U.S. Overseas Expansion

Definition

This refers to the period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the United States began to acquire territories outside of North America, marking its transformation from an isolationist country into a global power.

Analogy

Think of U.S. Overseas Expansion like a popular high school student deciding to join different clubs and activities. Before, they were content with their own circle (North America), but now they want to expand their influence and connections (acquiring new territories) across the entire school (the world).

Related terms

Manifest Destiny: The 19th-century doctrine or belief that the expansion of the US throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable.

Monroe Doctrine: A principle of US policy, originated by President James Monroe in 1823, that any intervention by external powers in the politics of the Americas is a potentially hostile act against the US.

Spanish-American War: An 1898 conflict between Spain and America resulting in Spain's loss of colonies including Puerto Rico, Guam, and Cuba; this war marked one of America's significant steps towards overseas expansion.