At the turn of the 20th century, the United States increased its presence overseas. What caused U.S. expansion at this time? What actions did the U.S. take to expand? What were the results? In America’s quest to become a leading world power, the United States made efforts to secure a wider sphere of influence, gain greater access to trade markets and secure territories in order to maintain the security of the continental United States. Much of this effort involved the use of American military forces. During the period of 1898 to 1902, the United States would be involved in three military expeditions which would expand America’s influence overseas. Also, with the depression in 1893, American businesses had to start looking overseas in order to sell their products. With a lot of factories having to either shut down, cut …show more content…
The United States government believed that other countries were outpacing them in trade markets in the Far East, specifically in China. Secretary John Hay believed that European countries would carve out their own spheres of influence in China thus locking the United States out of free trade markets in the region. American businesses also had an interest in the United States maintaining a presence in China so that their ability to trade goods would be secured. The more physical presence the United States could gain in the Far East meant a greater sphere of influence in which they would have more control over trade and other issues in the region. In addition, by having more trade overseas, America’s economy would continue to diversify making it less susceptible to potential instability of a few products and markets in the United States. The more overseas trade that America was getting involved in would help keep the economy