Border Bound Teacher Guide Department of Geographical Studies
BORDER BOUND
Teacher Instruction & Discussion Guide
Instructional Intent
This lesson guides students through a critical analysis of modern US political boundaries, capitals, and sovereign territories. Students compare continental expansion with global naval acquisitions to analyze citizenship, sovereignty, and representation.
Key Question
"How do geography, sovereignty, and constitutional representation intersect across modern United States territories?"
Core Objectives
■ Identify and map the 5 major inhabited US territories and their capital cities.
■ Differentiate between incorporated and unincorporated territories.
■ Analyze DBQ sources to evaluate voting rights and congressional representation.
Suggested Lesson Pacing
Phase Duration Teacher & Student Activity 1. Hook & Anchor 10 Mins Prompt students to examine the US flag vs. territorial flags. Define "What is American?" 2. Instruction 20 Mins Present historical expansion waves and modern territorial status slides. Model map reading. 3. Map Workshop 30 Mins Students label 50 states, 5 territories, and capitals on their Student Map Handout. 4. DBQ Analysis 20 Mins Students evaluate primary/secondary sources on sovereignty and constitutional rights. 5. Debrief 10 Mins Review DBQ conclusions and collect exit tickets. Prepare for final assessment.
UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY UNIT PAGE 1
Core Geographic Background
Must-Know Concepts for Instructional Delivery
1. Historical Growth vs. Modern Holdings
Continental expansion (Louisiana Purchase, Mexican Cession) was intended for full integration into the nation as equal states (incorporation). Conversely, overseas territorial acquisitions (Guam, Puerto Rico) in the late 19th century were driven by strategic naval basing and maritime trade, with statehood intentionally withheld.
2. Unincorporated vs. Incorporated Status
An incorporated territory is an integral part of the US where the Constitution applies fully (e.g., Palmyra Atoll). An unincorporated territory belongs to but is not part of the US; only fundamental constitutional rights apply automatically, and full constitutional provisions require express congressional laws.
3. The Insular Cases & Constitutional Scope
Decided by the US Supreme Court (1901-1922), these cases established that "the Constitution does not follow the flag." The court ruled that overseas territories are "belonging to but not part of" the United States, giving Congress plenary power to decide which parts of the Constitution apply.
4. Sovereignty and Citizenship Realities
Residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI, and CNMI are US citizens at birth but cannot vote in Presidential elections and have only non-voting delegates in Congress. Residents of American Samoa are US nationals—they owe allegiance to the US but do not possess birthright US citizenship.
Inhabited Territories Reference Card
Territory Capital Acquisition Source Citizenship Status Puerto Rico (PR) San Juan 1898 Treaty of Paris (Spain) US Citizen Guam (GU) Hagåtña 1898 Treaty of Paris (Spain) US Citizen US Virgin Islands (VI) Charlotte Amalie 1917 Purchase from Denmark US Citizen American Samoa (AS) Pago Pago 1899 Tripartite Treaty US National N. Mariana Islands (MP) Saipan 1947 UN Trusteeship US Citizen
UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY UNIT PAGE 2
Facilitation & DBQ Answer Key
Instructional Guidance and Exemplary Responses
Structured Classroom Discussion Starters
"Taxation Without Representation" Contrast: Point out that Puerto Ricans pay federal payroll taxes but have zero voting votes in Congress. Ask: "Does this violate the founding principles of the American Revolution?" The Strategic Value of Islands: Display the global map. Highlight that Guam hosts critical air and naval bases. Ask: "How does military strategy drive territorial acquisition?"
Exemplary Answers for DBQ Handout
Source A Focus: How do the Insular Cases define the legal status of unincorporated territories?
Answer: The Court ruled that territories belong to but are not part of the US. Only fundamental constitutional rights (such as due process) apply automatically. Full structural rights, like trial by jury or legislative representation, are withheld unless specifically granted by Congress.
Source B Focus: Describe the difference in voting and representative power between states and territories.
Answer: US states elect voting Senators and Representatives to Congress and hold Electoral College votes to choose the President. Unincorporated territories have only one non-voting delegate each in Congress, and their residents cannot vote for President unless they establish residency in a US state.
Comparative Growth DBQ: Contrast continental expansion with global territorial holdings.
Answer: Continental expansion was contiguous land acquired to settle populations and admit them as equal states. Modern global territorial holdings are non-contiguous islands acquired primarily for defense, naval coaling stations, and strategic military placement, with no path to statehood.
Map Verification Checklist
When grading student map worksheets, verify that they have correctly located and marked:
✓ San Juan (Capital of Puerto Rico, Caribbean)
✓ Hagåtña (Capital of Guam, Pacific Micronesia)
✓ Charlotte Amalie (US Virgin Islands, Caribbean)
✓ Pago Pago (American Samoa, South Pacific)
✓ Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands, Pacific)
✓ Washington, D.C. (Federal Capital, Maryland/Virginia border)
UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY UNIT PAGE 3
Border Bound Map Handout Student Mapping Sheet
BORDER BOUND: MAP WORKSHOP
NAME:
DATE:
Directions: Read your territorial map reference charts or follow the slides. On this mapping organizer, label each corresponding territory, identify its correct geographical water body, and write its capital city on the line provided.
United States & Insular Territories Mapping Grid
Region A: Caribbean Sea Atlantic Inset
1. Territory (Island East of Hispaniola):
Name: ___________________________________________
Capital: _________________________________________
2. Territory (Three major islands east of PR):
Name: ___________________________________________
Capital: _________________________________________
Region B: West Pacific Mariana Islands
3. Territory (Southernmost of Mariana Chain):
Name: ___________________________________________
Capital: _________________________________________
4. Territory (14 islands north of Guam):
Name: ___________________________________________
Capital: _________________________________________
Region C: Polynesia & Federal Capital South Pacific & Continental Core
5. Territory (7 islands in South Pacific):
Name: ___________________________________________
Capital: _________________________________________
6. United States Federal District:
District Name: ___________________________________
Capital City: _____________________________________
Verify Spelling: San Juan | Charlotte Amalie | Hagåtña | Saipan | Pago Pago | Washington D.C.
BORDER BOUND WORKSHOP PACKET PAGE 1
Part II: Core Evaluation
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING
A Conceptual Multiple Choice
1. Which legal term describes a territory belonging to, but not functionally a part of, the United States under constitutional law?
Incorporated Territory
Unincorporated Territory
Sovereign State-in-waiting
Contiguous Commonwealth
2. How are the constitutional rights of individuals born in unincorporated territories legally determined?
Determined fully by the United Nations Charter
Granted on a sliding scale by state legislatures
Divided by organic acts and laws passed by Congress
Guaranteed automatically under the Bill of Rights
B Capital & Territory Match-Up
Draw a line or write the letter of the correct Capital City next to its corresponding territory.
Border Bound Slides Advanced Geography Series
BORDER BOUND
Analyzing Sovereignty, Geography, and Representation in the Modern United States
UNIT II: POLITICAL BOUNDARIES NATIONAL ARCHIVES / GEOGRAPHIC INQUIRY
Phase I: Westward Expansion
The Continental Core
Contiguous Expansion
Continental growth moved systematically from east to west (e.g., Louisiana Purchase, Oregon Treaty, Mexican Cession). Land was contiguous and intended for full geographic assimilation.
Path to Statehood
These territories underwent organized assimilation via the Northwest Ordinance model. They were systematically **incorporated** and admitted as equal sovereign states.
HISTORICAL COMPARISON SLIDE 2
Phase II: Overseas Strategy
The Modern Territories
Caribbean
Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands . Acquired in 1898 and 1917. Key maritime nodes defending Atlantic trade gates.
West Pacific
Guam & Northern Mariana Islands . Major naval bases and air stations projecting American power into East Asia.
South Pacific
American Samoa . Acquired in 1899. Strategic coaling harbor in Pago Pago. Deepest natural harbor in the South Pacific.
MODERN GLOBAL HOLDINGS SLIDE 3
Constitutional Geography
The Insular Cases
Incorporated Territory
The U.S. Constitution applies fully by default. This status is legally permanent and historically served as a preparation phase for entry into the Union as a State.
Unincorporated Territory
Belongs to, but is not part of , the United States. Only fundamental rights apply. The full Constitution does not "follow the flag" unless Congress explicitly passes an Organic Act.
SUPREME COURT JURISPRUDENCE SLIDE 4
Democratic Disparity
Citizenship vs. Representation
The Status Matrix
Birthright Citizens: Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI, and CNMI residents are full U.S. citizens.U.S. Nationals: American Samoans are nationals, owing allegiance but lacking birthright citizenship.
Representation Limits
Non-Voting Delegates: One representative per territory in the House. No voting power on the main floor.
Border Bound Rubric Assessment Instrument
BORDER BOUND RUBRIC
Performance Assessment Portfolio & DBQ Essay Grading Matrix
TOTAL SCORE / 16 PTS
STUDENT: ___________________
EVALUATOR: _________________
DATE: _______________________
Criterion Exemplary (4 pts) Proficient (3 pts) Developing (2-1 pts) Score 1. Cartography & Mapping All 5 territories, water bodies, and their respective capital cities (San Juan, Hagåtña, etc.) are correctly identified and spelled without errors. All 5 territories are correctly mapped; 1-2 capital names are misspelled or misplaced, but general accuracy is maintained. Multiple territories are mislabeled; capitals are omitted, or significant geographical confusion exists regarding water bodies. / 4 2. Conceptual Knowledge Demonstrates perfect mastery of terminology. Accurately identifies unincorporated status and clearly defines the voting rights distinction of a US National. Accurately answers most check questions. Defines citizens vs. nationals with minor omission of specific constitutional nuances. Confuses the definitions of citizen and national. Shows critical errors in multiple-choice questions regarding Organic Acts. / 4 3. DBQ Analysis Provides sophisticated text-based evidence from Source A & Source B. Directly explains the "belonging to but not part of" Supreme Court doctrine. Explains territorial representation boundaries. Cites direct references to House Delegates, but displays basic analysis of the Insular Cases. Answers are brief, lack supporting evidence, or misrepresent the core arguments of the Supreme Court rulings and federal taxes. / 4 4. Comparative Synthesis Synthesizes historical westward assimilation goals with overseas strategic expansion motives to explain modern civil and voting rights discrepancies. Compares continental expansion to ocean acquisitions but fails to fully connect the historical legacy to current modern representation limits. Treats historical and modern acquisitions as identical, showing little or no historical awareness of how statehood paths developed. / 4
Instructional Feedback & Evaluator Comments
BORDER BOUND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK PAGE 1
