Name: _________________________
Social Studies
Age of Imperialism
Date: ____________
Period: ___________
Background Information:
From the mid-late 1800’s until 1918, there was a new
wave of imperialism and colonialism that swept
throughout the world. Industrialized European
nations and the United States continued conquering
lands throughout their continents and around the
world for several different reasons. Most of the
reasons were rooted in the need for more natural
resources, industrialization, military strength, and
racism. Within the United States there were
Americans who were both in favor of and against
imperializing territories around the world. Though the debate is for the most part over, the
question must be asked if colonization and imperialism is still necessary today, or possibly in
the future.
Complete one of the following:
 Create a storyboard that chronicles all four reasons/causes of new imperialism. Use your
notes and textbook to describe each reason in the box at the top of each section. Create
a corresponding cartoon that demonstrates each reason/cause that you mention. Be sure
to use color, symbolism and text to explain the reason/cause. On the back of the
storyboard (or on a separate sheet of paper) be sure to write a ½ page paragraph on the
arguments in favor and against new imperialism. Please make sure that you discuss and
explain three arguments for and three arguments against imperialism.
OR

Write a 1 ½-2 page thematic essay discussing the arguments in favor of and against
imperialism. This essay should have an introduction paragraph, two body
paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph. Make sure that the introduction has an
opening statement with all 5W’s, background information (causes/reasons for new
imperialism), and a thesis that restates the two task (arguments for and against).
The body paragraphs should have a topic sentence that restates the task, several
arguments in favor or against imperialism (with explanations and supporting
examples) and a transition/closing sentence. The conclusion should have a closing
statement with all 5W’s, a restatement of the thesis (tasks) using at least one
example from each body paragraph, and tie it all together. The essay must be
TYPED, 12 PT FONT, DOUBLE SPACED, TIMES NEW ROMAN STYLE
Name__________________________________________Class__________Date_________________
Storyboard Scoring Rubric
Grading
Criteria
Content
Design
Visual
Appeal
Creativity
Score 4
Score 3
Score 2
Score 1
Well-written
text and
carefully
chosen
visuals work
together to
illustrate and
inform about
the subjects
Logical and
easy to read;
Has subtitles,
type and
visuals are
neatly
executed;
layout
complements
the content
Pleasing use
of color,
shapes,
symbols, and
other graphic
elements
captures
viewers’
attention and
interest
Incorporates
unique but
pertinent
ideas, design
elements,
visuals, or text
that make the
poster stand
out
Descriptive
text and
appropriate
visuals work
together to
inform
viewers
Text contains
inaccuracies
and some
visual
materials lack
pertinence or
impact
Text
insufficient
and
inaccurate;
visuals lack
impact
Fairly
logical; Has
a subtitles,
type and
visuals are
mostly neat
and easy to
understand
Somewhat
disorganized;
lacks
subtitles; fails
to complement
content
Disorganized;
hastily and
carelessly
planned
Good use of
color and eye
catching
graphic
elements
Good ideas
overshadowed
by other
elements that
distract or
give a
cluttered
appearance
Little
constructive
use of color or
graphic
elements
Contains
some unique
or
imaginative
elements
and is pretty
original
Contains some No evidence of
good, although creativity
not entirely
original
elements
16=100 15=94 14=88 13=81
12=75 11=69
10=63 9=56
6=38
8=50
7=44
5=31
Name__________________________________________Class__________Date_________________
Thematic Essay Rubric
Category
Introduction
Paragraph
Body
Paragraph #1
Body
Paragraph #2
Conclusion
Paragraph
4
opening statement
(5W’s), background
information
(causes/reasons for
new imperialism),
and a thesis that
restates the two task
(arguments for and
against)
Has a topic sentence
that restates the task,
several arguments in
favor of imperialism
(with ample
explanations and
supporting examples)
and a transition
sentence.
3
Missing few parts
of the opening
statement, some
background
information, and
has a thesis
statement that
restates the tasks
2
Missing few parts
of the opening
statement, little
background
information, and
poor thesis
Has a topic sentence
that restates the
task, some
arguments in favor
of imperialism (with
some explanation
and supporting
examples) and a
transition sentence.
Has a poor topic
sentence, few
arguments in favor
of imperialism
(with little
explanation and
supporting
examples) and a
transition
sentence.
Has a topic sentence Has a topic sentence Has a poor topic
that restates the task, that restates the
sentence, few
several arguments
task, some
arguments against
against imperialism
arguments against
imperialism (with
(with ample
imperialism (with
little explanation
explanations and
some explanation
and supporting
supporting examples) and supporting
examples) and a
and a closing
examples) and a
closing sentence.
sentence.
closing sentence.
Has a closing
Closing statement is Closing statement
statement that
missing a few of the is missing a few of
restates all 5W’s,
5W’s, mostly
the 5W’s, mostly
restates the thesis
restates the thesis
restates the thesis
(tasks) using at least (tasks) using at least (tasks), no
one example from
one example from
examples from
each body paragraph, each body
each body
and tie it all together. paragraph, and tie it paragraph, and tie
all together.
it all together.
1
Has none of the
5W’s in the
opening statement,
no background
information, and no
thesis
Has no topic
sentence, few or no
arguments in favor
of imperialism
(with no
explanation and
supporting
examples) and no
transition sentence.
Has no topic
sentence, few or no
arguments against
imperialism (with
no explanation and
supporting
examples) and no
closing sentence.
Does not restate
5W’s, does not
restates the thesis
(tasks), no
examples from
each body
paragraph, and tie
it all together.
16=100 15=94 14=88 13=81
12=75 11=69
10=63 9=56
6=38
8=50
7=44
5=31
Name: __________________________
Period: _____
Date: _______________
How can we summarize the reasons/causes for new imperialism around the work in the late 1800s and
early 1900’s?
Reason #1:
Reason #2:
Reason #3:
Reason #4: