DBQ POWERPOINT II
Compare the
process profiled
here with how
you went about
responding to
the prompt on
U.S.
expansioni sm .
THREE AREAS TO WORK ON
 Developing a clear, concise thesis that addresses the whole
prompt (and gives a purpose to comparing the perspectives)
 Appropriately incorporating document and background
evidence with commentary
 Developing a conclusion that extends the thesis
READ & UNDERSTAND THE PROMPT
 Compare and contrast views of United States overseas
expansion in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Evaluate how understandings of national identity, at the time,
shaped these views.
 Compare & Contrast [develop topics to compare & contrast]
 Effects on Americans/America, Effects on those being colonized
 OR anti-imperialist, imperialist
 OR consistent with national identity, inconsistent w/identity,
established new identity
 Address “national identity” —American exceptionalism, “City on
a hill”, benevolent imperials
BRAINSTORM BACKGROUND INFO
 Consider terms and concepts from readings and term sheets
 For this DBQ: Reasons for imperialism
- s p r e a d d e m o c r a c y, f o r e i g n m a r ket s , s p r e a d C h r i s t i a ni t y, p r o te c t f o r m e r ly
colonized peoples
 Reasons against
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Oppression of indigenous people
Lack of self-determination for native people
Resources going to other places rather than America (Progressives)
Counter to American ideals
 Other possibly relevant material:

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Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Panama, China, Mexico
Moral Diplomacy, Dollar Diplomacy
Boxer Rebellion, sphere of Influence, Monroe Doctrine, Roosevelt Corollary, Manifest Destiny
Push-pull factors like markets, resources, military necessity
People…Aguinaldo, Pancho Villa, etc.
DEVELOP THESIS
 Relevant thesis develops ALL par ts of the question in an original
way.
Samples…
 U.S. overseas expansion was seen as imperialistic by some yet
other Americans viewed the practice as a necessary evolution of
the American identity from an insular self -sufficient nation to
one taking a leading role in the world.
 Whether Americans supported or opposed overseas expansion,
they used American exceptionalism to justify the policy.
 **Be sure you define the “national identity” you are referring to.
OUTLINE TOPIC AREAS
 Option I:
1) for imperialism
2) against imperialism
 Option 2:
1) argument based on founding principles
2) argument based on economic necessity
 Option 3:
identity
1) Perspective: expansion would enhance national
2) Perspective: expansion is consistent with
national identity
3) Perspective: expansion compromises national
identity
DISCUSSING AND ANALYZING DOCUMENT
EVIDENCE
 Be sure you address elements such as perspective, context,
bias, audience and/or purpose with each document.
 Use connecting sentences to show the relationship among
documents.
 Each paragraph should have a comprehensive topic sentence
and evidence should be tied to the central topic
 Read sample incorporation of evidence
DOCUMENT 1: [FOR]
 Perspective: African- American editor of newspaper
 Audience: probably African - American (Colored American)
 Context: During Spanish- American War (1898)
 Inference—African- Americans were motivated to participate in
Spanish American war and other imperialistic acts because
they believed that their ef forts would further their cause
toward realizing equal rights.
Connection to thesis?
DOCUMENT 4 [AGAINST]
 Relevant Background Info: Progressivism, settlement houses,
Yellow Journalism, Roosevelt’s Rough Riders
 Perspective: social reformer, advocates particularly for women
& children
 Audience: voters, politicians, Americans
 Context: 1899, after the conclusion of the Spanish American
War
 Inferences: 1) Beware of the glorification of war as it clouds
our moral compass
2) We compromise our democratic ideals when we
choose military means
YOU MUST CONCLUDE YOUR ESSAY
 Rubric:
-“Thoughtfully modifies or extends thesis”
-”insightfully connects topic to other historical
trends or circumstances”
-Don’t just repeat your thesis and/or argument
-Connect the focus of your essay to other historical
trends or to events more recent than the context of the essay
prompt
 Possible Connections: 1) Manifest Destiny; 2) coming of WWI;
3) evolving national identity
YOUR ASSIGNMENT
 Using your essay and feedback, choose one of the following
areas to revise and re -submit:
 Background Info and Thesis: Revise the introduction and thesis, then list
topics of the body paragraphs which should align with the thesis
 Synthesis of Document & Background Evidence: Choose one paragraph to
revise and demonstrate clear understanding of developing an argument
point with evidence from both 1-2 documents and background info.
 Conclusion: Re-write your conclusion with a clear transition from the focus
of your essay to a future event or another historical trend.