Social Studies Midterm - Grade 8

Petition Against Annexation

To his Excellency William McKinley McKinley, President, and the Senate of the United States of America

Greetings -

Whereas there has been submitted to the Senate of the United States of America a treaty for the Annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to the said United States of America, for consideration at its regular session in December A.D. 1897; therefore, We the undersigned, native Hawaiian citizens and residents of the district of Honolulu on the Island of Oahu who are members of the Hawaiian Patriotic League of the Hawaiian Islands, and others who are in sympathy with the said league, earnestly protest against the annexation of the said Hawaiian Islands to the United States of America in any form or shape.”

SOURCE: Petition Against Annexation (1897)

Which of the following is most likely the cause of the events referenced in both documents?

• In 1893, American businessmen backed by the US military overthrew the Queen of Hawaii

• In 1842, President Tyler urged the US Congress to annex Hawaii

• In the 1890's the United States shifted from a policy of imperialism to isolation

• In the 1890's, the United States pursued a foreign policy of isolationism

Petition Against Annexation

To his Excellency William McKinley McKinley, President, and the Senate of the United States of America

Greetings -

Whereas there has been submitted to the Senate of the United States of America a treaty for the Annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to the said United States of America, for consideration at its regular session in December A.D. 1897; therefore, We the undersigned, native Hawaiian citizens and residents of the district of Honolulu on the Island of Oahu who are members of the Hawaiian Patriotic League of the Hawaiian Islands, and others who are in sympathy with the said league, earnestly protest against the annexation of the said Hawaiian Islands to the United States of America in any form or shape.”

SOURCE: Petition Against Annexation (1897)

Which claim is best supported by both documents

• Hawaiians did not universally support the American annexation of Hawaii

• Hawaiians were in full support of the American annexation of Hawaii

• Hawaiians were conquered by Americans and then annexed

• Hawaii was a colon of the United States in 1898

The actions referenced in the document above resulted in what turning point in U.S. History?

• American annexation of Hawaii

• Roosevelt Corollary

• Spanish American War

• World War 1

These 1989 headlines are best understood as an example of

• political advertising

• yellow journalism

• public opinion polling

• isolationist policies

Zimmerman Telegram: This telegram was intercepted and decoded by the British during World War 1. It was then passed along to the United States.

"“We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United State of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal or 

alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an 

understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. 

The settlement in detail is left to you.

The intended audience of this telegram was

• German ambassador to Mexico

• German ambassador to the United States

• Mexico's Secretary of War

• Mexico's President

Zimmerman Telegram: This telegram was intercepted and decoded by the British during World War 1. It was then passed along to the United States.

"“We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United State of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal or 

alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an 

understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. 

The settlement in detail is left to you.

This telegram was part of an effort to

• Form an alliance between Germany and the United States

• convince several western states to secede from the United States

• bring Mexico into World War 1 on the side of Great Britain and France

• enlist Mexican support for Germany if the United States declared war

Zimmerman Telegram: This telegram was intercepted and decoded by the British during World War 1. It was then passed along to the United States.

"“We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United State of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal or 

alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an 

understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. 

The settlement in detail is left to you.

An effect of the telegram above could be considered a turning point because

• US foreign policy shifted from neutrality to direct involvement in war

• Congress passed neutrality legislation to ensure the United States would stay out of the war

• Woodrow Wilson was re-elected as president of the United States for a third term

• New Mexico and Arizona were granted statehood in the United States.

Note: This poem was carved on the base of the Statue of Liberty National Monument in NY Harbour in 1903.

The New Colossus

by Emma Lazarus

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome...

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Source: Emma Lazarus, "The New Colussus," (1883)

Acccording to this poem, what factors pushed immigrants to come to the United States?

• a desire to live with their family members who were already settled there

• a desire to see the natural beauty of the United States

• a need to escape poverty, oppression and war in their countries of origin

• to make their fortunes as businessmen in the U.S.'s booming economy

Note: This poem was carved on the base of the Statue of Liberty National Monument in NY Harbour in 1903.

The New Colossus

by Emma Lazarus

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome...

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Source: Emma Lazarus, "The New Colussus," (1883)

Emma Lazarus's poem was most likely carved onto the base of New York's Harbour's Statue of Liberty because

• The U.S. wanted all to know that the U.S. is unwilling to accept immigrants and refugees in its national border

• The U.S. wanted to send a message of welcome to migrants fleeing poverty, war, and oppression.

• The New York Harbor needed a lighthouse to protect its shoreline from intruders

• Every American citizen supported open immigration policies to the United States.

Which statement is best supported by the information shown in the chart?

• African Americans were deprived of voting and political rights after Reconstruction ended.

• The size of legislatures shrank after 1876

• African Americans left the South after 1876

• African Americans lost interest in politics after 1876.