In Latin America, positivism affected the region's approach to modernisation and economic development by promoting the belief that progress could be achieved through rational and scientific means. It espoused the implementation of systematic planning and empirical knowledge to enhance the economy and society. Under leaders like Porfirio Díaz in Mexico, positivism translated into policies that prioritised industrialisation, infrastructure development, and the modernisation of the army. However, this approach often prioritised the interests of the urban elite and foreign investors over the rural and working-class populations. While it led to some economic growth and the modernisation of certain sectors, it also exacerbated inequalities and social tensions, which would eventually contribute to revolutionary movements against perceived autocratic and oligarchic governments.

Progressive education reforms had a profound effect on increasing literacy rates and expanding educational opportunities for women and minorities during this period. Advocates like John Dewey promoted a philosophy of 'learning by doing', which encouraged critical thinking and reflection rather than rote memorisation. This pedagogy was more inclusive and adapted to the needs of a diverse student body. As a result, education became more accessible to groups that had been largely excluded. For women, the establishment of women's colleges and the admission of women to coeducational institutions increased dramatically, which, in turn, led to greater participation of women in the professional workforce. For African Americans and other minorities, although segregation remained a significant barrier, there were notable efforts to improve educational access, with institutions like the Tuskegee Institute providing vocational training and the growth of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

While Manifest Destiny primarily justified the expansion across the North American continent, it also influenced the United States' foreign policies beyond. The doctrine fostered an attitude of American superiority and a divine right to expand democracy and capitalism. This ideology was evident in the U.S. interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly during the Spanish-American War, where the U.S. emerged as a colonial power with acquisitions such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Furthermore, the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine extended this belief, asserting U.S. international police power in the Western Hemisphere and leading to significant interventions in the politics and economies of Latin American countries. Manifest Destiny, in essence, rationalised American imperialism and the spread of American influence globally in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Social Darwinism, which promulgated the concept of the 'survival of the fittest', had a significant influence on immigration policies in the Americas. It provided a pseudo-scientific justification for the eugenics movement, which advocated for selective breeding to improve the population's genetic composition. In the United States, this ideology supported the implementation of restrictive immigration laws aimed at maintaining or enhancing the national 'stock'. The Immigration Act of 1924, for instance, introduced quotas that severely limited the influx of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, areas perceived as 'less desirable' sources of population. It was believed that by controlling the quality and quantity of incoming immigrants, the nation's genetic stock could remain 'strong' and 'pure', reflecting the pernicious application of Social Darwinism to social policy.

'Indigenismo' was primarily expressed through artistic, literary, and political mediums. In the arts, it was vividly depicted in the works of muralists who celebrated the history and struggles of indigenous peoples, portraying them as central figures in the nation's history rather than as subjugated minorities. In literature, authors began to integrate indigenous themes and characters, reflecting their languages and worldviews sympathetically and authentically. Politically, 'indigenismo' influenced some government policies that attempted to integrate indigenous communities into national life, promoting cultural pride and acknowledging the injustices they faced. This represented a significant shift in perception as it challenged the prevailing narratives of European superiority and sought to elevate indigenous peoples as a vital part of the national identity. However, it's important to note that the movement was often led by non-indigenous intellectuals, and actual policy changes were sometimes superficial and did not always translate into improved conditions for indigenous populations.