American Foreign Policy For years American settlers moved west and south dreaming of expanding the United States. (1)____________ was a driving force in American history. In (2)____________ the government announced the end of the “frontier.” Americans began looking to overseas frontiers where they could expand (3)_______________ and compete for political influence. In the mid-1800s American merchants already traded with China, but many hoped to begin trading with (4)____________. In 1853 (5)____________ sailed warships into Tokyo Bay, which persuaded Japan to sign the (6)____________ and open ports to American ships.
