What is American imperialism?
'''American [[imperialism]]''' is the American policy of maintaining or extending power over foreign nations, particularly through expansionism. [[Expansionism]] was a primary objective of most empires, an example being the [[British Empire]]. This includes politics, money, culture, and the military. After World War II, the United States became a strong and powerful country. This influence continues today.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers: economic change and military conflict from 1500 to 2000|url=https://archive.org/details/risefallofgreatp0000paul_g7s1|last=Kennedy|first=Paul Michael|date=1987|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-0-394-54674-2|location=New York}}</ref> It has a strong global influence. American imperialism began in the 1890s. In 1896, the US [[Annexation|annexed]] the [[Hawaiian Islands]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.education.com/study-help/article/rise-american-imperialism-18901913/ |title=The Rise of American Imperialism (1890–1913) for AP U.S. History |author=Stephen Armstrong |date=4 March 2011 |publisher=Education.com, Inc. |access-date=19 September 2014 |archive-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528231051/http://www.education.com/study-help/article/rise-american-imperialism-18901913/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the [[Spanish-American War]], the US annexed Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. In 1914, the US completed the [[Panama Canal]]. The [[Roosevelt Corollary]] to the [[Monroe Doctrine]] increased American influence in Latin America. It was the basis for Roosevelt's [[Big Stick ideology|Big Stick policy]]. == History == === Before World War II === Before [[World War II]], America was [[Isolationism|isolationist]], in accordance with the wishes of its first president, [[George Washington]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/5eaa18b6-d3b5-7de3-e040-e00a18066263|title=Farewell address|website=NYPL Digital Collections}}</ref> Starting at the beginning of the 20th century, its influnce grew w