Unit Packs / Empire & Independence
Empire & Independence
Students read the arguments of imperial officials and their critics, follow China’s response to Western power, and study how leaders in Asia and Africa made the case for independence, ending with the debate over apartheid.
Unit question: How did people argue for and against empire, and how did colonies win independence?
Suggested grades: 10, 11
Day-by-day calendar
- Day 1
Launch the unit
TimelineWalk the era timeline; students note three turning points.
MapLocate the places in this unit on the source map.
QuestionPost the unit question: How did people argue for and against empire, and how did colonies win independence? Students write a first-guess answer to revisit on Day 12.
- Day 2
Investigate: How did people argue for and against imperialism?
Source setWork through the suggested sequence of 7 sources with the graphic organizers.
Leveled readingsUse grade 4, 7, or 10 versions of key passages next to the original wording for readers who need support.
- Day 3
Lesson: Gallery Walk: For and Against Empire
Teach itRun the lesson kit (copy the Slides and Lesson Plan from the set page).
Quick checkClose with the 5-question Quick check (copy the student Doc; answer key included).
- Day 4
Investigate: How did China respond to Western power?
Source setWork through the suggested sequence of 6 sources with the graphic organizers.
Leveled readingsUse grade 4, 7, or 10 versions of key passages next to the original wording for readers who need support.
- Day 5
Lesson: Role-Play: The Emperor’s Council
Teach itRun the lesson kit (copy the Slides and Lesson Plan from the set page).
Quick checkClose with the 5-question Quick check (copy the student Doc; answer key included).
- Day 6
Investigate: How did former colonies make the case for independence?
Source setWork through the suggested sequence of 9 sources with the graphic organizers.
Leveled readingsUse grade 4, 7, or 10 versions of key passages next to the original wording for readers who need support.
- Day 7
Lesson: Gallery Walk: The Case for Independence, and the Colonial Response
Teach itRun the lesson kit (copy the Slides and Lesson Plan from the set page).
Quick checkClose with the 5-question Quick check (copy the student Doc; answer key included).
- Day 8
Investigate: How did people argue over apartheid in South Africa?
Source setWork through the suggested sequence of 6 sources with the graphic organizers.
Leveled readingsUse grade 4, 7, or 10 versions of key passages next to the original wording for readers who need support.
- Day 9
Lesson: Gallery Walk: Arguments and Answers on Apartheid
Teach itRun the lesson kit (copy the Slides and Lesson Plan from the set page).
Quick checkClose with the 5-question Quick check (copy the student Doc; answer key included).
- Day 10
Gallery Walk
Gallery WalkPost the Imperialism cartoon stations; students label parts A, B, C and write what they see.
- Day 11
DBQ workshop
DBQ builderBuild a DBQ packet from “How did people argue for and against imperialism?”: pick 5 to 7 sources and print.
DBQ builderBuild a DBQ packet from “How did China respond to Western power?”: pick 5 to 7 sources and print.
DBQ builderBuild a DBQ packet from “How did former colonies make the case for independence?”: pick 5 to 7 sources and print.
DBQ builderBuild a DBQ packet from “How did people argue over apartheid in South Africa?”: pick 5 to 7 sources and print.
WorkshopStudents annotate the documents and outline an answer.
- Day 12
Final writing task
Writing taskWrite an argument: What arguments did people in the colonies find most effective in winning independence? Use at least five sources from at least three sets, and include at least one source defending empire.