- Military needs
- Economic interests
- Ideology (Social darwinism)
- Scramble for territory
The most important reason why the United States wanted to imperialize in the 1890s was for economic benefits. This is the most significant reason for their aggressive policy of expansion with political, economic, and military control as major objectives. Huge natural resources and good climatic conditions or good strategic layer for wars were some causes too.
The overseas territories were teeming with a cheap labor force, this would allow American goods to be made at a decreased cost. Finally, these foreign lands were loaded with raw materials that could easily be used in American manufacturing.
Nationalism also contributed to the outbreak of imperialism in America. The attitude, "we're as good as European nations" was amplified more than ever. The Monroe Doctrine prohibited European nations to interfere in the Western hemisphere, but it did not prevent Americans to expand the frontiers and conquer other countries / islands.
With the belief, the anglo-saxon culture had the right to expand, and they were superior to all other nations, they started the expansion. Social darwinism, ethnocentrism and racial supremacy also played an important role. The Americans believed that the United States was the strongest of nations, and that they could take any land they pleased.
Cartoon of the American expansionism
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