Oklahoma Social Studies USH.C.8.3.B
The Standard
- USH.C.8
- Analyze the rationale and impact of foreign and domestic policies of the late 20th century.
- USH.C.8.3
- Describe the policy goals of President George H.W. Bush.
Examine justifications for using United States of America’s troops to overthrow the regime of Panama’s General Noriega.
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · USH.C.8.3
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify the reasons U.S. leaders gave for invading Panama in 1989, including citizen safety, democracy, and drug trafficking. They weigh those reasons against concerns about civilian harm and Panama's sovereignty.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can connect a stated reason to a specific event, such as the annulled election or the killing of a U.S. Marine. They can explain why someone might support or oppose the invasion using evidence.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think Noriega's drug charges made invasion the only option. Some assume the U.S. owned the Panama Canal or that restoring democracy answered every concern about the use of force.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Name two reasons U.S. leaders gave for invading Panama. Give one fact that supports a reason, then name one concern about using troops.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs printed cards with stated reasons and events, including Noriega's drug indictment and the annulled election; have them match claims to evidence.
Ask students: Did the annulled election justify sending troops? Write three sentences using one fact and one objection.
Play a card-matching game with claims about citizen safety, canal treaties, drug charges, and the killing of a U.S. Marine.
Read a recent article about U.S. troops overseas; students mark its stated purpose and compare it with one claim about Panama.
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