In the late 1800s and early 1900s the majority of American people supported a policy of imperialism.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s the majority of American people supported a policy of imperialism. Imperialism is the practice of one country extending its control over the territory, political system, or economic life of another country. Political opposition to this foreign domination is called "anti-imperialism." The U.S. had followed basic policy of isolationism since the War of 1812. The U.S. had concentrated on the Civil War, winning the West, and the Industrial …

…materials, markets for goods, national glory, balance of power and they also felt as though they needed to help smaller nations as though it was their burden, which Europeans called "White Man's Burden." In their point of view they thought they were helping people but really all they were doing was hurting the smaller colonies. Mother countries were destroying ethnic groups and causing civil wars between smaller nations. This newer modern Imperialism was never productive.