If you were writing a thesis paper about events that legitimized the united states as an international power, which of the following would be most effective to include?

The one that is the msot effective to include is US victory in the Spanish-American War in 1898.
US victory in the Spanish-American War in 1898 basically help the majority of South American region to obtain their independence in the spanish.
This result of this war opened up a mutually beneficial relationship between us and southern american nations in term of trades, resources exchange, millitary alliance, etc.

Not sure if it’s within 12 months, but you could talk about the spreading of alt-right hate speech and whether that is covered by the right of freedom of speech? or, cover how during the midterm elections in some states many native american populations were declined to vote because they didn’t have the proper id, despite being citizens? also, the death of that journalist last month, who spoke freely and reported about the saudi government and how corrupted it is and was killed because of that (lack of free press/speech). just some ideas for this prompt, i hope at least one of them : )