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The Rise of TR
Part A: Terms: Instructions: Explain why the terms below are historically significant.
1. The Rough Riders:
2. William McKinley:
3. Leon Frank Czolgosz:
4. Social Darwinism:
5. The Battle of San Juan Hill:
Part B: Short Answers: Instructions: Answer the following questions.
1. Why was the sinking of the USS Maine such a significant event in US History?
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2. What role did Theodore Roosevelt have in the Spanish American War? How did this impact his
political career?
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3. Why was it ironic that the USA took the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico as territories after
winning the Spanish American War?
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4. Explain TR’s views concerning the role of government and his views on Social Darwinism.
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Name:________________________________________________________ Date:______________ Class:______
ANSWERS:
The Rise of TR
Part A: Terms: Instructions: Explain why the terms below are historically significant.
1. The Rough Riders: This was a cavalry group led by TR in the Spanish American War.
2. William McKinley: He was President at the dawn of the 20th Century. TR was his Vice President.
3. Leon Frank Czolgosz: He assassinated President William McKinley.
4. Social Darwinism: This is the belief that the strongest companies will dominate weaker ones and that the
government should not interfere in that process.
5. The Battle of San Juan Hill: TR led the Rough Riders to victory at this famous battle.
Part B: Short Answers: Instructions: Answer the following questions.
1. Why was the sinking of the USS Maine such a significant event in US History?
The USA wanted Spain to give Cuba independence. Yet, the USA did not use the military to
pursue this endeavor. However, the USS Maine had an explosion occur near Cuba and Spain
was blamed. This sparked the Spanish American War.
2. What role did Theodore Roosevelt have in the Spanish American War? How did this impact his
political career?
Theodore Roosevelt led the Rough Riders. They won the famous battle of San Juan Hill. This
increased TR’s fame across the USA.
3. Why was it ironic that the USA took the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico as territories after
winning the Spanish American War?
The USA wanted independence for Cuba. However, Spain also controlled the Philippines, Guam,
and Puerto Rico. When the war was over, Cuba got independence; yet, the USA claimed the
Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico as territories. This was inconsistent in that Cuba was
allowed to be free, but the other areas remained in the control of the USA.
4. Explain TR’s views concerning the role of government and his views on Social Darwinism.
TR disagreed with allowing Social Darwinism to run the economy. For instance, he broke up
monopolies instead of letting them dominate various markets. Therefore, he felt the federal
government had the right to break up monopolies and disrupt the Social Darwinism process.
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All Rights Reserved.