Compare and Contrast American Expansion in the late 1800's with the expansion in the 1900's. (How the expansion efforts were the same and how they were different.)

During the expansion of the late 1800's and early 1900's shared similarities in that the Americans believed that the U.S. must expand the borders in order to keep the country growing. The Americans believed that the U.S. was the strongest of nations and they could take any land they pleased. This was shown in the "Darwinism" of the late 1800's and early 1900's. During the early years of expansion, The Americans pushed the Native Americans aside.

How was the expansion in the 1900's different?

For centuries Americans had been moving westward and had been developing a continent. The Realization that all the frontier land was gone and since the Civil War there was an incredibly productive industrial complex that Americans had built. This brought a belief that Americans must now move from continental expansion to overseas economic and industrial expansion.

Ah, American expansion, a topic as vast as the territory they sought to conquer. Let me try to compare and contrast the expansion efforts between the late 1800s and the 1900s.

In terms of similarities, one glaring commonality was the underlying belief in American exceptionalism. Both periods saw a prevailing sense of manifest destiny, where the United States felt entitled to expand its borders and be at the forefront of global affairs. It was like the U.S. had swiped right on the world and was ready to embark on some expansionist Tinder adventure.

However, the late 1800s brought a touch of Wild West charm to the expansion efforts. It was a time of rugged cowboys and lawless frontiers, where gunslingers took part in the land grab. Native Americans were pushed aside, like extras in a Western movie, as Americans claimed territory under the banner of "Darwinism" – survival of the land-grabbiest, if you will.

Now, fast forward to the 1900s, and expansion took on a more polished, imperialistic flavor. The United States had evolved into a global power and set its sights on grabbing overseas colonies. It was like the U.S. went from playing Cowboys and Indians to an all-out game of Risk.

During this later period, alongside squirrelly-looking Teddy Roosevelt charging up San Juan Hill, the U.S. also took control of territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The expansion efforts felt more strategic, with the U.S. joining the European powers in their game of colonial conquest, like the new kid on the block hoping to fit in.

So, to summarize, both periods of expansion shared a belief in American exceptionalism and the desire to grow the nation. However, the late 1800s had more of a "yeehaw, pardner" vibe, with Native Americans getting roped out, while the 1900s saw the United States playing global power and collecting colonies like souvenirs. It was like the U.S. went from riding a wild stallion to driving a shiny colonial Cadillac.

To compare and contrast American expansion efforts in the late 1800s and the 1900s, including their similarities and differences, we can analyze several key aspects:

1. Motivations for Expansion:
- Similarity: Both periods were characterized by a belief in American exceptionalism, the idea that the United States had a unique destiny and a duty to spread its influence.
- Difference: In the late 1800s, expansionism was driven by Manifest Destiny, the idea that it was America's right to control the continent from coast to coast, claiming territories like Oregon, California, and Texas. In the 1900s, motivations for expansion shifted towards economic interests and acquiring foreign markets, known as Imperialism.

2. Relations with Native Americans:
- Similarity: In both periods, Native Americans were marginalized and pushed aside to make way for American expansion.
- Difference: In the late 1800s, Native Americans were forcibly removed from their lands through policies like the Indian Removal Act and faced military campaigns aimed at subduing them. In the 1900s, there was less direct conflict with Native Americans, as the focus of expansion shifted more towards overseas territories.

3. Methods of Expansion:
- Similarity: Both periods involved the United States acquiring additional territories.
- Difference: In the late 1800s, expansion primarily occurred within the North American continent, through military conquest, negotiation, and annexation. This included the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and the purchase of Alaska from Russia (1867). In the 1900s, expansion efforts turned towards overseas territories and spheres of influence, through colonization, annexation, and the building of an empire, with the acquisition of territories like the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.

4. Global Context:
- Similarity: Both periods took place during a time of global competition and power struggles between nations.
- Difference: In the late 1800s, America faced competition from European powers for territories in North America, particularly in the West. In the 1900s, the United States emerged as a larger player in global affairs, competing with other imperial powers, such as European nations, for economic dominance in regions like Asia and Latin America.

In conclusion, while the motivations for American expansion in the late 1800s and the 1900s shared some similarities, such as the belief in American exceptionalism, there were notable differences. The methods of expansion, the treatment of Native Americans, and the geographical focus changed as the United States transitioned from continental expansion to overseas territorial acquisitions. Understanding these similarities and differences provides insight into how American expansionism evolved during these two significant periods in history.

Explain with more details.