William McKinley didn’t plan on building an empire, but he did. From the annexation of Hawaii to a “little war” with Spain, McKinley’s first term transformed the U.S. into a global power. But behind the warships and treaty talks were tough choices, controversial calls, and unintended consequences, including a brutal guerrilla war in the Philippines. This episode dives into the rise of American imperialism and how one president’s quiet resolve reshaped the world.