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How and why did the United States become an overseas empire around 1900?

Analyze the causes and consequences of American imperialism, including the Spanish-American War, the acquisition of overseas territories, yellow journalism, and the Panama Canal (GSE SSUSH14, Domain 4).

An EOC-level answer on American imperialism for the Georgia Milestones US History exam: the causes of overseas expansion, yellow journalism and the Spanish-American War, the acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, the debate over empire, and the Panama Canal, with worked stimulus and technology-enhanced questions.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.813 min answer

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  1. What this topic is asking
  2. The causes of imperialism
  3. Yellow journalism and the Spanish-American War
  4. The consequences: an overseas empire
  5. The Panama Canal
  6. Try this

What this topic is asking

SSUSH14 asks you to analyze the causes and consequences of American imperialism around 1900: why the United States expanded overseas, the role of yellow journalism and the Spanish-American War, the territories the nation acquired, the debate over empire, and the Panama Canal. This is the first Domain 4 topic, marking the nation's emergence as a world power.

The causes of imperialism

Yellow journalism and the Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War (1898) was short and decisive. The United States defeated Spain in Cuba and the Philippines within months, and Theodore Roosevelt gained fame leading the "Rough Riders."

The consequences: an overseas empire

The Panama Canal

To secure the canal, the United States supported Panama's independence from Colombia, an example of the assertive foreign policy of the era.

Try this

Q1. Identify two causes of American imperialism around 1900. [2]

  • Cue. Any two of: the desire for new markets and raw materials; the need for naval bases and coaling stations; nationalism and a belief in spreading American influence.

Q2. State two consequences of the Spanish-American War. [2]

  • Cue. The United States gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines (and a protectorate over Cuba), and it emerged as a world power with an overseas empire, sparking a debate over imperialism.

Exam-style practice questions

Practice questions written in the style of GaDOE exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.

GA Milestones (US History, style)1 marksSensationalized newspaper stories blaming Spain for the explosion of the USS Maine are an example of yellow journalism that helped
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A single-select item (Domain 4, SSUSH14).

Correct answer: push the United States into the Spanish-American War.

Yellow journalism used exaggerated, emotional stories to inflame public opinion against Spain. Markers reward connecting yellow journalism to the rush to war. Distractors such as "end the war peacefully" or "support Spain" contradict the role of the sensational press.

GA Milestones (US History, TE)2 marksDrag each result of the Spanish-American War into place: results include (i) the United States gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, (ii) the United States emerged as a world power with an overseas empire; select the two statements that are accurate consequences.
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A multi-select (technology-enhanced) item (Domain 4, SSUSH14).

Correct selections: the United States gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines; the United States emerged as a world power with an overseas empire.

Markers reward identifying the territorial gains and the rise of the US as an imperial world power. The war also sparked a debate between imperialists and anti-imperialists over whether the nation should rule overseas peoples.

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