American Imperialism
In the late 19th century, global empires were becoming closer together because of the improvements in technology. Weaponry and armies were becoming more powerful, while communications, transportation, and commerce connected the countries together like never before. The American dream of Imperialism was to bring the world together by exporting products, ideas, and influence. Americans wanted to teach other nations the American values of democracy, free enterprise capitalism, and Protestant Christianity.
The social factors of American imperialism were to extend western ideas, religion, and government. The main idea was to find markets all around the world. The Americans wanted to expand their values, increase foreign trade, enhance American prestige, and guarantee future security. They were willing to do this by expanding boundaries, purchasing colonies, or persuading encouragement to take control and better the American social lifestyles and security.
The economic growth of industrial networks had linked America with foreign markets like never before. Employment and farmers were depending on foreign countries to keep the economy going. Farmers and industries relied on the world to purchase products and goods and at the same time kept the economy going by providing jobs and keeping farmers from going broke and selling their farms.
As America relied on foreign trade for wealth and power, they needed a strategic way to protect the foreign markets, and the seas where ships transported goods from shore to shore. Alfred Thayer Mahan, a navy captain and later admiral, created the idea of forming a navy. The idea of replacing wood vessels with steel persuaded America to have a modern and powerful Navy and the means to become an imperial power within the world.

Reference:
Davidson, Gienapp, Heyrman, Lytle, Stoff, . (2005). Nation of Nations: A Concise Narrative of the American Republic (4th ed.). : The McGraw’ Hill Companies.