What motivated the U.S. to engage in imperialism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

The motivation for U.S. imperialism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries was greatly driven by the quest for new markets and resources. As the United States industrialized, it produced more goods than could be consumed domestically; thus, expanding overseas markets became crucial for sustaining economic growth. This period was characterized by the belief that gaining territory and influence abroad would provide access to raw materials, agricultural products, and new consumer markets, which were necessary for American manufacturers and capitalists.

Additionally, during this time, the world was increasingly interconnected, and the competition with European powers for control of territories and resources heightened. The U.S. sought to establish its presence in areas such as the Caribbean, Pacific islands, and Asia. This economic motivation was often justified through ideological arguments of American exceptionalism and the belief in spreading democracy and capitalism, but fundamentally, it was the pursuit of new markets that drove many U.S. actions during this era.

Other options like a desire to assist in global humanitarian efforts, ambitions to create a large military presence, or the wish for cultural exchanges, while present in the broader context of U.S. global engagement, were not the primary driving forces behind the imperialistic actions taken during this time. The focus on