Expansionist Foreign Policies

Definition

These are strategies adopted by a nation's government to expand its economic, political, or territorial reach beyond its current borders.

Analogy

Think of expansionist foreign policies like a popular fast-food chain opening new branches in different countries. Just as the restaurant wants to spread its influence and increase profits, a country uses these policies to gain more power and resources.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny: This is the 19th-century doctrine that justified American expansion across the North American continent under the belief it was divinely sanctioned.

Imperialism: This refers to a policy or ideology where a nation extends its power by acquiring territories or establishing dominance over other nations economically, politically, or militarily.

Monroe Doctrine: A principle of US policy introduced in 1823 which stated that efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression requiring U.S. intervention.