In the late 1770s, the United States was a small nation of farmers. However, after nearly 100 years, the United States has become a continent-wide country. During that time, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Oregon, Louisiana, and California were already part of the territory of the United States, through acquisition, brokerage, or annexation. By the 1860s, the U.S. economy was growing, driven by modern developments in transportation and communications from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts and by a vast incursion of immigrants that caused a boom in urbanization and industrialization across the country. However, the consolidation of industrial revolutions and mass production created a large surplus of goods that could not be consumed by the US population. As a result, the United States had to create a new way to expand its territories in foreign markets, so that it could absorb the glut of U.S. goods. However, in an era when France and Great Britain were “the two major imperialist powers,” the United States needed a strategy that would help it compete on the world stage as a global power. As a result, relying on ideological arguments, strategic concerns and economic projects as the main reasons, the United States entered a new era in which its main goal was the creation of an imperialist empire. (Goldfield Page 614, Prof. Michael McKeown) The first reason why the United States decided to emulate the model of imperialism was based on its ideological and religious arguments. These began with the Rationales' belief that American ideas and institutions were superior to any other country in the world. For example, a little about America... in the center of the paper... in American Politics: A History. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland &, 2009. Web. Page 190 - 197.2 Abbott, Carl, Peter H. Argersinger, Virginia DeJohn Anderson, William L. Barney, Jo Ann E. Argersinger, and Robert M. Weir. “Chapter 22 “Creating a New Empire 1865-1917”” The American Journey. By David R. Goldfield. 5th ed. vol. 2. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2009. 611-36. Print."1866–1898 - Milestones - Historian's Office." 1866–1898 - Milestones - Historian's Office. U.S. Dept., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2014. “The Influence of Sea Power on History: Securing International Markets in the 1890s,” by Mahan. The influence of sea power on Mahan history: ensuring the security of international markets in the 1890s. U.S. Department of State, January 20, 2001. Web. February 13, 2014.McKeown, Michael “Creating a New Empire 1865-1917.” Chapter 22. Power Point Presentation.