Human Heritage: A World History

Chapter 36: Rise of Imperialism

Web Activity Lesson Plans

“Imperialists and Anti-Imperialists”

Introduction
As a result of the Spanish-American War and annexations, the United States acquired many new territories and colonies. Imperialists believed that it was the right and duty of the United States to expand its powers. Not all Americans, however, believed that this sort of growth was a positive thing. In this activity, students will take a closer look at the debate between the imperialists and anti-imperialists.

Lesson Description
Students will go to the Imperialists and Anti-Imperialists Web site. They will explore the reasons motivating both American imperialists and anti-imperialists. After answering four questions about the material they have read, students will compose a paragraph in which they evaluate which side's philosophy was most justified.

Instruction Objectives

1. Students will explore the debate between imperialists and anti-imperialists at the end of the Spanish-American War.
2. Students will be able to evaluate the motives behind the arguments of each side.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. By the end of the war, the United States occupied Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam, Wake Island, and the Hawaiian islands.
2. Imperialists pointed to the economic advantages of annexation and claimed that the United States had a moral duty to "civilize" the world.
3. Anti-imperialists claimed that colonization of distant lands would entangle the United States in foreign wars.
4. The Treaty of Paris was passed by the narrow margin of just two votes. It gave the United States control over territories that spanned nearly 10,000 miles.
5. Students' answers will vary but should take into account that even on the anti-imperialist side, there were many who believed that Euro-American civilization should dominate the world; they disagreed only on how that goal should be accomplished.