WHY MIGHT SOME PEOPLE OPPOSE THE ACQUISITION OF COLONIES?

 MOTIVES FOR IMPERIALISM
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INDUSTRIALIZATION SOCIAL DARWINISM AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM

OPPOSITION TO IMPERIALISM
 TIMELINE OVERVIEW
Visit this website to fill in the timeline with the event & a SHORT description. [type CTRL + F to find the dates quickly]

ANNEXATION OF HAWAII - US gains control of ports, harbors, military equipment, etc.

1898

1899

1900s

1902

1903
 THE “WHITE MAN’S BURDEN”
ZOOM IN TO SEE THE DETAIL
How are the people in the baskets
depicted? How does this reflect racist
views of the time?

What are Uncle Sam & John Bull

(Britain) walking away from & to?

How does this cartoon attempt to justify imperialism?

 SOCIAL DARWINISM
INSTRUCTIONS: Use the info on this slide to fill in the chart.
DEFINITION
Social Darwinism is an ideology that seeks to apply concepts of Darwin (evolutionary theory and
“survival of the fittest”) to humans. It asserts that conflict between groups leads to social progress, as
“superior” groups surpass “inferior” ones.

DURING THE GILDED AGE ELABORATE: HOW WOULD IDEAS OF “SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST” BE APPLIED
TO POLICIES TOWARD...
Many Social Darwinists embraced
capitalism. They believed that
government should not interfere in THE
society or the economy by helping POOR IN
the poor, and promoted the idea AMERICA
that some races are biologically
superior to others.

BIG
BUSINESS
DURING IMPERIALISM
Social Darwinism was used as a
justification for imperialism in
Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the
ACQUIRING
Philippines. Many supporters of
COLONIES
imperialism argued that it was the
“duty” of white Americans to bring
civilization to "backwards" people.
 FOREIGN POLICY OF PROGRESSIVE PRESIDENTS
INSTRUCTIONS: Put the information on the chart in your own words.
ROOSEVELT’S BIG STICK
DIPLOMACY
“Speak softly & carry a big stick → be
willing to use force if necessary to achieve
foreign policy goals. (it was unnecessary to
actually use force to achieve goals, so long
as the military could threaten the use of
force)
Issued the Roosevelt Corollary - added to
the Monroe Doctrine (The US would
intervene in order to maintain peace and
stability throughout the Western
Hemisphere
Sent the Great White Fleet of ships to tour
the Pacific, showing off US naval power.
TAFT’S DOLLAR DIPLOMACY
Make countries dependant on the U.S. by
heavily investing in their economies. Use
this influence to pressure countries to adopt
democratic structures.
In Manchuria, China, Taft believed that
whoever controlled the railroads also
controlled the economy. He tried to work out
a deal to allow American investors to
purchase the railroad, but was
embarrassingly rejected.
Taft encouraged investment in Latin
American countries like Honduras and Haiti.
WILSON’S MORAL
DIPLOMACY
Wilson was a critic of imperialism and the
policies of Taft & Roosevelt. His vision for
U.S. foreign policy was based on morality:
he wanted to give support to countries
whose values aligned with America’s.
Wilson believed that if the U.S. placed an
economic strain on certain undemocratic
countries, they would begin to shift their
values and transform into democratic
nations.
Ironically, Wilson ended up getting even
more involved in Latin America than his
predecessors, including involvement in
Nicaragua & Mexico.
 PART 2:
US IMPERIALISM IN ACTION
OPEN SPANISH-
DOOR AMERICAN
POLICY WAR

ANNEXATION PANAMA
OF HAWAII CANAL
 IN-DEPTH LOOK: OPEN DOOR POLICY
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KEY TAKEAWAYS IMPORTANT TERMS & PEOPLE

1 NANKING
TREATY

OPEN
2 DOOR
NOTE

3 BOXER
REBELLION

DEFINE & DESCRIBE THE OPEN DOOR POLICY:

CARTOON ANALYSIS: OPEN DOOR POLICY
What is “Uncle Sam” doing literally and figuratively?

What does the brick in Uncle Sam’s hand symbolize?

What emotions are the Chinese men pictured likely

feeling? Why?

“US Army & Navy presence”

 IN-DEPTH LOOK: ANNEXATION OF HAWAII
Visit this website and fill in the chart below. IMPORTANT TERMS & PEOPLE
TIMELINE
QUEEN OF
HAWAII
1820

CLEVELAND

1840s

McKINLEY

1890

DESCRIBE THE ANNEXATION OF HAWAII

1893

1898
 CARTOON ANALYSIS: ANNEXATION OF HAWAII
Senator Morgan was pro-annexation & influenced the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Who is the “officiant” of the wedding?

Jingo = extreme nationalism Who is “getting married” & what does “marriage”
symbolize?

What emotions does it seem the “bride” & “groom”

are feeling?

According to this cartoon, why does it seem they are

“getting married?”

Zoom in to read the caption & labels on each figure!

 VIDEO OVERVIEW: THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
Watch this video to answer the questions
1. Explain the policies of General Weyler in Cuba. 4. What was the Teller Amendment?

5. Describe the fighting (including San Juan Hill & buffalo soldiers
-- African American troops)

2. How did people respond to the explosion of the USS Maine?

6. Describe the outcome of the Treaty of Paris (include the Platt

Amendment)
3. Explain the uncertainty around the explosion.
 IN-DEPTH LOOK: SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
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WHAT HAPPENED? SIGNIFICANCE

YELLOW
JOURNALISM

THE USS
MAINE

THE TELLER
AMENDMENT

TREATY OF
PARIS

DESCRIBE THE CAUSES & EFFECTS OF THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR

 CARTOON ANALYSIS: THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
Zoom in to read the caption & labels

HOW DOES THIS CARTOON JUSTIFY US INTERVENTION IN CUBA?

 CARTOON ANALYSIS: THE US IN THE PHILIPPINES
What does the paper on the bayonet say?

How is the native Filipino depicted? How does this tie

to ideas of SOCIAL DARWINISM?

Do you think this is in support or opposed to

imperialism? Why?

Zoom in to read the labels.

 IN-DEPTH LOOK: PANAMA CANAL
Watch this video for a brief overview on the history of the Panama Canal.
RECORD NOTES HERE: MORE NOTES HERE:
● ●

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TEDDY
OFFICIALLY
ROOSEVELT
OPENED

WHY WAS AMERICA’S ROLE IN CONSTRUCTING THE

CANAL SOMEWHAT CONTROVERSIAL?

HAY- BUNAU
-VARILLA
TREATY
CARTOON ANALYSIS: THE PANAMA CANAL
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE TEDDY ROOSEVELT
IN THIS CARTOON?

HOW DOES HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE PANAMA

CANAL TIE TO HIS “BIG STICK” DIPLOMACY?

Teddy Roosevelt
 BRING IT TOGETHER!
HOW & WHY DID AMERICA BUILD AN EMPIRE DURING THE SO-CALLED
PROGRESSIVE ERA? USE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IN YOUR SUMMARY

OPEN DOOR
POLICY

ANNEXATION OF
HAWAII

SPANISH-
AMERICAN WAR

PANAMA CANAL