The US was extremely involved in foreign affairs after the Spanish American War. This victory in helping liberate Cuba from Spanish control resulted in the creation of the "American empire." Thanks to this war, the US gained control of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. These newly acquired territories were excellent places to send American goods, as businesses were producing more goods than ever thanks to the rapid industrialization taking place in American society.
The US continued to spread its power and influence by annexing other places, like Hawaii. Along with this, the US desired consistent trade with other countries, hence why they introduced the idea of the Open Door Policy in China.
When it came to the US, we wanted to continue our economic relations with several different countries. However, we did not want to initially get involved in overseas wars, as many Americans felt they were an expensive waste of time. This changed after events like the sinking of the Lusitania and the decoding of the Zimmerman Telegram. This resulted in the US joining World War I and helping the Allied powers achieve victory.
