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Difficulty: MediumImperialism and the Spanish-American War

Source: Albert J. Beveridge, "The March of the Flag" campaign speech, 1898.

"It is a noble land that God has given us; a land that can feed the world with its harvests, clothe the world with its cotton, and yet a land whose production is greater than its power to consume... Therefore, we must find new markets for our produce, new occupation for our capital, new work for our labor... And so, while we did not seek the war, we could not flee from it, and now we must fulfill our mission."

Which of the following late-nineteenth-century developments most directly contributed to the perspective expressed in the passage?

  1. The rapid growth of industrial production that created a surplus of domestic goodsAnswer
  2. B
    The establishment of formal military alliances with Latin American nations to deter European interference
  3. C
    A public outcry to avenge the sinking of the Lusitania and protect Atlantic trade routes
  4. D
    A commitment to absolute isolationism to avoid unilateral foreign interventions

Answer

The rapid growth of industrial production that created a surplus of domestic goods
The correct answer is correct because the rapid expansion of American manufacturing and agriculture during the Gilded Age resulted in domestic overproduction. Business and political leaders argued that the United States needed to acquire overseas territories and open new foreign markets to prevent economic downturns and sustain industrial growth.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the provided speech excerpt to determine the main economic argument.
The speaker argues that domestic production has surpassed the domestic capacity to consume, necessitating the search for new foreign markets and outlets for capital.
Understanding the core economic thesis of the passage is necessary to align it with Gilded Age economic developments.
2
Link the author's argument to late-nineteenth-century economic trends.
During the late 1800s, the Second Industrial Revolution led to unprecedented factory and agricultural output in the United States, creating recurring economic crises of overproduction.
This places the document's argument in the context of late-nineteenth-century industrialization.
3
Evaluate the options to identify which historical trend explains the call for new markets.
The growth of industrial production causing a surplus of goods directly matches the text's reference to production exceeding consumption capacity.
This confirms the correct option while ruling out options that are chronologically inaccurate or represent different policy concepts.

Key Concept

Imperialism and the Spanish-American War
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Imperialism and the Spanish-American War

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