The purpose of this paper is to inform and discuss American Imperialism in the United States. This paper will discuss topics such as the reasoning why the policy was adopted and how it was rationalized, major events that occurred during the time that Imperialism had taken over, and which countries were affected or became involved with the United States due to American Imperialism. By the conclusion of this paper the following topics will be discussed explaining the diverse reasons for adopting the policy American Imperialism. American Imperialism began in the early 1890’s, to improve the economic status of the U.S. and for economic benefits. This era brought about the first widespread protest against American imperialism. Imperialism is the “acquisition of control over the government and the economy of another nation, usually by victory. The impression that I received from American Imperialism was that the progressive movement was brought about to initially improve America. However, there was a diverse opinion from many people, they believed that this movement was enforced to gain more control over different colonies or to “micro-manage” the neighboring nations that were involved. The population was divided between those that saw the economic and strategic benefits of colonies and those that felt it was counter to America's founding ideas and goals.
The United States adopted the policy of imperialism because they saw the potential to control foreign markets and earn vast amounts of money. “The speed and efficiency with which Europeans expanded prompted many Americans to argue for this European-style imperialism of conquest and possession” (2008, p. 611). The United States was never completely isolated from the rest of the world. Trade made them an active member of world affairs. It was during the period of the 1890s that the U.S. foreign policy became influenced by