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Imperialism - Printable History Worksheets - Wayground

Imperialism

13 questions

8th - 8th Grade

History

This free Grade 8 history worksheet uses 13 multiple-choice questions to assess students’ understanding of U.S. imperialism and related events and policies. Students identify the meaning of imperialism, explain how trade with the United States helped Japan modernize, recognize why Alaska was initially viewed as a poor purchase, and identify how planters enabled the U.S. takeover of Hawaii. The questions also connect the Open Door Policy with trade in China and the Boxer Rebellion, distinguish causes of the Spanish-American War, and identify the Treaty of Paris, Roosevelt Corollary, Platt Amendment, Yellow Journalism, DeLome Letter, and USS Maine. The format gives students practice matching historical terms, policies, and events with their effects or significance. It is a free printable worksheet with a complete answer key for classroom practice, review, or assessment.

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Imperialism

Total questions: 13

Name
Class
Date
1.

Imperialism is best described as:

a)

Rebuilding the South immediately following the Civil War

b)

extending power/influence with diplomacy/military force over another nation/area

c)

The buying of Cuba

d)

none of the answers

2.

Japan benefitted from imperialism because:

a)

The trading with the US helped it modernize

b)

It let them take over the Philippines

c)

It promoted a movement in which immigrants were not allowed

d)

It led to the Boxer Rebellion in Tokyo

3.

Why did many people think purchasing Alaska was a mistake?

a)

it caused The Boxer Rebellion

b)

it did not give Cuba its independence

c)

it caused many issues with Russia

d)

They did not know how valuable Alaska would become due to oil

4.

The US was able to add Hawaii to its territory because:

a)

They started a war with Spain

b)

Hawaii decided they wanted to be part of the US

c)

Planters overthrew the Queen

d)

none of the answers

5.

A negative effect of the Open Door Policy was:

a)

The enslavement of the Japanese

b)

It started the Boxer Rebellion

c)

The Spanish American War

d)

The US had more trade options

6.

Which of the following is NOT a cause of the Spanish-American War?

a)

The DeLome Letter

b)

Cuban Rebellion

c)

Yellow Journalism

d)

The Philippine Rebellion

7.

The Treaty of Paris stated

a)

The US would gain the Philippines, Guam and Wake Island

b)

The US lost the war

c)

The US would buy Cuba

d)

Texas would be come a state

8.

The Roosevelt Corollary states

a)

The Spanish blew up the USS Maine

b)

Any nation who takes over another has the right to do so

c)

The US could control Cuba

d)

The US had international world police power to fix wrong doings worldwide

9.

The Platt Amendment did the following:

a)

Gave Cuba their full independence

b)

Established Cuba as a "protectorate" of the US

c)

allowed Hawaii to be taken over

d)

ended the Spanish American War

10.

What did the Open Door Policy state?

a)

The US would be able to trade with China without anyone stopping them

b)

The US would allow the Chinese to trade with England

c)

The Philippines would have independence

d)

none of the answers

11.

Yellow Journalism was:

a)

paper that was colored yellow to stand out in the news

b)

headlines about the war in the Philippines

c)

articles written to fire up the public about Spain's treatment of Cuba

d)

all of the answers

12.

The letter that called President McKinley weak and a bad leader was called:

a)

The Zimmerman Note

b)

The Roosevelt Corollary

c)

Monroe Doctrine

d)

The DeLome Letter

13.

The ship supposedly blown up by Spain in Cuba was called:

a)

The Lusitania

b)

The Platt Amendment

c)

USS Maine

d)

USS Arizona

Answer Key

Imperialism

Total questions: 13

1.
b)

extending power/influence with diplomacy/military force over another nation/area

2.
a)

The trading with the US helped it modernize

3.
d)

They did not know how valuable Alaska would become due to oil

4.
c)

Planters overthrew the Queen

5.
b)

It started the Boxer Rebellion

6.
d)

The Philippine Rebellion

7.
a)

The US would gain the Philippines, Guam and Wake Island

8.
d)

The US had international world police power to fix wrong doings worldwide

9.
b)

Established Cuba as a "protectorate" of the US

10.
a)

The US would be able to trade with China without anyone stopping them

11.
c)

articles written to fire up the public about Spain's treatment of Cuba

12.
d)

The DeLome Letter

13.
c)

USS Maine

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FAQs

What does this Imperialism worksheet help Grade 8 students learn?

This 13-question multiple-choice worksheet helps students identify key ideas, events, and policies connected to U.S. imperialism. Students match terms such as the Open Door Policy, Platt Amendment, Roosevelt Corollary, and Yellow Journalism with their meanings, causes, or effects while also reviewing Hawaii, Alaska, the Spanish-American War, and the Treaty of Paris.

How can I use this worksheet to teach U.S. imperialism?

Introduce the worksheet after students have encountered the major imperialism-era terms, then have them answer the multiple-choice questions individually or in pairs. Use the choices as discussion prompts: ask students to explain why the Open Door Policy related to trade with China, why the Philippine Rebellion was not a cause of the Spanish-American War, and how the Platt Amendment shaped Cuba’s relationship with the United States.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this Imperialism worksheet?

Students may confuse policies with events, such as selecting the Open Door Policy as a war or treating the Roosevelt Corollary as a statement about the USS Maine. Watch especially for errors on the question asking what was not a cause of the Spanish-American War, and for confusion among the DeLome Letter, Yellow Journalism, the Treaty of Paris, and the Platt Amendment.

How do I assign and grade this Imperialism worksheet?

The worksheet is available as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz on Wayground, and it includes a complete answer key for all 13 multiple-choice questions. For printable submissions, you can grade student work by scanning it with the Wayground for Teachers app.

How can I differentiate this Imperialism worksheet for my students?

Use the worksheet’s Advanced Settings to adjust font spacing or font size so the 13 multiple-choice items are easier to read. You can also apply a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language while preserving its focus on imperialism-era policies, events, and historical relationships.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to help students master essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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