American Imperialism

L'IMPÉRIALISME AMERICAIN

Encore un pas et...

Americans rebelled against the imperialism of Britain to become their own country: a bulwark of "freedom and democracy" against the old world of empire-building. Ever since that successful revolution, they have been accused of doing the same thing to others. In this cartoon, we see Uncle Sam (a caricature of the stereotypical American) stepping on the Philippines and Cuba on his way to Canada.

This is a great introduction to topics that ought to help tie together historical concepts. It should raise questions such as:
1) What other countries do the US control?
2) Is what America did the same as what Britain did in building the British Empire?
3) Is imperialism (empire-building) a good thing or a bad thing? (think hard before you answer, and consider the consequences)
4) Why didn't the US take over Canada?
etc.etc.

Many of the cartoons that I use in class were taken from this book by Charles Hou (former Socials 10 teacher in BC):

Great Canadian political cartoons, 1820 to 1914

Pocahontas

Pocahontas (Two-Disc 10th Anniversary Edition)

Amazing how much we can learn by studying a kid's cartoon. This movie is based the true story of John Smith's encounter with Pocahontas, but of course the story has been disneyfied to make it appropriate for kids and to convey a certain message. However, what message are kids getting by watching it? What themes does the movie promote? How does it interpret history?

I taught a few semesters of Humanities 9 and this was my favorite assignment that met criteria for English in terms of interpreting media and caricature and met criteria for Social Studies in terms of First Nations history in North America. It doesn't fit directly into the time period for Socials 10, but I like the assignment so much that I still include it at the beginning of the course. I use it as a) review b) examining stereotypes c) context for why North America was like it was by 1815. 

I have to admit that the most common confusion students have by the end of the course in term of Pocahontas is that story happened in Canada. No, it happened in the United States. How does it relate to Canadian history then? Well, it is the story of contact between the English (who later conquered Canada) and the First Nations people. Of course, part of the reason why the people of Virginia later rebelled against Britain to help form the United States was because they didn't agree with Britain's policy towards the First Nations people (the Royal Proclamation of 1763). 

Pocahontas (Two-Disc 10th Anniversary Edition)

Indian Wars

THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH

We hold that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the inherent rights of every man! (?)

It takes a minute to make out what is happening in this drawing, but the guns are obvious. This is a political cartoon depicting the Indian Wars in the United States (think Dances with Wolves).

Clearly many Canadians held to a sense of moral superiority that we would be better than the Americans in our treatment of First Nations people. The Americans were killing, and we were negotiating in the British tradition. Of course, by negotiating dishonestly and creating conditions that led to starvation one could argue that Canadians had no right to claim the moral high ground. But I guess that is part of our National identity in Canada: "at least we are better than the Americans!"

It is ironic that the United States claims to be defenders of freedom and the rights of man when you look at events in their short history such as slavery and "Indian Wars". (perhaps some more current events as well?)

The cartoon also gives the opportunity to highlight the different slogans of our two countries as well.

The United States: "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness"

Canada: "Peace, Order, and Good Government"

This always leads to a good discussion about the difference between our two countries, and what defines us as Canadians. 

Many of the cartoons that I use in class were taken from this book by Charles Hou (former Socials 10 teacher in BC):

Great Canadian political cartoons, 1820 to 1914

Election Corruption and The Pacific Scandal

I was just scanning the news for current events that relate to Canadian history, and found this article in the Globe and Mail:   Canadian-owned firms are funding U.S. election campaigns

There is usually something in the news about nefarious ties between corporations and government. I usually like to have a few of these on hand when we get to the Pacific Scandal in class.

Of course, this topic usually leads to me to side tangent on American politics and examples of corporate ties to government (such as the funding sources of the current President)

"I admit I took the money and banked the election with it, is there anything wrong with that?