What economic and intellectual factors contributed to American imperialism in the late 19th century? By the end of the 19th century, American industry was booming and the country was growing and becoming more urbanized. Many American leaders pushed for American imperialism for various economic, political, and intellectual reasons, including expansion, defense, and social Darwinism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayDue to drastic urban growth in the late 19th century, manufacturing in the United States reached an all-time high and in 1894, America was the leading manufacturer in the world. (Armstrong, 2004 p. 167) Industrial leaders feared that America would soon produce more than it could consume and began to push for an aggressive American foreign policy abroad. Additionally, some businessmen believed that in the future American industries would need dependent states to supply raw materials not found in America, such as petroleum products and rubber. Military power and the ability to protect one's expanding empire was a growing concern during the American period. imperialism. In 1887, the United States and Hawaii reached an agreement allowing America to import sugar from Hawaii duty-free; the increased stimulation of the sugar trade gave Hawaii's sugar planters economic and political power that they used to ratify a new constitution that limited the king's powers and gave more power to the planters. (Ibid, p. 183) In 1891, the king died and was succeeded by his sister, Queen Liliuokalani; In 1893, pro-American sugar planters and U.S. Marines overthrew the Queen, declared Hawaii a Republic, and demanded that Hawaii be annexed to the United States. (Ibid.) The takeover of Hawaii served economic purposes due to the sugar trade and the desire to increase involvement and establish trade with China, while also serving a military strategy, as future bases located in Hawaii would anchor America's strategic position in the Pacific. Some proponents of imperialism used the concept of Social Darwinism to influence increased American influence abroad. Many proponents of Social Darwinism believed that the Anglo-Saxon race was the superior race on the planet and wanted to extend their racial superiority because they believed it was their duty to civilize what they considered inferior races. (Love, 2004. P. 156) Additionally, during this period, American missionaries traveled in an attempt to Christianize the areas. The effects of Social Darwinism can be seen in the actions of the Spanish-American War; America initially maintained that it was only at war for Cuba's benefit, but the Spanish ceded the Philippines at the end of the war. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized document from our expert writers now. Get Custom Paper EssayAmerican imperialism in the late 19th century was necessary due to recent urban expansion causing a surplus of goods for which Americans needed a foreign buyer as well as a foreign supplier for materials that could not be obtained in the United States. Additionally, America wanted to protect its assets by extending its military power to overseas bases that would serve as its central strategic position in the Pacific. The concept of Darwinism..