Expansionism

Spanish-American War[]

The United States moves to war with the Spanish over territories in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Three U.S. ships disappear in the Caribbean, and the Spanish are blamed by American media.
The U.S. moves its navy to Pacific and Caribbean Spanish territories.
War is declared by Congress.
The Spanish, extremely weakened, suffer a series of defeats in the war.
Spanish territory in the Caribbean is swiftly taken by the United States.
Fighting in the Philippines and Guam commences.
A U.S. fleet defeats a Spanish fleet in the Pacific.
The Spanish surrender and sell its territories to the United States.

Urban areas grow rapidly in the United States.
More people begin to work in large factories, protests begin as workers feel that they are not paid enough.
More and more farmers move to cities to find work.