American leaders clamored for this policy because, they said, the country desperately needed a way to resolve its "glut" of overproduction. This glut, however, was largely illusory. While wealthy Americans were lamenting it, huge numbers of ordinary people were living in conditions of severe deprivation. The surplus production from farms and factories could have been used to lift millions out of poverty, but this would have required a form of wealth redistribution that was repugnant to powerful Americans. Instead they looked abroad.
American leaders advocated for a strategy to address what they claimed was a significant issue of overproduction in the country. They argued that this "glut" threatened the economy and needed urgent resolution. However, the perception of overproduction was largely exaggerated, as many everyday citizens were grappling with severe poverty, while the elite expressed their concerns over surplus goods.
The excess produced by farms and factories had the potential to alleviate the struggles of countless individuals living in destitution. Nevertheless, implementing a redistribution of wealth to help these people was unappealing to the wealthy class. Instead of using domestic resources to support the needy, leaders turned their gaze overseas, seeking solutions beyond the nation's borders.
