2. Present/review some causes of US imperialism
1. Social / Cultural: Ideas of U.S. superiority
a. Social Darwinism: The belief that white, wealthy, Anglo-Saxon Americans were biologically superior to other groups fueled many social and political trends of the Gilded Age.
b. Manifest Destiny
2. Economic: Industrialization
a. U.S. businesses desired raw materials and new markets
b. New technologies allowed U.S. to expand
3. Political: Growth of naval power
a. Desire for new military bases around the world

3. Historical context
Since 1866, Cuba and Spain had been locked in a battle for Cuban independence.   With Cuba only 90 miles from Florida’s coast, the United States was constantly monitoring the situation.  Additionally, the Monroe Doctrine, issued in 1823, suggested that the United States would intervene in if they felt threatened.  Finally, US business interests had flourished in Cuba between 1870 and Fueled by newspaper reporters and politicians, the intense debate of whether or not the United States should invade Cuba came to a pinnacle at the start of the Spanish American War.

4. According to Richard Collin, what was one effect the Spanish-American War had on the United States?