American Imperialism In The Late 1800's

In the final years of the 1800's, American focus took a unexpected turn from industrial development to the far more risky game of international politics. Previously a primarily isolationist country, America's burst of imperialism appeared almost random. After all, President Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality set the precedent for a non-interventionist country, which the United States as adhering to, more or less. However, considering the extremely popularity of Manifest Destiny, imperialism can only be an obvious result of America's obsession with territorial expansion. Imperialism was Manifest Destiny, albeit on a much larger scale. In addition, the recent age of industrialism was a major proponent of interventionism as well. With the blooming economic expansion, farmers and factory owners thriving in America sought to expand in untapped markets. The same Anglo-Saxons who despised immigrants for their blood impurities felt it was their duty to
In 1889, disputes over the Samoa Islands almost led to a fight with Germany. Similar situations were soon to follow, like the 1891 hanging of Italians immigrants, in which America narrowly avoided war with Italy by paying a settlement. After the death of a couple of American sailors in Chile, war was avoided yet again, this time with Chile compensating America. The rising violence towards foreign countries came the closest to war in 1895, when Britain and Venezuela were having dispute over land. Uncharacteristically, America invoked the Monroe Doctrine, stating Europe was to stay out of Western Hemisphere. President Cleveland was enraged Britain did not take their threats seriously, and yet again, war seemed imminent. However, due to more pressing local conflicts, England eventually backed down, "patted the eagle's head", and the American ego