The U.S. becomes more involved with foreign countries because it needs worldwide markets for its growing industrial/agricultural overstock and sources of raw materials for manufacturing. Darwin's theory, Survival of the Fittest, sugested that only the strongest survived. Meaning that the U.S. had to be strong religiously, politically and militarily. The U.S. needed to demonstrate it's strength by acquiring land overseas. "New Imperialism" refers to the colonial expansion and gaining contol over political and economic life of other countries. Supporters of the expansion included: poliicians, naval strategists, journalists, and missionaries. Republican politicians encouraged foreign affairs because of the increase of new markets. The book "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, by Captain Alfred T. Mahan, was used to convince Congress to finance the construction of modern steel ships and encoraged the process of purchasing land oversea to be used as coaling and suppl stations. The dispute of Venezuela and a neighboing territor causes a turning point in U.S. and British relations.