8th Graders Explore the Age of Imperialism!

Social Studies students at North Shore Middle School recently recreated the Imperialist Time Period under the direction of teachers Mr. Keith Freund and Mrs. Nicole Larkin. Mrs. Larkin said, “Many times history does not smoothly flow from point A to point B, but the Imperialist Age truly followed a path from beginning to end.” She continued by saying, “Our students were divided into groups where each group was given a specific part of the time period to research, plan and create a section of the class timeline. They then presented their timelines and voted as a team on which timeline was the best.”

In class eighth graders intensely learned about American history, specifically this time period known as the Imperialist Age (1880-1905). They researched Imperialism and through hands-on experiences learned that by the end of the 19th century Americans began to see the closing of the frontier. Most believed if America stopped growing, so would the American economy.  Because of this, many Americans began to look outward to the new markets and materials that the rest of the world had to offer. This became known as the Age of Imperialism as the United States began to take over smaller and weaker countries and control them economically, militarily and politically.

If you get a chance, please ask your eighth graders about the Imperialist Age. I think you will be amazed about how much they learned about this very exciting time in history!!!   

Article and photos by Shelly Newman