Mr. M's Social Studies Blog

Government – Unit 2 Notes – The Foundations of American Government

Posted on January 3, 2023 by pmaienknecht

The link below will allow you access to the “Foundations of American Government” Unit notes.

Unit 2 Notes – The Foundation of American Government

Notes in google presentation form

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Government – CH 2, ST 2 Study Guide – The Coming of Independence

Posted on December 21, 2022 by pmaienknecht

The link below will access the study guide covering CH 2, ST 2 pages 34-39 in your textbook.

CH 2 ST 2 Study Guide – The Coming of Independence

Study Guide in Google Doc Form

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US History – The Taking of the Heights at San Juan Hill

Posted on December 2, 2022 by pmaienknecht

The following video clips depict the Rough Riders leading the charge at San Juan Hill. This battle was a key victory for the United States and one of the only major land battles of the Spanish-American War for Cuban Independence. This clip picks up after the Rough Riders have take Kettle Hill, and begin their assault on Spanish fortification on San Juan Hill.

Part 1 (start at beginning of this clip):

Part 2 – The aftermath of the battle (continue the scene with this clip by picking up at the 4:12 mark).

Posted in AP CH 21 Toward Empire (American Imperialism), Honors US History, Imperialism & The Spanish American War, US History, US History - CH 10 - Becoming a World Power (American Imperialism) | Leave a comment

Government – Create A Political Party Project

Posted on November 30, 2022 by pmaienknecht

Use the following links to access the documents and information you need to complete this project.

Create A Political Party (General Instructions, Platform, Planks, & Logo Draft Sheet)

Schedule of Events (requirements page)

Advertisement Script page

Project Scoring Rubric

This Website will help give you ideas about your own website:

Directory of U.S. Political Parties

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US History – Yellow Journalism & The Spanish American War

Posted on November 30, 2022 by pmaienknecht

The power point below explains the influence of yellow journalism on the attitude of America toward war with Spain in Cuba:

yellow-journalism-Spanish Am War (notes)

The activity below further explains the influence of yellow journalism and gives several good examples. Make your own copy and complete using the website linked (they are also provided below).

Yellow Journalism Activity

below are links to the two websites you will need to use for this activity.

The Yellow Press

Yellow Journalism Cartoon Gallery

Posted in Honors US History, Imperialism & The Spanish American War, US History, US History - CH 10 - Becoming a World Power (American Imperialism) | Leave a comment

Government – Political Parties in America Web-Search Activity

Posted on November 16, 2022 by pmaienknecht

Follow the instructions on the handout attached:

Political Parties in American Web-search activity

Link to website:

Political Parties in America

Posted in Government - Unit 1/Part 3 - Political Ideology, Government - UNIT 8 - Political Parties | Leave a comment

US History – Support for American Imperialism (A.T. Mahan)

Posted on November 14, 2022 by pmaienknecht

The video below is a presentation on how Afred T. Mahan influenced American Imperialism in the 1890s.

Alfred T. Mahan Video (7 minutes)

Pro & Anti Imperialism notes

Pro & Anti Imperialism Chart (google doc)

Activity/Application: Use the video and chart above as well as the “comparing historians’ viewpoints” section on page 354 in your book to answer the following…

After watching the video and analyzing the chart containing main arguments both “for” and “against” imperialism, comment on which argument you think is the strongest for Pro-Imperialism supporters & which is the strongest for Anti-Imperialism supporters. Explain why you feel this way for each.
Read “Comparing Historians’ Viewpoints on page 354. What argument does Walter LaFeber make for how imperialism could solve some of America’s domestic issues?
What argument does Robert Beisner make for how imperialism could restore security and renew the “American spirit”?
Now imagine you lived in America at the turn of the century. Which side of this debate (Pro or Anti-Imperialism) do you think you would most support? Explain why.