Download Unit Historical Overview

United States History and Geography
Becoming a World Power
SS0904
Ninth Grade: United States History and Geography
Unit 4: Becoming a World Power
Dec. 1 to Jan. 13 (4 weeks)
Overarching Question:
How did tension between isolationism and interventionism influence and reflect the
changing meaning of freedom and equality?
Previous Unit:
Progressivism and
Reform
This Unit:
Becoming a World Power
Next Unit:
The Crisis of Capitalism
and Responses
Questions To Focus Assessment and Instruction:
1. How and why did America’s role on the international stage change?
2. How did imperialism and World War I affect the United States domestically?
3. How did responses to President Wilson’s Fourteen Points illustrate tensions between
interventionism and isolationism, as well as instability in the world?
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United States History and Geography
Becoming a World Power
Types of Thinking
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Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Identifying Perspectives
Evidentiary Argument
Non-linguistic Representations
SS0904
Public Issues
 United States and the World: Contemporary public
policy issues related to the role of the United States in the
world.
 Balance of Power: Contemporary public policy issues
related to the distribution of power among central
government, state governments, and the people.
Unit Historical Overview
Although America has been an expansionist nation since its birth, its early growth, while extensive, was confined to the
continent. According to “Manifest Destiny,” the United States was meant to be a continental nation, and the country
expanded greatly during the 19th century. On the eve of the 20th Century, a “new manifest destiny,” focused on the
acquisition of territories beyond the continent, emerged and began to dominate America’s political interests. This new
attitude toward expansion overseas resulted from a complex mix of sometimes contradictory motivations, including
idealism, international rivalry, and a desire for economic and military gain. In this exciting and uncertain time, an
unprecedented media influence known as “yellow journalism” rallied the nation to war against Spain. With the defeat of
Spain, America acquired new territories overseas, including Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico. Amidst heated
debate over how to govern these new territories, the American foray into imperialism evolved into “big-stick
diplomacy,” putting teeth into the Monroe Doctrine through the threat of force and the claim of right to intervene in the
domestic affairs of Latin America. As the United States assumed the role of protector of the hemisphere, American
intervention resulted in the acquisition of territory through which to build the Panama Canal. Eventual involvement in
World War I further confirmed a global role for the United States. The Spanish-American War and United States’
involvement in World War I developed an American foreign policy that used economic, diplomatic, and military power
throughout the 20th Century.
Unit Abstract
Students begin this unit with a review of Washington’s Farewell Address and an exploration of the difference between
isolationism, imperialism, and internationalism. Students review the major milestones in the evolution of American
foreign policy from George Washington to the annexation of Hawaii. Next, students explore the causes and
consequences of the Spanish-American War and the role of the press. Students then examine America’s imperialist
behavior from 1898 to 1914 and take note of US acquisitions or dominance in specific places such as Cuba, Puerto
Rico, Guam, the Philippines, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. In doing so, students analyze why the
United States continued to grow and expand as they are introduced to the “new manifest destiny”. They use the
acquisition of Hawaii as an example of this process. Next, students analyze the causes of World War I by considering
the role of militarism, alliances, nationalism, and imperialism in the conflict. They then examine the United States’
shift from neutrality to involvement by examining historical evidence. In assessing the domestic impact of World War I
on the United States, students survey the growth of government, the expansion of the economy, and the impact of the
war on civil liberties. Students also study President Wilson’s Fourteen Points and how reaction to it demonstrated both
domestic tensions and varying political perspectives throughout the world. The unit concludes with students learning
how to construct an historical argument and then applying what they learned to evaluate American diplomacy at the
turn of the century.
Content Expectations
USHG 6.2.1:
Growth of US Global Power - Locate on a map the territories (Cuba, Puerto Rico,
Philippines, Hawaii, Panama Canal Zone) acquired by the United States during its
emergence as an imperial power between 1890 and 1914, and analyze the role
the Spanish American War, the Philippine Revolution, the Panama Canal, the
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United States History and Geography
Becoming a World Power
SS0904
Open Door Policy, and the Roosevelt Corollary played in expanding America’s
global influence and redefining its foreign policy.
USHG 6.2.2:
World War I - Explain the causes of World War I, the reasons for American
neutrality and eventual entry into the war, and America’s role in shaping the
course of the war.
USHG 6.2.3:
Domestic Impact of WWI - Analyze the domestic impact of World War I on the
growth of the government (e.g., War Industries Board), the expansion of the
economy, the restrictions on civil liberties (e.g., Sedition Act, Red Scare, Palmer
Raids), and the expansion of women’s suffrage.
USHG 6.2.4:
Wilson and His Opponents - Explain how Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” differed from
proposals by others, including French and British leaders and domestic
opponents, in the debate over the Versailles Treaty, United States participation in
the League of Nations, the redrawing of European political boundaries, and the
resulting geopolitical tensions that continued to affect Europe.
C3.4.4:
Describe considerations and criteria that have been used to deny, limit, or extend
protection of individual rights (e.g., clear and present danger, time, place and
manner restrictions on speech, compelling government interest, security, libel or
slander, public safety, and equal opportunity).
C3.5.1:
Explain how political parties, interest groups, the media, and individuals can
influence and determine the public agenda.
C3.5.5:
Evaluate the actual influence of public opinion on public policy.
C3.5.7:
Explain the role of television, radio, the press, and the internet in political
communication.
C3.5.9:
In making a decision on a public issue, analyze various forms of political
communication (e.g., political cartoons, campaign advertisements, political
speeches, and blogs) using criteria like logical validity, factual accuracy and/or
omission, emotional appeal, distorted evidence, and appeals to bias or prejudice.
C4.1.1:
Identify and evaluate major foreign policy positions that have characterized the
United States’ relations with the world (e.g., isolated nation, imperial power, world
leader) in light of foundational values and principles, provide examples of how
they were implemented and their consequences (e.g., Spanish-American War,
Cold War containment).
C4.1.2:
Describe the process by which United States foreign policy is made, including the
powers the Constitution gives to the president, Congress and the judiciary; and
the roles federal agencies, domestic interest groups, the public, and the media
play in foreign policy.
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United States History and Geography
Becoming a World Power
SS0904
C4.1.3:
Evaluate the means used to implement U.S. foreign policy with respect to current
or past international issues (e.g., diplomacy, economic, military and humanitarian
aid, treaties, sanctions, military intervention, and covert action).
C4.1.4:
Using at least two historical examples, explain reasons for, and consequences of,
conflicts that arise when international disputes cannot be resolved peacefully.
Key Concepts
alliances
annexation
civil liberties
imperialism
internationalism
isolationism
militarism
national interest
nationalism
neutrality
yellow journalism
Lesson Sequence
Lesson 1: The Expanding Nation to 1898
Lesson 2: “Yellow Journalism” and the Spanish-American War
Lesson 3: Growth of the United States as a Global Power, 1898 – 1914
Lesson 4: Causes of World War I and United States Involvement
Lesson 5: Domestic Impact of World War I
Lesson 6: Ending the War, 14 Points and Opponents
Lesson 7: Constructing an Historical Argument about US Foreign and Domestic Policy
Assessment
Selected Response Items
Constructed Response Items
Performance Assessments
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United States History and Geography
Becoming a World Power
SS0904
USHG 6.2.3
C3.4.4
Create a TIME magazine cover that describes the political, economic, and
social effects on America as a result of imperialism and WWI. The cover
should also reflect how changing ideas of freedom and/or equality were used
to support U.S. foreign policy.
USHG 6.2.1
Complete a map to depict United States territorial acquisitions and interests
from 1890 to 1914. Annotate each event and explain how and why America’s
role on the international stage changed.
USHG 6.2.2
C4.1.4
Construct a historical argument about United States’ entry into World War I.
The argument should include a description of the causes of World War I. It
should also support the argument with evidence and refute an alternative
argument.
USHG 6.2.4
C4.1.2
Construct a proposal to revise Wilson’s post-War vision so that it would attain
support both domestically and internationally. Explain the reasons for the
changes.
USHG 6.2.1
C4.1.1
Construct an historical argument that supports one of the following
assertions:
Imperialism was inconsistent with basic American principles.
Imperialism was consistent with basic American principles.
The essay should use historical evidence to support the position taken and
refute at least one opposing argument.
Resources
Equipment/Manipulative
Computers with Internet Access
Chart paper
Highlighters
Markers
Overhead projector/Document camera
Timer
World Map
Student Resources
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