(mc)why did the united states begin to seek foreign territory in the late 1800s after years of isolation?

a. the population of the united states was growing rapidly, and the government needed to provide its citizens with more territory.

b. agricultural farmland was scarce on the mainland of the united states, and the country needed territory to produce enough food for its people.

c. the government wanted to strengthen the economy and build naval bases to protect the country's interests.

d. the government was in competition with other foreign nations to acquire territory on each of the world's continents.