Thank you for sharing. One of the most interesting quotes you touch upon is when you quoted "that the United States had a duty to uplift backward society". I think this was America's reasoning for taking over some of these territories. However, I always wonder who defined what a backward society was then and was it really for that reason. Or was this just an idea to get what America ultimately needed to build their economy, political influence and military? Minor Keith was definitely out to benefit himself and his bloodline. However, along the way he gained political influence from Costa Rica. Costa Rica government helped Minor Keith stop the workers from striking because they wanted Minor Keith to stay around. He was helping their pockets too by allowing them ways to export their crops like their coffee. It seemed like what was good for one rich entrepreneur was good for the Costa Rica government as well as long as they got some money and help too. It did not matter what lives were ruined or what was broken down.