1. Economic interests: The United States sought to expand its economic influence in Latin America, particularly in the Caribbean and Central America. This was driven by a desire for access to natural resources, such as sugar, coffee, and bananas, as well as markets for American goods.
2. Political and military interests: The United States was concerned about the potential for European powers to gain a foothold in Latin America, and sought to prevent this by asserting its own influence in the region. This led to interventions in Latin American countries, such as the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and the Spanish-American War (1898).
3. Ideological interests: The United States saw itself as a champion of democracy and republicanism, and sought to promote these values in Latin America. This led to support for democratic movements in Latin American countries, as well as opposition to authoritarian regimes.
4. Manifest Destiny: This belief held that the United States was destined to expand its territory across the North American continent and into Latin America. This ideology, which was popular among many Americans, justified U.S. territorial expansion and interventions in Latin America.