Chapter 4, America Goes Global Summary

During the mid 1800's, the American desire to become a world power and be taken seriously grows. The war with Mexico shows this. However, the devastating Civil War sours the American appetite for outside expansion and turns the nation's interests inward. This isolationist view surpasses the expansionism view for most of the remainder of the 1800's. However, by the 1890's, the public's recollection of the Civil War recedes, and the expansionist/imperialist mood grows, fueled by outspoken proponents like Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt and is circulated by the yellow tabloid press. The term "manifest destiny" is used to mean the worldwide assertion of American power for the "good" of other civilizations. Again, some look for a reason to spread Christianity. Corporations clamor for "new opportunities" abroad.

Anti-imperialists also make strong points about the shortcomings of the expansionist movement...