OUSD History/Social Studies

OUSD History/Social Studies

TildenSchool, Portable A

4551 Steele Street

Oakland, CA 94619

Preparing for the Fall 2010-2011 11thgrade 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?

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“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.

“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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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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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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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