Why did imperialism become more popular in the United States toward the end of the century?

Imperialism became more popular in the United States toward the end of the 19th century for several reasons:

1. Economic Interests: Industrialization in the United States led to increased production of goods. To sustain this growth, the US needed new markets to sell these products. Moreover, the US was looking for new sources of raw materials to fuel its industrial factories.

2. Military Strategy: Alfred Thayer Mahan's influential book "The Influence of Sea Power upon History" argued that control of the seas through naval power was crucial to national strength. This thinking prompted the US to establish coaling stations and naval bases around the world to support its growing naval fleet.

3. Nationalism: A renewed sense of nationalism and the idea of Manifest Destiny, which earlier in the century was focused on continental expansion, began to include the idea of American influence expanding overseas.

4. Social Darwinism and Cultural Superiority: Many Americans believed in the cultural and racial superiority of Anglo-Saxons. Driven by Social Darwinism, the idea that nations were in a struggle for survival and the 'fittest' would naturally come to dominate, there was a push to 'civilize' and 'Christianize' other nations.

5. Competition with Other Powers: European powers were expanding their empires aggressively, and there was a sense that the United States needed to acquire territories to be considered a great power on the international stage.