expansionism

Expansionism is a policy or practice of a nation extending its territorial reach and economic dominance. This often involves acquiring new territories and asserting political and economic control over them.12

Historically, European expansionism, particularly after the Industrial Revolution, shifted from acquiring colonial products to seeking markets for manufactured goods and securing raw materials. This led to significant disruptions in existing social systems globally, as colonial areas were adapted to serve the economic priorities of industrializing nations. This adaptation included changes in land ownership, labor practices, and the imposition of new economic systems.34

In the United States, the concept of "Manifest Destiny" fueled westward expansion, with the belief that the nation was divinely ordained to spread across the continent. This ideology justified territorial acquisitions and shaped foreign policy, leading to significant territorial growth and, at times, conflict.5