Student Handouts
Examining Primary Sources: Rudyard Kipling, “The White Man’s Burden” (1899)
Combine literature and history with the poem "The White Man's Burden" by Rudyard Kipling. Pupils read the poem and answer four questions about the text.
Curated OER
What Was South Carolina's Role in the Spanish American War?
Seventh graders investigate the role of South Carolina in the Spanish American War. In this imperialism lesson plan, 7th graders analyze primary documents and photographs, in collaborative groups, to determine how the state was involved...
Curated OER
The Spanish American War (1898-1901)
In this online interactive history instructional activity, students respond to 10 short answer questions about the Spanish American War. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive instructional activity.
Stanford University
Spanish-American War
Learners discuss why the United States invaded Cuba. In this Spanish American War instructional activity, students watch a movie about the U.S. invasion of Cuba and hypothesize their reasons for doing so. Learners complete a Spanish...
Curated OER
Yellow Journalism
Seventh graders investigate yellow journalism and how it affected public opinion and the government during the Spanish American War. They define key vocabulary words, and take notes during a teacher-led lecture. In pairs they read...
Curated OER
Views Concerning U.S. Imperialism after the Spanish-American War
Students research the impact of American Imperialism. In this Spanish-American War lesson plan, students visit the listed Web sites to discover details about the war and its effects. Students use the information they locate to...
Curated OER
U.S. Expansion and the Age of Empire
In this American foreign policy worksheet, students respond to 2 essay questions about expansionism in the country during the 20th century.
Curated OER
Imperialism
In this U.S. history instructional activity, students read assigned textbook pages regarding Imperialism and respond to 45 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Imperialism and Expansion: Part 2
Students explore the concept of American Imperialism. In this American foreign policy lesson, students take notes on the Spanish-American War and foreign policy practices of the United States in the late 1800s.
Curated OER
Imperialism and Expansion: Part 1
Students explore the era of imperialism and expansion of the United States. In this American history lesson, students play a game regarding the U.S. attempts to expand the nation in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Curated OER
Entering the World Stage
In this American imperialism worksheet, students review a chapter as they define 5 vocabulary terms in their own words, eliminate 4 false statements, and identify 2 themes from this era of growth and challenge in America.
Curated OER
Spanish-American War
Eleventh graders identify and examine the main causes and effects of the Spanish American War. They explore yellow journalism and investigate the history to the Platt Amendment. Each student also defines imperialism and maps out the...
Curated OER
INTERPRETING THE EFFECTS OF THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR ON US CITIZENS.
Students write an article about some aspect of American life during the war. -Examples include: Food, Travel, Weapons, Communication, Maps, Leadership. Each group of three will then be responsible for posting their article to the class...
Curated OER
Spanish American War and Imperialism
In this U.S. history worksheet, students read articles about Spanish American War and U.S. involvement with East Asia. Students then respond to 12 short answer questions.
Curated OER
USH Test One
Eleventh graders write about one reason immigrants came to the United States in the late 1800's. They take a test that focuses upon past concepts and then an introduction is given by the teacher for the concepts of Imperialism and The...
Curated OER
Charles Young Photographs
Students analyze photographs as an introduction to the Spanish American War. The concepts of American expansionism are explored through the process.
Arlington Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery: u.s.s. Maine Memorial
This site from the Arlington National Cemetery contains a memorial to the U.S.S. Maine, a ship that was sunk during the Spanish-American War. Includes some brief text, then a lot of pictures, and then some in-depth text.
Library of Congress
Loc: The World of 1898: The Spanish American War
The Library of Congress offers this detailed history of the Spanish American War from historical papers. Includes manuscripts, maps, and illustrations, and an excellent overview essay.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: The Price of Freedom: Americans at War
View comprehensive sets of artifacts that tell the story of America's wartime past and present. Artifacts from every major American military conflict, beginning with the American Revolution, can be closely examined. Full curatorial notes...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: William Mc Kinley's Second Inaugural Address
Read the second inaugural address of William McKinley, just months before he was assassinated.
PBS
Pbs: Crucible of Empire, the Spanish American War
Although this is the companion site to the film, it still provides much information on the Spanish American war and era through an interactive timeline. You can also view and listen to songs that were popular during that time.
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: Theodore Roosevelt: Military Preparedness and Unpreparedness
Read this essay from Roosevelt's, "The Strenuous Life," in which he discusses U.S. military forces, primarily in terms of the Spanish-American War. Excellent primary source!
Library of Congress
Loc: The Spanish American War in Motion Pictures
A great web site about the first war that was ever filmed in motion pictures. Very complete collection on all aspects of the Spanish-American War.
Library of Congress
Loc: Mark Twain
Listing of and excerpts from Twain's works regarding the war in the Philippines.