Big Stick Diplomacy: Theodore Roosevelt’s Bold Foreign Policy - History Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Step into the era of U.S. imperialism and explore one of the most pivotal moments in American foreign policy with this engaging reading comprehension worksheet! Dive deep into Theodore Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy, where diplomacy met military might to expand U.S. influence in Latin America. This resource helps students understand the balance Roosevelt sought between peaceful negotiations and military intervention, which shaped American dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

This worksheet provides students with an in-depth look at:

• The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which justified U.S. intervention in Latin America.
• The construction of the Panama Canal, one of the most significant engineering feats in U.S. history, and its impact on U.S.-Latin American relations.
• The long-lasting consequences of Big Stick Diplomacy for both the United States and Latin America.

What’s Included:

• Multiple-choice questions to test understanding of Roosevelt’s policies and their global implications.
• Matching activities to reinforce key figures, terms, and events.
• Fill-in-the-blank exercises for quick review of essential concepts.
• Short-answer prompts to encourage critical thinking and deeper analysis of the effects of U.S. foreign intervention.
• Primary source analysis of Roosevelt’s State of the Union Address, 1904, where he justifies his diplomatic philosophy.    With no visuals, this worksheet is designed to focus on reading and comprehension. It’s an excellent resource for deeper learning, making it ideal for classroom discussions, homework assignments, or even sub plans. Your students will explore the complexities of American foreign policy in the early 20th century while developing essential critical thinking skills.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the motives and consequences of Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy.
• Understand the impact of U.S. military and economic intervention in Latin America.
• Evaluate primary sources to explore historical perspectives.
• Connect Roosevelt’s policies to broader themes of U.S. imperialism and global influence.

Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2: Determine the central ideas of a text and provide an accurate summary.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.9: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Courses This Resource Is Perfect For:

• U.S. History (High School)
• World History (Grades 9-12)
• AP U.S. History
• Social Studies (Grades 9-12)

This worksheet encourages deeper learning, making it a great tool for sub plans, homework assignments, or class discussions. Let your students dive into U.S. foreign policy, connecting Roosevelt’s legacy to current global politics.

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