Christopher McKnight Nichols, a historian and expert on U.S. foreign relations, dives deep into the Spanish-American War. He reveals how the conflict marked a turning point for American expansionism and its emergence as a world power. Nichols discusses the role of public sentiment and the press, the strategic brilliance of figures like Teddy Roosevelt, and the complex racial dynamics at play. He also explores the ramifications of American imperialism, particularly in the Philippines and Puerto Rico, highlighting the war's lasting impact on U.S. foreign policy.