A People's History of the United States Lesson Plan

Explain Zinn's analysis of the motivations for the Spanish-American War, specifically addressing how Progressive politicians unintentionally agitated for war.

Zinn says that several Progressive politicians expressed interest in accessing foreign markets for the good of the American farmer, who was burdened by a surplus of agricultural products caused by Westward expansion into the fertile Mississippi delta. This coincided with the steel lobby's interests and those of other industries, as by 1893, "American trade exceeded that of every country in the world except England." Zinn explains that while these politicians didn't desire to conquer or fight other sovereign...