Part two- 1890 to 1920 US and the world

pre 1890 US seemed far from being an imperial power
foreign policy- essentially defensive to keep new world free from wars and diplomatic entanglements
most=hostile to imperialism (Except conquest/colonisation of W)
events and developments of 1890s drew US into naval expansion, war against spain and annexation of territories in Pacific Ocean
motives behind policy shift = openly expansionist
rapid econ growth seemed to prove need of new oversea markets
belief of end of frontier meant new horizons were needed to scope for US energy and dynamism
1890s -great age of European imperialism, many were swayed by notions of racial/cultural superiority & 'civilising mission' of non-white societies from 'backwardness' - these ideas added to influence of men (Teddy & Naval theorist Alfred Thayer Mahan & Senator Henry Cabot Lodge) who believed in 'forward foreign policy' underpinned by modern sea power
isolationists- upholding Monroe Doctrine & traditional US hostility to Euro 'interference'
anti-imperialist W. Jennings Bryan (pacifist, Religious moralist) a leading voice in American Anti-imperialism League 1898
Other public figures in League = Grover Cleveland, Andrew Carnegie, Samuel Gompers
fierce debates between imperialists and isolationists continued for more than 40 yrs after 1890
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