Thinkers like Josiah Strong believed that the United States should expand overseas because

Josiah Strong was a prominent figure in the late 19th century who advocated for American expansionism. He believed that the United States should expand overseas for several reasons:

1. Spread of Christianity: Strong was a clergyman and he believed in the superiority of the Christian religion. He thought that it was the duty of the United States, as a predominantly Christian nation, to spread Christianity to other parts of the world.

2. Racial Superiority: Strong was a proponent of the idea of Anglo-Saxon superiority. He believed that the Anglo-Saxon race was "divinely commissioned" to be the world's leading race. Therefore, he thought that the United States should expand overseas to spread its influence and civilization.

3. Economic Benefits: Strong also saw the economic benefits of overseas expansion. He believed that it would open up new markets for American goods, thereby boosting the American economy.

4. Strategic Reasons: Strong believed that overseas expansion would give the United States strategic advantages, such as control over key trade routes and access to important resources.

5. Social Darwinism: Strong was influenced by the ideas of Social Darwinism, which suggested that stronger nations had the right and even the duty to dominate weaker ones. He saw American expansion as a natural and necessary part of this process.

In summary, Josiah Strong believed that the United States should expand overseas because it would spread Christianity and Anglo-Saxon civilization, benefit the American economy, provide strategic advantages, and fulfill the nation's Darwinian destiny.