American Imperilism

Introduction

To what degree should the United States be involved in the affairs of other countries?

American imperialism is the economic, military, and cultural influence of the United States on other countries. Such influence often goes hand in hand with expansion into foreign territories. Expansion on a grand scale is the primary objective of an empire.

The concept of an American Empire was first popularized during the presidency ofJames K. Polk who led the United States into the Mexican–American War of 1846, and the eventual annexation of California and other western territories via the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo including New Mexico and parts of Texas from Mexico.

 

Monroe Doctrine: The Monroe Doctrine was a US foreign policy regarding Latin American countries in 1823. It stated that further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression, requiring U.S. intervention.

The Monroe Doctrine marked the beginning of the foreign policy opening toward imperialism.  The United States no longer believed it should stay out of other nation’s business. 

Diplomacy: The skill or activity of managing relations with foreign countries.  

Roosevelt used the Big Stick Diplomacy to support the Monroe Doctrine and create an International Police Power.

 

*According to what we have learned this year of American history, and using this definition of American Imperialism, when did American imperialism begin and how did it develop?

Task

Research the Relations of the United States with other countries according to the BIG STICK DIPLOMACY. 

Create a power point presentation in teams of 3 on American Imperialism in the Philippines, Cuba, and Panama. 

Include: 

Introduction

For each country: 

  • Important people and places
  • American Involvement
  • Causes and Events
  • How it relates to the Big Stick Policy
  • political cartoon
  • 1 or more images

Conclusion

Turn in: 

Notes, powerpoint, political cartoon

Process

PART A – RESEARCH

You have been placed into a two or three member team for this project.  Each member of the team will choose one the following countries to do their research on:

  1. Cuba
  2. The Philippines
  3. Dominican Republic
  4. Panama

Everyone must have information on imperialism in general.

  1. Read over the note taking tool at the back of your packet to understand what you need to look for and how you need to put it together.
  2. You will need to have clear and thorough research on the following topics:
  1. Important people and places
  2. Important facts and quotes
  3. Reasons for United States involvement
  4. Consequences

 

  1. For your presentation, you will also need to find and analyze one political cartoon and one video.  Use the following examples or find some of your own. 
  2. You will need to incorporate a substantial number of visuals in your project.
  3. Remember your note taker tool will be collected at the end of the project as part of your grade. 

 

 

PART B – POWER POINT

 

After all members have completed their background research, the team will need to come together to determine what to include in the PowerPoint presentation.

The power point must be ____ slides.  The power point is already made.  You need to add the information and the visuals.  This also includes a bibliography to show where you got your information from.

 

(Remember, you will be provided three days of classroom time for collaboration, use these days wisely.)  In making these decisions, you will need to consider the following:

  

1- Most important People, Events and Places

 

2- Which pieces of information are most important

 

3- Which visuals best exemplify each research area

 

4- Are you responding to the "Big Question" from the Task section,

 

To what degree should the United States be involved in the affairs of other countries?

 

5- Did you cite your evidence?

 

    Evaluation

    Evaluation Rubric

     

    Far Below Expectation

    Below Expectation

    At or Above Expectation

    Far Above Expectation

    Score

    Due Dates

    All components from all team members completed by more than two days past due date.

    All components from all team members completed by two days past due date.

    All components from all team members completed by one day past due date.

    All components from all team members completed by due date.

    20 Points

    Note Taking Guides

    Low quality notes, lacking detail, missing a significant number of topics.

    Medium quality notes, lacking detail, missing some important topics.

    High quality notes, fairly detailed, correct choice of topics.

    Very high quality notes, detailed, correct choice of topics.

    30 Points

    PowerPoint Presentation

    Includes significanly fewer slides than the minimum, with incorrect use of visuals and text.

    Includes slightly less slides than the minimum, with some errors in the use of visuals and text.

    Includes slightly more slides than the minimum, with correct use of visuals and text.

    Includes significantly more slides than the minimum, with correct use of visuals and text.

    50 Points
    Conclusion

    CHECKLIST

     

    ¨ Note taker

    • Who and where
    • Why
    • So?
    • Extra facts

    ¨ Drawn political cartoon

    ¨ Power point

    • Introduction
    • Who and where
    • Why
    • So?
    • Extra facts
    • Conclusion
    Teacher Page

    NOTE TAKING TOOL

     

    Student’s name:                                                        Research topic:

     

    Title:

    Author:

    Date of publication: 

    Publisher:

    Type of source:

     

    URL:

     

    Research Question:

     

     

     

    Direct Quote:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Research notes: (in your own words)