History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
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Created by Kate Green
US History II: 1865 to Present – Notes & Study Guide – US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the changing role of the United States from the late nineteenth century
through World War I by
a) explaining the reasons for and results of the Spanish American War.
 The United States emerged as a world power as a result
of victory over Spain in the Spanish American War.
 Economic interests and public opinion often influence
United States involvement in international affairs.
Influence –
What were the reasons for the Spanish American War?
By the End of SAW, the US is now ____________________.
Reasons for the Spanish American War
 Protection of American business interests in Cuba
 American support of Cuban rebels to gain independence
from Spain
 Rising tensions between Spain and the United States as a
result of the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor
 Exaggerated news reports of events (yellow journalism)
Yellow Journalism
 Newspapers, competing for sales,
exaggerated stories of the horrors of
Cuban life under oppressive Spanish
rule.
 The Spanish had sent many Cubans to
concentration camps. The press called
them "death camps" and wrote headlines like
“Spanish Cannibalism, Inhuman Torture, and
Amazon Warriors Fight for Rebels.” Newspapers
sent hundreds of reporters, artists, and
photographers to Cuba to report Spanish inhumane
actions.
 One photographer sent to cover the
Cuban revolt sent back
the message, "There is
no war. Request to be
recalled." His boss sent
back a message, ”Please remain. You
furnish the pictures, I'll furnish the
war."
 These newspaper
stories of Spanish
cruelty sold
newspapers and swayed
public opinion in favor
of intervention.
 The name “Yellow
Journalism” came from this popular cartoon of the
Yellow Kid, who wore a yellow gown while he mocked
upper-class customs.
 Hurst & Pulitzer
Opinion –
Involvement Exaggerate -
 The Spanish American War - April 25-August 12, 1898
 The war between the U.S. and Spain lasted only 4 months.
Most of the fighting occurred on Cuba and in the Philippines
on opposite sides of the world.
 In 1895, Cuban rebels began a revolt against the Spanish
government. The U.S. was concerned about protection of
American business interests in Cuba.
American business owned huge pieces
of land in Cuba to grow sugar and
the sugar trade was very profitable
for U.S. business.
 Cubans had been unhappy with Spanish
rule for awhile, and Americans were concerned.
 Spain's harsh attempts to put down the Cuban revolt and
cruel treatment of the Cubans increased support in the U.S.
for Cuba's struggle for independence.
 President McKinley, however, had
personally seen so much death and destruction
during the Civil War that he was hesitant to
get involved.
 The Battleship USS Maine was sent to
Cuba to show American concern over Spanish
actions and support for the Cuban rebels. The
Maine had been in Havana Harbor three weeks
when the captain wrote the trouble in Cuba was almost over
and the new Spanish governor had the situation under control.
 Then one night the battleship blew up and sank, killing 266
men. The American press
immediately blamed the Spanish,
though there was no evidence
that the Spanish were
responsible.
 In order to attract readers they
even faked pictures showing Spanish soldiers planting mines
around the ship. Hundreds of editorials demanded revenge.
Soon a rallying cry could be heard everywhere -- in the
papers, on the streets, and in the halls of Congress:
"Remember the Maine! To ** with Spain." President William
McKinley was pressured by Congress into asking for a
declaration of war.
SAW was mainly fought in ________
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
What were the results of the
Spanish American War?
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
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Territory -
International Affairs -
World Power –
Yellow Journalism -
Created by Kate Green
Imperialism -
Results of the Spanish American War
 The United States emerged as a World Power.
 Cuba gained independence from Spain.
 The United States gained possession of the Philippines,
Guam, and Puerto Rico.
The U.S. Becomes a World Power
 The war itself lasted
only four months,
from mid-April to
mid-August 1898.
There were 379
American combat
deaths, but more than
5,000 servicemen
died of illness.
 The Spanish American War
gave the US its first overseas
empire.
 Begun over the cause of
Cuban independence, the war
marked the start of the
United States as a world power
and the beginning of American
overseas imperialism. Most of
the fighting occurred in the
Spanish possessions of Cuba
and the Philippines on opposite
sides of the world.
 Representatives of Spain
and the United States signed a peace treaty in Paris on
December 10, 1898 established the independence of
Cuba, gave Puerto Rico
and Guam to the United
States and allowed the
US to purchase the
Philippines Islands
from Spain for $20
million.
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
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Created by Kate Green
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the changing role of the United States from the late nineteenth century
through World War I by
b) describing Theodore Roosevelt’s impact on the foreign policy of the United States.
Monroe Doctrine –
Roosevelt expanded the Monroe Doctrine as
a way to prevent European involvement in
Latin American Countries –
the affairs of Latin American countries.
Expanded  What were Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign polices?
 What was Theodore Roosevelt’s impact on the foreign policy of the United States?
The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
 asserted the United States’ right to interfere in the economic matters of other nations in the Americas
 claimed the United States’ right to exercise international police power
 advocated Big Stick Diplomacy (building the Panama Canal).
Theodore Roosevelt
 Oct 27, 1858- Jan. 6, 1919
 26th President – 1901-1909 (Only Pres to serve more than 2 Terms)
 He is known for his huge personality, range of hobbies and
accomplishments, and his leadership of the Progressive
Movement, as well as his "cowboy" manly style.
 Roosevelt's achievements as a naturalist, explorer, hunter,
author, and soldier are as much a part of his fame as any
office he held as a politician.
 Roosevelt was a sickly child who suffered from asthma and
stayed at home studying natural history. To make up for
his physical weakness, he embraced a structured life. He
was home schooled and loved to learn about nature.
 He attended Harvard University, where he boxed and
developed an interest in the navy.
 The Spanish–American War broke out while Roosevelt was,
in charge of the Department of the Navy. He quickly
resigned and led a small group of military men in Cuba
known as the “Rough Riders”, setting sail from Pensacola,
Florida, earning a nomination for the Medal of Honor,
which was received after his death on January 16, 2001.
 After the war, he returned to New York and was elected
Governor in a close election. Within two years, he was
elected Vice President of the United States.
 In 1901, President William McKinley was assassinated and
Roosevelt became President at the age of 42, taking
office as the youngest age of any U.S. President in
history.
 On the world stage, Roosevelt's policies were
characterized by his slogan,
"Speak softly and carry a big
stick". Roosevelt was the force
behind the completion of the
Panama Canal, sent the Great
White Fleet on a world tour to
demonstrate American power.
Theodore Roosevelt
The Roosevelt Corollary was an
extension of the Monroe Doctrine
by United States President
Theodore Roosevelt in 1904.
Roosevelt's extension of the
Monroe Doctrine asserted a right
of the United States to intervene
to "stabilize" the economic affairs
of small states in the Caribbean
and Central America if they were
unable to pay their international debts. The alternative,
according to the U.S. assumptions, was intervention by
European powers, especially Great Britain and France, which
had lent money to countries that were unable to repay.
Roosevelt's December 1904 annual message to Congress
declared
“All that this country desires is to
see the neighboring countries
stable, orderly, and prosperous.
Any country whose people conduct
themselves well can count upon
our hearty friendship. If a nation
shows that it knows how to act with reasonable
efficiency and decency in social and political matters, if
it keeps order and pays its obligations, it need fear no
interference from the United States. Chronic
wrongdoing, or an impotence which results in a general
loosening of the ties of civilized society, may in America,
as elsewhere, ultimately require intervention by some
civilized nation, and in the Western Hemisphere the
adherence of the United States to the Monroe Doctrine
may force the United States, however reluctantly, in
flagrant cases of such wrongdoing or impotence, to the
exercise of an international police power.”
While the Monroe Doctrine had warned European powers to
keep their hands off countries in the Americas, President
Roosevelt was now saying that "since the United States would
not permit the [European] powers to lay their hands on, he
had an obligation to do so himself. In short, he would
intervene to keep them from intervening."
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
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Created by Kate Green
1910 cartoon shows Roosevelt's multiple roles from 1899-1910.
The Story of the Teddy Bear
Many of us have loved a teddy bear. Maybe we've even had
more than one very special "teddy" in our lives. Here is the
real story of how the teddy bear sprang into our hearts.
Nearly 100 years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt, went on
a bear hunt. He enjoyed nature and being out in the woods
where animals lived. Because he was the President of the
United States, the people organizing the hunt wanted to
make sure the hunt was successful.
But after 3 days of walking and climbing and riding, no bears
were found. Now what? The President's bear hunt would be a
failure!
The next day the hunt guide and his hunting dogs finally
found an old bear. The dogs and guide followed the bear for
quite a distance until the bear was very, very tired. The dogs
attacked and injured the old bear. The guides tied the bear
to a tree and called for the President. Here was a bear for
him to shoot!
President Roosevelt looked at the poor old bear and said "no!"
No one would shoot this old bear for sport. That would not be
right. However, the bear was injured and suffering. President
Roosevelt ordered that the bear be put down to end its pain.
A political cartoonist by the name of Clifford Berryman
heard this story. A political cartoonist draws about current
events in the news. Mr. Berryman drew a cartoon showing how
President Roosevelt refused to shoot the bear while hunting
in Mississippi.
If you look at the first cartoon that was printed about the
President's bear hunt you see Theodore Roosevelt in the
front. In the back is the guide with a bear tied on a leash.
Notice that the guide and the bear are about the same size,
suggesting a grown bear.
Look at the
cartoon which
appeared
later in other
papers. It has
been redrawn.
The bear is
smaller than
the guide.
The bear is
shaking with
fear. This cute bear cub began to appear in other cartoons
which Clifford Berryman drew throughout Theodore
Roosevelt's career.
So that is how a bear became connected to the name of
President Theodore Roosevelt.
But where do toy "teddy bears" come from?
After this famous cartoon appeared in the papers, a
shopkeeper, Morris Michtom took two stuffed toy bears which
his wife had made and put them in his shop window. He had an
idea.
Mr. Michtom asked for permission from President Theodore
Roosevelt to call these toy bears "Teddy's bears". This store
eventually became the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company.
Other stuffed animals were made by a German company, Steiff.
An illness left Margaret Steiff unable to walk. She refused to
be stopped by her handicap and earned her living by sewing.
First she made stuffed elephants, then other animals. In 1903
an American saw a stuffed bear she had made and ordered
many of them.
The phrase caught on. Now toy bears are often called teddy
bears! http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/kidscorner/tr_teddy.htm
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
-5-
Created by Kate Green
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the changing role of the United States from the late nineteenth century
through World War I by
c) explaining the reasons for the United States’ involvement in World War I and its international leadership role at the
conclusion of the war.
 The United States’ involvement in World
War I ended a long tradition of avoiding
involvement in European conflicts and
set the stage for the United States to
emerge as a global superpower later in
the twentieth century.
Neutral -
Allies -
Telegram -
Central Powers -
German U Boat -
 In response to the government's calls for enlistments,
two million Americans went to France in 1917 and 1918.
Their efforts, combined with those of the French and
the British, finally broke the German forces and led to
victory for the Allies
 There were disagreements about the
extent to which the United States should
participate in world affairs.
What were the reasons for the United States’ becoming involved in World War I?
Reasons for United
States involvement in
World War I
 Inability to remain
neutral
 United States
economic and
political ties to Great
Britain
WWI European Background:
 Europe disagreements over territory and boundaries of countries, plus other issues, really
escalated tensions with the assassination by a Serbian of the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria on
June 28, 1914. War broke out one month later.
 Soon Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany and the Ottoman Empire were battling the Allied Powers
of Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Serbia, Montenegro and Japan.
 The US tried to not choose sides in European Affairs. However they assisted/supported England
with weapons and ammunition because it was in the Best Interest of the US that England and the
Allies were victorious over the Central Powers
 German submarine warfare: Sinking of the
Lusitania
 The Zimmermann Telegram
SAW = US World Power = _______________
A German U-boat Torpedoes a
Steamer (Cruise Ship)

Around 1916, an Allied steamer is
sunk by U-boat (submarine)
torpedoes. The first major incident
involving a ship carrying American
citizens occurred on May 17, 1915
with the sinking of the British ocean
liner "Lusitania."

Germans agreed to stop using submarine warfare after this attack, they
resumed in the early 1917.

It was the terrifying attacks of the German U-boats/submarines that
finally brought America into World War I.
 "Lusitania Sunk by A Submarine, Probably 1260 Dead" This headline
from the front page of the May 8, 1915 edition of the "New York Times"
 Foreign Secretary of the German Empire, Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to
the German Ambassador in the US to forward it to the
German Ambassador in Mexico if the US was going to
enter the war.
 January 16, 1917 an official proposal from the German
Empire to Mexico to start a war against the United States.
 The message was caught by the British before it could get
to Mexico. The decoded message angered Americans and led
in part to a U.S. declaration of war on April 6th.
 He was to offer Mexico aid to claim their territory lost during the
Mexican–American War especially the American states of Texas, New Mexico, and
Arizona.
Mexico Said, “_______ ___________
________ !”
WWI = US Super Power = ________________
WWII = US Global Super Power = ___________
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
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Created by Kate Green
Who were the Allies?
Major Allied Powers
 British Empire
 France
 Russia
 Serbia
 Belgium
 United States
WWI Trench Warfare
Plant a Garden to Help the Troops
Allies
Who were the Central Powers?
Central Powers
 German Empire
 Austro-Hungarian
Empire
 Bulgaria
 Ottoman Empire
Central Powers Propaganda Postcard
US Tanks in France
In what ways did the United States provide international leadership at the conclusion of the war?
United States leadership as the war ended
 At the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson
prepared a peace plan
known as the Fourteen
Points that called for the
formation of the League of
Nations, a peacekeeping
organization.
 The United States decided
not to join the League of
Nations because the United
States Senate failed to ratify
the Treaty of Versailles.
 World War I ended June 28, 1919 with the signing of the
Treaty of Versailles.
 The Treaty of Versailles restricted Germany severely,
including limiting its army to 100,000 men.
 President Wilson, who opposed the treaty. He prepared his own
peace plan called the "Fourteen Points," which included a
provision for a League of Nations to prevent future wars.
 German territories were split among the Allied Nations. Many
historians believe these terms eventually led to World War II.
 At the Paris Peace Conference, the League of Nations was
formed. After WWII, the League of Nations realized it failed
its primary duty and it became the United Nations.
Some Neutral Countries – Switzerland, Spain, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, & Denmark
President ____________ Wrote the _____ _________________. 
Which created a ____________ Keeping group;__________ ___ __________ 
US _________ join the LoN, because the __________ Didn’t agree with the ________ ___ __________.
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
USII.5a
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
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Created by Kate Green
America Becomes a World Power: The Spanish American War
For nearly 50 years the United States had not gone to war with another country. Why do you think the
United States will start to become more involved in world affairs at the turn of the century?
Circle the three islands that The United States gained possession of as a result of the
Spanish American War and the signing of the Treaty of Paris with Spain.
Write a short Yellow Journalism Article about either School Food or one of your PE/Exploratory classes.
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
-8-
Created by Kate Green
Spanish
American
War
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
USII.5b
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
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Created by Kate Green
America Becomes a World Power: Big Stick Diplomacy
What was the Monroe Doctrine?
Fill in the blanks to complete the sentences.
1. Theodore Roosevelt expanded the Monroe Doctrine as a way to prevent _______________
involvement in the affairs of Caribbean and South American Countries.
2. Roosevelt asserted (declared) the United States’ right to interfere in ______________
matters of nations in the Americans.
3. Roosevelt claimed the United States right to exercise ________________ police power.
4. Roosevelt advocated Big __________ Diplomacy, which included the building of the
__________ Canal.
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
USII.5c
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
- 10 -
Created by Kate Green
America Becomes a World Power: The World Goes to War
How is a World War different from other Wars?
Answer the questions in complete sentences.
1. What role did alliances play in this war?
2. Which country of the Allied Powers do you think was most powerful? Why?
3. Which country of the Central Powers do you think was the most powerful? Why?
4. Do you think the United States will join the Allied Powers or Central Powers? Why?
1914 (Match the Events to their Dates)
June 28 –
Germany declared war on Russia
July 28 –
Francis Ferdinand assassinated
at Sarajevo
August 1 –
Austria declared war on Serbia
World War I Begins!
Allies
Central Powers
Key
B
Allied Powers
R
Central Powers
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
USII.5c
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
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Created by Kate Green
America Becomes a World Power: America in World War I
Why do you think America will join the “Great War”?
Illustrate how the trenches were used in “Trench Warfare.”
May 7, 1915
President Wilson asked Congress to Declare War on
Germany
May 23, 1915
Zimmerman Telegram Sent to Mexico
January 16,
1917
Italy Declares War on Germany and Austria
April 2, 1917
Sinking of the Lusitania
Who will win the “Great War”?
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
- 12 -
Created by Kate Green
America Becomes a World Power: The End of the War
USII.5c
Circle the correct answer.
1. Which British ship did Germany sink without warning?
Lusitania
Das Boot
Maine
2. The United States had economic and political ties to:
Germany
France
Great Britain
3. During World War I, the United States sided with Great Britain, France, Russia, Serbia, and Belgium.
These countries were known as the:
Central Powers
Allies
4. U.S. President Wilson’s peace plan called for the formation of:
The United Nations
The League of Nations
October 4, 1918
Germany signed an armistice with the Allies – the
official date of the end of World War One.
November 11,
1918
Germany asked the Allies for an armistice
January 4, 1919
The Treaty of Versailles was signed by the Germans.
January 28, 1919
Peace conference met at Paris
The Treaty of Versailles included several terms that Germany had to accept:
1. Full responsibility for the war
2. “Reparations” - Pay billions of dollars to the Allies for destroying their cities and country
3. Disarm
** The Treaty had to be singed to officially end the war.
United States leadership as the war ended
*
*
After ______________, the U.S. was established as a _________________ Power!
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
- 13 -
Created by Kate Green
World War I USII.5c
Name: ________________________________
Date: _______________________ Bell: ______
Complete the following sentences on World War I.
1. World War 1, also known as the First World War or the Great War or the War to End All
Wars, was a world conflict lasting from ____________________, with the fighting lasting
until 1918. The war was fought by the ___________ on one side, and the _____________
________________________ on the other.
2. The powers in WWI included:
The Allies
The Central Powers
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
6.
3. ________________ for the United States Involvement in WWI.
 ________________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________________
United States ___________________ as the war ended
4. At the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson prepared a peace plan known as the
____________________________________________that called for the formation of the
________________________________________________________________________.
5. The United States decided _______________________ the
League of Nations, because the ___________________________
_____________________________________________________.
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
- 14 -
Created by Kate Green
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
Civil War
Great
Depression
 1898
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
World War I
Reconstruction
World
War II
The New Deal
War
 1861-1865
 South Separated from
Maine
Power because of this
Created by Kate Green
Spanish
American War
 Sinking of the USS
 US Became a World
- 15 -
 1865-1866
 This began to Rebuild
the Union due to
disagreement of
Slavery & Exportations
the South
 1929-1940
 1933-1936
 F.D.R. created the these
programs to help
Rebuild US
 1914-1918
 US tried to stay
Neutral
 Sinking of the
Lusitania forced US to
 1939-1945
 Another War in Europe
 Nazis implemented
Mass Genocide of
Jewish
 Order Returned to
Europe
get involved
 Allies were Victorious
 Stock Market Crash –
Oct. 29, 1929
 Banks Collapse
 People Lose Everything
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
- 16 -
Created by Kate Green
History and Social Science Standards 2008 – VDOE, SOLPASS.org & Various Images
US.5 – Changing Role of the United States
- 17 -
Created by Kate Green
Put these events in order of how they happened. Include illustrations of the events. Remember to use you
year, month, and day to put the events into order.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to throne of
Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife are
assassinated by Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo.
6/28/14
Foreign Secretary Zimmermann's telegram to
Mexico is intercepted and translated by the
British.
1/16/17
US declares war on Germany.
4/6/17
US transforms from an Agricultural Nation to an
Industrialized Nation.
Germany declares war on Russia, France, &
Belgium.
8/3/14
US isolationism ended because of the US's
inability to remain Neutral. (Supporting our
Economic Allies)
Britain declares war on Germany.
8/4/14
U.S. Senate does NOT ratify the Treaty of
Versailles. & Germany signs an Armistice with
the Allies, officially ending the war.
11/11/18
German Submarine Warfare in full force.
2/1/17
Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary
declares war on Serbia sparking the beginning
of WWI.
7/28/14
The first Zeppelin raid on Britain took place
(London).
1/19/15
Germany Invades France.
8/23/14
Civil War Ends
1865
WWI ends
& US is known as a Super Power
6/28/19
Advances by the Allies on the Western Front
became Successful.
8/8/18
The Great Depression Starts with the Stock
Market Crash
Beginning of the Battle of Verdun, France (the
longest battle of WWI - 10 Months) Almost
700,000 deaths.
2/21/16 - 12/18/16
Fourteen Points written by President Wilson and
League of Nations created.
1/1918
Peace Treaty signed by Germans and Allies in
Versailles.
5/7/19
The "Lusitania" was sunk by German U-boats.
5/7/15