Expansion presented the United States with a dilemma that has confronted many colonial powers. If it allowed democracy to flower in the countries it controlled, those nations would begin acting in accordance with their own interests rather than the interests of the United States, and American influence over them would diminish.
Expansion posed a significant challenge for the United States, akin to the struggles faced by other colonial powers. As the U.S. exerted influence over various countries, it encountered a dilemma regarding the balance of democracy and control. Allowing these nations to develop democratic governance meant risking a loss of American dominance, as they might prioritize their own interests over those of the U.S.
This situation highlights the tension between promoting self-determination and maintaining strategic influence. For the United States, fostering democracy abroad could lead to unpredictability in international relations, ultimately threatening its goals and power in the region.
