Seward's Folly or brilliant strategic move? Class members investigate primary source documents from each country to determine the rationales behind the sale and purchase of Alaska, and then stage a debate.

Concepts

westward expansion, alaska

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Instead of conducting a debate, have class members assume the role of journalists, use evidence garnered from their readings, and craft editorials that urge their governments to support or to reject the sale or purchase

Classroom Considerations

• The exercise assumes class members are familiar with and experience with the debate format
• The resource also assumes class members have experience analyzing primary source documents

Pros

• The packet includes the plan, links to the primary source documents, a map of the territory, and evaluation suggestions

Cons

• Neither a detailed plan nor a rubric for the debate are included

Common Core

RI.9-10.1 RI.11-12.1 SL.9-10.1.a SL.11-12.1.a RH.9-10.1 RH.11-12.1