Introduction

Central Question: What arguments were made for and against American imperialism?

As shouts for reform echoed across the nation, interest in world events began to escalate. Beginning in the late 1800s, U.S. headlines revealed imperialisticprocess whereby stronger nations takeover weaker nations actions by European nations in places such as Africa, India, and China. Americans, traditionally eager to acquire new territory, began to call for overseas expansion as well. Industrialists argued new territories would provide new markets for their manufactured goods, while others claimed it was good to expand for reasons of national defense. Whatever the cause, the eyes of the nation began to look outward in search of new land, new people, and they hoped - new opportunity.

 

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Describe attempts by the United States to establish a global empire during the late 1800s.
  • Evaluate the arguments both for and against imperialism during the late 1800s.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: US History 11 Objectives: 3 & 3.4.

This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standards: R2, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, W4, W6 & W9.

Map Citation:

Map: European Partitions of Africa, 1914 IRC, 2005. Image. Discovery Education Web. 16 April 2014.  <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.

 

 

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