why did the united states seek to become a world power in the 1890'S?

Answer 1

This idea really began with the concept of manifest destiny in the 1840s and continued with the Spanish-American War in the 1890s.

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h337.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish%E2%80%93American_War

Answer 2

Westward expansion where the Americans pushed the Indians back and forced them to live on land they were told to;Adding on to the idea of manifest destiny.