Final answer:
The US government actively pursued imperialism for economic expansion, anti-communist ideology, and humanitarian concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The US government actively pursued imperialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for several reasons:
- Economic Expansion and Access to Resources: The US sought to expand its reach and gain access to new markets and resources. The Industrial Revolution gave American businesses an advantage in delivering high-quality products at lower costs. By taking control over parts of the world with low-cost resources, the US could benefit economically.
- Anti-Communist Ideology: During the Cold War, the US government aimed to prevent the spread of communism. They believed that expanding their influence and establishing US-friendly governments in other countries would help contain the spread of communism.
- Humanitarian Concerns: Some Americans justified imperialism as a way to spread liberty, democracy, and Christianity to other parts of the world. They believed that the US had a special mission to civilize and uplift less-developed nations.
Overall, the pursuit of economic expansion, geopolitical interests, and ideological justifications were the main drivers behind US imperialism.