The ideas and people that pressured the scramble for colonies were Manifest Destiny,

Alfred Mahans Thesis, Missionaries, Militarism, Nationalists, Industrialists, and Social

Darwinists. http://www.ushistory.org/us/44.asp
Manifest Destiny fueled Americans belief that the United States was meant to grow, even
far outside of the western hemisphere.
Alfred Mahans thesis stated that throughout history, countries that had the most naval
power had the most power worldwide, and having naval bases at certain strategic points around
the world was important if a nation wanted to maintain its power. This thesis became very
influential even outside of the country, and the United States started to focus on building a
stronger navy and creating bases overseas.
American missionaries wanted more places to spread the teachings of their religion.
Militarism basically claimed that if the United States didnt have power over other
countries around the world, it wouldnt be able to compete with the other imperialist countries
that did. https://skagit.instructure.com/courses/996/modules/items/31338
Nationalists believed that colonies were a marking of national prestige.
Industrialists wanted new places to expand markets for their products, and new places to
take resources from.
Lastly, Social Darwinists believed we had a God given duty to civilize people around
the world.
During this time of imperialism, the American Samoa and Hawaii were added to the
United States by means of annexation; the Spanish American war also granted the United States
complete control over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Alaska and the Virgin Islands
were purchased. Alaska from Russia, and the Virgin Islands from Denmark.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/44a.asp
I believe that Americas movement towards empire was indeed a betrayal of our
democratic principles and proclaimed heritage of freedom and liberty. By taking control over
other places through annexation, you are abandoning the ideals of democratic principles. The
Hawaiian people, for example, had no say in whether or not they would be made into a United
States territory. They even signed a petition against it, and of course, it was ignored. Annexation
and the buying of land takes away freedom and liberty of the civilians already living there.