Answer:There are a number of reasons. First of all, American businesses looked for new markets abroad, and so some kind of imperial policy was thought necessary to achieve this goal. European colonial powers such as Great Britain and France had pursued such a policy for many years with much success; and as the American economy was rapidly becoming the world's largest, there was a certain logic to the United States emulating their example.
With growing economic power went growing political and military power. The United States was now recognized as a major player in international politics, and imperialism was a natural outcome of this. European countries had enhanced their standing on the world stage by the acquisition, development, and exploitation of their colonies, and it was thought that the United States might also do this. No longer was it enough for the United States to see itself as a beacon of liberty or the land of opportunity; it must also be respected in the old-fashioned way: hope this helps.
Most enslaved people lived on plantations, forced labor camps dedicated to the large-scale production of cash crops. By 1850, more than half of enslaved people in the United States grew cotton for export to northern and British textile mills.
The Ethiopians surrounded the Italians for two weeks and, upon Empress Tayitu's advice, cut off the fort's water supply. The Italian commander agreed to surrender if they would be allowed to leave with their firearms. Menelik agreed that they could leave the garrison unharmed.
The author feels that the activists of that time didn't feel like a teenager would be a good icon for a movement. So, Claudette Colvin's action still remain little known today.