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. Racial: “Little Brown Brothers”

D. National Pride & Global Competition

E. Politics & Yellow Journalism

II. The Spanish American-WarA. 4 Causes of the War:– Sugar (Economic) – Spanish Cruelties (Humanitarian)

-- The Sinking of the USS Maine (Self-Defense/National Pride)

-- Spanish “Brutalities” and Yellow Journalism (Political Pressure)

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. Filipino Resistance & 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. Panamanian Independence & The Panama Canal