American foreign policy in the 1890s American foreign policy during the 1890s was based on numerous factors that each served as an individual justification for our country's behavior in its together. Racism, nationalism, commercialism, and humanitarianism each have their own role in America's actions against other nations. Most Americans were extremely racist at this time. The predominant culture in the country was White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant, aka WASP. They looked down on the now free blacks and all the European immigrants who came to our country. They gave a hard time to anyone with the slightest difference, whether they were an American citizen or not. If they did such things to their countrymen, their reactions to foreigners were greatly amplified. They criticized Europeans for their practices abroad, particularly in matters of imperialism. But when they understood the ideas of the Europeans, they twisted the concept to suit their own needs. This is where the other major justifications for their foreign policy come into play. Humanitarianism was the main justification used by the Americans when they established their territories. The Americans may have eschewed European actions aimed at conquering colonies purely for their power and prestige, but they certainly were not going to let the Europeans be the only ones to put into practice what they considered to be a very good idea. This is when Americans distorted their racism. to meet their needs. They felt, like the white race, ...