"It is manifest destiny." Said President William McKinley when questioned on his annexation of the Hawaiian Islands. Manifest Destiny was the term used to describe some Americans' beliefs that God ordained American expansion. What was it that led to this American expansion? Did one man stand and say that it would happen? Did America feel that they had to prove themselves by dominating the entire Western Hemisphere? It could have had more to do with economics and profit. It is my belief that every one of these motives played a significant part in American imperialism. Without one of these motives, I don't think that America would have had the success it did.

In an autocratic system or a strong monarchy, historical changes and actions really are down to the individual who instigates them. In a "free" democracy, however, one particular individual should not logically have the power to...