America’s First Steps Toward Global Superpower

I. Motivations for Intervention

• A. Economic: Industry Desires Resources and Markets

B. Humanitarian: To Civilize and Christianize

C. National Pride & Global Competition

D. Racial: “Little Brown Brothers”

E. Political Pressure & Yellow Journalism

II. The Spanish American-War

A. Causes of the War:– Sugar

-- The Sinking of the USS Maine

-- Spanish “Brutalities” and Yellow Journalism

B. A Short War: Roosevelt, the Rough Riders, and Victory in 15 Weeks

C. An American Puppet: Cuba & the Platt Amendment

“The government of Cuba consents that the United States may exercise the right to intervene for the preservation of Cuban independence, the maintenance of a government adequate for the protection of life, property, and individual liberty….”

III. The Philippine-American War

A. Spain Sells the Philippines

B. Revolution, Race, and Guerilla Warfare

C. “The Wolf by the Ears”: 50 Years Until Independence

The U.S. in Latin America: Good Neighbor or Imperialist?

A. Puerto Rico as Permanent Colony

B. The Roosevelt Corollary Allows American Intervention in Latin America

C. Panamanian Independence & The Panama Canal