Oklahoma Social Studies USH.C.3.1.D
The Standard
- USH.C.3
- Analyze the expanding role of the United States of America in international affairs as the United States of America was transformed into a world power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- USH.C.3.1
- Evaluate the impact of Imperialism on international relations and its effect on developing nations.
Identify the events that led many people in the United States of America to support going to war with Spain, assessing how yellow journalism and jingoism influenced public opinion.
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · USH.C.3.1
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Trace how reports of Spanish treatment of Cubans, the de Lôme letter, and the USS Maine explosion raised support for war. Explain how sensational headlines and calls for national glory shaped public opinion.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can put key events in order and separate reported facts from newspaper accusations. They can explain how a dramatic headline or a call to defend national honor might persuade readers.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think Spain was proved to have blown up the Maine. They may also treat all newspaper reports as false or mistake aggressive calls for war for ordinary patriotism.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Name two events that built support for war with Spain. Explain how the headline 'Spain Blew Up the Maine!' might sway readers when the cause of the explosion was unknown.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs dated cards for Cuban reconcentration camps, the de Lôme letter, and the Maine explosion; have them build a timeline.
Ask partners: 'Would a call to defend national honor persuade you if the Maine's cause was unknown? Why?'
Play a card sort: label 'Maine explodes,' 'Spain did it,' and 'War proves our strength' as fact, unproven claim, or jingoism.
Compare a current news headline with its linked article, and mark any claim in the headline that the article does not support.
Free download
Printable USH.C.3.1.D Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to USH.C.3.1.D, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- 5.C.3.3
Explain efforts to mobilize support for the American Revolution.
- USH.C.3.2
Evaluate the long-term impact of the United States’ entry into World War I on national politics, the economy, and society.
- USH.C.3.1.E
Examine how the Spanish-American War resulted in the rise of the United States as a world power, leading to new territorial acquisitions and followed by nationa...
- USH.C.3.2.A
Examine the justification for the United States of America’s movement from neutrality to engagement in World War I by explaining the intent and impact of the Zi...
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson