SEC: Was It Worth It? Students Debate the Impact of American Foreign Policy

Over the past week, students have taken an active role in exploring the evolution of American foreign policy through research, collaboration, and discussion. Students analyzed George Washington’s warnings about foreign affairs, explored the lasting importance of the Monroe Doctrine, and debated how Manifest Destiny influenced U.S. expansion. Through presentations and inquiry‑based learning, they compared the foreign policies of Progressive Era presidents—McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson—and evaluated how U.S. involvement in World War I and World War II helped shape the modern world. Students also examined the influence of the military‑industrial complex and traced key continuities and changes in American foreign policy from the Cold War to today. Throughout the week, students demonstrated strong critical‑thinking skills as they researched historical evidence, presented arguments, and engaged in meaningful debates. To conclude the unit, students are eagerly preparing for a mock trial that will challenge them to answer a compelling question: Has American foreign policy been more constructive or destructive? Way to go!