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