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Imperialism & Colonialism

Tenth graders examine the age of imperialism — when powerful nations conquered and controlled lands across the globe — investigating the motives that drove it and the lasting effects on the peoples who were colonized.

Grade 101800s55 minutes1 class periodC3 InquiryExplicit teaching4 StandardsC3
Start the Lesson
Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Define imperialism.
  • ✓Explain the motives.
  • ✓Explain the effects on colonies.
  • ✓Analyze its legacy.
Essential Question

By 1900, a handful of European powers controlled most of the globe. Why did they build these vast empires — and what did it mean for the hundreds of millions of people they ruled?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Sort It · Interactive

Motives vs. Effects

Project this and sort each item by whether it was a MOTIVE for imperialism or an EFFECT on colonized peoples.

🌍 Sort each — a motive, or an effect on colonies?Try it
🏴 Motives FOR Imperialism
⛓️ Effects ON the Colonized
Tap an item, then tap a bucket.
The Lesson · C3 Inquiry Arc (Question · Investigate · Evaluate Evidence · Communicate · Take Action)

55 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Question — Empires Over the Globe

5 min

By 1900, a few powers ruled most of the world — why, and at what cost?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show an empire map.
  • Ask why empires grew.
  • Set the inquiry.

🎒 Student Actions

  • See the map.
  • Wonder why.
  • Predict the idea.
2

Investigate — Motives & Effects

12 min

Students investigate.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Motives vs. Effects.
  • Sort each item.
  • Note the two sides.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Sort them.
  • Note motives.
  • Note effects.
3

Evaluate Evidence — Weigh the Evidence

13 min

Students analyze.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Explain the motives.
  • Explain the effects on colonies.
  • Consider multiple perspectives.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Explain motives.
  • Explain effects.
  • Weigh views.
4

Communicate — Make the Case

13 min

Students communicate.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Argue imperialism’s costs and “justifications.”
  • Cite evidence.
  • Center colonized voices.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Argue it.
  • Cite it.
  • Center voices.
5

Take Action — Take Action

5 min

Students conclude.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Trace an effect into the present.
  • Explain the link.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Trace it.
  • Explain it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards (World History).

C3
D2.His.14.9-12

Analyze multiple causes and effects of imperialism.

C3
D2.Geo.6.9-12

Analyze the effects of imperialism on people and environments.

C3
D2.His.16.9-12

Use evidence to develop a claim about the past.

C3
D4.6.9-12

Take informed action on historical questions.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Motive/effect cards.
  • Sentence frame: “This was a ___.”
  • Use an empire map.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with one motive and one effect.
  • Sort one at a time.
  • Use a two-column chart.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Analyze the Scramble for Africa.
  • Read a colonized perspective.
  • Trace a modern legacy.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 🗺️Empire maps
  • 💻Motives vs. Effects
  • 📜Primary sources
  • ✏️Pencils
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

imperialismextending power over other landscolonialismruling and settling a colonycolonyland controlled by a foreign powerraw materialsresources used to make goodsexploitationusing people or resources unfairlyresistanceopposition to controlempiremany territories under one powerlegacylasting effects
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What is imperialism?
When a powerful nation extends control over other lands and peoples.
QUESTION 2
Name one motive for imperialism.
Raw materials, new markets, national power, or spreading religion/culture.
QUESTION 3
Name one effect of imperialism on colonized peoples.
Loss of land and independence, forced labor, imposed borders, or eroded cultures.

Take action: the long shadow.

Have students trace one lasting effect of imperialism (like a national border) into the present day and explain the connection. A printable imperialism sheet is in the Social Studies library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Imperialism & ColonialismFlip
Card 1
Term
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Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Imperialism & ColonialismQuiz
Score: 0
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Question 1
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Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Imperialism & ColonialismPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: colonialism, colony, empire, exploitation, imperialism, legacy, raw materials, resistance
  1. extending power over other lands
  2. ruling and settling a colony
  3. using people or resources unfairly
  4. many territories under one power
  5. opposition to control
  6. land controlled by a foreign power
  7. lasting effects
  8. resources used to make goods

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is imperialism?
  2. Name one motive for imperialism.
  3. Name one effect of imperialism on colonized peoples.
Answer key — Part A: 1) imperialism · 2) colonialism · 3) exploitation · 4) empire · 5) resistance · 6) colony · 7) legacy · 8) raw materials
Part B: 1) When a powerful nation extends control over other lands and peoples. 2) Raw materials, new markets, national power, or spreading religion/culture. 3) Loss of land and independence, forced labor, imposed borders, or eroded cultures.