In late 19th century/early 20th century, the United States had become a global power with interests - and investments - around the globe. It was a new status and it had was symbolized by the victory in the Spanish-American War. The US was strong, modern and industrialized and it could support a powerful army and the powerful navy advocated by naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan. The "big stick diplomacy" meant that the US could impose its preferred outcomes abroad by military force if it wanted to. It translated into military interventions in the Caribbean to bring order in troubled nations and prevent European intervention, anathema to the Monroe Doctrine.
