Why did the USA not have ambition of creating an Empire in the whole American continent?
We did have such an ambition, as founded on the “manifest destiny” vision. There is ample evidence of our territorial expansion across the continent. After the Revolutionary War, Congress voted to invade Canada. This adventure failed, though. In 1802, President Thomas Jefferson sent Louis and Clarke to map out the Louisiana Territory after we purchased it from France. They found a passage to the Pacific, extending US influence from sea to sea. In 1848, American troops occupied Mexico City and annexed northern Mexico, now occupied by CA, NV, AZ, NM and TX. In 1867, we purchased Alaska from the Russians. Throughout the 20th Century, we influenced internal affairs of most Latin American countries. I would say, America sought to do just that. .
