the main reason the US expanded its influence in the foreign countries was because in the late 1800's industrialization made it to where the US needed to trade with other countries. manufacturers spent money making factories with assembly lines, but there were big companies which often produced more products than the American people could buy. Sales from American Goods to foreign countries was important to the workers in the US because workers would be out of jobs if the companies were out of business, companies depend on overseas sales to keep their businesses going, and workers depend on overseas sales to keep their jobs.
(I hope this answers your question! if there is something else specific you need please just comment below under my answer! Have a happy early Thanksgiving!)
