After the Civil War, Americans had almost no interest in expansionism. However, around 1890, some Americans wanted to pursue the idea of ​​manifest destiny that had already inspired their ancestors when they acquired territories from Native Americans and later from Mexico. Despite the fact that Americans, at the beginning of the 20th century, were not zealous about foreign expansion, they were also aware of European imperialist projects. Indeed, European powers such as France, Germany, Great Britain and Russia competed for control of foreign lands and resources. Therefore, fear of dwindling natural resources and the depression of the 1890s encouraged the business elite to seek new markets. Furthermore, some ideological factors such as the New Manifest Destiny and Charles Darwin's idea of ​​Natural Selection inspired many Americans to follow the course of imperialism. The manifestations of American imperialism can be seen in the form of the annexation of Hawaii and Samoa. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Additionally, the Americans also controlled the Philippines and Puerto Rico. A significant question needs to be answered here: What were the factors and sources that led America to follow the agenda of imperialism? The roots of American imperialism, however, can be traced to economic, strategic and ideological reasons. Taking economic factors into consideration first, the imperialist intentions of the European power were clear to America. They feared that European imperialist powers would control overseas resources and that Americans would be left with nothing. Furthermore, the dream of a trading empire in the Asia-Pacific, supported by William Henry Seward, is equally important in setting Americans on the path of imperialism. Second, Mahan's The Influence of Sea Power Upon History provided a new strategic dimension to American foreign policy that ultimately led to expansionist projects. Finally, some ideological factors such as Darwin's natural selection and the idea of ​​the new manifest destiny further encouraged Americans to value overseas territories. Undeniably, the manifestations of American imperialism can easily be witnessed in their conduct regarding the annexation of the islands of Hawaii and Samoa. The Americans intended to annex Hawaii because it was a strategic station on their sea route to China. As a result, America annexed Hawaii in 1889 and subsequently the island of Samoa in 1899. Additionally, the Americans fought a war with Spain for control of the Philippines and Cuba. In 1898, America attacked the Spanish forces in the Philippines and signed a defense agreement with the Philippines that still continues. Likewise, America supported Cuba against Spain and played a substantial role in eliminating Spain from Cuba. Likewise, Puerto Rico was also part of the Spanish empire and was later occupied by America during the American-Spanish War and through the Jones Act of 1917, Puerto Rico was declared an American territory. American imperialism and expansionism had nothing to do with small groups, rather they had the ambitions of an elite class: missionaries, intellectuals, business leaders, and commercial farmers. Furthermore, he was supported by many influential political leaders. For example, Theodore Roosevelt was an ardent imperialist who always supported the idea of ​​expansionism, and his strongest argument was that America had already overtaken the region and now deserved to expand its territories.