As our wealth and influence increased, so did our patriotism. Also, at this point, the global scene was very bleak economically and tensions were high world-wide. Our sense of pride was telling us that if we were becoming more successful and everyone else wasn't, then we must be doing something right that others weren't. This mindset led the U.S. to believe that we needed to help others see that our system was the best one out there. (Mind you I'm not saying that this choice was right or wrong.) But this frame of mind has led us into the position where we sit today: The Global Police Force. And now that we are in it people expect us to stay there. It is a political thorn bush to get out of, and while we have a ton of problems within our own borders, there are a million problems that the world expects us to solve, all because we got caught up in our post-World War II patriotism. I'm not bashing America, I love my country, I just think we went a little over-board.
Imperialism.
Other than expanding the west, foreign countries were taking over other countries and the U.S sort of felt left out.
No, the USA has no need for colonies.
Legitimate
Open door policy
Great Depression
It is legitament
It is legitament
By seeking other trading partners it could pursue a policy of national self-sufficiency
spell up u-p
Relaxing environmental standards
Continuing to pursue detente