Josiah Strong believed that the Anglo-Saxon race was destined to dominate the world because of their strength and values. He argued that as more land was claimed, this race would spread into new areas, and their superiority would lead to 'survival of the fittest' among different races. This viewpoint supported American expansionism and reflected a belief in racial hierarchies, suggesting that it was America's duty to spread its ideals. Unlike earlier ideas about American exceptionalism, Strong's ideas introduced a stronger focus on race, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy toward a more aggressive justification for expansion.