OUSD History/Social Studies
Tilden School, Portable A
4551 Steele Street
Oakland, CA 94619
Preparing for the Fall 2010-2011 11th grade U.S. History Writing Assessment:
Working with the Textbook to Gain Background Knowledge
This activity is designed to help support the development of a thoughtful response to
the history writing assessment for this semester. On this assessment you will be
asked to write an essay that responds to the following question.
In its war with Spain and expansion into the Philippines did the United
States demonstrate humanitarian goals or concern for its own economic
interests and political power?
--------------------“Point-of-View” Study Guide for use with American Anthem pages 206-212
Part I - Read the following directions and then complete the activity that follows.
You are about to be interviewed as if you were a number of different individuals who
lived in the late 19th century (1800’s) to the early 20th century (1900’s). This was the
time period of the Spanish-American War and the period of U.S. expansion in the South
Pacific.
As the identified individuals, describe your reactions to each of the issues and/or events
discussed below. Number 1 is already completed as a model response.
(The identified page numbers connect to pages in your textbook.)
“You Furnish the Pictures, I’ll Furnish the War” – p. 206
1. As William Randolph Hearst: Why did you send Fredric Remington to Cuba?
Sample Response: I sent Fredric Remington to Cuba because I wanted him to create and
then send back drawings of war scenes. More people will buy and read the newspapers
that I publish if there are stories and pictures of conflict and war.
Preparing for the OUSD 11th Grade U.S. History Writing Assessment
Fall 2010
“Simmering Unrest in Cuba” – p. 207
2. As Jose Marti: How did you inspire other Cubans to seek independence?
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3a. As a Cuban civilian in 1895: Describe your thoughts and actions about being part of
Spain’s empire.
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3b. As General Valeriano Weyler: Describe your thoughts and actions in Cuba?
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“Americans Get War Fever” – p. 207-208
4a. As William Randolph Hearst: Why is your paper using “yellow journalism to cover
the story of the Cuban rebels?
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4b. As Joseph Pulitzer: Why is your paper using “yellow journalism to cover the story
of the Cuban rebels?
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5a. As President McKinley: What is your reaction to the de Lome letter?
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5b. As William Randolph Hearst (publisher of the New York Journal): What is your
reaction to the de Lome letter?
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Preparing for the OUSD 11th Grade U.S. History Writing Assessment
Fall 2010
6a. As President McKinley: What is your response to the destruction of the USS
Maine?
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6b. As an American citizen of that time period: What is your response to the
destruction of the USS Maine?
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6c. As William Randolph Hearst: What is your response to the destruction of the USS
Maine?
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“The Course of the War” p. 208-211
7. As Commodore George Dewey: Describe your battle strategy in the Philippines.
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8. Examine the two maps on page 209. How did the U.S. naval tactics used in Cuba
differ from those used in the Philippines?
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9a. As a Rough Rider: Describe your experience fighting in Cuba.
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9b. As a Buffalo Soldier: Describe your experience fighting in Cuba.
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Preparing for the OUSD 11th Grade U.S. History Writing Assessment
Fall 2010
10a. As a Spanish citizen: What is your reaction to the peace treaty and the
consequences of the Spanish-American War?
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10b. As a U.S. citizen: What is your reaction to the peace treaty and the consequences
of the Spanish-American War?
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“Counterpoints” – p. 221
11a. As Henry Cabot Lodge: How does the Declaration of Independence support your
view about the annexation of the Philippines?
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11b. As George Hoar: How does the Declaration of Independence support your view
about the annexation of the Philippines?
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“Annexing the Philippines” p. 211 – 212
12a. As a U.S. citizen who was in favor of annexation: What are your arguments in
favor of the annexation of the Philippines?
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12b. As a U.S. citizen who was opposed to annexation: What are your arguments
against the annexation of the Philippines?
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12c. As a Filipino nationalist: What are your arguments against the annexation of the
Philippines?
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Preparing for the OUSD 11th Grade U.S. History Writing Assessment
Fall 2010
13. What were some of the effects of the American annexation of the Philippines?
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Part II – Developing a tentative thesis
Using what you read in your textbook and your work on this assignment write a
tentative thesis statement that responds the assessment question In its war with Spain and expansion into the Philippines did the United States
demonstrate humanitarian goals or concern for its own economic interests and political
power
As you develop your tentative thesis you may use the following definition of
“humanitarian,” of your own definition.
Humanitarian - pertaining to the practice of saving lives and alleviating suffering. It is
usually related to emergency response (also called humanitarian response) whether in
the case of a natural disaster or a man-made disaster such as war or other armed
conflict.
Tentative thesis in response to the question:
Preparing for the OUSD 11th Grade U.S. History Writing Assessment
Fall 2010