American Foreign Policy
For years American settlers moved west and south dreaming of expanding the United States. (1)___ was a driving force in American history. In (2)___ the government announced the end of the “frontier.” Americans began looking to overseas frontiers where they could expand (3)___ and compete for political influence. In the mid-1800s American merchants already traded with China, but many hoped to begin trading with (4)___. In 1853 (5)___ sailed warships into Tokyo Bay, which persuaded Japan to sign the (6)___ and open ports to American ships.
An Age of Imperialism
In the late 1800s and the early 1900s, many European nations created large empires by exerting (7)___ and political control over weaker regions. European countries competed for power in Asia and (8)___. After the Civil War, many wanted the
United States to (9)___ new lands. Secretary of State (10)___ pictured an American empire that included the Caribbean, Central America, and the Pacific. In 1867 a treaty with Russia to buy (11)___ for $7.2 million was ridiculed. At an 1889 conference, Latin American countries established the (12)___. As the United States expanded, Captain (13)___ argued that improving naval power would protect shipping and provide access to (14)___. In 1883 Congress authorized construction of the first (15)___ warships.
