5b. What were the motives behind US imperialism?
Throughout much of the 19th century the US pursued a policy of isolationism. Up until the 1880s it had promoted a policy which would avoid involvement in overseas conflict; however it also wanted to prevent European powers intervening in the Americas region.The rationale for this involved some sense of superiority. The US had fought the colonial power of Britain for its own independence as a republic and its citizens...