This episode unpacks the causes, key events, and consequences of the Spanish-American War, highlighting how it shaped U.S. foreign policy into the modern era.

To mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. declaration of independence, CFR is dedicating a year-long series of articles, videos, podcasts, events, and special projects that will reflect on two and a half centuries of U.S. foreign policy. Featuring bipartisan voices and expert contributors, the series explores the evolution of America’s role in the world and the strategic challenges that lie ahead.

Host:

James M. Lindsay, Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, CFR

Guest:

H.W. Brands, Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History, The University of Texas at Austin

We Discuss:

What drove the United States toward assertive foreign policy in the 1890s.
Who the "jingoes" were and how American leaders pushed for American power abroad.
Whether access to China drove American interest in Spain's Pacific empire.
Why the USS Maine explosion changed the political calculus for entering a war with Spain.
What the Teller Amendment accomplished and what its drafters failed to anticipate.
Whether the annexation of the Philippines was ultimately the least-bad option for the Filipino people.
What the Spanish-American War's legacy reveals about how the United States became—and chose to remain—a global power.

Mentioned on the Episode:

Monroe Doctrine, December 2, 1823

McKinley's First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1897

Theodore Roosevelt, Naval War College Address, June 2, 1897

The Teller Amendment, April 19, 1898

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/presidents-inbox/america-at-250-the-spanish-american-war

Opinions expressed on The President’s Inbox are solely those of the host or guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.