What economic competition did the U.S. engage in during Period 6?

During Period 6, which spans from 1865 to 1898, the United States engaged in significant economic competition through imperialism, particularly in the Pacific and Latin America. This period is defined by a transformation in American foreign policy, where the U.S. expanded its influence beyond continental borders, seeking new markets for its goods and access to resources to fuel its industrial growth.

The United States pursued imperialistic policies by acquiring territories such as Hawaii, annexing Puerto Rico and Guam following the Spanish-American War, and exerting control over the Philippines. This was driven by the desire to compete economically with European powers, which were already well-established in colonial endeavors.

In contrast, the options referring to capitalism in Europe, isolationism in the Americas, and mercantilism in Africa do not accurately capture the competitive economic strategies adopted by the U.S. during this era. Instead, the focus was explicitly on intensifying American imperial activities, which aligned with domestic economic interests and the overarching belief in Manifest Destiny that encouraged expansion beyond the mainland. The goal was to assert U.S. power and presence in key global markets, establishing trade routes and increasing American investment abroad.