To what extent might the mid-19th century belief in Manifest Destiny set the stage for the New American Imperialism at the end of the century?

Question

Can anyone please give me some hints to do this question?THANKS A LOT!

Answer 1

It set the stage and was the underlying theme. The prevailing American belief was that the USA should become a colonial power like the major European powers, and grab all the land it could(including that of Native Americans) before others did, because it was its "Manifest Destiny" and God's will. In South America, although conquest was not attempted, we did create Panama from Colombian territory to gain an indefinite of the Canal Zone, and pursued a Monroe Doctrine policy that some viewed as hegemony.