The Philippine War: U.S. Foreign Expansion and Its Impact - History Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Explore the complexities of U.S. imperialism with this engaging reading comprehension worksheet on The Philippine-American War. This resource guides students through the U.S.’s controversial acquisition of the Philippines following the Spanish-American War and the intense conflict that followed between Filipino nationalists and U.S. forces. Through the lens of this war, students will grapple with the broader themes of imperialism, military intervention, and the ethical dilemmas posed by U.S. foreign expansion in the early 20th century.

In this worksheet, your students will:

• Analyze the motivations behind U.S. control of the Philippines, including economic, military, and ideological factors.
• Investigate the brutal tactics used during the war and the ethical implications of U.S. military intervention.
• Engage with primary source analysis to understand how the war shaped relations between the U.S. and the Philippines.

What’s Included:

• Multiple-choice questions to assess comprehension of key events and motives behind U.S. actions.
• Matching activities to reinforce key historical figures and events.
• Fill-in-the-blank exercises to review essential facts.
• Short-answer questions to promote deeper critical thinking about the war’s lasting impact and ethical considerations.
• Primary source analysis of a U.S. soldier’s testimony, challenging students to reflect on the attitudes and brutality of the conflict.

This worksheet focuses on in-depth reading and comprehension, making it perfect for in-class assignments, homework, or even as a substitute lesson plan.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the political, economic, and ideological motivations behind U.S. involvement in the Philippine-American War.
• Analyze the brutality and ethical dilemmas associated with U.S. imperialism.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of U.S. expansionism on both the Philippines and American foreign policy.
• Develop students’ critical thinking skills by engaging with primary source documents.

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

This worksheet offers deeper learning opportunities for students to critically engage with a key moment in U.S. history. Whether used for classwork, discussions, or as a sub plan, it challenges students to think deeply about U.S. imperialism and its lasting effects on both the Philippines and global politics.

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