By the turn of the 20th century, domestic events and foreign policy became closely entwined. In other words, foreign policy increasingly reflected...

As the United States approached the 1900s, domestic events and foreign events seemed to be increasingly connected to each other. By the end of the 1800s, the United States had expanded from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. People who believed in manifest destiny began to believe that the United States should expand overseas. These people believed it was the duty of the Americans to spread their way of life and their way of government to places around the world that they believed were inferior to them. Additionally, American businesses were growing. These businesses were looking for markets beyond the United States. These businesses needed raw materials and knew they could get them cheaply if the United States had colonies. These colonies could also serve as a marketplace for American products. As European countries continued to expand beyond their boundaries, Americans realized they needed to act before it was too late if they wanted to get colonies.

The United States began to look to spread its influence around the world. An opportunity arose when people heard that Spain was allegedly mistreating the people of Cuba. The American public read exaggerated news stories of this mistreatment. Public opinion turned against Spain. When a United States warship, the U.S.S. Maine, exploded in Havana Harbor, people immediately blamed Spain. Eventually, the United States declared war on Spain. As a result of this war, the United States gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

As American trade expanded worldwide, we wanted a quicker way to get products from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. The trip around South America was a long one. If a canal could be built near Columbia or Nicaragua, this would shorten the travel time significantly. American products could be shipped more quickly and profits could rise. When Columbia refused the American offer to buy land to build a canal through Columbia, the United States helped Panama win its revolution against Columbia. The United States quickly signed a deal to build the canal in Panama.

The United States wanted to be able to trade with China. However, there were hazards to China’s independence that threatened the ability of the United States to trade with China. In 1899, the United States issued the Open Door Policy that said all nations would have equal trading rights in China. The United States intervened again when the Boxer Rebellion occurred. The United States was able to convince European countries not to take over China, which allowed the United States to keep trading with China.

The United States also wanted to assert its influence within the western hemisphere. As a result, President Theodore Roosevelt issued the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. This policy stated that the United States would resolve issues that Europe was having with countries in the Americas.

Domestic and foreign events became increasingly connected to each other by the late 1890s and the early 1900s.