Course/Grade Level: 11th grade U.S. History
Lesson Title: Causes & Effects of American Imperialism
Teacher: Mr. Michael Ryia
1. Set Induction:
The bell ringer used is a Drawing Conclusion political cartoon showing Uncle Sam and
how he handles some of the nations where America wants some control. The cartoon
shows students how America is viewed in other parts of the world and by people within
the country. There is a question they have to answer regarding the cartoon and a group
discussion will follow the question.
2. Standards:
District 205 High School History Standards
POLITICAL SYSTEMS

Interpret how geographic, economic, technological, and social forces have affected the politics of the United
States. USH-01

Analyze political interactions between the United States and other countries within a global context. USH-02
HISTORY

Apply methods of historical inquiry (pose questions, collect and analyze primary and secondary sources, make
and support arguments with evidence, and report findings). USH-04

Analyze historic events within their context and evaluate how interpretations of those events changed over time.
USH-05
GEOGRAPHY

Interpret various geographic representations (e.g., maps, graphs, charts), including those that show the
relationship between the United States and the world. USH-06
Objectives:


Identify where and how America exerted its influence around the world.
Explain why the U.S. used diplomacy to achieve its economic objectives in Asia.
Focus Question:
Why did the U.S. use diplomacy to achieve its economic objectives in Asia?
3. Procedures, Assessments and Materials Required:
Activity 1: After the bell ringer, hand out the cause and effect worksheet and have a
whole group discussion and think aloud about:
A) The causes and effects of the Open Door Policy and the Boxer Rebellion
B) Roosevelt’s Diplomacy, Roosevelt Corollary and the Panama Canal Zone and the
revolts that occurred afterwards
C) Woodrow Wilson’s Diplomacy in Mexico and guerilla warfare.
In a whole group discussion, talk about the similarities between the 3 areas in which
America exerted influence around the world.
Activity 2: Have a whole group discussion with individual student’s opinions on different
political cartoons. Discuss what they mean and how people viewed American foreign
policies through American political cartoons.
The assessment will be their graphic organizer on the 3 different policies and
understanding political cartoons exercise.
4. Resources and Scholarship:
Use this website for the political cartoon portion of the lesson:
http://www.oah.org/pubs/magazine/1898/martinez-lesson.pdf.
Use the American Vision Textbook and cause & effect graphic organizer.
5. Conclusion/Lesson Wrap-up:
The closure question asks students their opinions on American Imperialism and if it was
fair to people of the country America used for their own growth and development. What
effects occurred after America’s policies were forced on those nations?
Collect both the graphic organizer and cartoon/opinion questions at the end for assessing
student’s knowledge of the content.