Discussion 5: American Imperialism

Overview

The purpose of this discussion is to think about the rationale for American imperialism in the late nineteenth century and how it affected people.

Instructions

For this discussion,  review your readings for Unit 5 and study the cartoon carefully. Feel free to do research outside the course if you'd like other points of view.

Prepare a discussion where you explain, based on your readings, what this cartoon is about and what values it expresses.  To do this, adopt the role of ONE of the following individuals and explain who that person was and how that person viewed the events behind this cartoon.

Choose ONE:

• Albert Beveridge (Historian and Republican Senator from Indiana)
• Carl Schurz (Former German revolutionary and Republican Senator from Missouri)
• A resident of one of America's new Caribbean or Pacific colonies

As with the previous assignments, try to put yourself in the shoes of someone in the past -- think about what their life was like, what their behavior and outlook might be. Try to justify your response by describing that life and outlook.

Please make sure you refer to the course rubric for the expectations for this assignment, found in the course resources module.  Participating in the course discussions is an important part of your final grade. In your discussions, you cannot simply reply to someone's posting with "ditto" or "I agree with you."   You must answer the question(s) asked in a minimum of two paragraphs and a maximum of three paragraphs. Your responses should also quote and cite the material you have read in the class so far; you may also do outside research.  Use the Purdue OWL Chicago Style guide  for help with the correct citation style for your quotes.

Then, respond to at least TWO classmates’ postings referring to at least one element of critical thinking.  Your response to your classmates should be a minimum of two sentences, to a maximum of four sentences (refer to your Introduction to Critical Thinking and to the How to Read History Sources modules for a review of how to read primary sources).