Unit 6: The U.S. as A World Power

Unit 6: The U.S. As A World Power

This unit will revolve around the years 1867-1918 when the United States was claiming new territories and getting involved in other counties affairs. The United States joined in the race with other developed nations to gain colonies and build an empire. You will see that the United States increasingly gained more power and world wide influence during this time, but was the new found power and influence necessarily a good thing?

The guiding question for this unit is: Should the United States mind it's own business?

By the time you are finished studying this unit you should understand the following ideas:

• Technological advances fueled U.S. Imperialism at the turn of the 20th century.
• Global competition caused the United States to expand.
  
• The U.S. gained land all over the world.
• The media plays a huge role in how events are viewed by people around the world.
• The United States assumed a leadership role in the Americas.
• The completion of the Panama Canal increased world wide trade between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by cutting the sailing time.
  
• As a result of this time period the United States maintains a strong military and political presence in strategic worldwide locations.
• There were many long term causes of WWI.
• New weapons and technologies introduced during WWI had a devastating effect.
• The U.S. entered the war for many reasons.
• WWI was a total war, and it affected civilians on a daily basis.
• The Treaty of Versailles that ended the war was a "peace built on quicksand".
• Following WWI the United States was viewed as the most technologically advanced nation in the world.

Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) Addressed in Unit 6 are:
SSUSH14 The student will explain America’s evolving relationship with the world at the turn of the twentieth century.
a. Explain the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and anti-Asian immigration sentiment on the west coast.
b. Describe the Spanish-American War, the war in the Philippines, and the debate over American expansionism.
c. Explain U.S. involvement in Latin America, as reflected by the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine and the creation of the Panama Canal.

SSUSH15 The student will analyze the origins and impact of U.S. involvement in World War I.
a. Describe the movement from U.S. neutrality to engagement in World War I, with reference to unrestricted submarine warfare.
b. Explain the domestic impact of World War I, as reflected by the origins of the Great Migration, the Espionage Act, and socialist Eugene Debs.
c. Explain Wilson’s Fourteen Points and the proposed League of Nations.
d. Describe passage of the Eighteenth Amendment, establishing Prohibition, and the Nineteenth Amendment, establishing woman suffrage.

Read each assignment carefully for the expectations for completing, turning in, and earning the maximum points possible.

Assignment 1: Preview Reflection Blog Post: When to Get Involved?
Write a blog post that addresses the topic below to get you thinking about this unit.
Base your response to this question on your own experience.

Is it ok to get involved on other people's business? Consider the questions below to get you thinking about this question:

Have you ever jumped into someone else's business? If so, why?

Under what conditions/situations is it ok or even necessary for you to get involved in someone else's business?

When should people mind their own business?

* Write a thorough post that includes all of the elements listed above . Be sure to include an appropriate title for the post. Let Mrs. Siegmund know when you have published your post so that you can get your points for completing the assignment. *20 possible points.

Assignment 2: Unit 6- 4 Part Vocabulary Assignment and Vocabulary Quiz

Complete a four part definition (1. the definition 2. supporting fact 3. interesting fact 4. visual) for each of the following terms associated with this unit: Imperialism, Spanish-American War, Yellow Journalism, Theodore Roosevelt, Panama Canal, Roosevelt Corollary, Zimmerman Note, Propaganda, Great Migration, Espionage Act, Eugene Debs, Fourteen Points

* This should be typed. Put in vocabulary section of your notebook. Must show to Mrs. Siegmund to get points for completing the assignment. You will take a vocabulary quiz after you have turned in your vocabulary assignment. 48 possible points for vocabulary assignment, and 12 points for the quiz.

Assignment 3: Headlining The Times- U.S. Imperialism Feature Story

The United States joined in the race to gain foreign territories in the late 1800's to early 1900's. It is your job to create a feature newspaper story that reports the important people, concepts, and land gains during this time of U.S. imperialism. Click here to get the detailed assignment. When you are ready to glue your feature story's title, paragraph, headlines, and pictures pick up the large paper from Mrs. Siegmund.

*When your newspaper feature story is complete turn it in to Mrs. Siegmund so that she can grade it. 50 possible points.

Assignment 4: WWI Case Study

The United States gradually became a leading world power during this time period, and as you'll see the world powers face off in World War I. To learn about the causes of WWI, the new weapons and warfare during WWI, U.S. involvement in the war, the war's effect of civilians, and the end of the war and the Treaty of Versailles you will complete a power point case study.

You will need to copy the power point from my drop box. To do this complete these steps.
1. Go to siegmundc drop box.
2. Open the Assignments folder
3. Open the U.S. History Folder
4. Click once on the WWI and the United States Case Study power point
5. On the left hand side select copy this file
6. Copy the power point into your My Documents folder
7. Follow all instructions within the power point to complete the case study.
8. Be sure to save your work as you go.

If you are beginning the case study at home, click here to download it.

WWI in the Trenches Video: For slide 17 you will need to watch the video below. You can also access it in my assignments folder if you would like to watch it in full screen.

* When your case study is complete put it in Mrs. Siegmund's drop box and notify Mrs. Siegmund so that she can grade it and award your points. *100 points.

Assignment 5: 50 States Map Test
You are responsible for learning the locations and correct spelling of all 50 states. We will spend time in class preparing for this map test, but it will require you to study outside of class to ensure a good grade.

Use the links below to help you study.
Beginners 50 States Practice Map
Advanced 50 States Practice Map


* Test date TBA. *50 possible points.

Assignment 6: Should the United States Get Involved in Other Countries Affairs? Blog Post
As you saw in this unit the United States became a major world power at the turn of the 20th century. In addition, the United States moved away from an isolationist view on foreign affairs (not getting involved) and became much more involved in other countries affairs. Think of times when the United States has been involved in other countries affairs (ex: Cuba, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Bosnia etc).

Write a blog post where you explain whether or not you think the United States should or should not get involved in other countries affairs. Be sure to provide at least two specific examples from U.S. history to defend your argument. Give your post an appropriate title.

After you post your paragraph notify Mrs. Siegmund so that she can grade your post and award your points. *20 possible points.