American Imperialism refers to a period of time between the 1890 and 1910 when America, fueled by manifest destiny (the belief that America was predestined by God to settled land out to the Pacific ocean) extended its economic, military, and political control over weaker lands. America aimed to spread all their beliefs and values from coast to coast, and then to other lands. This Imperialism was driven by the desire of greater military strength; the search for new markets industrialization and by the fact that they believed their culture was superior, in order reach those goals, they considered that they should claim one Empire.
America had surplus of goods, so that they needed new territories to sell them, thus, they engage in international trade. They can export more American goods to foreign markets and thus they ensure profits.
They also believed that they were the best so they needed to civilized inferior cultures and reformed them.
However, imperialism led to war and dominated foreign policies for decades.
The benefits outweighed the costs as they became very powerful leading the world in terms of trade, military expansion, economy; they conquered lands and spread their values.
