Cookie Policy

Our website uses cookies to understand content and feature usage to drive site improvements over time. To learn more, review our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Skip Navigation
OER Logo

Sourcing: Differing Perspectives on Imperialism

Page 1 of 5
Checkmark Alert Banner
Did you know? You can access an editable version of this activity: Google Doc or Word Doc
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT1750 / LESSON 5.3ACTIVITYSOURCING: DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES ON IMPERIALISMUnless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Sourcing: Differing Perspectives on Imperialism,” OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/1PurposeExtend your sourcing skills by reading two primary source documents that provide differing perspectives on imperialism. Focus on the Point of View, Purpose, and Importance sectionsof the Sourcing Tool. By comparing these two sources,which were written from different perspectives on the same topic, you’ll refine your sourcing skills and become better at understanding how an author’s point of view and purpose impacts the “why” (importance) of a historical work.Process1.Open and analyze Sourcing Excerpts: Differing Perspectives on Imperialism.As you read the documents, focus on completing the Point of View, Purpose, and Importance sections of the Sourcing Tool on the next page. Additionally, as you read,think about this question: To what extent did ideology impact imperialism?2.Once you are done reading and filling out the Sourcing Tool, make sure you answer the questions that begin on page4.
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT 1750 / LESSON 5.3ACTIVITYSOURCING: DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES ON IMPERIALISM2Sourcing ToolProcess:Answer each of the questions below. If you are sourcing more than one document, provide responses for each.Name of document and/or source:Author’s name:Loca5on and date source was wri8en:Historical contextWhat about the author’s loca2on may have influenced the source’s loca2on (for example, the loca2on’s geography, demography, or the region’s poli2cal situa2on, religious influences, or industry)?What events might have influenced the source’s crea2on?What other informa2on helps you understand this source?AudienceWho was the source created for (that is, was this wri@en for anyone to read or was it private, for one specific person or group)?What were the readers of this source supposed to do or think once they read it?
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT 1750 / LESSON 5.3ACTIVITYSOURCING: DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES ON IMPERIALISM3PurposeWhat was the author’s goal, and what evidence supports your answer?POV(Point of View)Can you iden2fy anything about the author that might explain why they wrote this? For example, does their economic class, occupa2on, religion, na2onality, poli2cal group, ethnic group, or gender help explain why they wrote this?WhY(importance)What is the main idea of the source?What parts of this document are most valuable and why?What are the limita2ons of this document? In other words, where does it fall short?3.Once you’ve completed the Point of View, Purpose, and Importance sections, respond to the following questions:
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT 1750 / LESSON 5.3ACTIVITYSOURCING: DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES ON IMPERIALISM4•How do the authors differ in their analysis of imperialism? •What are the similarities between the documents?•How does each author try to convince you of their argument regarding this topic?
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT 1750 / LESSON 5.3ACTIVITYSOURCING: DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES ON IMPERIALISM54.Write a one-to two-paragraph response that answers the question posed earlier: To what extent did ideology impact imperialism? Your paragraphs should make specific reference to the Point of View, Purpose, and Importance sectionsof the tool but can include other categories as well.