Imperialism: America In The Late 19th Century

Having just overcome a civil war, late 19th century America was seeking a new issue to bite its teeth into. Newfound economic prosperity put America in a strong position in the international community, and debate began to erupt over the best way to use it. The issue eventually boiled down to a question over national identity: who we are, and what we stand for. Imperialists relied on a social and economic argument, claiming that expansion gave new opportunity for all involved parties, while opponents warned of the political ramifications that may accompany straying from the the ideals of the founding fathers.
Advocates for international expansion saw the supposed domestic and international benefits that it would bring. As an educated African