U.S. Imperialism/Pan-Am Expo. DBQ essay with full lesson plan

This lesson would fit into your curriculum towards the tail end of your chapter or unit on U.S. imperialism. The students should have already been taught the goals of U.S. imperialism, the annexation of Hawaii, as well as the results of the Spanish American War including the ensuing war against the Philippines. This could be a one-day lesson with the extended response assigned as homework or it could be extended into a multi-day lesson if you wished to spend more time discussing the Pan-American Exposition or the power-point photo analysis inquiry activity. **An entire lesson plan is included.

Lesson begins with a Photo Analysis group activity- Students will be shown a rustic photograph and a "modern" photograph of Buffalo's Pan Am which they will have to analyze and attempt to interpret. There are two options for instruction here.

Next, is a close read activity which requires students to analyze three sources. First, a historical account, second is a piece of art, and third is an excerpt from an informational text.

Assessment: The students will create an essay which answers the two-part question: Discuss three motives for U.S. imperialism and then the compelling question - Compare these motives with the purpose and goals of the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. This is a DBQ task so the students are to include document analysis as well as relevant outside information in their answers. A short graphic organizer section is provided to help the students set up their extended response.

The student handout is 4 pages and a sample answer key is included.