11.6 - The Rise of American Power

Eleventh Grade - Eleventh Social Studies - 11.6 - The Rise of American Power

From EngageNY

Numerous factors contributed to the rise of the United States as a world power. Debates over the United States’ role in world affairs increased in response to overseas expansion and involvement in World War I. United States participation in the war had important effects on American society.

11.6a In the late 1800s, various strategic and economic factors led to a greater focus on foreign affairs and debates over the United States’ role in the world.

• Students will examine factors such as the economic and strategic interests that led the United States to seek foreign markets, resources, and coaling stations, including interest in Hawaii.
• Students will investigate the causes and effects of the Spanish-American War, evaluating Spanish, Cuban, and United States interests and actions.
• Students will examine debates between anti-imperialists and imperialists surrounding ratification of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and annexation of the Philippines.
• Students will investigate expanding American influence in the Caribbean and Latin America through the creation of the Panama Canal and the Roosevelt Corollary.

11.6b While the United States attempted to follow its traditional policy of neutrality at the beginning of World War I, the nation eventually became involved in the war. President Woodrow Wilson led the nation into war with the hope of reforming the international order through his Fourteen Points.

• Students will investigate the reasons for President Wilson’s shift from neutrality to involvement in World War I.
• Students will examine Wilson’s goals as expressed in the Fourteen Points, his role at the Versailles Peace Conference, and the compromises approval for the League of Nations.
• Students will examine the reasons why President Wilson was unsuccessful in gaining support for Senate ratification of the Treaty of Versailles.

11.6c World War I had important social, political, and economic effects on American society.

• Students will investigate the effects of mobilization on the United States economy, including the role and contributions of women and African Americans in the war effort.
• Students will investigate the causes and effects of the Great Migration on American society.
• Students will examine the Supreme Court decision concerning civil liberties in Schenck v. United States (1919).
• Students will examine the relationship between postwar recession, fear of radicals, xenophobia, and the Red Scare (1919–1921).