United States and 19 th Century Essay

Submitted By happypuppy101
Words: 302
Pages: 2

Economic and military competition from other states as well as feeling of cultural superiority led to this shift of opinion. Expansion was caused by Asia, Hawaii and Latin America. Imperialism was led by the Spanish-American war which involved Cuba and the Philippines. The United States, from its inception had a lust for real estate. From the original chants of "manifest destiny" to the calls for the annexation of Indian territories, America has been driven to acquire land. The land was needed for economic expansion, by the end of the 19th century, the entire continental United States had been in possession. The United States no longer sought new lands to farm and work nor did they need new areas for their geological resources; the motives had changed. The United States was now driven by the temptations of world power and political supremacy. The self-absorbed citizenry looked upon their intrusion into foreign areas as a moral obligation; to spread the words of democracy and Christ throughout the world. The Spanish-American War in the final years of the 19th century perfectly demonstrated this "new" imperialism. In addition the American intrusion into Chinese affairs during the Boxer rebellion was also proof for the new motives which governed the international attitude. By the end of the 19th century Spanish forces in Cuba were in an all-out battle with nationalist rebels. The foreign policy of the United States is the way in which it interacts with foreign nations