
acquired Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. This was evident in the acquisition of territories following the Spanish-American War of 1898. became a major global power, it sought strategic locations for military and naval bases to protect its interests and sea lanes. Strategic ConsiderationsĪnother important rationale for American imperialism was strategic military interests. The Open Door Policy of 1899, which demanded equal trading rights in China for all imperial powers, aimed to ensure that American businesses had access to the vast Chinese market. producers sought new consumers overseas.įor instance, the annexation of Hawaii in 1898 served American sugar planters who had already established a foothold on the islands. As domestic markets became saturated, U.S. This economic growth led to an increased demand for raw materials, markets for manufactured goods, and new investments. underwent rapid industrialization in the latter half of the 19th century.


One of the primary justifications for American imperialism was economic expansion. The justifications provided for this expansion can be categorized into economic, strategic, cultural, and ideological reasons. While the United States originated as a colony fighting against imperialism, by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it too began to engage in imperialistic ventures. Imperialism, the policy of extending a nation’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force, has been practiced for millennia by empires from ancient Rome to the British Empire.

How did the United States justify imperialism?
