As an industrial and economic might rose in the second half of the 19th century, the US developed a powerful navy and a modern army. It increased its exports and multiplied its economic interests abroad, as well as those of US investors. Economic growth came in tandem with technological progress. 1898 is a turning point on the US road to global intervention in world affairs. The war of independence in Cuba, fear of harm to American interests there, and a sense of opportunity led to the US declaring and fighting a brief but successful war with Spain. As a result, the US takes control of Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Philippines and Guam. There were already ambitions to build a canal in the Americas, though the opportunity came only in the 1910s. The US is now a real global power.
