Which of the following best explains the arguments for US imperialism in the late 1800s?
The United States needed to prove its strength to the European countries.
The United States wanted to assume its place as a world power.
The United States wanted to share democracy, religion, and prosperity.
The United States wanted to stop other powers from colonizing Latin America.

Question

Which of the following best explains the arguments for US imperialism in the late 1800s?
The United States needed to prove its strength to the European countries.
The United States wanted to assume its place as a world power.
The United States wanted to share democracy, religion, and prosperity.
The United States wanted to stop other powers from colonizing Latin America.

wwhitlock · Answer

There is no good reason for the worlds leading democracy to establish an empire. The whole idea of an empire is against republicanism, democracy and the principles of the Founders.
We'd already been watching over Latin America since the Monroe Doctrine. 
So an appeal to vanity was the reason given. Your first two answers are appeals to vanity. Impressing the world is bigger than impressing Europe. So I'd go with the second one.