To answer this question correctly, students must explain how the imprisonment of Filipino insurgents is connected to the explosion of the Maine and Social Darwinism. Students must explain that the sinking of the Maine precipitated the Spanish-American War, which led to the American occupation of the Philippines and the imprisonment of Filipino rebels. Students must also link Social Darwinist theories to the American decision to maintain control of the Philippines after the end of the Spanish-American War.
Level: Proficient
Question 1
Student identifies and explains a relevant connection between the explosion of the Maine and the imprisonment of Filipino insurgents.
This student succinctly links the sinking of the Maine to the Spanish-American War and to the subsequent conflict in the Philippines.
The student does not make too strong a claim here. He explains that the insurgents "probably" had been arrested for opposing the U.S. Given the evidence available, this an excellent qualification.
Like the previous response, this student uses appropriate qualifications (e.g., "may" and "probably") in his response.
Question 2
Student identifies and explains a relevant connection between the popularity of Social Darwinism and the imprisonment of Filipino insurgents.
This student explains how Social Darwinism influenced American foreign policy.
The student then directly explains how Social Darwinism is connected to the photograph.
This student connects Social Darwinism to the imperial policies of the United States.
Level: Emergent
Question 1
Student identifies a relevant connection between the explosion of the Maine and the imprisonment of Filipino insurgents but does not provide a complete explanation of that connection.
All of the information in this response is accurate, but the student has not explained that following the Spanish-American War the United States took control of the Philippines and that the insurgents were fighting against the U.S.
Question 2
Student identifies a relevant connection between the popularity of Social Darwinism and the imprisonment of Filipino insurgents but does not provide a complete explanation of that connection.
This answer is headed in the right direction, but the student has not explained how Social Darwinism influenced American foreign policy and led to the imprisonment of Filipino insurgents.
Level: Basic
Question 1
Student does not provide a reasonable explanation for how the explosion of the Maine is connected to the imprisonment of Filipino insurgents.
This student incorrectly believes that Filipino insurgents were responsible for an explosion that occurred thousands of miles away.
This response lacks a basic understanding of geography.
Question 2
Student does not provide a reasonable explanation for how the popularity of Social Darwinism is connected to the imprisonment of Filipino insurgents.
This response reflects an incomplete understanding of Social Darwinism.
This student has not connected the imprisonment of Filipinos to Social Darwinism.
