To what extent was economics the primary factor in the U.S. adopting a policy of imperialsim?

Imperialism is what caused the U.S. to want to become a "world power" soon to make the world one United States. Imperialism is the idea of extending rule or influence toward another nation or foreign country.Ideas from Rosa Luxemburg, Joseph Schumpeter and John Hobson can be accounted on introducing imperialism. There were two forms of imperialism, Formal and Informal imperialsim. Formal being by force as Informal by logic. Imperialist ideas eventually led to the Spanish-American War. The Spanish-American War was clearly Formal imperialism. Spain’s treatment of Cuba caused the United States to intervene. Other main factors causing the Spanish-American War include Yellow Journalism and DeLome Letter. The statement "The primary factor in the United States adopting a policy of imperialism was economic" is partially correct, yet in better wording, The U.S.'s reasoning for adopting imperialist policies was primarily social and somewhat economic due to the spread of Social Darwinism, use of religious justificaton to cover economic intentions, and the attack on Hawaii for its foreign commodity, sugar.

A sense of nationalism and pride took over the United States. They soon became to believe they were superior to the other nations. This could be related to Manifest Destiny. It was thought that it was America's duty to crown itself as the "world power". Republican morals and values were soon to change after the introduction of Social Darwinism. America's triumphs through a Revolution and Civil war sent pride and arrogance throughout the nation becoming one of the most important causes of the U.S. adopting imperialist policies.

In 50 years, from the Civil War to World War I, the U.S. was to take its stand on becoming a world power. This should be concedered the main reason the U.S. adopted imperialist polices soley because of the repition of America's arrogance leading to reasoning of expansion. Other cases such as Manifest Destiny show how pride and nationalism boost American spirits to the point where they feel they are the best nation, though they were indeed the product of a greater nation, Britain.


It was said that imperialism was to Christianize foregin countries and save foreigners from hell. It is not new that religion has been the reasong for U.S. expansion. Reverend Josiah Strong was an advocate for using religion to justify imperialism. It was said that imperialism allowed "civilized" Christian cultures opporotunity to spread their religion to the "lesser". This was by all means a farce. It was an attempt to hide the U.S.'s economic hunger. It was obvious that more land would eventually lead to more capital. Religion was mearly a way of muting criticism and was used often used.

Economically, Hawaii was known for its favorable good, sugar. As Queen Liliuokalani attempted to fight off America, imperialist policies grew. America viciously fought Hawaii for its sugar feigning for the economic growth the U.S. would recieve if they were to be in control. This is a main example of the U.S.'s using imperialism to prosper economically. These motivives were hidden to American people because of the U.S. using religion as its extreme justification.

In Conclusion, the U.S.'s reasoning for adopting imperialist policies were both social and economic due to Social Darwinism, Religion, and Foreign goods. Though America used religious justifications to hide economic hunger, social arrogance and pride is what truely caused America to impose imperialist policies. It is still to this day that America believes that we are the greatest nation and have no limits, which could also be connected to the reasoning why we are in Iraq. America has a long way to go to end our arrogant ways before it in all, ruins the United States.