Discussion #4: American Imperial Expansion

The Republican victory in 1896 gave heart to proponents of prosperity through foreign trade.   McKinley sought neither war nor colonies, but many in his party wanted both. Called "jingos," they included Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt; John Hay, the ambassador to London, and senators Albert Beveridge and Henry Cabot Lodge.  Britain, France, and Germany were seizing territory around the world, and jingos believed the United States needed to do the same for strategic, religious, and economic reasons. 

Answer the following question:

Several reasons are proposed explaining why the United States decided to join the "Imperialist Club".  Which argument was the strongest, and which argument was the weakest?  Explain your position.